04 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[Pristine is how Crane appears when he flicks on the video feed; it's a lovely display of smoke and mirrors that he's pulling off, after the events of the last three days. He has a clean, elegant, ascetic appearance - and enough calm professionalism to mask his excitement.]

You're all handling this outbreak remarkably well. It seems you're all keeping to the boundaries of the law, as the Major-General expects you to. That's a good thing, mind. It would be terrible news to hear people have been shot for breaking quarantine.

Anyway, I am here to help if this event has caused you psychological distress. I am a doctor, after all.

[A pause, and he tucks in his chin and folds his hands in his lap. He half-closes his eyes.]

Fears and phobias are my specialty, and there is much to fear in this situation.

[His head comes back up. He's staring at the lens.]

Be that as it may, fear is something everybody needs. It keeps you safe and keeps you on your toes. It will do you all well to remember that. That it's good to know we must always feel a little scared. It's good to see that most of you haven't submitted to bravado and dagger-tongued bragging.

[The corners of his lips lift in a boyish smile. He tilts his head slightly. His voice is disarmingly gentle. His soft inflection on 'most of you' is meant for one person in particular.]

And I wouldn't like to think that those with guts would put everyone in danger. I trust everyone to make the best decisions for each other in combating this disease.

It would be terrifying to think we couldn't trust each other. Wouldn't it?

[He crosses his right leg and rests his hands over his knee. His graceful fingers smooth his trousers, and he waits for his audience to speak.]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

[And those same blue eyes stare down.

Crane's hungry to commit every detail of Hiro's anxiety to memory. To cannibalise the fear and add it to his own. It's certainly making him more powerful, to see how he could affect someone like this.]

Good.

Then you should rest and take it easy. You don't look well.

[microbrobotics]

[ Definitely having an effect. He pales a bit, tries to subtly brush at his forehead to feel his temperature. He's a bit red on the one side from having done it so much - checking every few minutes just to be sure. ]

You think so?

[restingstitchface]

I know so.

[Crane speaks in such a confident, knowing tone that it's obvious he's noticed Hiro's anxious behavior - and is drawing attention to it. He's only trying to help by making Hiro face himself, right?]

I really don't see how anyone couldn't notice that.

[Especially given Hiro, you know, seems to be burning up.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Sure. Helpful. Toootally helpful to make him break out in a cold sweat. And surely that's a symptom too ... ]

It's - it's just a little warm in here.

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps you should have a wash then. It might flush away that cold sweat of yours.

[He says in the nicest way possible.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Well now Crane's thoroughly scared him. The comm trembles visibly in his hands again. ]

I - I gotta go. Thanks, doctor.

[restingstitchface]

[Ah. Shaking. What a lovely sight.]

You're welcome, Hiro.

Remember. I'm always here if you need a friendly ear.