🎕 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

[protagerrant]

[He can't even complain about this hug. He even briefly pats her on the shoulder.]

—Easy, don't start a fire.

[renamaer]

[Since the go to metaphors for this situation all seem to feature things catching fire, she had better be more cautious.] Right, I really need to be more careful... I didn't mean to inconvenience so many people.

[Not for the first time, Estelle, not for the first time...]

[protagerrant]

I don't think this one was your fault.

[renamaer]

[She begs to differ...] It was my power that caused all this trouble... [Again.]

[protagerrant]

Because Rita wanted to play with it.

SOMEHWERE IN THIS DARK DUSTY BASEMENT

[blahblahboom]

IT'S NOT PLAYING, IT'S RESEARCH!

[but back to your scheduled reunion, she's gone]

[renamaer]

[She can't help glancing over at where Rita is, clearly not all that absorbed if she had time to throw in asides...

It was true, but she wasn't entirely comfortable with admitting that even so...] Well... I would've had to test it out eventually... [She was going to say, it can't get worse than this, right? but even after only a few days here, she wasn't sure she wanted to tempt fate.]

How long have you all been here?

[protagerrant]

[Yuri rolls her eyes at Rita's outburst but doesn't try to argue with her.]

A few months. I was first, then Flynn, and Rita just got here a month ago.

[renamaer]

[She looks thoughtful at that, remembering a conversation she'd had with someone else on arriving here.] Is that common? Or for people from the same world to arrive from different times?

[protagerrant]

I guess so... I haven't talked to too many people about it, but that's the impression I got. What's the last thing you remember form back home, anyway?

[renamaer]

Umm... [Can she even still remember, it's been a pretty busy week...] Well, I had just finished another chapter in my new book, got a letter from Rita about her mana project [which had had a lot of weird doodles and stains on it], and Karol and Judith were supposed to be visiting next week... [pointedly does not mention that someone else has been pretty busy with guild work and hasn't stopped by Halure in like a month...]

[protagerrant]

[Look, at least he wasn't murdering anyone or getting thrown in jail.]

So we're all more or less on the same page. Good to know.

[renamaer]

[She has higher standards for you than that, Yuri...]

That is a good thing! [She hasn't actually seen you in such a while, she appreciates the excuse if nothing else.] Are you working while you're here too?

[protagerrant]

Yeah... As a mercenary, basically. 'Security company'.

[renamaer]

[Aww, she's so pleased for you!] That's wonderful. I'm so glad you found something that suits you. Is the work at all similar to what you do with Brave Vesperia?

[protagerrant]

More or less. [He makes a bit of a face.] Little less exciting, but I guess that's a good thing under the circumstances. What kind of job did they land you with?

[Given how weird Yuri's first job had been...]

[renamaer]

I'm working in a...shop? [She hasn't actually sold anything yet. She's half convinced none of the wares are meant to be moved.]

[protagerrant]

What kind of shop...?

[renamaer]

[She hasn't figured this part out either.] There are a lot of crystals involved? And...something about healing energy? I haven't finished reading all the pamphlets yet.

[protagerrant]

Huh... Sounds pretty useful. So why the face?

[renamaer]

[Useful? Well, maybe...] People are always coming in and asking questions about which types of crystal are best for...luck, protection, and f-fertility? I don't really know how to answer them. [And her boss really isn't much help...]

[protagerrant]

Ah.

They're trying to rip people off.

[renamaer]

You mean...people actually think that...? [Estelle's entire brain is a loop of oh god why did you tell Yuri about this, is the store still going to be there when you go in for work tomorrow]

[protagerrant]

[... Valid concerns.]

Sure, most people believe in some kind of superstition.

[renamaer]

Um...I'm sure people think blastia and aer and things like the Adephagos are all strange superstitions... Do you think a lot of people believe in these rocks and crystals?