SECOND | video

[gilding]

[The feed clicks on to show Gold clearly sitting at a table somewhere, an apron on over his suit. He isn't looking at the camera - a bad habit of his, or maybe it's deliberate - and seems to be working on something, though the angle of the camera means what, exactly, is out of frame. For a moment it seems like maybe the device just clicked on accidentally, but then Gold finally starts speaking - tone perhaps a little more terse than most have heard from him in the past.]

As charming as I'm sure we're all finding these story exchanges, I'm afraid I'll have to break the topic with a reminder of our current circumstances. More specifically, leaving and returning.

[A pause. Too late to stop now, but he still really doesn't want to air this out so openly. It's messy.]

I've heard that several of you have done it, and no, I'm not going to ask how. I believe we're all fully aware it's out of our hands. [He definitely sounds annoyed there, though he doesn't linger on it.] I'm more interested in the details of the experience - how long you were gone for, whether time had passed there, whether you remembered the Tranquility and whether any other unfortunate passengers that you happen to know were absent. That sort of thing.

[Another pause, and he finally turns his attention to the camera.]

Any answers will have my appreciation. But if you don't subscribe to the free flow of information we seem to have adopted here, I'm sure some other recompense could be arranged.

Comments

text;

[romanticism]

[ This is not a conversation that could be conducted with either tone or facial expressions present, as far as Oxford's concerned, so he falls back on his least used means of communication. It takes a little thinking, though. ]

As far as I can describe it, leaving the ship is not entirely pleasant, particularly if you find yourself returned to it in due course.

permavideo;

[gilding]

[Text isn't exactly Gold's preferred medium, and usually he might say something about it - but when this seems to be someone that can answer his questions, he won't press in a way that might have them turning reluctant.]

I'm fairly certain staying on the ship couldn't be described as entirely pleasant. [But Gold really isn't concerned about the pleasantness of the experience either way.] Did you remember?

permatext;

[romanticism]

Not a thing, which is part of what makes it so unpleasant. The ship becomes a part of you, whether you like it or not, and to come back realising that you've spent however much time at home oblivious to what you experienced here can make one feel rather hollow.

[gilding]

Do you think, then, that would have changed your actions? If you'd remembered. Or would you simply have been glad to live free of this place?

voice »

[adlered]

I wouldn't call the flow of information that free. Though, I suppose I don't exactly count as someone who can answer this from the perspective you might be looking for.

[ And never let it be said that Irene Adler can't drag taunting someone with knowledge she knows out. ]

permavideo »

[gilding]

[He recognises that voice. And of course he appreciates subtlety. But sometimes he also likes just plain calling it out.]

But you'll happily make it sound as though you can answer from another perspective.

permavoice »

[adlered]

[ If she sounds amused, it's because she definitely is. She could respond to the calling out like she imagines he thinks she will, but she knows better. At least, to a point. ]

Perhaps, but then again, I haven't heard a question about it cross your lips directed toward myself yet.

[gilding]

I find it hard to believe you have difficulty taking use of open avenues when you come across them.

video.

[ex_question191]

Not to block up your free flow, but you know, not everyone remembers the last time they were here. I mean, if it was even me at all, and not some alternate universe me.

video.

[gilding]

It's an unfortunate set of options to have to pick from. Is that the one you'd prefer?

video.

[ex_question191]

For it to have been someone else entirely? Yeah, pretty much. Kicks responsibility to the curb.

video.

[gilding]

But raises another series of disconcerting questions. They can't have been someone else quite entirely, after all.

look how i tag this post with NEITHER of the characters I said I was going to tag it with

[killarevolution]

[Haymitch wouldn't answer this, except it's the one thing he can't get his head around about this place, so might as well actually start trying to work that out.]

I went into the pods one day, woke up back home. Didn't remember anything about this place and just went back on with my life for a few months.

When I got back here, it was like I hadn't been gone. Different people will tell you different things. Some of them come back and think it's the same jump they left on, but it's a few jumps down the line and their number is different.

Personally, I don't think anyone really leaves, but I can't explain that six months I wasn't here, so what do I know?

[gilding]

Different people and different things doesn't mean there's any less of a pattern. If there is one at all.

[There's always a pattern. Though that isn't exactly what he's looking for right now. He's just trying to get some idea of what he might be dealing with now Regina's gone.]

Perhaps the dispute isn't so much leaving as being let go.

[killarevolution]

How do you mean? [It takes him a minute. He barks a laugh when it finally hits him.] Ah-ha. Like letting the game it doesn't want out of the trap?

[gilding]

If you want to think of it in terms of hunting. [Gold can't say he likes that idea, but he doesn't like anything about this place, so it's a little moot.] It does imply some overall intention to our situation.

text.

[incubo]

is it important for you to remember this place when you leave?

permavideo

[gilding]

In the sense of something significant having happened here, no. In the sense of preferring my memory isn't tampered with, yes, I'd say so. I doubt there's anyone who would feel content with the prospect of something being erased like that.

[jilt]

And what sort of recompense would you offer, were I to have a story to share?

[gilding]

That would depend entirely on the usefulness of the story. And what you place worth in.

[jilt]

Such subjective terms. I tend to prefer things to be a bit more concrete.

[gilding]

A shame that there isn't a more concrete market for you to attempt trade in, then.

[northerner]

I myself have never left, but I've several acquaintances who have gone and come back. Some remember this place, and others have no recollection. It seems to have little pattern but the ship's whims.

[gilding]

Whims often have some of the most distinct patterns, I've found.

[northerner]

And have you noted one, in your short time here?

[ it's only short when compared to how long others have been, but still. ]