maskormenace | 04 ⚜ Video

04 ⚜ Video

[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.]

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[That chuckle mirrors back.

Crane's in a happier mood, it seems. Of course he would be. Anxiety, fear, panic, dread - he loves all these wonderful things.]

Anxiety has been my life's work. You won't find anyone else as well-versed in the subject. [Never let it be said Crane doesn't have an ego. He identifies with fear. He's clearly a well-adjusted man.] I've spent decades learning their intricacies. [How they make people tick.] I've always been happy to arrange affordable care for those unfortunate enough to be stuck on a low income.

Decades…?

[Crane doesn’t look old enough to have been researching for that long. What is he – late twenties? Early thirties? Surely he didn't start his research as a kid?

Krei shrugs it off; he's probably just trying to sound more impressive than he actually is.]

Well, that’s very kind of you. With this place being what it is, your services must be invaluable.

[Crane tilts his head. He's fascinated by Krei's questioning tone. It belies either a respect for his intelligence, or there's a lie hidden there.

But he's been honest; he's thirty-four. Childhood's exactly when he started his research.]

I'm glad you think so. Many would laugh at such a specialized focus. [What's that saying? People laugh in the face of danger? The face of fear?] Of course. Then a catastrophe happens and they're clamboring over each other for therapeutic support.

I haven’t seen a great deal of clambering. Among the imPorts, at least. I wouldn’t be surprised if your clientele were mostly made up of locals; they’re responding to the situation exactly how I would expect most people to respond. The imPorts are too busy being, well. Heroes.

[And then there’s Krei, who hasn’t slept more than a couple of hours in several days. He’s feeling like a pretty inadequate hero.]

[Crane pauses. Oh, he has plenty of experience with a hero of his own. His head now tilts back, just a little. He's staring at Krei curiously. Tiredness. Fatigue. Bags under his eyes? Oh, he wishes he could take a closer look.]

Somebody has to be.

But I wonder. Do you include yourself in that statement?

I'm not much of a hero, admittedly, but I won't bore you with details. You've probably heard every variation of 'I've had a bad week' a hundred times over.

[He wipes a corner of an eye with a thumb, sighing.]

There's been talk of a cure from some very bright minds, so I'm sure things will improve soon.

[There's an appreciative pause. He's had his fair shake of histrionics and neurotics, yes. He only enjoys such displays if they're accompanied by underlying motivations of anxiety and dread. Then he just has to see how far they'll go.

Anyway. He wants this plague gone. His health and work are more important, yes. Still, he wishes he could keep people at this level of fear.]

Really? Are you certain? This is a rather virulent pathogen. There are plenty who would disagree with you. I suppose we must respect their level of terror, much as we seek a cure.

[Pathogen. Virus. Cure.

Oh. That's a nice thought.]

Edited 2015-04-28 17:25 (UTC)

Yes, I suppose that’s true. I prefer positive sentiment, obviously, but any doubts they have are valid, and I – yes, I respect that.

[He clears his throat, expression a little strained.]

You aren't among those who believe this is going to turn into a widespread epidemic, I take it?

I hope not.

[He sounds honest about that. For as much as this disease creates a nice atmosphere he can research, he's pragmatic about the possible loss of his own life.]

But I am more curious as to who's working on this possible cure. It's important their competency is impeccable.

[He's a gifted chemist who didn't volunteer his assistance. Wow, Crane.]

Rest assured, there are. The minds here are just... exceptional, and the medical advances are similarly so. I trust they'll come up with a cure or some other means of combating the disease soon. [He sounds like he's making an effort to reassure Crane. There there.]

I'm certain they will.

[He's not going to talk about this for long. There's work to do.]

But the danger the virus poses will always be there in the meantime.

That’s something we’re all keeping in mind. [He hesitates, because he’s not entirely sure how to broach this next subject.]

…Are you alright, doctor? The way you speak, well – I’m not trying to be rude, but it’s reminiscent of someone with an unsettled mind. I hope you’re somewhere safe.

[Is that a dig at his mental intelligence? Crane tilts his head. If he's not mistaken, Krei's not just commenting about this situation - to which he feels no fear. His ability to work, understand and comprehend the nature of things is clearer than ever. It's everyone else who doesn't understand what he's trying to accomplish.

He speaks softly]

My mind is perfectly fine.

I am a doctor, after all. Perhaps you ought worry about other people's health, rather than my own.

Ah. Well, they say doctors are the last people to call a doctor for themselves. I thought I ought to make sure you weren't neglecting yourself in favor of your clients.

[He quietly examines Crane a moment, and then nods his head.]

In any case, it might serve you well to be a little more positive. Your overall point is sound, but you've received a few incredulous responses, and, regretfully, I can see where they're coming from.

[Crane's intelligent, well-spoken, and really not bad conversation, but he's kind of weird.

After a pause, Krei continues.]

I'll leave that there. Food for thought. [He makes a show of looking at his watch... and then remembers it isn't there anymore and frowns, glancing sheepishly back at the communicator.] I haven't a clock on me, but I assume it's late enough that I should be getting back to my texts.

[Crane doesn't make a show of anything. He continues studying Krei for a good, long while - his gaze cold, clinical and level. He really couldn't suffer pandering to the responses of people who would never understand what he was attempting to do.

He folds his hands in his lap and turns his gaze down.]

Oh, that's fine. I've got plenty of work to be getting along with, anyway. Though if there are issues on which you need to call, feel free to contact me.

[Evidently Crane didn't appreciate being given advice.]

Of course. Perhaps we could chat over a coffee, some time.

[...Not that he had any issues he ~~wanted~~ needed to divulge. Coffee was just a friendly alternative.]

Of course.

But I am a busy man these days. My time is valuable.

[He was open to conversation, if there was something he could glean from it. He was also capable of idle conversation, though he hated it generally.]

I don't doubt it, but I'll be around if ever you're in need of a quiet moment.

[He's not anticipating a call, that's for sure. Krei gives a short wave before cutting the feed.]

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04 ⚜ Video

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