MISSION ONE // VIDEO // Crash landing.

[without_virtue]

Video flickers on. The streaming image of a vandalized baseball field is superimposed with small, incomprehensible numbers and data.

The picture quality is poor; the image was grainy and skipping.

No, not skipping; bouncing. Like the camera is attached to a constantly rebounding ball.

A large red crosshair sweeps over the image before locking onto

Comments

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

[he frowns slightly at the screen]

You're injured.

[video]

[without_virtue]

You're nosy.

[ A wince, wrinkling his nose at the projected image as he struggled to remain standing whilst propped against the wall.]

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

[completely unoffended]

I'm told that. People don't always bleed when they arrive.

[video]

[without_virtue]

My physical condition is no concern of yours!

[ A pause, shaking his head and regaining composure. ]

You, are you native to this place? How long have you been here?

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

[very unconcerned, still]

Injured people should get help.

[a pause]

I'm not native to this place, but I've been here for more than 6 months.

[video]

[without_virtue]

Enough, I'm not stupid - answer my questions!

What do you know about the people brought here? Is there a pattern, or requirement? Do you know how the dead are brought here?

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

Getting help would be smart.

[he's quiet for a moment, and then shrugs]

I know a bit. I've seen a lot of posts from people. I don't know about a pattern, but it seems like people need a superhuman ability to be stuck here. [a pause] Some people who didn't were given one.

[he just watches the screen intently as if trying to gauge the person's health through the screen]

No one knows how. But there's a thing called the Core that does it.

[video]

[without_virtue]

Six months...

In that time have you...

[ Torn silence. Emotion and logic conflicting. Celestial Being, or... ]

Has there been a man who arrived in bad shape, wearing a uniform similar to mine? There may have been a patch over one eye.

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

[there's a flicker of emotion on his face - this boy is looking for someone. it's obvious from the way he's acting, to Doumeki, at least, that it's someone he cares for. he sighs, and lowers his eyes]

I'm sorry, I haven't seen anyone with a uniform like yours. But I may have missed that person.

[there's a pause]

Who is it?

[video]

[without_virtue]

[ He shook his head in frustration, pushing back damp bangs from his eyes and forehead. Another brick wall. ]

A... comr- friend.

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

[not only someone he cares for, but likely someone dead. there's a long pause, and he makes a soft sigh]

You should get yourself taken care of.

[video]

[without_virtue]

Arrangements have been made.

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

Oh? What kind?

[video]

[without_virtue]

A doctor, and emergency medical assistance.

He was quite persistent.

[video]

[drainedpaladin]

Hm. You did cough up blood. It's probably serious.

[there's a pause]

Did you speak to a Greeter?

[video]

[without_virtue]

What's a 'Greeter'?

I will live.