first; video and text

[cravats]

[The video flicks on to show an interested face, though it's... mostly obscured by what looks like a cross between a pair of glasses and a pair of binoculars that grotesquely magnify one eye.]

Fascinating. When this appeared in my office I was hardly expecting it to be so unusual.

[Thankfully for everyone, the glasses come off now to reveal a man of indeterminate age, sandy hair neatly combed and cravat impeccably tied. He doesn't look directly into the camera, instead staring off into space, voice thoughtful.]

Perhaps some sort of aetheric device... ah.

[A thought strikes him and he leans in to type slowly- the book, or the device that appears to be a book, has keys with letters on them. They must be to communicate with something...]

Please inform me of your purpose.

Comments

[chapter_behind]

I believe the colloquial phrase, Professor, would be, "Preaching to the choir."

[cravats]

Quite so. She has many other fine aspects, though.

[chapter_behind]

Indeed. She has been a true friend to me this past year, and I understand it has been no less turbulent for her.

[cravats]

It has been a very eventful year for all of us in London.

[chapter_behind]

So I've heard

[cravats]

I hope that she's gained some measure of support from this community. Her trip to Italy was... particularly unfortunate.

[chapter_behind]

Yes, so I gathered. I was glad to see her returned safely home.

[cravats]

As were all of us in London.

[chapter_behind]

I'm sure.

[cravats]

Her absence was making my work particularly difficult.

[chapter_behind]

Yes, I'd heard about that as well.

[cravats]

And the formaldehyde? [Sigh. Are there no secrets?]

[chapter_behind]

I am given to understand that he was prone to all manner of foolish actions.

[cravats]

An excellent way to describe it.

[chapter_behind]

Indeed.

[cravats]

You said this past year has been turbulent for you as well? May I ask how?

[chapter_behind]

It is rather complicated. I suppose it began when a ship full of cursed pirates raided the town where I am garrisoned, kidnapping my fi-- friend. She was rescued, and the majority of the pirates captured, but the pursuit of the last became complicated.

[cravats]

That... is a complex story. I must confess that I'm already quite interested.

[chapter_behind]

I assure you, it isn't that interesting.

[cravats]

On the contrary. What sort of curse were these pirates under?

[chapter_behind]

Ancient Aztec -- of course, a more cynical man might say the curse of their own greed and larceny. It rendered them immortal, but unable to feel or satisfy their bodies or minds.

...The first set at least. The second are merely scaley and unpleasant. Though also immortal, that seems to be a continuing theme.

[cravats]

How curious. I've never heard the like- you must be from one of the other universes that you mentioned.

[chapter_behind]

On the contrary, I am from London, exactly the same as you. Though some hundred years earlier.

[cravats]

I've never heard of Aztec curses. Pirates, certainly...

[chapter_behind]

Well, we're in the colonies. It's all terribly uncivilized.