tushanshu | video; 001.

[The video flickers on without any trouble. The console's familiar enough that Lex doesn't have to fumble with it to get it working the way he wants. Behind him is the large space of a luxurious room that obviously originates from the Metal Sector. He couldn't see the harm in letting the, uh, 'citizens' of this In-Between see where he stands on trivial matters like his choice of interior decoration and he'd even gone and tidied up some before the broadcast, or at least that's what it looks like with two small cuts above his right eyebrow nothing but thin red lines now as opposed to the angry marks of earlier.]

[And the young man himself is seated comfortably, leaning to one side, legs crossed somewhere off-screen, left arm propped up on the table where the communicating device rests. A finger twitches and, right, he doesn't have anything around to grab a hold of at the moment. And so he begins to speak.] 'Tu Vishan. An In-Between of life, death, and dreaming.'

[And he has a sort of hushed voice despite the obvious intention to project to, well, the audience. And there's some light in his eyes that signals amusement-- or something resembling it. Excitement is either good or bad, never both. There's no upturn of his lips, no creased brow. He shifts, sitting straighter, peering closer into the camera, damn well expecting someone out there to listen.]

I'm supposed to believe this?

[He expects someone to listen, not to answer, because he just goes on.] The Kedan were generous enough to offer the explanation that I might not be dead, and to be frank, I appreciate any attempt of reassurance on the matter. I'd put more faith in it if I hadn't also heard the turtle had been in danger of dying. Spending the rest of my years aboard an ailing reptile wasn't exactly the life I envisioned. [He can believe abduction and drugs, but no deep sleep of his will ever revolve around an animal so stupid and slow. His voice turns wry. He knows he's not dead. He knows he can't be fully alive. The... Kedan were nothing from his waking world. That could only mean one thing left to figure out.]

[He's still seemingly calm. He's still only just sitting, just talking like he can see the company across the screen already. Like it's only a conference call he's taking from his desk. But now he sighs and he wants to smirk, but he doesn't. And now he'll be waiting for an answer.]

So who's the big dreamer?

[Show yourself, mastermind. A clear challenge, but after a second he tacks on a detail with clear concern and some well meaning urgency.] I also heard something about a clinic in trouble. Is there anything I can do to help?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is a little hard to believe for a lot of people, and I don't think everyone is going to say you have to. Though it might make life a little easier during your stay.

[He's sitting back already and he shrugs.]

The turtle's on the road to recovery, so you're lucky not to have been caught up in everything that was going on.

[Blue ma-- thing, talking to him. Lex wonders if its a Kedan, if he should bother replying at all since their kind obviously didn't feel like conversing with him when they were given the chance.]

[But that'd be petty. Still, all he can muster is] Good to hear.

[Oh wow, so rude. You're rude Mister Luthor. If that had been vocalised, Kurt would have been wounded. Really.

Rude.]

I think so. Welcome to Tu Vishan.

[He nods, a professional air to him that's not quite present in any of his other conversations so far. He's holding himself more still, all of his actions and words more subdued.]

I'll make the best of my time here, I assure you. [Which is his version of 'thanks for the welcome'.]

[He's getting that this little exchange is incredibly...difficult? Was that the right word for him to use? It didn't seem to flow easy, almost as if it was forced in a way and Kurt offers a smile and a slight nod.]

If you need help, don't hesitate to ask. We're a helpful lot. [Even when things are hectic. Kurt won't keep the conversation going for the sake of it. Let the newcomer know the essentials and let it go.]

[Yes, he thinks he knows now, this one is friendly. He's certainly talkative, and Lex isn't sure if he could fault him for it. He had posted to the public network. Maybe he should have investigated filters first.]

[But Kurt's smile doesn't go without notice, and Lex even breaks out one of his own, very small, very polite.]

It'd be easier if I could get your name, wouldn't it?

That might help. Kurt, nice to meet you. [Because unlike some people here, this is a first impression and he doesn't see anything wrong.]

I'm Lex Luthor. [He'd shake hands, but he'd have to think about it. And he's not glad to be having this conversation through a computer screen, but he kind of is. Still, he's transformed his demeanor into something much more amiable in the past moments. Still reserved, still cautious, but not so cool.]

It's good to meet you as well, Kurt. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other in the coming days. [Definitely.]

[There's little doubt that he'd be even more glad if he saw what Kurt looked like completely. Fingers, toes and tail. Which oddly hasn't come onto shot and stayed curled slightly on the ground by the tip. Kurt is far too used to this though, it's something he's grown up on, something he's been made to face since leaving the quiet villages back in Germany and living in New York. Age though, has played a part in helping him not to get so upset at reactions. He expects it and the widening of the eyes or the distance people have, that's the nicer end of the reaction scale.

But he smiles more and inclines his head in a slight bow.]

I'm sure we will and I look forward to it.

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