14 ⚜ Video-Text

[restingstitchface]

[The video feed flicks off and on at different times. There's different people on screen; eating, drinking, chatting in different places. They're captured at different times in different cities - where lights are shining and the traffic is noisily moving, or just quietly sitting there, or cannot be seen at all.

Some of the characters might be familiar. Could even be imPorts. Perhaps some are standing closer than others, might even notice they're being watched. There is the matter, however, that Crane just doesn't look like he used to. The fact the video isn't turned on him makes him harder to place.

In short, Crane's been sitting down somewhere, or standing elsewhere, observing people living their lives, psychologically analyzing them without their consent. He might even be watching that book burning, if it's happening.]


"How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is!
O brave new world,
That has such people in it!"
It's time we returned back to culture. Yes, actually to culture. You cannot be well-minded people if you burn books.

Philistines! You're nothing but a blight upon human intellect. Nothing but cowards rolling around in your ignorant squalor like pigs in filth. I find myself constantly amazed by your primitive behavior. For only animals would threaten to burn what they cannot understand.

[Chilton can fight his own battles, but don't even joke about burning literature.]

Comments

video

[mousquetaire]

[ Dear God, finally. To say d'Artagnan looks irritated is something of an understatement. For now, he doesn't comment on the fact that Crane looks different. He'll deal with that later. ]

Where the hell have you been? House arrest, Crane. Does that mean nothing to you?

Tell me where you are before I hunt you down myself.

[restingstitchface]

Vacationing. Florida. Beautiful this time of year, so I hear. Oh, and it's Dr. Crane, if you would.

[He nods sagely. Yes, well, it's the porter that dragged him in and spat him out, but who's counting?]

permavideo because he doesn't care 8|

[mousquetaire]

If you're difficult with me I'll call you Jonathan, and we'll see how respectful you find it. Do you want an extension to your sentence?

[ Because you'd better believe he's already reported you missing. ]

This isn't a joke. You can't just abscond to Heropa when you feel like it.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane doesn't say anything, doesn't do anything except give a tense nod. You'd best believe he's learned this sort of thing.]

I'm not joking. Ask the Porter. Oh, and for fair warning, being abducted isn't anyone's idea of fun vacation.

[mousquetaire]

Being ported out is not something anyone could blame you for.

Not returning home, immediately, is a different story. It's been days, Crane.

[ So far as d'Artagnan knows, anyway. ]

[restingstitchface]

A couple of hours, actually.

[Make that over a dozen.]

Do you have any idea how uncomfortable a public coach is? I was hoping to get the train on the last ride over. I'll be home by morning.

[Go by train? Ha! Not really. He'll just draw a pentagram on the floor and chant up Satan for a taxi, or something.]

[mousquetaire]

Do you know that it's already been days? And you're sitting there watching people.

[ He does not have time for Crane's pretentious sensibilities right now. Or, in fact, at any other time, but particularly not now. ]

If you'd called me, I could have collected you and brought you through the porters.

[restingstitchface]

[His eyes flick right as someone walks by. It's amazing how quickly somebody can forget a face.]

I was far too busy getting my affairs in order. I do apologize.

[They slowly come back.]

I loathe Florida. Such a hot, horrid place. But I'll accept that offer. That is, if it's still available.

[mousquetaire]

What affairs?

[ The last thing he wants is for Crane to be dealing with affairs, for God’s sake. He could mean anything by that, and none of it would be good.

He’s full of suspicion, but that doesn’t mean he won’t act. He’ll not leave this man alone on the streets for longer than he can help it. ]

You’ll be happy to know I hate it as much as you do. I’m coming now; do not move. I’ll find you.

[restingstitchface]

[He sniffs. Three more weeks and he'll reach the end of this. Three more weeks. He can be patient. It's not like he's waiting three more years.]

Or eight, even.]

Very well. You'll find me exactly where you left me.

[And with that haughty flourish, he's done. He'll turn off the communicator and wait the rest of the evening.]

[mousquetaire]

[ It won’t take d’Artagnan the rest of the evening. In fact it takes him less than half an hour, and most of that is attributable to people traffic, thanks to Crane putting himself in the midst of them.

He’s irritable when he appears, but also very clearly relieved.

And, of course, the differences to Crane’s appearance are far more evident in person than over the video. It makes him pause, and whatever he’d planned to say slips away from him. ]

How long has it been? This isn’t the work of days.

[restingstitchface]

[He looks up as D'Artagnan approaches. He finds everything about him repulsive, from his self-righteous attitude to his temper and passionate nature.

But he is older and wiser, more secure in his position. He's capable of controlling himself in a manner he sees fit; that whilst it might not be acceptable to others it's acceptable to him. He gestures to the opposite seat.]

Nine years. Nearly a decade. I have been looking forward to your arrival. [A polite smile to hide that there's less behind his eyes than there had been.] How are you?

[mousquetaire]

[ D'Artagnan sits, without really paying attention to what he's doing. He's fixed on Crane's face.

Almost a decade, indeed. He's wearing those years. He doesn't look bad, but he looks different. D'Artagnan leans forward, elbows on he table. ]

Nine years?

Dear God. I'm fine. I'm more worried about you. How much has changed for you in that time?