[ video ; open ]

[how_i_tease]

They said this isn't the end of the world. Sure had me fooled.

[ The image hovers strangely, like the device is floating in front of him as he lights up a cigarette. The man in the feed is scruffy and pale looking, with thick coke-bottle glasses. He runs a hand distractedly through dark, shaggy hair as his gaze flits to the side to take in the ruined city around him, peering this way and that. ]

Woke up to worse, though.

So any word yet on what that's supposed to be?

[ He turns the camera to point towards the domes in the distance. ]

Comments

[how_i_tease]

So what'd you do to piss them off?

[equivalent_trade]

Piss who off? The government?

[how_i_tease]

Whoever put you on that ship, little man.

[equivalent_trade]

I told you I don't know who put me on the ship. And don't call me little!

[how_i_tease]

Sorry! Sorry!

[ He holds up his hands in surrender. ]

Well obviously someone had reason to, that's all I'm saying. So what do State Alchemists do that might piss someone off?

[equivalent_trade]

'Alchemists work for the people'. Except everyone thinks State Alchemists are sellouts who gave up their morals for money and prestige.

They're kind of right, I guess. Anyway, there's a long list of people that don't like us.

[seesobserves]

A poor substitute. A cheap imitation. Never gets the job done quite as well.

It may be presumptuous of me, but [He points at the camera, and thus at Tyki and his cigarette.] I don't suppose you've brought enough to share with the class?

[how_i_tease]

So no way of narrowing down the list? That's not good.

[how_i_tease]

Oh, these?

Sure, you want some, I can roll a few more.

want to go to a log, or actionspam?

[seesobserves]

I would be grateful. End of a world, after all. May as well go out smoking.

action works fine

[how_i_tease]

My thinking exactly.

...is there a way to give locations with this thing? Ah. Anyway. I'm around all this...

[ And he gestures to the background. ]

Think you can find me?

lights, camera, etc.!

[seesobserves]

[That brings a smile to Sherlock's face. There hasn't been enough time to acquaint himself totally with the Old City, but if he goes by Tyki's relationship to the dome, the angle of the shadows...]

Ten minutes.

[It takes him a bit longer than that. Slight miscalculation on travel time once he'd worked out where he needed to go. He emerges from behind a ruin, approaches with a glance at his watch.]

Eleven minutes, ten seconds. [He pulls a disappointed face, but it's not serious - he's actually not so broken up about it. Still getting acquainted.] Appreciate that you waited.

[how_i_tease]

Hey, you're only human. I wasn't counting.

[ Tyki's lounging on a broken bit of stone, lodged against a wall. It provides a comfy, bench-like perch...or as comfortable as it gets, anyway.

With a crooked grin he brings out a freshly rolled cigarette. ]

As promised. Need a light?

[video]

[knightoflight]

I've been told that that's where those who started the war live.

[seesobserves]

No.

[Sherlock may not have his own cigarettes, but he does have a lighter, which he produces before moving to lean against the wall next to Tyki's perch.

He closes his eyes on the first drag, making it slow and controlled. His relief is still obvious.]

[how_i_tease]

Looks like you've been in need of one for a while.

[video]

[how_i_tease]

Well, that would fi--

[ Stare. ]

Whoa. Are you...?

[seesobserves]

Weeks.

[Of course he'd been using patches during all that time, but now he's been deprived of even those for forty-eight hours.

He supposes he could make some attempt at conversation. Part of his expression of gratitude.]

You say you've woken up to worse?

[how_i_tease]

When I say 'worse', I think I mean 'weirder'. Not 'in greater ruin'. Just so we're clear.

[ He scratches idly at his chin, head tipping up with another puff of smoke. ]

Thinking of heading down after a while, sniffing out a good place to hide. Maybe some food. Figure out what's what. What about you?

[video]

[knightoflight]

[...blink.]

Cybertronian? Do you know my kind?

[A bit eagerly; is it possible this one recognizes his design?]

[video]

[how_i_tease]

...no, not a clue.

[video]

[knightoflight]

Oh. [He should have known better. ]

You are from the ship, then?

[Maybe Wing will get this one right.]

[video]

[how_i_tease]

Yeah, I...

Are you a machine or something? This is gonna get distracting.

[video]

[knightoflight]

Er...yes? I suppose I could be described that way?

[equivalent_trade]

Well, if we're talking about people capable of sending other people into space, I don't know of any.