video; 001.

[ihope]

[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?

Comments

[bonvivant]

As someone who has dedicated much of his life to the study of the mind and perception of reality, I can assure you that this is no afterlife. You are alive.

[ihope]

[So back to the quack psychic thing--]

Your credentials being...?

[Nowhere in sight, obviously, that's fine. Lex very much believes him, because it's Stating the Obvious. But the man's far too well dressed (but any fool can buy), has far too an important hold of himself to dedicate himself to nonsense. Lex would very much like to know his name, at least.]

[bonvivant]

I've been a psychiatrist for years and have published many acclaimed research papers - unfortunately, I didn't get to take them with me.

I'm Dr. Hannibal Lecter. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[ihope]

[Oh, even better. Someone of the type of people Lex loathes.]

Lex Luthor. The pleasure's all mine. [It's a step up from regular pleasantries. There is an edge to his words, he hopes it comes off as something like residual admiration for the profession. It's standard among the populous, so he hears. A doctor is a very important person indeed.]

I'm feeling much better now.

[He's not even being a sarcastic ass.]

[bonvivant]

[For now, he'll just take any edge he detected as fatigue and general frustration from being dragged into another world.]

I'm glad to hear it. If you need anything, I've found most of us quite helpful, although you might want to use caution when engaging the native population.

[ihope]

[Doctor, don't enable him. His sharpness seems to wear down, he takes a second to chew his tongue. There's the very deliberate action of trying to show no reaction.]

Is there a particular reason for that? [Or is it simple prejudice, which he doubts someone so acclaimed will harbor.]

[bonvivant]

They think we are the cause of the recent misfortunes that befell their home. Some of them do, at least.

[ihope]

Then why bring more of us in, to see us suffer? [Lex tacks on the last bit for the sake of dramatics alone-- suffering, them? He hadn't seen much, or any, of that as he scouted the network.]

[bonvivant]

I don't think they chose to bring us here. There's no proof that we're causing any sort of disturbance, either, but people will believe what they wish.

[ihope]

That's only the nature of the natives, doctor. It's us against them- isn't that what the history books are teeming with? [What else could be expected when the first words he hears in the city had been 'foreigner'- well, guess what, he had never asked to be anywhere other than his home.]

But they haven't actually been hostile towards us foreigners have they? I would think I would have been warned previously of that. [Let them think what they will if only they don't get in the way.]

[But then there's the whole... 'someone blew up a clinic' thing. And even Lex has to take a second and wonder.]

[bonvivant]

There have been some isolated incidents of hostility, and there are gangs and such as well, but that type is generally hostile to everyone.

[ihope]

You sound like you've been here a while.