[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?

Comments

[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.

[dust_of_life]

[She grunts softly.]

This place is sounding more and more like Zelien...

[saveyourserpent]

[Liquid raises an eyebrow.]

Never heard of it. Something we should know about here?

[dust_of_life]

An organization called COMPASS decided to conduct experiments in fear.

They kidnapped their guinea pigs from across the multiverse. Subjected them to different stimuli.

That's where I was before here. Zelien. A town COMPASS made to contain us.

[saveyourserpent]

Well, ah, so far it hasn't felt like much of an experiment like that, at least. More like a bunch of people who aren't entirely sure what they're doing hurtling through space.

[After all, the crew comes from a broken teleporter thing. He thinks it's a little apt, exaggerated as it is.]

Of course, that doesn't mean not to be wary.

[dust_of_life]

Sounds like a social experiment to me.

Like an episode of Survivor or Big Brother.

[saveyourserpent]

They'd better get my good side.

It seems a bit too elaborate for that to be the case, but I suppose you never can tell.

[dust_of_life]

No more elaborate than what COMPASS did.

[She sighs, biting down on the inside of her cheek.]

It's hard to believe that two separate entities could exist with that same power to rip through the multiverse.

[saveyourserpent]

Don't tell me they were broadcasting that.

There's a multiverse to begin with. I might not be any sort of scientist, but doesn't the sheer nature of it call for that sort of thing? [Sounds like it to him.]

[dust_of_life]

It wouldn't be my first instinct.

But then again, my world sucks.

[saveyourserpent]

Well, if something like that's going on, it certainly sounds like it. My sympathies.

At least there's video games and free food?

[Good job on the levity, Liquid.]

[dust_of_life]

Yeah...thank heaven for the video games.

[saveyourserpent]

[He shrugs.]

No one can say I didn't try.

[dust_of_life]

You get full points for trying.

Promise.

[saveyourserpent]

What do I get if I get enough points?

[dust_of_life]

A free sub sandwich, obviously.

[saveyourserpent]

Brilliant. I'll have to save up.

[dust_of_life]

Go for the gold, channel your inner Jared.

[She's from 2009. Little does she know that reference will stop being funny.]

[saveyourserpent]

I think I'll channel my inner me instead.

[He's from 2010, technically, but he hasn't been paying too much attention to commercials.]

[dust_of_life]

Now that's a pretty good philosophy.

[saveyourserpent]

I like to think so, yes.

[dust_of_life]

[She smiles. Fatima's troubles are hardly forgotten. And the necklace will continue to upset her for awhile. But it's nice to be able to banter with someone.]

I'll have to adopt it.