02. video; un: jsims

[itknowsyou]

[ It's been months since Jon Sims was on the network, and this time, he's in the frame alone. The alleviation of Corruption couldn't come a moment too soon for this guy, apparently: he still has the haggard, hollowed-out look of a man who hasn't had a real meal in months. There's something profoundly unsettling about his eyes, which are too deep and too green. He never seems to blink. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Jonathan Sims. I am a researcher of what might be called 'the paranormal,' and... a survivor of the place known as Deerington. I've been working with several others to maintain an archive of topics and artifacts relevant to Sleepers, kept beyond the control of the Pthumerian Never Mind.

[ He doesn't even try to mask his distrust: he clearly isn't a fan of the patrons. ]

We are developing a secure location to the north of Trench, though [ impatiently ] I cannot recommend visiting without the use of traveling Lamps. The walk back to town is... not ideal.

More to the point, I am making a request for information. [ This is where he gets cagey, tense in the way of a man hiding something. ] The Archive is now undertaking an effort to create a comprehensive catalogue— a bestiary, I suppose— of recurring threats in Trench. If you have had a particularly upsetting or perilous experience with any being in this city, we would like the written record of your experience. Please submit accounts via text to this network address.

[ It's the second time he's hit the network to ask for personal stories. Those who respond might find themselves writing (or speaking) more freely than they planned to, flashing back to the memory in detail— though in this low-Corruption month, the effect isn't too intense. ]

Thank you.

Comments

Altair's so judgy lmao, terrible man

[theflyingone]

So she chose the chaos of Beast attacks instead. Well, she wouldn't be the first to hide something in, say, bandit- or soldier-infested lands.

[ It helps that the Assassins are formidable enough to be a menace of their own. Not a compliment. ]

Is it all right if I do not have a clear description of the being I encountered? The attack happened very fast.

[itknowsyou]

[ Impatiently: ]

Perhaps she preferred simpler threats to creatures that treat humans as playthings. Yes, please write whatever you can recall.

[theflyingone]

[ It's almost comforting, the waspishness of an academic directed at him. Maybe it's why he spends so much time in the Archaic Archives. ]

Another thing. There was another with me. Must I identify this person?

[itknowsyou]

Refer to them however you like. If we need to contact them for... follow-up, [ it's been a long time since he bothered with that premise, and he stumbles on it now, sounding faintly uncertain ] you will be contacted if at all possible. All that matters is we take down the encounter itself in detail.

[theflyingone]

[ There are various reasons a person may stumble over their words. Introversion, difficulty socializing, lying... Altaïr is not suspicious, but he marks it all the same. It is a background process his mind tallies up as he goes about talking to people. ]

I will strive to provide what detail I can.

[ He is not looking forward to typing it all out, considering he only learned how to type when he arrived in this land... ]