Second Cell ♊ Video ♊ Backdated to the 24th

[whitebrother]

[Kyoji appears on the screen, holding up a key chain of an intricate heart shape. Clearly, it was a souvenir from the "convention" they'd recently been subjected to. But Kyoji was smiling, so this at least seems to be something good that came out of that ordeal.]

My little brother left over ten years ago to learn martial arts. He'd promised that when he came back, he would hold the title of King of Hearts. This is the symbol of that title. [With a sigh his smile disappears, and he puts the key chain back down.] I still can't believe it's been so long. He's turning 21 today, but he was barely 10 the last time I saw him.

[Kyoji seems distracted as he falls silent, sipping his coffee. After a moment he looks back at the device. Why was he even broadcasting this? He always felt lonely on his brother's birthday, but it wasn't like anyone that could see this would be able to change that.]

I suppose none of that matters in this place. My brother might have finally come home, and I would never know. [He hesitates briefly, but then reaches over to turn off the feed.] If anyone watched this, I'm sorry for wasting your time.

((ooc: This post was originally backdated to the 23rd. To my embarrassment, I've realized I backdated to the wrong date. I've now fixed it, but please let me know if this causes any problems.))

Comments

[stalking_horse]

[That was an interesting reaction - and he knows there was SOMETHING in what he said that touched a nerve; it was just a matter of finding out what without hitting that nerve again.]

That's about the best assessment I've come to; there's a few other things where I'm still trying to decipher how they work. There doesn't seem to be a lot of discrimination on which universes get people brought in from them; sometimes there will be a group of people from one universe, sometimes just one person.

For what it's worth, I'm a bad example; I can't really think of anyone who's been here as long as I have. Whether that's good or bad news, I suppose, depends on how much of a hurry you're in to get home.

[whitebrother]

[A task that might prove difficult, given Kyoji's current poker face.]

It is the logical conclusion, if what you're saying is true. Do you have any guesses as to why you've been here so much longer than the others?

[stalking_horse]

[Well, he can be patient... but at least he's learned that not being given anything can sometimes be a clue in and of itself, if only that there's something the other person wants to avoid.]

From what I've currently gleaned?

Apparently the Author likes me.

[It's half sarcastic but deadpan and a little too long-sufferingly serious.]

[whitebrother]

I see. But at least that saves one from having to make the choice whether it would be worse to return home or remain here.

[stalking_horse]

[...And there was probably a big clue.]

Well... there's ways to make the best of it either way.

I admit, I'm not exactly ready to go back yet; too much to go back to, not enough of a ghost of a plan how to deal with it.

[whitebrother]

[A clue, yes. He hadn't intended to let quite that much slip but it was difficult to even half-lie right now.]

That is true. In any case, I wish you luck whenever the Author decides to send you back to that.