animus_network | 3. Knowledge [Video]

[[OOC: This is backdated to the 16th, after the Nyx Avatar battle. I meant to make this post earlier, but so it goes. Better late than never!]]

The video opens up on Jade Curtiss, picking up and slipping on his glasses, then looking at the camera while smiling his usual unconcerned smile and wearing his usual military uniform.

"Forgive me my abruptness, but I'd like to conduct a little survey," he says pleasantly. "My name is Jade Curtiss, and I had the fascinating experience of my first death yesterday--at, apparently, the hands of Death itself, no less. When I awoke this morning, I couldn't help but wonder, what sorts of deaths have you all experienced thus far? If you wouldn't mind indulging my curiosity, please leave a response in whatever format you prefer with as much detail as you feel comfortable with giving.

"Please be aware that I will likely ask follow-up questions. This is, of course, completely optional. For those of you who do participate, thank you in advance for your cooperation."

He nods his head politely, then reaches forward for something off-screen. The video cuts there. ...Morbid much?

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[Indeed it's not--for normal people. Jade's well aware that his attitudes are abnormal, which is why he made the caveat that people could say only as much as they were comfortable with. Of course, until they make it clear that that's all they're saying...]

I see. I take it you've been here for a long time as well. I think I'm familiar with the floor you mention as well. May I ask what sort of 'punishment' you mean?

[Somehow she thought he'd be interested in that. Anybody would be.]

The first one was last July. Some of us had hacked the terminals, while others tried to make a distraction, to try to find out more about the administrators. The next night, Riki sent us to the first floor. We all had devices attached to our collars that attracted monsters. None of the terminals or the elevators would work. We had to try to get all the way up to our rooms.

[One hundred floors of stairs, several floors being taller than the average floor]

I managed to make it back but... on the way, I got hit by a monster. Its sword was poisoned, we think, because I got sick and died a little later.

Anoter other was at the end of December. Jason killed everyone who faced him.

[She falls silent. No doubt there'd be questions about the third. The issue with the third was that the finer details were not really up for discussion]

The other time was Jason too. You know I was one of the first people to see him without the glamour. [Since they'd talked about it during Jason's assault on the dorm floors] I didn't exactly escape.

[And that's all she's saying on that one.]

Edited 2014-02-01 11:34 (UTC)

[Indeed, anyone would. If one's actions might be "punished," then it's prudent to learn what is punishable behavior so that one might avoid it--or at least know where they need to cover their tracks better. In this case, Jade might remark on the hostility of the administrators, even one reputed to be neutral like Riki, but that's already been evident and has been since his first day here.]

I see. Thank you.

[Fortunately, Jade either senses that or isn't interested in further detail, because he leaves it at that.]

What additional effects, if any, have you experienced since around your seventh death, as compared to previous deaths?

Parts of your body start to feel numb for a while when you wake up, on top of the sleep paralysis.

Also, you start to experience things after you die but before you wake up.

And... [She hesitates before pressing onward]

I have... my brother, who's died... at least sixteen times. Maybe more than that. I'm not sure exactly when it starts, but if you die enough, you start to lose memories, as well.

I see... That correlates to what I've heard thus far.

[There is a pause.]

Memory loss? That's troubling information. May I ask who your brother is, and if he'd be willing to participate?

[Xion grimaces. She remembers how badly Shion's reacted to his deaths and the memories he has lost. Like when he'd re-found out about Dax's death, and when he'd been writing everything down in case he lost it when he died. She doesn't like the idea of sending someone off to ask him potentially probing questions about it.

Then again, with Ragnarok it wouldn't exactly be hard to find out her brother's name.

After a few moments, she ends up slapping up a filter.]

... his name is Shion, though his name is spelled differently than mine. But... I'd like to talk to him about it first, please. It's... been really upsetting for him.

If nothing else, I can tell you what I know about it.

That's fine. If he doesn't want to discuss it, I have no intentions of forcing him or anyone. Will he be all right with you discussing it on his behalf?

3. Knowledge [Video]

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