1. (video)

[thisonetime]

[The feed comes on, but at first, everything's dark.]

The hell is this?

[Then there's a shot of Ellis's gray eye, and then it pans back out to his face. He's covered in a layer of dirt and various bodily fluids, and beyond that, he's tired and bruised in a few places. The stone ceiling of his barracks room can be seen in the background, and Ellis looks quite perplexed.]

Hello? Anybody out there? This funny little book's talkin' about worlds bein' unmade and records bein' kept and whatnot, but it ain't makin' much sense.

Like, how'm I here if everythin's not made anymore? And hell, you can't unmake shit! My friend Keith tried to unmake a car once, cause he thought it was haunted, but all he got was a broken car and a face full'a burnin' oil. He quit messin' with it after that, mostly 'cause he went blind for like six months. Don't know if it was really haunted or nothin', but I guess anything can happen, after the zombies an' shit...

[Ellis just trails off, then looks around the room. With his free hand, he rubs the space between his shoulder and neck and winces. Getting pounded into the ground by a charger sucks, and he's still aching.

Then, he turns back to the camera and smiles, though it's a little uneasy.]

So, hey, m'name's Ellis. I'm lookin' for Nick, Rochelle, and Coach, if any y'all out there.

[And they had to be, didn't they?]

Comments

[thisonetime]

[Ellis grins and puffs up a bit.]

I am one badass zombie-huntin' machine, if that is what you are meanin'.

[The only other thing he could mean is if Ellis was a particular sort of zombie called a hunter, but Ellis is so totally not a zombie. Look at him!]

[dominateartimus]

Sort of, but that answer will do.

[He thought of Kloe's profession for a moment before shaking his head. For a moment, Sandrath's eye color was blue.]

Anyway, I'm a fallen arch-angel. I had my reasons for switching sides.

[thisonetime]

[Ellis's chewing slows, and for a while, he just stares. Then he frowns, points at Sandrath, and his voice lowers.]

Are you Satan?

[dominateartimus]

[When Ellis points at him and asks if he's the devil, Sandrath laughs. It takes him a good few moments to recollect himself.]

No, no. I'm not Lucifer or Satan. He's my boss.

[thisonetime]

[Ellis just snorts, amused, and nods.]

Yeah, m'friend Dave used t'say that about his boss all'a time, 'fore he quit and joined the garage with me'n Keith. Had him runnin' all over the shop, workin' all sorts'a hours and not 'nough pay. Reckon it's the same fella?

[dominateartimus]

I doubt it. I don't even get paid.

[thisonetime]

Aw, dude, that ain't fair! Even a mop-bitch's gotta get paid.

[dominateartimus]

[He gave a small shrug.]

Well, I did have a way around that issue until I ended up here. So, not much to complain about.

[thisonetime]

Why didn't y'just quit? I mean, Keith an' I quit loads'a jobs when they weren't workin' out no more.

[shovels cheese into mouth]

[dominateartimus]

It doesn't work like that, sadly. Its either do your half of a deal or die.

[He gave a small shrug, not like he's bothered by the idea.]

[thisonetime]

[Ellis stops mid-shovel, one cheek poking out.

Then he swallows, and he looks pointedly at Sandrath.]

Wait a second...

Are y'all in a gang? Are y'all with mob?

[dominateartimus]

No. I work alone.

[Although he kind of wished a few enemies showed up from his world, it would release so much tension he was feeling for the past few weeks.]

Anyway, that's enough talking about me. What about you?

[thisonetime]

[Work alone? Maybe he's an assassin. Or a serial killer. Maybe he's a cult leader. No, wait. Maybe he's-- who knows.

Ellis blinks, then frowns, confused.]

Well, what about me? You curious 'bout somethin'?

[dominateartimus]

Yeah, I am.

[A small smirk returned his lips. He gestured his hand to the various liquids Ellis had been drenched in.]

I'm curious about what you killed to be covered in all that... stuff.

[thisonetime]

Oh, kay, all right. Just, you know, zombies. Couple boomers, a spitter, one pissed-off tanks, an' a smoker t'boot. No jockeys, though, that was good.

[dominateartimus]

I'm afraid I don't know what any of those are.

[Well, the spitters were kind of obvious and he could get a vague guess of what a tank was.]

[thisonetime]

Different kindsa zombies! Special, mutated kindsa zombies. Boomers and spitters'll both puke on ya, but only the spitter's got, like, acid in her, and a smoker, like - he grabs you with this big goddamn tongue and tries t'choke y'all to death. Tanks, though, them's nasty bastards. Big 'nough to chuck a car atcha, and takes damn near all the bullets you got and then some t'kill.

[dominateartimus]

Sounds fun.

[There was no trace of sarcasm in his voice at that. If anything, grinned a little bit more at the idea, but then it faltered.]

Well, thanks for informing me. I think I've taken up enough of your time, so I'll let you be.

[He moved from his spot and headed towards the door-way.]

[thisonetime]

Oh, uh, sure. See y'round, I s'pose.

[Ellis just lets him go, but then he calls after him.]

Don't go sneakin' up on me like that again, y'hear?

[dominateartimus]

Good night.

[As he head down the hall, he called back to Ellis.]

I won't unless I want to get hit by that bat of yours.

[thisonetime]

Good!

[After all, he didn't want to hit Sandrath. Aside from that freaky eye thing, he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Then, grinning, Ellis returned to his food.]