[He gives a small wave and disconnects, then heads toward the spire; the fourth spire is actually relatively close to where he is, so getting there doesn't take that long. But okay, eight flights of stairs may possibly have worn off the novelty in one go, and by the time he knocks on Carlisle's door he's actually taken his hoodie off and tied it around his waist.]
It's okay. At least if I like, pass out this is the place to do it.
[He offers Carlisle a small grin to make it clear he's joking as he steps in, glancing around briefly at their surroundings before turning his attention toward all the games.
Wow, that's a lot of games.]
Dude, this is awesome.
[He steps over to pick up Sonic, turning the game on and grinning toward Carlisle again.]
I had this one. Or, well, my cousin did, but whatever. I think I still remember how to play it.
[And if not, he can figure it out. This is totally the best thing to happen here in awhile.]
[Carlisle blinks at Chris' question, astounded that Chris walked in here and managed to do in twenty second what he hadn't managed in several hours.]
You do know how to turn them on, then? I was thinking they might be defective somehow. I kept pressing the screen, but they don't react the way the little devices they gave us do. And one of them made a noise when I hit one of the buttons over and over, but then I couldn't get it to work after that.
[He shoots Space Fight a dirty look.]
But yes, I'd be thrilled to see how they work. Let me get my notes.
[He darts over to the table and grabs up his papers first, then his pen, refilling it with ink from a jar that's sitting on the table. The man does have a lot of ink.]
All right, ready. Just describe how you turn it on and how it works, and I'll jot down a few things next to my diagrams.
Yeah, these things kind of predate touch-screens by like, fifteen years.
[He's exaggerating, but only by a little. And Chris decides not to point out that one of the buttons is labeled with 'On/Start' and instead nods, waiting for Carlisle to collect his papers and pen; the ink causes his smile to falter briefly, but he shoves his concerns aside for now to focus on explaining instead.]
Okay. So, to turn this one on, just hit this button the far right here. Not the super tiny one; I think that like, hard resets the whole thing if it freezes or whatever, but you don't need it to actually play.
The objective of Sonic games is usually to pick up rings and not die, and these handheld games are like, super simple compared to normal games, so... Basically this thing over here is the D-pad, and you pretty the direction you want to go. The buttons on the other side are special moves or options.
[What's simple for Chris is handled as though it were the most complicated thing in the world by Carlisle; he scribbles notes and draws arrows on his diagram, marking where specific buttons are and their functions.]
So it's... some kind of interactive story about this "Sonic 3 the Hedgehog" and his quest to gather rings?
[Forgive him; he has no reference at all for these devices.]
It's Sonic the Hedgehog 3, though I can see how it'd be confusing.
[Because if you didn't already know it'd definitely look like Sonic 3 the Hedgehog. Nice graphic design skills, people.]
But yeah, sort of. Sonic is a really, really fast hedgehog who's collecting power rings to defeat some guy in a flying robot suit. Or something. Wow it sounds stupid said like that.
[Also Chris realizes he doesn't actually know the plot of Sonic, but then again does anyone?]
A lot of games don't make that much sense, though. Suspension of disbelief or whatever.
[Carlisle looks up at Chris with one of those incredulous looks as he continues writing, mouthing but hedgehogs aren't fast? as he does. Technology continues to make no sense.]
Right, so all of these games have different stories, presumably like their titles. A little like books, except with screens and buttons and you control something in them and they make noise, so... not at all like books now that I think about it.
No, actually, that's pretty much right. I mean, they're just like... Interactive stories, I guess. They're fun, especially if you're bored, and the kinds of video games we have now back home are way more advanced than these. They can look almost real.
[Carlisle glosses over that note with a dismissive wave of his hand, because now he's interested in these 'games.' An interactive book about an unusually fast, jewellery-obsessed hedgehog doesn't sound like fun, but maybe he just needs some hands-on experience. And Chris seems fine after handling one of the devices, so surely it can't hurt.
He looks down at Space Fight in his hands, smirking as he finds the On/Start button on the far right.]
I suppose it could be educational to try one of—
[And then the device beeps loudly at him and he drops it in an instant, leaping back as though it were a venomous snake snapping at him from the grass. The handheld lands with a thunk on the floor, and he shoots Chris an "Is it supposed to do that?" look.]
[He has so many questions, but he's not sure if that's a distracted waveoff or an 'I don't want to talk about it' waveoff so he lets it go for now. He turns his own game back on, trying out the first level for a few seconds, glancing back up toward Carlise just in time for the game to beep and Carlisle to jump; Chris does too, more in reaction to Carlisle than anything else, and when he realizes it was just because of the beep he fixes Carlise with a 'Really?' look in return.]
Dude, it won't hurt you. The sound effects usually aren't like, that helpful, but they're part of the game.
[He lets out a nervous sort of laugh and retrieves the game from the floor, his hands shaking. Books don't make sounds, okay? Not unless they're not really books and are monsters in disguise instead, like mimics. He's already had one glove ruined by a mimic pretending to be a box -- he doesn't need the other one trashed, too.]
O- of course. Just, ah. Wasn't really prepared for it to make a fuss like that.
[He eyes the game in one hand, picking at the bandage that covers his right arm idly. It has acquired a few more ink stains since he last saw Chris, some faded, while others are darker, fresher; that stuff just doesn't want to come out in the wash.]
[He really shouldn't be judging considering he jumped just because Carlisle did, which is an even lamer reason than being startled by a beep, and he definitely feels a little guilty about it when he notices Carlisle's hands shaking.]
No it's um... It's cool, I mean, you don't have this kind of stuff where you're from, right?
[He offers a small smile, hopefully reassuring, though the movement draws his attention toward the ink stains and he has to ask--]
[He doesn't seem to realize Chris was asking about the ink stains rather than his reaction.]
I'm fine, I assure you. Just easily rattled, unfortunately.
[He looks at the game again, pressing a few more of the buttons. It beeps, there's a garbled explosion, and the sound that comes with a Game Over. He just looks more confused by it, but at least he figures out one button: Off.
The device goes quiet, the screen blank once more, and he lets out a sigh.]
Right. I'll experiment a little with this one. Seems a bit less complicated than the others. Less buttons to press, and only two directions on the, er... D-pad.
[He'd meant that too, but realizes his question was probably too general for Carlisle to realize he'd been concerned about the bandages. Not just the ink stains, though that's part of it, but what the bandage is for to begin with.
But he just nods at the answer, for now--he knows that feel, bro--and watches Carlisle's ill-fated attempt at playing the game.]
Yeah, you can get it. Just remember these things are old and kind of slow to react, so don't like... Let it get you too frustrated.
[And he hesitates a moment, before deciding on a way to reapproach his earlier question, but the game gives a good excuse.]
Especially if like... Did you hurt your arm? These things aren't exactly good for your wrists and whatever, especially if you're already hurt or something.
[He rubs at his arm for a moment, making a quick consideration before he undoes the bandage, unwrapping it bit by bit.]
It's not an injury, or not anymore.
[The glove beneath the bandage looks like it might have been like its partner on his left arm -- long, tight-fitting, covering his limb all the way from the sleeve of his jacket to his hands. Unfortunately, it's been mutilated somewhere along the way: the fabric is torn in several places, barely held together by thin strips between the gaping holes. The already dark material is even darker in those areas, blood having stained the threads from a dark blue to a blackish brown. In contrast to his ruined glove, his arm beneath it looks fine, as pristine as the rest of his pale skin. He is a healer, after all.]
I ran into a monster almost immediately after arriving here. I thought for sure I'd lose my arm for a moment.
[Or several moments. Several, panic-stricken moments.]
[Chris watches curiously, if a bit apprehensively, while Carlisle takes off the bandage; it's not a huge surprise to see the semi-matching glove, even if he wonders why Carlisle didn't just take it off, but it is a surprise to see that his arm seems totally fine. It's a good surprise, though.
He winces sympathetically as Carlisle explains.]
Ouch. Yeah, some of the monsters that show up in the arena are kind of... Worse than others.
[And really awful.]
Glad your arm's okay, though. Do you like... Does your healing stuff work on yourself, or...?
[Though in this place it isn't super realistic; he remembers for a moment just how seriously Maketh had been hurt during the last event, and then quickly shoves the thought away.]
I feel like we should uh... Probably figure out some sort of system for looking out for new arrivals when they show up in the arena.
[He's kind of thinking outloud here, but it's half to Carlisle too, if he has an opinion on the idea. It's really good that he was able to heal himself, but what if he couldn't or it had been worse or something? The new arrivals are all alone and really vulnerable.]
An organization would be nice for such an occurrence. I was lucky to have people show up when they did to help me. I might not have an arm if they hadn't.
[He has another nervous laugh, as though it's funny now that it's all in the past. It's not. It's still terrifying to think about.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
video
Date: 2016-05-13 04:35 am (UTC)[OH THANK GOODNESS HE DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE ALL THESE THINGS DOWN THE STAIRS.]
... I'm, ah, going to go ahead and apologize for the stairs.
video
Date: 2016-05-13 04:40 am (UTC)It's cool. I hadn't been able to like, actually walk up stairs for like five months until you healed me, so the novelty still hasn't worn off.
Not promising I'll be there super quick, though.
[He's still not exactly the athletic type.]
video
Date: 2016-05-13 04:41 am (UTC)I shall see you whenever you get here, then?
video --> action
Date: 2016-05-13 04:49 am (UTC)Yeah, see you in a bit.
[He gives a small wave and disconnects, then heads toward the spire; the fourth spire is actually relatively close to where he is, so getting there doesn't take that long. But okay, eight flights of stairs may possibly have worn off the novelty in one go, and by the time he knocks on Carlisle's door he's actually taken his hoodie off and tied it around his waist.]
just actioning forever
Date: 2016-05-13 04:56 am (UTC)Chris, thank you for coming. Sorry again about the stairs. I'm almost certain this tower gets taller every day.
[He steps aside to let Chris in. His couch is indeed littered with more of the handheld devices: aside from Simon's Quest on the table, there's Beetlejuice, Skeleton Warriors, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Gauntlet, The Terminator, The Shadow, Space Fight, Taz-Mania, and Power Rangers. Clearly, he got as many different ones as he could before fleeing for his life from a swarm of flaming insects.
Also on the table are a few pages where he's made some rudimentary sketches of the devices. It might be important -- he never knows.]
same!
Date: 2016-05-13 05:16 am (UTC)[He offers Carlisle a small grin to make it clear he's joking as he steps in, glancing around briefly at their surroundings before turning his attention toward all the games.
Wow, that's a lot of games.]
Dude, this is awesome.
[He steps over to pick up Sonic, turning the game on and grinning toward Carlisle again.]
I had this one. Or, well, my cousin did, but whatever. I think I still remember how to play it.
[And if not, he can figure it out. This is totally the best thing to happen here in awhile.]
Wanna see how it works?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:24 am (UTC)You do know how to turn them on, then? I was thinking they might be defective somehow. I kept pressing the screen, but they don't react the way the little devices they gave us do. And one of them made a noise when I hit one of the buttons over and over, but then I couldn't get it to work after that.
[He shoots Space Fight a dirty look.]
But yes, I'd be thrilled to see how they work. Let me get my notes.
[He darts over to the table and grabs up his papers first, then his pen, refilling it with ink from a jar that's sitting on the table. The man does have a lot of ink.]
All right, ready. Just describe how you turn it on and how it works, and I'll jot down a few things next to my diagrams.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:32 am (UTC)[He's exaggerating, but only by a little. And Chris decides not to point out that one of the buttons is labeled with 'On/Start' and instead nods, waiting for Carlisle to collect his papers and pen; the ink causes his smile to falter briefly, but he shoves his concerns aside for now to focus on explaining instead.]
Okay. So, to turn this one on, just hit this button the far right here. Not the super tiny one; I think that like, hard resets the whole thing if it freezes or whatever, but you don't need it to actually play.
The objective of Sonic games is usually to pick up rings and not die, and these handheld games are like, super simple compared to normal games, so... Basically this thing over here is the D-pad, and you pretty the direction you want to go. The buttons on the other side are special moves or options.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:39 am (UTC)So it's... some kind of interactive story about this "Sonic 3 the Hedgehog" and his quest to gather rings?
[Forgive him; he has no reference at all for these devices.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:43 am (UTC)It's Sonic the Hedgehog 3, though I can see how it'd be confusing.
[Because if you didn't already know it'd definitely look like Sonic 3 the Hedgehog. Nice graphic design skills, people.]
But yeah, sort of. Sonic is a really, really fast hedgehog who's collecting power rings to defeat some guy in a flying robot suit. Or something. Wow it sounds stupid said like that.
[Also Chris realizes he doesn't actually know the plot of Sonic, but then again does anyone?]
A lot of games don't make that much sense, though. Suspension of disbelief or whatever.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:49 am (UTC)Right, so all of these games have different stories, presumably like their titles. A little like books, except with screens and buttons and you control something in them and they make noise, so... not at all like books now that I think about it.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 06:08 am (UTC)No, actually, that's pretty much right. I mean, they're just like... Interactive stories, I guess. They're fun, especially if you're bored, and the kinds of video games we have now back home are way more advanced than these. They can look almost real.
[Those PS4 graphics, man.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 06:15 am (UTC)I think I'd prefer something that doesn't look real. Hallucinations and illusions are terrible enough as it is.
[He caps his pen, setting his papers on the table and picking up Space Fight.]
So these are some kind of toys, then? For children?
[He looks at the device in his hands dubiously.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 04:03 pm (UTC)Is that like, a common problem where you're from?
[He's curious, but asks it casually enough. The last remark earns mock offense.]
They're totally not just for children, okay, they're also for immature adults. But yeah, pretty much; they're toys.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 04:17 pm (UTC)[Carlisle glosses over that note with a dismissive wave of his hand, because now he's interested in these 'games.' An interactive book about an unusually fast, jewellery-obsessed hedgehog doesn't sound like fun, but maybe he just needs some hands-on experience. And Chris seems fine after handling one of the devices, so surely it can't hurt.
He looks down at Space Fight in his hands, smirking as he finds the On/Start button on the far right.]
I suppose it could be educational to try one of—
[And then the device beeps loudly at him and he drops it in an instant, leaping back as though it were a venomous snake snapping at him from the grass. The handheld lands with a thunk on the floor, and he shoots Chris an "Is it supposed to do that?" look.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 04:47 pm (UTC)Dude, it won't hurt you. The sound effects usually aren't like, that helpful, but they're part of the game.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:08 pm (UTC)O- of course. Just, ah. Wasn't really prepared for it to make a fuss like that.
[He eyes the game in one hand, picking at the bandage that covers his right arm idly. It has acquired a few more ink stains since he last saw Chris, some faded, while others are darker, fresher; that stuff just doesn't want to come out in the wash.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 07:02 pm (UTC)No it's um... It's cool, I mean, you don't have this kind of stuff where you're from, right?
[He offers a small smile, hopefully reassuring, though the movement draws his attention toward the ink stains and he has to ask--]
You okay? Besides being startled, I mean.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 07:22 pm (UTC)I'm fine, I assure you. Just easily rattled, unfortunately.
[He looks at the game again, pressing a few more of the buttons. It beeps, there's a garbled explosion, and the sound that comes with a Game Over. He just looks more confused by it, but at least he figures out one button: Off.
The device goes quiet, the screen blank once more, and he lets out a sigh.]
Right. I'll experiment a little with this one. Seems a bit less complicated than the others. Less buttons to press, and only two directions on the, er... D-pad.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 08:40 pm (UTC)But he just nods at the answer, for now--he knows that feel, bro--and watches Carlisle's ill-fated attempt at playing the game.]
Yeah, you can get it. Just remember these things are old and kind of slow to react, so don't like... Let it get you too frustrated.
[And he hesitates a moment, before deciding on a way to reapproach his earlier question, but the game gives a good excuse.]
Especially if like... Did you hurt your arm? These things aren't exactly good for your wrists and whatever, especially if you're already hurt or something.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 09:02 pm (UTC)[He rubs at his arm for a moment, making a quick consideration before he undoes the bandage, unwrapping it bit by bit.]
It's not an injury, or not anymore.
[The glove beneath the bandage looks like it might have been like its partner on his left arm -- long, tight-fitting, covering his limb all the way from the sleeve of his jacket to his hands. Unfortunately, it's been mutilated somewhere along the way: the fabric is torn in several places, barely held together by thin strips between the gaping holes. The already dark material is even darker in those areas, blood having stained the threads from a dark blue to a blackish brown. In contrast to his ruined glove, his arm beneath it looks fine, as pristine as the rest of his pale skin. He is a healer, after all.]
I ran into a monster almost immediately after arriving here. I thought for sure I'd lose my arm for a moment.
[Or several moments. Several, panic-stricken moments.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 09:34 pm (UTC)He winces sympathetically as Carlisle explains.]
Ouch. Yeah, some of the monsters that show up in the arena are kind of... Worse than others.
[And really awful.]
Glad your arm's okay, though. Do you like... Does your healing stuff work on yourself, or...?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 10:53 pm (UTC)[Painful. Horrific. Agonizing.]
Grievous on myself, but I suppose there is a first time for everything.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 11:04 pm (UTC)Hopefully a last time too.
[Though in this place it isn't super realistic; he remembers for a moment just how seriously Maketh had been hurt during the last event, and then quickly shoves the thought away.]
I feel like we should uh... Probably figure out some sort of system for looking out for new arrivals when they show up in the arena.
[He's kind of thinking outloud here, but it's half to Carlisle too, if he has an opinion on the idea. It's really good that he was able to heal himself, but what if he couldn't or it had been worse or something? The new arrivals are all alone and really vulnerable.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 11:14 pm (UTC)[He has another nervous laugh, as though it's funny now that it's all in the past. It's not. It's still terrifying to think about.]
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