Backdated to May 13, VIDEO

[maskedhumanity]

[It's taken the better part of the day for Alex to get his bearings and settle into the cramped lodgings that have been provided for his use. The place is a far cry from the one he used to have, it makes him quite glad he never had many belongings. Fitting things in here would be a nightmare.

He's examining the one object he did receive rather dully, slowly turning the clear container around in his hands and eying the powder inside as it shifts about. An inconsequential piece of junk for most people but for him it's going to be a constant reminder of the past. More immediately it's reminded him there's something he needs to ask this new madhouse, boy won't this be fun.]

So, this clearly isn't another F3. Not sure if I should be relieved or not about that, guess I'll reserve my judgement for the time being. I've still got questions though, very important questions.

First off, are there any others here from the Facility? You can't miss them, gaudy collars, no survival instincts, most probably suffering from some form of post-traumatic stress. I'm actually looking for someone specific out of any that might be here... but if she is here, knowing her she'll be breaking down my door the second she sees this. [That thought brings a flicker of a smile, but it instantly dies away when he considers that she might not be here. He shakes his head and pushes that prospect to the back of his mind, it's not something he wants to dwell on right now.]

Secondly, if anyone recognizes me at all it'd probably be better for everyone involved if you just spoke up now. I'd really hate to find out about that second hand, it could lead to all sorts of unpleasantness.

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[saudadist]

[ It's like a shotgun blast through the dead of night to hear his voice. That voice can only belong to one person. That face can only belong to one person. He's . . . yes, that's him, no mistaking it. Unless it's a trick. Maybe it's just someone else? But he's talking about that place, those people, those stupid collars. She has half a mind to yell at him, to scream at him for making her worry so long, and maybe even run to where he is and beat down the door like he's suggested.

But she can't. She can't bring herself to say anything or do anything just short of letting her mouth hang open. Her voice is just a step above a whisper, small and just bordering on pitifully weak. ]

Where are you?

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[maskedhumanity]

[At first he's relieved to hear that familiar and precious voice, there's at least one thing going right here. It's a good start, however the tone of her voice kills whatever elation he has. He can guess what's causing that weak tone, with this kind of inter-dimensional bullshit there's no telling how long she's been here compared to him.]

The Pisces place, fourth room on the eleventh floor. You?

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[saudadist]

[ He's that close . . . they put him that close to her? Without anyone askign them to? Did they know? They couldn't have. But how could she have possibly missed seeing him? He only arrived just now, but she should have know. She should have been out in the halls so she could have seen him. ]

The same place...fifth room of the sixth floor.

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[maskedhumanity]

[So little space between them, what are the odds? They could have bumped into each other last night when he made his way into the building, they might have even missed each other by mere minutes and not even noticed. It's an unusually amusing thought.]

Want me to come to you, or are you already on your way?

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[saudadist]

[ The sound of her shutting a door behind her should be answer enough. ]

Don't move. Stay right there.

[ Not even five minutes, maybe just three or even two, pass and she's on the same floor as him. She didn't even bother with the stairs, leaving her out of breath when she finally reaches his door and throws it open. Elevator? Psh, the elevator would have taken too long compared to bolting up the stairs. At least, that's the story she'll give if asked. ]

Alex...

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[maskedhumanity]

[Boy that was quick, and he's even quicker. The second she's through that door he's on his feet and approaching her.]

Kaede. [She's completely out of breath, a testament to her desperation to reach him. Without another word he wraps his arms around her and pulls her into a hug, holding her tightly so that she can't slip away.] How long have you been here?

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[saudadist]

[ She doesn't mind being held so tightly, nor that it's making it even harder to breathe. None of it matters, not the Facility, not this strange city, not the demons she's seen prowling the streets at night; none of those things matter. He's with her. That's all she needs.

She doesn't so much hug him back as cling to him with desperation tightening her fingers' grip. Yes, he's real. He's real, he's here, he's warm under her touch. ]

A couple days. Not even a week. [ To her, it was still far too long. She was actually beginning to wonder if she would never see him again and fought hard to bury such ideas, but with him here now, they're tossed into the wind like leaves. ] What's your problem? Making me wait so long for you...

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[maskedhumanity]

[He strokes her hair gently, just as he always does to soothe her. Internally there's a bit of anger welling up inside of him, the fact that she had to spend even so little time without gives him the urge to punch the person responsible for bringing them here. He knows how badly it effects her when he's not there, making her suffer that is unforgivable.]

Sorry, sorry, the train was late. [There goes his humor again. It's for both their sakes, making a light of the situation will turn the whole thing into something they can laugh at rather than dwell on.] I hope you didn't get into any trouble without me keeping an eye on you.

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[saudadist]

[ Her hold on his jacket slackens, but it's hard to tell if it's because of him stroking her hair, the joke, or just the knowledge that he's here with her. It's most likely all three at once; it's hard to stay ill at ease when he's holding her. There's even a smile tugging the corners of her lips upward. ]

Nothing I couldn't get myself out of. I guess you behaved the best you could?

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[maskedhumanity]

[He makes a thoughtful noise in the back of his throat while he considers the question.]

Well I haven't entered into any feuds, haven't killed anyone, and haven't demolished anything. So yeah, I'd say I've behaved pretty well.

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[saudadist]

[ Good, no one's given him any grief. She doesn't have to rip off an arm or a leg or a head, though it's almost a pity. She'd actually rather like ruining someone's day because they ruffled his feathers. ]

After hearing that, I want to ask if you're sick, but that's a ridiculous thing to ask.

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[charmedbymemories]

[Naminé waves a little slowly. She recognizes him, of course, but not having talked with him extensively back at Facility (and more going on rumor of what he was like), she's not quite sure how to respond to his post.]

I'm Naminé from Facility. Some others from Facility are here too.

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[maskedhumanity]

[A vaguely familiar face! Kind of. Close enough to pass for it in this kind of place. Alex would try to be friendly and smile right now, but since his smiles tend to come-out threatening most times he decides against it. At least he keeps his voice pleasant.]

Hey Naminé, I'm Alex. Mind answering some questions for me?

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[charmedbymemories]

No, not at all, if I can be helpful. Ask away.

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[maskedhumanity]

Do you know exactly how many of us [He makes a vague gesture towards his collar.] are here?

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[charmedbymemories]

There's me and Kairi-- I think we were the first ones ever brought here from Facility. Then Neku and Shiki and Joshua got brought over, and then Sora, and then Lucy was brought here just a few days ago. So seven.

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[maskedhumanity]

And none of the major trouble makers or psychopaths, so that answers another question.

Has the sickness hit any of you guys since you've been here?

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[charmedbymemories]

[Her expression falls.]

My sister Kairi. It happened about two weeks ago after the end of one of the 'events' in the city. She's still in a coma right now-- the first one of all of us to get the sickness.

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[maskedhumanity]

And here I was almost hoping whatever dragged us here would fix that problem for us.

[He sighs.]

I assume whatever passes for doctors around here have already been informed of our condition?

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[charmedbymemories]

I told them the minimum they needed to know at first to try and help Kairi, but then they offered to help us figure out how to cure the sickness completely and get the collars off, so I told them everything.

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[maskedhumanity]

That's probably for the best, although I doubt they'll do much good without the research we did back on the station. Guess it's a good thing I'm here now, huh?

[square_cubelaw]

[A robot appears on camera.]

There's already plenty of things to worry about in this place, you think you could do without the threats?

[maskedhumanity]

[That sure is a robot. Inteereeesting.]

Threats? I was just making a simple statement of fact.

[square_cubelaw]

Usually when someone makes a "do this or else" with some vague result, we call that a threat.

[maskedhumanity]

I never said "or else", just that it'd cause unpleasantness. Which shockingly enough is a fact.