🎕 001 | [Accidental Video Post]

[renamaer]

[The communication device flickers on with uncharacteristic static and a brief screech of feedback. It seems to have been an accident, as no one immediately addresses the network. The static clears soon enough; the device is apparently lying on its side, propped up against something, showing a darkened room, apparently a basement. There is an oddly ethereal glow in the distance that dies down, leaving the room lit only by dim light bulbs once again.]

Try it one more time [ Despite the dim lighting, Rita has no problems scribbling notes down in her book, muttering herself as she works out the formula] I need to get a better reading on your magic.

Are you sure, Rita? [Estellise seems pretty nervous about this suggestion, but soon enough, the glow from earlier starts up again. This time, unlike what had happened earlier, all of the already dim light bulbs start to flare and flicker, flashing bright, then dimming almost to nothing. In the background, something starts to beep repeatedly - a microwave trapped forever in its “ready” state, declaring its cycle over, again and again. It is joined by more malfunctioning electronic beeping, as if every device in the room chose that moment to go off; it is impossible to hear anything else over the din. The earlier glow disappears, but the chaos continues; sparks start to fly, and the sharp report of glass shattering joins the chaos as the bulbs flare and burn out explosively one after another.]

Uh, Estelle-- [Rita appreciates this fantastic display of science, but it’s hard to concentrate in the cacophony]

Rita-- I can’t make it stop--! [The last bulb bursts and there is a sudden near-total darkness and silence, seeming almost oppressive after the earlier mess, broken by the sound of a door opening; there is no light coming from upstairs either.]

RITA!

[The microwave starts up again abruptly, beeping and drowning everything out--including Flynn’s voice--until Rita notices the light on Estelle’s device]

--what the--

[and the feed abruptly shuts off]

[The feed starts up again about ten minutes later, this time with just a very ill-lit Estelle (apparently using the flashlight feature of her device at the same time), looking apologetic and more than a little bit frazzled.]

Um--! [She ducks her head in apology.] I’m so sorry for the trouble everyone--! But if there’s anyone out there who knows how to - Rita, what was it again? Oh right - rewire the electricity? I don’t really know what happened, but if anyone has the time and inclination to help, it would really be appreciated. [Bowing again] I’ll definitely compensate you for your services.


[OOC: This is a case of Estelle’s new energy-based powers going just a bit awry. Please feel free to react to any point in this post! I'm also available at rizubee if anyone has questions.]

Comments

[renamaer]

It's my fault though... [She doesn't know about those other times, don't be silly, Flynn!]

[knightunerring]

Not at all. You couldn't have predicted how the Porter would affect your powers. And I'm sure it wasn't your idea to test them inside like this. Please don't worry about it. [Flynn, Rita is still standing right there, seriously. He'll just go about lighting and distributing a few more candles.]

[renamaer]

[She doesn't seem entirely convinced, but also isn't going to get too involved in a discussion while Rita is right there...] Does this happen to a lot of people when they first arrive here?

[knightunerring]

[Well, not quite so spectacularly, but he bites his tongue on that part.]

Between the new powers it grants and the unpredictable effect it can have on the abilities people had in the first place, it's a common problem. I'm lucky that my artes were mostly the same as before.

[renamaer]

[That was a little bit of a relief, but still somewhat hideously embarrassing. She's all too happy to seize on another topic.] 'Mostly?' So you did get something different from the Porter as well?

[knightunerring]

Well, yes. [It's just now occurring to him that if anyone could understand his ambivalence on this, it's Estelle.]

...I can affect the emotions of people I speak to. It's been useful in a few crises to keep people calm and get them to safety. [But he can't really like such a manipulative power, either.]

[renamaer]

[She wasn't sure she was originally expecting that, but she gives his explanation due consideration.] It sounds like you've only been using it to help people. [She'd trust him with her life, of course, so that doesn't surprise her at all. But...]

That's a lot of responsibility to handle.

[knightunerring]

I've been trying to. Not all circumstances are that clear-cut. [But Estelle's understanding buoys his spirits a little and he smiles and nods.] All I can do is use my best judgment.

[renamaer]

Your judgement is usually very good. [Usually...well, she trusts you implicitly anyway. Though...]

Actually. Are there other people here with powers like yours, or similar to yours? Whether from the Porter, or wherever they came from?

[knightunerring]

[U-usually... Just what is Estelle thinking of.]

I can think of at least one, and there are enough of us that related powers are probably pretty common. Speaking of which... What did your file say about your powers?

[renamaer]

[🤐?

Flynn, are you trying to change the subject?]

Umm... Based on the summary, I have most of my healing artes, and then this [vague hand motion at the current chaos]... I didn't really understand the explanation, so when Rita found me I asked for her help...

[knightunerring]

[No?? Of course not.]

If Rita hasn't burned your file yet, could read it later? I'm not sure she'll explain it in a way I can understand, either.

[And he'd really like to know what happened here. Especially if it's likely to keep happening.]

[renamaer]

Rita burned her file? [Wait, why is she surprised...] Umm...mine is still at home, I can bring it for you next time I come visit? [Which will be like, tomorrow, with food.]

[knightunerring]

[Of course she did, Estelle. Of course she did. His brief longsuffering expression should tell the story clearly enough.]

If you're visiting anyway, I'd appreciate it.

[renamaer]

I'll come tomorrow then! Since I need to make up for this. [Be prepared for a lot of food, guys...]

[knightunerring]

Huh? You really don't need to make up for anything, though. [Not that he won't be glad to see her but??? This is still clearly Rita's fault.]

[renamaer]

No, I definitely do! Don't worry, I'll take care of it.

[knightunerring]

Well, let me know if you need any assistance with it, then. [Whatever she's intending??]

[renamaer]

[Nonono, you definitely can't help, Flynn, she feels bad enough already...] Ah! N-no, it'll be fine.

[knightunerring]

If you're sure. [Now he feels bad that she feels bad. Estelle, this is a feedback loop.]

Regardless of the circumstances, it's good to see you.

[renamaer]

[It's just a little harder for her to get over the circumstance...] Y-yes! Um... Rita says she's been living here with you for a few weeks. How long have you been here?

[knightunerring]

A little more than four months, I think. Things have been quiet here for a while. [Before the dark times. Before Rita Mordio.]

[renamaer]

[It's only getting worse from here, Flynn...]

Less busy than being Commandant, though, right? [You were working pretty hard there, Flynn...]

[knightunerring]

Yes, much. Honestly, at first I was a little bit relieved. But having so few useful things to do for so long is troubling in itself.

[Exactly the kind of mindset that has him cleaning up Rita's workshop compulsively and causing more explosions. Oops.]

[renamaer]

[Actually, the more she thinks about it, the more she can see that this is an issue. Though...she'd just gotten here. Was there really anything she could do that could improve things?]

What is it you've been assigned to do here?