snowblindrpg | [network] @beyonce | video | day 207 | I'd Rather Go Blind [open] [cw cognitive impairment]

[It's midday when Stephen appears on the network, eyes rimmed red from crying, the vaulted ceiling of the chapel visible behind him. It's ridiculous to feel betrayed, as though there had ever been any reason to trust in the healing powers of a system of resurrection he doesn't even understand, but the shock of waking up in a body bag has been chased by grief and anger.

That's not why he's posting an open video to the network, though. Stephen's first thought had been to send a quick message to his traveling companion to let her know he's ~~alright~~ back and arrange a place to meet, but that plan had gone down the toilet the moment he'd opened up the network and realized he didn't recognize any of the names. That's ~~deeply disturbing~~ inconvenient, but there's an obvious solution -- he'll just have to identify people by sight instead of by name for a few days. It's fine. It's not real brain damage, it's something to do with the way the revival system works, so it's fine.

He offers the camera a fairly convincing smile, though his voice is a little raw.]

So the good news is that I'm alive. I'm not quite sure where I am, though, and I'm guessing I need to get out of here sooner rather than later if I'm going to make shelter. Anyone recognize this place?

[He lifts and turns the tablet, giving the camera a look at the altar. It's a lie, of course; he's already looked this place up on Nat's guide. He just wants to see some faces, get back in contact.]

Threaded | Flat

The chapel.

[Someone not knowing that doesn't ring any alarm bells for Alfie - him never having been there before is a perfectly reasonable possibility.]

You look fucking awful.

Edited 2017-02-07 19:12 (UTC)

how are your hands?

[ Steph frowns at the feed. The wound on her cheek has finally scabbed over, so there's no bandage anymore.

She wonders why he's been crying, but she can't exactly just come out and ask something like that. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't know you had died.

You're at the chapel, by the entrance to Hsiaoke Pass.

[Sorry Doctor, but he doesn't do more than text unless he absolutely has to. He has never posted video and doesn't plan to either. You're stuck with his name.]

Are you quite alright? You look distraught, Doctor. Is the price horrible or are you upset for a different reason?

[It takes her a while to respond, and when she finally does, she goes through the answers she can see on the post already. What's obvious is that Stephen doesn't remember anything.

Still. It takes so long for her to get herself in a position where she's able to answer. It's - a lot, since every time she looks at his post she sees him getting swallowed up by the anomaly.]

Stephen, hi. I'm so glad you're back, and seemingly unharmed. From what I gather, you're having some difficulties with your memories? Do you remember what happened to you? I was there with you.

[He feels a low swooping sense of guilt. Did he encourage this? He's got no evidence that Stephen Strange died by his own hands, but all the pieces fit together. All the conversations they've had, the interest shown, the long-term damage to his hands that he would surely wish to heal.

It doesn't take the world's only consulting detective to put the pieces together.]

Were my findings instrumental in your death?

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