video; @Qubit

[superposition]

[ Though Qubit generally prefers text, he's found that for whatever reason, people seem to think he's more sincere when he uses video. So he goes with that - you only get one first impression. ]

Good morning, Anchor. You may have noticed a grocery store, of all things, has appeared just outside the main airlock... Ah. I'm Qubit, by the way, should have led with that. Anyways, I've taken the liberty of scouting the place out, and I have good news and bad news.

Good news - near as I can tell, the food's still fresh. Bad news - that's more than I can say for the customers. If you do go, don't go alone, and be ready to defend yourself. It turns out the place has a bit of an undead problem.

[ He shrugs, as if to say "because of course it does." ]

On the plus side, the radiation levels are rather lower than I expected. I'd still recommend suiting up if you can, but you should be all right provided you don't - aah!!

[ As he was talking, something whirred in the background, and now a laser bolt hits the wall not a foot from his head. Startled, he drops the comm, but his voice can be heard receding in the background. ]

Son of a bi- [ the feed ends. ]

Comments

[braidmage]

I'm not gonna lie to you - it sucks. But there are benefits to being a mage. I'm just glad I didn't have to grow up hearing them.

[ Which is already an answer to Qubit's next guess, but Reynir confirms: ]

Completely quiet when it comes to trolls, although there's the odd spirit around. But usually they're just minding their own business. Iceland is the safest place on Earth. Maybe the only safe place, actually.

[superposition]

[ Right, as they've established. Okay. ]

Going back to the Illness - can you tell me a bit more about how it progresses? Other symptoms, is it bacterial or viral, that sort of thing? Just so I know what to keep an eye out for.

[braidmage]

I can do my best, but I'm not a doctor or an expert. I might get stuff wrong.
Onni may be able to tell you more?

[ He's doing his best to answer abstractly, not think about Tuuri at all. But... he isn't succeeding. ]

I don't know the difference between what's bacterial and what's viral.
I know the Illness is contagious. People can be infected for a few days or a week before they show any signs, but they can still infect other people with breathing and touch and stuff. In the Silent World, the two of us who weren't immune had to wear breathing masks when there was a possibility of contagion. And you can get infected if you get injured and it gets in your blood.

[ Like what had happened to Tuuri. Hardly a foot away from him. No, not thinking about it. ]

The first sign is a rash. That's the thing to look out for. There's other symptoms later. Vomiting I think. Fevers? Mikkel said something about growths on bones and joints but I don't know how you'd see that from the outside. And you can keep an eye on how cats are responding. They can sense anything nearby that is infected and they freak out. So people keep cats around for safety.

[ Was that how Tuuri had known for sure? Had Kisa hissed at her? Reynir feels like he can remember that, but he's not sure. Had she had a rash yet? Were her bones aching, did she feel warm? How many signs had there been before she'd made her resolution? ]

Sorry I don't really wanna talk about this anymore right now. Maybe ask Onni.

[superposition]

[ Since they've been texting, Qubit doesn't actually realize how much the topic is upsetting Reynir until he suddenly cuts it short. Even then, it takes him a second. ]

Quite all right, I'll speak to him. Thank you, Reynir, this has been very informative.

[ ... and a moment later: ] I hope I haven't upset you.

[braidmage]

[ He has and there's no denying that without lying, but Reynir can manage a short, direct explanation, at least. ]

It isn't your fault.

My friend got infected. She died. It wasn't very long ago.

She was Onni's sister so he might be sad about it, too, as a heads up.

[ Just so Qubit is prepared. ]

[superposition]

[ Oof. Yeah, that does explain it. ]

Noted.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[ ... this is maybe not a good time to go back to the volcano story, then. ]

[braidmage]

[ What's he even say to that? There is nothing good to say to that. ]

Thanks.

[ Yeah that was definitely weird but saying nothing felt rude and Reynir can't think of any other options. As for the volcano story, he's forgotten all about it, swept up in a wave of grief. He'll have to remember to bother Qubit for the details some other day. ]