genessia | video

[ The feed begins in a dark room - there's moonlight through a window somewhere offscreen, but not much else to illuminate the feed. There's not much to look at - a simple folding chair is all that's really in view for a little while, though there's the sound of shuffling footsteps in the background for a moment. Finally, a figure makes its way to the front of the camera. A giant, heart-shaped figure.

That's right. It's Huggy Heart.

He gives the camera a happy little wave before turning a bit, shifting back and forth as the person inside gets to work on taking the costume off. It's not a fast process - the stupid thing was pretty cumbersome - but eventually he manages to get the zipper in the back open, and with a bit more shifting around the costume falls to his feet.

Mercury stands there, hair a bit mussed and in a plain black t-shirt rather than his usual jacket. ]

Whew! That thing was not built for comfort.

[ He kicks the costume aside dismissively, falling back into the chair with his legs splayed out. ]

It was nice getting out and about for a while, though. That carnival was...

[ His smirk falls a bit. ]

Well, let's be honest. Pretty lame. Decent food, but not much else going for it. Didn't really wow me. Three out of ten at best. What I'm getting at here is that I'm bored.

[ He leans forward, elbows resting on his knees, narrowing his eyes at the camera as he lowers his voice. ]

Me and boredom are a baaaaad mix. Some of you might remember that! So consider this a heads-up that I'm going to be hitting the streets again. No more costumes, no more sneaking around. That lost its luster a while back. Just me and a few cities worth of friendly faces to mingle with. Can't wait to meet some of you face-to-face.

[ He leans back again, crossing one leg over the other - his pants and boots, at least, are the same as usual. His expression returns to his usual smirk, tone casual. ]

All that aside, anyone know any good jokes? Come on. Make me laugh.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ... oh my god is she actually falling for this.

Awesome. ]

Oh, it's a whole bunch of people.

I had heard that there were many a dangerous group here... I am sorry that you have had to hide because of that, as well.

Are you certain you will be all right now? They are not still here and targeting you, are they?

Oh, they're still around. I just don't care anymore. If they want to try something, I'll meet 'em head-on.

In that case, I wish you all the best. No one deserves to be forced into hiding because of someone else being unable to take a joke.

Oh, don't worry about little old me. I'll just have to be funnier next time.

... What was this joke, if you do not mind retelling it?

Well... it's not really a joke that works if it isn't told in-person. Ruins the delivery.

I am not sure if I understand, but I suppose I will have to take your word for it.

[ She shouldn't take Mercury's word about anything, but like she knows that. ]

I hope you remain safe regardless.

Time will tell.

[ spoiler alert: he won't stay safe, and frankly that's way more fun anyway ]

So. Got a name, or should I just make one up?

My name is Adela. May I know yours?

[ One of these days she's going to remember introductions sooner than this. Today, unfortunately, is not that day. ]

Nnnnnnnope.

Well that is hardly fair...

That's why you don't ask for things. People can't say "no" if you don't ask.

True, but nor will I learn anything of this place or the people here if I do not ask. I would rather take the risk.

Kudos on the no-risk, no-reward attitude. But taking the risk doesn't mean you automatically get the reward, either.

You say that as if I have no experience in failure.

[ A sigh before she lifts one of her hands up to the camera -- calloused, marred, with many scars from burns and cuts. ]

I am not someone who would stop simply because of failing to get results in one attempt, whether it is in my craft or with asking questions about an unfamiliar place. Success would not be so great to strive for otherwise.

[ He studies the feed for a moment as she shows her scars, eyebrows arching a bit as he utters a low "huh". He isn't particularly fazed at the sight of them - mutilation happens pretty often in a world full of man-eating monsters.

It's not like he doesn't have scars of his own, so to speak. ]

Make no mistake - I'm not even remotely surprised that you have experience in failure.

[ APOLOGY IS NEVER HAPPENING ]

But, who knows. Maybe your persistence will pay off in the end.

[ That really rubs her the wrong way and she twitches visibly, but apparently she's not pursuing it right this second. ~~AN APOLOGY WON'T KILL YOU, MERCURY.~~ ]

It generally does.

Or it'll get you killed.

[ He offers a lazy shrug, running a hand through his hair. ]

Who knows!

I am still alive thusfar. I would like to believe I am a little harder to kill than some would assume.

[ Not that she hasn't survived on sheer dumb luck before, but still.

She leans back then, and the mun is finally making a note that she's in bed and it seems like her hair is still damp, as if she's fresh from the bath. ]

While still alive, I may as well continue forward and continue to try. Do you not feel the same, considering you are apparently coming out of hiding?

Pffft! Nah.

[ Her serious response is met with casual dismissal. ]

I'm not interested in moving forward or anything like that. I'm just bored.

In a way it is still moving forward. After all, you are not letting your life be halted any further even if it is for the sake of curing boredom.

[ Forever serious. She might be annoyed at the casual dismissal, but she still thinks he needs to hear it and give himself merit for that. ]

[ god the last thing this boy needs is support and an ego boost.

... or rather, it's something he needed a long, long, long time ago, and it's too late for it to help any now. ]

Fair point! In the end, no matter what, I gotta be true to myself. Or whatever.

[ The notion that Mercury could have been a goodie goodie with that kind of speech is disturbing. ]

Right.

I suppose I have taken enough of your time, nameless man. Even if you were crass about it, you were at least kind enough to give some answers, and for that I thank you.

At the very least, you alleviated my boredom for a couple minutes. And for that...

[ A pause, a shrug. ]

Mercury.

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