[VIDEO]

[dust_of_life]

[Fatima's back on the network. In a stark contrast to her debut, she looks decidedly upset. Not in the sense of crying with running mascara--although that will probably come later in private. But almost ready to strangle someone.

Which is really more of her default lately, anyway.

Dangling between her fingers, she holds a locket. Someone got mail.]

What kind of sick joke is this?

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[saveyourserpent]

[Liquid's peering into the camera like he's trying to figure out the significance of what's onscreen. He doesn't get it.]

I don't know, what kind of sick joke is it? Someone's got strange taste in jewelry?

[dust_of_life]

It showed up in my mailbox.

Is it normal for the captains to give the prisoners weird-ass gifts?

[saveyourserpent]

Sometimes stuff just shows up. That thing that brought us all here spits things out sometimes, and I guess they just sort of decide who it belongs to arbitrarily.

When I got here there was a giant laser cannon thing on my bed. It was given to a child who wasn't proficient in that sort of thing. I think that's a good description as any as to how they figure this out.

[dust_of_life]

..a giant laser cannon?

[saveyourserpent]

Don't ask me, it showed up before I even got there. So, ah, be glad you've just got some necklace and not that?

[dust_of_life]

I don't know, I could see some uses for a giant laser cannon.

[And at least a giant laser cannon wouldn't make her want to spontaneously burst into tears.

Merali girls do not cry. That's the rule.]

Good to know, anyway. For future reference.

[saveyourserpent]

Good uses in some cases, but on a ship like this it seems wildly irresponsible.

I was a bit disappointed to see it go.

But yeah, don't worry if weird things start showing up in the post. It's what passes for normal around here.

[dust_of_life]

It's--forgive the pun--light years ahead of my last prison so...there's that.

[She runs her hand through her hair, shaking her head.]

Sorry. Manners are a thing. What's your name?

[saveyourserpent]

I hear you on that one. This is like a luxury hotel or something.

[A lot of people around here have been in some kind of prison to have a frame of reference, it seems.]

Liquid Snake. And you?

[dust_of_life]

[Two years ago, a name like that might have caused her to bat an eye. But it seems that the levels of jaded that Fatima's always aspired to are starting to become a reality.

Oh, the irony.]

Fatima Merali.

[saveyourserpent]

Good to meet you.

[Hey, he doesn't even have to explain the codename thing. That's good, isn't it?]

Hopefully next time you won't get any weird surprises in the post, right?

[dust_of_life]

Considering the course of my life thus far? I think "weird" is kinda unavoidable, to be honest.

[Heaven help them all...]

[saveyourserpent]

Hah, same with me. Same with a lot of us on here, I'm pretty sure. Wonder if the Ingress has a type.

[dust_of_life]

Huh.

[She pauses to consider it.]

I hadn't thought of that.

Is there any kind of pattern to who gets picked up?

[saveyourserpent]

I have no idea. I think every time it seems like there's a pattern, there's something that breaks it.

It'd be funny if there was one, but so far I haven't actually seen one.

[Not that he exactly studies it or anything, but he does like to keep an eye on who's here.]

[dust_of_life]

Maybe there should be a more formal study.

[Fatima does like organizing things...]

[saveyourserpent]

Maybe! It seems like something they should've done already, thinking about it. I wonder if they do keep tabs on it, somewhere.

[dust_of_life]

Or...

...if they don't want anyone keeping tabs.

[saveyourserpent]

Also a possibility! I certainly haven't let go of any suspicion. I'm still keeping an eye on things.

[dust_of_life]

Only way to stay alive.

[Says a girl from the world of darkness...]

[saveyourserpent]

Well, doesn't always mean you'll stay alive, but it's better than not paying attention in the long run.

[dust_of_life]

Do a lot of people die on this thing?

[saveyourserpent]

I don't know about a lot in relative terms, I haven't been here long enough for that, but it happens.

I meant in general, really, though.

[dust_of_life]

Given.

[She sucks in air between her teeth.]

It's just that my last jaunt involved people constantly dying and being resurrected.

Seriously.

[saveyourserpent]

...Ah. Well. From what I've heard, dying isn't necessarily permanent around here.

[He shrugs.]

So I suppose it depends on just how constant it ends up being.