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[harriedosborn]

A-all right. It's been about -- it's been a while, a few weeks, but who knows for sure? It's hard to keep track of time around here, isn't it? I can't be the only one having this problem.

[ The video doesn't show anyone at first, just a dark room; after a few moments though, Harry turns the camera on his tired, pale face, the shadowy lines rimming his eyes stark in contrast especially in the poor light. He's lying back on his bed, so it seems. In fact, he has the look of someone who has probably not left his room much recently, if at all, because spoilers: he definitely hasn't. It's a legit look, albeit subtle. ]

Since I've been here, that is. Time flies, I think. It's at least doing a good impression of passing.

[ He does manage a smile, though it's perhaps a slightly unnerving one. Very detached. ]

Certainly enough time to immerse myself in the reality of unreality. That's the way to do it, right? Accept the dream, no questions, it's easy and I know how appealing easy is. Really. At least the food tastes like food and the beds feel like beds. Uh -- a pretty perfect simulation, if it is one. The monsters and mayhem are a nice touch, too.

But I -- I can't really get my mind around it. Someone told me we were supposed to be like a flight crew, but this feels a lot more like a giant psych ward to me. I don't know why I'd be here. None of it really fits together b-but maybe that's just the newness talking.

[ His eyes narrow slightly, wearily, his eyebrows furrowed a little skeptically. There's something mildly paranoid about his expression, though he does a fair job of repressing it. When you're prone to hallucinations, staving off the discomfort of withdrawal, almost (or actually?) died and keep yourself creepy and antisocial, it's hard to know for sure what's real and what isn't. ]

Uh. It's Osborn, by the way, if anyone can really hear this. Harold Osborn, though most people just stick to "Harry." Hi.

Comments

permavid & text.

[culver]

[a girl with wings might not help huh
oh well]

Hello Harry. It is hard yes but it gets better.

permavid

[harriedosborn]

[ Squint. ]

Better like better, or better like you just get used to it?

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[inebriety]

[.....goddammit this thing is getting old. He's fairly sure this they're not from the same universe because wasn't he a dead teenager or something?]

As in Oscorp and Green Goblin Osborn?

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[harriedosborn]

[ Oh boy. He stares for a moment, eyes drifting evasively from the screen for a moment before they refocus, narrowing wearily. ]

As in Oscorp, right. [ No further comment on that latter except a vague: ] Formerly.

Do we know each other?

[wolfinthesnow]

What do you mean by simulation?

[harriedosborn]

I mean-- [ He hesitates for a moment, figuring out his wording. ] Something that's made to look and feel real, to trick your brain. But it's actually not much more than living in a dream.

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[glassesonachain]

I'm new as well. It's been--Getting used to all of this, or trying to, has been difficult. So I can relate. And, and all the people saying that we'll get used to it eventually, I know they're trying to help but. It doesn't always.

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[harriedosborn]

Right -- it's, uh. Easier said than done. Everything seems so disingenuous right after suddenly waking up in space. It's a little too much to swallow all at once.

[ He smiles, wearily. ]

I think it's nicer knowing you're not the only one kind of overwhelmed by it all. Maybe not exactly helpful, but it's a little reassuring.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

I think "psych ward" is a rather negative way to put it, sir. It seems to me we're a reasonably functional society.

[voice]

[harriedosborn]

All it's really missing are the therapy sessions. [ He pauses. ] And the monsters are a bit more literal, I guess. It's not that different.

[buttmad]

You know, I was actually almost okay with this situation until people started getting ripped apart.

[But look how calm and placid he is pretending to be. TOTALLY IN CONTROL HERE, BRO. TOTALLY.] I mean, five minutes after I got here, Tony Stark of all people shows up missing an eye and a jump later, there's a mass coma outbreak like a soap opera during sweeps week, but that's not too bad. Not bad at all. I've seen weirder things in Queens before my morning coffee.

Now I've got to... I've got step back a bit and sort of reevaluate where I stand on all this.

[harriedosborn]

Tony Stark, huh? [ Harry knows that guy. Just by reputation, of course, not personally. ] It's like New York on a bad week, isn't it? [ Marvel New York, that is. ] But you notice it more when it's all condensed in your neighborhood. So to speak.

So I can't blame you.

[heroisms]

The whole sterile feel to the ship might be what's making you feel like this, Mr. Osborn. [ You don't look too good. ] Have you tried going to the gardens for a change of scenery?

It might help.

[harriedosborn]

Maybe you're right. I haven't gone any farther than the kitchen or the library. [ He rubs his forehead. ] Just seems kind of chaotic out there, you know?

video.

[triedtobe]

Glad to know you still haven't given in to the idea. [ And he's hoping you never do, Harry. Don't leave him to be the only one who thinks this is all bullshit. He needs at least someone on his side. ]

-- Someone said that we're supposed to be a flight crew? If that was the case, maybe they should've picked people better equipped for the job.

video.

[harriedosborn]

[ He smiles a little. ]

Impossible. More time here just makes it seem more constructed, if that makes any sense. Like they expect you to get complacent.

[ He nods. ]

A while ago. A replacement crew, I think he said, but I would bet the fortune I don't have that at least half the people here have never even seen a spaceship. If that's the plan, it's not a great one.

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[lockwood]

Everybody seems to get used to it eventually. Of course, how quickly the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in seems to depend on what you're used to dealing with back home.

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[harriedosborn]

Good point. And between discomfort and Stockholm Syndrome I'm not sure which is the lesser of two evils. [ A beat. ] A matter of preference, probably.

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[interns]

Harry Osborn of.. Oscorp?

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[harriedosborn]

Uh -- [ He smiles slightly, surprised; at least she didn't also tack on 'Green Goblin' like Tony that rude jerk from before. ] Yeah, actually. You know it?

voice; 100% encrypted

[parkours]

[ Oscorp. There's mentions of Spider-Man all over the network right now and Peter's mood right now is rapidly deteriorating, because answering them, trying to digest how to deal with this is not something he's ready for. Gwen's already asked about the connection to Oscorp, but that's not what Peter's interested in. ]

What do you know about Spider-Man?

voice; 100% encrypted

[harriedosborn]

[ Harry's quiet for a moment, squinting at the screen a bit, before he warily asks: ]

Why?

and imma let you finish but leah had one of the latest video responses OF ALL TIME, OF ALL TIME

[bloodplay]

[LOOK AT HOW LITTLE FRAME OF REFERENCE THIS GUY CLEARLY HAS WITH PSYCH WARDS AHA HA HA]

Hey yourself. Asking you how you're doing would be redundant -- but it looks to me like you're holding together alright. For what it's worth.

[harriedosborn]

[ Best thing to bond over am I right or am I right. ]

Still alive, anyway. [ H... ah. ] How's life in the medical wing?

[video]

[falsehoods]

[He's lounging against a wall somewhere, features set into a pensive frown.]

You may be right. This may all be but a fevered dream.

[video]

[harriedosborn]

[ He nods a little, automatically. ]

It might be fevered. It might not be. For all we really know.