001. [Voice]

[pacmanbelt]

[The voice that comes across the feed is almost irritatingly calm, as if Jade hadn't just been rudely pulled from wherever he was just moments previously to... here.]

I can only assume this is some sort of communication device. Seeing as I've just arrived, I'm afraid I have a few questions for whoever this message might be reaching.

I'm not

Comments

audio; 1/4

[chosenfake]

[CLANG CLANG CLANG. As a matter of fact, Luke is in the kitchen, trying to clean up after Florian's latest muffin adventure. But then he hears something familiar. A voice so cold and logical and sharp, he's never heard anything like it.]

audio; 2/4

[chosenfake]

[He forgets to turn the video on, stammering a name in response as he scrambles to shove everything in the sink and find the communicator on the counter.]

Jade?!

video; 3/4

[chosenfake]

[Suddenly, a graceful shot of a hand.]

Ugh, hold on--

video; 4/4

[chosenfake]

[HOW DOES I FONTECH? After a few seconds of panicked juggling, he beams into the camera at a reasonable distance.]

This is Jade, right? Can you hear me?

voice; Until he finds video, at least which shouldn't take too long...

[pacmanbelt]

Luke? I assume that's-

[Yes, that was him, all right.

As he waits for Luke to get himself situated, his mind is already cataloging details. First of all, Luke may have seemed surprised to see him, but not panicked or concerned, as he would have been if he were just pulled here from their previous location. Also, Luke seemed familiar with the device they were now using - which also apparently had a video function.

But then Luke was beaming into the camera, and he returns his attention to the conversation at present.]

I can. Might I ask where I am and... [Judging by what he can see behind Luke - it looks like it's indoors] where you are?

video;

[chosenfake]

[Luke is so happy to see Jade. Even if these are less than favorable circumstances, it's all he has right now.]

Ah, this-- this is the kitchen. I mean, my kitchen. In my apartment. [SO SMOOTH.] I've been living here with Florian, Guy, and Asch for a while now. I have a friend named Shing here, too.

There's no actual name for the place we're in, though. Everyone just calls it the City. Even the people who lived here before us don't know the name. It's not Auldrant, that's for sure...

Are you by the fountain?

video;

[pacmanbelt]

[What Luke says confirms the suspicions Jade's already begun to form - that Luke's arrival here was prior to his own. The behavior fits, though logically it doesn't make sense, given that he'd just seen Luke, back in Belkend.

Not to mention the list of his housemates - more residents from Auldrant (plus Asch and Luke living in the same space for an extended period of time, apparently), though the last name was unfamiliar.]

I am. Shall I wait for you here?

[So you can explain what's going on?]

video --> action;

[chosenfake]

Yeah, don't go anywhere. I'll be down as soon as I can.

[Luke is not fluent in Jadeish, but he knows he should be ready to explain everything he can. He grabs his communicator in a rush and leaps out the door. The rest is radio silence-- at least until the redhead pops into the fountain square. He shields his eyes from the sun as he turns around in a circle, trying to spot his friend.

It's hard to lose someone like Jade in a crowd, but somehow Luke manages to do this.]

Jade?

action forever;

[pacmanbelt]

[Jade does not wave. Jade does not call out. Instead, upon spotting the familiar shock of red hair, he makes his way through the crowd towards it.]

Ah, Luke. There you are.

[chosenfake]

[Luke jumps about three feet in the air, not noticing Jade come up behind him.]

Aaaah--!!

[JESUS FUCKING CHRIST that's terrifying. He manages not to fall over though. He can't help but crack up, the shock quickly giving way to giddiness. He hasn't seen Jade in forever, okay? He manages to stifle it behind his palm and recover quickly, but it doesn't dissuade the smile on his face.]

H... hey. It's been a while-- for me, anyway.

[pacmanbelt]

[Might be smirking just a little. That reaction - the jumping, the surprise - never got old. Ever. Though Luke didn't normally break out into laughter because of it... Jade couldn't really find it in himself to begrudge him the amusement. It was subtle changes like that though, that hinted that time might indeed have passed here.]

I see. How long has it been?

[Considering your answer carefully here, because he could swear he saw you less than an hour ago. He's heard about the "time-not-passing" thing, but...]

[chosenfake]

[Jade, you are such a troll. Now he knows why he clung to Yuri so much-- THEY'RE A LOT ALIKE.]

Six months, give or take. I've had to keep my own calendar because the one the City goes by is... really weird.

[He grins.]

It's really good to see you, Jade.

[pacmanbelt]

[A different calendar, hm? He'd likely have to ask Guy at some point what the differences were, though at the moment there seemed to be more important things to worry about. There were other concerns. Even if time really did stand still here, as he'd been led to believe, there was no reason to believe their own conditions were unchanging - Luke's in particular. Six months was a long time - even if Luke had abstained from using his hyperresonance, the fonon separation very likely should have progressed past the point where it would have killed him. And yet he was here. Something didn't add up, but there was little use theorizing until he had more concrete information. He suspected there was at least some explanation.

Not that he would actually admit to any concern though.]

My my, I had no idea my absence would have such a profound effect.

And how are you feeling?

[You should know what he's talking about.]

[chosenfake]

Of course it would. We could've used you when the City was attacked by flying enemies, anyway.

[Luke is very, very aware of his condition. He's not sure why he hasn't broken apart yet and disappeared, but he's grateful for every single day the City gives him. He's not grateful about being trapped here and watching his loved ones suffer, but he is appreciative of the good things. And he's thankful for Jade, who apparently has the best timing. He can't think of anyone better than Jade to help him with the mission to take down the barrier.

That will come later, though. His grin fades into a frown.]

I haven't gotten any worse. I... don't even know if I can.