Act XI - Video

[crapbearer]

[ Max is trying his best to stay upbeat, and specifically gears his body language toward looking relaxed and dismissive, though some might catch a hint of concern in his eyes. He holds the camera on himself, then on a bowl in the sink. ]

Hey, so uh — has anyone seen Duncan Heimdall? My housemate?

This bowl has been here for like a week now, and I want to congratulate him on finally learning to let stuff like this slide every now and then. But I uh, haven't caught him lately.

[ Not that he's worried Duncan left or anything. Oh no. Certainly not fishing for info to prove that wrong, definitely not. ]

Comments

voice;

[ofgoldenfoil]

[ Is this an instance of disappearance common among imPorts? ]

I do not know his name until now, so I have not seen his comings and goings.

Perhaps the Porter took him away?

[ If he sounds too informal in a boy's voice, well, that's because he's not exactly a boy at all. ]

Re: voice;

[crapbearer]

[ Max's cheerful facade falters at that, but he forces an even bigger smile. ]

Nah. I bet he'll turn up. He's got to.

[ The formal way of speaking does sound a little out of place to Max's ears; He's used to speech like that being limited to stuffy old immortals back home. Mostly birds. ]

And if he did, then — well, he wanted to go home. See his family. So that's good if he made it. That's... that's where he wanted to be.

Anyway! Thanks for trying anyway, uh... kid. What's your name?

voice;

[ofgoldenfoil]

Aurican. [ But he doesn't bother to try to fight the whole kid/boy thing, as he is assumed human form. ]

It's good that he can go back to his family.

video

[resipiscent]

I haven't. I don't think I knew more than his name to begin with, but -- I can try and track him, if you like.

[ Video ]

[dualismum]

You can check the communicator; usually Ported out imPorts will no longer be on the system.

voice;

[crapbearer]

Aurican. [ Max offers a friendly smile. Sounds like he could try to make a pun out of that name, but nothing comes to mind right now - he'll bring it up later if something comes to mind. ][ Still, he sounds pretty bummed. ]

You got anyone back home you're missing?

video

[crapbearer]

[ Max looks hopeful and opens his mouth to respond, then pauses. He takes a moment, then seems to just... deflate. ]

Don't bother.

He's gone.

[ Video ]

[crapbearer]

I've honestly been trying not to look. If I see his name's out of the list... well, that's it. That's the final word, right?

voice;

[ofgoldenfoil]

My brothers and sisters. I know they won't miss me because of time here, but I still worry sometimes. [ Are they going eat enough bats? ]

voice;

[crapbearer]

[ There's a long pause before Max responds. ]

...Yeah. Me too.

I haven't seen my mom in a year.

video

[resipiscent]

[So he must have checked the network then, Riku figures. He sighs gently, then nods.]

Right.

... You'll let me know if you need anything, right?

[ Video ]

[dualismum]

yes. it means he was Ported out and we don't really know when or if he'd return.

I'm sorry.

Re: video

[crapbearer]

[ Max's tone is distant and distracted, his thoughts elsewhere as he answers. ]

...yeah. Of course.

I'll be okay. Everyone leaves eventually, I figure. No matter how bad you want them to stay.

[ Video ]

[crapbearer]

[ Max goes offscreen for a moment, the feed going black. He returns quickly, expression no longer concerned -- only disappointed. ]

I guess that's it, then.

video

[resipiscent]

They do.

That doesn't mean we don't get to feel bad about it, though.

[Take it from the guy who's lost his best friend to the Porter twice over.]