video; un: whiteroad

[whiteroadrunning]

[Our scene is laid in a pod kitchen. The first-person view displays a countertop, with a toaster upon it. The toaster is older, a bit battered, but it's been lovingly polished to some semblance of its former glory. It's plugged in, but when Alec pushes the lever -- which he's done a few times since the video started -- he's not pushing it down quite hard enough to engage the power. Also, there's no bread inside. It seems, at the moment, he's just trying to figure out how it works.

Functional usage can come later.

After the fourth or fifth try, Alec sighs.]

Oh, Sakor's t--

This is a foolish question, no doubt. But would someone care to explain this to me? I've taken the damned thing apart and put it back together twice, and I can't...

It's for bread, yes? Or pastries?

[Alec grumbles and kneels down beside the counter. The feed cuts after a brief flash of his distorted reflection in the toaster, pouting, brow furrowed with frustration.]

Comments

[whiteroadrunning]

Ah...

[Alec stops to consider that, and then presses a finger thoughtfully to his lips.]

That's a fair point.

[unknownmoirai]

Do you like toast?

[She's curious.]

[whiteroadrunning]

I suppose. I could take it or leave it, it's just the principle of the thing.

Why? Are you fond?

[unknownmoirai]

I'm not sure that I understand the principle.

[It seems very useful here.]

I do. I like it with jelly or jam though.

[whiteroadrunning]

Jam is better, granted. I don't suppose toast is much good without something to go along with it.

[unknownmoirai]

I'm sure some people like it plan but I am inclined to agree.

[It's a shame that they can't just eat jam without the toast.]

[whiteroadrunning]

[Says who!!]

I'd wager people who enjoy plain toast aren't people who enjoy their lives.

[unknownmoirai]

I wonder if there is someone we could ask who doesn't like toast?

[whiteroadrunning]

Impossible. I don't think someone like that exists.

[unknownmoirai]

I'm sure there's is but maybe not here.

I knew someone who told me that toast scraped against the roof of their mouth. They didn't like that.

[whiteroadrunning]

Seems an odd complaint, but I suppose...

Doesn't a good deal of food scrape the roof of your mouth?

[unknownmoirai]

I don't know.

I think only toast does it...

[whiteroadrunning]

[It's clear that neither of them has had Doritos.]

In any case, I appreciate the insight. Perhaps I'll just have to find another.

[unknownmoirai]

[Doritos?! What is this madness!]

If you do, please let me know. I'd like to be careful while eating that food.

[whiteroadrunning]

[Alec chuckles.]

I meant another toaster, but I certainly will.

[unknownmoirai]

Oh, yes.

[She totally knew that!!!]

[whiteroadrunning]

May I have your name? I'm Alec.

[unknownmoirai]

Hello Alec. I don't have a name... exactly but Seregil calls me Inësa.

[It's going to be weird for her to actually use that name without first prefacing that she hadn't had a name until a few weeks ago.]

[whiteroadrunning]

[Alec smiles a little.]

That's a good name. It suits you, I think.

What were you called before he impressed that upon you?

[unknownmoirai]

Thank you.

[She pauses sounding a little more uncertain.]

I wasn't called anything.

Sometimes people would come up with names or call me angel but they always felt like titles more than names.

[whiteroadrunning]

I see. Well, do you enjoy the name he gave you? Or would you choose another?

[unknownmoirai]

I wouldn't choose a name.

It's hard to explain exactly but I do love the name he picked out. It feels like a name more than a title.

It is a proper name.

[whiteroadrunning]

I'm glad you like it, then. Would you mind if I called you that also?

[unknownmoirai]

Yes. I would like that very much.

[whiteroadrunning]

Splendid! Then Inësa you are.