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

[ Rose watches her wipe away the blood idly. There might've been a time the scent made her stomach growl, but- That's been taken care of, thankfully. ]

So what's up? If you don't mind me asking, that is. I get it if it's, like, touchy or whatever but- [ This is the only body Rey's got. Rose doesn't want it to be infected or irreversible. ]

I was infected with virus shortly before my... "death". My vessel should be compromised. But seeing that I am still here means someone found out how to contain it. Most likely Gregory or...

[No, some of the tampering has Coffey's signature all over it -- the man who created them and synthetics like them. More of an absent father figure, really, though Safronov has no need of familial surrogates to think of.]

Well. Doesn't matter who did it. Infection was clearly contained with me.

[ Contain it to... just this identity? That's interesting. Rose isn't sure how it all works, but- She's not about to question it either. So long as Rey is alright eventually, that's all that really matters. ]

Alright, well. Is there a cure? I'd hate for whatever is going on with you to interfere with you trying to help Rey.

[It's weird ass techno pseudoscience bullshit. Best not to question it too much.]

Not that I am aware of. Only solution I have is temporary one. Which is to reset. I have heard that death is not permanent here.

[Dying is not a very comforting "solution", Saf.]

[ Since Rose is already someone who doesn't Sciene that's probably a safe call, yeah. ]

Uh. Pretty sure hitting the reset button on a person isn't very pleasant, so- But if it's your last resort, they do do that revival thing.

It is not literal reset button. More firguative of speech. Still not ideal option.

[To say the least. It seems that there would be quite a few adverse to that tactic, anyway.]

Need some supplies. Would help if you know where to get them. Can't afford leaving only to black out again somewhere.

Yeah, I. I figured.

[ It still doesn't pleasant, no. ]

Yeah, I can definitely help out with that. What are you looking for?

Few things. I will write up list. Most would be supplies so I can lay low and get work done. Some are for project I am focusing on.

Alright, well- That works for me. Just let me know when you've got it all ready and I'll be happy to help. Especially if it means getting Rey back to us somehow.

[There's a long silence that follows that maybe indicate that they're done here, that Safronov has said everything that's needed to be said. She intends to write that list, but first...]

Why?

[She turns to Rose, expressionless but inquisitive all the same.]

Is only question. I want to know what she means to concerned parties. [And why this would happen if these "matters of the heart" Valentine spoke of were so terrible that her successor would abandon all that on a gamble with her own memories.]

[ What a loaded syllable. Rose never enjoys it. Why is always so hard to truly articulate. ]

She's my friend. Saved my life, which- She also tried to take it so I guess that makes it even already but.

Eh. I care about her. Probably more than I should, knowing how much it fucking hurts when people inevitably leave but... I just wanna' see her be happy is all.

["It's silly, but... I want to make her happy."

["All I ever wanted was for you to be happy--"]

Ah.

[Echoes fill her mind from corners that Safronov didn't expect. She shakes her head, nausea and discomfort filling her stomach and for a moment, she feels as though she might vomit. Not because of what Rose said, but because of the implications.

[Still, where did she hear those words said to her before? Were they even to her? For her? No, of course not. No one ever spoke that way about Safronov. Subject FREYJA, on the other hand...]

My apologies. I must--

[Before she can finish, she lunges herself from her seat, chair flying back onto the ground as Safronov scrambles to the closest trash can-resembling thing to expel what little lunch she had in her.]

[ She said something wrong. She knows it soon as the 'ah' passes Safronov's lips.

Rose obviously said something very, very wrong. Or maybe it wasn't anything she said at all, but- The disease? Whatever is wrong with her? When the woman suddenly jumps up and vomits into the nearest trash bin she can only blink a couple of times in surprise. ]

Uh. Do you... want some help there, or-?

[ She doesn't have long enough hair to offer to hold back, really, but. Still. ]

[She retches a few more times before she replies, holding an arm out as if to blockade Rose from getting too close:]

No. It's fine. It's just... one of the others... I believe.

[The aftertaste in her mouth now has Safronov spitting a few times. Gross. Some water or something might be good right about now, but every inch of her is shaking and the sink is too far away, and damn her pride for not asking.]

[ Right, well, considering they don't have Sprite to settle the poor woman's stomach- Rose settles for the next best thing. It isn't too much of a leap to fetch some water for her once she's done retching. Rose knows she wouldn't want the aftertaste of vomit still in her mouth for any longer than necessary. ]

Alright, well. Here, when you can. And just let me know what else I can do, I guess, besides material gathering or... whatever.

[There's no thanks or show of appreciation when Rose returns with some water. Safronov shifts to sit down on the floor before accepting it, taking long gulps to try and wash down whatever bile was trying to come up.]

Understood. Will contact you if necessary. [She doubts that'll be the case, though. Less distractions, the better.]

I will be fine. You can leave.

[At least she's not shaking so much anymore.]

[ While she doesn't feel right about just leaving, well- She also figures even if this isn't Rey, they probably have a stubborn streak in common so. She does as she's told. ]

Alright, well. I'll be around. Hope you feel better.

011✖; (video)

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