001 ◍ Video

[9_s]

〈The image focused on a crystal clear representation of 9S. Under floppy, silver hair and an oversized blindfold were delicate features which were brightening in a cheery smile.

For a new arrival in Hadriel he seemed curiously pleased with his situation.〉

Hello!

〈He chimes, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation.〉

I hope nobody objects to me borrowing this frequency for a few minutes. What a funny way of communicating, it's so archaic!

I was just wondering if I could arrange to meet with a few of the humans in the local area. I'm very keen to take a look at you, regardless of gender or medical condition. I was astounded to see so many life signs here, it's phenomenal!

It's all for research purposes of course, nothing sinister!

〈And with that, he signed off with a happy, little wave.〉

Comments

[doctoral_bird]

[ A bird. A bird. A bird. His croak, that guttural squawk from his throat, didn't help the image 9S had already built of him. But he was shattered. Malkus was quick to recover, though. ]

No! NO! Look!

[ He rushed to knock his hat off and pull at the straps of his mask. ]

I-I'm fine and normal!

[ The doctor pulled the mask away! What was under was, to his credit, very normal looking. Human eyes, just a little milky and manic. Pale human skin, akin to someone who hasn't eaten in quite some time.

Jagged, sharp teeth. Perhaps that bit wasn't the most human, but he could pass! ]

Augmented? You're not afflicted with a loss of sight? Oh- Oh!

[ Oh, how embarrassing. ]

[9_s]

〈9S visibly leaned away from the camera as the bird began to squark its objections.

He seemed somewhat less perturbed when the bird revealed a relatively human face.〉

Oh, so you are human.

You don't look very well though.

[doctoral_bird]

[ The words echoed and danced around his head, like a bunch of horrid little imps. Wh-What part of him didn't look well? His complexion... some nobles would kill for skin as pale as his! M-Maybe he was due for a bloodletting? Malkus had to muster up everything to avoid dropping the phone and examining himself in a mirror. ]

Wh-... wh-... wh-...

[ He groped at his face with gloved hands, feeling the symmetry of his jaw. ]

Hhh- Wh-...

[ Malkus turned away from the camera for a moment, smoothing his dusty brown head of hair down. He was stunned.]

A-Augment your vision further, a-as I am the peak- peak of humanity!

[9_s]

〈A moment passed in silence as 9S processed what the ghostly figure had said.
His stammering and nervous gesturing eventually evoked a reaction.

9S began to chuckle. Not a derogatory, cruel laugh but an amused one - filled with joy.〉

You're so funny!

[doctoral_bird]

[ It seemed to be about the best response Malkus was going to be able to ask for. He pulled his mouth into a thin line, letting his hands fall back to the table he'd been sitting at in his apartment. Without much else to say on the matter, he sighed and tried to carry on. ]

Ye-... Yes. I suppose I must ask what the importance of this examination is, at any rate. You seem a bit young to take an interest in the medical arts, but I don't think I was much older when I did. Are you filling out your anatomical pages to study?

[9_s]

〈He was still amused, very much cheered up by their shared dialogue.〉

I don't feel too young to take an interest in these things.

I have a great interest in humans, I'd like to get to understand their anatomy as well as how they think.

[doctoral_bird]

[ Usual young fella, goin' on about not feeling young. Malkus was there once. He seemed to lighten up once the topic moved away from his poor humanity. Something about this character's tone felt off, or was it their choice of words? "Their" "they" not "our". It's a shame that Malkus isn't much of an investigator, and for the most part was pretty oblivious in conversation.

Even he could tell that something was different, though! ]

Well we think much the same I imagine. Would rather be at home. Would rather avoid all of this emotional manipulation. I have some study materials drawn up on the four humors of the human body if you'd like to reference it? Was planning on submitting it to the library.

[9_s]

〈Amusement changes to excitement in a heartbeat.〉

I would love to see these notes! Can you send them to me? Or--or perhaps they're too valuable? I can come to you and study them under your supervision!

[doctoral_bird]

Well, as there's not much of a courier service in this city I suppose you ought to come to my dwelling and view them.

[ He glanced around. A massive carcass of what seemed to be some insectoid monster hung from the ceiling of his living room. Pieces laid about, wrapped in paper torn from empty or ruined books. Where was his- Ah yes. The feed centered on the doctor's face was obscured for a moment as he rummaged through some of his things. ]

I'm in ah- lets see. The northern-most spire. [ He moved outside and read the number of his room to the boy. His apartment was noticeable enough, as it was the one with dried blood trails leading to the door. ]

[9_s]

〈Any visual hints of the bizarre oddities he kept in his home didn't seem to phase 9S at all. Rather, he was all the more intrigued.〉

I have memorised your location.

I shall come and visit you at your earliest convenience!

--> [ Action ]?

[doctoral_bird]

Right right, I've got nothing else planned for the day. I shall put a kettle on, friend.

[ Malkus figured he'd step outside to wait for the lad. These doors all seemed the same, after awhile. More than once, he'd accidentally walked into the wrong apartment! Maybe he ought to decorate?

The doctor could be found leaning against his door frame, propped up on an elbow pretty casually for such an eerie looking guy. He went over his notes in his head, thinking of how he'd explain his medical knowledge in a simple fashion. ]