3% Video;

[doc_holi]

[Doctor Holiday appears on the screen in the lounge of her apartment complex (Building 2, if you must know) and she looks rather worried. Every now and then, her eyes will glance off screen.]

I know this sounds ridiculous, especially for the time of year, but have any of you-?

[She turns around quickly, before slowly looking back to the screen.]

I think I'm just really paranoid or... someone's trying to prank me? I don't know, I just-

[She turns again... Then quickly glances back to the screen.]

Am I the only one seeing things?

[Holiday realizes how crazy she seems in that moment...]

Comments

[doc_holi]

To be honest, the events occurring lately are making me reconsider the prank option I had at the start of all this... Insanity is possible, even for a vast number of people at the same time, seeing as we're in a completely new environment, for the most part, against our will.

The timing is throwing me.

Considering everything I've seen and been through, perhaps your theory truly is sound.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

Mass hallucination implies manipulation from an outside source, which implies motive. I do not see what could be gained from causing hallucinations like these.

My theory... [here his facade cracks a little.] I have heard the minds of these beings. They are humans. They are frightened.

[doc_holi]

[After thinking on his words... she takes a moment to blink at him.]

... Pardon?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

I have heard them telepathically. Their minds are frightened. I do not know more than this, but I intend to scan more closely. Aiding them may be important.

[doc_holi]

... You're a telepath? [That's something new, oddly enough.]

I know this is off topic, but have you ever heard of Nanites or EVOs?

[someonetowatchoveryou]

Yes.

[His head tilts again at her question.] Nanites are a form of nanotechnology, self-sustaining, self-replicating machines that follow a simple programme. I do not know what an evo is and I suspect that this does not have anything to do with the present topic.

[Interestingly, he does not sound judgemental of this.]

[doc_holi]

[Some, but not enough. He's not from home.] No, you're right. I'm sorry. I was just checking on something.

If these... people are scared then, we need to figure why and what of.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

There is no need to apologise. I suspect you asked these questions to find out whether I am from your universe. That is only natural.

Telepathic communication with the entities was... difficult. Their minds were not coherent. Use of cross-universal communication technology may prove more successful in finding these things out from them.

[doc_holi]

It was. Thank you for understanding...

I could find or create something like that, but access to the materials needed or any scientific labs around here are prohibited by the guests, as far as I know.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

I have noticed that they do not wish to speak to us, but I cannot understand why. Co-operation would better suit our circumstances.

[doc_holi]

That would be the logical approach... They've admitted that they are hiding certain details from us, but I'm starting to think they're hiding more than they're letting on. I don't like it.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

I suspect that standard investigative techniques will yield very little.

We may need to proceed with any plans without the native scientists. The available technology here is... nearly sufficient for repurposing.

[doc_holi]

Nearly, yes. At any rate, working on something would take my mind off of my, uh... visitors.

Do you have any prior experience with this sort of thing?

glaaahh... late late late.... >.<

[someonetowatchoveryou]

I do. I have assembled devices out of twentieth century electronics before. I needed to remove someone from time. Ultimately, I did not use the device, but I did successfully assemble it.

[Wow. No filter there, at all.]

Np!

[doc_holi]

... Oh.

[Remove someone from time? What? Who is this guy?] Okay, well, it's sort of in the same ballpark... unless you're thinking of removing these things from time, as well, as you put it.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[Oh, that's a story if you've got a few hours to kill. He's willing to tell it, though, as he's quickly realising that 'forthcoming' is an advantageous thing to be in this place.]

[He actually ponders the idea, though.]

I do not think that would necessary. However, I am confident that I can create a multidimensional communications device. It is probable that we will not have an opportunity to use it for these beings, but it is also very probable that the need for it will arise again.

see, I do the late dance, too XD

[doc_holi]

[She would love to hear it someday. His knowledge seems to exceed hers, but she doesn't usually play with time and such things.]

I'm not familiar with this sort of technology, but I can get you any materials that you need. I agree that something like this will more than likely be needed in the future, especially if these... things get worse.

It's a very awkward dance, like a drunken quadrille.

[someonetowatchoveryou]

[He nods once.] Thank you.

[After a beat, he takes a breath, as though convincing himself that, yes, he should ask this.]

Would you be amenable to meeting in person in the near future to discuss this?

[doc_holi]

Just tell me where and when. I'll be there.

[That would be a yes, good sir.]