(Video)

[pupp3t]

[Li is reluctant to do this. Starting social interactions is not her forte even in the best of times, and this is very assuredly not that. Regardless, she turns on the video, takes a breath, and steels herself to try to communicate clearly and concisely.]

Hello. My name is Ya-Jing Li. Li, if you want to be formal. I'm new here and I... [what's a way to put this that doesn't make her sound dim-witted?] I'm a bit lost on what to do. Usually I operate with more of a plan than this. I think it would be wise to develop some kind of training regime so I can maintain my combat capabilities, but I'm unsure what to do with the rest of my time here. Suggestions would be appreciated.

And if anyone remembers me from the, um, dream, from before? I would like to hear from you, just to know you made it out alright.

Comments

[Video // Locked]

[purplexing]

[There's a lot of things that he's been trying to sort out since waking up in a creepy cell, but no one had said anything about the vivid dreams so he'd kept them to himself. It just feels like he's been tossed into things and hit the ground running, and so far it had been working fine as he tried to process this situation.

Seeing a face he had figured he'd have no business seeing anywhere else, is effectively like running into a brick wall.

If we meet outside of this city, somehow, say it to me, so I'll know it's you, and I'll know this wasn't a dream. We'll both know, that way. Okay?

It takes him a moment as he fishes through his memories and finally works up the nerve to respond. Anxious fingers make it take a little longer than he normally would, but he's finally satisfied that he's locked down his comm-line.

Even then, he hesitates as he starts second-guessing himself, triple-guessing himself, cursing his typical overthinking, and he's not sure how long the feed's been toggled but he seems startled when he notices it before he forces himself to commit.]

-Xiaohu?

[Video // Locked]

[pupp3t]

[The advantage of not having social skills is that Li is not afraid to say the quiet parts out loud, as evidenced by her relatively calm delivery of what would be, under any other circumstances, a very strange statement.

Donatello looks just like he did in the dream, green skin, dark black eyes she wishes she could have herself, and that distinct purple bandanna. It's him. It has to be him, there's no one else it could be, and yet somehow it seems almost too good to be true, that he would be here along with her. Then he says her name and the reality becomes undeniable.

She smiles, soft and relieved and so, so glad to see him.]

Nǐ hǎo, Donatello. It's good to see you again. I was worried I wouldn't see you again.

[She missed him. For all that their acquaintanceship was brief, he treated her like a person, and Li would never forget that, that easy acceptance and instant validation of her humanity.]

How've you been?

[Video // Locked]

[purplexing]

[Oh good, he's not crazy. The anxiety bleeds away from him in an instant as he sags where he sits, his face breaking into a smile.]

Yeah, I was worried about... a lot of things, actually. It has been very overwhelming but all things considered, I think I'm doing pretty good. I mean, as good as anyone that's waken up and found out they've really been abducted to some previously unknown planet by aliens who want to hollow out our being and take over our bodies.

[There's just a slightly manic edge to his tone as he spills that out before he sucks in a breath and tries to pull himself together again. The smile he attempts looks more like a grimace.]

Sorry, sorry. Ah... how're you doing?

[Nice save.]

[Video // Locked]

[pupp3t]

[No, that's her whilst in Creature Mode. Donatello is the sane one, and some anxiety about this is entirely justified. Li is only not anxious because the sheer scale of this has yet to sink in, her conditioning doesn't really let her panic much, and it's hard not to be relieved to be away from her world even under these circumstances.

Her brow furrows sympathetically.] It's alright, Donatello. You are not alone here. There's other people, and if nothing else, we have each other. We can stay safe long enough to come up with a solution to these problems. And it's... it's honestly not the first time I've been abducted and someone's wanted to take me over. It's not as bad as it could be.

[The degree to which life has skewed her standards for what's a good day or a bad one cannot be overstated. Still, she perks up at his question, clearly not used to being asked that.]

I'm well. I don't think anyone from my world is here, so I can do anything I want, and no one thinks I'm odd, here. It's kind of nice. Is anyone from your world here?

[Video // Locked]

[purplexing]

[It's not something he's unaware of but it is something he really needs to be reminded of. His smile softens a little, maybe not completely reassured, but it's better than nothing.]

Yeah... I- I know. And for what it's worth, it's good to see you and confirm you weren't just a part of some dream.

[He frowns a little then.]

The abduction's a new one for me, but I've had a close encounter with the being taken over bit. Not something I ever wanted to go through and sure not going to let it happen again if I can help it.

...glad to hear it though. That's- I know, right? I get a few weird looks sure, but otherwise I don't think anyone cares that I'm a human-sized, talking turtle. I haven't seen anyone from home though, no.

[video]

[morganknight]

You want training for combat capabilities, that's probably me. Morgan Knight, atcherservice.

[Cue a little wave and a big grin.]

[video]

[pupp3t]

[She nods appreciatively.] Ah, thank you very much. Do you have knives? I seem to have lost mine when I was taken here, and they were primarily what I was trained in. I also know how to use things to strangle people and how to improvise shanks, but I was never trained with firearms, so that's an issue. My hand-to-hand combat unarmed is fine, but I don't think 'fine' is the correct level to aim for when dealing with a threat on this scale.

[Li has many faults, but the one thing no one can fault her on is taking this whole thing seriously.]

[video]

[morganknight]

Pretty sure we all lost our weapons, which I guess isn't a surprise considering what we were taken for, but there's plenty available around here. I'm guessing your combat style relies on extreme pragmatism and immediate results, then?

[That isn't wrong and he's not making a judgment. The opposite, really -- if you are really in a fight, you have an obligation to end it as quickly and efficiently as possible. But at the same time, explicit training for that and nothing else comes with its own burdens and baggage.]

[video]

[pupp3t]

I was trained for immediate results, pragmatism, close-range combat and urban environments. So I have a lot of gaps in my knowledge I know I need to fill in order to help people here and fight the people who took us effectively.

[But she's willing to learn, as evidenced by the solemnity of her words. Li knows she has failings and she wants to work to start addressing them. She wants to help, and in that desire there will be an openness to corrections, instructions and improvement.]

[morganknight]

Gotcha. [She almost certainly has a leg up no matter what she learns, which is all to the good.] I teach martial arts, which ultimately will cover any gaps you have if you work on it, and you probably understand the core component of it in practice if not in theory, so it shouldn't be too hard for you to grasp. If that's what you want to learn. And before you ask, yes, it covers literally everything, because everything is martial arts.

(Video)

[politicallyinclined]

Li! (She is relieved to see her young friend.) I remember you. Do you remember me?

(Video)

[pupp3t]

Padmé-niángniang. [It's clear from tone of voice and the way Li tilts her head in deference that it's a polite add-on to a name, not an unfriendly one.] I remember you. Are you alright now? You seemed pretty tired last time we talked.

(Video)

[politicallyinclined]

My husband found me and he and my son have been looking after me. (Yes, her grown son.) Thank you for helping me. I hope you weren't injured?

(Video)

[pupp3t]

I thought you said your son had just been born?

I'm fine. I had a few bruises when I woke up but I think those were just from home, and they've already healed up, mostly. Please don't worry about me.

(Video)

[politicallyinclined]

It turns out time has no limitations. He proved his identity and I...I know it's him. (His smile is all Anakin and she doesn't want to let him go. He might be grown, but Mama cuddles are a given.)

We're friends. Worrying about you is part of the deal. If you need something, I will always help you.

video;

[nutbuckets]

[It opens with Harley's face as displayed from the bottom, double-chin and all, then shows her making a face at how she looks and adjusting the angle of the phone she's holding.]

Right, there we go.

[A little wave.]

Hiya Li! Nice t'meetcha! Don't remember you from the dream but uh, new people are always good, right?

Anywho.

Uh I could teach ya some gymnastics if ya want. I'm pretty good at that and it's totally useful in combat.

[A pause, during which she looks like she's waiting for a response, but then, very abruptly-]

Oh, I'm Harley Quinn!

video;

[pupp3t]

[Honestly, she's seen less flattering angles of people on video. At least Harley knows how to frame a shot. Li's just sort of aiming for her face being in frame and hoping for the best.]

Nice to meet you too, ma'am. I'm glad to be here.

[That's not remotely sarcastic. This place is substantially better than home in a number of ways.]

That would be very interesting. I don't have much experience with gymnastics, but I would be open to trying if you wouldn't mind putting up with my lack of prior skill.

Do you have a title you want me to call you by, or would Quinn-xiǎojiě be sufficient?

[She keeps her eyes from making direct contact with Harley's and tilts her head, deferring authority automatically. Li has many flaws but rudeness isn't on the list. Whether or not that instinctive body language of making herself look like less of a threat reads as polite across cultures, she's not sure, but that's something they'll have to learn together.]

[nutbuckets]

[Harley grins at the girl.]

Of course I don't mind if you're inexperienced, everyone's gotta start somewhere!

[And that title suggestion gets a look of utmost confusion from Harley.]

Quinn-what? Is that Korean?
No need for titles, you can just call me Harley!

[pupp3t]

Thank you for your understanding. I promise to be a good student.

[Li blinks at her, luminous red eyes completely lacking in comprehension. The idea someone wouldn't want a title never occurred to her.]

It's Mandarin. You put xiǎojiě after someone's last name when they're a woman you respect. Ah, but if you don't want that, I can just call you by your given name, I guess. It's whatever you want.

[Assertiveness, socially, is not her strong suit.]

[nutbuckets]

When would you wanna train?

[Thoughtfully, Harley taps at her chin, tilting her head a little.]

Well, if it makes you more comfortable, call me whatever ya like. Though no one's called me respectable before.

video

[jedied]

Hello Li. I train with a few others with similar abilities to mine; what was your combat training like before?

[ She doubts this girl is from her own galaxy, but she understands completely about not wanting to lose one's skills. She hasn't gotten her lightsaber back yet and so her staff is getting a real workout of late. ]

video

[pupp3t]

I was trained in hand-to-hand combat, proficiency with knives, climbing, long-jumps, high-jumps and in dodging enemy fire. I don't know how to use guns and my weapons training has been limited to knives, but I'm open to learning other things if anyone is available to teach me.

[jedied]

Guns aren't really my thing, but we do have blasters back home which are similar, and I can teach you to use a staff if you like. My weapon of choice isn't here at the moment, either.

[ Not that it would do much good to train anyone else in how to use a lightsaber unless they could make them here in any quantity. Theoretically they could be made to respond to those with no Force training at all, especially since kyber crytals aren't likely to be easily sourced here -- but it's a feat of technology she'd have to consult with others here about. ]

My name's Rey, by the way. Don't worry if it takes you a little while to get acclimated; not every mission is combat-oriented.

[pupp3t]

Learning to use a staff could be useful. I'm not sure where I'd find a staff to use, but I'm still interested, if you don't mind teaching someone without any experience.

[Li is open to anything that allows her to better protect people here. She likes the idea of using her skills to help others, and while staffs aren't the most conventional weapon, she can see how it'd be useful in a variety of situations. It's worth attempting. The learning curve might be steep, but Li has never backed down from a challenge before.]

Unfortunately, I'm not very well-educated or scientifically minded. The only thing I can contribute much to is the combat-oriented aspects of missions, really.

[jedied]

I've got a spare one you can use. They're not difficult to make, so if you find you like it I can help you source the parts to make it sturdier and more your own.

[ Rey still had a particular fondness for using hers, even though it wasn't really necessary even without her lightsaber. They had swords available, and blaster-like weapons. They were fine; she could use them in a pinch. But they weren't familiar, and she wouldn't feel confident teaching anyone how to use them outside of an emergency. ]

Don't worry about that. I was never formally educated either. There's time to learn what you need to know if you'd like to be useful in other ways.