oo1. // video

[sweetling]

[On screen is Halfpipe with a smile that lights up the whole of her blue-tattooed face. She's in what looks to be a seedier district of the city, but not many Exiles are around.]

This place gets more and more like my world every day.

[At which she shifts the camera to focus on a point behind her--what several people will recognize as one of Exsilium's brothels.]

I'm curious, guys. How different is it here, compared to your homes? And if it is different, is it in good ways or bad ones?

Oh, and I'm Halfpipe, by the way.

Comments

[sweetling]

Doesn't time stop or something back there, though?

[if it doesn't she's in deep shit.]

[strategic_guile]

Supposedly, but even if it stops they'll still be here and Family won't be.

[sweetling]

Yeah... I guess so.

Fortunately I'm not quite selfless enough to take that into account.

[Which is not true. It's just so much better here for all her friends than it would be at home. Mulciber would be alive again. Soledad... well, she'd still be Soledad. Angelfuck wouldn't have to work for Beezal anymore. Tommy would be free of the orphanage and if his sister came they could give her a new heart.

Right now, her goal at home is saving a friend. But if that friend is brought here instead, her job is already done.]

[strategic_guile]

If this world is better than yours then it's a good thing if they come. This place is shit compared to my world. Besides, I've had almost a year to get over not seeing anyone I want to.

[Aka he understands he's going to be alone until he goes back home so he's going to suck it the fuck up.]

[sweetling]

From what I hear, it's shit compared to most worlds.

[She doesn't miss the bitterness there, though.]

But you can get through almost any shit if you've got somebody to take it with you, you know? Don't give up just yet.

[strategic_guile]

[Oops, slipped up did he? He's swallowed that bitterness back down now, but his voice isn't his happiest.]

I'm not alone here, so it's alright.

[sweetling]

Made some friends?

[strategic_guile]

I have. [Associates at least.]

Hopefully you will, too. It's boring otherwise. [Read: lonely]

[sweetling]

Oh, I have. Some pretty interesting ones, too.

[If unbelievably frustrating and/or ridiculous.]

I am suffering from a terrible lack of pretty blondes in my life, though.

[strategic_guile]

Those are the best kind. [If you don't have to strangle them.]

Oh? Well, I can certainly fill that void in your life. I am both pretty and blonde.

[sweetling]

How convenient! You can start immediately.

[strategic_guile]

Done and done. What's my first task?

[sweetling]

There was a food tour mentioned a while back, I believe. I guess this place isn't your world, but you've been here a lot longer than me.

[strategic_guile]

It won't be as extensive as I'd like, but I can do that. We can make it a day trip. Starting with breakfast and ending with dinner.

[sweetling]

Oh, god, I can already feel the burn of how much cardio I'm going to have to do to offset this. But still, it's a date.

[strategic_guile]

[Chuckles.] I'm more than willing to do the cardio with you, if it makes you feel any better about gorging yourself.

[sweetling]

I'll hold you to that.

[strategic_guile]

Don't worry, I won't be running from you. Let me know when you want to do it.

[sweetling]

I'll call you.

[strategic_guile]

I'll be waiting.