Video post from the Bureau

[tramitis]

[A new face from the Bureau appears on the screen - this is Ms. Garcia. She appears exhausted and stressed.]

This last week we investigated a disturbance referred to as 'the corruption' in the other universe. Today we can confirm that it has spreed to our universe. We have examined a number of individuals and monitored their symptoms. We can say for sure it is not a virus, bacteria, fungus, or pathogen of any kind. How it spreads is unclear to us at this time. We haven't ruled out a supernatural explanation.

We do know its symptoms,

[She reads from her clipboard.]

Which are as follows:

- Excessive violent emotions
- Compulsion to act on violent emotions
- Bloodshot eyes, with yellow-red tinged irises
- Sunken, darkened eye sockets
- Excessive sweating, though fever is not a symptom
- Nervousness and agitation
- Exhaustion, although individuals still seem to sleep a normal schedule
- Blackened veins showing through skin; however, when blood is drawn tests find no abnormalities.

[She looks up from her clipboard.]

We have heard reports that there are some measures a person can take to prevent catching this corruption. We are currently studying to see if these methods help so we can give a more definitive answer.

[She returns to her clipboard again.]

- Mindfulness techniques and meditation, to make yourself consciously aware of your emotions and to exercise self control.
- Selfless service to others, helping those in need.
- Possessing one of each stone from the other universe's Stone Festival will ward off the corruption

[She looks up from her clipboard again and lowers it]

No one has died from this condition that we know of. However, the compulsion to act on violent emotions is concerning. If you are experiencing symptoms of this corruption, we ask that you come into the Bureau building and seek our help.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

Re: text

[neverjedi]

[ Good thing this is text - that he burst out laughing isn't obvious. ]
I have a couple of students who are a little under 2, but technically they're toddlers, not babies.
Balance is complete shit, though, mostly because their heads are still too big. They tend to be better at falling than adults though - less likely to hurt themselves.

[Why is he engaging with this? Who knows.]

Nothing since the first that's knocked me out, and nothing since the first that replays over and over in my dreams with increasing clarity. Definitely some that intrude and they all seem to carry emotion over into this life, which gets awkward.

text

[serpentinthegarden]

Well, they are closer to the ground.

[ He is a man with a sense of humor! ]

That can get awkward... Especially if you are dating a girl but discover new feelings for a guy you have just met.

[ Very sage nod. ]

I've been there. They all have been so vivid but every now and then there is a memory that takes everything you thought you knew and knocks it on it's ass. I could do with less of those.

Re: text

[neverjedi]

Seeing someone and discovering feelings from memories sounds awkward as hell. Might be time to talk about nonmonogamy.

[And also, as a second message:]

So could I. Cutting a guy in half was a little much.

text

[serpentinthegarden]

Too complicated. Besides I doubt Grace and I would ever really have worked out. We are just different people. Which... doesn't seem to be a problem for Fell and I.

[ That second message, wooo, had him wincing the greatest wince ever winced at a phone. ]

You better be exaggerating about that.

Re: text

[neverjedi]

...Fell was a demon?

[ That was how he read it, yes, but. ]

Not exaggerating. In half - horizontally, at least.

[serpentinthegarden]

Him? Nah, he is more of a demon-summoning magician or something.

[ This was the current theory. ]

That's terrible. The worst sort of memory I've heard anyone have.

[neverjedi]

If it helps, it wasn't particularly gorey. There was the feel of the blade going through and of course the smell of burning, but the blade... cauterized effectively enough to limit any mess.

[serpentinthegarden]

I don't even want to read anymore of this. Signing off!