video, un: howe

[manifestering]

Hello. Octavian here as ever.

[Octavian slightly too close to the camera, specifically, with glimpses of Rumpitur's streets behind him, beautiful springtime, all of it. He looks wildly out of place here, as always looking like a wasted Victorian in a sweater vest who's never seen daylight, but: here he is.]

Previously I shared with you all the visions shown to me by our previous AI iteration. The former Chosen turned into something else. I believe this is them.

Watch.

[And he moves, device still in hand and camera rolling, to approach one of the Naga. He asks them quite directly, "Do you remember what you were before?"— and the Naga blinks at him for a second before something changes in their expression, a clarity coupled with a strangeness of feeling, like they are seconds away from remembering exactly what he's talking about. It's there, definitely, under the surface—

And then it fades, and the Naga brushes him off with a dismissive wave and turns away.]

You see. They are nearly there. I have asked them many variations. "Do you remember being Chosen." "Were you human once." "Do you know where your people came from." All who react do so in this same way.

[A beat; he makes a little face, lips pursed.] The others have informed me I am either insane or rude. Belligerent. What did you all do.

[It can't have been him, he is a weird hermit who barely goes out. The rude questions and abruptly accosting the Naga totally unrelated.]

Somewhat unrelated. In her departure Root has left me with a small pile of her computers and other devices. I am not especially gifted with them. Will someone help.

Comments

[manifestering]

[Some of them should be judged indeed, but probably by someone with actual authority to judge— so not the Naga, and not whoever Jerry is, and definitely not Octavian, who is petty.

Not too petty that he doesn't laugh lightly at the joke; now he has aims to collect a single egg before Viktor shows up, for Joke 2...]

If they are unkind to you simply let me at them. I have been learning to punch.

[Ha Ha Ha. It's going terribly.]

I will be here.

[runeing]

[ oh, and that little laugh is lovely as always — he takes a moment to simply appreciate the sound of it. ]

Have you? Who has been teaching you?

[ anyway, ] That sounds like a terrible way to spend time. You can tell me more when I'm there.

[ because walking while holding the phone is inconvenient, so he is going to put it away for now — and it takes him perhaps twenty minutes to finally make it to the dried fish stand (tm). or, well, what makes it to the stand at first is wobbles: the little robot waddles up to octavian and offers him a little package (some of the local red tea).

viktor follows at a sedate pace, watching wobbles complete his task with a small smile. ]

[manifestering]

Your friend Vi. I will show you my progress.

[See, because he's very bad at it and he knows it's funny to see. This isn't even his self-defensive bad habit, he's just a twiggy little ghost in sweater vests with no upper body strength.

So, it's funny. Who doesn't love a visual gag. He'll keep it in mind while he waits for Viktor - and he does go and retrieve An Egg, which is sitting in its own basket on the ground when Wobbles toddles up to him. Octavian brightens immediately and crouches to accept the package and murmur approvingly to their round metal child, trading the package for his egg basket. The basket is meant for way more eggs than just the one, so it's comically large for Wobbles to hold.

Now Wobbles is ready for games and activities. Octavian gives the tea package a curious sniff, hm! tasty! - then looks up and around for Viktor.]

There you are.

[runeing]

[ he hangs back, watches octavian's expression brighten as he smiles softly at their little robot — it's a sight that sends a wave of warmth through him, something sweet and comfortable as it settles inside his chest.

the basket is absolutely too large for poor wobbles, and viktor chuckles under his breath before meeting octavian's eyes, his own expression softening even more. ]

Here I am, [ he says in his usual wry tone — but he does walk closer, step by step until the distance is gone and he can lean in to press a kiss to octavian's cheek (there's no one else around, so it's fine). ]

I am sorry for taking longer than intended. The price they had set was outrageous. [ so he'd haggled, which had taken time. ]

[manifestering]

[Ah, the privileged public cheek smooch, delightful. Octavian hums with satisfaction and reaches out to give Viktor's hand a fond squeeze, letting go as Viktor pulls back. Bold and daring.]

I can imagine. They trust us only as far as our money can pay.

[But they did give him this basket and this egg for free, although he'll have to return the basket at least, later. Well, Wobbles will return it.

The little robot beeps cheerfully and holds up the basket to Viktor. Octavian huffs.]

No. You must collect them. Do not let them refuse you.

[And there goes Wobbles, to menace the marketplace until he gets Plenty of Eggs. Excellent. Octavian looks back at Viktor, lifting the tea package slightly.]

This smells intriguing. Did you find everything you needed?