[video]

[candothat]

[The video opens to--well, not much of anything. It's night; the stars are visible, and Chekov's face is lit by the dim glow of his network device. He's remarkably subdued, but he typically does only pause to make network posts when he's in a low or contemplative mood.]

For anyone who has not heard already and knew them, Lena and Asami are no longer in the City. I did not know Asami as well as I wish I might have, but Lena was a good friend. At least she will be happy to be home... she did not like being in the City.

[And changing topics. No one wants to dwell on the negative.]

I have two questions. First, does anyone know how the ship on the side of the mountain came to be where it is? I went inside of it, but there was nothing informative there and most of it was, I think, inaccessible. It looks to me like a spacecraft. I have heard stories in the City of aliens and creatures coming from beyond the barriers, but nothing related to a ship like this.

My second question is this: is it common to experience memory loss in the City? If not, should I be concerned? My medical knowledge is very limited, but if there is something wrong with my brain, I would like to know. It is, after all, the most important thing that I have.

[He ends the feed with a forced smile.]


[ooc: Picture is not IC, just there for your reference.]

Comments

[candothat]

That is true.

[Fortunately for Hei, Chekov, as insanely brilliant as he is, is fundamentally incapable of lying and loyal to a fault. Plan? Yes. Pay attention to minutia? Not a problem. Detect inconsistencies? In his sleep. Play innocent? Sure. But Li is still very much a friend, and one that Chekov doesn't want to lose at that. He wants to trust him, and a desire to trust can color the world differently.]

Friday is good. Maybe we should skip riding to the mountain? There is a serviceable hill in Xanadu.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Trust. The Ultimate Suspension of Logic. Hei has no compunctions about exploiting it. Even less reason to bestow any trust in others. Fool me once, fool me twice, etc. Ask him about his ex-girlfriend, Amber, sometime. Or don't, actually. ]

Ah [ he smiles sheepishly ] that's a good idea. I'd rather not fall off the horse again. Riding isn't really my thing.

[candothat]

[Fool me twice, shame on me? That's an old Russian saying!]

I didn't think you enjoyed that part. Riding horses was not as simple as I thought it would be when I was learning, either.

[mortemscintilla]

[ It also perfectly sums up Hei's personal life. Or lack thereof. ]

It's harder when you're as clumsy as I am too.

[ Or when you're pretending to be as clumsy as he is. No matter. Bruises and indignity are worth maintaining your cover. ]

[candothat]

With practice, I think you would learn.

No matter. Practicing can be painful, and there's no need for you to suffer if we can go elsewhere.

[mortemscintilla]

That's very thoughtful of you. [ He'd almost feel bad for the deception. If it wasn't second-nature for him, anyway. ] I'll look forward to Friday, then. [ Face it. He genuinely enjoys stargazing. Shared interest is always a bonus. ]

[candothat]

Good! I will text the location of a decent hill to you, once I have found it.