❧ 001 [video]

[shadowblends]

[The video flickers to life, jostling about for a few moments before finally settling on a view of some nearby rocks.

Kurt stumbles into the sight of the camera, dropping down into a crouch and curling his arms around his legs. He props his chin up onto his knees and stares at the TAB with what appears to be an unusually dull look.

To put it bluntly, he looks like hell; the usual rich cobalt of his skin has a sickening slate tint and the iridescence of his eyes has faded to an oddly clouded shade of crimson to go along with the dark circles beneath them. Even the lashing of his tail is nothing more than a simple thump every few moments across the ground in front of him.]

Hallo, [he greets, voice hardly a whisper over the curve of his small knees. Yes, he's still not his normal size and he's getting to the point of hating it; everything is harder with a child's body and it clearly shows. The fact that he's been drinking the glowing water to retain his powers doesn't help either, but he wanted to be useful and teleporting is just that.

His tiny frame shivers, eyes becoming half-lidded before forcing back open, as if he's remembered why he turned this thing on in the first place. Definitely not to let people see him act like the kid he currently is.] ... is it possible for someone to direct me to the location of the Medical tent?

[A pause, his head turning so his cheek can replace his chin on his legs.] I seem to be ... lost.

Comments

video;

[infailtration]

[ This kid -- and he does mean kid, maybe four or five -- doesn't look so hot, even assuming this is his normal coloring. York is instantly worried for him, and Kurt will be able to hear it in his voice. He answers the video quickly, appearing on the screen in his full armor. ]

Hey kiddo. Can you move the camera around so I can see where you might be? I'll come and get you.

video;

[shadowblends]

[Bringing his attention back to the TAB, Kurt's eyes squint at the screen as he shuffles closer. He's more than a little surprised at the sight of someone (male, assuming by the voice) in a full suit of armor, considering most of the people he has seen are wearing thermals - much like himself.]

Mmn ... [It's a mix of a grunt and a whimper, but he reaches to grab the device, slowly panning around his current location, which happens to be outside the entrance of the caves.] Does this help?

Re: video;

[infailtration]

[ Awesome, York knows where that is. He keeps the vid link open as he starts moving, very quickly from the way the background shifts behind him. He's so used to the weight and feel of his armor that it almost doesn't matter anymore. ]

It does. I'll be right there, okay. Keep talking to me, do you feel sick?

text;

[pillz]

usually in the middle of camp
main guy n charge is the guy who wuz on the network bitchin ab out the water the other week
where r ur parents
or wuz it ur parents who did that 2 ur face
(not the blue)
(gonna assume the blue is standard 4 u)
(but if it ain't, shit
some cruel ass parents)

text;

[shadowblends]

usually? has it moved or something?
i ... don't believe i was here for that.
my parents?

[Right, he's little.]

not here.
they are back at home and no, they didn't do this.
my blue is natural and the scars are
personal

[pillz]

[kurt.

kurt u r so little. so little.]

well i mean we keep havin 2 pack our shit up & walk into more sectors so its like
kind of hard 2 put ur tent down exactly the same place every time
u know what im sayin
tgats not being racist idk maybe ur blue people dont walk
ps i tink they got laser surgery 4 that

{ video }

[frostedplum]

Hello. [ He looks so sweet! ] Has anyone offered to help you yet?

[ She doesn't want to give him information he already has. ]

{ video }

[shadowblends]

[Is he hearing things? No, it's definitely a voice - a girl's, to be precise.

The blue-skinned child glances up and back at the TAB, pressing the back of his hand against his mouth then nodding slowly.] Someone is coming to get me ...

[Doesn't mean he won't appreciate having people to talk to while he waits.]

[frostedplum]

[ That's just Mei's thinking! She smiles brightly in response. ]

Oh, good! I was hoping so. But I thought I could keep you company while you wait. My name's Mei. What's yours?

text;

[culver]

Are you okay?

text;

[shadowblends]

for the moment, yes.

text;

[culver]

Are you always blue then?

[video]

[purramedic]

[Someone else may be retrieving the boy, but damn it, Anders wants to be (or at least feel) useful too. He keeps a steady expression and a level voice when he switches on his feed.]

Help is on the way. Are you cold or injured?

[video]

[shadowblends]

[Kurt's head lolls off his knees, neck craning to allow him to stare at the camera once more. His eyes narrow then blink rapidly, as if he's having trouble seeing.]

Not injured. Only somewhat cold.

[purramedic]

[He can work with this! There's a small, hopefully reassuring smile on his face now.]

That can be rectified. Take deep, slow breaths in and out, and rub your arms and legs and -- tail, as you need to. [He's chalking the tail up to the Ingress weirdness. Because giant grey horned people are more believable than blue tailed children.] It'll keep your core and your limbs as warm as possible.

video;

[otiosity]

If it makes you feel better, we're all lost here. Someone is going to find you so you can be lost along with everyone else.

[That's Hawke's version of gentle comfort anyway.]

video;

[shadowblends]

[Well, it's a small sort of comfort and it's enough to make him lift his head and offer a tiny smile.]

Being lost alone with someone would be better than being lost on my own.

[otiosity]

That's the spirit!

Twists of fate are never your fault. Don't take any responsibility for it. You're among equal victims.

[farmboyjedi]

[Luke is sad to see the small figure saying he's lost and looking a bit frightened.]

I'm still learning my way around here, too.

I'll still help if I can, though, if you'd like.

[Something is on his mind, although he has no way of knowing for sure.] Are you...you know...changed...too? I'm beginning to not like it much. I just hope we get back to the way we're supposed to be, sometime soon.

[shadowblends]

[There's a moment where Kurt simply slumps over onto his side, but once he hears another voice, he uses his elbows to drag himself closer to the device.]

Gut to know that I am not the only one that is lost.

Someone is coming, but I do not mind the company ...

[He pauses, lifting up onto his hands and knees, the spade of his tail dipping over his shoulder.] I am, ja. My body has ... reverted to a younger age. Soon, hopefully, we will be normal again.

[farmboyjedi]

OK...I'm glad you won't be alone for long.

[Luke nods.] I don't like it either. I hope you're right. That we'll be normal again soon.

[warandpeace]

[Well, that's a new one. Fortunately by now Kaz is getting used to alien looking life. He's been on the ship long enough. He's encountered everything from magical monsters to science experiments. But regardless of what he is, that he's a kid has him immediately concerned.]

Are you alright now? Did someone help you get there?

[shadowblends]

[Another person talking to him? He reaches his tail out to grab the TAB this time, bringing it over to better see the person on the screen. This whole lack of non-enhanced eyesight is really starting to get annoying.]

Someone is on their way to get me. I got sick, but I feel a little better.

text;

[gainedlove]

[Frisk is hesitant to let themself near anyone new--shouldn't lure anyone else close enough to be hurt--but at the same time they can't just allow a poor child to wander around hurt and confused. They can...they can just drop him off to Angela, and that will be enough, won't it?]

i can show you
where are you right now?

text;

[shadowblends]

[Approaching tiny Kurt is probably the safest thing Frisk would do. Well, maybe? He's harmless and even more so in this form, but he'd understand if they would be frightened by the sight of him - he is a pretty unique looking character.]

in front of the caves
someone is coming to help, but ...

[No, he won't admit that he's scared; Kurt's an X-Man and they aren't supposed to be afraid of things, right? Right.]