[Accidental Video]

[poem_in_despair]

[The communicator video feed switches on to show a pink-haired individual sitting on the ground, legs pulled up to their chest and head resting on the pillow being clutched in their arms. Fingers clutch the pillow tightly as small stifled sobs are heard from their position at one of the dead ends of the hedge maze on the grounds outside. Crona

Comments

[audio]

[allsotedious]

Oh, dear. Are you all right?

[Clearly, the kid isn't, but Gil doesn't know what else to say.]

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

[Oh god, the strange box--no... "communicator" has another stranger talking through it. Crona's hold on the pillow tightens as they hope to just... disappear. Even though Ragnarok had pissed off the other helpful stranger in Wonderland, Crona was still afraid to speak up.]

[audio]

[allsotedious]

Hello? Can you hear me?

Are you hurt?

[It doesn't look like it. At least not physically.]

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

[Crona gave a slow shake of the head, still not looking up.]

[audio]

[allsotedious]

Please, won't you speak to me? I'm new to this place, too, but perhaps I can help you.

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

[Where was Maka? It was much easier to try to talk to people with Maka around...]

[Ragnarok appears in a bubbling of black blood on Crona's back before forming into the kid-like form and taking up most of the screen of the video feed as he looks closely at the communicator.]

And what makes you think we wanna get any help from you?

[audio]

[allsotedious]

[When he speaks again, his voice is weak, hesitant. Clearly, he is shocked by Ragnarok's sudden appearance. Gil has seen his share of strange things, but Ragnarok tops it.]

I was... merely being polite.

Who are you?

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

It depends who's asking.

[It was obvious that this place wasn't Shibusen... Crona didn't remember going outside after-... Well... Crona had to do something. Sitting in one spot was very tempting but... what if something scary--like that blue zombie teacher--was living in this strange place..?!]

[audio]

[allsotedious]

My name is Gilbert Alexander. I am quite sure that we have not met before, sir.

Is the boy all right?

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

Crona's fine. Aren't you, Crona?

[He starts pulling at the other's face.]

D-Don't do that..! That really h-hurts! Q-quit it..!

[Crona tries to duck away from the face pulling but it only makes it worse.]

[audio]

[allsotedious]

[Stunned silence. Then, finally, Gil finds his voice again.]

Please, there is no need for violence! Leave the poor boy alone!

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

Oi, I can bully Crona if I want!

[Crona resumes hiding their face in the pillow but looks slightly at the communicator still on the ground near them. Very slightly.]

[audio]

[allsotedious]

No, absolutely not! Hitting a child. Have you no dignity?

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

Why don't you come out here and say that to my face, eh?!

[audio]

[allsotedious]

Why don't we try to keep things civil? I have no interest in harming you, sir, nor the boy. I only want the best for you two.

[Video]

[poem_in_despair]

Feh, is that so? Then you can start with telling me where the hell this place is and how we got here.

[Crona looks around at their surroundings meekly again. Those hedges were pretty tall... and Crona doesn't remember seeing ones like that before.]