001 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

[alma_karma]

[The camera lens is partially blocked when the feed clicks on, fuzzy pinkish edges suggesting fingers to be the culprit. Whoever it is holding the device is moving if the shifting light and soft padding sounds are any clue. After less than a minute of traveling the footsteps stop and a small voice cuts through the silence.]

What’s going on?... Doctor Edgar? Yu? Where'd you go?

[When no answer comes, movement begins again, slightly faster than before as a steady light source from one direction becomes apparent. Maybe a window or a door...

There's a little gasp and the camera's view suddenly blurs, the faciliberry clattering loudly as it hits the ground. A cloudy sky comes into view, as well as an extremely foreshortened view of a young boy. He's staring up at the sky with an almost disbelieving expression, apparently unaware that he's dropped his device.]

Comments

[alma_karma]

How come it's so messy? [Really, he's seen the science department get messy, but never like this.]

.... I guess so. Who're the other people? Is Branch Chief here? 'Cause I don't think I'm supposed to be.

[tothelastbreath]

I'm still trying to figure that out myself, but it looks like the entire city's been abandoned for some reason.

[Aaaand here it comes. He'd been hoping to deliver further brain breakage after he gets the kid somewhere safe, but...]

I don't think any of us are supposed to be. This place isn't your world anymore, it's called Nesreca and it's been pulling people from other dimensions here.

[And hey, speaking of other dimensions? Golems, branch chiefs... What are the chances, really?]

[alma_karma]

[Different worlds? That... does not compute. Not for a boy who's only just now seeing outside for the first time.]

So... Branch Chief isn't here?

[tothelastbreath]

No, I'm afraid he isn't. We're all trying to find a way out though.

[alma_karma]

Branch Chief's a girl.

[tothelastbreath]

Oh, my apologies. Is she a friend? [talking in auto-pilot mode now, he's trying to see the library from his window]

[alma_karma]

Um... yeah! I guess so.

[tothelastbreath]

Really? We also have branch chiefs where I came from. The one I know is a guy, sort of a friend too. [Still distracted... Oh look, there's the library. He probably won't get lost if he travels by rooftop and keeps moving in a straight line.]

[alma_karma]

[You can do it, Allen! Defeat that terrible sense of direction of yours!]

What branch of the Order are you from? I'm from Asia Sixth Laboratory!

[tothelastbreath]

[Timcanpy will remember the way back, he just has to keep to this straight-line strategy― Okay hold it right there. Here's Allen's head whipping around so fast it looks kind of painful.]

The Order? You mean the Black Order?

[alma_karma]

[Blinkblink. Someone still isn't quite grasping that he's not somehow where the Order is, or that not everybody here is a part of it.]

Yeah.

[tothelastbreath]

[O-Oh. That explains some things.]

I er― So am I. I mean, I'm from the Order too.

[alma_karma]

Which branch are you from? 'Cause I've never seen you before.

Oh, and I'm Alma!

[tothelastbreath]

I'm serving at Headquarters. Allen Walker, Exorcist. [courtesy kicking in now] Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[alma_karma]

[BIG EYES. BLINKING RIGHT AT YOU.]

... You're really an exorcist?

[tothelastbreath]

[That's... endearing, even if the enthusiasm is sort of alarming. Have a smile in return.]

Yes. [We'll save the whole suspected traitor thing for another day. Turning away briefly to grab his extra coat, Allen heads outside.] Alma, was it? Please stay where you are, I'll be right there.

[alma_karma]

That's so cool! [Enthusiasm. GROWING. jsdbfhjdbk.]

Yeah, Alma! I'll stay right here!

[tothelastbreath]

[Is glad all of this GROWING ENTHUSIASM is toned down somewhat by him not actually being there, although that's about to change. Soon. The scenery's blurring behind him as he races straight for the library.

...Literally straight. Walls are being leapt over, rooftops scaled.]

Cool? I've never really thought of it that way. Are you training to be one?

[alma_karma]

[Alma will just be sitting on the steps of the library waiting for him. In the cold. 'Cause he's smart like that.]

Yeah! Me and Yu are both gonna be exorcists!

[tothelastbreath]

[That name again.]

Oh? Funny, I know someone named Yu too. Who's your master? [And then, pausing on the edge of a roof to peer closely at his communicator.] ...You should probably wait inside. Aren't you cold?

[alma_karma]

Master? I don't have a master...

[He rubs at the back of his head sheepishly.] I'll be okay! Winter can't beat me!

[tothelastbreath]

That's strange, perhaps they simply haven't assigned you to one of the generals yet. It does explain why I haven't heard of you, though.

I doubt it can, but you might get sick. We don't have access to medical facilities here. [That thought's enough to speed him up further, he'll be there in just a few minutes.]

[alma_karma]

[He shrugs.] I've never heard of you either.

No medicine at all?

[ACTION]

[tothelastbreath]

[muttering] Not unless we steal some.

[Silence from his end for a moment, but then he's bursting out of an alleyway a few feet away and running right over, Tim in tow.]

Alma?

[ACTION]

[alma_karma]

[Alma starts a little when Allen appears, but quickly recovers and stands, giving the older boy a bright smile.]

Hi!