animus_network | ⇝001 // video

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⇝001 // video

_{[the video's dark, but it's definitely video; the screen is completely black. there's the snap and clink of a lighter, but the fire isn't seen on the video, as if he's pointing it elsewhere from himself, or isn't aware the video's on; there's a deep inhalation and a deep exhalation, which sounds more like someone breathing through their teeth. it quickly degrades into soft, under-the-breath giggling. his voice is soft enough that someone might not be able to hear him unless they're trying.]

...eeeeveryone's... gone.

[he keeps that low soft breathy giggling up for a moment, and it almost sounds desperate.]}

That's what it says. It says, everyone's gone.

I've never thought about it. What happens when everyone goes away.

_{But now, now... they're all gone. Gone, gone... gone.

[his giggling starts to get more frantic but it never gets louder; it sounds more and more desperate, and suddenly-- it stops. he makes a quiet noise, his voice low and quiet. for reference, it's the first four or so seconds.]

zhuzhuzhuzhu...

...but still so noisy.}

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I know. [She was hoping she might be able to exploit a placebo effect and at least have him feel better.

Stein moves her hand down to her lap, trying to come up with another idea.]

What else have you already tried?

Smoking doesn't help.

_{[he lets out a breath of smoke at these words, and smiles widely.]

I don't need any help. Do I?}

[Stein inhales the smoke greedily. She needed something to calm herself down, and hadn't really wanted to ask to bum a cigarette off of a crazy person. That seemed unfair, somehow.]

What do you think? Do you need help? [She knew what she thought, though, and hoped he would feel the same.] Haven't you tried resonating with anyone? Sounds like the first thing Spirit would have tried. Or was she too worried about what might happen if she did?

She...?

_Spirit.

...I haven't seen Spirit in a few days. _{He wasn't there. Marie wasn't, either.}

So Spirit's not a woman in your world either?

No.

_{What's Marie's name..?}

Martin, he usually goes by Marty. [She slowly stands up, offering her hand to the other Stein to help him up. He'd probably be more comfortable sitting on something other than the floor.] What's Syd go by?

_{[he doesn't look up when she stands, and ignores her hand.]}

..Sid. Same.

Seems like the only one with a major name change is Marty - or Marie, I guess I could say.

[She grabs him by the arm. She was strong, but she probably couldn't just pick him up and haul him off if he really didn't want to move. Stein was just hoping she could get his attention and he would come along willingly.]

_{[he follows her lead automatically, his body loose, like a puppet with cut strings. he staggers once he's on his feet, as if he has to remember how to stand, and he glances over his shoulder at her.]}

Marty. Huh. I don't think I could get used to that.

I don't think I could get used to Marie either. [She leads him along, into his room, and gently pushes him toward an empty bed.]

What did Medusa do to you to make you snap like this?

She? She didn't.

_{She didn't do anything. I just... snapped. Lost it. Everything.

[he laughs, loudly, his body hitting the bed hard.]}

I found the place I belong. _{At least, I'm sure.}

You don't belong with him! ...Her. Whichever. My point remains. [That laugh made her sick to her stomach. What would it take to get her to this same state?

She sat down on the bed next to him.] Do you remember what happened that caused you to snap?

I resonated with Marie. _{..It broke something. It was my fault. I couldn't...}

I couldn't~ keep it~ together.

And now the Madness Wavelength is ... _{so much stronger. Impossible to ignore. The world is changing.}

[With a sigh she brushes his bangs out of his eyes.] It wasn't your fault. I'm sure it wasn't.

There's no other reason.

_{[that he knows of. by the time they'd figured out what was fucking with his head, he'd already disappeared. poor buddy.

he goes still for a long moment, breathing silent.]}

I can still feel her.

Well she's not here. Neither is my Medusa. Give it a few days, I'm sure the feeling will go away the longer you're safely stuck here. [Unless someone decided to send everyone back "home" again, of course. But Stein was hoping they wouldn't do that again. Desperately hoping.]

_{..like she's right over my shoulder.

[he shudders, and goes still again.]}

Are you afraid?

[What a loaded question. She remembers what happened when they sent her back, hands, lips, vectors snaking their way to places they decidedly didn't belong. Being unable to fight back, having to be rescued. Afraid didn't even begin to scratch the surface of how she'd felt since that happened.]

Aren't you?

Not really.

_{I'm not sure.

Not anymore?}

That doesn't sound right.

[She grabs his hand, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go.] Even if you're not afraid, you shouldn't have to live feeling like someone is watching your every move. You're no one's test subject.

No.

It's different. From a hallucination.

_{It's not like I ... think she's here, somehow. I know it. She is. She has to be. It feels the same way.}

She's not here. I would have seen her soul when I'd looked for it, and there's no reason I have for lying to you.

_{Don't you feel it? Don't you feel the madness...?}

...No, honestly. I've actually felt saner since I've gotten here.

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