Video

[dreadinquisitor]

[He wanted time to familiarize himself with this place. He needed to know if anyone else from the Inquisition had been brought across as well, and then to find them if they had. But first, he'd looked through the information they'd given him - the neat print on the strange white paper - and now, suddenly, Maxwell had a much more immediate, personal worry.

The video opens on his face; his expression a mixture of incredulity and concern.]

Hello. [It feels awkward, addressing nothing, but he pushes on.] My name is Maxwell and I have a question, and there doesn't seem to be anyone else to ask.

[The camera turns and fixes on a portion of the pages he'd been given. He points to a section, chases a sentence with his fingertip as he reads it aloud.] 'Bears will always find him.' [Then the feed swings back to him.]

Why would anyone want this? How many bears do you even have in this place, to hope to make this useful? And do they just-- roam about?[He glances away, as if one might have suddenly sneaked up on him, then back.] Are these abilities negotiable in any way?

Comments

[fehus]

It's because I do what I want. The government probably actually isn't behind it. Wild, for a conspiracy theorist like myself, I know.

[dreadinquisitor]

Fair enough. [An honest smile, warm and friendly.] And I meant it. It's good know the option is there. Where I'm from... that isn't always the case.

[fehus]

Now that sounds like a conspiracy theory. Strict government?

[dreadinquisitor]

A strict world. [He sighs through his nose.] Government, society, family... You're born into an expectation, and there's rarely room to move in any direction. And even if there is-- it isn't easy. It usually isn't fair.

[fehus]

That honestly sounds like a lot of worlds. Depressingly.

And being stuck here is depressing in different ways, definitely, but not that one.

[dreadinquisitor]

Well, that's less encouraging.

But I appreciate the honesty.

[fehus]

Hey, if you can't trust a stranger on the internet, who can you trust?

I'm Magnus, by the way.

[dreadinquisitor]

A stranger is the first, necessary step to a friend.

[No implication, just an easy statement.]

Good to meet you, Magnus.

[fehus]

[he likes that adage. it's corny and also nice, which are things he's kind of into, actually]

Yeah. I'm glad we got a chance to talk pre-maul. I just ate.

[dreadinquisitor]

I'll endeavor to stay that way.

Maybe look up this diving business.

[fehus]

Is that really what you wanna do?

[dreadinquisitor]

[He considers.]

No, probably not. But it might be interesting to find out how it's done. We've nothing like it, where I'm from.

[fehus]

They might just make inappropriate sexual innuendo at you, but talking to people is a good way to figure out what's interesting, around here.

[dreadinquisitor]

[A laugh.]

Not to say those can't be interesting too. I can definitely say I learned something today.

[fehus]

Want a sticker?

[dreadinquisitor]

What's a sticker?

[fehus]

A soft medal that sometimes you can scratch and sniff. Like this, hold on.

[attached image;]

[dreadinquisitor]

[Maxwell looks. And smiles.]

I like the one with the mug. What would that one smell like?

[fehus]

Root beer, probably. The dancing pickle's gotta be the best one, for me, personally.

[dreadinquisitor]

Well, yes. To your answer your question, I would be delighted.

I like them.

[fehus]

[that startles a laugh out of him]

I'll definitely hit you up with one, if I see you around. What city did you get dumped in?

[dreadinquisitor]

Nonah, #001.

[One of what, he didn't yet know.]

[fehus]

I spend more time in De Chima and Maurtia Falls. But there's probably some Nonah residents with the low-down, if you're gonna stay there to work and live. Honestly? Heropa's the nicest and has the best take-out.

[dreadinquisitor]

There seem to be a couple here. [The responses are coming quickly, and it's getting difficult to keep them all straight, but he appreciates them all; the help, and, yes, even the humor at his expense. It made it all a bit more - familiar.] We'll see how it all works out, and in the meantime, I'll keep an eye out, should I find myself your way.

[fehus]

You're that eager for a sticker?