acatalepsy_rpg | [Video]

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[Barabas appears on the video -- fully clothed, thank you -- with a sedate expression, cordial enough. Bright red hair is less styled than he'd prefer it (his kingdom for decent hair product, really) but he still looks sharp, put together. He's set his watch somewhere so that he's in fame, seated at a table, from about the chest up, hands folded in front of him.]

Hello. I've already met some of you, but for those of you I haven't had the pleasure of encountering yet, my name is Barabas. Everyone seems fairly alive, which is better than the alternative. There's a new vacation spot in town, complete with an off-brand Loch Ness Monster. What more could anyone ask for?

[He spreads his hands.]

As... charming... as this place is, there is a disturbing lack of information infrastructure. Even Astoria doesn't quite seem to be able to keep track of who is coming and going at all times -- since the last bunch of us were apparently unexpected guests. I don't exactly find that reassuring. It does not make me feel warm and fuzzy.

[At all.]

In that vein, I think we should address this, put in place some way to keep track of who is here, who is no longer here, the abilities we each possess. [He ticks these items off on his fingers.] And a collection of information of the places that Astoria has sent us, and the general outcome of each trip. And really any other useful things to know, for all of us, and those who may be brought here in the future.

[A smile now, no teeth, but still pleasant.] Sadly, I'm only one man, so I suppose what I'm looking for is twofold:

First, would anyone be willing to help gather and compile this data?

Second, those of you who've been here longer than I have, perhaps we can chat about your experiences.

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It's good to see you alive too. And hear you alive for that matter. Good as new now?

[This is good. Barabas had been worried about quite a few people, Shiro in particular. Given how helpful the other man had been on his arrival, to see him struggling with his missing hearing had been concerning.]

You've been here from the beginning, haven't you?

I have been. There was quite a few of us from a previous witch's hand but...most of them are gone now. I'm not sure how relevant that information would be to our current situation.

[His smile grows a little wider as he shows visible relief. He's glad everyone he knows is turning out fine.]

And never better. All my senses are restored and...I can't always shift but being able to do it at all again...it's a sign of being alive.

This previous witch. I wonder. It could have its relevance, but maybe that's a second or third stage, after we put together the basics for this witch and the adventures she's sent us on.

[For his part, Barabas got little more than an annoying cold -- he just has never had to deal with a cold before.]

A sign of being alive, is it? [A small grin tugs at his lips.] Alive is definitely good. It sounds like you've taken to this shapeshifter thing. I have questions about that, as well, actually. More personal curiosities, I'll admit. If you don't mind my asking about it.

I don't mind at all. I've been flying blind with it...I can tell you what I've learned. [He sits up straight like a soldier coming to attention. There's a lot he can say and Barabas has the kind of logical approach he hits off well with.]

And I agree. We can discuss the Qri and that business after we've put together the basics on our missions for Astoria and what we know so far.

Makes perfect sense to me.

[This first. Though maybe even before that, Barabas will indulge his own curiosity about Shiro's ability, since the other man said he doesn't mind talking about it. And just in case Shiro would rather it not be public, he switches the broadcast to private.]

Where your other form is... mechanical, does it come with any particular animal instincts?

[Do robot lions have robot lion tendencies?]

[He thinks about that. His memories of Black roll through his mind one after another. The feel of the Lion's mind and the glimmering wheel of stars. He'd spent so long unable to tell how time passed and stuck thinking.

Changing after that had felt...]

...to some degree, I think so? [He speaks slowly as he looks back at his memories.]

The real Black Lion is an ancient weapon made to protect and safeguard others. I was part of the lion itself for...a year. [When he died.]

I do feel some of the impressions and urges he has. But then again, you be merged entirely with the life force of something else for a while and it leaves its mark on you. I can't properly judge it right without the actual Lion itself present.

You were part of it... beyond changing shape? Beyond this place?

[Is he being nosy? He might be being nosy. So he continues on in case Shiro would prefer not to answer that question.]

I see. I ask because there are certain instincts and behaviors that come along with being a shapeshifter, where I'm from. And some dangers.

[Look okay so here's the thing, Shiro. Barabas has been confident in his shapeshifting being very stable most of his life. He didn't go loup at birth or puberty or any of the various times terrible things have happened. But, now, well the fact that his shapeshifting and beast form have been messed with, he has the slightest bit of concern. Someone should know the risk if he loses himself. Shiro seems trustworthy.

So, sorry Shiro. Something heavy is coming.]

[He weighs on what to say. Ordinarily, he wouldn't say anything at all. But Barabas is clearly about to tell him something important and he extends his own trust.]

Yes, I died. The Lion protected my soul and took it into itself. My body is a copy of the original.

Talk to me about these dangers you're concerned about. [This is a job he can do. Or at least, one being entrusted to him.]

[A faint widening to his eyes is the initial reaction. It's a startling thing to hear, but not unbelievable -- not with the things that Barabas is used to. Still hearing that Shiro has died... hmm.]

And somehow your soul and this body were reunited? That sounds like it must have been an ordeal.

[But okay. Right.] A shapeshifter is a shapeshifter because we are infected by a the Lycos Virus -- a magical virus that fundamentally alters our physiology. Beyond the shapeshifting there are side effects. Most are manageable, some are even beneficial; shapeshifters heal rapidly from all but the most grievous injuries, our senses are exceptionally sharp. But sometimes, something goes wrong. Sometimes a shapeshifter goes loup -- they lose themselves, to the virus, to their beast self. They lose all sense of right and wrong. A loup will murder and rape and cannibalize without hesitation or thought. There's no humanity left.

[It's bad, Shiro. It's very bad, and Barabas fixes a very serious look on him.]

It can happen when someone is first infected and turned. If a shapeshifter is born a shapeshifter, it can happen at birth, or during puberty. Or in times of intense injury or stress. But... by the time a shapeshifter is an adult, it's usually clear if they're stable or not. My forms have always been stable. My half-form has always been stable.

[But now. There's been a change, and while he doesn't think it's a problem. He can't be certain. And he doesn't enjoy that thought at all.] A shapeshifter who goes loup can't be cured. They can't be reformed or fixed. They have to be killed.

[He listens without comment. It's worse than he expected to hear. Yet the only sign he's reacting is his eyes narrowing. A blessing and a curse...his gaze strays to his arm. Will it try to take his mind, like his last one?

He shoves the thought aside. He locks his gaze with Barabas's as the sense of what is being asked is finally revealed to him. He knows what task is laid before him. Blue sparks emit from his arm and the light chases down the plates until the light suffuses the hand and a deadly hum fills the air.]

I understand. I don't think it will come to that, but if it does I'll be there for you. [He lifts his hand from the table. Scorch marks mar the surface.]

You don't have to worry about doing the same for me. My side effects are an out of body feeling and loss of control over my emotions. ...at best you'd just have to pin me down and keep me still until I calm down. I haven't had that level of issue with it.

But that could be likely if something made it worse. I'm automatically thrown out of shift after twelve hours.

[Something in Barabas' posture eases just slightly at Shiro's words. Good. He ducks his head in acknowledgment, in gratitude. His gaze flicker to the scorched mark left on the table. Good. And Shiro can back up the offer too, clearly.]

I don't think it will either, but it's better to prepare for the worst case scenario whether or not it ever comes to pass. So. Thank you.

[Or at least, that's the way he approaches things. He's a planner by nature.]

We'll hope nothing makes it worse. But I'm glad to hear the side effects your shape comes with are at least temporary.

Thank you. And thank you for putting your trust in me. I'll carry it out if it comes to that. [He nods and deactivates his arm. The promise has been made and his assurance he can get it done driven home. He sets his arms on the table and leans forward.]

Any other side effects do I need to watch for? If any. [They're both planners and it makes conversations smooth and simple.]

[Barabas ducks his head in a quick, silent little gesture of gratitude. He appreciates it. It puts something in him at ease for at least someone else to know the dangers and know what needs to be done, even if he really does consider it an outside possibility.

He considers the question.]

Hmm. Not really any that should be overly concerning. Shapeshifters in certain stages of relationships may have a few... difficult to control issues with possessiveness and jealousy, but given my track record, that's probably an even remoter possibility than my going loup.

[He blinks. He hadn't expected that. It trips him up enough his mouth opens to ask and he closes it. He mulls back over his relationship with Keith. Had he had issues with that?

No. Keith is the more possessive one. Considering his track record with life? He can't blame him.]

...I don't have that side effect. But, noted. Let's just hope for the best overall.

[Sorry Shiro. That reaction was precious and Barabas can't even begin to hold back a grin.]

That's good. I've seen it turn even the most rational people temporarily... a bit crazy.

[He saw Shiro do some thinking just then though.]

That's the worst of it. The rest is all manageable. So hoping for the best sounds like a good tactic to me.

If anything comes up you think I can help with, I'll do what I can to help.

[The grin has him briefly embarrassed. He recovers quickly.]

...if that's all, let's get back to going over what the Circle has done and where we went.

[Sorry Shiro. Sort of sorry anyway. Barabas will at least let the matter drop and not comment further.]

Yes, back to the business at hand sounds like a good idea. This first world -- El Minha, wasn't it? What do you think was the biggest lesson learned from that engagement?

[He takes a moment think it over.] If we're to make any sort of difference we need to work together and investigate carefully.

While being aware we're arriving just as events are beginning to move. All of these worlds are at their tipping point. Those events will happen. We have to choose how and when we act to save the most lives.

So some coordination amongst ourselves. But that's a challenge in and of itself, isn't it? Especially with the continued influx of newcomers.

[How do they fit and function as a group? Where is the power structure? Barabas' mind is already filing it away. They've got some hurdles to say the least.]

Has there been anyone stepping up to take charge?

I have. Roy has. Any of us with leadership experience has. But when it comes to structures like this it serves the whole better to work as a community. Instead of just telling people what to do.

Not everyone is used to someone in command. ...and I've seen that go bad. The problem is we could vanish at any time if her magic slips. You have one person taking charge and without them...

[He leaves it hanging. It's a power vacuum. Worse, it's one in a place where newcomers might seek that and in-fighting happens. Or could happen at the worst time.]

The best idea for a structure I've seen yet is being like mercenaries. Except we don't get paid, just have to find ways to work together to get the jobs done.

Mm. That is true. I imagine especially trying to throw together a hasty command structure would be even worse.

[But they need some sort of organization. Barabas certainly believes that. He considers the comparison to mercenaries.]

The problem with the mercenaries model is... the pay is generally the only real incentive and the only real tie that binds them together. So is there some other motivator that binds us all -- or enough of us -- together?

Certainly most people seem decently intent on helping, doing the right thing. But that's a broad umbrella term. What happens in real situations where 'the right thing' may not be a matter of black and white? The last thing we need is to be at war with ourselves.

[Shiro chews on that. They need something to unite them. He stares off to the side with a thousand yard stare and focuses back on the screen. There has to be something.] You’re right. That can be a difficult decision and as we get more people we can’t count of them to stay united based on moral choices alone.

The only motivation I can think of is our desire to go home. Not everyone will want to. Even that could fall through. [He drums his fingers on the surface in front of him. He sighs.]

Sometimes I feel like we’re piloting through a storm with one wing.

No, not everyone will want to. But enough people might. Framing it as a step to getting back where we belong, that could certainly go along way.

[THAT SAID. He hesitates at the thought that flickers through his head, that a common enemy unites people like few other things can match. For now he keeps that to himself. He hasn't quite figured Astoria out enough yet. And that mindset carries risks with it, to say the least.]

It does feel like that, doesn't it? But between us, we've got a few functional pairs of wings, if we cooperate.

And more than enough pilots to keep us on course. [He keeps the thought to himself that a common enemy could unite them or split them. It had with the Qri. God, it had.

He shakes his head slowly.] Ask me more questions. I think we've exhausted this line of thought for now.

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