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（ it's not long before they leave on the mission proper that itachi reaches out. he means to do no more than introduce himself, and offer himself up as a resource. the rest can wait. ）

Lan Sizhui.

My name is Uchiha Itachi. （ wei wuxian had mentioned that he had passed his name along, so he does not expect his name will hold no meaning. ） We will be in separate groups for the mission, but if you encounter a scenario with which I may assist upon my arrival, please contact me.

Edited (html, my nemesis) 2023-04-18 15:08 (UTC)

[while it takes him a minute to finagle this networking thing, sizhui wastes no time responding once he figures it out, excitement overtaking him more zealously than expected, but it's easier to reel in when someone can't actually see his expression.]

Hello, Uchiha Itachi. [using just ‘itachi’ during an initial meeting feels too casual, so let's hope it suffices— until he's told otherwise and can choose freely.]

Thank you, I appreciate the offer! I'm certain there will come a moment when I'm in need and knowing you're willing to help is quite reassuring.

（ and if it were anyone else, he would leave it at that and simply end the conversation. his point has been made, affirmation has been received, and he truly has nothing else to say.

as it stands, though — ）

It seems as if the worlds we will be travelling to have a high level of technological fluency. It may be of benefit to you to take some time to learn enough about the basics that you can blend more seamlessly there.

I will give you access to one of the training missions I've built into the simulation room room for such a thing. I would recommend visiting it prior to our departure.

（ no transfer or exchange of documentation is needed, sizhui can simply select the sim from the available list once he goes there himself. ）

[to be fair, sizhui's not entirely sure what to expect, but it wouldn't be surprising for uchiha itachi to be one of those people who likes to keep it short, simple and very to the point. however, the fact he's taking extra time to help sizhui learn a bit more about their mission is extremely appreciated.

unfortunately, the man has brought up his one major weakness in ximilia so far: technology. he likes to think himself a rather quick learner, yet if there's one thing he's still clearly struggling with, it's that.

and part of him is curious as to how itachi seemed to just know this, even if what he asks has nothing to do with it.] The simulation room will help me learn more about technology? [it sort of makes sense, after all. (also: sorry, itachi, you're not getting out of this so easily—)] Would you mind coming along and helping me?

（ wei wuxian would be better positioned, he nearly says.

but wei wuxian would prefer that they get along, and though he doubts the man would be disappointed — he would appreciate if itachi were to make the effort.

so, there's a bit of an awkward pause, and then: ）

I will meet you there. Twenty minutes.

（ does... does he get a choice?

no. it seems he does not.

sorry, he's just. you know. like this. ）

[which is one-hundred-percent a completely fair argument, but yes, wei wuxian would. the man talked itachi up quite a bit, preparing him to meet this person his senior's oh-so-willing to wax lyrical about.

truthfully, he hadn't expected it to be this easy, so there's the slightest pause on his end as well while he rereads the message to make certain he's not misinterpreting anything—

without leaving too much time for reconsideration though:] Alright, I'll see you then. [because itachi does get a choice, but given that he's already agreed, of course sizhui's immediately claiming no takebacks.

and he also wastes no time getting ready, making a beeline for the simulation room a little earlier than necessary.]

（ it is a rare thing that anyone beats him to a location with a pre-arranged time, given his own propensity to arrive early. old habits — intended to ensure he was difficult to ambush. when he arrives, and the boy is already present it does not get any sign of visible surprise, simply a faint inclination of his head. he offers nothing else save: ）

Inside.

（ just so gosh-darn wordy. he steps to the simulation room, passing his hand over the control panel just right of the door, which hisses open at the contact. inside, sizhui will find himself surrounded by a neatly-arranged array of various technologies, with instructions on their operation written in chinese characters. the instructions may be simple, but they are not dumbed down — they simply take care to explain things in a way that follows the logical understanding of one unaccustomed to such things. ）

Any of these items can be used. The important thing is that, when we are intended to be on a world where such things are commonplace, you do not show uncertainty or unfamiliarity with anything we may encounter of a technological nature. Your earpiece （ itachi reaches up and touches his own faintly in indication of what he means ） can transmit pictures as well as text, spoken words, and 'video', which is the recording of what you see and hear around you. If you are ever uncertain about what you are seeing, send me a picture and explain your situation. I will assist you.

[frankly, that small gesture is more than enough recognition for sizhui. he brightens significantly afterward, offers his own brief head-bob then follows along behind itachi, both arms raised so he can tuck his hands into the sleeves of his robes.

it's easy to fall into his usual habits of being instructed with little to no communication, though he does peek up when stepping past the control panel, noting it, the noise it makes and how things suddenly appear without any other warning whatsoever; the sharp sound must've been considered enough and, since he's heard what it sounds like, he'll memorize it for the next time he needs to use the simulation room. as it stands now, his attention drifts between the items that have appeared, lingering in a few places, his eyes quickly scanning over the instructions.

one thing in particular he's curious about has him hesitating, his thoughts concentrated on the metallic golem he's seen rolling around before. ‘cleaning bot’ it says, and with that explained, he redirects to itachi, nodding again.]

Sorry, ah... [he reaches for his own earpiece, fingertips absentmindedly skimming along the shell of his ear then lowering a bit quicker than he means. it's still so foreign, having something stuck against his ear like that, but the longer he has it and the more he fidgets, the less awkward it will become.] How does it work? Do I simply ask my mind to take a picture? I know it's suggested that we close our eyes, but then how do I see what I'm doing?

The earpiece functions by intent. For example — it is possible to speak in your native tongue without the earpiece translating it if you wish it to be so. Similarly, if your intent is to take a picture, or a video — it will do that as well.

（ he flicks one wrist, and the simulation builds him a chair in the middle of the room. he sits like a royal, wholly at ease with his surroundings. ）

The thing to be mindful of is that there is less... filtration, between what you think and what the earpiece transmits, than you may be accustomed to. Be mindful of that, especially as you are learning.

[possible to speak in his native tongue? of course sizhui immediately wants to try this, but he decides against it, filing the idea away in the depths of his mind for now. it's likely itachi wouldn't understand him anyway, he assumes, and vice-versa if itachi spoke his native language, but it also means he'd have to think of something to say.

better that he focuses his attention on more important things rather than getting distracted, even if he's definitely caught off-guard by the sudden appearance of a chair.]

Less filtration means... [sizhui trails off, contemplating how to put it into words properly, yet he still chooses a straightforward question:] Will it do things of its own volition? On accident? [guess it's time for a hundred inquiries! sorry if itachi wanted to do anything else with his day.]

Mm. That depends on your level of discipline.

（ couldn't be him. but other people have found it more or less suited. idly, he crosses his legs at the ankle. ）

It is less that it will 'do things', and more that you may find yourself broadcasting your thoughts to others without adequate review.

[well, he doesn't want to toot his own horn or anything, but he literally wears a chastity headband, so...] It might take some practice to discipline myself with this. [considering this is his first time ever experiencing anything like it.

following a thoughtful, long-drawn-out hum,] As long as I'm in control of such things, I suppose I cannot complain if it's my own fault for sharing.

Is there a way to practice the prevention of doing that, too?

（ he gestures to one of the simulated consoles in particular. while the entirety of the program might be built with an eye towards bringing people up to speed with unfamiliar technology, one in particular encourages said discipline. ）

It is difficult to simulate how you may react under duress, of course. But manipulating these technologies within the context of the simulation will help build awareness and tolerance of how it will function.

（ time for your completely handwaved eye-of-the-tiger training montage, sizhui! ）

[being fair, sizhui wouldn't have thought it'd be that easy, and while he's not surprised it isn't exactly feasible to ‘practice’ controlling his thoughts and how they are or aren't sent without consideration, he's still astonished there's anything at all. when will that stop? he wonders, though he does try not to remain distracted for long.]

It makes sense enough and that is better than nothing, I would say. [because any and all training he can receive will be helpful in the end.

with ‘the end’ here being after they've practiced long enough, it's high time for a break by the time sizhui eventually calls for one. if he tries to absorb too much at once, he'll likely forget some things, so it's best to stop before getting overwhelmed.]

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text ↪ un: うちは (pre 'a matter of import' im just slow)

text; (no worries, as i am slow too with work 😩)

high5 for slow!!

return highfive awyiss

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