mandalus :: the city of fates.

[The video quality today is not very steady, whatever the phone is settled on keeps moving and tipping, and at first it's just questionably centered on a stove just covered with bubbling pots and pans. Steam is coming up, and it looks like someone's cooking for a whole army...

Or just an army of one. Laguna appears on screen then, popping up suddenly, donning an apron and holding a ladle. It's being moved around dramatically because of his hand motions, and he seems to be in a very serious mood despite the chaos around him. Cooking is serious business, people, and Laguna is all for making the most of these kind of experiments. Laguna's voice is slurred a little when he speaks, and on the counter a couple of empty bottles can be seen. Yup, he's drunk. With knives, fire, and hot water all within reach. People who have any real experience with him should understand why this is a terrible, terrible combination.]

So! I need a guinea pig! I'm tryin' out some new recipes, and I need testers. Don't be shy, come on! Just tell me if you wanna help out. You'll be givin' me a hand, and gettin' a free meal while you're at it. Or two or three, dependin' on what happens. It'll be like killing two pigs with one stone!

[And with that, he determinedly goes to end the video. It takes him a couple tries to be successful, though.]

This is so weird... It really is! So let me get this straight, I've gotta worry 'bout culturists, creepy giant snakes, and a system? [A person standing just off to the side sighs heavily, obviously irritated with Laguna already. And they correct him quickly, saying that cultists are what he has to worry about, not culturists. And that he shouldn't be taking this lightly, especially considering current concerns. Any scorn goes right over his head, though.] That's exactly it! Cultists! Now I've gotta use this, gotta communicate with everyone, right? This thing is so complicated though... No way it's a phone! How does it even work?

[The camera view is adjusted a few times, finally focused on the face of Laguna, who looks entirely confused for a moment.] It's on, right? I think it's on. Maybe. [It's shaken a bit, but then he finally finds whatever it is that he's looking for in his positioning of it, sets the poor abused item down, and smiles brightly.]

Okay, let's get this straight 'n settled, alright? I was... there, now I'm here. Just that simple? No fancy transport, no need to sign papers, no immigration issues? That's wild! And creepy. It ain't right, and I've got a real bad feeling... [He shakes his head, wondering for a moment if his friends are even alive, and he has to fight back feeling ill. Nope, gotta be sociable now, gotta handle things as they come. His friends aren't here, so as much as he's worried he has to focus on the now. Which involves war, and bigger worries than they had back home from what he's hearing.]

Anyway, that's not important! Then and now, huh? And since I'm here, and there's no going back on the next bus, guess s'not a big deal to lend a hand, right? Especially since things seem to be goin' down right now. So here's the big introduction! I'm Laguna Loire! I was working for the army, but I guess that's all out the window! So I'll be stayin' around, and gettin' myself a part time. So don't be a stranger, if you wanna talk or feel the need to get the help of an experienced soldier!

[And with that, he waves goodbye, stands, and walks away with an air of determination...

Leaving his communication device behind.]