001: Video

[tryingitall]

[The first images that appear are fuzzy close-ups of a hand. Calloused, tan fingers, a grass-stained palm, and—ah! He’s been covering up the lens accidentally. Balthazar has never had occasion to use one of these things before, and, already uncomfortable and disoriented, he’s a little slow to learn. Oops.] Oh. There I am. Do I look that bad? Eurgh.

[He does, in fact, look ill; eyes shadowed, skin pale and clammy.] I’ve decided I don’t enjoy pain, except in very small, controlled doses.

[There’s a long pause, during which Balthazar looks like he’s trying to construct a speech, or maybe just keep from throwing up. Or both. He may not be dealing with the shock of arrival very well. In any case, he gives up on profound observations quickly.] However, I do enjoy alcohol, in large, uncontrolled doses.

[His smile is wan.] No, I’m not asking. I don’t take candy from strangers.

[Another pause, with him staring elsewhere, frowning mildly. The questions he really wants answers to--what the hell happened? why am I here? what do I do now?--don't seem to have simple answers. And the question 'who else is out there?' may have answers he doesn't like.]

…So, are there games on this thing? [Beep-boop-boop. Hello, button mashing.]

Comments

[mulletrock]

Flying solo? That's pretty ballsy. Considering half your family is off it's rocker and ready to see the world burn.

[tryingitall]

What can I say? You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family.

[mulletrock]

In your case you're probably better off on your own.

[tryingitall]

[That gets a laugh, although it doesn't sound like it's motivated by entirely positive emotion.] Probably. Out of curiosity, which half is it that wants to watch the world burn?

[mulletrock]

Zachariah and his mooks.

[There's also Raphael and everything else that crawls outta the big house.]

Y'know, he was here for a while too.

[tryingitall]

Oh, you really are behind. I don't think Zachariah liked me, to be honest. I was never ambitious.

[mulletrock]

A lazy angel. That's a first.

[tryingitall]

Now, now. Don't judge.

Let's talk about your family now, instead of mine.

[mulletrock]

Thanks, but I'll pass.

[tryingitall]

Thought you might. Well, do you have any other invasive questions, or are you done for the moment?

[mulletrock]

I'm good.

[tryingitall]

Excellent. See you around.

[Okay, that conversation felt like familiar territory, at last. Thanks, Dean.]