-8- [Video]

[twoton21]

[What is immediately seen is a muscular but still somewhat overweight man with long hair staring at the screen looking SO EXCITE you guyz]

I kinda expected to see my old bunk back at the Monarch's place when I got here, but this is much nicer, Admiral. Kudos to you! [Thumbs up!]

I cannot believe I'm back. Seriously -- I am so, so fucking stoked. You guys have no idea. I mean, I haven't thought much of this place in the six months I've been gone, because I kinda forgot about it over time, but even 24 wouldn't believe me when I told him about it. Imagine a figment of my imagination telling me the rest of you were exactly that. It was totally insane.

The best part? [points at chest with thumb] I'm a Warden now! No graduation necessary; I did the graduating back home!

[Thought occurs to him.]

Oh right. Hi other newbies! Call me 21 for now. I haven't really settled on a new code name yet, but I'm tossing around 'The Viceroy'. I dunno, might be too gimmicky. [And he slingshots to the next subject] So is Snape still here?

I asked the Admiral to give me a copy of my updated file so he could see my progress. No more henching, not for the bad guys anyway! I was still kinda messed up about some things in my life even after I left here, but I got it all in order on my own -- even if this place totally helped. I'm in the best shape of my life, I've got real friends, and before I start probably the most epic job ever, I'm gonna see if I can't balance out my karma a bit more here with you guys!

[And that's where all the excitement tapers out of his expression, almost like he was just getting it out of the way, and now he's all seriousness]

...So uh...why's the main deck look like a survival horror game? Are we in Silent Hill?

(ooc: So 21 has no idea how inappropriate it is to come in here all excited when there's people vanishing and creepy shit happening. FEEL FREE TO CALL HIM ON IT. He may actually have some good ideas on what to do.)

Comments

[gotgreenmagic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Snape's around. Inexplicably married to Martha now.

I can't believe you came back here by choice.

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Why not? It's not any worse than --

[You can almost hear the sound of a record skipping.]

Married? To -- [sputter] Snape can't be married!

[notiaraincluded.livejournal.com]

[There's a whole lot in there that he could say something about, but he's gonna start with what's possibly most relevant.]

Your name is a number and you were somebody's henchman?

I wonder if that's how HYDRA works too...

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

There is an increasing aura of...hauntedness...overcoming the Barge at this moment. The condition of the Deck, flickering lights, doors locking us out and then rattling and banging as if something is on the other side, mysterious whispers, beings seen out of the corner of one's eye...and what seem to be communications net malfunctions. We've all been experiencing at least some of these, and I'm certain there is more.

Pairing off or grouping up as much as possible seems advisable to me, but then again, I am in no authority here.

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

[rubs the back of his head]

No, I have a given name. But nobody really goes by those in my line of work.

[doubletake]

...Did you say HYDRA?

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update on that. So it's probably temporary, but the Admiral announces floods, right? Has he said anything on the subject so far?

[notiaraincluded.livejournal.com]

I guess everyone dressing the same would make it hard to go by names.

Yeah, HYDRA. You actually heard of them?

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

Temporary but in this case drawn out by comparison, and intensifying. Those capable of fear are getting gradually more unnerved and I am concerned about the long term effects on them.

[Hm, did he say"concerned" about this lot, and in public? There is a confused pause. Then he shakes it off.] There has been no announcement, which is unusual and even more unnerving.

[gotgreenmagic.livejournal.com]

You might wanna check your facts with Dr. Snape-Jones.

BTW, what's happening on the Barge is pretty much called October.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

You have been here as an inmate?

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Riiight, gotcha. So things just tend to get Halloweeny around here, kinda like the Valentine's stuff, right?

...Have to say, if that's all it is then the Admiral's being kind of hardcore about it right now, isn't he?

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Hell yeah, I've heard of HYDRA!

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's a test of some kind? He didn't really pull anything like this when I was here.

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

That's right. For a whole grand and glorious thirty some-odd days.

[notiaraincluded.livejournal.com]

You must be from my world then.

[So unprepared for the 4th wall breakage.]

[gotgreenmagic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, little bit. Not that he's exactly known for his consistency. Last Halloween? Totally civilized port in modern-day Salem, then costumes, then everybody turned into what they dressed up as.

Year before that? Human sacrifices.

[feels-no-love.livejournal.com]

If it is a test, it is a very mysterious one. [His accent thickens with his consternation.] I am never one to shrink fro a challenge, but I would like to know the rules.

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Nope! But I've always wanted to visit.

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'll definitely watch my back, then.

...Sso, how've you been holding up? Half a year, I thought you'd be out of here by now. You've got a good head on your shoulders.

[notiaraincluded.livejournal.com]

Oh, so you just know about it but have never been there?

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

...I'm starting to think probably the less said, the better.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

And yet it 'totally helped'? [That sounded so odd coming from her.]

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I met some great people here, saw some interesting things, got to hear some outside perspectives -- and y'know, it's kind of a wake up call to be pulled out of your normal environment and told point blank "These things need to change or you're going to Hell", pretty much.

[He raises an eyebrow]

Sorry, you look familiar. Do I know you? [Unknown to her, he doesn't actually mean KNOW as in you've met, you've hung out and had coffee, so much as he'd ask about knowing who an actor is on television.]

[notiaraincluded.livejournal.com]

...okaaay?

[twoton21.livejournal.com]

Probably wise. So what's with the Dracula accent, mister? What are you in for?