002 [ Video ]

[doctoral_bird]

[ It may be an unfamiliar face to many! Malkus is actually appearing on the feed without his signature mask. Even a plague man like him needs fresh air now and then. His sickly facade wasn't far from the norm! That's just... his face. ]

Greetings fellow residents. It has been some time, but with the lull in disturbances I feel now's a better time than any to- ah-... discuss...

[ He scratched his claws against the wood of the bench outside, trying to remember what the hell he was going to say. As the pause grew, he could feel his social anxiety build.

Don't give them dead air, Malkus! The people hated pauses! ]

I am sorry, sleeping outside has left me- e-eh-... melancholic. I'd forgotten what I wanted to bring up. Ah! Yes!

[ He moved the feed to the mask sitting beside himself, placed daintily on a heap of papers and glassware. ]

As it often becomes a point of conversation, I would like to ask my fellow residents if anyone has actually had an epidemic ravage their land. I've come to realize I may be alone in this topic.

Comments

[doctoral_bird]

[ He widened his eyes, his expression completely exposed. Chosen ones. He was fighting for their happiness. Why was that so charmingly simplistic? It was so sweet, to feel actually proud of his work.

Alphys what the heck were you doing! He was a plague doctor. He'd done so much wrong in the heat of the initial outbreaks. A tidbit he'd kept hidden from everyone out of shame. ]

Y-... Yes. I- I am.

[ Malkus didn't feel this... appreciation very much. If he did, it'd only ever happened in Hadriel. It could be that rush of emotion, or his exposure to the air, that dried his eyes enough to make the edges watery. ]

I'm certainly trying.

[sciencelizard]

[She smiles, and it's warm and a little excited.]

You're doing y-your best. I know a few things about, uh, trying.

[Alphys has made a lot of mistakes, too. About trying to hide them, and be better in the future.]

Sometimes, that's all you can do.

[doctoral_bird]

[ Malkus returned the smile, though it felt bittersweet. A lot of happiness in Hadriel felt bittersweet to the doctor. It all seemed so impermanent. Like it could change at any given moment. ]

Very wise advise, Miss Alphys. How goes things, by the way? Speaking of efforts and trying. I would imagine you have some business you're working on, to keep you busy.

[sciencelizard]

Well, uh, it's been fine. I'm just, uh, t-trying to make sense of a lot of the stuff Marian left behind in the lab. I'm, uh, not much of a physicist.

[And her usual right-hand man isn't here anymore, either.]

It's just been slow going.

[doctoral_bird]

Marian...

[ Malkus’ expression changed to a crestfallen one. He missed her. Which was weird, because she had been nothing but sour to him. And they barely spoke. Still, he could tell that she had a great concern for her home. As miserable as it was. Just like his. ]

I hope she is well. I- ah....

[ His frown grew as he lowered his gaze away from the camera. ]

Hrm... But progress is progress. However slow.

[sciencelizard]

Me too.

[It'll... be okay. Eventually, she's sure. Or at least she hopes.]

But, uhm, hey! It's fine. The more I get through, uh, the closer we are to getting out! Once I can get through Marian's notes, I'm sure I can fix the Door.

[doctoral_bird]

Well then! I shall put my belief in you as well, Doctor! Even if it is a daunting task, which it undoubtedly must be, the Door is a topic which all can agree on. It's not as dark and polarizing as the Null versus the Gods.

Unless.

Er, unless the parasites don't want you to alter the door. But but but- nevermind that! I believe you'll have the full backing of your fellow residents!

[sciencelizard]

I'll, uh, f-figure out something, at least! I'm on it!

[She gives him a little salute, trying to look official.]

I'll get you home to save the world as soon as I can.