003 | video;

[notthesecondworstfighter]

[Still not having learned his lesson about showing his face, the feed starts and immediately gives its audience a view of a helmeted face. Despite all the questions he gets about it, he still doesn't even think about it before starting the video.]

So I'm sure this has been asked before. Probably a lot, actually. A lot of you might be sick of answering it, even, but I'm curious.

[That's a good way to start one of these things, right? Let everyone know they'll probably be bored by what's coming? That'll really draw people in.]

How long have you been here? And what's the longest someone's been here, if anyone knows? [His head tilts just slightly, giving him an inquisitive look. However, his voice flattens a little as he continues.] I'm just kind of looking for an idea of how long I'm going to be here. Though with this place, I'm betting the amount of time varies too much for any sort of pattern.

[He'll just huff over that for a minute because man, he'd love for there to be a pattern or some clear schedule to this sort of thing. He hates the disorder of it all so much.]

Comments

[notthesecondworstfighter]

Seriously? You're the second person I've spoken to who's been here for that long.

[Which does not bode well. But-- No, wait, back up. What was that?]

Wait, wait. Back? You were gone, but it brought you back?

[paper_knight]

Yes.

After...maybe a day, by my count. But I'm told I was gone a month, here.

That's fairly common--people leaving and coming back, and the time discrepancy.

But the three years is on the longer end of your average stay.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

I've heard of people leaving, but I hadn't realized they could come back. It's definitely not something I like to hear, though.

[The possibility of finally getting out, only to be dragged back a month, or even a year later is just uncomfortable.]

From what I've heard so far in the way of responses, that's kind of the idea I'm getting. I hadn't even realized there were people who've been here for more than a year, though. Geez.

[paper_knight]

I'm sorry. I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

Not really. But, I'd prefer the honest truth over some comforting lies, so thanks.

[paper_knight]

You're welcome.

Anything else you want to know, while I'm at it?

I feel like if nothing else good comes out of my being here, at least I can help people...sort things out. Find the patterns you're looking for.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

That's really nice of you, thanks.

Well, I guess... Do you happen to actually know the longest someone's been here? I'm seeing quite a few mentions of three years, but do you know anyone who has ever been here for longer?

[paper_knight]

...Off the top of my head, there's a high school girl named Santana who was here when I arrived. I don't think she's ever been gone more than a week or two, so she should remember everything. It's been at least four years for her now, if not more.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

Yeah? Four years? That's the longest I've heard so far. ...Hm.

Okay, one more question. If you don't mind, of course. Have you ever noticed changes in the people who've been here for a long time? I just think being stuck somewhere like this for more than a year or two might have some mental consequences or...something.

[paper_knight]

I...yes.

[Washington's hit upon something that Mark worries about.]

I might not be the most objective observer, but--apathy, paranoia. I've seen both.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

[...Damn. It's not what he wants to hear, but that's not to say he wasn't expecting to hear something like that.]

Figures. I mean, I can see those being big ones around here. How bad have you seen them? Like, just slightly concerning, or major, full-blown issues?

[paper_knight]

There's a range. Depends on the person. What they...bring with them from home. What happens to them here.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

I guess. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Depends on what kind of baggage a person has.

[paper_knight]

Exactly.
I'm...hoping that being aware of it helps, too.

[notthesecondworstfighter]

That...would definitely be a big plus. You can't go crazy if you know it's just Wonderland that's crazy, right?

[paper_knight]

That's the idea.

I'm not sure if it works.