Video + action | User ID error, unknown sender

[callada]

[The video begins pointed at what looks to be a stone slab of some sort with an unusual symbol carved into it.]

Anyone know what this is? Or where? The SmartSnail location isn't working down here.

[That's not entirely the fault of where he's at; it's intentional on his behalf. But the question still stands. Rosinante backs away from the symbol to reveal that it's on a large stone door, then slowly rotates around his current location to show it in the video feed. He seems to be in some sort of interior - a cave, or a collapsed ruin perhaps, given how the stone surfaces look worked but worn. It's lit dimly by bioluminescence that grows on the walls themselves, twinkling and pale blue-green, and in that illumination the edges of a statue at one end of the cave is visible - a warrior, holding a chalice raised to the sky while winged people encircle him. The passageways look to continue in at least two directions and a faint buzzing is heard. Interference in the video? Or insects? Who knows, as the video ends there.]

---

[While awaiting any replies, or guidance of any sort, he stays near the door and the statue for now. The buzzing hasn't stopped, even with the snail tucked away in his pocket. It's pretty down here, but he'd like to leave. Or maybe find someone else stuck down here so at least he has someone to talk to.]

Comments

[Video]-Private

[desert_queen]

This is starting to become a trend.

[She's noticed in their talks that he's gone from his contact name to a user error, she still calls him Salvador anyway, she knows who he is, but dammit why does she still waste her time with him? She'd like to think that he's a worthy potential investment of her time, but in the end she knows better. For now, she's still too amused with him to cut him off.

These random jaunts off to god knows where are getting old fast though. She'd never expect her employees to give up their own time, but he never seems to go unless she's about to ask him to do something.

The area he's in is certainly worth noting though. This is somewhere worth a little exploration.] How long have you been there?

[Video]-Private

[callada]

Yeah. Not by choice. Guess the world has it out for me.

[Though if he had to hazard a guess at why, it's because he shouldn't be here at all. He died. He was revived by some creature in another world, pulled there by some chaotic force, and it spat him out and now whatever's going on just doesn't know what to do with him. Does he fit here? No, there? Try them all, see which weird dimensionally-warped island will take the dead guy next!

It's very lame.]

Only been here about half an hour before I figured I'd better see if anyone had a clue about this place. You need something?

[Video]-Private

[desert_queen]

It's getting obnoxious. I'd rather have control over where I end up. [While she's not yet been victim to this sort of thing, she knows well enough by now that it isn't an isolated issue that only Salvador experiences. And that unsettles her a little, there are places one can go that aren't quite as easy to get out of.]

Anything I need isn't going to happen now. Robin is with me anyway. [A pause.] I feel like this is worth the research. Report to me with any decent information and I'll add a bonus on top of your normal wages.

[Video]-Private

[callada]

As would I, believe me.

[But ooh, a bonus. More interesting is that she wants information about old ruins like these. Maybe it's the pirate in her, still, even as she threatens to become royalty. Ancient treasures could be valuable - or potentially powerful, maybe. Who knows what he'll find here.]

Didn't take you for one with an interest in archaeology. But I appreciate it, since I sure didn't put myself here. Is there anything in particular you want me to keep an eye out for?

[Video]-Private Unless noted otherwise

[desert_queen]

I'm sure. Few have experienced this like you have.

[She's not above rewarding the useful well, especially when there's some much potential value to be had in this. She's still wary about giving out too much about what she's potentially hoping to find though. So she'll keep things clipped and pleasantly social, and without much in the way of real information.

As usual.]

A girl has to have a hobby or two. And archaeology aligns with my interests. [She's so damn curious now, this might be the first time he's disappeared to her benefit.] Just anything out of the ordinary, unique writings, any monuments or tablets. A friend of mine collects things like that. Oh, and anything obviously valuable. But that goes without saying.

[callada]

Right. I'll do what I can. It's hard to take pictures down here, you see how dark it is.

[He's been slowly pacing around the room while talking, but he circles back around toward the door. The video shuts back off for a minute or so, then on again, now focused on that symbol on the door. There's a flick offscreen, and then an orange glow helps brighten the carving.]

Tried to open it but it's stuck. Have you ever seen a symbol like that?

[desert_queen]

Pictures can be lightened, altered. So do your best.

[She stares at the video for a moment, wondering if she should recognize it, but it's not anything that comes to her as strongly familiar. She's seen some vaguely similar things, sure, but this is distinctive in it's own right. Which makes it all the more interesting.]

I personally haven't seen anything that's exactly like that. I'm sending a picture of it to someone who might know about it.

[callada]

Let me know what they say, especially if it might help me get out of here.

[Though that might take a while, and he's clever, so hopefully it won't be necessary to wait on an answer.

Hopefully this isn't someplace he shouldn't be. There's a snaking, shivering feeling of dread at that thought. No, surely this is just some old ruin that's interesting but not particularly significant. He doesn't need an extra layer of serious criminal activity on top of what he's already wanted for.

But he's curious. Who wouldn't be? What if this is some remnant of that ancient world? Anyone who leans too hard on the tales whispered around those white columns and rose gardens can go stuff it. The blood remembers? His blood is his own and not bound to the savagery of his ancestors.

He moves toward the statue, keeping the camera directed at it as he holds the lighter up for illumination. The faces of the people, the feathers of their wings, are all done with careful detailing. They're almost lifelike, carved out of the smooth white - what is this, marble? It's a different sort of stone than what makes up the walls and door. The chalice held upward is almost out of his own reach. There is writing around its rim, but not in a language he's familiar with. Still he makes sure to slowly rotate the view around so that Crocodile can see the full inscription.]

You get all that? I hope you have a linguist with you and not just an archaeologist. I think the stone is marble, I don't know if you can tell from there but it's white and really smooth. The cup he's holding is some different material, I think. The light almost goes through it. Makes it look like it glows. I've seen stuff carved from it before, uhh...

[The word escapes him. It's been a while. Not important, probably. The view shifts to his face.]

If you've got a good look at all this stuff, I'm going to head down one of these other passages and see if there's more.

[desert_queen]

Of course. So far, she hasn't responded yet. But I'm certain I'll hear from her soon.

[She takes notes of everything, the video sent goes to Robin at astounding speed. She wants to get him out, sure. But not before he's useful and actually earns his pay today.] She's a woman of many talents. I'm sure she'll be able to figure things out. But what have you seen carved from it? [This has her interested.] I've seen enough here.

[callada]

Figurines? Smaller things like this. Not marble, the other white one - alabaster.

[He laughs when the name comes to him. Oh, the irony. That's what Alabasta is named for, right? Somewhere back in history they must have become famous for their use of it.]

Anyway, I'll switch this thing back on once I've found something.

[Which isn't for a good five minutes or so, as he walks down the partially-collapsed hallway, trips over loose bricks and falls face-first on the damp stone and scrapes his cheekbone and chin, then keeps going once he's gotten over the slightly jarring fall. How durable are these poor SmartSnails? He's dropped his more than once by now.

When he switches the video back on, he's in an alcove off the main corridor. Something old and worn is carved into the wall here but erosion from water dripping down the wall has made deciphering the original symbols pretty hard.]

Found this. And below on the floor, there's a ceramic bottle. [Which he stoops to show her without moving it. Isn't that what you're supposed to do in places like this? He's read that once or twice. There's a maker's mark visible on the bottom of the gray bottle, painted in black ink. It might be initials, it might be a scribble.]

And some candles. It reminds me of a study, or a reception area for whatever's behind that door. Anyway all this is kind of boring, but -

[He reorients the camera so it points forward, where at some point the ground shook and split and is now filled by a large ravine full of rushing water, though it's quiet and must be quite far down.]

Well, I'm not going any farther that way.

[call_me_maybe]

[All this shifting of people and locations make managing an organization as large as the revolutionary army a major headache. And now it seems Koala herself is the latest victim.

Mere moments after her arrival, a voice down the hall alerts her to the presence of someone else, and she creeps up as stealthily as possible. Hmm... seems like another unfortunate shiftee. After watching for a moment, she decides to take a chance and steps out where he can see her.]

Sorry, but I'm as lost as you are.

[And she's almost more worried about that buzzing noise. What is that?]

[callada]

[Oh, hello over there. He glances downward, but whoever this is, she's new to him.]

Damn. Well, maybe we can work it out from down here. Have you gotten to look around much at all? It must be pretty big, I can feel the air moving.

[And thank goodness for that, wouldn't want to run out of breathable air down here if it was still and stale.]

[Action]

[big_top_boss]

[Well, crap. Being lost is so annoying, he doesn't know how he got down here in this place, and why the hell is he back here anyway? How many worlds are there?

But whatever, he can deal. He's smart, he's fucking flashy genius, he'll be out in a heartbeat.

But then he turns a corner and blinks. What the hell, is that really him? Hey, if he's going to be stuck here, he can't imagine a better person to be stuck with. And he detaches from his feet, flying right over to his best friend(?). This is going to be good, he really did miss him. And those feet are hauling it to catch up, while he grins and waves.] Rosi! Shit, hi! Guess we're gonna be flashy explorers, haha!

[callada]

[At the glimpse of movement in the corner of his vision, Rosinante turns abruptly, swinging the lighter around to follow his gaze. He wasn't expecting to run into another person here, and then suddenly that person is zipping toward him - without feet? Holy shit, that's freaky. He steps backward in surprise, misses setting his foot back down by a good few inches, and swings straight back onto the floor with his entire self instead of his heel. The lighter goes skidding off somewhere, but thankfully there's still the dim illumination here from the algae or whatever it is that grows all over everything.

This guy seems to know him, though? And he doesn't sound menacing. So while he's sitting there clenching his teeth at the sudden pain in his lower back, he sits right back up and looks the newcomer over.]

Uh, sorry - do I know you?

[big_top_boss]

[Well, that's not what he was expecting. More along the lines of absolute excitement, they end up acting like idiots around each other, wild energy seems to permeate between them. But this? This is someone who seems startled.]

Know me? Come on! Shit, you're my best fucking friend, we're the flashy duo that get all the drinks, I had to get an unlimited plan because of you! What the fuck's going on, this ain't flashy. [He peers down, and the pulls out a lighter of his own to get a better look at him.] Shit, Rosi, you look like hell. What's going on with you? [He reattaches to his feet, and wonders if this is a fucked up dream or something.]

[callada]

[Oh no. Oh, this poor guy. He looks vaguely familiar, though, isn't he some pirate? There are just too many to keep track of but he looks like someone he might have seen on a bounty poster, back in his own time. He's older now, though. That must make up the bulk of the difference. Ugh, the whole damn universe is such a mess.]

I, uh. You know all the stuff going on? Different versions of the world? I think you're thinking of someone who looks like me.

[He stands and brushes dirt off the seat of his pants, then frowns. What is with people telling him he looks awful? Does every other version of the world have him dressing like some kind of supermodel? What would that even look like?]

[big_top_boss]

[He blinks, wondering if this is real or maybe there's been too much alcohol or something. But he seems absolutely unsure of who Buggy is, and that's a bad sign. Maybe he's right...]

So you're not Rosinante? I mean, this is messed up. I know about your damn boyfriend, we buy makeup together, we won the couples costume contest at the Screaming Seacow and we weren't even a couple, haha, and you're the only person who's seen who I-[He blinks, and then looks defeated.] Shit, you're really not him. But seriously, you're fucking stuck with me anyway. Someone's gotta get you looking right again. It's a travesty someone as damn cool as you is going around looking so unflashy! So once we're outta this place? You're getting a flashy makeover, and you're gonna love it.

[callada]

[Whoa, wow, there's a lot of words there and Rosinante doesn't even know what to do about half of them. He just watches and listens in a state of vague confusion and - definite surprise. There's a version of him out there somewhere who has a life like that? Who has friends, and a boyfriend, and god, not just any of that but someone who really cares enough to insist on all of it anyway?

Maybe that's insanity but for him it comes off as deeply welcome. Flattering. Like there's a place where he has a life that's normal and isn't shit and he wasn't killed by his own damn brother just protecting a helpless child. All of this desperate wandering and searching and hoping his brother won't find him again, and here's someone who just wants him to be a friend.

Shit.

He's not cold enough to insist on the fake name, once he takes it all in. He even had an opening. You're not Rosinante? It would be easy to say no, he's someone else, but he just can't bring himself to do it. So he takes a deep breath to clear his head, stuffs his fingers into his hair under his hat for a second, then offers him a hand to shake and a smile that's honestly a little watery. This better not be a con. He wants someone he can trust, for once.]

I am. I'm Rosinante. I just... come from a different time, different place. I've never met you, but I damn well wish I had.

[big_top_boss]

[That smile breaks him a bit, it really does. This isn't his Rosinante, but he's still Rosinante and he honestly loves his friend. It's hard to find someone so good, and fun and flashy. And he's not going to pass this up, even if he doesn't get why this is happening.]

Oh, crap. Rosi don't look at me that way I'm gonna cry. [He grasps the hand, and hard. Not enough to hurt, but definitely strong and determined. It's as reassuring as a handshake gets.] So here's how it's going to be, okay? SO LISTEN UP! You're not my Rosi, but you're Rosinante so you're my friend anyway. And that means we get the flashy fun of meeting all over again, and we're gonna have a blast! So if you're from a different time, if that's how it is? Just know you've got a hell of a future ahead of you. You're gonna be okay. Because that's just how you are, haha! Flashy!

[He pulls to help him up, and looks around.] Drinks are on me once we're outta here. Or more, drinks are on whatever poor sap is interested, 'cause you and I? We're too good to pay for our own stuff.

[callada]

That sounds like a good deal to me.

[Sounds like too good a deal. His alternate self out there, wherever he is, is living such a fortunate life. It's almost unfair. At the current rate, rather than that fun life with friends and drinks and whatever else, he's just doomed to suffer at his brother's hands again, or if not his, then at the hands of the Marines for his theft and betrayal. It feels like he's just living on borrowed time and it can't last forever.

But especially if they can't find their way out of here.]

You want to tell me your name? And then I'll catch you up on what I've found down here so far.

[big_top_boss]

I'm Buggy. [He's got a hoard of titles and claims, but honestly for once that's not important. He's got bigger things on his mind, and god did his Rosinante help change him. Before that, he'd have been rattling off every claim to fame, to try to be impressive..

He's gonna miss his makeup buddy. But this is now his Rosinante too, so he's definitely rolling in good luck and good friends. And he's interested in seeing how different the two of them can be.

And he gets to subject this one with late night texts too so that can't be bad.] Yeah, tell me about it. It's gotta be important here, it's not your average place!

[callada]

[Ah, there, the name rings a bell now. One messaged him shortly after arrival. Buggy the Clown. One of the Roger Pirates.

A life with the Marines means that realization makes his blood run cold. He does his best to keep his expression unchanged, but - well, but this guy isn't even really a pirate, is he? Maybe he was never with Roger. Maybe Roger never existed in his world. He's more eager for a friend than an enemy or a tool of some sort and he knows he may regret it later but he can't refuse someone who seems so genuinely kind toward him. Being on his own for so long has been utterly exhausting on top of the last for years which had been even worse.]

Yeah, well - [He stoops to pick up his lighter and that gives him the second he needs to compose himself and continue on. Buggy? Never heard of the guy.] - It's a pretty short system underground. That way, where you came from, eventually ends in a cave-in. Over there it ends in a ravine and some rapids. But in between is just a couple rooms. Here, we're close to the main one.

[He turns and leads Buggy to the room with the statue and its chalice, and the carved stone door set into the wall.]

Unless you feel like climbing out of a ravine, that door might be the best way out of here. Just have to figure out how to open it.

[big_top_boss]

[He notices that slight shift in expression, and raises an eyebrow. Time spent with the Rosinante he knows has made him very good at seeing when he's uncomfortable, when he's thinking too much. And honestly, that nervous paranoia has been good at keeping his buddy alive, but it's not great for this emotional health. He needs to see a doctor or something about that...

Oh well. Not much can be done about it here anyway.] I mean, we could probably find a way up. But seriously, that's a lot of sweaty work! Not flashy, not fun! So let's see what we can do about this door. What have you tried? [He eyes it, dramatically, looking over the lines and symbols.] Eh, it's weird. Really old lookin'!

[callada]

Yeah. Old, and stuck. And I keep hearing buzzing, and I can't tell if it's everywhere or just behind that door.

[It's weird, but it's apparently not a problem. Not yet, anyway.]

I tried shoving it, tried seeing if I could dig out under it but the ground is too hard. Tried touching that symbol, but that didn't get me anywhere. Some of the stuff carved into it is the same as what's carved on that cup in the statue, though, I noticed.

[And boy would a translation help, he imagines. But whoever it is that Crocodile has on the case must not have an answer yet. It's so old he'd be surprised if anyone could translate it, and there's no knowing which world it's supposed to belong to anyway. Might be a long search.]

[big_top_boss]

[Buggy presses his head to the side of the door, maybe a little roughly. Ouch. Well, after listening for a moment or two he's no more certain about where it's coming from than his new buddy is.]

Lemme try. It's gonna be flashy! [He takes a few steps back, and launches his hands at the door, with a good deal of force. Nope, it didn't feel great and nothing happened. Not his intended result. His hands rub the now sore spots mid air, before reattaching.] Maybe it needs haki to get it moving. Or maybe there's a key hidden around. Old grand fancy places in the books always had hidden keys, haha! Maybe it's gotta do with the cup!