video | un: plushiesidequest (in which she talks about an NPC visitor)

[reincarnesiac]

( Oh look! It's that same person who melted a radio tower about two weeks ago? Alex waves to the camera, flashes a smile, then sits down on a plush chair in her apartment and leans forward, planting her elbows on her knees. )

Hey, everyone. I know more of you look at stuff here than comment, but think about doing some commenting this time, you know?

( She breathes in, then out in a sigh. )

So I sent out that signal a few weeks ago. I heard back this morning from a guy outside the barrier that goes by Scylla. He confirmed the multiverse is unraveling. He wasn't happy about it.

( Her hands lay over each other, one holding the other at her wrist. )

He also confirmed this pocket dimension of Echo's we're in has a lot of bubble cities trying to solve the problem through point based reality television style game-show setups. But Echo isn't the only one working to try and save the concept of existence. There are other people out there with other ideas. Scylla didn't know if any of them show any more promise than Echo's way, because no one's had confirmed results or failures based on attempts.

( She opens her hands, staring at the camera. )

He said he'll help us figure out how to close the tear after it's open, because that's when he can get in here. Shout out to Aurora for her work keeping us safe until Echo demands otherwise.

( Sitting back, she frowns at the camera. )

I can sum up what else we talked about if people ask, but this seemed important to get out first. He said I probably won't see him for a bit when he arrives, but anyone who does run into him, he's a guy... fairly handsome? Taller than I am, shorter than Gorgug. Paler than me too. Reddish-brown hair with waves that he wears neatly cut but not close shaven. He was scruffy. Had one of those friendly faces you know likes to tease people until he was getting more serious. I don't know, ( she sighs ) it's been a surreal morning.

Comments

Voice

[shadowsincryo]

I see. So he confirmed that worlds are indeed dying. And he couldn’t say why because either didn’t know, or?

[reincarnesiac]

My guess is didn't know, but it also wasn't a long conversation. I won't even say just trust him — he's got his own goals, his own person he's hunting answers down for — but the dying worlds? That's not the part that felt uncertain.

( She sighs again. )

Sorry, but I am not the smartest person in the room, and I know it. So I'm telling you gut instincts, this stuff is real.

[shadowsincryo]

I believe you. It's something I was sure was likely true. I suppose we will see others aside from this individual over time. At least, we have some other perspectives to see if we can find what is true.

[Whether they speak truth or not.]

[reincarnesiac]

More information doesn't hurt. It can confuse some things, but... when you've been operating in the dark for so long, every glimpse of light makes things feel more solvable than before. Or it does for me.

[shadowsincryo]

In that we share a feeling. A ray of light is something. The path's outline isn't clear, but at least we can see some of it.

[reincarnesiac]

Yeah. I feel like... when you've been in those dark places, you just... cling harder to the outlines you can make out. Claw your way out when you can. Move forward. Escape. Kind of the same thing from different angles.

... How're you going to do, being you know... a little grounded compared to usual?

[shadowsincryo]

The same as always, I suppose. This is still the start of the investigation. We don't know enough to say we've been past preliminary interviews. I'll record it.

Which leads me to ask. What is a reality show?

[reincarnesiac]

Ugh, I wish things could move faster. I'm not great at being patient. I'm sure that comes as a total surprise.

( At least she laughs a little. Alex can be self aware, depending on her mood. )

Oh, wow. You know what? I think I saw DVDs for one at the new grocery store. Wanna watch a few episodes sometime this week? Setsu should come too. It's basically a show where people are put into weird situations or asked to to weird things and it records what happens. Sometimes there's other obvious game parts, like people getting points for doing this or that well, other times there's not. Sometimes people get voted off the show? By the people on the show or the people watching it. It's kind of a mess to explain since stuff is different, but the basic idea is you're watching people genuinely react to this stuff. The truth is a little more complicated.

[shadowsincryo]

Hm, that's interesting. [It is horrifying when considering what they're dealing with. He pauses,] Alright, I'm willing to see this. We can get some things, and I can make something to eat while we watch.

[reincarnesiac]

Oh, I can help! I promise I'm actually very good in the kitchen. Let me see if Setsu wants to join us, I'm sure they'd have the best things to say.

[shadowsincryo]

Wonderful, we have a plan. And more hands in the kitchen are always welcome. I look forward to it.

[reincarnesiac]

Same here! Let's rally and see if Setsu feels up for it, then decide on a time. Day after tomorrow, maybe?

[shadowsincryo]

That sounds fine to me. We'll see what Setsu thinks.

[reincarnesiac]

They're in!

[shadowsincryo]

Perfect. The day after tomorrow works for me. I’ll bring something with me for sharing.

[reincarnesiac]

Great, I'll get the rest set up. Text me any meal preferences before tomorrow morning, I'll see what I can do! We have an actual grocery store now so we can all be better fed.

[shadowsincryo]

Alright. We also have the winery farm and orchard. And I can carry anything I’m bringing.

[reincarnesiac]

Bring whatever inspires you! Also if you couldn't I'd be expecting it's because you can't physically lift the entire farm and orchard to cart along with you, no matter how impressive your dragon is.

[shadowsincryo]

You’re not wrong. I certainly wouldn’t want to bring the whole valley with me. You missed out on hot cocoa, so I’ll bring that along.

[reincarnesiac]

Oooh hot cocoa! Thank you ahead of time, that sounds amazing.

( Chocolate...! )