Leon S Kennedy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
needsabreak) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
iterumnetwork2023-07-01 08:10 pm
needsabreak) wrote in iterumnetwork2023-07-01 08:10 pm
Entry tags:
[Network] username: leonskennedy | ota
[The camera angle isn't the most flattering, hinting that the tired looking young man isn't too used to camera phones.]
Hi. My name's Leon Kennedy. I'm new. I know a handful of people here are new too but some have been here before. I guess, I'm hoping to talk to a few people who are returning about the things you know about this place. Talking over this thing is fine but I'd prefer to meet in person.
Anyone who's returning who'd be alright meeting in person, I'll throw a drink on me into the deal. Your choice, beer or coffee.
Hi. My name's Leon Kennedy. I'm new. I know a handful of people here are new too but some have been here before. I guess, I'm hoping to talk to a few people who are returning about the things you know about this place. Talking over this thing is fine but I'd prefer to meet in person.
Anyone who's returning who'd be alright meeting in person, I'll throw a drink on me into the deal. Your choice, beer or coffee.
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[to action?]
Action
[ His tone curt and right to the point.
True to his word, Herbert was waiting at the café. Already in a booth with some coffee. The waitress knew he was waiting on someone. Time may have passed, but he used to be a regular here a few years back, and this was just normal. So Leon would be led over and offered a drink when he arrived.
The short scientist was writing in a notebook on the table, while he waited. His coffee ignored for now. ]
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He steps inside the coffee place, spotting the stranger he's meeting, and finds a server first. The server begins to immediately guide him to the table but he stalls and makes sure to arrange to pay the man's bill before he heads over to join him.]
Hey, sorry I'm early. I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me.
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He looked up when Leon spoke. Not really smiling but not glaring either, he motioned to the other seat. ] No problem at all, I see you are like me, the earlier, the better.
[ Nothing set him off more than being late. ] It is no concern at all, My name is Herbert West, this is my second time here.
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Yeah, I was worried I'd have a hard time finding the place and I hate keeping people waiting on me.
[He tries a sip of the coffee. Yep, coffee.] Nice to meet you.
And you said you have a job? You mean in the City, I'm assuming. You're not somehow traveling back and forth or something right? How long have you been here, this time.
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[ His pen set aside as he looked at Leon again, sitting back to cross his arms over his chest. ] Likewise, it is always good to meet someone else curious about what is going on here.
As for your question, I had a job here before, when I called in they went on and scheduled me. I am a doctor, I work at the hospital down the street. If I could travel home, I would remain home. Alas, I am as trapped as us all.
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Well, since you're a doctor, maybe you can help me out with something I heard about this place. Is it true that people don't stay dead? They wake up in the morgue? Do they come back... different?
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[ He felt that explained enough. He sighed a little at the question. Sitting up to take his coffee, looking Leon in the eye.]
It is very much true. I have not only seen it happen, but it has happened to me. Normally, you lose memories or something like that after, at least for a while. That did not happen to me. I was killed and then awoke again when everyone else arrived. Perfectly cognitive. They can be taken to the morgue, but even so, they will return to their bed and vanish from where they are after a few days when they awake.
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[Leon listens attentively as he continues, expression a carefully maintained neutral. He doesn't doubt that Herbert thinks he's spoken to someone claiming to be the Devil.
He looks genuinely shocked when Herbert casually mentions that he's died. He's hanging on every word.] That's it? Memory loss? Other than that... they're still themselves? They aren't undead?
Do you have any idea what causes that? Is it the City keeping us alive? One of the magisters mentioned that the reason we're here is because the City needs something from us, could it be keeping us alive?
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[ Taking a sip of his coffee as he kept his eyes on Leon. Studying the man, as he does with most people.
He waits until Leon has finished, his expression as neutral as ever, nodding with each question of course. ]
As someone whose has vast experience with the undead, I can confirm, they and I, are fully alive. There are no undead here. Vampires and some demonic types aside.
[ He paused a moment before adding. ] I wish I knew, alas, I have no answers there. Sometimes people vanish and don't return, but there is never a body in that case. However, I would advise to not trust the magistrates, besides Nina anyway. She is a good one. The rest are as crooked as politicians.
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Vanish? What do you mean?
You obviously remember them, so that means the City doesn't just erase that they ever existed. No body... Is there stuff left here? No... no messages left behind? Letters? Nothing?
[He folds his arms, expression darkening as he gives Herbert a nod. He doesn't really need to be told about the magisters. He'd immediately gotten that vibe.] You're preaching to the choir. But sometimes there's still something to glean from someone who only ever lies.
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Vanish, as in gone. I have known people quite well here who simply are there one day, the next. Daniel is fine examples. While most of us returned, he did not. His room at the Red Current is empty, but his items in the house we shared with his fiancé are there still. She is here as well. But it is like he was never here, yet was.
[ A moment spared to sip his coffee before continuing. ]
No messages, no bodies. Only items and memories of those left behind. If that answers a little better. As for those that rule us, well, I would damn near start a club to bash them, they can't be trusted, as I said.
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What was that like? You just woke up back home like you'd never been here? Had time passed? Did you have any proof you were ever here aside from your memories?
And, I get they're pretty shifty but... why do you hate them so much? All but, Nina, was it?
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[ Works clipped very logical explanation. Someone was refusing to himself dwell on it. ] Of course, I do not remember anything past being shot. It was as if no time passed for me, myself. No going home, no new memories, as some get when they vanish and return. I awoke in a dusty bed of my assigned housing as if nothing had happened, aside from old caked blood on my clothes.
[ There was the important question. ] The Emperor, the Duchess, seems to have replaced him. He lived to toy with us, never offering answers or insight, and seemed to enjoy watching us suffer. The others I have heard of were the same. Except for Nina. Nina was a wonderful woman. She seemed out of place for that crowd. She'd offer you into her home and talk to you as a person. While, she couldn't give a lot, but she listened and tried to help.
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[He quiets, trying to piece all this together. None of it seems to make any sense, no rhyme or reason to it.] I guess that means you didn't fulfill whatever purpose you'd been brought here for.
Do people only vanish because they die? I guess, there's no way of knowing that... [What with the vanishing and such.
His head hurts and the coffee definitely isn't helping.]
Sounds like you had a bit of a thing for her.
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[ He was not ashamed to admit that. ] Perhaps not, but I honestly do not care what they want me for. I would rather be home, or at least in my own time.
Sometimes, but some of those who vanish never would have been in a situation to be killed. So I don't believe they are connected. I may need more data there, though.
[ Herbert laughed then and shook his head some. ] Funny, but no. Never, not for anyone.
[ He sounded very serious when he said it. ]
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... You said you had dried blood on you and that the room was dusty... were you covered in dust? [He leaves some questions unspoken. Herbert seems more than smart enough to ask them on his own. If his deceased body hadn't been in that room and he hadn't gone home, where had it been? Leon doesn't know about his new acquaintance but he'd be pretty concerned by that.
On a more lighthearted note, he does get some wry amusement out of Herbert's staunch denial and he raises his hands in feigned surrender.]
My mistake.
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[ A moment spared to check his watch. The glass on it was broken, but it still kept perfect time. He had awhile left. ]
I awoke with the blanket fully over my head and all, but it was very dusty. I was not. At least until; I sat up and it settled. [ He had no issues answering the questions, after all, knowledge is important. And if they ever want to get home, working together was the only way.
Most likely anyway. Shaking his head some, clearly amused at that wry amusement on Leon. ]
Good, keep that in mind. Anything else you want to ask of me?
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[He's not really sure if it's significant or what it means but he is curious if this is what the others experienced as well.] Sure, if you wouldn't mind asking them. I wonder why your experience was different...
Actually, I do have another question. The City. It's... sentient, or so I've been told. Are you aware of any way to communicate with it? Or know of anyone who has tried?
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I will get back to you once I gather the data, of course, Mr. Kennedy.
[ He paid attention to that transmission. That was how he had Leon's last name. ]
I've heard that before, but honestly, I have seen no evidence of this myself. Speak to Devi D, she's been here longer than most I know.
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[He moves his cup of coffee experimentally, pretty sure it's only luke warm at this point but he tries it regardless, making a bit of a face.]
Devi D? Alright. [Herbert can't know this but Leon will meet up with her for one of the most aggravating and almost enlightening conversations yet.]
I can't really think of much else unless you can think of anything we haven't talked about yet.
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It's never good once it cools.
[ Herbert commented at the face Leon made. He might have no idea, but he knew the girls always showed up where she was needed. So he'd not be shocked too much if Leon updates him. Devi was the closest to a friend Herbert would claim these days. ]
That is perfectly fine, I should be heading out soon anyway. Thank you for your time, and please feel free to reach out to me should you find any info of use. [ Pulling a business card from his inside jacket pocket, he held it over to Leon. It was an old one but the info was the same. ]
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Sure, I don't want to keep y- [He blinks owlishly at the business card, taking a moment too long to reach out and take it.] You... have business cards... [It's less of a question and more of a statement of fact.]
Yeah, definitely. Nice meeting you. [Leon gives him a nod as he stands up and heads out as well with quite a lot to think about.]
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