video/spam

[paradoxlol]

[Private to Perry]
Someone's going around infecting people with a virus. Have you noticed anyone sticking you with anything lately?

Check in as soon as you get this message.

[SPAM for Ariadne]
[Arthur is sitting by the bed, a glass of water in one hand and a cool washcloth in the other. He dabs at the sweat on Ariadne's forehead, then offers the glass.]

I really think we should get you to the infirmary.

Comments

[buildindreemz]

[She takes a sip of the water, her eyes bright with fever - but also fear. And she grips the sleeve of his shirt tightly as he takes the glass from her again.]

No. I can't - they'll attack me. [Like white blood cells attacking a virus, she thinks, and the very thought of leaving the safety of the cabin has her shuddering with fear, not just fever.] Please, don't make me go...

[paradoxlol]

[He sets the glass down on the nightstand and takes her shaking hand.] Ariadne, we don't know how much worse this is going to get. [Not that he assumes rationality is her strong suit right now, so reasoning with her, he figures, won't get him very far. Instead, he tries to change tracks and appeal to her delusions.] I wouldn't let them hurt you. I promise.

[buildindreemz]

Nonono, they'll hurt you, too. [She grips him tighter, not wanting him to leave.] We have to get home. These projections, they know about us now. They won't - [She ends on a cough.]

[paradoxlol]

We are home. [It feels weird to say that, since he's never considered the Barge "home." But isn't that what he and Ariadne made for each other here?

When she coughs, he hands the water back to her, his other hand still holding onto hers.] There aren't any projections here, just other people.

Do you trust me?

[buildindreemz]

[She's still gripping him tightly, sipping at the water, her eyes still fearful.]

I do, but. I know you're right, I know, but I still feel...

[paradoxlol]

Hey, it's okay. I know what it's like. [What with the Overlook.] We'll get you through this. It'll pass.

[buildindreemz]

It's getting worse, Arthur. I don't - What if I start to think you'll hurt me? [She remembers the Overlook, too.]

[paradoxlol]

[He frowns. Her thinking that wouldn't exactly be without precedence, after all.] Then I'll call one of the doctors. They can help you manage the symptoms. We won't have to go to the infirmary; we'll take care of it here.

[buildindreemz]

No! [Her eyes get wide with fear again, her face getting paler.] They'll hurt me. You won't be able to stop it. They'll do terrible things to me, please...

[paradoxlol]

Okay. [He squeezes her hand.] Forget I said that. We'll find our own solution.

[buildindreemz]

[She studies his face, fearful.] Arthur. Am I going to die?

[paradoxlol]

I don't know. [And he hates admitting that.] We don't know enough about the virus yet. How long it lasts...

[buildindreemz]

What if I get worse? What if I start being afraid of you?

[paradoxlol]

I won't stop looking after you.

[buildindreemz]

I don't want to feel that way, Arthur. [She frowns, thinking.] A death toll might be better...

[paradoxlol]

I thought it was when I was in your shoes. [And in retrospect... he'd do it again. But that doesn't make this easy to talk or think about.] Or you could hold out for a cure.

[buildindreemz]

How long will that be? [She grips his arm tightly.] Arthur.

Private

[hatestriangles]

What the fuck is this, Arthur?

Private

[paradoxlol]

Some asshole with a syringe and access to I don't even know what. Nanites or something.

Where are you?

Private

[hatestriangles]

Is it contagious? Is it spreading by itself?

Private

[paradoxlol]

It's as contagious as rabies is. So you'll be fine unless someone bites you.

Private

[hatestriangles]

What are the symptoms? Don't lie to me.

Private

[paradoxlol]

Fever, hallucinations, paranoia. [At least, that's what he's observed in Ariadne so far.] I need you to stay calm.

Private

[hatestriangles]

Stay calm? You know what this looks like.

Private

[paradoxlol]

I know what it looks like, and that's why I'm telling you to stay calm.

Private

[hatestriangles]

How? What am I supposed to do?

Private

[paradoxlol]

Stay in your room and wait for this to blow over. It'll pass.

Private

[hatestriangles]

You want me just to hide in here?

Private

[paradoxlol]

It's the safest option. Why, what do you want to do?

Private

[hatestriangles]

I don't know. Something; anything. I don't want to be stuck in here. I can't just wait.

Private

[paradoxlol]

Look, sometimes the best course of action is to stand back and let other people handle things. There's nothing that can be done yet, not unless you want to join the investigation.

Private

[hatestriangles]

How do you know it's nanites?

Private

[paradoxlol]

Another warden ran some tests. That's about all we know about the virus.