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Kunsel | Final Fantasy VII | Day 23

[deus_ex_phs]

[He hadn't thought he'd dozed off for more than a second, but he must have at some point while he was reading his PHS texts. Possibly drugged while he was at it. That's the only explanation Kunsel can think of when he wakes up somewhere else, his eyes snapping open at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. Where the hell...? Already tense and on high alert, he's on his feet in a heartbeat, scanning the bedroom he's found himself in before his eyes finally land on the source of the voice.

It's a PHS. A model he's not familiar with at a glance, and while normally that would pique his interest like nothing else, the fact that he's in a cold, unfamiliar house without any knowledge of how he got there takes a much higher precedence. A search of the room reveals no one else, though, and only a bag with some supplies.

No weapons. No sign of his sword. He's got his materia, at least, which makes him frown at how sloppily he's been disarmed, but there's no sense looking a gift chocobo in the mouth.

He leaves the bag where it is for now, along with the device, as he slips cautiously out of the room. The voice demanding activation would be a dead giveaway for his location, and activating it like it's asking would both waste time and clue someone in that he's awake. He can't risk it just yet.

It isn't until he's done searching the house that he finally returns to the room. Grimly, he stares at the PHS, even as his skin prickles with the cold. His own PHS isn't picking up any signal.

The promise of information, but from a device almost certainly left for him by his kidnappers. Can he trust it?

Can he afford to ignore it, when it's the only source of information he has?

It only takes a second to come to a decision, his hand reaching out to pick the PHS up.]

[Network; Text: @standardissue][mid-morning]

As much as I appreciate the PHS upgrade, I'm not sure the circumstances are worth it. Anyone mind filling the new guy in?

text; @dreamsnhonor

[heroproceeding]

[ The night before had been a.... very long one, as far as Zack's concerned. First, it'd been talk with Tadashi about his brother. Then, when he'd struggled and failed to fall asleep, he'd contacted Al about the whole armor spiel. And while that conversation had cleared the air between them, it certainly had done him no favors when he'd gotten up that morning even more exhausted than usual.

All the same, he's gleaning texts when he catches the new name. Great. Just how many people are they gonna bring here? All the same, with how things have taken a turn for the worst, better to be safe than sorry. In this case, fair warning asap sounds good to him. Maybe he shoulda noticed 'phs' as a big red flag but at this point he's more focused on getting this green abductee up to date. ]

depends on what you wanna know. though first thing's first. the monsters around here. you can't fight em so if you run into any of them you run.

[deus_ex_phs]

[Kunsel blinks at that username. Wow, that's...

He cuts the thought off, shaking his head. Now's not the time to be distracted by coincidence. Especially not when given such a deadly important tip. He won't even question its source just yet.]

Can't fight in what way? Just physical attacks? What about using magic?

[heroproceeding]

physical definitely. can't say much about magic. haven't been able to use it. no one has. luckily they aren't fast but they've been cropping up in houses these days. get too close and they'll make your stomach turn. leave some kinda scentless odor I think.

[ He figures he doesn't have to say what'll happen if they catch up. ]

[deus_ex_phs]

[Hang on, he may have had to take a minute to test his own materia, because that's an alarming revelation to be told.]

Shit. How long has this Silence spell been in effect?

Scentless odor? And what can you tell me about what these things look like?

[No, he doesn't need this guy to tell him what will happen. The word "monster" is kind of a really big hint.]

[heroproceeding]

[ Test away. He totally did it the first time.

Hello, lots of questions incoming. But not anything unexpected, really. ]

it's hard to explain what they look like. they kinda shift. you'll know em when you see em though. believe me.

and yeah. not sure on the scentless odor thing but it's the only idea I've got.

[ Though a silence spell? ..huh. ] not sure if it's kinda spell on us either but it's been that way since I've been here.

text; @LELRIC

[armoured]

[The use of the term 'PHS' definitely rings a bell, but there are more important things for a newcomer than to be badgered about their technology. Still, he shelves that for future need.]

It's kind of a lot to cover, and some of it is going to sound impossible, but I promise that I'll help if I can. I've got a list of some information and maps that might help.

[deus_ex_phs]

Wow, you might be my new best friend. That's quite a list you've made!

But seriously, anything helps. I consider myself quick on the uptake, but having a starting point helps. I'll definitely read up on all of this. Anything in particular you feel important to point out?

[armoured]

[He chuckles, though of course since he's using text, Kunsel can't hear it.]

The most important things, I think, are to remember to find shelter well before night and to try and head for one of the places that people have regularly found food supplies - like the school or eastern convenience store.

[deus_ex_phs]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

Heading for a specific location will have to wait until I orient myself, though. Right now all I can see is snow and slightly less snow. Sheesh, how did the snow even get that high without burying everything?

[armoured]

I don't know, I can only assume that there are seasons where the snow melts and the ice thaws, or else it would be much deeper than this by now.

I bet if we're here long enough then we'll all get a sun-tan.

text - @claytonator

[dr_unconscious]

[Well, that's straightforward enough.]

Not a problem. Introductions are probably a good place to start off from, right?

I'm Clayton Epps, I'm an emergency physician currently on the western side of town by the school. How about you?

[deus_ex_phs]

Is it really a good idea to introduce ourselves here? It's probably safe to assume that whoever set up this network for our use has access to it themselves.

I'm not sure how to tell you where I am. The building I'm in is bordered by a tall bank of snow on two sides - east and north, if I've got my bearings right? Not much else for significant landmarks in view.

A doctor, huh? That's good to know. I'm military. [He figures that safe (and obvious to his kidnappers) enough to reveal.]

[dr_unconscious]

[Not an unwarranted concern. Having wrangled with the likes of Tim and Jay over roughly the same argument, Clayton feels pretty prepared to face it again.]

You're probably right. But I don't think it's something we have to be too worried about in terms of histories and personal information.

Humor me for a minute. You're military, so would I be correct to assume that you had some kind of weapon on you before you arrived here? A gun or a knife or something like that?

[deus_ex_phs]

What makes you say that?

I did. Broadsword and materia. The sword wasn't here when I woke up. Why do you ask?

[dr_unconscious]

Don't worry, I'm getting there.

Broadsword is a pretty obvious weapon, so it makes sense that it would be taken. The materia is also a weapon, I'm guessing? Or is it something more subtle than that?

text; @nanny

[jinxings]

[ Haku's more the type to throw out information as prompted, so he sucks with this general briefing sort of thing. Not that he can't do it, but others probably already mentioned some stuff, and going over stuff twice sounds bothersome. So he instead waits for a few moments to decide what to do before he sends a message. ]

PHS upgrade? You've never seen things like these? [ Not really helpful for now, no.. but he's curious, okay. ]

[deus_ex_phs]

[Maybe not helpful, but still a topic that Kunsel is interested in!]

Not this particular model, no. Most ones that I've seen keep the standard flip phone appearance, and only allow voice and text. Something that can handle video and still remain pocket size is impressive.

[jinxings]

Those have been around in my world for a while now.

[ Although Haku is part of a secret organisation with great technology and all, so maybe he shouldn't be the best representation of that world to begin with.. ]

You'd be surprised what kind of technology levels all the different people here are used to.

[deus_ex_phs]

[There's a pause while Kunsel gives that text the odd look he feels it deserves, but no matter how he stares at it, the meaning doesn't leap out and make sense.]

What do you mean, "your world?"

[Sorry, Haku, you're the first person to bring up this concept to him since he arrived.]

text; @crescent

[lancingintherain]

[PHS, PHS... where has she heard that word before? No time to worry about that now; there's a new dude to chat with. Thanking the gods once again for the voice-to-text function, she dictates:]

Everyone you've spoken to has given you very good advice. I'd take some time to read all of those records Alphonse sent to you, if you haven't already — especially the maps.

Oh — you're still in the place you woke up in, aren't you? You haven't left?

[deus_ex_phs]

[Kunsel's response this time isn't as prompt as it could be. He was a little busy trudging through the snow and feeling remarkably drained because of it, despite the fact that he's managed a whole lot more exertion than that before without even breaking a sweat. Once he's inside the next building he came across, though, and he's paused to catch his breath, he pulls out his new PHS.]

I took some time to search the house I woke up in, but I'm in a different house now. Can't see far enough to orient myself with those maps, but hopefully that's just a matter of time.

Any reason why you ask?

Shiva, it's cold out there.

[lancingintherain]

[she feels the fur on her back prickle when he says he's in a new house, and she barely reads the rest of his message past that point. Instead, she immediately dictates a reply, glad that he can't hear the nervousness in her voice:]

Have you checked this new house yet? All of it — every room? And for the gods' sake, keep quiet, if you haven't.

[a new message, a moment later:]

You might not be alone.

[deus_ex_phs]

[The moment Kunsel reads her text, he stiffens, immediately on the alert. He doesn't respond, though. Not yet. He has priorities.

Priorities like clearing the house to make sure it's safe - making doubly sure, in fact. The tablet gets pocketed. He doesn't want even the light from its screen to catch attention.

It isn't until he's certain he's alone that he finally pulls it back out.]

I'm alone.

What were you worried about being in here with me? The monsters that "dreamsnhonor" brought up?

[lancingintherain]

[she can only handle a few moments of waiting before she starts pacing restlessly from one end of the room to the other, holding her tablet in both hands like an open prayer book. She swears under her breath. She grinds her sharp teeth. She starts to convince herself that he's dead.]

[she gasps and nearly drops the tablet when the screen finally lights up with a new message.]

Now you tell me!

Sorry. You were gone so long, I thought you'd come to harm.

And yes — the very same monsters. "dreamsnhonor" is a friend of mine. They're every bit as dangerous as he told you.