three . video

[misconceived]

WHO Chris Halliwell
BROADCAST Accidental Fleet-wide video (thanks Atroma!!)
ACTION SS Huntress.
WHEN May 10th. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
WARNINGS don't play fetch with the soulball

[ The video is abrupt, the angle awkward. It cuts on to a comm laying on what appears to be a dining table in a fully upgraded kitchen. Chris is standing off-center, facing someone who is holding what appears to be a lightly-glowing orb in his hands.

This appears to be a very controversial thing, holding a glowy ball. ]

They gave you grandad?! It's a casino! Where the hell did they even get that?

Actually, where the hell do you even keep that now? Or... then. Back then? Whatever. How do you play slots to win your father's soul?

Comments

video;

[peacockherald]

<sub>[ Well, this... sounded quite personal didn't it? More than a little.

He coughed, to get the sender's attention. ]</sub>

Sirs... you do realize your exchange is being broad cast publicly? Though my congratulations on the return of your grandfather.

video;

[misconceived]

[ Chris startles, caught like his hand was in the cookie jar, and he turns to the comm. ]

Shit. How long has this been on?

Re: video;

[peacockherald]

Long enough for me and anyone else listening to know that somehow or other your companion won your grandfather's soul out of the slot machines.

_{[ He gives him a sympathetic smile and raises his hand in greeting. ]}

video;

[misconceived]

I... Okay.

[ There's only a moment of gaping before he pulls himself together. ]

This is, um... awkward. B-but, uh, I guess—has anyone else won something like this?

Re: video;

[peacockherald]

I cannot say for certain. I did win a small toy that looks extraordinarily like my Companion and feels like her.

_{[ Yes, the word Companion did have a capital "C" implied and used, Chris. ]}

So odd items might not be unusual. Souls are another matter though...

action

[devilsinthedetails]

[And of course it's Cole standing there with the glowing orb in his hands, cradling it carefully as if it was the most precious object in the world and to him, it is.]

I don't know, how did they get us, Kit? Maybe it was something similar, but since he's in this form, they just made him a prize without knowing what he actually was.

Come one come all, get your hands on this...glowing orb that could probably be used as a nightlight!

...Or something to that effect. And I kept him somewhere safe back home.

action forever;

[misconceived]

[ Chris is giving the soul some space. His movements are large and emotive, but there is restraint to them that keeps him from getting even close to the orb. ]

Yeah, but there's no way in hell you'd win him if it wasn't some kind of ploy. A game, or—a reward? Punishment? Who knows.

[ He's shaking his head, looking rather rueful. ]

We'll keep him somewhere safe here, too.

[devilsinthedetails]

[He notices Chris staying away from the soul and while he's curious, he doesn't question him on it just yet. There are more important matters to discuss.]

That's true. Maybe it's a reminder of home, a way to get us more likely to get higher ratings and win this game.

[Cole shrugs and lets out a soft sigh. It's kind of a relief to have his father's soul in hand once again after being without it for so long.]

I know we will, but I have to ask you. How did you recognize it so quickly?

[misconceived]

What, making sure we don't forget what else is waiting for us?

[ Chris kind of looks guilty, one shoulder coming up in a bashful shrug for the question. ]

Uh... we met once. I mean—it was like a birthday present. You let me hold him, and I don't forget family.

video;

[deptofsass]

[ Steve's first thought is that it looks a bit like a Rememberall, but less fancy. Still, he can't resist poking the video. ]

Granddad in a ball? Well, that's... new.

video;

[misconceived]

[ FUCKIN' VIDEO BROADCASTS dammit. Chris lets out a really aggravated groan. ]

Maybe for you.

[deptofsass]

Oh? Just a Tuesday for you, then?

[misconceived]

Well, no, but... it's a long story. Really long, really personal, and I'm ready to throw this thing out an airlock.

[ He's talking about the comm, not the soul. ]

Video

[save_the_souls]

[You know yelling about your granddad's soul over the network is just asking for the attention of your local Exorcist. Because SERIOUSLY?? Another trapped soul??? HOW MANY WERE THERE IN THIS FLEET? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??]

[And yeah, excuse him as he answers with his eye on, as he's trying to see if he can lock onto this particular soul to see if it's in pain or not. If the Huntress isn't parked at the casino station- it'll probably be out of range, STILL.]

I'm sorry to interrupt, [No he's not] but why do you have your grandfather's soul in an orb?!

video;

[misconceived]

[ HE DIDN'T MEAN TO, GOSH!! Chris turns to the camera, scowls, takes a deep breath. Huntress is parked at one of the casino stations if only because not everyone on the ship can teleport. They're thoughtful like that. ]

Well, if it wasn't here, it would be in a body and we're kind of low on those right now!

[ Whoa someone's cranky ]

video;

[save_the_souls]

[DEAR GOD CHRIS. There's a pause on Allen's end, but the expression very much matches the expression that a cop might have if you made a sarcastic crack about your drug stash after being pulled over for speeding. Something like "...really dude? really??"]

...Sir, should I assume that was just a very distasteful and ill-timed joke, and that you did not just express an intent to possess a body with that soul to an Exorcist?

video;

[misconceived]

[ He's really bad at this, sob. ]

What? No! I don't—we're not going to do that. Trust me. Besides, the souls would both burn out seriously fast and I don't think any of us want that.

[ How does that foot taste, Chris? ]

audio forever

[eternaltool]

[Human soul in a gem. If that isn't a slice of hell home, then what else is really. At least it's an orb and not a gem, that's enough of an uncanny valley buffer for her.]

Guess maybe I should've tried gambling after all.

video forever;

[misconceived]

[ Chris is running a hand through his hair, obviously not entertained with how this was aired out to EVERYONE EVER but fine. This is fine!! ]

What, you want to win souls of long-dead relatives?

[eternaltool]

Ha.

No. Just keep hearing about some interesting things people keep winning. Who knows what I'd get.

[misconceived]

What else have people gotten?

[ Because he's not sure anyone can top winning Benjamin's soul, but hey. Who the hell knows here? ]

[normallycharmed]

[ See, there's a lot that could be said about this broadcast. Souls are, really, not that weird. In their own way. She crazed over getting memory items back the last few days, so it's not like she can judge. But then those memories. Sort of clash awkwardly with the word granddad and she. Kind of knows a bit more now and can figure out who he's talking to.

But, well. ]

Um. What?

video forever;

[misconceived]

[ SHIT. Chris turns to the camera and motions for Cole to step out of whatever bit of frame he's in because oh shit. Time to... play innocent? Yes? Maybe? Please?? ]

What?

video forever;

[normallycharmed]

[ Except it doesn't take a rocket scientist given how many people she knows is from their world, so any hiding doesn't do much. Her eyes squint up familiarly as she tries to piece something together but plunges on anyway. ]

Christopher Perry Halliwell.

[ ...That's definitely the sound of a start of a scolding. But she definitely did not know his full name a few days ago, well then. ]

[misconceived]

[ That legitimately stops him up short and he stares for what feels like forever, mouth open and incredulous, and— ]

You know I'm a Halliwell?