04 | Video

[highhealplz]

[ There's a scruffy, friendly-lookin dude front and center here, sort of recognizable as the slightly older, longer-haired version that used to go around being stuffy and formal. This sheepish smile is pretty uncharacteristic of him from back then, though. ]

Hello! I'm Ashraf. I was here a while ago, co-director of the transport-run clinic? [ He offers a wave. ] So hello again to anyone that knew me. I'm sorry in advance if I don't remember you very well, it's been about fifty years on my end! [ says the guy who doesn't look a day over 20 ]

So, anyway— I figured this could be a long shot, but... does anyone have a way with clothing?

[ Here's where the sheepish smile makes a triumphant return. He pulls up a pair of beautifully embroidered robes, obviously expensive, but currently full of violent-looking rips, tears, and a bullet hole or two. There's also some bloodstains left over from attempts to wash them out. ]

I tried, I really did. At this point, I think it's going to take magic to set these straight. Or a whole new set, maybe. So, um... any takers? I could pay!

Comments

[highhealplz]

In terms of taking bizarre things in stride? A little, maybe.

[sharpe]

So this place ain't that much strange ta you?

[highhealplz]

[ with a laugh: ] Things still catch me off-guard every day, if that's what you mean. Have you seen the VR yet? It's astonishing.

[sharpe]

I'd be able ta answer that if I know what the VR is.

[highhealplz]

It stands for "Virtual Reality", and it's... [ how to explain??? ] A fake reality. It's generated by a computer, but it all looks, feels, and sounds completely real.

[sharpe]

[ Long pause. ]

No, I haven't. Why'd anyone want ta go near something like that

[highhealplz]

[ brightly: ] Well, it's great for training, for one thing. All the experience of realistic combat with none of the danger.

[sharpe]

This VR can actually guess how many bastards and complete arseholes might be wandering 'roud a battlefield, destroying all of yer plans?