alma_karma | 001 ☯ Alma [VIDEO]

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

tothelastbreath

[Double sob, Allen is going to develop a stomach ulcer and name it Kandalma.]

Basically yes. I'm not too familiar with them yet, but they seem to let you post video and audio feeds to the network, or simply text entries. Don't lose it in case you need to get ahold of anyone. [...or scream for help.]

From:

alma_karma

[Poor, poor Allen.]

Network?

From:

tothelastbreath

That's the best word I have for it anyway. Everyone's communicators seem to be linked somehow.

From:

alma_karma

... Oh. [Yeah, he doesn't get it.]

I won't lose it, I promise.

From:

tothelastbreath

[Don't worry, neither does Allen.]

Alright. I'll see you around?

From:

alma_karma

Oh, um... okay.

From:

tothelastbreath

[...On second thoughts.]

Actually, why don't I send you to your room? Will be good to see where you're staying.

From:

alma_karma

[Something like relief spreads over the boy's face.]

Okay!

From:

tothelastbreath

[Beams back.]

Alright then! [pausing by his room on the first floor] Just give me a moment to grab some food from my room, okay? You'll need it sooner or later. Tim'll stay with you and I'll hardly take a minute.

From:

alma_karma

Alright. [He'll wait right where Allen tells him to, using the opportunity to get a proper look at the strange golden golem.]

From:

tothelastbreath

[That may be a little diffcult since Tim has nestled himself quite comfortably in Alma's hair. Allen'll duck into his room and re-emerge holding what is possibly the last of his food, but he's been planning to restock anyway. It's all canned food, probably looks different from the stuff in their era, but food is still food. Alright, up the stairs!]

Let's go!

From:

alma_karma

[That just means Alma will have to poke him... and maybe turn in little circles trying to get a look at his tail.

He gives the cans a funny look, but doesn't question them, instead bounding up the stairs after Allen.]

From:

tothelastbreath

[Tim'll be zipping off, always staying just far ahead enough for them to catch a glimpse of his poofy tail rounding the corner on every landing. 2, 3, 4, 5... 8! Brb waiting outside room 804 now, you slow earth-bound creatures.]

From:

alma_karma

[Ack, so many stairs! That over-sized coat flaps behind Alma as he tackles the climb with WAY too much energy, skidding to a stop in front of 804.]

From:

tothelastbreath

[And here's Allen bringing up the rear a bit more sedately, but he's also grinning by now.]

Open the door, will you? 'Fraid I don't have hands to spare.

From:

alma_karma

[And open the door he does, peering through the frame before entering almost cautiously.]

... This is all for me?

From:

tothelastbreath

[Strolling casually past him with a murmured 'excuse me' to set the cans down in a corner, Tim alighting on his shoulder.]

Er... Yes? I know it's not much, but it helps keep the cold out.

From:

alma_karma

[It might not seem like much to Allen, but a space like this just for Alma? And nobody else?... It's a little unsettling.]

... Is it always cold here?

From:

tothelastbreath

[He's oblivious to Alma's unease, mainly because he's busy trying to sweep dust off the bed of whoever used to live here and make it marginally usable.]

I don't think so, probably only because it's Winter now.

From:

alma_karma

[Poking around a little, examining his new living space.]

Can't we just ask Winter to make it warm?

From:

tothelastbreath

[Gives up after a while and turns back, looking a little startled.]

Well... No. I don't think it listens to anyone.

From:

alma_karma

He sounds mean.

From:

tothelastbreath

[He sounds mean?]

Alma? What do you think Winter is?

From:

alma_karma

He's a mean old man who makes everything cold.

From:

tothelastbreath

[............He doesn't know what this implies about Kanda's childhood.]

It's― No. Winter isn't a person at all, Alma, it's the name of a season. There are four in a year ― Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. [his tone says, that DOES ring a bell, right?]