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

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[snoobs]

There is mention how dependent our bodies become on these devices in our skin.

[ Meant to scare her or enlighten her? She wonders. ]

I take it you've been here some time. Have you seen the consequences of it?

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[flowerette]

[ Painted lips pinch downward at Hemali's question. ]

There was a week the Soviets invaded. They had this Artificial Intelligence that could control our actions -- porting us where it wanted, torturing us when we misbehaved, and shutting down the nanite support. I suffered from the latter for my misbehavior.

[ Some of the brainwashing still cuts deep. It's misbehavior rather than rebellion, for instance. ]

Our bodies suffer tremendously when cut off of the source. To a point of near organ failure.

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[snoobs]

That's what I've been hearing.

[ So this war has gotten a lot more uglier. Strange, the Cold War never reached this point back home as far as she knows. ]

What a terrible thing to endure.

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[flowerette]

It was, but it was also enlightening in a way. No one knew for sure what would happen if the nanites were deactivated. And now we have an idea. If scientists were to work on disabling them, they would have an understanding of the end result.

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[snoobs]

Are you all alright now?

[ Her tone doesn't indicate she's genuinely concerned. Rather, she's curious to hear if the nanites healed them properly and have kept them in good health since. ]

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[flowerette]

Oh yes. I'm fine. So long as the nanites are in working order, everything heals up as it should. Has anyone told you yet that they will even revive you from death?

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[snoobs]

It's been brought up. That is —

[ She almost says "impossible", but Hemali catches herself and starts to laugh. ]

Here I am about to say that can't be, but I am in a different country — world because a strange machine brought me.

[flowerette]

[ With a laugh. ]

Honey, nothing is outside the realm of impossibility now. Just wait until you have your first experience with out of control imPort powers. It's produced such varied results from changing everyone into children to unleashing the undead on the city.

[snoobs]

Does this happen often?

[flowerette]

At least every few months or so.

[snoobs]

[ She puts her leg down, finishing with her nails finally and leaves them to dry. A slender hand reaches for the bottle to twist it shut. ]

Things aren't boring around here, are they?

[ That's good news for her. ]

[flowerette]

For the most part, no. August was a bit of a boring month, truth be told. But I imagine that's only the calm before the inevitable storm.

[ Eyeing Hemali's nails. ]

That's a great shade, by the way.

[snoobs]

[ She wonders what it is they'll see. ]

Thank you. The toes are always a bit harder to do.

[flowerette]

Oh don't I know that. I prefer to get pedicures, truthfully. You can get some excellent deals at high end places simply for being an imPort.

[ There are definite perks in this world. ]

[snoobs]

I would much prefer that. Would you have any recommendations in the city of Maurtia Falls?

[flowerette]

Not currently. But Frederick and I are going to be moving out there in the month. So give me a few days and I should be able to find all the best places.

[snoobs]

Oh!

[ That smile on her face doesn't falter the entire time. ]

The doctor Frederick Chilton?

[flowerette]

Yes, it is. You two are getting acquainted I take it?

[snoobs]

Yes, we are.

You said you are moving together? Are you newly weds?

[flowerette]

[ What a soul crushing question. Her smile falters. ]

Oh no. We're only dating. After over an entire year. Of being together. Exclusively.

[ He hasn't even proposed!!!! He won't even propose! Men. ]

[snoobs]

[ She notes the reaction, although she doesn't feel terrible for it, only surprised that they're just dating. ]

But living together? He's got it all backwards, I'd say!

[flowerette]

The arrangement worked for us for a while. I moved in with him after only a few months and we've lived together ever since.

[ But now Raina wants more. ]

[snoobs]

And such a beautiful face, too. I have to say he might be a bit crazy.

[flowerette]

Well, I won't argue with that. He would find it nearly impossible to find another woman like me.

[ No modesty here. ]

[snoobs]

[ Who needs modesty? ]

You should make him realize that.