001 || video;

[double_edged]

[It's a peaceful, melodic sound, washing over the feed. The sound of lapping waves, the light, balmy breeze... and the distant sound of an aged man, moaning softly as the sand begins to shift.

As the view comes more into focus, a large furred husk takes up most of it, pushing himself up from the ocean's grasp to blink slowly at his surroundings.]

Where...?

[He stares for a moment longer, brow furrowing in thought, before his memories catch up with him - the Clock, the explosion...

His last words to Ratchet, and one last look at the pocketwatch he held so dear.

With a gasp, he quickly searches his own pockets, sighing in relief at the metallic feel, grateful to whatever force out there that it had still been in one piece. That, and his Praetorian Omniwrench, which laid a few feet from where he'd collapsed.

Considering this world was still in one cohesive piece, he knows that he'd successfully reverted his mistake. And... wherever he was now, this was where he was meant to be.

Except he hadn't expected death to be so... wet. The Lombax's ears droop over his shoulders, heavy with saltwater and dripping down to the sand. And that's where he spots the SFC, laying right next to his wrench. Curious at this little piece of machinery - certainly not Lombax build, that was for sure - he picks it up.

Hello, Vatheon. Meet the General.]

Comments

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they don't make; "Sorry I killed you" cards. But...

[Ratchet sighs and runs a hand over his face.]

Look. What I remember and what you remember are different. Something is up. I'm willing to just...ignore it if you are.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

I would be willing to start over, Ratchet.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Works for me.

Can we skip the part where you throw bombs at me and pin me to a wall though?

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

Ahh, come on, you had to admit that was fun. I haven't had a chase like that in years!

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Well, I guess if you really want to, I could chase you around a bit in the junkyard while you go on about me being a fake and an assassin.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

[Ping!]

There's a junkyard here?

{Ratchet Ratchet guess what. FIELD TRIP.]

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Well yeah. That's where I got a bunch of parts for my inventing spree. Went an entire week with almost no sleep. Just stayed awake inventing things.

[ Video ] 1/3

[double_edged]

Hey, it's a start. At least I know where to start setting up ba--

[ Video ] 2/3

[double_edged]

[...

Wait a minute.]

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

[STERN DADDYBAX FACE.]

Ratchet.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

...What?

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

There's a time for work, and a time for rest. Don't neglect one for the other.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

It wasn't my fault. I just didn't feel tired for a week.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

...I think you've lost me.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Look, everyone was getting sick. I didn't. I just had all these ideas for inventions and I made them. I didn't really feel tired or anything. I just kept inventing until my apartment was filled with stuff.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

I think a similiar thing had happened to Kaden once, back on Fastoon. It's actually a common illness for Lombaxes to obsessively build and build until their bodies run dry, much like you're describing.

Though I think the real question is: how did an entire city catch this plague?

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

So I was sick and just didn't know it? Fun.

Well everyone was getting sick with different things. Probably a curse. This city likes to put curses on people. It's tied to the tattoo you have on your body somewhere now.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

You didn't realize when you stopped sleeping?

[And sure enough, Alister checks his body for any unusual markings - lifting his armour and checking the inside of it, frowning a little when he spies a little extra black on his collarbone.

The elder Lombax frowns at being branded like of the Agorians' beasts, placing his chestplace back in place in distain.]

Well, that's just fantastic. I wouldn't mind spending my eternity here, but to be physically bound to this city?

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

I don't know. I seemed fine during it and after. No harm, no foul.

[A shrug.]

Sorry but that's how it goes. And don't think of shaving. It's under the skin too, I checked.

And the magic coral can be a bitch I guess.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

...

Ratchet, I...

How severe are these 'curses'? What you're describing is just an illness, but have there been any to drastically change one's mental state? What usually happens during a curse?

[Because the timeline where he'd actually killed Ratchet was... worrying. There could be a relapse and he'd never know about it.]

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

They vary. The one before last had me thinking I was the Big Bad Lombax. I kept searching for a Little Red Riding Hood. Time before that I kept...spilling all my secrets at random. Couldn't stop doing it. In the end it wasn't all bad. Made some friend and...well other things.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

{That doesn't sound... so terrible, sans the telling-all-of-his-secrets part. A part of Alister wants to know exactly what was leaked, without being too invasive.

But that was besides the point.]

So the curses do affect your mental state, but not... to an extreme. I mean...

No. Even during a 'curse', I know you wouldn't intentionally harm anyone.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

Yeah...of course not.

[ Video ]

[double_edged]

You're better than I am.

Re: [ Video ]

[last_lombax]

...I need to go. Sorry...