video; un: martinkblackwood

[curriculum_fictae]

[ The feed opens to show a rather stiff looking man in his early thirties (late twenties?). Copper red hair, broad shouldered and soft-faced, wearing a rather threadbare grey jumper. He seems a bit nervous? And his eyes stare down at the sheaf of papers he keeps shuffling in front of him. Someone is reading off a script.

(There's something odd about him. Something off. It's not unusual for someone with that hair colour to be pale, but he seems nearly grey in spots, trailing off into transparency around the edges. At least for a moment. And then you blink, and he's an entirely normal person blinking at you with his dull brown eyes.) ]

Hullo, ah. My name is Martin Blackwood and - and I'm an Archive Assistant at the Magnus Institute, London.

[ His accent is rather more Mancunian rather than Londoner, but either way, he's obviously from the UK, if you're the sort to recognise that kind of thing. ]

I've just arrived here with - with Jon Sims, who's the Head Archivist at the same Institute. And ... we'd like very much to keep up the work that we'd done back home. It's, ah.

[ He flushes darkly. ]

Well we don't exactly have a choice is the thing. So.

I-if you have any unusual or supernatural stories from home or - or otherwise, I would be very grateful if you would agree to tell them to us. Text is more or less required? Though if you would like, I'm willing to take your statement in person and write it down for Jon later. Just. Ah. Don't give it to him directly, or there will be um. Side effects.

I'm happy to provide more details on how they'll be used upon request, of course. But honestly, they won't go past me and Jon.

[ Because Jon's going to eat them, of course. ]

PRIVATE: Locked from Jon

And ... er, while I've got you here. Ah.

[ He gulps in a breath, looking even more nervous somehow. ]

Does anyone know of any good therapists around here? One that specialises in the supernatural, perhaps...?

Comments

[eyediot]

You'll. Have to lead the way.

[There's no reason he can't Know where the nearest pet store with the things they need are, but. He wants to let Martin lead.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh. Not good with the satnav app then?

[ He puts a search into his mobile and - ah. There's one within walking distance. Perfect. ]

[eyediot]

I-i haven't quite figured it out yet.

[Saved.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I mean, considering how ancient your phone was, I do believe that.

[ He carefully leaves the proper amount of money on the table before getting up. ]

[eyediot]

It was reliable.

[He's pushing his seat back in and watching after Martin.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He seems a bit more solid now. More at peace. And the waitress acknowledges him as he goes to leave. ]

Sure, sure. But even I had something a bit better, and I was eating instant ramen at work most days.

[eyediot]

[Well!! Jon will just follow after until he's walking alongside Martin.]

I was fine with what I had, it worked.

[curriculum_fictae]

And I'm not arguing with that.

[eyediot]

So why did all of you need to point out how old it was?

[curriculum_fictae]

Because I'm teasing you?

[eyediot]

Oh.

[Has he already forgotten what Martin sounds like when he's teasing?]

Sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah. That's not quite the response he wanted. His face falls a bit. ]

N-no, I - I guess I shouldn't. It just ... seemed right, I guess.

[eyediot]

No! No, it's... It's all right. I just didn't expect it.

[No Martin please come back you can tease him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Right, well. Still. Won't happen again.

[eyediot]

[Damn it. He leans in a little closer; he will fix this.]

You know it's all right to tease?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin blinks at him, gently doubtful. ]

You don't seem like the sort who would enjoy it.

[eyediot]

[His gaze is unwavering.]

I was incredibly stressed and tightly-wound. Not so much anymore.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Okay, fine, he'll relax a little. ]

Only took the end of the world, huh.

[eyediot]

Suppose so. No more stress of the imminent destruction coming and all to weigh me down.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right, since it's. Already happened?

[ God. Maybe Jon needs a real pet. ]

[eyediot]

Yyyyes.

So. What's a little light teasing compared to that.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right. No, that's. That's a good point.

[ He's still uncomfortable, but less. Is that the pet shop up ahead? He hopes so. ]

[eyediot]

[It is. He'll at least get the door for him.]

So. I promise it's all right.

[curriculum_fictae]

Okay, okay. I'll try to remember that.

[ He steps inside, then, and takes a look around. Seems like a nice, quiet place. Certainly no shortage of rodent enclosures. ]

[eyediot]

[He's glad for the quiet, honestly. But it only takes a second to find where they need to be. Very helpful to have the product sorting hanging above the aisles.

There are some various sized enclosures, and really they likely don't need an enormous one.]

One of these you think?