(anonymous user) don't give theater kids cameras

[endcaller]

[In early July, before the glitches become more frequent and noticeable, a newcomer greets the network. He's hiding his ID, despite appearing in the center frame on camera. Light pouring in from the window casts his face in the shadow of his deep hood.

If it feels a bit like he's staged this shot, it's because he has.

The hooded man waves.]

Greetings, my fellow Chosen.

Pray allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Fandaniel.

[He twirls a hand before himself and bends forward in an elegant bow.]

That is, I am the man sitting the Seat of Fandaniel on the Convocation of Fourteen.

[Slowly, he rises again, lips pressed into a grin. He speaks of his title with pride, mustering all of his thespian experience to make the pride seem genuine.

It isn't. He doesn't feel any real attachment to his Seat. Now, as always, it's a means to an end.]

I do not expect those words to mean aught to any of you. Know only this: My title is that of the Assayer of Extant Phenomena and Overseer of Life. I am the Observer, a task I take to quite well, I must say! Why, I studied life before I ever inherited my position.

[The smirk fades slightly as he taps his chin and starts pacing.]

Consider me the one who watches. Now and always. Do not be alarmed, 'tis all in the pursuit of knowledge. To that end, you will find a survey attached to this message. Please do fill it out at your earliest convenience and be honest in your answers. Remember, this is for science. If you decide to toy with me in your responses that would break my poor heart. And why would you ever wish to do something so cruel?

[The pacing stops and his smile returns.]

I shall be eagerly awaiting your replies. Ta!

[He claps his hands and the feed ends. Attached to the video is a small file...]

<b>WHAT IS YOUR NAME?</b>: I trust I need not explain this. <b>WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORLD</b>: Tell me about the world you hail from, its politics, its geography, its people... Consider me curious about anything you wish to share. <b>WHAT IS YOUR CRIME?</b>: If you would rather not say, I cannot force you. But I hope you will choose to be open with me. <b>WHAT SPECIES DO YOU IDENTIFY AS?</b>: What are you? I hope this is self-explanatory as well. <b>WHAT GIVES YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?</b>: ___

Comments

[endcaller]

A spontaneous mutation that manifests in equally spontaneous ways? Fascinating.

What sort of "special ability" has yours provided you?

[mightymorphin]

oh, I'm a shapeshifter. I can become a duplicate of pretty much anyone. it makes my natural form pretty squishy, too.

[endcaller]

A shapeshifter you say?

I would love to study you if you would not mind it. Opportunities to properly study a shapeshifting organism are few and far between where I hail from.

[mightymorphin]

yeahhhh that's not happening. sorry Dan, I don't mind talking about where I'm from, but I'm no one's science experiment.

[endcaller]

I was hoping you could help me divine a way to make a transmutation elixir too.

Bah. Willing test subjects are always so woefully hard to find!

But I shan't force you.

If you change your mind, however, come find me. I promise I won't be invasive in my methods.

[mightymorphin]

yeah, most people aren't fond of being poked and prodded at. I'm sure you can muddle through making your elixirs or whatever on your own.

[endcaller]

Oh, I will manage.

As for you, I hope, at least, that you and yours are not hunted here.

Your ability to alter your own biology must pale in comparison to the sheer absurdity that is Expiation itself.

[mightymorphin]

well thanks. I was told things aren't as bad here as it is back home, but I'll have to see for myself.

it is really weird that this place is so nice for being a glorified prison. there was a festival happening when I showed up! I don't mind taking a vacation but they coulda asked first.

[endcaller]

You mean the festival that heralded the arrival of summer?

I saw it as well. A curious event, truly. It was noisome and energetic and held no regard for the sentencing that awaits we Chosen like a suspended blade.

[An audible sigh.]

Were I a charitable soul I might say they are trying to teach us to find pockets of joy in a tumultuous time. Alas, I am not.

What I fear we are seeing is a clever form of control. No need to keep the prisoners in line when they are barely aware they are prisoners.

Do try not to grow too complacent with the luxuries of this world, hm? A gilded cage is still a cage.

[mightymorphin]

that's the one!

yeah, good point. I want to get home ASAP though so a beach party isn't going to distract me from finding a way outta here.

[endcaller]

Good man.

Or, well... whatever you may be. I don't know. Communication via text is so impersonal.

Ahem. That aside, we are of one mind regarding escape. I, too, need to return to my star.

The better we understand this world, and each other, the better our odds. Hence my questions.

[mightymorphin]

I'm not really a man or a woman tbh! just call me Morph, everyone does.

and I'm all for putting our heads together if it means getting out of here. can't say I'm much of an egghead but I don't mind sharing stuff about my world.

[endcaller]

Tell me what you can, then, about your world.

And if you can tell me what you were doing before you were brought here, that may help as well.

[mightymorphin]

I'm from a planet called Earth, year 1997... aside from the mutant thing I'm part of a group called the X-Men, but we're not the only superhero team bouncing around. in fact there's quite a few superheroes out there, though I'm pretty sure most of them aren't mutants.

and before I got here I was on an asteroid that was plummeting towards the planet. I'm pretty sure the disaster was averted right before I passed out. my powers aren't very good for slowing down asteroids so I was benched for that one.

[endcaller]

You were on an asteroid that was set on a collision course with your star?

My, my, my that is quite the tale.

Is it true?

[mightymorphin]

c'mon Dan, it's not like lying would do me any good.

it's probably not like you're thinking - it was less a comet type situation and more a villain lair that was orbiting the planet. lesson being though, don't put villain lairs on asteroids! it just causes problems!

[endcaller]

Ah, yes.

Villainous creations orbiting a star on artificial satellites.

An alarming trend, truly.

We should do something about that.

[mightymorphin]

uh-huh. when I get home I'll start a petition.

what's your world like, anyway?? you have a lot of elaborate titles for doing what, science stuff?

[endcaller]

My world?

Well, you see...

I fear it is quite dead at this point. Nary a soul left.

That is why I did not offer any information about it. Who needs dreary stories mired in the bogs of memory? Not I.

But, to answer your question, yes, I have many elaborate titles for doing "science stuff". My compatriots had titles that were even more pretentious if you can believe it.

[mightymorphin]

it's dead?

that's... I can't even imagine what that must be like. were there any other survivors?

cw: suicidal ideation in brackets

[endcaller]

[Fandaniel thinks on this question, letting the absurdity of it, and his situation, wash over him.

If time is still moving forward and the Final Days are consuming Etheirys then anyone not dead soon will be. Except him. He'd wanted to die in the great calamity as well, he wanted his tormented death throes to be what invited oblivion. But he's alive. Zodiark is dead but he's alive.

A small giggle erupts from his throat.]

Ahahaha...

Other survivors than me, you mean?

I was brought to Expiation 'ere the end came, so I could not say, though I doubt there are others.

Hm.

'Tis strange...

I was in a very... peculiar situation at that time. One that should have made it nigh impossible for anyone to grip my being and yet, somehow, this world managed.

I should be enraged by my situation but I find myself curious. How did they accomplish such a feat?

You and I are proof that they have little issue ensnaring more complicated targets.

[If it seems like he is trying to dodge part of Morph's question it's because he is.]

[mightymorphin]

[There's a pause before their reply comes in, because yeah, this took a little time to process.]

I know this place is supposed to be a prison or whatever, but why would they go to the trouble of yoinking you away from certain death if they think you're a criminal? why do it for any of us?

maybe this is your second chance, Dan.

[endcaller]

A second chance? Hah.

Believe me when I say I'd hardly want or need such a thing.

But you raise an intriguing possibility. Do you believe that the keepers of this world see themselves as beneficent? Did they bring us here to unburden our hearts?

...Do you have any crime weighing on your conscience?

[mightymorphin]

I mean this place is way nicer than most prisons are, so I think it's possible. it's not like we were thrown in cells and given nothing but gruel to eat.

oh but listen to this! my crime is impersonation. you know, the thing I literally do all the time with my powers?

[endcaller]

I've been here no longer than you but you are not the first person I've met whose crime is, well... not truly a crime.

I wonder if the Council believes you should feel guilty for using your powers?