2 ☄ Video

[curada]

[The video opens on a guy with a mass of long hair that's being tied behind with both hands. The feed captures his medical coat, and the dim blue hue of monitors to his back. Their light reflects off the metal shelf by his right, whilst his desk sits in darkness, save for a lamp pointed down at the papers on its surface.

Machines hum in the background; together with the ticking of a clock and nearby footfall. He takes a hasty glance and, unsure of how to begin things, shuts his eyes. Does he introduce himself? Does he jump straight to his question? His fingers pull the tie taut then tap his sides. Last month's events were a strange twist of fate - a collapse of logic - that did not allow them peace. Alas! They had raised a question he could not solve alone.

It takes a moment of thought before he talks. His voice is calm but his speech? Noticably slow.]

On examining the situation with the rise of native superheroes, as you call them, I find myself puzzled. We beheld those who were ordinary become capable of the extraordinary. I request you answer one question that's on my mind:

What is the place of imPorts in this world now?

Comments

[curada]

I suppose not; but I shall avail myself of your privacy all the same. But if I might seek your knowledge at a later date that would not be a bother?

[oceanthief]

It's not any more annoying in the future than it would be right now. [Lapis.....] I don't really do much here.

[curada]

Well, I am sure others can confirm or deny that. But the effort is theirs to tell me. I can set my sight on other matters.

[Don't go around stealing the ocean, Lapis. People might tell.]

[oceanthief]

[oh my god she was going to put it back would everyone get off her case about that!!! it was one time!!!!!]

If you really want to. [she shrugs gently] Most conversations are pretty much the same to me.

[go...for it...Victor....that's as close to encouragement to chat as you'll get from Lapis.]

[curada]

If that's the case, I'll draft a letter and ensure it reaches you by the end of the day. Then you can answer at your leisure.

[And it reaches her before the day's out; a letter of five questions relevant to their conversation. How she has been forced to fight. Why she did so. How imPorts have been used as weapons in the past. Whether she considers this a kidnapping or accident of fate. And how she feels about it all happening without giving her consent.]

Meanwhile, I am a doctor. If there are special requirements you require for treatment, I would welcome being informed in advance.

[oceanthief]

[that letter will likely never see its return to Victor unless he asks after it at a later date - not from malice, but the simple fact that Lapis has absolutely no understanding of how the postal system works. Homeworld had left such primitive means of communication behind long before she'd even been trapped in the mirror, after all.

that isn't to say that Lapis doesn't answer the missive; she does, with careful and precise handwriting underneath each question on the original letter. in some places there isn't enough room to fit her response, and so the words curl and shrink awkwardly to try and pack themselves in. once finished she places it, neatly folded up once more, back into the mailbox...without an address or postage. it seems destined to sit there for some time.]

Treatment? [and here's some actual emoting from her, clear confusion cutting across her face.] There's nothing wrong with me.

[curada]

I meant to suggest future treatment. I am a healer, and it is in my hands to offer assistance to those who might require it. I held no intent to give you the opposite impression. Forgive me.

[oceanthief]

I don't think you'd ever be working on me. Gems don't really need that kind of thing.

[and, to be honest, Lapis isn't entirely sure that she'd trust a human med tech to repair her gem should it become cracked a second time.]

[curada]

[He should tell her about the massive crystals of his homeworld sometime.]

When I reflect on your physiology, then no, I wouldn't be. What loss would it be anyway? But I am not without means, depending on whether you are classed as an organic lifeform...

[oceanthief]

[SHE KNOWS ALL ABOUT USING CRYSTALS FOR POWER tHANKS]

I already told you, I'm a gem.

[you'd think that people would listen to her when she gave them information, but alas this isn't a new problem...]

[curada]

[Well, she's a gem that moves and talks, and he is known for his obsession with those crystals back home, so...]

I am aware of that. I was voicing my wonder aloud; but now that I have done it I think I should be at peace.

[oceanthief]

[she is also a gem that still hasn't quite grasped how human death is different from a gem regenerating. walk carefully, friend.]

I hope so. It's kind of a silly thing to be wondering about in the first place.

[curada]

I have been told so. Thank you for your co-operation.

[Silly is the nicest thing he's heard regarding his work, honestly.]

[oceanthief]

[she nods, then seems to silently consider her options. this was the part where she added something else before the conversation ended, right? Lapis is at least vaguely aware of there being proper enders to talks, a much better state of affairs than her abysmal introductions.

well, what would be the best thing to chuck in? after a moment or two she decides that some advice would be the most useful in the long run.]

...next time you should just wonder in your head. It doesn't really do any good outside.

[NAILED IT]