₪ video, day 96.

[philologist]

[This video seems to be broadcast from the library. The view is from some distance away on a table from an uncomfortable angle. The one it is focused on is what seems to be a man from neck to waist -- which is where the table is. In front of him are his hands, folded together neatly. His voice comes a moment later, confirming that he is, indeed, a he. It is pleasant and friendly (albeit a touch tired).]

Hello. My name is Daniel Jackson -- Doctor, actually -- Doctor Daniel Jackson. Hi. [He already said that, but you can hear the awkward smile he's likely wearing in his voice. He unlatches his hands to offer a small wave.] I've been here for a while now. I... am not entirely sure how long! Long enough? That's not exactly a unit to measure time in, but it's the best guess I can give to it. Essentially it was day when I entered this building and now it's dark outside. Sooooooo, yeah. A while.

[He raises a hand and it comes to the side of his neck, just barely visible on the screen.] Just long enough to realize that I'm hungry and if I'm being frank with who or whatever is seeing this? Disoriented. [Aside from figuring out how to work the thing taking the video, he still isn't sure how long he's been here or how long he's been asleep. To top it off, his back and neck hurt. Likely from the odd, hunched over angle he'd passed out in.] I suppose what I'm getting at is that I could use a hand or two, perhaps a hand with a glass of water in it and another with a plate of waffles? [He laughs at his own joke. It sounds sheepish and a bit forced, like he is painfully self-aware right now.] That... uh. That would be too much to ask, I'm sure. So I'll just take a moment of your time? If that's alright? I can be found in the library. I think I'm the only one here...? So I shouldn't be hard to find.

[He pauses and reaches forward with his hand hovering just out of view, aiming to turn off the video.] Assuming I'm not Henry Bemis in this story. I've also only got one pair of glasses on hand... [He leans further in and there is a quick flash of what he looks like before the screen goes dark, barely there even if you press pause.]

Comments

[philologist]

Daneel it is. [It's a touch surreal. You know, amongst the other surreal parts. He's starting to expect everything, however. Or, more correctly, he started on Abydos and is learning to expect more strange things with every passing day.]

I appreciate the offer. I don't suppose you would like to offer your company along with that? From how you talk about this place, I imagine you have information worth passing on.

[thezerothlaw]

I suppose I must. I have been here for ninety-six days. Perhaps I can be said to know as much as anyone here. I will be there directly.

[He closes the connection; it's some minutes later that he arrives at the library, bearing a bottle of water and a supply of bread and peanut butter, along with a couple apples. It isn't much, perhaps, but it is what he could find on short notice, and it's easy enough to find Daniel in he library.]

Greetings, Daniel. I hope this is to your liking.

[philologist]

That... is a while.

[He waits to continue that train of thought. By now Daniel can be found surrounded by piles of books; there is somewhere between a hundred and two hundred, stacked strangely, with bits of paper hanging inside of them as bookmarks. A notebook is in front of him, full of scribbles. He gets to his feet when he feels someone nearing.]

Hello and -- ah, definitely. Definitely more than enough. [He leans forward slightly and smiles to convey his thanks -- along with the actual words.] Thank you. [He pushes the books aside now to make room for food and guest ("guest," as if this is now Daniel's place of residence...).] You said you were here for ninety-six days. I'm under the assumption that there are others. Have they been here that long, as well?

[thezerothlaw]

[He pauses to think, briefly, on the comings and goings of people, but he takes a seat -- more so Daniel doesn't have to look up at him while they speak than for his own comfort.]

There were perhaps two dozen individuals who arrived here first, to my knowledge, and I was among them. A handful of those remain. Other have left and reappeared, but without the knowledge that they were here before. Some have merely vanished. Others have died.

[A serious matter, one that disturbs him very much.]

[philologist]

[It's easier, like this. It means they're on the same level. While this man is certainly no native, it still is a step in the right direction. He is treating this like a foreign planet with foreign people. You say or do the right thing, you unlock a door.]

That... hrm. I see. [He ducks his head and breathes in and out a few times with a sound while covering his nose and mouth. His opposite hand eventually raises and he lets out a sigh of relief.] Sorry about that; false alarm. Anyway, that seems. Um. Well, it's curious, for certain. I haven't come across any texts thus far that describe anything like this happening -- not in myths or folklore.

[thezerothlaw]

I am not versed in myths nor folklore, but I'm not familiar with any similar situation that has or potentially has happened in truth.

[He watches Daniel's... performance with a certain amount of confusion, not in the least sure what the significance of this is, or if he ought to be concerned.]

Are you all right, Daniel?

[philologist]

In your world or here? [Because in his world, strange beings abducting people to other worlds (although often described as gods and different planes of existence rather than alternate realities or planets!) were not uncommon. None of this was. It would be curious to find out if people suddenly appearing like this in this world had happened before...]

I apologize. I have allergies. [[Perhaps over time with some indulgence of local foods and the like will help. He doesn't mention this because he's uncertain of how true it may be. He does a repeat performance of two small sneezes, but he smiles. It's all a-okay!] That's the problem with alternate universes -- for me, anyway -- the traveling part.

[thezerothlaw]

In my world, or time period perhaps. It seems to happen here frequently.

[Allergies. This is absolutely the first exposure Daneel has to allergies of any kind, and it's relatively alarming. Spacers don't suffer allergic reactions.]

How severe is your reaction likely to be? There is a supply of medication here, if you require antihistamines. I do not want you to be uncomfortable, but if this is likely to be life-threatening I would like to know more, please.

[philologist]

What would you describe "frequently" as? Every week? Month? [Some people perceive time differently, after all.]

I'm uncertain. I don't have much of a headache and I didn't feel so dizzy I could pass right out upon my arrival. I'd say it's mostly going to manifest in the form of... well. Sneezing. My eyes were a little watery outside, but it seems to do better indoors. [He waves his hand dismissively.] It's uncomfortable, but it's not life-threatening. Your concern is appreciated, however.

[thezerothlaw]

It varies. Occasionally many people might arrive in a single day. Sometimes a week or longer might pass with no new arrivals. It troubles me.

[He's not entirely convinced by Daniel's reassurance, but even if he wont entirely drop the subject, he'll at least back off on the fussing.]

Sneezing is a necessary function, designed to rid the sinuses of irritants. It can be beneficial.

[He's mostly reassuring himself.]

Is it beneficial in this case? I am unfamiliar with the finer details of allergies.