♫ four 「video」| backdated to the 23rd

[galactically]

[The feed begins with the view of one pop diva sitting down in front of the vanity, glancing at her appearance with one hand brushing her wavy, pink locks. Said hand is full of bandages and faint scratch marks if one looks closely enough, but what stands out the most is a huge, white square cloth taped to one side of a cheek

Comments

[todistantskies]

[ It's some minutes before he responds, because he refuses to look concerned, no matter how true it is.

He speaks with some exasperation in his voice, even as he has the video feed on. ]

Did they seriously expect you to do manual labor? People here are dumber than I thought.

[galactically]

Miss me that much?

[Lalala, teasing.]

It's not as if I suddenly woke up one day and decided to go to the farm on my own!

[todistantskies]

[ Alto can be commended for not sputtering, but he does look away. ] I just got tired of talking to so many people who knew you, but not being able to get a hold of you directly, that's all.

And no, even that doesn't sound like you, but if you go bossing people around they might just send you back.

[galactically]

Madison tried to contact the servants, but they wouldn't give her an answer. I think it's because they are envious of my presence.

[As she flips her hair back, she starts coughing some more.]

How strange... it's most likely an allergy.

[todistantskies]

[ Completely breezing past that first part. ] ...did you start coughing out there, or just since you've been back?

[galactically]

It happened just now, but-

[She covers her hand as she coughs, clearing her throat afterwards.]

Aah, probably the dust from the farm!

[todistantskies]

[ Skeptical. ] If that's all it is, maybe you a steam bath will do you some good. And some tea.

...people have been getting sick left and right, lately. I just don't want to think that it got to you, too, when you were away from the city.

[galactically]

Maybe.

[An expression of alarm.]

Is that so? You don't think there's an epidemic going on, do you?

[todistantskies]

I hope not. Some people are investigating as best they can, but no one here has the kind of medical tech needed to make it easy. Plus, around the time people started complaining, at least one random building - a shrine - just popped up overnight in the city where there wasn't one before.

I smell something fishy.

[galactically]

How odd. I hope that shrine has nothing to do with the sickness that's apparently going on around-

[She quickly covers her mouth, body swaying a little. A few moments later, she removes her hand.]

Hmm... what if there are toxins spreading around Ukiyo? It could affect the bloodstream of anyone if they're not careful.

[todistantskies]

I hope not. [ Because he doesn't have a lot of confidence in this place to begin with, much less expectations that the people who maintain the ukiyo will have any means to combat this. ]

If there's something to be done about it, I'm sure someone will get to it. If we're sick we can't work, right? So it's in their best interest to do everything they can.

...in the meantime, let me know if you need anything, as I'm feeling just fine.

[galactically]

[To think she learned of those effects from back home...]

I'm glad it hasn't affected you. Who knows what would happen if it did?

[Which is her way of saying she's grateful that he's okay. And it's odd for her to admit what she's about to say without her usual coyness, but-]

... You being here is enough.

[todistantskies]

[ That definitely makes him pause. Where was the teasing? Where's the punchline?

Alto flicks the end of his nose with his thumb and smirks a bit. ] Oh, please. I'm tougher than a little fever and cough. It could be some people just aren't taking to the colder weather, too. Not ever place is climate-controlled down to the degree. [ So no turning this concern over on him. ]

[galactically]

[There's a faint blush still on her face, but she's inclined to think it came from the fever. She giggles.]

Still talking as if you're an expert on the sky, just as usual.

*Not every

[todistantskies]

Naturally. [ Is about the only response to that which he can come up with. ]

They'd better be taking good care of you over at that house. Keep me posted on that party, okay?

[galactically]

They wouldn't be able to lift a hand on me.

[All this said in a matter of fact way even though the possibility actually exists, but she wouldn't want to make him worry so much.]

Oh, of course. I'll let you know when it's completed. A belated party, but all the same...!

[A pause.]

I hope you weren't in so much trouble while I was gone.