video

[darkov]

--uh-!

[a little gasp. this thing's kicking on again, doing things. this it's not sounds-- it's...his face? Martin stares, baffled, holding his breath as he stares. slowly, he tilts his head, turns, recognizing this is...him? really? he's not terribly familiar with his face; his own reflections in the glass around here have been spooking him - one more terrible thing to add onto this experience.

he's quite the mess: grimy, sweaty, bangs smeared against his face, looking like he's just spent a day being chased by a pack of wolves. that...that might've gone over a bit better, actually.

after this beat of realizing this is his face, he makes an unhappy sound, his expression twisting unhappily.

his voice is very small, whispering:]

I-I don't...I don't know... [a sniff. he drags a hand across his face; the device is tilted, so the screen sees only the sky and the two buildings he's hiding between. late afternoon somewhere. the top of his head bobs in and out of a corner of the picture, and there's some rustling of pages and an abrupt crumple.]

I don't know. [a huff. the picture wobbles and there's a clack as the device is put on the ground; nothing but a steady stream of sky and some muffled sounds as ambiance.]

Comments

voice

[paintjobs]

Believe me, that is readily apparent.

[darkov]

[the shifty sounds stop with a sharp inhale.

a beat. the thing is talking again...why.]

What-- what do you want?

[paintjobs]

Oh, not much anyone here can provide. Or were you speaking more immediately?

video.

[increscents]

Don't know what, kid? [ She looks a little confused, a little skeptical. But mostly concerned.]

[darkov]

[he holds his breath for a long beat, making a nasally sound at the end of it.

miserably:] I don't know anything... Why do you keep talking to me...?

[increscents]

You posted your video. I'm just responding, that's all.

You don't look so okay. [ She gives a slight smile. ] Besides the confusion, I mean.

text

[eyelineronpoint]

do you need help? [hopefully scruffy kid here can read]

[darkov]

[not a lick; all he does is wince and make a sound, hearing the text noise.

muffled:] Please stop...

text

[eyelineronpoint]

[Gaara takes a minute to review some of the other conversations the boy's having after a response like that. Ah.] all right.

if you need something, i'll provide help. i don't want anything in exchange. but i'll go now if you want that.

permavid

[glassbox]

[ She taps at her screen a few times. ]

Well, are y'gonna come back out where we can see you, or what?

[darkov]

Please don't-- [a shifting sound.

muffled:] I said-- I don't know anything. I'm sorry.

[glassbox]

Don't what? I ain't gonna hurt you.

permatext

[deadtective]

That's pretty deep for someone having an emotional breakdown.

[which, despite the heavy layers of sarcasm, means that Hazel is actually kind of concerned about this dude. he doesn't seem to be having an easy time adjusting.]

[darkov]

[the text makes a ping tone; he can't read, but he can hear.

miserably:] St-stop... I said I don't know...

[deadtective]

[it's going to take her a few go rounds to figure out the problem. sorry Marty, just wallow in your sorrow for a bit until Hazel picks up the context clues.]

Uh, yeah, obviously. But that could cover a lot of topics. Did you think no one was going to reply to this orrr..?

video

[corviform]

[ Somebody give this child a sandwich.

Gil is not the best at comforting others, especially children, but the boy's reaction is concerning and it feels wrong to ignore it. ]

Are you alright?

[darkov]

[muffled, talking with his head tucked in his arms:] I don't know. I asked-- I don't know. Don't ask me...

video

[youbastard]

[ Aside from looking tired herself Ellie mostly just looks concerned for this individual. Very confused. ]

What is it you don't know? Do you need some help? [ Clearly he does but she doesn't see much of an option other than asking. ]

[darkov]

[his breath hitches. it's talking again. another voice. another lady. he feels queasy, not ready to go through this again...

a sniff, and then an exhale that's much clearer, as he's lifted his head up.] I...I don't know anything. I only need to know the one thing...but. Everyone's saying no.

video

[rathercommon]

[ Oh, this poor kid. Kitty's voice, when she speaks, is very firm. ]

Hullo. My name is Kitty Jones. You seem as though you could use a cup of tea.

[darkov]

[there's the sound of a hitched breath, and then a pause. his slow, shaky exhale gets a bit more clear once he turns his head back to the talking box. it's someone new.

sniff.]

A...a what? [oh. tea? well...] Oh. Maybe. I don't know.

Video

[foreshadower]

None of us know much, thank you.

But what, precisely, do you not know? [ A pause. ] Have you been running?

[darkov]

[exhale. a new voice. this thing... why is it like this? does it talk all the time?

he uncurls and picks it up this time, looking down unhappily at-- well, unhappily for a moment, then just startled. confused. it's hard to understand the concept of someone being far away, but still...in this thing.]

A... [um.] Yes... A little.

text;

[killectric]

wow

me neither

[darkov]

[sniff.

beat.

exhale.]