Fourteenth Message [Text | Handwritten -> Video | Sheet of Paper]

[scramasax]

[Slow and steadily handwritten text in pen:]

This is Anthony. I apologize to anyone who it bothers. However, I am going to switch to video. Excuse me, please.

[The words stay in place with no change in the transmission for between four and five seconds.

It shifts to visual with a hoarse and mumbled "Hello."

When it switches to video Anthony looks no different than he did in his last message - except, of course, rather more composed. At the least relatively - he still looks uneasy. Shoulders distinctly hunched making himself not timidly but anxiously somewhat small in the frame. Eyes don't go fully unlidded, blinking rapid, less-obviously brow slightly knitted and eyes themselves wandering one way and then the other.

His fingers are laced and hands resting from where he had them clasped in front of them before shifting method of communication - also not-so-obvious twitch in his face that'd be a little too quick to catch as some misgiving polite obligatory smile even if his face was in the state it was in April.]

-- I er...

-- thought it - may - be - good -- to mention... that I... -- know from experience that I -- cannot die. -- Normally... [This is cagier than he hopes it sounds, as it's more than he can actually claim to know for a fact.] If -- ...there's a fight -- any time soon -- ...if - we're -- ge - getting attacked, again, I, erm. ... -- Won't mind -- if I can -- ...be - there.

[Less-than-forthright way to say that he hopes to.]

Uhm. That's all -- thank - ...Thank you...

[In a moment his shoulders hunch even deeper and he cringes away from the screen before dusting the page aside and cutting the feed.]

Comments

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

[[That 'know from experience' thing...]]

You mean because you're already dead or did something do you one worse?




Also, don't offer to be a meat shield... just because you can't die doesn't mean you can't get all messed up from things attacking.....

[[some days you worry him, Anthony.]]

[Text]

[scramasax]

[Ahh you're not going to like hearing this, are you - at least it was rather distantly by now in the past.]

It happened in May, actually... (That is before I started changing into a zombie, although, technically, I may have already been one.) A "magical" effect was clearly keeping me alive.

If I would be less "messed up" than a person who can die, then why can't I offer myself for a fight?

text;

[siesinddasessen]

You want to die again?

[it's just as well that this is text, because otherwise the "are you stupid" tone would be a lot more obvious. Because dying has to be painful, and if he says normally doesn't that mean that there might be a catch? Not that she would care about anyone dying or living unless they would be of use to her, but that just sounds dumb.]

text;

[scramasax]

I do not know how I can die again. There is a time that I came close. An effect from a pulse that I'd had "revived" me. I am sure that I'm at much less risk than a regular living person.

video;

[somesayinfire]

Anthony... you can't just throw yourself in the line of fire like that. I like the idea of you having our backs, but we have yours too, okay?

video;

[scramasax]

I - know that, and... -- that's what I'm worried - for. ...I know -- you're watching my back -- but if -- I'm not - ...seen, then I -- have to be able to use it - to -- our -- ...advantage. [That was an ill-structured and thickly-delivered sentence, but he hopes some of his bottom point came through nonetheless.]

voice {iphone}

[ursoreckless]

Hey. Just cause you can't die, doesn't mean you should die. You'll just worry everyone if you throw yourself into danger.

[coming from him, this is a really weird thing, oay? Shou is usually the first one to toss himself in front of the firing squad.]

I know what you're trying to get at, but you may find more ways to help out than being cannon fodder.

voice

[scramasax]

[These answers are more or less the lines of what he knew better than to not expect; none of it's changing anything on his mind.] I've been trying to -- I haven't been able to think of anything, and we always -- need -- people, who are... willing to be in danger; I'm -- ...tired of doing nothing. [Said very stiffly; fears it might've been put excessively brusquely.]

[Audio]

[neonnerd]

[Well, Benjamin's torn between being extremely alarmed at the implications of Anthony's offer and - somewhat curious about the details.]

You know from experience?

[Audio]

[scramasax]

Yes, Dr. Ratchet - [Quick and surprisingly fluent - an easily-given respectful, polite acknowledgement.] -- Actually, it was -- before I - started... changing -- ...like this, also -- I - didn't know what it could -- er. ..."Mean" -- ...at the time.

[handwritten]

[detectivetroll]

[...oh, damn it, Anthony. Nick's really not okay with anyone just offering themselves up like that, let alone someone he actually likes.

Of course, considering he was fine with Anthony going with group to fight the snake, he can't really say much without being hypocritical, but still.]

If you're going to make offers like this, will you at least agree to brush up on your fighting skills? I know you can fight, but - I'd feel better if you could fight well.

[handwritten]

[scramasax]

[That, he's long been meaning to!] Yes, sir... Of course I will! (Unfortunately, I do not think that the person in my pulses was trained for swordplay, either...) [Ergo, it's unlikely to be a skill that can be trusted to simply pop up when and if demanded to. In practicing handling the sword he's gotten nevertheless, though, he's only pressed for space, but surely something'll work.]

[Voice]

[dominateartimus]

[The mention of death and Anthony being a potential meat shield did not sit well with Xander. As he speaks, his voice is more strained than he would liked, but he tries to keep it neutral in tone.]

Is that experience from a 'pulse' or has it happened during your time here at Locke? [A brief pause before his tone turns serious, but it is still strained.] ...Because I doubt that's going to convince everyone on here to let you in to the front lines to take an unknown amount of damage.

[He's about to say more, something among the lines of psychological damage that is attached to it, but his words turn in to a choked sound and he's quick to cut his response.]

[Voice]

[scramasax]

Yes, it - happened -- in -- Locke - City. [Anthony on his own end sounds uncertain with a tad further hush than usual as if a bit - apologetic, he does hear the strain and he's wincing a little under it.] Ermm... - S - [Catches on this, he does not want to sound as if he's being cavalier in discussing this.] - strangely -- I think I would know -- when I take too much damage; when it already - happened, there was an erm -- ...Obvious -- ...effect... Uhm. -- Keeping me - keeping me awake...

( audio )

[argents]

[ NEG. X. NO. DO NOT PASS GO. DO NOT COLLECT $200. ]

You definitely can't do that!

( audio )

[scramasax]

[Swirling inarticulate thoughts to the tune of a sincerely-inquiring "Why not?" and an "Of course I can!" go rushing into the front of his brain to be voiced first.

And they slam together and jumble leaving him tripping out a somewhat-aimless-sounding:]

- D - defi -- Definitely -- ...not - ?

[not_good_not_wicked]

Sure okay you can't die, but can you get horribly mangled? Because that would still suck.

[scramasax]

Not as much for me as -- for most people -- I'm sure - since it -- probably - wouldn't - be -- lethal. Later... -- And I can't feel a lot of pain. [Mostly neutral tone of voice erring on light - he is meaning to reassert this fact as a good thing.]

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

...how'd you find that out?

[Oh, look, Hajime's concerned. He knows the feeling. He can tank for the group because he's a big, nasty bug, and he knows the way you kind of start to feel about yourself after being inhuman for so long, but...to not die? And what would happen if Anthony sustained that much damage? Even if he couldn't die, there were things worse than death.]

[Video]

[scramasax]

Uhmm -- ... [Somewhat wide-eyed blink aside and up into a corner and back, head's sort of sheepishly angled down - this's not a fantastic incident to describe in light of what it is he's suggested doing, most likely. Voice a little muffled, awkwardly throaty.] -- The -- time that I fell down a mineshaft... -- And landed - on my sword... It -- was -- ...very deep. ... - And I -- ...wasn't thinking - and -- pulled it out.

-- I was able - to go home, fine -- only a little while after - ...

[audio]

[amberhearted]

[ wowowow no this is not how alex envisioned solving anthony's cabin fever and sense of uselessness would go. his gut response is a big, fat, hell no, but he doesn't want to completely shoot anthony down and alienate himself from him, so he keeps a lid on it.

after all, it isn't like anthony is saying he'll throw himself in just to act as fodder. he's just saying he wants to be present and his... immortality... is an asset.

okay. ]

How do you feel about armor? Like, legitimate medieval-looking armor.

[audio]

[scramasax]

[This - is an intriguing question to be asked in a couple of different ways.

Freezes dumb a moment.]

Er -- the "other me" - was - a -- was a messenger boy - he... - he probably wouldn't have - really worn - armor... Uhmm - ... [That wasn't an answer, exactly, he knows, but it was the first thought regarding himself as Component One and medieval (or medieval-looking) armor as Component Two that popped into his head!]

What uhm -- why - ?

[It's relevant to the subject of combat, of course, but where does it come in...?]

[text]

[goldenclothes]

Anthony...

Are you... are you sure?

[text]

[scramasax]

Hello, Ms. Bainbridge... [He's already forgotten and defaulted back to habit on first-name permission - but alas.] I am mostly sure. I am not sure I cannot "die" from anything. However, I know that my tolerance for damage is much higher than a usual person's.

Text;

[vetala]

I'd rather not take you up on that offer, if it's all the same to you.

Text;

[scramasax]

[He isn't sure if or how to press or pose backing for a case in response to this.]

I would still like to qualify to contribute to things. Unfortunately, I am afraid that I don't know what other advantages I have, at this time...

[Audio]

[glorifiedtrash]

[...Do they need a therapist up in this network? What is this he is even reading/seeing.]

Aaaah, and here I was thinking you were smart! Do you even know any form of self-defense? Have a gun? Super strength? Anything?

[Audio]

[scramasax]

-- Hi, Mr. Wilder - ... [Hasty and somewhat obligatory, reasserting recognition - he wasn't expecting to hear this voice but he does recognize it, and after he says that he briefly, pettily turns over whether or not formality might come off as awkward from the tone of the first conversation - ]

-- I have a sword - ...actually, al - although it's - only a - short sword. -- Uhmm... [That "Uhmm" presses muffled.] -- And I've had it since April; I've been - in -- ...been - in - self - defense - situations -- since then, if that - helps... [Awkward trail-off, is caught on the thought of wondering whether he ought to say anything apologetic or otherwise for the first visual impression or be grateful if he sees no reason not to leave it untouched.]

Audio

[icy_heavens]

From experience? [No, he doesn't sound any more pleased than anybody else. Explain, please.]

Audio

[scramasax]

Yes, uh. [He'll endeavor to speak somewhat more frankly and straightforwardly to Toshiro - the halts are a bit shorter, voice a touch plainer.] -- Do you remember that - time... in the mine - with - the... - club... - ? -- At the time...

[video]

[moarnomsplz]

What ev, everyone else said, man! Do go looking-ing to die, just because you can.

...how'd you find out?

[video]

[scramasax]

Er - I'm not -- looking to die...! [Tone is dialed-back and soft to ensure it sounds entirely like any reassurance necessary and not any too-ungraceful level of defensiveness - but he'll not over-elaborate; he'll get that question answered first.]

It's, uhm -- it would have - been -- [He isn't going to say it was before Alex's first connection; it doesn't sound as if it does much justice to him or the fact that they're on equal footing.] -- before - we -- met. Uhmm... -- Some of us - from -- Locke High - School - went investigating the -- mine. Early. -- I - slipped down a mineshaft and - landed on -- something. [Some pause and muffled quality in awkwardness on sharing.]