hadriel | 011✖; (video)

[From the get-go, almost anyone who knows Rey might immediately sense that something's... off, about her. For one thing, she's activated the video feed, which she just about never does. Second, she carries herself oddly than usual these days. More rigid, her jaw tight. Third, there is a stone cold expression that might startle the faintest of hearts if they're so unfortunate to wake up to this face.]

"Greetings."

[When she speaks, it's even more obvious that she isn't right. Rey is not the 'greetings' type, and her tone is different as well. Her r's roll and her voice is lower. Not that she had a high-pitched voice before, it's just -- different. Those from Earth might even be able to recognize it as a distinctive Russian inflection.]

"I skip pretenses and keep this brief: It would seem our successor designated 'just Rey' has tampered with our memory core. Up here." [As 'Rey' says this, she taps the corner of her head as if to emphasize her point.] "Present designation is Operative Safronov. Is not my desire to be here. This area of operation is successor's purview. Not mine. She messed up brain. I fix it. Is what I do.

"Do not seek us. Not now. Have only vague estimate for damage. Safety could be compromised."

[She pauses, then adds:] "Looking for successor designated 'just Rey's contacts." [i.e. friends? What those are.] "Might help. Might not. I make no promise.

"Apologies for those inconvenienced by this asshole."

[On that rather blunt note, 'Rey' -- or, rather, Safronov, reaches for her device and the screen goes black. Now that she's made her point clear, she wants to minimize any chance of people seeing and discovering her current position.]

[ooc: A quick clarification -- Rey has recently jacked into her own brain to try and fudge some memories, and fudged up herself instead. This will not be a permanent thing. More info here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Regardless of how helpful it is for Alphys' panic, Safronov doesn't regard the scientist with resentment. It's clear that this was not her idea, and the successor was stupid enough not to explain what she had intended to do from the start. Typical.]

Only need use of your equipment again.

I do not blame you.

[It's good, seeing as Alphys blames herself enough for two.]

Of course! I mean, uhm, a-any way I can help, it, I... yeah.

[She's quiet, for a few seconds.]

... She's gonna be okay, right? Are you gonna be okay?

Good. Will call if there are any updates or changes. Have your contact.

[One good thing about this is that Safronov is very tech-savvy. She figured out these old ass looking phones pretty fast.]

Won't sugarcoat. I don't know. It is too soon to tell what our status will be.

Okay! Okay, I mean, t-that’s good, and you, uhm… feel? Fine?

[She’s still a little bit panic. Even if Rey didn’t give her the full details, even if she couldn’t have predicted… she knew Rey was volitile. Maybe if she’d talked to her more, or done something better, or… there’s a lot of or’s. A lot of if’s.]

I’m really sorry. About all this.

My head pounds. But that is lesser problem.

[Not even Safronov is ignorant to Alphys' distress, so she tries to diffuse the situation a little by not telling her just how bad the flashes of pain in her skull really are.]

Nothing I say will set your mind at ease. Just know that none of us would meddle with our brain if we were not prepared for risks.

Any intel would still be appreciated. Do you have ideas why my successor did this? Would like to know.

[She sighs, obviously deflated at the question.]

I... I don't r-really know. She had said to me it was some kind of backup, but I don't, uh, know what she did, really? At all. What was she, uhm... what did she do to make you... appear?

So she lied to you. [Ouch. Just putting that one out there, but... ouch.] Valentine said she intended to alter memories. Would she have reason to believe you would stop her if you knew?

[She ducks her head, obviously ashamed, pulling at her hands. Alter memories. Hah. As if she hasn’t wished to be able to do the same thing, as if she might not take the chance if it’s offered, as if, as if, as if.

Alphys swallows hard, looking back up at the woman wearing Rey’s face, who is the closest thing she’s getting to an apology until she can make this right.]

I… p-probably. I mean, I don’t know if I could, uhm, really stop her if she really wanted, but, I… I would’ve tried.

[There's a calculated pause on her end, before she responds. Valentine also said that things were not improving, and if her successor had resorted to this due to "matters of the heart", hearing a friend protest would likely be the last thing she desired.

[Figures.]

Then that is why she lied. Apologies.

It's okay.

[It's not, really.]

I mean... you're n-not really the one who did it. So.

[She coughs a bit, trying to pull herself together.]

Well, uhm. If you figure something out, just uh, l-let me know? And if there's anything I can do, I, uhm... yeah.

[No, it's definitely not okay. Safronov doesn't need to be all that empathetic towards others to figure that out, but she holds her tongue. It's not her place to reassure the doubts of her successor's allies, after all.]

Will do. We'll be in touch.

Probably.

[Provided that she doesn't fall collapse from a nasty seizure or something, no thanks to this damned infection in her head.]

Right. Great! Cool.

[Hhhhhhhhhhsdflgfdgsdg. Current emotion: death.]

And uh, if you need someone to hang out with or, anything, I mean… you’re probably p-pretty lonely here, I have some shows we can watch, or uh, I’m a good listener. For stuff.

[The lizard lady really does sound like she believes this is her fault.]

...

Very well. Do you like tea? [HUFF.]

[!!!! SHES GETTING SOMEWHERE]

Uh, y-yeah! Yeah, I do. Do you?

Of course. That is why I ask.

[Duh.]

Bring some by. At earliest convenience that is. Would appreciate black tea most. [She'll just quietly send Alphys a private message of her coordinates soon.]

O-Okay! I’ll get some!

[This is good. She might have been too late to really help Rey, but maybe she can help this other woman. And figure out what to do to bring her back.]

I’ll see you soon!

[And she cuts the feed.]

011✖; (video)

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