1 🐍 ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ( action for housemates )

[snoobs]

[ When the feed comes to life, Hemali is seated on a couch, her legs drawn up and shoulders and neck hunched over. On the coffee table is a small bottle of nail polish, which she goes about applying with precision over her toe nails.

She doesn't glance at the camera right away, letting the silence linger until she's finished painting the nail the way she wants. Then she finally looks up and smiles, but it isn't one offered up in apology for making anyone wait, not that she believes she has anything to apologize for. ]

Isn't this all interesting? I've never seen a device like this or heard of one that could shuffle people from across the universe.

[ Her eyes light up at the thought, masking any concerns she has about the fact there's something with far greater power than she might ever have. ]

Nor have I heard about machines that could grant people power. What I find most strange having looked over this network, is that so many people would give up these powers if it meant leaving this place? I had always thought people preferred being special and having that kind of security. Does your power not provide that?

[ A contemplative pause. ]

Maybe I am a little excited to travel for once, personally.

[ Not completely, but who needs to know behind a calm affect is a woman who feels threatened by the Porter? She goes back to painting her nails, interested in hearing what these other imPorts have to say in response. ]

Comments

voice for now

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Does she now!!]

You'll have a spectrum with any given population, but no. Optimism is something of a rare reaction.

[snoobs]

[ She wants to see everyone's faces!! ]

I admit I wasn't very happy at first, but I am making do with what I can for the time being.

And you? Optimist or pessimist when you arrived?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I try to believe in the best of all possible worlds.

[But he says it a little too dryly, a little too bitterly.]

But anyway -- welcome. To this universe.

[snoobs]

It's not good to be so negative. It reflects on the outside.

[ She says without sounding as if she truly believes in it. ]

Thank you. How kind of a stranger to say. [ A beat. ] What would this stranger's name be?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Ah -- Frederick. Doctor Frederick Chilton.

I am a psychiatrist.

[snoobs]

Doctor.

[ If Chilton was looking to impress, he's got it. ]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dr. Chilton. I am Hemali.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Someone who respects doctors!!!]

The pleasure is mine -- it is rare to meet someone so charming and beautiful.

[snoobs]

[ And a flatterer at that. She's already taken a shine to him. ]

Smooth words for a faceless man. Do I get to see the handsome face behind this device?

video;

[slightlyoffchilt]

[There's a pause, and the sound of a finger fumble.

The next moment has present an awkwardly smiling Frederick Chilton.]

Now we've formally met.

[snoobs]

Good. I was worried for a moment you might have had a strange or hideous face.

[ She fans her hand just above the nails to get them to dry faster. ]

So, a psychiatrist? A doctor who deals with people's minds, isn't that it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh -- well. [He stuttered, thinking briefly on his very persuasive prosthetics.] I am glad you're relieved.

And yes, precisely that. I tend to treat imPorts more than anyone now. What about yourself? I mean, what do you do?

[snoobs]

They've made me a doctor of sorts here, too.

[ That amuses her; the Indian doctor. Of course. ]

Have you heard of hypnotherapy?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have... Heard of it. [Not wholly averse, but Chilton did prefer the use of chemicals over hypnosis. Lecter might disagree with him, and he knew it.] Are you considering starting a practice?

[snoobs]

They've already started one for me.

[ Strange, she thinks, given no medical expertise on her end. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

And is it to your liking?

[snoobs]

I haven't had a session yet! I will find out soon enough.

[ A wide smile. ]

Do you like your job?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Undeniably so. I am, in fact, opening a new mental health facility in the coming season.

[snoobs]

That is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations, Doctor.

Are there many people who need treatment here?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Almost all of them, honestly.

[snoobs]

What makes you say that?

[slightlyoffchilt]

The sheer PTSD they suffer coming over here, the amount of personality disorders, the anxiety... It is a comprehensive list.

[snoobs]

And you help them all?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Enough of them. I quite like my work.

[snoobs]

What an honorable thing to do, Dr. Chilton.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You think so? People tend to view the mental health sciences with suspicion. There is a surprising amount of animosity here, in fact.

But that makes your observations all the more appreciated.