[Action]

[eventohell]

You'll find Riza in the Quad today, staring more like glaring at this silver rectangular object that was opened up on her lap. To her, it looked somewhat like a typewriter from her time. Pushing the 'Power Button', as they called it, she turned the laptop on, watching the screen light up.

One way or another, she was going to figure out this BBS system before the next Quarter started. At least the secretary in the Headmaster's office was kind enough to show her how to log in. All she had to do now was post her first BBS message, not that she knew how...

She supposed, like everything else around Balamb Gardens, she would have to learn eventually. If anyone feels like stopping for a visit, go ahead. Maybe you can show her how to operate this.... thing.

Comments

[her_watchdog]

Ciel was still not exactly sure how to use the thing, either. He had, at the very least, figured out how to type and had managed one reply, but it was more of a fluke than anything.

He noticed the woman had hers open and thought, perhaps, he could get some advice. Oh, he knew he could simply ask Tobias, but he also knew that he needed to start making some allies. Especially with Grell lurking about.

Ciel turned on his best innocent smile and approached.

"Pardon me..."

[gunbladegrrl]

[Spotting that glare, the cadet comes over, pausing only to salute briefly on account of mistaking Riza for a SeeD.]

Ma'am, is something the matter?

[silentscales]

Snake made his way over, having recognized her from the dance, but it was Emily that made it to her first, slithering on the ground beside Snake. They had to get some exercise or they would become very lazy, after all. A fat snake looked odd.

He looked like he was going to say something, but looked to Oscar and seemed to loose nerve.

[eventohell]

Hearing that familiar hiss from the other night, she looks to her ankles and sees Emily. At first, she's somewhat alarmed until she immediately looks up, seeing Snake and smiles. A familiar face from the dance that she's glad to see again.

"Snake, its good to see you."

[eventohell]

[Also assuming that Maria is a SeeD, she sets her laptop aside and salutes the woman.]

Yes, Ma'am. I am not familiar with this tool.

[gunbladegrrl]

No laptops where you're from?

[She thinks back -- way back, since the technology is before her time.] Are you at all familiar with typewriters?

[eventohell]

By this point, she had entered her username and password several times. Riza growled at the object, which once again denied her access.

Once hearing Ciel's voice, she does a double take. A child? Here in the Gardens? Excuse Riza while she is horrified at the thought of a potential child weapon. She takes a few seconds to calm herself, before giving him a somewhat motherly smile.

"Yes?" Somehow, she had a bad feeling about this.

[eventohell]

No, ma'am. There are no laptops from my world.

[And for the other question....]

But yes, there are typewriters.

[her_watchdog]

"My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you," he said, inclining his head apologetically.

"I was wondering if you could help me with those things." Ciel pointed to the object. "I've been having trouble learning on my own."

[gunbladegrrl]

Just Maria is fine, ma'am. [This is just becoming a weird mixture of formalities...]

To start with, think of this like a typewriter. Except instead of a piece of paper, it remembers what you type inside it, and it can show you it any time, or do other things with it.

[eventohell]

Alright.

[That had been her initial thought, to think of the laptop as just another typewriter. But then she'll also have to deal with this thing called Internet. She'd never had anything like it in her timeline.]

By the way, my name is Hawkeye. Cadet Riza Hawkeye.

[May as well get that out there now.]

[eventohell]

She chuckles slightly. "I wish I could, but I'm afraid you and I are in the same boat."

Despite her cheery appearance, she's still a little weary of this boy. And for some reason, he also reminded her of someone she couldn't quite put her finger on.

[her_watchdog]

"Oh..." Ciel smiles sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, then. It is quite difficult, isn't it?"

[gunbladegrrl]

[Cadet!? That earns a brief flash of surprise -- no offense to Riza, but she seems significantly older than Maria herself. Still, she relaxes after a moment and offers a hand.]

Well, welcome aboard?

[fotlenke]

[ surprise attack from behind! ]

HELLO?

[eventohell]

"Yes, I suppose it is." She says, mostly to herself. "You're not a bother, really. I'm just not familiar with this form of communication. The closest object to this from my time would be a typewriter."

[eventohell]

[Yes, Cadet. But don't let her know that you think that, Maria. You know, women and their feelings about age and such....

And now that she knows that the Colonel is alive and safe in this world, she can sharped her skills and do a better job of protecting him and pick up a few more skills on the side.
She takes the woman's hand with a knowing smile.]

Thank you.

[silentscales]

Oscar waved his tail at Riza, though as usual Snake's expression remained fairly blank. "'It is nice to see you as well,' says Emily." Snake points to the laptop, "'We still can't figure out ours,' says Emily."

[her_watchdog]

"There isn't anything like it where I'm from, either," Ciel says, "It's fascinating, though. When one can get it to operate."

[gunbladegrrl]

Will it help if I explain how a laptop works a little bit, or will the science behind it just get in the way of using it?

[eventohell]

[Science? Dear Maria, you are talking to someone who work(ed) under an alchemist. Science is nothing foreign to her. A smirk tugged on her lips as she resisted giving a sarcastic response. After all, Riza didn't want to leave a bad first impression with this woman.]

I'm sure I can handle the science of this laptop. Please, explain away.

[eventohell]

She chuckles. "I suppose it is. Have you been able to make yours work yet?"

[eventohell]

She sighs and sets the laptop aside. Patting the empty space in the bench beside her, she gestures for him to sit a while. She enjoys your company, Snake.

"This academy wouldn't happen to have a class for this type of thing, would they?"

[silentscales]

Snake sits and Emily slithers up his leg, settling on his lap, looking rather content. She makes sure to face towards Riza, apparently listening still. Snake gently grasps his pants, still a little nervous, even if he did like Riza so far.

"'I don't think so,' says Oscar.

"... 'I wish they did,' is what Emily says."

[her_watchdog]

"Well, I did once," Ciel admits, "But I've been unable to replicate that minor success."