video;

[keep_smiling]

[Exsilium might not be expecting to see a smiling face on their network so soon after the battle, but that's what you get with this guy being among your ranks. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hello! Is everyone recovering from the battle? It's good that the Initiative can resurrect people, don't you think? Otherwise that would have turned out rather badly.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to the people who tried to come to the rescue of my world. If we've not met, I'm Elmer C. Albatross, the person who was sent back. After what happened, it might be hard to think about this positively. But there's a few things we can take to heart! Like the fact that people can be ressurrected, or that while one world may have been taken over, it probably wasn't your world, and you might still be able to return to your own someday!

As for mine, well... Not much can be done about that, now. I suppose Exsilium is my home, now. The friends I was travelling with are like me, so they'll survive no matter what. I just hope someday things will return to normal there, so the survivors can find reasons to smile again! You're all still here, fellow transports, so I hope you continue to smile on as well!

Comments

[keep_smiling]

I was born there, and lived there as a kid, but it's almost so different that I don't even know if I can compare it. I was born in 1690, after all. After that I lived in Italy for a few years, and then I just kept travelling.

[whatsupcroc]

Elmer... how old are you?

[keep_smiling]

Three hundred and twelve years young, if you must know!

[whatsupcroc]

Woah! That's a lot of years young! You're not quite human in the way I know it, huh? What are you?

( So intensely curious! )

[keep_smiling]

That's correct. I'm an immortal! Drank an elixir that gave me eternal life.

[whatsupcroc]

Like the Fountain of Youth! Man... that's so weird!

[keep_smiling]

I know! But, it's something I'm glad I did. I've got to meet a lot of people, see a lot of great places, have lots of interesting adventures. And spread as many smiles as I can, of course.

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, but I bet you weren't too big on follow up, if you know what I mean.

( She snorts. )

I don't see why being immortal would be that great. I mean... not worrying about dying, that's nice in a way, but living forever?

[keep_smiling]

Well, there's a way to destroy even us, but that is a trade secret. [Also he totally forgot about it for three hundred years. Wtg Elmer.] I don't plan to let that happen anytime soon anyway. I want to live as long as I can!

[whatsupcroc]

Why?

( She does want to know. What makes him want to live for as long as he can? Not just in the 80 years old sense. More like the 800, or 8,000? )

[keep_smiling]

[He grins broadly.] For smiles, of course! Also, it's just fun. It's fun to see all the changes that happen. The difference in three hundred years of history is astounding.

[whatsupcroc]

Is it fun to be alone all that time, too? Knowing the friends you've made aren't going to be around? Heck, not even knowing where your immortal buddies are!

[keep_smiling]

I'm not lonely. I meet all sorts of people along the way. And after three hundred years, you sort of get used to how life goes on. There's nothing you can do to change that. [He smiles down at her sernely, but when he looks up again, he points at a nearby building.] Ah! Is that the place?

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, this is the place!

( She's just confused at how he talks about this. )

Do you really get used to it, though? Really used to not having anyone around? No longtime friends or family you can call up and hang out with, just 'cause?

[keep_smiling]

I stopped seeing my family long before I ever became immortal. [Collette, this is a can of worms you don't want to open. He also doesn't want to talk about it. His Tragic Backstory is certainly not conducive to smiles.] But honestly, think about it. If you didn't become used to it, you'd go mad! So of my friends do get a bit melancholy about it, but I just keep them smiling and remind them of all the fun things we can do.

[He'll lead them both inside and find an empty table.]

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette moves one of the chairs out of the way as a matter of making room for herself. She's gone quiet, considering what Elmer's said. )

But you didn't even see them for so long. Who were you reminding all that time? Yourself?

[keep_smiling]

[He laughs at that.] I guess so! And anyone else I met. Smiles aren't reserved for immortals. Everyone should do it.

[whatsupcroc]

( She's pretty sure a screw's loose up there, but smiling is something she does, too, to cope, to help others cope, to do whatever needed doing that she could do. Like ignore reality.

Yeah, if that's what Elmer's up to, he's certainly not the first. )

Then you're used to losing people, huh.

[keep_smiling]

[Elmer is a walking pile of loose screws. He shrugs at Collette, smile never fading.] It comes with the territory. Now, that's enough about me! I believe we had some business to discuss during this meeting.

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, we did! Which could start with you asking questions, I guess, since that's as good a place as any.

( Her hands drop down past the table, settling in her lap. She plucks at the material of her shirt, watching Elmer the whole time. )

[keep_smiling]

You'd asked if I wanted my world back, and I said yes. Most people seem to think there's nothing to be done about it, but I think if we manage to perfect what the Initiative is trying to do with this world, then someday we can do it with mine. The idea of covert operations was brought up a well, both on our side and theirs. That's when you suggested we meet in person. For me, I just want to help however I can, but I'm no soldier or super scientist.

[whatsupcroc]

( Good. That's everything she was hoping to hear back, and so with her hands still folded in her lap, Collette nods. )

It's not that I don't think the Initiative can help, but talking where anyone can see, it's not so good, you know? Because you don't know who might find the easy information.

( She huffs some amusement, mostly at herself, for taking other people's paranoia and making it sound like her own. She really just preferred having these conversations in person. )

The Initiative has someone in one of the bases out in the UE with access to the world-portals. Or at least who had seen evidence of them being used before, I'm not sure about the access thing.

We know we can get over into the United Earth. With enough time and preparation -- ( she borrows from Caesar, pretending to have restraint where she has little of her own ) -- we should be able to find those places, and figure out if the technology has always been there. Even before the Initiative gets their win, if they ever do, you know? We can stop what the UE's done by never letting it get that far in the first place.

[keep_smiling]

[He nods as he listens.] So you need someone to cross into enemy lines. How much planning has gone into this so far? Do you have people in mind, any sort of plans yet?

[whatsupcroc]

We've already crossed over before, but we need to... ( She sighs. )

Talk to Caesar, actually! I'm an idea girl. He's the plan guy. But we're going to need to have guys of our own really get in there, over there.

( lbr, an immortal would be pretty useful that way, as long as they weren't self destructive or out to screw over the world(s)! )

[keep_smiling]

Caesar... Ah yes! I've met him. Nice lad. He brought me a present from the trip to my world. Alright, I'll give him a ring later.

I'm willing to give it a shot, if you need someone to do it. I'm sure we can find other people to volunteer as well!