[Open] Step One: Cut a Hole in the Box

[observationalhazard]

Who: Hanji Zoe, open
What: Hanji is fresh off the metaphorical boat. She tries to settle her mind by taking things apart.
Where: Training Center
When: Afternoon, March 22
Warnings: References to violent death, in all likelyhood.

"Unsettling" was a very mild way to describe the situation Hanji was in. It was almost too much for her to grasp - spirited away by some unknown method to compete in gladitorial games for the amusement of others? That was something out of terrible fiction (not that Hanji read much fiction these days). It was an impossibility, completely unlikely. Or had been until a couple hours ago. She hadn't bothered with threats or pleading. The guards and officials didn't seem like the sort to respond well to that and fornow the best thing she could do waas gather information.

After a quick introductory lesson on the building she was staying in and a brief tour of her new apartment (prison cell), she'd been left to fend for herself. The sheer amount of luxury and dcadence that surrounded her was equally amazing and terrifying. She was still used to spare meals of black bread and potato soup. The fact that she could snap her fingers and have practically anything delivered to her by servants was beyond her experience and left her feeling like a child who'd suddenly been told they have the run of a candy shop, if not a little unsettled.

And then there was the technology and the lack of titans. They had electric lights, every room had indoor plumbing, and a million other things that they'd only talked about in theory or never even imagined at home. She wanted to see all of it. And she wanted to know why they didn'th ave titans. No one had answered that one yet.

Which was way when she'd found a holoprojector in the training room, she'd "borrowed" a few smaller knives and set about trying to get the casing off to get a look at the innards. Besidezs doing something vaguely productive helped her think. How did they run everythingon electricity, anyway? The tip of her tongue poked between her lips, brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to use one of the knives as an improvised screwdriver.

The moment anyone passed close enough for her to hear them, she waved a hand in their general direction, "Hey! Pass me something to use as a hammer!"

A little while later and she had the panel off, a tangle of wires exposed, her goggles snapped over her eyes as she tried to make heads or tails of the thing.

Comments

[observationalhazard]

"Barbaric?" What an odd choice of words. Hanji tapped her chin and considered Enjolras' answer, turning it over in her head.

"What made them so barbaric? And what do you care what gods they worshiped? It's not as if it matters, right?"

[orestes]

"They are heroes of classical myth." He blinks at her, puzzled by the questions. "I care only inasmuch as they have become culturally relevant for my people."

It's amazing to note just how much of mythology and folklore really does permeate society. It is almost as insidious and inescapable as religion, in that regard.

[observationalhazard]

"Oh, so they're stories for children!" Hanji seems proud of herself for figuring that out. She claps her hands together with a firm nod.

"...we don't really have anything like that. I guess the Walls count."

[orestes]

"Not merely for children," he protests, even though yes, the classic myths were a very basic part of any child's upbringing. "They are morality tales, for the most part. They are important as a means to development, but most of them have been reworked into poetry and dramas, both ancient and modern. They simply are. I apologize, I do not know any way to explain it."

Enjolras isn't used to being at a loss for words. In his experience, everyone in Panem has at least had a basis in some of the classics. In fact, so much of Panem is based on ancient Rome that the classics often seem the quickest way to arrive at a point of understanding. Hanji's complete lack of understanding, is, in this regard, quite off-putting.

It is not, however, enough to deter him. They must overcome their differences if they are ever to work together for a higher goal. "The Walls?"

[observationalhazard]

"The Walls!" Hanji replies, making a large, sweeping, open gesture with both arms, "Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina! They encompass all that's left of humanity and protect us from the titans. Or they do in theory, anyway. There's something strange about them..."

She could go into how there are actually titans in the walls, but that's not quite relevant to her point.

"They're actually quite impressive."

[orestes]

"All that's left," he repeats, feeling mildly stupid as he does. There's a disconnect somehow here. With most people in the Capitol, even the outsiders, he can find some way to a common ground. Not so, it seems, with this girl.

"Forgive me, but I again fear that I do not understand."