Network Video

[dr_riley]

[ Months after anyone has seen or heard from Drake, a video appears on the Network of a young man who looks agitated and a bit frazzled - so nothing unusual, really. He's in the only place with which he's gotten completely familiar and more or less comfortable (the research lab) and looks more or less the same as he did the last time anyone saw him, save for looking like he's just rolled out of bed but hadn't gotten any sleep, and a few scrapes and bruises on his arms. His military drab jacket has been swapped for a light blue t-shirt with alien writing on it and anyone who knows him might notice that he's now wearing a wedding ring and that he seems hesitant and stilted. ]

He- uh. Hello. Everyone. This is Doctor Drake Riley, and... [ Though he tries to start strong, there's a definite frightened quaver in the back of his throat. ]

I um.

I'm going to get right to it. I've lost a lot of time, and...and I don't know where it's gone. [ He runs a hand nervously through his hair - ah, this is probably why it looks so messy - and the air sparkles with little red heart confettis and glitter. ] I don't know how long it's been, I don't remember....anything. Wasn't there snow on the ground?

I'm - uh... I'm here at the research laboratory, everything looks the same.

Can anyone-

Did something happen?

Comments

[tyrants_son]

[Felwinter waits. Patience is something he has in droves, and when Riley says his name, he acknowledges it with a nod.]

...the nightmare.

[His optics seem to narrow at that, but he again nods, if more solemnly before looking away from the screen for a moment. That is not something he wishes to revisit either.]

You did not go back? I have heard that some vanish, only to return from their place of origin, changed only by experience in whatever length of time they have continued then before finding themselves here again.

[dr_riley]

[ Drake puts both hands down on the counter and leans forward. ]

That sounds awful. Going home just to get dragged back here again? Bloody cruel.

But no, I...I don't know, I don't remember. [ He runs a hand through his hair again. This time, the glint of his ring catches his eye and he freezes...then holds his hand up close to the screen. ]

I have this, though. I don't remember putting it on, but I didn't have it here before. And - where is it - [ He twists around, looking for something that he finds on the counter behind him. ] THIS. [ Again, he holds something up to the screen. It's a photo of a pretty red haired woman and two children. It's not hard to guess who they are. ] This is new.

[tyrants_son]

I will not claim to understand the reasoning but I do not think the Agrii have control of these matters.

[He lifts his head slightly as Drake brings these items into view.]

Gifts, perhaps. A good while ago the Agrii set up some sort of celebration to signify a new year. Gifts were given to those here, personal things, it seems.

[dr_riley]

[ He puts the photo down and raises his eyebrows ]

Does that mean I've been here the whole time, then? Or that they knew I'd be back?

[tyrants_son]

I do not know the answer to that.

[dr_riley]

[ He takes a moment to let the unequivocal finality of that sink in...and looks more defeated than he should. ]

...no. No, I don't suppose you would.

I don't suppose anyone would.

[tyrants_son]

It is frustrating, but there are unfortunately little enough answers to be provided for many things here. If you are unharmed and can still remember things at all, then I would count that as fortunate. Perhaps explanations will come in time.

[dr_riley]

[ He makes an unpleasant face, suggesting he doesn't agree with that at all, but agrees anyway. ]

It could be worse. Not by a lot, I reckon, but it could be.

Right. Time.

...

One can hope.

[ He looks resigned instead of hopeful. Then a light clicks on in his eyes. ]

Time. If my tablet stayed here, it'll have timestamps on any energy or atmospheric changes it's picked up. Thanks, talk soon, have to go.

[ He reaches forward and clicks the camera off ]