oo.1 [Video]
[There's a familiar female face on the screen. She's silent, looking around for awhile before turning her attention back to the device in her hand.]
This is Shelke --Rui. What is my location?
This is Shelke --Rui. What is my location?
But why would she need mako?]
That is worrying, Shelke. [He frowns in thought]
I haven't heard of the existence of mako here, but from what I've been able to conclude of this world- based on those whom I have spoken with, I have reason to believe that if this world pulls you here and there is something that you might require, then it should be made available to you. As for it's location...
[He sighs softly]
That is another matter. I would suggest speaking with Kefka. While questionably trustworthy, he is knowledgeable, and he worked closely with Dr. Crescent while she was here so if anyone were know of the existence of mako and its whereabouts then it would probably be him; however, I shall keep my eyes and ears open for its existence as well.
[His expression grows somewhat curious even as it remains concerned. There is one question that he cannot refrain from asking, its relevance not withstanding, and he asks it gently:]
Forgive me, Shelke, but- why do you require mako?
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[It was clear from the way she spoke she felt something was off about the person in question.]
I require daily injections or baths or Mako to sustain my body. Being a soldier of Deepground I was made heavily dependent on it for survival. Without it or some alternative, I will perish.
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Mmm, I do not blame you.
[There was that 'Deepground' again. He can feel something coiling and writhing deep within his mind, almost as if in some kind of recognition and it throws him into a brief state of confusion. He has to grit his teeth to keep from asking the questions that shrieked and pleaded to be answered. After all, who could really resist the urge to know their own future? Especially one with such a cursed fate as he?
But he does. Somehow he does, because in some part of his brain he knows that none of it matters anymore. And that part of his brain wanted to know about this girl who seemed far too old for her years. What use could a child possibly be to an army? What kind of a coward would stoop so low as to destroy and use a child like that? And how could she have been changed so much that she would need mako... or die? The questions looped in and around themselves, chasing each other in his mind until he thought he would go mad. So he attempts to focus that mind on the most important thing at that moment.
He frowns.]
When you speak of an 'alternative' to mako... what do you mean? Have you found one?
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I haven't but if there is none here I will be forced to find something to replace it. Somehow. I only have a day.
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Passing a hand over his face, he sits down and tries to get a rein on his thoughts. One day was not enough time to synthesize mako, he was sure of it. The little he remembered from his father's mention of his work with mako suggested it wasn't exactly a substance that could be effectively reproduced, only refined. And there wasn't any materia here-
Well, that wasn't entirely correct. Genesis, while he had been here, had given Lucrecia a fire materia, but still that was materia, not mako.
Shelke- I don't know what to do... I'm no scientist.
[Indeed, not too long ago he had learned of Vexen's disappearance, and he had been the last scientist that he had known about. And then Ansem's disappearance-
They had left him feeling... extremely frustrated. But he had gotten the message, oh yes. So he had done a little independent (and secretive) research in the library, and had met with more headaches as he had run smack into brick wall after brick wall. But one thing he had come across might offer a possible hope, provided the information was, in fact, correct.]
All I can do is gather intelligence, question, and kill things. I've tried to research this place as best I could and I've come across something called "Mist". Apparently it surrounds this place and interferes with magic, and appears to be one of the reasons we cannot leave. There is also a chance that it might mimic the affects of mako. Beyond asking someone else for help this is the best alternative to the situation that I can come up with.
[He grinds his teeth at his complete state of impotence. He wanted to help her, which didn't make sense as he didn't know her. The logical part of his brain told him to back away and leave something that didn't affect him alone, but his conscience demanded otherwise. The only problem was he was in no position to be of that help.]
If you wish to try find this mysterious "Mist", then I shall go with you. But other than this, I feel that it leaves us with very few other options.
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[She didn't seem worried. Then again, when did she ever seem worried?]
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He shuts his eyes as his thoughts grind down so that he feels in control of them once again. It makes sense, what she said. And who knows, maybe just being here is enough to sustain her. Hells, he's seen stranger things...]
Yes, yes you're right... of course.
[He almost offers his assistance should she require it, but something stops him. Maybe it's the thing that is slowly making him withdraw from the other inhabitants here, or maybe it's something else. He had never suffered from panic attacks, had never lost control of his thought processes before and he had always known what he was doing. This place was changing him, changing something inside of him, even seeming to alter his memories. Or maybe... maybe he's finally starting to go a little insane after all.]
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Is there anything else of importance I should know about?
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[His mouth works soundlessly for a moment before:]
It is this place. [He says softly, simply] There are so many different people here, so many different stories... I feel as though I am losing myself within them.
[He sighs in resignation and says a little wryly]
Perhaps that would not qualify as "important" information as it is of a more personal nature, but I have found that as intensely personal as insanity is, it tends to affects others quite keenly.
[He hesitates for a second before he blurts]
Dr. Crescent- Lucrecia was here... it- affected me.
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[Shelke fell silent for a moment. She could have learned from the doctor. Well, possibly. After all, she knew more about the woman than anyone but still.]
It is understandable what that experience would do to you. [Though more to her than anyone else as to how understandable it really was.] The you from my time...still thinks of her often. Moreso after we met.
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[Whoa, back that up... talking about your future self in the past tense. His brain was having a hard enough time as it was.]
I mean- I'm sure I... do. I'll always think about her. She- she's such a large part of who and what I am... now. [Unfortunately, he thinks sadly.]
[He frowns] Well, from what I hear, I learned quite a few things about myself. [a little sourly] You speak as though I find peace. That Vincent must be a very different creature.
[He remembers speaking to her when she was here last... vividly, and now that the overwhelming urge to learn of himself, of who he was- what he was, has burned off or been answered as best as it could be answered; he is left with only a mild, defeated sort of curiosity.]
Is it really true that you have her memories?
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[She nodded.]
Everything had to be uploaded in to my neural network to complete my mission.
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That must have been very disorienting for you, then and now. It has to be difficult to differentiate between her memories and your own. You have my respect, Shelke.
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Me? And may I inquire, who is Shalua?
[Easily enough answered, they're from his future, but he still feels compelled to ask.]
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