Video - End of Lasohm/start of Malom, about a day after the breach is resealed

[twistedempathy]

[The city is still in a state of disarray, though the fighting is over. Everyone will surely need to pitch in for some extensive repair work to make Havenwell what it once was. Will is sitting on a somewhat mangled chair on a cafe's patio, disheveled and powdered with stone dust, looking more exhausted and discouraged than most people here have ever seen him--unless, of course, they happened to help him endure the agony of the battle's psychic backlash.

He's doing his best to smile regardless, and holds up a slightly rumpled piece of paper to show the camera; on it are some surprisingly good line art head shots of Akira, Akechi, and Kei done in pen. They may not be exactly artistic, but they're at least faithful to their subject matter; he's even helpfully tagged each with hair and eye colors, since he could only work in monochrome.]

Has anyone seen these three recently? My roommates all vanished during the fighting. I figured they must have had their hands full, and maybe they got hurt and needed to stay with someone, but.....

They aren't answering their tablets, and they're not at any of the temples. I've been searching around town, but I haven't found them yet, and Arche can't pick up any scent trails, either. I'm starting to think maybe they got sick, and..... got worse.

[Anyone who's seen or experienced the strange illness that can grip the newcomers may understand what he's talking about, and why he's so worried--people fading out of existence entirely is a frightening prospect. His voice is quieter now, as he reaches out to end the recording and submit it to the network.]

.....I'm not sure I want to stay in my house anymore.

Comments

[twistedempathy]

A couple of my friends got sick a little while ago, that's how I knew. I spent some time with them while they recovered at their temples, until the priests said they were well enough to go home.

[Have a wry smile; he's doing his best to keep up hope, even if all this is wearing on him.]

I'm kind of tired, but I think we all are. Maybe spending time with them without getting sick myself means I've developed a resistance? It'd sure be nice, at least.....

[begguiling]

Here's hoping, huh? So people do recover. I've got a feeling I should be asking the natives about this and not you, but it's pretty worrying that we have to find out this way at all. Shouldn't they tell us up front? So much for their PR!

[As frivolous a way that is of saying that, there's genuine upset in there too. The natives may not be able to betray trust that Magolor had never truly given them, but . . . still. This is something else.]

[twistedempathy]

Everyone I've heard of getting sick has recovered, under the priests' care. It's just--with all the fighting, if they were too hurt to make it to the temple.....

[He's just imagining the worst case scenario, that's all. There's no way that would have happened, right? Surely someone would have found and helped them! He shouldn't be borrowing trouble, not when they've all had more than enough of it already. Even worrying like this, though, he wants to believe the best in their hosts.]

I don't know how much the locals know, either. Maybe they didn't even know it was a possibility until it happened?

[begguiling]

They have to at least know enough to know how to treat the ill, if the priests are nursing them back to health. . . . Well, whatever! Don't you worry about that. I'll look into it for us! That's my job and all.

[He smiles and flashes a thumbs up, suddenly bright, in that way of his that could go either way on being convincing or not.]

You've got enough on your plate.

[twistedempathy]

I suppose that's true..... But if anyone can get them to talk about how much they know, it would be you. If there's anything to learn, I know you'll be able to find it.

[He may be stressed out right now, but there's some real warmth to that smile nonetheless. Why wouldn't the priests talk to Magolor, after all? He's bright, charming, personable, friendly, inquisitive, eager--in short, the perfect interviewer. ]

[begguiling]

Oh, you're buttering me up . . .

[A token protest. He's so into it, giggling with his hands to his cheeks. Oh noooo not praise! How awwwwwful!

They're just words to say. He can look at Will and see Will is being earnest, not just flattering him meaninglessly, but he can't quite look that in the face; there's something embarrassing about it.]

Keep it coming! Hehehe. I'll keep you posted, all right?

[twistedempathy]

Oh, I could keep going~ ♥

[It doesn't come as easily as it should, but Will grins playfully at Magolor's exaggerated coyness. He might be in earnest, but flattery is fun regardless; he always does like buttering people up, and seeing how it flusters them or makes them smile.]

I'll count on you, then.