exsilium | 02. [video]

[The face of a man about sixty-five years old appears on screen. He's squinting at the blasted device through glasses that he's very glad he kept, but he would still struggle to make a text post at the moment---not with his old prescription. The voice is rougher, but still recognizable as Billy's to the few people he knows.]

Please answer this question for me: it's urgent.

Is extreme accelerated aging a known side effect of the transporter? I have several other hypotheses about my sudden condition, but this is the first I should test. And if you know of any cures for this condition, I'd appreciate a pointer. I'm drawing up my own attempts at a cure, but there's not much I can do with our limited supplies.

[He sighs wearily.]

I calculate that I'll age to the point of death within the next 36 hours, or sooner if it accelerates further, so there's not much that I have to lose.

((ooc: The aging is a canon event caused by his own tinkering at home gone wrong with a delayed reaction. And there's a canon medicine that would likely be at the Hold, but he hasn't a clue.))

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[Billy nods and smiles.]

Jericho. Thanks. I still have my hearing at the moment, but I appreciate the help.

I promise I'm not usually this much of a curmudgeon.

[he waves his writing hand in a quick dismissal, shaking his head. he thinks nothing of it! suddenly being way older is something he's got a notion of, too – though...not that much notion. he was lucky to stop at the far end of his teens!

all the more reason to hustle to help this guy out, whoever he is. does it matter?

he takes the lead – not too fast – and holds the door open for him on the way to medical.]

[Billy eases his way inside, nodding gratefully. He hears a commotion---and given his friend's gift for stirring things up when danger is around, he guesses that it might be Adam. Medical might be a dangerous place for a little while.]

Thanks. I...I think I'll be taken care of now. I'll contact you again after treatment, okay?

[he nods, smiling encouragingly again. he'll be alright!

...he better be. he's still not sure about these Initiative shenanigans.

in any case, rather than depart right away, Jericho will linger around he entrance to the hall. just in case. he's really keen on knowing if the Initiative's still on the level about these things.]

[Some time later, after a discussion with Adam and the scientists, some drinks, and a brief nap, Billy returns in much lighter spirits.]

Jericho, hey! I'm all right now. As it turns out, the problem was something I caused myself a few months ago. But this shouldn't happen to me again---at least, not for the same reason.

But I know you said it could also happen after a mission. Did they ever fix that?

[whew! hup!

Jericho hops up from his seat on the floor, nearly sending his notebook and pencil flying with the force; he catches it with a quick scramble, flashing a breathless, embarrassed grin that is quickly clouded over by raised-eyebrow inquiry.

huh? who's this guy?

he has to listen.

and realize it's the same fellow he'd escorted in not too long ago. big blink. wow! a relieved smile, mixed in with more question. fix? er, well...

he winces a little in the eyes, shoulders shrugging up. he's...he's not very sure!

the notebook turns to him once he's written:]

It hasn't happened on the last mission as far as I know

[Billy frowns and taps at his chin.]

That's a risk I'm not fond of, but I suppose the best we can do for now is make sure everyone knows the treatment is here.

Anyway, thank you for helping me. Did you want anything in return? Payment, some assistance with repairs? When my hands are working the way I want them to I'm actually not a bad mechanic.

[his head shakes quickly at the question. no, no! not at all! it's a nice offer, but he doesn't really own anything worth tinkering with.]

I'm just happy to help! :)

[his head ducks a little behind the notebook as he lifts it up, hiding a shy smile.]

[Billy brightens and offers his hand.]

You can definitely call me if there's ever anything I can help you with. I'd be happy to help too.

[Jericho stuffs his pencil under his thumb against the notebook to reach out and accept the hand; he's not exactly the toughest handshake in the world, but hey.

he nods, beaming back before snatching up his pencil again to write, unable to curb his curiosity for very long at all:]

What did they do to fix you?

[Billy shakes his hand firmly, then pulls back and smiles.]

I drank water from a planet near my own at home---from someplace called the Eternal Falls, something like the Fountain of Youth from legends. We're saving the samples in case I need treatment again in the future, so I can't conduct tests, but I'm sure it has to be some kind of antidote to the side effects of my original aging device.

I'm trying to figure out exactly how it works in case I need to synthesize more.

[stare.

blink.

blinkblink.

Jericho's seen a lot of weird stuff, sure, but it's always been with his feet more or less on the ground – and usually the same planet (dimension-hopping notwithstanding, ahem). so this whole beverages-on-Mars thing? pretty wild.

his head tilts. he hasn't seen enough movies to discern whether or not Billy even looks the part for interplanetary adventures, so that's not it...

huh.

well. well...whatever, right? if there's going to be an easier way to fix those temporal troubles, it's a good thing in Jericho's book. he decides that's a good start, nodding agreeably.]

[Billy laughs awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.]

I'm sorry! I tend to ramble about minor details sometimes. But I'm all right, I promise.

[he dismisses that apology with a quick headshake, smiling crookedly.

with a little scuff of a shoe, he takes a step backward, feeling a welcome over-worn, a creeping heat up his neck and behind his ears.]

[Ah, Billy remembers that reaction from his younger years. He lifts his hand in a wave.]

I'm sure I'll see you soon. Thanks again!

[appreciative, relived, Jericho takes the cue, waves in turn, and takes his leave. at least he did something good! not a whole lot of superheroing going on lately, but...but, no. this is good. better, even!

even though the notion of getting old super-fast spooks him a bit. yikes.]

02. [video]

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