( video: II )

[geolatry]

[ there's the soft whir of static and the hiss of a microphone. almost swallowed by the heavier rumbling. the muted roar of some beast. somewhere. the heavier purr of some beast. somewhere. around him. somewhere. before him. and if he has come to realize that the community has come to record him - he shows no sign of it. not yet. shows no sign of it. not quite yet. as he lies almost dormant in the same sea of sheets. deep in the belly of some dark quarters. the only light, and too bright, is the one that shines above him. hardly paler than he is. hardly paler than he has always been, perhaps. and even now, even now -

but, there is a half-thought. felt in the pulsation of the camera. felt in the shiver and shake images. almost as vocalizing, as though silently - words: ] You've become fond of interruptions, Community.

[ did he speak? did he speak, again? he appears, once again, as though he must have. though his eyes do not open, as they once did. he takes time. to peer through blearily. to allow his eyes, almost too red, to adjust to the brightness. to adjust to the light: ] You are filled with questions, is it? [ a small pause, and there's no move to sit up. no move to truly budge. seeming to be fine to lie still. or stiller. limbs tucked beneath blankets and flat on his back. never inching. almost - there's something that touches at the edge of his lips, though it seems unidentified. as he closes his eyes. again. ] ... I understand. This day is unlike your others - individuals who speak here, they've become different.

[ a longer beat and the image seems to flicker. to break. and beneath it, though the video seems to fade, blue's voice creeps through. under static: ] That's all, then?

[ it doesn't answer. of course it wouldn't. instead, it bursts or fizzles. shuts off -

silences. ]

( ooc: is blue affected? ... maaaaybe. )

Comments

[quicktoreward]

Berith-san... You don't look well.

( text )

[geolatry]

Tenjou. |

[ there's a softer scroll of text, almost. drowsy, but awake. and it is a kind of brushing off of worry. after all, who is to say that he's just not tired? ]

Does it often disrupt rest?

[quicktoreward]

[Typical of him. But her own text comes quickly.]

Not that I know. I check it late sometimes but that's more because sometimes Himemiya watches her game shows too loud (not that I mind it, Himemiya).

[geolatry]

[ blue can be very typical. sometimes. ]

I see. |

[ a beat and there's something there - a realization, perhaps. and it comes, not as a question. a statement: ]

She is a friend of yours, then.

[heavenlyhome]

Are you all right?

( text )

[geolatry]

[ there's a slow scroll of text. after a moment. after a beat: ]

Only resting. |

[heavenlyhome]

I am sorry the community has interrupted your sleep.

( text )

[geolatry]

[ it seems a little quicker this time. as though already much more alert. he's accustomed, after all. even if it is not known. ]

It's no trouble. |

[ a smaller beat. a smaller pause: ]

Are you a common face, here?

[enshrined]

I'm sorry you were interrupted, Berith-san.

( text )

[geolatry]

[ there's a slower scroll of text. as though waking up: ]

It's no trouble. |

[ a smaller beat - and quicker, this time. a known name. an acquaintance of another? gleaned information? perhaps -- ] It's expected.

[quicktoreward]

[Oh. Right. Maybe she should have said something. Typical of Himemiya to go ahead without--eh. She couldn't blame her.]

Oh. Uh. Berith-san, this is Himemiya Anthy. We're kind of engaged. I figured I'd better say it before she did. I might have mentioned you a couple of times. Sorry.

And Himemiya, this is Berith-san. But I've already told you that.

[geolatry]

[ a beat. or two. and the cursor winks. in and out. before: ]

I understand. |

[ he does. it is a curiosity or a protectiveness, perhaps. a transmission of knowledge. he would have likely done the same, depending. but -- well, he won't question that bit. it is not unusual to hear of engagements, though she seems rather young. things work quite differently, here. ]

Himemiya, then.

( text )

[enshrined]

I am glad to hear that. Hopefully the community will let you return to what you were doing soon.

( text )

[geolatry]

It's likely |

[ and the cursor blinks for a moment. two. ]

It often has requirements.

[ghostshippingly]

You managed to figure out there was a virus on just by talking to the community? That's amazing, sir!

Oh, um, forgive my manners, though! It interrupted your rest, didn't it?

[geolatry]

Not quite. |

[ much more to protect. so much more to protect. he'll mask it. but, the roll of text seems slow. as though waking up. as though following thought. drowsy: ]

It's fine.

[ghostshippingly]

Not quite?

Are you sure? I know it can be a nuisance sometimes.

[geolatry]

It is only reading. |

[ -- there's a long pause. like a sharp realization had come on, though that's hidden. first with river, now with -- he curbs the extent of language. the pressure of words. he has to. that isn't a lie. ]

It's manageable.

[ oh. no. he's decidedly not liking this. ]

[loyalbound]

I believe it has always been fond of interruptions, unfortunately.

[geolatry]

It appears. |

[ a slower scroll of text. after a moment. a little more awake than before: ]

This is the second.

[loyalbound]

You think it was because today is different somehow?

... oh. A virus, correct?

[geolatry]

Yes. |

[ a small beat - and: ]

Others have mentioned trouble.

[nospoilersforyou]

The community must really like you. [implying the nexus itself, as opposed to the members]

Still on bedrest, then?

[geolatry]

It appears. |

[ it's readable through text. that kind of lighter humor. though, that burying of something deeper - that's debatable. ]

It's fond of interrupting sleep. [ predictably, he's not going to answer that. perhaps it really is just what he means. perhaps it really does like to catch him while he's meant to sleep.

not really, but he can steer it that way. ]

[nospoilersforyou]

Like you told me: give it what it wants. Maybe this will be enough to keep it off your back for a while. ...Or it will come back demanding more attention in a matter of days.

Sleep among other things. [Guess who's working on a big research paper and a bit grumpy that she got interrupted by the community to see what was being posted today?] How often do you sleep anyway? Almost every time I've seen you on here, you've been tucked in.