Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Petrosity on 13-08-2010, 10:56:37</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>13-08-2010, 10:56:37</strong>
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				“It’s time to wake up, Victoria,” chirped an flat androgynous voice, “It’s going to be a great day.” A dim, artificial light began washing over the gray, concrete walls of the apartment. Victoria groaned, pulling the blanket above her head to escape the unnatural light. She took in a deep breath, her eyes closed tightly as the voice grew louder, resonating loudly off the walls, “Victoria, it’s time to get ready for the day. Work has been canceled for today. You are to meet your new companion in sixty minutes time.” Victoria groaned again, and threw off the blankets in a fit of frustration, cupping her ears from the deafening sound. The voice had grown so loud that the heavy plastic windows vibrated within their metallic frames. Victoria finally opened her eyes to see the familiar digital image of a woman watching her intently with a supercilious smile. “See, that wasn’t so hard,” spoke the image’s emotionless voice as its volume slowly fell to a normal range of speech. <br><br>Victoria sighed, looking up into the impossibly blue eyes of the transmission, “Morning, Home,” she yawned sleepily, stretching as she threw her legs over the side of the bed. She was so tired. She just wanted to sleep. Her mind was spinning with half-focused images and strange sounds from pieces of dreams. She didn’t understand them. Not today. Her dreams were usually crisp and clear&nbsp; This morning, her mind was felt hazy and drained. Victoria tried not to repress her grogginess from Home, House Operation Manager of Efficiency; the last thing she needed today was a doctor’s visit.<br><br>Eventually, Victoria summoned herself to move, placing her feet on the floor and moving off to the bathroom. It was the one place that HOME would not follow, but its voice was heard everywhere. “You don’t have a lot of time. I will automatically turn off the water in ten minutes time in order for you to have enough time for breakfast. You cannot be late for Recalibration,” the voice stated and faded into the background as the news began being broadcasted. Victoria stood in front of the sink, rubbing her eyes as looked at herself in the small mirror. She smiled into the mirror. Compared to others, she thought she was pretty. She had a small nose, and light green eyes. She always knew her eyes were different; she was told that they made her stand out, a glaring flaw in attaining uniforminity among the ranks.<br><br>Under the Ministry’s heavy hand, individualism was a dangerous flaw and unlawful. No one was to be different from anyone else, not in clothing or appearance, except for those in power. Her hair color was of a normal shade, a dark brown, but she was different from others, or so she told herself. She tucked her hair behind her ears as she traced the contours of her face with her fingertips. Her face had retrained its youth despite that she was nearing her thirties. Victoria surveyed her face with pride before the voice snapped her back into reality with a start. “Victoria, you have not turned on the water yet. You have only five minutes left,”&nbsp; HOME blared with almost a sense of anger, the only emotion that it seemed capable of displaying. <br><br>Victoria sighed and stepped into the shower, where it started itself automatically, like most appliances. She washed herself as she thought about the day. It had been almost a year since her last companion, who mysteriously vanished. It wasn’t so much of a mystery as who took her companion, but where the companion went after the Ministry removed people from society. People would suddenly go missing who had too many individualistic qualities, but it was common. After a few days, it was nearly impossible to find anything remaining of that individuals. Victoria had been unable to find so much as a strand of hair from her previous companion, let alone an article of clothing. Victoria wondered who the Ministry had selected for her companion. It was merely another security measure by the Ministry to make sure everyone complied perfectly to the rules: a personal taddle-teller.<br><br>She had just finished rinsing her hair when the water abruptly turned off. Victoria sighed, and toweled off the excess soap on her limbs and left the bathroom. She pulled out her standard outfit, of which she had exactly seven. She pulled her black dress uniform, and headed to the kitchen to eat the same breakfast she has eaten, every day, for twenty-seven years: oatmeal with raisins, wheat toast, and one cup of milk. Once finished, she dawned her coat where the image waved at her, feigning familial love and concern, “You are to introduce the new arrival to the community for the remainder of the day. Dinner will be served at 1800 sharp. Don’t be late.” Victoria nodded to the wall, showing acknowledgment to the HOME, and headed outside to towards the House of Rebirth, where all new arrivals were processed and placed. Victoria shoved her hands deep into her pockets and walked quickly down the busy streets with the beginning of a terrible headache.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>15-08-2010, 12:09:18</strong>
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				At the time when Victoria was walking toward her destination, another young woman was sitting in a cell in the House of Rebirth, on the verge of giving into despair.<br><br>Melanie - for this was the woman's name - kept thinking on how her life could have taken such a wrong turn in such a short time. Only two days ago, she was living securely in her home country, working as a nurse in a big city. As she had a few days off her work, she decided to spend them visiting her family - which lived in a small town not too far away from the country's border.<br><br>Melanie has grown up in that town, too - and for the most of her life there, she hasn't really been worried by the border's closeness. Sure, she realized that, behind the border, there was this secretitive and harsh land of the Ministry - but, somehow, that fact didn't bother her. The Ministry wasn't a really agressive neighbour and it seemed to be mostly concerned with keeping the foreigners out, not with attacking other countries. True, sometimes the rumours surfaced about the Ministry issuings claims that, supposedly, the area surrounding Melanie's home town should be really considered a part of the Ministry's territory... nevertheless, the Ministry has never acted on that claims. So, the town's inhabinants didn't really worry about a prospect of the Ministry's invasion.<br><br>But the invasion *did* came, after all these years... just as Melanie came back to her home town to visit her family. It all happened so suddenly: Melanie was eating dinner with her family - and then, the alarms sounded and authorities issues order for evacutation. In all the chaos that followed, Melanie and her family grabbed their belongings, jumped into a car and tried driving away... but then, they were stopped by foreign soldiers... the Ministry's soldiers. The soldiers informed them that the area was being reincorporated into the Ministry's land... and the town's people were now the Ministry's subjects. And then, the soldiers separated all of the family members, pushed them into different military vans, all filled with panicked people... and drove them deep into the Ministry's land. When the prisoners tried to inquire what was going to happen to them, the only response they got was that they were being resettled and will soon be incorporated into their new society.<br><br>And then, after the long drive, Melanie and her fellow prisoners arrived at the House of Rebirth. They were split into small groups and locked inside some kind of... jail cells? An hours-long wait followed, in the course of which a guard occassionally arrived to the cell and took this or that prisoner away. None of the prisoners returned - and the remaining captives could do nothing but speculate on what was going to happen to them...<br><br>And now, as Victoria was walking along the streets to the House of Rebirth, the cell's door opened once again. A guard came in and, unemotionally, stated:<br><br>"Melanie Haynes, you are to come with me."<br><br>Melanie froze for a second, then - fearfully - she looked at the guard.<br><br>"Why..?", she replied, "What's going to happen to me..?"<br><br>The guard kept looking at Melanie with an unemotional stare.<br><br>"You'll be informed of everything soon enough, Melanie Haynes. Let's go."<br><br>Melanie hesitated for a moment, but then realized that she didn't have any choice. She raised from the bunk and approached the guard. The guard closed the cell's door behind them and started to lead Melanie to her destination...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>18-08-2010, 11:43:54</strong>
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				“No, no, no! I’m not doing it.”<br><br>“I’m sorry, Miss Victoria. You were one of the best, and we’re short handed. This one is yours‘,” the older woman stated with an almost mocking banter in her voice as Victoria surrendered to the extra work load. With her hand raised to her forehead, Victoria methodically assessed the facts. The rumors were true: the Ministry had finally managed to break down the long-standing Eastern borders and about a hundred of new citizens were waiting to be placed. Victoria knew that the number of prisoners should’ve been higher, a lot of higher, but she wasn’t going to voice the inconsistencies found in the Ministry‘s way of counting objects, especially people. Victoria had&nbsp; slowly worked her way upwards in the political ladder, becoming a witness to the unfathomable and daily choices of the Ministry, and knew well enough that silent mouse ate another day.<br><br>Victoria sighed and picked up her future companion’s chart, a Miss Melanie Haynes. Victoria’s vibrant emerald eyes scanned the document and she let a small burst of laughter. A blonde, in the Ministry? She hadn’t seen a blonde-haired person in her entire life. While new people were brought in occasionally, any recessive traits, like blonde-hair or blue-eyes, were quickly bred out among the dark-haired, dark-eyed populous. Victoria’s mild amusement subsided as she continued to scan the document and a hint of sadness gripped at her heart at the realization that Melanie had simply been at the wrong place at the wrong time, visiting family when the Ministry assimilated the Eastern Border communities into the Ministry’s new region.<br><br>Victoria never had a family, but after years of working as a Handler in the House of Rebirth, she had a basic knowledge of the inner trust and foundation families provided in the outside world. Families provided strength, encouragement, and drive for their kin to thrive and grow. However, the Ministry did not view individual strength and drive so positively. Victoria discovered a long time ago that was why the Ministry disbanded families: families weakened the power of the government by being powerful sources of support and knowledge. The Ministry needed people to depend on them for their every waking need in order to decide every facet of life. It was the dirty truth that Victoria knew with every fiber of her being and fought against it every day. She strived to make her own decisions, however small, every day, in spite of the government. <br><br>Flipping through papers, Victoria made a note of her future companion’s location and picked up a standard grey uniform for Melanie. Soon, a pair of&nbsp; practical, small heeled boots noisily echoed in the empty hall as Victoria walked the length of the dark corridor, watching the numbers grow across the top of the door. <em>Room 104, room 104,</em> Victoria mentally repeated as she passed room 98. As she turned the corner, it became starkly obvious which was room 104 as a guard stood outside of the door. Victoria walked up to the guard and promptly showed the large brute her ID before stepping through the large metallic door without a word. <br><br>The door gave a loud click behind her. She took a moment to smooth out of her black dress suit and forced a smile towards the cell’s occupant. “Hello, Miss Haynes. I’m Victoria. I’m here to assist you,” Victoria announced, trying to sound sincere and sympathetic, but knew she sounded artificial and formal. “Would you like to get into something clean?” she asked sympathetically, trying to make the transition more bearable for Melanie despite the terrible circumstances. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>22-08-2010, 12:39:37</strong>
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				When Victoria entered the room, Melanie was sitting on a chair, gazing at the floor. As she heard the door open, though, she looked up immediately. In her eyes, desperation was visible.<br><br>Silently, Melanie listened to Victoria introduce herself. The captive remained silent for a second or two... then, in a pleading voice, she replied:<br><br>"Please... I don't understand why I was brought here. I am not a soldier or anything... I'm not dangerous to you. Why can't I just go home..?"<br><br>After a second, she added:<br><br>"And... where is my family? We were arrested together. Could I see them..?"<br><br>Melanie gazed at Victoria's face. Her eyes were begging the other woman to emphatize... to help.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>24-08-2010, 10:23:46</strong>
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				Victoria sighed and shook her head sympathetically towards Melanie. “I’m sorry, Miss Haynes, but with our two countries at war, it would be best for you to stay here until the war comes to an end,” Victoria stated honestly, but she knew that the war may never come to an end. The Ministry had been in a cold war with the borders for decades, and she imagined that the government wouldn’t give up their claim for expansion so easily. The Ministry was merciless in its aggression towards attaining power. Victoria imagined it would be a long time before this war was over. Despite knowing that hope of leaving was slim to none, Victoria kept her voice positive and unwavering, “At the end of the war, you may go back to your country, if circumstances provide.”<br><br>“And, as for your family…” Victoria began thumbing through Melanie’s chart; it contain a brief physical description and reasons for being in the area, but there wasn’t any specific information on the location of her parents nor their current status. Victoria knew that one of three things could have happened to her parents, and none of which were very pretty. Victoria spoke slowly, analyzing the information one more time, as she carefully choose her words, “It appears that they haven’t made it back into the country, yet, but I will keep an eye out for them. Just to confirm our records, what are your parents’ names and dates of birth?” Installing a false sense of security was one of the primary objectives when integrating new citizens into the community, and Victoria knew some security in a strange new place was better than none at all. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>05-09-2010, 10:19:51</strong>
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				As Victoria informed Melanie that it wasn't possible for her to back to her country, the female captive grew pale for a second.<br><br>"<em>So...</em>", she thought, "<em>...it's not some sort of misunderstanding. There *is*&nbsp; a war going on...</em>"<br><br>She shook her head, as if trying to shake off the fear and desperation that were starting to overwhelm her. A war... Who could knew when - and how - it was going to end? Maybe... maybe she won't be able to get back home for months... or years...<br><br>Melanie listened silently, as Victoria told her that her parents haven't made it back to their country, either. She tried not to think on what it could mean... Instead, she focused on the black-clad's woman calm voice - and the interest she expressed in locating her parents.<br><br>"They are... Jeff and Amanda Haynes", Melanie replied slowly, "My father was born on March 19th, 1955 and my mother birthday is on August 4th, 1958. Will.. will you find them? Please?"<br><br>She looked up at Victoria, her eyes pleading the other woman to help.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>17-09-2010, 11:46:28</strong>
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				Victoria quickly jotted down the parents’ names and birth dates in the upper margin of the paper. She knew it wasn’t going to make a difference in their condition, but there was a slim possibility that Victoria would be given information about Melanie’s parents. Although, the ministry’s policy on the elderly was not kind nor favorable. Everyone worked their part, and if they couldn’t, measures were taken to ensure they would one way or another.<br><br>“I’ll do what I can, Miss Haynes,” Victoria continued to ooze sympathy as she gave a small smile to Melanie, “I’ll do what I can find them. The war will make it harder, but I will give it my all.” She meant what she said, but she also knew that if she scoured all the files, it was doubtful that she would any record of them so soon. It was unlikely, but she would try going through the records in about a week. <br><br>Victoria gingerly tucked a strand of a brown hair behind her ear as she once again glanced over Melanie’s record. “Do you have any other questions for me? I will explain everything else shortly, but I’d be happy to settle any concerns you have now,” Victoria stated, knowing there was a lot more to do today than rehash memories of last night for the young lady, but it was up to Melanie how long she needed before being introduced to society at large. It was quite the change from the rest of the world, Victoria had read once, but she found its grey streets hauntingly comforting, along with the voices of the political leaders that whispered sweet encouragements. Victoria didn’t like the ministry’s decisions, but she had grown accustomed to the familiar sights and sounds of the military and afternoon hangings. It was simply the way of life. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>18-09-2010, 10:37:11</strong>
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				Melanie listened on attentively, as Victoria declared that she'd do all she could to locate her parents. In her thoughts, she kept wondering whether the black-clad woman was lying... or she was really ready to help. Melanie wanted to believe the latter - in her current predicament, she was desperate for help from any kind soul...<br><br>"Thanks... thank you", she said to Victoria, quietly. She remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke up again:<br><br>"What... what's going to happen to me now? Will I be... staying here in prison until the end of the war..?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>19-09-2010, 20:54:57</strong>
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				“Oh heavens, no. We’re not that cruel,” Victoria stated without much thought. The prisons in the Ministry were temporary at best. Victoria shook her mind of putting anyone leaving anyone here. After a while, they all ended up the same. She quickly finished her notes and sat the report down on the table and stood up.<br><br>“Actually. The ministry has given me special permission to introduce you to our community during the period of war,” Victoria announced with a certain amount of curiosity and formality. She had never lived with anyone that wasn’t from the society. She imagined that broken rules wouldn’t be so severely punished. After all, Melanie would be learning the customs, but she knew the ministry would be watching over her as she taught the new girl everything correctly. She may be punished in placed of Melanie, but she didn’t know. How could anyone really know what the ministry was thinking. <br><br>Victoria smiled, bringing herself back to the conversation. “We’ll be living with each other. Today, I’ll show you everything about our community. We’ll be working in difference places during the day, but we’ll be sharing the same living unit. I’ll also teach you our customs and rules along the way.” Victoria walked around the table, leaning against its cold metal. “It’s a little different here, but you’ll only be staying here during the war, however long that may be. Hopefully, for the sake of both of our nations, not very long at all.” 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 21:04:33</strong>
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				Melanie opened her eyes wide in suprise. They were going to release her? Just like that? With their countries being at war, she feared that she was going to be staying in prison indefinitely... or put into some sort of internment camp. But they were going to let her live ordinary life? Give her some sort of living space and... employment?<br><br>Somehow, all of this seemed to be too good to be true...<br><br>"I... don't know what to say", she replied to Victoria, "It sounds... very generous. Thank you..."<br><br>She gave the other woman a small, weak smile.<br><br>"You say that I'll be leaving this place... right now? If that's true, then... it's just great!"<br><br>She stood up and gazed at Victoria. In her eyes there was both nervousness... and hope.<br><br>"So... shall we go now..?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>28-09-2010, 07:02:15</strong>
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				“There is still another order of business before we leave, Melanie,” Victoria replied calmly, taking the liberty to be a little bit less formal. She looked Melanie’s smooth complexion and blonde hair, still such an unfamiliar sight to her. After a moment, she reached over the table and grabbed the standard grey uniform worn by the community. She walked over to Melanie, holding out the uniform. “You need to put this on before we go into the community. Everyone wears an uniform. It’s standard issue.”<br><br>Victoria took a step backwards, leaning against the table, resuming her idea, “You’ll receive six more. One for each day of the week. It makes life a little bit more… simple, you see.” Victoria didn’t like the colors of the uniform, but she spent no time in the morning worrying what she was going to wear. It was a worry that had never crossed her mind in her life. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>28-09-2010, 22:01:54</strong>
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				"Oh", Melanie replied flatly, looking at the grey uniform. Could it be true? Could all of the citizens be dressed like this..? The idea didn't sound too appealing.<br><br>Still, it was not like Melanie had any choice on that matter...<br><br>Without much enthusiasm, Melanie took off her somewhat dirty clothes and started putting the grey uniform on. Grey shirt, grey slacks, some boring shoes...<br><br>"Do I look alright?", she asked Victoria, turning to the other woman, "What about my old clothes, could I keep them?"<br><br>As she was speaking, she realized that Victoria's attire was different to her own.<br><br>"You say that everyone in the community is wearing this uniform", she observed, "But you are not, are you? Or is it a different kind of uniform?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>28-09-2010, 23:16:47</strong>
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				Victoria smiled at Melanie’s key powers of observation as she watched Melanie undress. “Everyone does wear a uniform. Mine is different from yours, because I’m in a position of authority, and you are not,” Victoria replied matter-of-factly, not allowing her eyes to move from Melanie. Impart due to legal reasons, to make sure that Melanie wasn’t hiding anything beneath her clothes, and impart to her own selfish reasons that she couldn’t explain, but she found the female form to be enticing and beautiful. The ministry had made firm statements against promiscuity and homosexual relationships since the beginning of its reign. Simply, unless an individual was chosen for breeding purposes, there was to be no sexual encounters. However, Victoria found herself unable to remove her steady gaze from Melanie, despite knowing that Melanie was dirty, vulnerable, and exhausted from war. Victoria may not be able to have this opportunity again.<br><br>Victoria continued speaking, mostly to avoid the awkward silence, “Civilians wear the standard grey uniform. I am in charge of organization and placement of new arrivals, both new borns and prisoners of war, like yourself. Those above civilians wear black uniforms. However, those of the high council within the inner tier of the Ministry wear red uniforms. It is unlikely that you’ll ever see them, but if you do, I recommend bowing as a sign of respect.” She nodded. She had only seen the high council twice, both times were unexpected. <br><br>“As for your clothes,” Victoria noted, “Remove anything valuable from the pockets. They will be burned.” 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 22:33:06</strong>
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				"I see...", Melanie replied, as Victoria explained the difference in their uniforms to her. She raised her eyebrow slightly, when she heard Victoria advise her to bow to the people wearing red uniforms. This sounded a bit unpleasant... as if ordinary citizens were supposed to be subservient to their leaders...<br><br>"Oh", Melanie muttered, when Victoria informed her that her clothes were to be burned, "Is this... necessary..? I'd prefer to keep them... for the time I can go back to my country, that is..."<br><br>Despite voicing her reservations, Melanie didn't really expect Victoria to bend rules for her. She sighed and started searching her old clothes' pockets. They were mostly empty - the only thing Melanie found was her watch.<br><br>"Can I keep my watch..?", she asked, putting her old clothes onto the table. Then, she turned to Victoria and asked:<br><br>"Shall... we go now?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 21:17:57</strong>
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				Victoria looked at Melanie’s watch and thought for a moment. No, Melanie wasn’t supposed to have anything that would remind her have her former life, but the watch was such a minor trinket that Victoria couldn’t see any danger in having it. She looked from the watch to Melanie and nodded, “You may keep the watch. You must not wear it, but you may keep it as a memento during your transition to the community.”<br><br>Victoria felt good about the small leeway. It would give Melanie a small sense of identity, but it was temporary, and that’s what Victoria liked most about it. Although, now that Victoria gave in on one thing, she assumed that Melanie would push to have her clothes, but that simply out of the question. “However, your clothes will still need to be burned because we do not know what foreign containments may have attached to the fibers. We do not want anything disrupting the community, like new flu virus. It’s for your protection and ours.” <br><br>Reaching for the pamphlet of papers, Victoria brought them causally to her side. Victoria knew that Melanie had been a little taken back by her comments about the ministry and the procedures, but that was simply the way of the things. It’s better for her to know than to not know, thought Victoria. <br><br>“Now, that you’re changed, we may go, but there’s one more thing you should know. This a very militaristic community. You wear your rank. There’s no hiding or denying it, but everything you could ever need is provided. No one ever dies because they are lacking in food, medicine, or shelter,” Victoria declared, but she couldn’t continue to say that the ministry was more humane or decent than other nations. People did die as soon as they grew too old to perform their part of the community; no one could prove the ministry killed them, but everyone knew it and everyone did their share to prevent an early release. <br><br>“Do you have any other questions, Melanie?” Victoria inquired, her delicate fingers already touching the cold metal knob of the door.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 22:44:59</strong>
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				Melanie sighed once again, as Victoria reiterated that she could not keep her old clothes. She didn't intend to argue, though - it was obvious that Victoria wouldn't bend rules for her. Also, she had to admit that the rationale Victoria had cited made a degree of sense...<br><br>"I understand...", Melanie replied to Victoria, "Thank you for letting me keep my watch..."<br><br>She hid the watch in her new pant's pocket. She didn't understand why she couldn't actually wear it... but she was too tired to ask about it. At least, at the moment.<br><br>She listened silently, as Victoria commented on the nature of the Ministry's community.<br><br>"I see", she replied, nodding slightly. What Victoria had said, didn't sound too inviting... but there was no point in saying this aloud. Melanie knew she had to try adapting to this society - she had no choice on that matter...<br><br>She shook her head, when Victoria asked whether she had any more question.<br><br>"No...", she replied quietly, "Let's go... please."<br><br>She could not wait to be finally out of this building.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 10:09:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria nodded and opened the door. The hallway wasn’t more attractive than the room they had just been in. It was more of the same: grey walls and bright, white lights. Victoria led the way, glancing back to make sure Melanie was still following at different points as she turned around corners. Finally, as the main entrance was in sight, Victoria glanced&nbsp; back at Melanie, “We’re almost out of the building. Where would you like to see first? Your new job location, something to eat, or would you like to take a small nap before continuing, or...”&nbsp; <br><br>Victoria stumbled a little, catching her shoe on the corner of the welcome mat and nearly falling over head-first. She squeaked softly catching herself from falling as she stood in the front of the door. The tension broke just a little as clumsy moments often do. “God dammit…” she muttered, readjusting her foot into her shoe. “Oh, where was I… oh yea… Or would you just like to walk around for a bit? Whatever you wish, Melanie.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 02:34:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Melanie followed Victoria out of the room. As they were walking along the grey corridors, she experienced both relief and nervousness. Melanie couldn't wait to breathe the fresh air again... on the other hand, though, she strongly suspected that getting confronted with this community's way of life was going to be hard for her.<br><br>When Victoria nearly fell due to tripping on the welcome mat, Melanie instinctively jumped to her, in case the other woman needed assistance. She stopped half-way, though... after all, Victoria was the representative of the authorities - and Melanie wasn't sure whether she was allowed to get so close to her or not.<br><br>Having heard Victoria's question, Melanie pondered for a few seconds on the options presented.<br><br>"I... would like to eat something, if that's alright...", she replied finally, "I admit that I'm a bit hungry..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 20:49:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Very well,” Victoria replied as she finished dealing with her stubborn shoe. She felt a little dumb and awkward. She should’ve paid more attention to where she was walking she knew, but there was nothing that could help her moment of clumsiness now.&nbsp; She sighed and looked at Melanie and noticed that she was quite a bit closer to her now than she was a mere moment ago. A brief thought crossed her mind that perhaps Melanie was going to help her, her captors, but dismissed it; she had merely kept walking after the stumble, that was all, Victoria concluded mentally. <br><br>“Normally, you will be eating at your workplace for lunch, but we’ll go back to our unit for today sense it is still a little early for lunch,” Victoria said as she looked that the giant clock that hung over the reception desk. It was only about ten thirty. They still had most of the day together, because recalibration had been so fast. She was glad for that, that Melanie had been willing to comply and be civil during the disclosure of her new community and lifestyle of her stay, otherwise entry into the community could’ve taken much, much longer. There was still so much time. <br><br>Victoria nodded to herself as she made a brief itinerary in her mind. “Come along, Melanie. The unit isn’t far away, but it’s a little difficult to get to. Play special attention to the road signs,” Victoria advised as she pushed open the door. It was a familiar sight to her, but she still couldn’t help herself look at it every time she passed through the doors of the House of Rebirth. Amidst all the concrete and grey walls, there was actually a small park located southeast of building. The splash of green against the white-grey seemed almost like a fairytale story. The park was the one of the few pieces of evidence that the Ministry’s world wasn’t secretly black and white. It was beautiful in its simplicity. It was a snapshot of what the world could look like it wasn’t covered in a blanket of concrete and asphalt.&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>03-10-2010, 02:57:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once again, Melanie nodded, as Victoria informed her where she was going to eat today. She had so many questions she wanted to ask: where was she going to work, what her and Victoria's home was like... But, at this moment, Melanie chose not to ask these questions - there would be time for them later. At this time... Melanie just wanted to breathe fresh air again.<br><br>She followed Victoria through the building's front door. As she walked outside, she felt a light breeze across her face. It was... so pleasant...<br><br>Melanie looked around, curious what the city was like. Her heart sank a little, as she saw the grey, bland buildings... and the uniformed people that were walking along the streets.<br><br>"<em>It's awful. These people... they all look the same...</em>", she thought.<br><br>And then, she remembered that she was wearing the uniform, too... and, because of that, she was a part of the homogenous human mass that filled the city's streets.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>06-10-2010, 07:59:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria filled her lungs with the refreshing morning air, and turned to Melanie with a small smile as her hair billowed in the light breeze. “Come along, we’ll talk as we walk and get to know each other a little bit better,” she purposed as she watched Melanie take in her new surroundings. Victoria knew that they weren’t much to look at, only because she was privy to international reports. She had read about buildings with extravagant windows and buttresses. Out of all the buildings in the city, only one building was remarkably different than the others: the national church. It looked like the churches everyone remembers from storybooks with the tall steeple and large windows, but there wasn’t a Christ or a great redeemer--there was a judge, unwavering and cruel in judgment, for all those who lied or stolen from the ministry.<br><br>Victoria wondered what Melanie’s life outside of the ministry had been like, what people wore and thought, and how government was administered, but she doubted that she would be able to talk about such notions without being questioned about it. If it were to come out in casual conversation while explaining the ministry’s government, then maybe, but she couldn’t express any interest especially where there were so many pairs of artificial ears. She wiped the ideas from her mind as she waited for Melanie to come to her side so that they could walk side by side instead of leader and prisoner. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>10-10-2010, 00:54:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As she heard Victoria's words, Melanie nodded.<br><br>"Yes, of course...", she said and joined the other woman. Together, they began walking along the street.<br><br>Walking at Victoria's side, Melanie kept taking in her surroundings. At first, she hoped that the bleak look of the buildings was an one-off phenomenon... that it was just this one place that happened to feature this dreadfully utilitarian, box-like buildings. But, as the two women walked, Melanie could see that all of buildings that stood along the street seemed to be similarly austere. There were no decorations on the buildings, no differences in style... just the grey walls of concrete forming nearly-identical structures.<br><br>Shifting her attention to the people that were passing by her, Melanie once again cringed at the sight of the uniforms. All of the people around were wearing them: either the grey uniform Melanie herself was wearing, or the black suits identical to that of Victoria. As with the buildings, the people on the streets seemed almost identical - even their hairstyles seemed to be similar.<br><br>"<em>It's horrid here...</em>", Melanie thought.<br><br>She realized that she and Victoria were walking in silence for a few minutes now.<br><br>"Uhm...", she said, feeling that the silence was becoming a bit awkward, "... you mentioned that I'd be working. What kind of work would that be? Back at home, I was a nurse..."<br><br>She looked at Victoria questioningly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 08:29:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria looked at Melanie for a moment in bewilderment before reapplying her politically correct mask of near stoicism on as she answered the question, “As of currently, you are assigned to be working in pamphlet factory in the House of Knowledge. It is not too far away from the building we just left, just a little further down the road.” Victoria never worked in the House of Knowledge, but she knew the jobs were tedious and boring and near impossible to do wrong. Most new adults were stationed in the House of Knowledge during their first weeks if they showed talents else where, but some never left the monotony of folding paper for hours day after day, year after year.<br><br>However, Victoria wasn’t worried about Melanie. She seemed a bright and intelligent girl. She doubted that she would spend any real length of time at the pamphlet station, but Victoria didn’t know where she would go, and she hadn’t the faintest idea of what jobs or position a nurse held. She thought on it for a moment, trying to remember anything from old reports, but she never heard the word even spoken before in her life. She walked for a moment longer before she broke the silence, “I imagine eventually they will move you out of the House of Knowledge. What skills are you proficient with, Melanie?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 21:39:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite Victoria's attempts to hide her bewilderement, Melanie managed to register the other woman's confusion.<br><br>"<em>Why is she so surprised..?</em>", she pondered, "<em>She looks like she didn't expect this question at all...</em>"<br><br>"A... pamphlet factory..?", she said aloud, "Well... okay..."<br><br>She wasn't happy with this information at all... still, she realized that it might have been a bit foolish from her to expect to be hired in the same position she had held back home. Her captors didn't knew anything about her, after all... Maybe, with time, she will manage to become nurse again?<br><br>Of course, it'd be best if the war came to end quickly and Melanie was allowed simply to return to her country...<br><br>When she heard Victoria's question, Melanie turned to the other woman again.<br><br>"What skills..?", she replied, thoughtfully, "Well, as I already told you... I'm a qualified nurse. I could work at a hospital, or assist at a doctor's practice... Would it be possible for me to get this kind of job?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>13-10-2010, 08:40:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria tried not to look utterly baffled by Melanie’s statements. A hospital, a practice, nurse. She knew what practicing was… it was a verb in which the same act was performed countless times, but Melanie hadn’t used it in that sort of way. It was a noun, like the hospital. It was a location, a physical location, and Melanie played a supportive role to those around her, but that was all Victoria could deduce from Melanie’s reply. <br><br>There were very few places where people worked together and weren’t isolated, even in upper tiers of the community. Most individuals worked by themselves to complete the assigned work load every day, either in office spaces or in factories. Only a few people in the House of Rebirth worked together, mostly organizing group activities to promote good health and to help assist with birthing, but those positions were highly prized and required extensive training. Aside from those stations, military leaders would gather groups of soldiers together, but Victoria severely doubted that Melanie was a military personnel. Foreign officers tended not to live very long within the ministry, being a prized favorite for public hangings.<br><br>After a moment, Victoria decided to expose her ignorance of the outside world and politely replied, “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, Melanie. You see, we don’t have hospitals here or practices.” Victoria would’ve continue to describe what they did have in place of those professionals, except she had no idea what they could possibly be related to. She smiled and looked forward into the grey abyss as Victoria veered to the right towards their large apartment complex.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>13-10-2010, 22:12:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Huh?", Melanie shook her head, hearing Victoria's words. How could there be no hospitals around?<br><br>"What do you mean, you don't have hospitals here?", she asked, "Maybe I'm not using the right word... I'm talking about medical facilities. You know - the place where people get treated for illnesses or injuries. You must have these kind of places here... right?"<br><br>She looked at Victoria, her eyes wide open. The conversation has took a really surprising turn...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 17:50:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria finally realized what she was talking about, or at least could imagine to the idea of taking a community’s sick to a centralize location, but Victoria couldn’t help to realize that wouldn’t taking all the sick to the same location promote illness?&nbsp; After a moment, Victoria shook her head, “We don’t take our sick anywhere, but there is a health inspector that will visit units if the need arises. There are vaccinations every year. It is rare that anyone becomes seriously ill.”<br><br>Victoria smiled, almost in pride that apparently their community did not promote so many ill as the outside world. “Are there a lot of ill where you come from? Your government does not prevent disease?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 21:30:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Melanie listened to Victoria's words, a look of surprise was visible on her face.<br><br>"<em>Could illness be something so rare here that they wouldn't need hospitals..?</em>", she thought. She found it hard to believe... but, apparently, this was indeed the case.<br><br>"Well... it does", she replied, when Victoria asked her whether her country's government didn't try to prevent sickness, "But it's not that easy, not all illnesses can be prevented. People just... do fall ill sometimes..."<br><br>She fell silent, feeling a bit silly. What was she trying to do here? Was she trying to convince Victoria that controlling sickness was impossible... while, in this country, they apparently managed to do just that..?<br><br>"Uhm...", she spoke up, eventually, "So, you don't have hospitals here. But maybe I could get work as a... health inspector? Would that be hard?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>16-10-2010, 18:44:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria watched Melanie for a second look uncertain, almost perplexed. The ministry had almost eliminated most types of illness, including the common cold. Most people did not get sick any more from the flu or pneumonia, but some times old age or a weak heart didn’t explain everything. Among other countries, Victoria knew that the ministry was among the leading controls in stopping bacterial and viral strains, but the ministry’s reasons for eliminating annual illnesses weren’t for philanthropic reasons. The ministry needed power; to have power, a country needed arms and defenses--a country needs men. In order to always have a standing army and steady factories, the ministry developed these cures to make sure the work flow is always on time and ready to begin the day.<br><br>Victoria glanced up to see where they were, and they were already at the base of the stairs of her apartment complex. She took her first step up onto the stair when Melanie asked if she could be a health inspector. Victoria stopped for a second and shook her head, “It’s unlikely. A health inspector’s job is one of great privilege in the community, although it seems almost unneeded these days… There’s very few positions available and it is rare that a health inspector is ever released from his post except by old age.” Victoria glanced back at her, “All the positions are currently filled. It will be at least several years before a position becomes available.”<br><br>Victoria turned and continued up the stairs, trying to think of any other jobs that might be remotely medically related like the health inspector, but all she could think of would be the midwives. They were the only other people they helped others with biological sort of needs. Midwifery was looked down on as a dirty job, she knew, but she could at least offer. “We have one other medical sort of position as a midwife. Would that interest you, Melanie?” <br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>02-11-2010, 22:29:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Melanie looked around, as they arrived at the apartment complex. <br><br>"<em>So... this is where I'm going to be living now?</em>", she thought.<br><br>The place appeared the same as the buildings they passed along on their way: it was grey, practical... sterile. One more reason for Melanie to hope to get released to her home country as soon as possible...<br><br>When they started to climb the stairs, Melanie listened to Victoria, as the other woman explained that the health inspector position would be unavailable. Victoria's words didn't really surprise Melanie - she wasn't really expecting that becoming a doctor would be easy...<br><br>"A... midwife..?", she repeated after Victoria, as the other woman asked her if she would be interested in this kind of position, "Well, I... don't know... I haven't been trained as a midwife. But I could learn to be one, I guess... Do you think it would be possible for me to get this job?"<br><br>As she looked back at Victoria, her eyes brightened a little. Midwifery was a position definitely closer to her real occupation than... making pamphlets...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>06-11-2010, 19:04:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria tried not to show any sort of disgust for the position, but it was among the lowest positions anyone could possibly have in the city. Someone had to do it, she supposed, but she had never heard anyone voluntary ask to help deliver. Sexual access to others had been so restricted and perverted by the government for centuries, that most people did not care for any sort of sexual conduct. There wasn’t STDs or anything of the sort. People with those illnesses and others like it were released from the society as a potential harm to the rest of the community. <br><br>Midwifery was a reminder that sexuality did still exist, that it was important for a community to continue, but it wasn’t celebrated, it wasn’t a success. Individuals that choose to bear the future generations were deemed unfit for most forms of labor. Victoria wasn’t disgusted by sexuality. She understood the Ministry’s concerned if it were to get out of hand again, as it has in outside countries, but she wanted it. She was only appalled by Melanie’s choice because she there was no way out once someone became a midwife. Once a midwife, always a midwife. <br><br>After a moment, Victoria nodded. “I believe that could be arrange. It may take a few days, but I’m sure the women can use a few more hands over there,” Victoria confirmed, fiddling with a strange looking key for a moment and pushed open the door. The apart was spacious, but grey. However, bits of color were seen here and there. Across the grey couch was a white throw and on the black coffee table was a brown book. In contrast to the monochrome world, the kitchen was surprisingly bright: a quiet shade of yellow. It was the dull yellow, but nonetheless the yellow. <br><br>Victoria stepped inside the door and took off her jacket as HOME slowly pulled herself together on the wall. “You are home early, Victoria,” the digital image flatly stated.<br><br>Victoria nodded and looked at the image. “Melanie was hungry,” she replied, not truly wanting to explain why they weren’t just keeping with the schedule or anything else at the present time. HOME just looked at her, but didn’t say anything. Instead, the microwave turned on and there appeared to be a bowl of oatmeal already sitting inside. The house knew her well, Victoria supposed, as this was not the first time she brought a new companion home a little early. Victoria turned to Melanie, “There’s some leftovers from breakfast that will be ready in a few minutes. Please, take a seat.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>12-11-2010, 01:55:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Melanie gave Victoria a small, uncertain smile, as the other woman told her that it might be possible for her to get a job as a midwife.<br><br>"That's great...", she said, "Thank you..."<br><br>She noticed that Victoria appeared to be taken back a little by her idea. She decided not to pursue the subject any further, though.<br><br>She followed Victoria through the door. Once inside, she looked around the apartment. Again, her heart sunk at the sight of the dull colours... She didn't have too much time to ponder on that matter, though... as she saw an image form on a nearby wall.<br><br>Surprised, Melanie listened to Victoria talk to the image of the unfamiliar woman. Then, she followed Victoria's invitation and took a seat at the table. She pointed at the digital image and asked:<br><br>"Who... who is this?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>16-11-2010, 21:43:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Oh, I’m sorry,” Victoria realized, gesturing to the wall as the digital woman seemed to almost bow, or perhaps it was a judgmental nod. The image did not look warm and friendly, nor did it command a strong sense of authority.&nbsp; “This is HOME, House Operation Manager of Efficiency. She provides the daily schedules and announcements, along with the prepping of the food and other necessities.”&nbsp; HOME was merely another business associate in the efforts to provide uniformity among the ranks. Still, the pixilated smile almost looked real and comforting.<br><br>“I do hope you enjoy your stay here, Melanie,” HOME politely welcomed the new guest. However, the digital image didn’t appear to be too thrilled. This was not apart of the schedule, and would’ve rather hoped that Victoria would’ve forced her to wait. Nonetheless, Victoria felt otherwise, and HOME could not complain about such a minor infringement, especially when Victoria had the right and authority to do so. <br><br>The microwave quietly beeped and the door popped open. “Let me get that for you,” Victoria said as she was already half way in the kitchen. She carefully picked up the hot bowl of oatmeal and grabbed a spoon. “I fear it’s not much, but it’s what’s currently available at this time.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>21-11-2010, 10:21:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh... hello", Melanie muttered at the digital image of HOME, unsure how to react, "Pleased to meet you..."<br><br>She turned to Victoria.<br><br>"She's... some kind of computer program, right?", she asked.<br><br>She didn't know too much about computers, but she figured that a program like that would have to be very complex. She certainly didn't hear about anything like that existing in her home country... Once again, she felt surprised by the level of scientific progress she witnessed in her current place of residence.<br><br>"Thank you", she said politely, as Victoria brought her the bowl of oatmeal. She gave Victoria a nervous smile, then she started eating.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>23-11-2010, 09:37:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“HOME?” Victoria asked, she looked at her for a moment, and HOME seemed to almost shrug. Victoria had only briefly glanced at the digital image’s coding, but she knew that HOME was programmed into every house, onto every wall. Although, her apartment was a little different than the normal. Home could not travel on every wall, and not in the bathroom at all. It was the one place where Victoria felt alone, secure even. She wasn’t about to reveal her secret spot to Melanie, as she was sure Melanie would discover it soon enough. <br><br>“HOME,” Victoria continued, “is a piece of a very complicated software. She is interactive along with being able to process a lot of information at once. She is also connected to the Ministry’s broadcasting system. She will always be the first to know if something needs to be broadcasted to the masses.” HOME seemed to smile, but it was one of those of stern authority. “She helps make the day go smoothly, and allows for everyone to be at their best, to be the most success and efficient in their daily routine.” Victoria could hit herself for that statement as it sounded so rehearsed, which to a degree it was. It was something that she had heard her entire life. No one wanted to go without HOME who wasn’t a traitor, right? <br><br>Victoria smiled as Melanie thanked her for the food. “Once you’re done, we’ll decide the nice course of action for the day. Today will be different than any other day, because you will have your daily assignments starting tomorrow. Today is simply for introductions.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>01-12-2010, 22:26:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's... interesting", Melanie replied, as Victoria explained to her what HOME was, "It sounds like HOME is really helpful..."<br><br>It was an honest statement: Melanie was surprised - and intrigued - that something like HOME could exist. True, it was a bit weird for a computer program to have a face and talk... but it wasn't anything Melanie couldn't handle. And having such a computer program to help organize the time seemed like a good idea...<br><br>Melanie nodded, when Victoria told her what they were going to be doing next, then continued eating. When her bowl was empty, she looked at Victoria and gave her another small, uncertain smile.<br><br>"So...", she asked, "... what exactly should I be doing today? I guess we will be going out, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>02-12-2010, 10:10:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria tried to hide her dislike for her digital babysitter. She demised HOME in a way that she could not voice, or the digital lady would have her reported faster than she could say “traitor”. She smiled and nodded, “HOME is quite useful. I really enjoy her company and insight,” Victoria chirped. HOME seemed to smile where before she had been almost glowering at Victoria to state her usefulness, otherwise she would’ve reported her for neglecting her duties. <br><br>Once Melanie finished her food, Victoria picked up the bowl and placed it a dishwasher, that seemed to automatically turn on and clean the single dish in its compartment. Victoria returned, checking the clock. They still had a lot of time to walk around the town several times. She turned to Melanie and decided to deviate slightly once more and asked her a question that she was likely never hear again, “What would you like to do?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>02-12-2010, 22:14:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Melanie opened her eyes wide, clearly surprised by Victoria's question.<br><br>"Oh...", she replied, "... what I would *like* to do..?"<br><br>She shook her head, confused.<br><br>"I... don't know, really. I'm new here, I... don't really know what there *is* to do here. And... what I am *allowed* to do... you know, in my situation."<br><br>She scratched her head.<br><br>"Maybe you could take me to where I'm supposed to be working? So that I know where report to tomorrow. Then, you could show me around the town a little... Give me some directions on important places - state services that might concern me, that sort of thing..."<br><br>She shrugged. There wasn't really anything more that came to her mind at the moment... She was still trying to come to terms with the idea of having to stay in this country for some time. Thinking on what exactly would she like to do while being here was... too hard for her right now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 21:09:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria smiled at her seeming confusion with her asking her what she’d like to do. It would be such a rare treat. Although Melanie’s request was rather bland, it was still hers, Victoria would honor it. “Of course. It isn’t too far away, about the distance we traveled to get here. Once again, please pay attention to how to get there, as I may not be available to direct you there tomorrow,” Victoria stated simply. She moved back to her coat rake to fetch her things.<br><br>Slipping her fingers into her gloves, Victoria glanced over to Melanie. She was quite pretty, but so far out of reach. She shook her head and grabbed her scarf, redirecting her thoughts to more firm targets. “There are several service buildings, most of which you’ll never need to enter, but they are numbered for your convenience. I can show you those as well,” Victoria added as she finished donning her warmer clothes and walked to Melanie. She gently placed a hand on her shoulder, giving a small condoning squeeze.<br><br>She was aware that Melanie was a bit out of sorts and lost in her new surroundings, which was all too common with new citizens. She knew that outsiders built attachments to others, which rarely happened in the Ministry. While dating wasn’t shunned, marriage was reserved for few, and rearing kids was done by completely separate group of people than those who created the new life. It was quite a different world completely than the country that bordered their own, but they didn’t have hardly any crime or any disease. Of course, no one had the choice to even kill themselves or protest either. Everyone died of natural causes, because it’s very natural to die when one is hanged for treason or tortured to death for being a traitor. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>06-01-2011, 10:07:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That... that would be great", Melanie replied.<br><br>It was not that she was excited by the prospect of a tour around government buildings.... But the young woman couldn't help feeling completely out of her depth... confused. Suddenly and without warning, she found herself in a foreign country... a very *different* country to her own home. She was expected to stay in a city she didn't know at all... and live by the rules that were completely unfamiliar to her. Melanie was desperate to regain even a bit of control over her situation - and she felt that learning more about her surroundings... getting rid of some of her confusion... could be the way to do it. <br><br>She waited for Victoria to take the lead, then she followed her out of the apartment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>09-02-2011, 23:13:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Victoria assumed her position at the front of the small train and opened the door, holding it open for the second woman to follow her on the way to see the buildings of importance. Of course, there weren’t that many buildings, so most of them would some importance or relevance even to Melanie’s integration into the Ministry. Victoria started up again, as if recited a script that had spoken several times, “There are no cars or means of mobile transportation within the Ministry except for emergencies or to travel to other cities. A means of transportation will be provided under such circumstances, but all other necessities will be available within the city boundaries.” <br><br>Victoria looked up the street, it was more apartments, more like her own. The main buildings wouldn’t start for another block or so. She listened to the sound of her own feet for a moment before filling it again with her standardize speech. “Curfew is at ten. Everyone is expected to be home by then or by their scheduled times. Once your schedule is built, HOME will notify you of your daily routine and the like. It should be built tomorrow, but it may change… considering that you’d like to do some more…medically oriented than sorting paper,” Victoria said with a smile. “Any questions so far?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>14-02-2011, 21:49:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they were walking along the street, Melanie tried very hard to find something... interesting in her surroundings. Some eye-catching landmark, a building that didn't look a like a blunt concrete construction... But Melanie's search was in vain. Nothing broke the monotony and greyness that the people of the Ministry seemed to appreciate so much. Nothing.<br><br>"Yes, well...", Melanie replied to Victoria, as the other woman invited her to ask question, "... you mean, there's really no cars or buses here? We have to walk constantly? It's kind of... unusual..."<br><br>She scratched her head.<br><br>"Also, you say that everyone has to be home at their scheduled time. So... does it mean that I can't go for a walk after I finish my work for the day? Or sit around in a park?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Petrosity</strong> on <strong>19-02-2011, 15:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Walking is better than constantly riding around,” Victoria added, “It ensures that everyone gets enough exercise, and the city is constructed to where nothing should take more than thirty minutes to acquire by foot. Thirty minutes is a decent walk, but not too terrible.” The city was indeed quite very bland. Layers of grey on top of others, the city was like looking at painting that had had all of its color removed. Even the sky seemed more a slate blue than brilliant azure with a white spot glaring down in the west.<br><br>“As for schedules, there may or may not be time for idleness after your job. Sometimes there are community activities and the like that must be attended, but there is always some meditation placed within the schedules. The ministry understands that everyone needs a little time to think to themselves,” Victoria replied with a layer invisible irony coating her words. The ministry didn’t really care about everyone, but they certainly did want people to keep their thoughts to themselves. The ministry didn’t want a society that could think or plan as a collective whole; it had spent so much of its energy dismantling the traditional family that all that remained were broken parts. Attachments were rarely made to others. The only bonding that was promoted was the utter devotion to the government and to its majestic works. Melanie yet to see the ministry in full action, but that was for another day. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Puppet Dance ( Petrosity 'n Beorning )</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Beorning</strong> on <strong>01-03-2011, 21:20:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Melanie couldn't help shaking her head slightly, as she heard Victoria speak about the upsides of people having to travel by foot everywhere. Rationally, she could understand the reasoning behind this kind of approach, but... that was exactly the problem: was everything in this country built around rationality? To Melanie, this culture seemed more and more obsessed with planning and practicality. Did these people ever do anything just pleasure or out of convenience..?<br><br>Victoria's further words did nothing to change Melanie's opinion on the Ministry. Compulsory community activities? Government-scheduled time for thinking? Earlier this day, when introduced to HOME, Melanie had thought that having a daily schedule might be useful... but now, she started to feel the oppresiveness of it.<br><br>"You mentioned 'community activities'", she said in a resigned voice, "What would that be, exactly? Also, do you have some sort of... well, entertainment here..?"<br><br>She looked at Victoria, waiting for her reply. She half-expected for her guide to say that she didn't understand what 'entertainment' was...
			</dd>
		</dl>
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