1st Formulation [Video//Common//Open]

[intimacyphobic]

[There's a blip of a young, brunette woman in a lab coat, then blackness, then she reappears, accompanied by static and a frown. After so more adjusting, the feed brightens and she smiles.]

Hello... network? I'm sorry, I don't know what each of you--if there's anyone out there--wishes to be called individually so I'm forced to address you as a

Comments

I LOVE YOU <33333

[consummateturk]

[ooc: Veld's not opening his line to her yet. So here, have his reaction to you!]

Oh... wonderful. Just when I think Valentine can make a little headway, the perfect flower of ShinRa shows up. On my stupid boat. I need to get off of this boat, I need off of it now. I'm too old for this chocoboshit. Where's my damned heart pills?

Pfft. :| ... ^^ <33333

[intimacyphobic]

[ooc: *cracks up* Oh, the fun. But, c'mon, Veld, let's play~]

I love, Veld hates

[consummateturk]

[ooc: Oh yes, these two are such a match made in heaven. XD]

[missmimmi]

Oh, ah, you are on a ship called the Elegante. You were brought here by Captain Redd. We are going to the Golden Shore.

[intimacyphobic]

... Oh? I see.

How did...? Wait. The Captain is responsible for...

What's the Golden Shore? Is it a new resort? Did my department end up sent on vacation? Where's the rest of my team?

I'm.. sorry. I've just been stressed lately and this isn't helping. I certainly don't expect you to have all that information.

I suppose I should contact this captain fellow?

This is so frustrating.

[missmimmi]

Oh, ah, nein, this is not a... vacation, exactly. The Captain brought us here to bring us to the shore, but none of us know why exactly. We are not given much information.

The Captain does not speak with the passengers, either, unless it is some sort of warning.

[intimacyphobic]

Ah. Hrm.

That's a touch rude... Oh, I mean no offense, really. I'm sure he's a wonderful captain, and I'm sure he has very important reasons for what he's doing, but, really now, he's interfering with some crucial business I have to attend to. Research waits on no one.

... What sort of warning? Are there rules? Are they posted anywhere?

[audio]

[notwhatiwas]

[The comm clicks, and clicks off. On, off. On, off.

He replays her post a dozen times.

Then, he can't help it--his voice comes out in a low, too-deep whisper.]

...Lucrecia?

[audio]

[intimacyphobic]

[He can't see, but she wrinkles her nose for a moment, holding the communicator out at arm's length as she stares at it: she has no idea who's on the other end, but he sounds a tad creepy. Her voice is forcefully friendly.]

It seems you know my name: I'd say I'm entitled to ask for yours, then? Hmm?

[audio]

[notwhatiwas]

You don't rec--

[...Oh.

A mess of harsh realities slams into place in Vincent's head all at once. Lucrecia said she was with ShinRa--she hasn't been since Sephiroth was born. Her face is neither drawn, pale, nor sunken, denoting that she probably hasn't had enough Jenova treatments yet to make a difference. She's young. She might not even be pregnant yet.

So no, she wouldn't know his voice--it hasn't been right since the first transformation. Too deep, thick and heavy as black velvet, creepy as hell and very much not the Vincent Valentine she would know.]

It's--It's me, I'm--

[He breaks off when a growl shows through there, and you can practically hear him clamp his hand over his mouth. Too much emotion, heart beating too fast, there's a low sound suspiciously like a whimper, several shaky breaths through his teeth and the gaps between his fingers, and then the audio feed cuts out.

He can't do this.]

[audio]

[intimacyphobic]

[She leans closer to the speaker, her brows knit. She doesn't... what? Recognize him? Well, of course, not, he doesn't sound like anyone she knows. But he knows her. Her stomach churns and she begins to feel queasy, scared, but tries hiding it by dropping the polite pretense to her voice.]

Now, really, the least you can do is give me a simple name. It's terribly impolite to go creeping around public networks like this.

Hello? Hello? Are you even there?

... What are you playing at?

[She's beginning to panic now, realizing suddenly how very alone she is.]

[Audio]

[suited_spectre]

Dr. Crescent.

[Great. Wonderful. Just what they all needed.]

My name is Tseng. I'm a member of administrative research.

You've already been filled in on the circumstances of your arrival. I'll be glad to be of any assistance to you, if you so require.

Will you meet with me? [His voice is polite, good-natured.]

[Audio]

[intimacyphobic]

Turk Tseng.

[Oh, how brilliant: someone to shoot things. ... Okay, not a bad idea, and maybe he knows more about what's going on? Still, her voice stays light]

Yes, I have, and thank you.

... I don't quite see why it's necessary for us to meet unless you have... pertinent information to present circumstances that is... of a sensitive nature?

[Audio]

[suited_spectre]

The ship is large, ma'am. Some of the decks are dangerous, as are many of the passengers. It's my duty to offer protection to a valued scientist of Shinra.

[And to protect certain others from said valued scientist of Shinra.]

May I ask where you are right now, Doctor?

[Audio]

[intimacyphobic]

Doctor, if you please.

Decks as well? I know passengers were mentioned... hmm. At least you're willing to do your job: I'm grateful.

I'm in Room 6366, on... Oh, Deck 7.

Where are you?

audio

[palutenas_angel]

Um, hi, miss! Sorry, this isn't a ShinRa boat or whatever you called it, it's called the M.S. Elegante.

audio

[intimacyphobic]

Doctor, if you please.

... Ah, I see. Yes, ShinRa doesn't own a boat called "Elegante," as far as I know.

Do you know why we're here?

audio

[palutenas_angel]

Ah, okay.

Well, I don't, Doctor. As far as I know, I was flying, got too close to the sun and just...appeared here.

I'm Pit!

audio

[intimacyphobic]

Hello, Pit.

... You were flying and got too close to the... Oh?

What were you flying?