Accidental video | un:Thestrandinstitute

[nobasisinfact]

[The first visual are stacks and stacks of books, then tiny hands grabbing one before there is a pause and another hand reaches for a cup of tea.]

This whole thing is idiotic.

[The boy's voice is deeper, but it isn't the usual smooth voice of Dr. Richard Strand. The intonation and cadence, however, is. Richard has been unmistakably affected by the curse.

There's a sigh as one hand reaches up to, presumably, pinch the bridge of his nose as if he's getting a headache.]

She'll be insufferable if she sees me like this.

Comments

[11calls]

So that's where you've been, then?

[Look, someone is a tiny cranky pants, because not sleeping is way harder on her body when she's like this.]

[nobasisinfact]

[At first there's no reply, but soon enough there's a solid 'damn.']

I had some research to catch up on. You'll be fine till the end of the month.

[11calls]

Seriously? You're still you, you know. Just smaller.

[With the same Strandness that he's always been since she's known him after all.]

[nobasisinfact]

Just because I'm smaller doesn't mean my research gets smaller too.

[Look, Alex, this is the ship he's going down on.]

[11calls]

So you're just going to stay away for two whole weeks?

[Richard you are a fucking idiot. Alex doesn't need to say it aloud, her tone speaks it for her.]

[nobasisinfact]

It could end sooner.

[11calls]

Seriously?

[Oh that's never a good tone.]

[nobasisinfact]

Would you prefer I bring your coffee down first?

[11calls]

No!

[Yeah, it's even sharper. Besides, she's already climbed back onto the counter and gotten it.]

I want you to come home.

[nobasisinfact]

You'll make unwanted comments.

[He knows how much he looks like a certain mass murderer.]

[11calls]

What are you talking about?

[nobasisinfact]

I look ridiculous.

[If he sounds like he's sulking, it's because he is.]

[11calls]

Seriously? Richard Strand, I have seen you dramatically sitting in a chair hoping I wouldn't notice you while you wore a dirty flannel over a wifebeater and had a grief beard and looked like the unabomber. I've seen you ridiculous.

What you are is being ridiculous. Come home.

[nobasisinfact]

I have my reasons.

audio: marshes

[gristle]

Richard?

Re: audio: marshes

[nobasisinfact]

Beverly?

[11calls]

Richard Robert Strand, you are being insufferable. Come home right now.

[One can almost hear her hands on her hips.]

[nobasisinfact]

[There is a long-suffering sigh.]

I'm in my office.

[11calls]

Is your office home?

[spherenpc]

Well, I suppose I should be glad I ain't the only one.

Re: audio: marshes

[gristle]

Yeah. Of course. Wow. I almost didn’t think you were ever actually a kid.

[look she’s totally trying to lighten the mood okay.]

[nobasisinfact]

I was a very advanced child.

[gristle]

You? Really? I’m so surprised.

[nobasisinfact]

This one seems to be lingering in the places it infects.

[spherenpc]

Yeah. I can’t seem to out run it.