video; replies voice

[phaseshifts]

[This post is super backdated to shortly after Tyki leaves Lavi's birthday party with a slice of cake. :)

The camera does not, in fact, open with a focus on Tyki's face. Rather, it's showing a picture of a nice-sized well-frosted slice of chocolate cake on a plate, with a fork resting alongside. Someone is singing, in a reasonable voice:]

Parabéns a você,
Nesta data querida...
Muitas felicidades,
Muitos anos de vida...

[The song trails off, and he laughs.]

This is delicious, by the way, compliments to the chef. The one bright side to this place is how many interesting things I get to eat! Kangaroo, cake... [Ill-gotten birthday cake...] ... and history. You know, they don't tell you that history is delicious.

[He laughs, and carries on with the song, though humming this time. It's to the tune of "happy birthday," by the by.

This carries on for about thirty seconds and then he gets tired of doing that and switches the video off.]

Comments

[overclocking]

I'm afraid I'll jinx it if I say yes.

Things have been going fairly well.

[phaseshifts]

They mostly have been lately. Plagues in the recent past and bombings aside. Not that it would be so bad to cut your teeth on a fight...

[overclocking]

[He can't help quirking an eyebrow.]

If you mean sparring, I've actually done plenty of that.

[phaseshifts]

Don't you want to see a real fight, though? Something to move this interminable skirmish along.

[overclocking]

... It's true that I'd rather things didn't drag out. But I can't really look forward to something where people will be hurt and killed, either.

[phaseshifts]

Ah, well. For the most part, people here come back right. You know?

[overclocking]

[A glint of something enters his expression, sharp like a knife. He leans toward the camera somewhat as he speaks, without realizing it.]

That's what I keep hearing. How much do you know about it?

[phaseshifts]

Personally? Not much. Just, what I've seen and heard. We should've lost a few more as it stands, so I believe it...

[overclocking]

[He makes a soft sound of disappointment. He really needs to track someone down who has answers.]

I see.

I guess it makes sense. But then, they aren't stingy about bringing in new transports, either. Unless someone's experienced it firsthand, it could just be a story they're telling to keep people calm.

[phaseshifts]

Well, there is always this thing. Why not ask around? Someone could tell you for certain, if they've truly come back to life.

Come to think it's funny most aren't more curious...

[overclocking]

Maybe they don't really want to know.

[He reigns that thought in as soon as it's out. No, stop. That's cynical.]

... But it's not a bad idea. Maybe I will.

[phaseshifts]

They probably don't. [Affable, maybe a little cynical himself.]

If it was a lie it'd be a nice way to stave off panic from those who didn't fight too well, eh?

[overclocking]

Or to convince them that they can fight harder than they really should.

[He sighs, running a hand through his bangs tiredly.]

I don't really want to believe that, though.

[phaseshifts]

I think if it was truly a lie it would've been called as such some time ago...

[overclocking]

You would think so. [But then, he's also aware of how easily people bend to rumors and hearsay. Presses his lips thin, casting that thought aside.]

I guess we'll find out. I'd been meaning to ask for a while now, anyway.

[phaseshifts]

Godspeed, boyo. I suppose the rest of us will see if the Initiative will be vouched for, eh?