[video]

[tachikiru.livejournal.com]

[At first, there's nothing visible on the feed, and the only thing audible is two moogles conversing.]

He looks dead if you ask me, kupo.

Maybe we should poke him with a stick and see if he moves, kupo?

Kupopopo! Not me! He looks shadier than a Treno pickpocket. You want a knife through the gut? Look at the weapons he's carrying!

I don't think he can attack anyone in that condition, kupo. I'm amazed he made it this far.

[Then the camera cuts the banks of the healing spring in what had formerly been Evil Forest. There's a trail of blood from the edge of the water, leading to a body entirely in black nearby, motionless and ravaged by multiple wounds. There's even a tear in his face mask, though it's not enough to reveal his identity. The only thing indicating the man is still alive is the shallowest rise and fall of his chest.]

Does anyone know this guy, kupo? I think he's a new arrival.

I think he's crazy, pulling himself out the healing spring like that. Does he have a death wish? We should shove him back in, kupo.

[Finally, the figure speaks. His voice is hoarse and fainter than is normal from blood loss, but his meaning is clear enough.]

Leave me...

Kupo! He's alive! Run! [The two startled moogles scurry to hide behind a tree, one of them still clutching the Sky Phone, and the feed ends.]

Comments

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

I'll have you know that Shadow is not crazy!

[Huffs.]

He doesn't just like being with people much... Anyways, can you put him back into that healing spring? He looks absolutely dreadful!

[tachikiru.livejournal.com]

It doesn't sound like he wants to be in the healing spring, kupo.

But what if he dies, kupo? We'd be in big trouble!

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

Shadow? Can you hear me? Let the moogles help you! You can be cured!

[tachikiru.livejournal.com]

[Some distance away from the moogles, Shadow moves his head fractionally to indicate he can hear him. The old man's no fool; surely he realises he pulled himself out from the spring on purpose?]

I wish to be... left alone...

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[Frowns.]

And what of Interceptor? Are you just going to abandon him?

[tachikiru.livejournal.com]

He can take care of himself... [And he has Relm. The dog's not stupid; he'd find his way to the girl if he could.]

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

...By the way, where is he? I haven't seen him.

[He doesn't doubt that for a minute. Strago knows how much Relm loves that dog.]

[tachikiru.livejournal.com]

He went on without me...

[...In Kefka's Tower. Shadow hasn't realised this is an entirely other world, yet, and Interceptor isn't here at all.]

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[Then it hits him.]

Oh, goodness. He must be in our world, looking for Relm and I. Poor thing.