002. video

[vestigiaflammae]

[The video clicks on to show sky, and then a flash of red hair before Lea manages to adjust the angle of the screen and beams at the camera. He's sitting on a wall, in the spot where the rusty barbed wire isn't anymore, a riot of summer greenery fighting for sun and space in the broken concrete of the yard behind him and a dandelion in one hand. He waves the flower at the screen.]

-- You know, there are some really cool places out here! You know, if you walk far enough. I found some flowers if you still need any, Sollux. There's a ton of these yellow things!

[He pauses and, a little too casual to make it sound like a throwaway comment, adds:] I guess I've been lucky this week or something, I don't know -

Hey, does anybody know why it's just some of us who've got that. You know. Thing, with the going invisible?

[He worries absently at the flower, stem smearing green over his fingers, and makes a face.]

... I hope they figure that out quick.

It's kind of freaky.

[like basically everything here but. But. Everything's cool. After a moment, he tosses the dandelion off the side of the wall and grins again.] And hey, does anybody recognize this spot? 'Cause I'd really appreciate directions back home! I'll owe you one.

Thanks!

Comments

[video]

[feelingepic]

... you wandered that far out?

[video]

[vestigiaflammae]

Hey! Hey. I wasn't wandering! I was exploring.

-- There's a lot of cool stuff out here, like I said!

[and he might've lost track of time around the same time he lost track of where he was. But no big deal, right?]

[video]

[feelingepic]

Same thing.

[Jeez. Talk about hopeless...]

Couldn't have tried to remember what way you were going?

[video]

[vestigiaflammae]

Yeah, but exploring sounds cooler.

[He makes a face.] I was trying to! I guess I just lost track of a turn somewhere.

[video]

[feelingepic]

I guess so.

[Technically he should probably be doing some exploring, too, but. He rubs the back of his head.]

These things don't have GPS, huh.

text

[theguideless]

I think I know where you are
I dont know anything about the rest you were talking about
Sorry

text

[vestigiaflammae]

hey thats fine! but you know where i am? seriously? can you tell me?

or is there like a map somewhere on the network or something because i should get it if there is

[theguideless]

I dont know about that sorry
I just think Ive seen where you are before maybe
I could probably find it again

[vestigiaflammae]

seriously it's ok you don't need to say sorry!

do you think you could come out here and meet me and then maybe we could walk back together or something then? i'd owe you one.

my name's lea by the way! have we met?

[eyecontact]

Be careful if you're out somewhere you don't know...Do you remember which direction you were heading?

Also, I don't think invisibility is the only thing that's going on wrong around here...

[vestigiaflammae]

uh i think it was west! from the sun. it rises in the east right?

i saw the initiative talking about people being in pain

i wasn't sure if that was part of it or what though. do you know what else is happening? are you ok?

[eyecontact]

Yes, you're right. But if you're not really sure, you should stay put unless you get more lost! If someone knows where you are, they can help!

I'm not turning invisible or anything, but something weird is going on...

[vestigiaflammae]

don't worry i'm not going anywhere. this one guy martin says he knows where i am and he's gonna help out. so it's all good!

... what's happening?

video

[birdhousesoul]

No. I'm a healer, and I've asked. [for Anders' values of asking, which is to say, bitching obscurely on the network, but you know. That totally counts.] The Initiative has no answers for us as to what makes us invisible, or makes us see things that aren't there, or any other blighted thing that goes wrong. They'd prefer us to submit ourselves for testing, behind closed doors, in their facilities.

If they cared about our health and well-being, they'd give us the information they have, and let us help one another.

video

[vestigiaflammae]

People are seeing things, too? I hadn't heard about that one.

[He kicks his heels against the wall, thinking.] I bet it's not just us, though. I keep hearing the people who're from here talking about weird stuff happening to them... I mean, they won't tell me anything about it, but.

I think the Initiative's trying to get things worked out for everybody, not just us.

[birdhousesoul]

Do you really think the Initiative's got anyone's best interests in mind but their own?

[vestigiaflammae]

I think they at least care about the people here. That's who they're doing all this for, right?

[text]

[stonefaith]

[ somewhat late reply ]

I don't have a map but I do know where you are. Did you figure your way back yet?

[text]

[vestigiaflammae]

hey! thanks! martin showed me the way back. i can't believe theres no maps... maybe i could buy one somewhere....

[permatext]

[stonefaith]

I'd be surprised if you couldn't. But let me know if you somehow can't, or don't want to waste the money. I think I could draw one up. I've been around long enough.

[vestigiaflammae]

got it. i might take you up on that if i can't find one.

i think i saw a bookstore on the way back though! i'll check there tomorrow.

how long have you been here, anyway?

[video]

[revelation]

O-oh, I don't recognize where you are at all. Have you managed to find someone that does?

[video]

[vestigiaflammae]

Yeah, I did! Martin showed me the way back. No problem!

-- Hey, I haven't seen you around before, have I? [He grins at her.] I'm Lea!

[video]

[revelation]

Oh! Thank goodness then, I'm glad.

Ah, no, I don't think so. I'm Madoka, Kaname Madoka.

[video]

[vestigiaflammae]

Nice to meet you, Madoka! -- Wait, I know that - You're Homura's friend, right?