[Voice/Action]

[eyesofpity]

[Filtered from Joshua Bright / 70% unhackable]

A few questions for all of you:

Has anyone ever experienced an effect of a kidnapping actually get worse over time rather than better? Or does anyone know of a good way to deal with rather strange recurring nightmares?

[He probably should add asking about how long these effects usually last,

Comments

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh happens to be in the clothing shop, possibly seeking some warmer clothing for himself. He's trying on a brown hooded robe now, examining himself in front of the mirror. He stares for a moment, then shakes his head, dissatisfied. The robe makes him look too shady, and he doesn't want that.]

[Eventually, he concludes that his current apparel should be enough, so he picks up his staff and turns to leave, stopping as he spots Leonhardt ahead.]

Oh...my apologies.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

[Leonhardt tries to smile, but today it's feeling a bit forced. He just really wants to grab a few more things and be out of here without trying to be all sociable. But he's at least found a few nice things that are warmer, and mostly in black, grey and brown]

I'm in no hurry.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[He catches that, but has no reason to question a complete stranger.]

Hmm...I've not seen you around before, but you don't appear to be a new arrival. At least, not from this cycle.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

[At least he is trying to force a smile. His normal not under a kidnapping effect self hasn't smiled in years.]

I arrived last cycle with another from my world.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

I see. I am sorry to have missed you then. I am called Saleh.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

The Malnosso had a sick sense of humor with our arrival, so I'm glad we went mostly unnoticed. My name is Leonhardt. [Battle dome vents, though good thing Leonhardt doesn't recall Joshua in a new feather dress at this time.]

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Hmm...I'm well aware of their humor during the experiments, but I hadn't been aware of such things for arrivals...

[He's curious, but if Leonhardt was glad to have been unnoticed, then he certainly wouldn't want to share details.]

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

It seems there is no limit to what they'll do, besides kill us, of course.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Indeed. We can question their motives and their methods, but the truth of either is beyond our reach.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

Only the truth that there is always a reason for every action, even if it is just merely for pleasure.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

I doubt pleasure is the only reason...but no matter.

Forgive me, I hadn't intended to engage in such a grim discussion.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

We can't always avoid grim discussions when life here is not always perfect.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

Life is never perfect, here or elsewhere. It is always full of ups and downs.

[Action]

[eyesofpity]

That is very true. I'd just always hope for more ups than downs.