001. VIDEO // UN: ANIMUS

[bottomofthelist]

[ The feed is dark and rustling noises come from somewhere to the left. It’s clear whomever is attempting to use the device is still adjusting to the way it works. There’s a sigh, a click and the feed clears, lightens, and as the figure in front of it leans back it finally focuses.

There sits a stern-looking woman in a long coat with a notebook in hand, legs crossed, staring into the camera. She idly taps a pen against the paper with her other hand—a mechanical one. ]

Hello, Prismatica.

I’ve been here for a short while now and I thought I ought to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Anna Ripley, I’m a scientist and engineer. Mechanics and chemistry are my specialty, but I do have some experience working with arcane pathogens.

It has come to my attention that there is one such pathogen making its way through the Lunatian population.

[ She glances down at her notebook, rattling off information as if by rote. She seems awfully calm about this. ]

Symptoms include paralysis, crystallization of the body, aggression...I’m sure many of you are already aware. Should any of you begin exhibiting signs of infection, please make your way with haste to the Moonlight Medical Center; I’ll be there in the later hours to monitor the progression. For those who haven’t shown symptoms…[ She stares back up at the camera. ]...you shouldn’t need me to tell you to utilize proper preventative measures.

On a potentially unrelated note; I’ve noticed something peculiar since coming here, but I’d like to gain more information:
 

How many of you were dead prior to your arrival? Have you suffered related ill effects since coming here?

Comments

[bottomofthelist]

I find it somewhat suspicious that this place would resurrect people from another world for the purpose of, as far as I’m aware, utilizing them as a power source. Resurrection is costly—one would assume it easier to use the living, yes?

[halforc]

[ His memories draw up the sight of Jester with a diamond, kneeling over Caduceus; Molly's coat fluttering over a grave. ]

Maybe the value of the person is incomparable, they might not want just any living person in their city.

[bottomofthelist]

[ That gives her pause—there’s a moment where she’s silent, like she’s contemplating the statement. ]

...That possibility stands, yes. And from what I’ve been gathering, it seems as though there are no short-term consequences from being brought in from the dead. Thus far, anyway. All the same, I can’t say I’m ready to take all this as simple charity.

[ But it’s better than being a corpse. ]

[halforc]

[ It's just a hunch, but. ]

... Were you dead?

[bottomofthelist]

I was. I was killed, and then awoke here.

[ She’s got no reason to hide it. ]

[halforc]

Oh. Sorry to hear it. [ And because he's not as sensitive as Jester, ] Did your consciousness cut off and then you woke up, or were you awake from one moment to the next? Did it hurt and then not? I'm feeling rather curious too, now.

[bottomofthelist]

[ That nets him an actual grin. Who is she to refuse open curiosity? ]

Hmm. No, I don't recall a point in-between, so to speak. It did hurt—rather badly—and then there was darkness. After which I awoke in a mess of crystals, much as I'm sure you did. I would liken it to being knocked unconscious, if messier.

[ Wait. ]

...actually, no. There was something. After losing consciousness, I believe I had the...impression of a presence. It was brief, but foreboding. After that, nothing.

[halforc]

[ Just darkness. That's horrifying to hear, reminding him of Uk'otoa and the abyssal depths of the ocean where the god was trapped. ]

Which presence was it? [ His nose wrinkles as he hums to himself. ] It wouldn't be the Wildmother, so we can count her out.

[bottomofthelist]

[ The memory gets fuzzier the more she tries to focus on it, like a fading dream. But given her situation at the time of her death, it’s not hard to take an educated guess. Her smile takes a wry twist. ]

Given the circumstances, I doubt it would have been anything benevolent. [ Then that last comment sinks in. ]

...by Wildmother, are you perhaps referring to the deity known as Melora?

[halforc]

[ Drawn out of a hum of agreement, he sits up a little straighter when this complete stranger uses the Wildmother's real name. ]

Yes! I'm her Paladin. Are you from Wildemount?

[bottomofthelist]

[ She leans back in her seat, eyes wide. She’d expected a lot of things out of Prismatica, but given how alien it was to her, seeing another from her world so soon wasn’t high on the list. ]

That’s exactly right. Huh. I can’t say I’d anticipated meeting someone from the same world, much less the same region. Where are you from, Xhorhas? Not the Empire, surely.

[halforc]

Ah, no. Menagerie Coast, actually.

[ The Nein's sweet Xhorhaus best remain a secret, even in this land. ]

I have some friends from the Empire, we recently travelled to Rexxentrum. Is that where you call home?

[bottomofthelist]

I‘m unsure if I would call it a home, but yes—I worked in Rexxentrum for a time before traveling abroad.

[ She makes it sound far more leisurely than it really was. ] I’ve been to the Coast, as a matter of fact. Fair weather, fair culture. I suppose I can say I’m fond of it.

[halforc]

[ Who doesn't love a little sunshine and seafoam? She sure does sound like she makes good decisions. ]

Nicodranas is always up for a good time, day or night. [ Not home, that will always be Port Damali in his memory, but very familiar and comforting. ] I don't believe I introduced myself! I'm Fjord of the Mighty Nein.

[bottomofthelist]

[ Anna has never made a bad decision in her life, ever. ]

Anna. Having read my entry I'd assume you would already know that, but let's make it official. I'll be sure to remember your name, Fjord. [ And that of what she...assumes is his crew? ]