[ video ]

[hostage]

[The video opens with a view like this. Jesse walks across the balcony, filming the scenery rather than himself, but he's narrating:]

Ugh, oh my goddd... Look how blue that is. Just, like, really blue. That's insane.

[He's not paying attention to where he's going, apparently, because he bumps into a table and knocks over a few empty beer bottles. It's not visible, but the sound's unmistakable, really.]

Shit - haha.

[He turns the camera around on himself, waving and smiling around a hand-rolled cigarette that's stuck between his lips. He's not wearing a shirt, so enjoy the view of his bony, blinding white chest and the horrible Chinese dragon tattoo over his heart. On the bright side, his burns from the museum fire are long gone?]

'sup, Heropa. Just wanted to let you know I'm totally not coming back. I'm staying in Miami for, like, ever. Have fun with the creeps and the psychos up there. It's been a pleasure. Except not.

Comments

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

Is that why you're so surprised?

[hostage]

I ain't really surprised. Just... appreciating it, I guess.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

Because you think it beautiful.

[hostage]

Yeah, exactly.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

You are very strange.

[hostage]

Yeah? What's so strange about me?

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

Water is just water.

Are you handsome?

[hostage]

Am I? Depends on who you ask, I guess. What do you think?

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

I don't know, and so I asked.

[Buuuut a pause.]

Your features are regular, your eyes bright, and you have all your teeth. I'm understood that those are desirable qualities in any man.

[hostage]

[...Well, that's special. But he'll take it.]

Thank you. I actually have many desirable qualities. A lot you can't tell just from looking at a screen. But we could always, uh, explore that face-to-face. You know, I'll be back next week.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

What manner of ways?

[hostage]

That's all up to you.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

I don't understand.

[hostage]

Don't worry about it.

What's your name?

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

I am called Gwendolyn, or Gwen. And you?

[hostage]

Jesse. It's nice to meet you, Gwen.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

Where is Miami?

[hostage]

A few hours south of Heropa.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

When on foot, or when on the strange devices that move without any aid?

[hostage]

[He laughs at that.]

No, no. Definitely in a car. It'd be like... weeks or something if you were walking.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

Cars.

They are very strange. They have no sail, no horse, no visible method to propel them.

[hostage]

An engine does it. You can't see it 'cause it's hidden under the hood.

[Medieval girls are so cute.]

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

And they say it is not magic, but I do not think I believe them.

It is the same with this device. There must be magic in it, somewhere.

[hostage]

Nope. Just machines. Science.

[beneaththelakeshesleeps]

So you say, Jesse.