Deer Country Network

[Maul's posts as of late had been a bit more lighthearted as he tried to set up his brother on a date and spoke of a memetastic grumpy batcat. But he'd been waiting for this day to come and so his face was as grim as if he was at a funeral during this post. His followers had been on the alert, watching for the signs, and had come to tell him that what he'd feared most had come to pass: Sidious was back at full strength and starting to possess people again in Trench. He couldn't put it off any longer. He had to warn people of what was coming.]

I come to you with the gravest of news. My former master, Darth Sidious, also known as Emperor Sheev Palpatine to some, has arrived in Trench. Many of you already know what that means, either through viewing my memories or listening to me talk about him. For those who do not, he was the man who raised me and turned me into....this. [The one word encompasses all of Maul, his psychopathic personality, the anger and pain he'd held onto for so long, his life being completely ruined by his master, getting turned from a person into a weapon and now spending the rest of his life trying to heal from that.] If you think I am dangerous, he is ten times as worse. He is pure evil. There is no reasoning with him, no way to appeal to any goodness that might reside within him, for he has none. All he has ever wanted in life is to gain power and he doesn't care how many people he must hurt or kill in order to do that. He's destroyed entire planets and every living thing that resided on them in order to do so. A city full of people is nothing to him if he wants to ascend to ultimate power.

Only his spirit has arrived rather than his physical body, so he is currently traveling from one body to the next as he tries to find a form he can take over for good. I have yet to discover a permanent way to banish him but I am open to suggestions. In the meantime, take whatever precautions you must in order to protect yourself and others. Trust me when I say if death is the only option, we must take it. You cannot afford to give him a chance, for he will brutally kill you if you give him one. Better to kill someone then allow him to remain and tear Trench apart at his whim.

His eyes look like this. [Maul closed his for a moment and channeled all the old anger he felt towards his master. When he reopened them, they had changed from the grey-brown color they had been holding steady as for the past three months and were back to the Sith yellow color they had remained for so many years.] They remain that color no matter who or what he is possessing, so it is a way to track whose form he is in. Please let me know if you spot a person or monster that has those eyes and I will deal with it.

[That euphemism of course meant that he would kill Sidious if he had to. Maul had gone over a year without killing anyone in Trench but he knew he couldn't afford to use kid gloves on his master. He'd need to be brutal and swift. He went to turn off the Omni and then paused, remembering one last thing he wanted to say.]

Oh, and Anakin? --The annoying whiny older one that is, not the annoying weird younger one-- if you try to interfere with this? I will stop you. That's not up for negotiation or debate. I'll kill you if I have to and keep you as a squid in the ocean to keep your idiotic devotion to this man from causing this situation to get worse. That is all.

[Then he does go and turn off the Omni for good this time.]

[OOC: This is the kickoff post for the Palpatine in Trench player plot! Feel free to interact with Maul, threadjack others to talk with them, or just head straight over to the log post to get started. As a reminder, Maul doesn't necessarily need to be involved in exorcising an NPC or character if you just want to do to something among two of you.]

[Maul looked immensely pleased and delighted with something just off-camera that he just had to share with the rest of the network.]

I have discovered it. The most magnificent batcat to ever exist.

[He turned the camera to face the batcat in question. It looked like....well....there was no denying it bore a shocking resemblance to a cat which had inspired a popular twenty-first century meme. The only difference was the batwings this one possessed, currently in a relaxed stance as it eyed Maul with feline curiosity. Other than that, the grumpy little cat was exactly the same as its long-ago predecessor.]

I will hear no arguments to the contrary. This creature is perfect.

Uhm, hi . . . My name is Ahiru.

I'm looking for someone. His name is Fakir. I . . . can't seem to find him? And I don't know where he is. Maybe someone can help me look?

He looks like this.

[ she holds up a picture. clearly a perfect artist's rendition of fakir. ]



He also scowls a lot and looks like he's bored, but he's very nice actually! He's a ballet dancer and uhm . . . [ ahiru fiddles with her dress. ] . . . I just want to make sure he's okay.

What's up, losers? Put aside your weekly mental breakdown for like two seconds and listen up because I've got a hella important message to make.

[ She takes a pause, like she's giving people an actual moment to stop what they're doing. This her attempt at being polite here. ]

It's only two more sleeps until it's officially National Give Chloe Price a Present For Being Born Day. That's me. I'm Chloe Price. It's March 11th, for those who don't know how calendars work. Don't forget, I hold grudges for life.

And before I get the small talk "Aw, how old are you gonna be?" shit: 22, which is the awesome age of not being a fucking child, so the next person who calls me "kid" better be old enough to actually be my parent or I'm punching you in the teeth.

[ She's fine. It's fine. This isn't a sore spot for her or anything.

She takes a breath. That's probably good for her to do. Except that as she does, it's easy to feel fucking exhausted. Practicing with her blood powers this month is not leaving her up for her usual angry outbursts. ]

PSA over. Is there like a quick energy fix in this place? Red Bull? Monster? Fucking Starbucks Double Shots, I'll take anything at this point.

[ her feed turns on and there's ahiru, a girl, not a duck. ]

Uhm, so . . . I've been here for a year. Which is really long and I was just thinking that . . . it's been so nice. To be here. And to meet new people and try new things. Also make so many friends.

So, uhm, to celebrate . . . I'll give you a compliment! To celebrate everyone. And if I don't know you, uhmmm, I'll give you my best first impression!

[ she bows lightly. ]

( this little recording takes place between the misfire adventure argument she had with her sister, vi, but before the sleep farm hell grounds. the first thing one will notice is the girl's hair. it's blue, naturally but there are some red streaks along the locks. if anyone knows of jinx personally or face to face, at least, this means she is somewhat in a huffy mood.

but despite this, she is smiling but in a smug sort of way as she tilts her omni upward, so anyone watching can get a bird's eye view of her. it seems she is outside, AT FARTHER SHORES, to be exact. and maybe this time around, jinx will finally make an announcement or do something on the network that isn't chaotic. )

Hiya, hiya! Didya miss me? 'Course you did. 'Cuz not havin' your local "The Loose Cannon" around to excite your days will just be a set up for dullsville. And who wanna live like that?

( wiggling her eyebrows and clicking her tongue, she resumes on. )

I'm on my way to dive into the ocean! ( she raises up her free arm to let it transform itself into a squid tentacle to do a brief "the worm" motion.)

I had a BLAST idea that maaaaaybe there's somethin' I really need and it's at the bottom. So I'm gonna swim for it.

( her arm resorts back to its natural state with an amusing hum in her throat. there's a slight skip-glitch in the video, but it's fine. we're fine. )

But! — Before I do that, there's a lil' game I gotta finish for a friend. And I need a volunteer for it. So...

( jinx lowers the omni so those can get a better look of her. the grin on her widens but with so much mischievous play in it. )

Who wants to make out with me? ( she giggles then before raises up an index. )

Before all of you jump, I got a few requirements. One. You gotta be the right age for this. I'm eighteen so... figure it out. Two. I swing both ways, all the more lovin', right?

Three? If you DON'T blow my mind like I'll blow yours, I'll hang you up to dry.

( what... does that even mean? she won't tell. )

So when you're ready — ♪ Baby, come get it! ♪

( and now suddenly singing: )

♪ I want you to be my entertainment. No, no, no. Don't keep me waitin'! ♪

[The video starts in Disaster House, so there's quite the odd assortment of skulls, weaponry and nick-knacks that are obviously visible in the background. Reaper was just putting the finishing touches on a braid for Ahiru's hair, adding a bright yellow bow to the end of it which matched her yellow dress that she wore.

She was seated and he seemed to loom over her sunny self like a dark shadow, but unlike other times he might make a network appearance, he was issuing a low growling hum of a tune as he finished setting the scene that he decided was best.

Wraith, who was recording early on purpose, finally made a low sonorous cry to announce that things were under way.

Reaper looked up from where he was fussing a bit with some of her hair that defied gravity and immediately crossed his arms over his chest to be menacing. He also made certain to send Wraith a scathing look before he was clearing his throat in a raspy growl.]

I’m cooking you the next time you record without a cue, Wraith. [He forced himself to relax.] Are you ready, Ahiru?

[She shifted in her seat, smiling at the peacock and giving an awkward little wave at the Omen.] I-I think so, Mr. Reaper. If you’re sure…

[He set his gloved hands on her shoulders lightly, but anyone else might see the gesture as menacing or maybe just overprotective. He’d promised he’d do this, and now he had worked himself up to just getting to it.] Greetings, Sleepers. Many of you know young Ahiru here, and if you don’t, well, consider this an introduction. Don’t get ideas about hurting her because I will remove your skin with a grapefruit spoon….

[Ahiru stared with a twitching brow, patting his hand lightly.] Mr. Reaper…

Ah. Right, to the crux of this post. Ahiru is seeking love in these parts, as she should. If anyone considers themselves worthy enough to take her for a nice gallivant, step up now. [He pointed an accusing finger.] The rules are: she must be home by nine. She must be unscathed. She must be happy. If any of you dare bring her home unhappy, there will be consequences. [Another pointed finger at the Omen recording.] And keep your hands in your pockets, gentlemen. This is for love not a touchy-feely opportunity

[Ahiru has started that awkward kind of laugh that kids get when their parents are embarrassing them, now avoiding looking at Wraith. Soon enough, Ahiru begins to fidget for a moment before looking at the camera with a smile.] Uhm, this is just — I mean, hi! My name is Ahiru. I practice ballet. I like music and uhm . . . bread! I'm also kind of a duck really, but I'm also a girl and maybe we could . . . spend time together? [She sneaks a glance at Reaper, a little emboldened.] But I have to be back by nine!

[Reaper issued a low chuckle and patted her lightly on the head. It was as close to fondness he might show anyone publicly.] As the lady says. Don’t be shy… [He ends his part with a dangerous laugh.]



[OOC: Reaper is in red & Ahiru is in yellow. One or both of them may reply to comments.]

[ there's a new arrival to trench. when he speaks, there's a hint of fang peeking out from his mouth. other than that, he seems rather ordinary, save for the pale golden eyes and his clothing — though it'd fit right into trench's stylistic choices. ]

I wish to know . . . what kind of life have you chosen to build here? And why? What do you seek out of it?

CW: Body horror, assault

[The video started with a young man leaning over to assess the creature in question, but Luke's expression was already shifting from empathetic concern to alert and aware of something being off about the situation he found himself in.

In the trees, the shadows seem to deepen and thicken and all the birds stop their singing. The forest seems to go still as the shadows of the trees seem to move, dropping down to the forest floor and black smoke in tendrils crawl along the ground. For a single moment, it might even seem like a few had feet before the tendrils took on a more slithering appearance.

Luke had stood straight and turned towards the shadows and the hilt of the lightsaber came to hand.]

Who's there?

[Suddenly the smoky tendrils withdrew like they had been burned and a black creature that had little shape shot forward. Many eyes, a few mouths with shiny white teeth appeared in seemingly random places all over the black-body. Just as suddenly a gloved hand shot out of the whirling thick smoke creature of twisting tentacles, eyes, mouths. The gloved hand might look familiar as he closed around Luke's wrist holding the lightsaber.

A disjointed laugh echoed through the mass of black smoke, teeth sharpening and eyes widening all around. A voice sounded from many mouths, layering over top of each other.]

Ah ah ah... there's no need for toys.

[Black tentacles crawled around the ground to wrap around Luke's ankles then up legs as the Jedi struggled and fought to be free. Suddenly the consolidated mass of black smoke billowed forward to envelop the brunette like a noxious living cloud. The way the smoke was forced to puff out here and there indicated the continued fight going on unseen.

Smoke whirled like a miniature tornado, stirring up leaves, snapping twigs, and throwing small pebbled around. The hilt of a lightsaber rolled out from the smoke, and then there's a soft mournful call of a bird before the video ended abruptly.]

[OOC: Luke is in green & Reaper is in red. Replies will likely come from both of them.]

( In which Vira-Lorr accidentally hits live instead of record... )

WAIT.... WAS THAT LIVE?!?

[In the wake of Paul's warning, Raleigh hasn't been able to rest. If the beast doesn't come then at least they're all prepared to scramble, but if it does come and they ignored the klaxons? He'd never be able to forgive himself. 

If you've been down to the waterfront you will have seen the hive of activity. The tents full of strategists and logistic stewards. The fighters training. The engineers building away. You might have seen Raleigh, himself, trying to help where he can. 

You all know Raleigh, don't you? The bean guy. That nice guy who lives all the way out in Ache on a chicken farm? He comes into town once a week and sells eggs and fresh chicken in Willful Machine, accompanied by his omen Spaghetti the raccoon (Fritter's mother, if you want to know) and occasionally his long time partner Chuck Hansen. But that isn't the Raleigh you get today. Today you get a man who is willing to humiliate himself for the war effort, filmed by the unseen, snickering Australian, who talked him into it.

Today you get him shirtless with his hands on his hips, standing on the foot of a mech the size of a skyscraper. He is in peak physical condition with abs you could wash your clothes against. His hair is done for once, his face is shaved, and there is strategically placed mechanic's grease for added intrigue. 

Welcome to Propaganda Raleigh.]

Citizens of Trench. My name is Raleigh Becket, I'm a Jaeger Pilot here as part of the levithan defense corps. 

[A small sigh. They have done this so many times and he was dead inside by the third take. Chuck giggles off camera and Raleigh gives him a very pointed look.]

This, is a Jaeger.



[He gestures and the camera pans up and up and up. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and nearly two thousand tons of mechanical whoop-ass. The kind of machine that could level Trench in a heartbeat. Or save it. The camera pans back and he itches his eyebrow. There's grease on his finger and it leaves a black smudge. To those with very keen eyes, the sheen across his chest highlights a series of intricate burn scars that spider across his right side like computer circuitry. It is what it is.

Listen, we need your help. The engineers here, Hunk and Asami Sato lead by Chuck Hansen, have figured out a way to keep Striker's size and power but we need darkblood to sustain it. A lot of it. Together we can use the energy to steady not only Striker Eureka here, but the Paladins of Voltron's lions too. And a second Jaeger, if we had the pilots...

If this monster really does come, then we're running out of time. Look around you. All of this, your closest loved ones, the lives you've worked so hard to build. If this monster is as bad as we think it is, then we could lose everything. Speaking as someone who has? You don't want to.

Together, we can end this without the monster ever making landfall. We can protect our city and we can win.

So, please. If you're a darkblood or you know a darkblood that would be willing to contribute power or blood, come see me or Chuck or anyone down here at the camp who can direct you to the Jaeger Bay.

[Replies will come from both Raleigh Becket and Chuck Hansen]

[Maul looks very serious but also with a touch of the cat that finally caught the canary as he starts the video.]

I thought I would just give a formal announcement that I have broken the curse which has been on me since Deerington. For those who didn't know about it, it caused me to feel pain whenever I harmed another sentient being. But no more.

[He sounds extremely pleased by that. Though any traces of glee are soon replaced by a murderous expression on his face, his eyes hardening until there is only fury in them.]

If any of you feel like being clever and immediately trying to put another leash upon me, I would advise against it. I didn't retaliate this time but next time I will kill anyone who tries to meddle in my life, whether or not it is my own hand that ends your life.[Maul's got enough people in town who he knows would eagerly kill for him if he asked them to, his brother and mate both chief among them. While he usually prefers to do his own dirty work, he's not willing to put himself through another eight months of being muzzled.] Or I shall simply make your life so miserable that you wish you were dead. After all, most sentient species contain around two hundred to four hundred bones. Consider the fact I know how to break each and every one of them. Or how most species will continue to survive as long as the brain has oxygen and the hearts continue to pump blood regardless of what else is done to their body. Just a thought.

[He pauses and adds on a little at the end.]

As for the three that did it? You already know I don't forgive and I don't forget. Run and hide if you like. I'll come and find you soon enough.

Why hello there!

[Snow White is in her kitchen, which is really pretty standard. This time, however, she's not surrounded by food that is being jarred, pickled, or dried. Her army of animal friends is around her, per the norm. The more observant will notice that Snow has on an apron and has several stray bits of dough and mixing bowls around her.]


Several friends of mine have asked, and I thought, well, why not offer it to everyone!

I would like to offer baking and cooking lessons to everyone who might want them, oh not these friends mind you [Snow gestures to her animals.] they already know how to cook! [Because of course they do]! I can teach you the very basics, or if you'd like, much more advanced lessons as far as I'm able to!

I think everyone should be able to cook. I can teach you how to cook outdoors as well! It's very easy to start a fire once you know the steps.

The only ingredients we won't use are apples, but if there's anything else you've always wanted to learn, I'd be happy to try and help you!

[A songbird tweets something and she turns to look at them.] Hmm? Price? I haven't thought of one, I'm sure we can figure something out. [In that, it will be very likely Snow will ask for nothing in return because she does that.]

I look forward to helping you on your cooking journey!

[When the video comes up, it shows Reaper and Luca on the cold and frozen beach together. Whoever's filming them is standing back and very low to the ground, seeming almost like they're trying to stay out of sight. Luca is bundled up just in case, even though he's wearing Fern's sun pendant which keeps him warm, and is starting to do some stretches.]

You know...I know I've seen people on the network call you a monster before, but I think they're wrong. I think you're actually really nice. You're teaching me how to defend myself, and you helped me get around all those traps when people were hunting vilebloods, and when you lived in the house with us you cooked food for us every day!

[He shifts positions and goes into another warm up stretch.]

I think they're just scared because you look scary. Like how people are with sea monsters back ho--

[With one of the stretches, he turns his body enough to spot the individual broadcasting this.]

Camilla? What are you doing?!

[The video starts off with Maul smiling which everyone who has been in Trench for more than a few months will realize is never a good sign. Fortunately, he's not here to terrorize everyone, just be a troll and gadfly to his mate.]

Hello everyone. Since I'm sure he'd never tell you himself, I'm here to inform you that Reaper has just turned sixty. That's right, he's officially OLD. There's nothing for him but going downhill now, becoming more decrepit and decaying and plodding along until he just drops dead one day or I mercifully smother him with a pillow. [He's still got that wicked grin on his face but he's managed not to laugh so far.] I suggest you all send him birthday wishes, preferably from a safe distance away or over the Omni since otherwise there is a very good chance he'll try to blow a hole through you with one of his shotguns.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go stay one step ahead of him so he can't find me and do the same. [He can't contain himself any longer and there's a cackle of delight as he turns the video off.]

[Good late morning, Trench. Have a REALLY excited Usagi (what else is new) who is finishing up wrapping something with a giant pink bow. She waves to the camera.]

HEY EVERYONE!

[She grins wide and big, fang-free for those who might be aware of what she's been going through the past few months.]

Do you know what today is?... Don't say Sunday.

NO! TODAY IS MAKOTO KINO'S BIRTHDAY!

YES! That's right! The amazingly beautiful, strong, talented, protective, best cook in all of Trench and I WILL fight you on that if you try to argue with me otherwise Makoto Kino has her birthday today!

So don't hesitate to wish her a happy birthday!

And for those of you who DO want to get her a gift... not that she expects one because she's Makoto and she's super humble like that, but if you want to get her something! Then she likes any and all cooking supplies, anything with pink roses on them, or hey pink roses themselves, or potted plants, and tigers!

[Maul looks very grim when he starts off the video.]

Since some of you might wonder where he is and since he had messages for me to pass along to some of you, I'm here today to tell you Wesker is dead. I killed him.

[He quickly goes on before any screeching or condemnation can start being thrown his way.]

It was not out of malice, amusement, or anger. It was an act of mercy. The zealots took him and by the time I found him he was little more than a corpse but somehow still breathing. There was no hope for his recovery.

[Maul's eyes shut for a moment, still seeing the eviscerated body lying on the table that looked more like an autopsy victim than someone still alive, lungs and heart able to be seen and still working despite all that had been done to Wesker's body by those seeking his blood.]

I'm not sure how he lasted even that long with what they did to him. I ended his suffering. Hopefully, he will be back in a short time.

[There is a private message afterwards which is only sent out to a handful of people. Vira-Lorr, Luz, Orpheus, and Ariadne.]

He asked me to pass on a message to you.

Content Warnings: Hospice care, mercy killing/medically induced death, allusions to substance abuse, eye horror/descriptive disease like symptoms around eyes, allusion of visible disease/infection.

---->

( Read more... )

[The video turns on and it’s Usagi, Varian, and… Maul? Yes, Maul, all in her living room. Usagi is sitting on her couch.

She waves to everyone with a bright and cheery smile.]

Hey everyone! Usagi Tsukino here! It’s October! And it actually hasn’t been awful! Isn’t that AWESOME?! [Both Usagi and her Omen, a margay cat seem excited, the cat letting out a happy chirp of a meow while Usagi pumps her fist in the air.]

Anyway! Even though we’re not all dead from starvation, insanity, or literally drowning in corpses, I know some of you are still struggling to get a good night’s sleep! Well!

May I present to you a really great solution to that problem!

[Usagi uses both hands to gesture to Maul.]

You all know him as… well I’m sure by many names, but this is Maul for those of you who don’t know him and for those of you who don’t call him nice things. Maul will be able to help you sleep!

And not by killing you! I should emphasize!

Maul, why don’t you explain!

[Maul looks rather grumpy and like he’d rather be anywhere but here. But he starts to talk in that whisper-soft voice of his slowly, sounding a bit reluctant as he does so.]

The Dark Side of the Force can be used in many ways. It’s not magic but spiritual energy, something many of you here fail to grasp. It’s not always dramatic like moving things around without touching them or breaking someone’s leg in two just by thinking about it. I can go into someone’s mind and use the Force to help quiet it down, making it pliable to the suggestion of needing sleep. Think of it as using deep meditation to allow your body and mind to rest. It is not painful and takes very little time in the grand scheme of things. Should you need me, I am at your disposal.

[Then he gets a familiar glint of anger in his eyes and his voice hardens.]

But if any of you want to take this opportunity just to tell me how it’ll be a cold day in hell before you take up my offer for help, you can save your breath. I won’t sit here and listen to your judgment--

[It’s at this point that Varian interrupts to keep Maul from digging himself into a hole. The boy himself looks marginally better than he did in his last network post. He’s still looking a little haggard and his skin’s still not a super colour - but there is a tiny improvement. He clears his throat, doing his best to save Maul from himself. ]

Uhhhh, what Maul is trying to say that as a sign of good faith that he’s trying to steer away from the...literally murdering people thing and that he wants to work on being a...uh functioning member of society here- he’s willing to help people out with their sleep problems.

[He knows this is a hard sell, rubbing the back of his neck.]

He helped me out? I mean… I know I still don’t look great, but at least I’ve managed to get some sleep? Which I haven’t really since I got here because...being a coldblood is just that fun. Yay. And I get a lot of you don’t trust him, heck, I didn’t- I’m one of the people he literally killed once.

[He pauses, clears his throat. This is going great.]

Um! But what I mean is, everyone should have a chance to prove themselves if they want to change- and no one’s gonna be able to do that if you don’t give them the chance to do that. Sooo, yeah, we’re willing to vouch for him- in the whole...sleep helping process. And that he really is trying to… well, make good here?

[Usagi is staring at the both of them in disbelief, having had to resist covering Maul’s mouth several times with the way he keeps insulting people. She lets out a sigh at Varian’s "recommendation" and wonders how both of them are THIS BAD at convincing people of anything.]

The both of you are terrible at this. [She clears her throat.]

In any case! Yes, that is… basically the idea here, and! Maul helped me out too! I was having a really hard time sleeping last month but he was very kind in helping me, using the method he just explained, to get some real sleep, oh! And I’m a Paleblood so this DOES work on other blood types since… it’s a mind thing, not a blood thing.

And… yes, we are also working on Maul not insulting people in every other breath but this seemed like the more important matter… so… ya know, baby steps, we’re getting there.

So please don’t hesitate to ask if you need help!


((OOC: Usagi is pink Maul is red and Varian is blue. All three are available for response))

[The video feed opens in Varian's creepy basement lab where health and safety regulations go to die. The boy himself isn't looking that great, his skin has a grey-ish tinge to it and he looks more exhausted than usual. But that's fine, he's fine. He turns the camera around to take in some sapphires on his workbench. Some are soaking in various chemical substances, some are under a microscope, some are in various steampunk-y machines: it's clear some testing has been going on. ]

So, Flynn was kind enough to give me some of the crystals that grew on his corpse during...whatever weird new thing death is here. [He doesn't sound as excited about this as his usual projects and anyone who knows about his deeply unfortunate past will know why.] I have experience in creepy, magical death rocks -no...no I'm not going to elaborate on that- so I decided to study them. They seem to be crystalising the actual cells of the body- so not just a separate coating. I also found traces of warmblood within the crystals themselves, which I think is what Flynn is? A-anyway, it seems they're working on a cellular level, like they're what jumpstarts the reversal of the cell degeneration after death- so- so it's possible they're what reverses then entire process.

Anyway, moral of the story is, they're probably super important in resurrecting people so maybe don't mess with the process when it's happening? Of course, without having any other samples to compare this to, it's all conjecture right now.

[A beat, he turns the camera back to himself, grimacing.]

Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to. Please don't take that as encouragement to get yourselves killed in the name of science.

[Another beat, then he waves a hand airily.]

Thaaaaaat said, this is October, so statistically, there's a high chance that a not-insignificant portion of the population will be dead by the end of the month. So...if you wanna donate your death crystals for science then, that would be less...morally grey. Probably? Probably.