I'm sure most of you are familiar with these kinds of things. How am I doing with Raiden? Are his dreams too goddamn crazy? More nightmares needed? Too nice? Too cold? Needs moar ninja?

Please feel free to drop me a line here. You can always find me via my contact information on the player contact list, as well. :-) If all else fails, I'm available in IRC.

Anonymous commenting is enabled, IP logging is off, all comments are screened. Anything you have to say is appreciated!

( In his arms was a faceless child. )

[He awakens atop the roof of Outer Heaven base to the whirling winds of the impending storm, a large crack of lightning sparking in the distance. Raiden rarely sleeps indoors these days, with the rapidly changing weather and his own unsettled conscience after Rose's mysterious and unsolved disappearance. He prefers to spend the majority of his time alone, where no one could ask him any intrusive questions.

But the winds were stronger now, the lightning more shocking. More sand was billowing up from the desert. The wails from the monsters were louder.

The storm was getting closer.

At least the worsening situation should be enough for him to stop thinking about the bombshell Rose had left him before she disappeared. He couldn't afford to think of it, because that was a kind of life Raiden will never have.

A father he may be, but he will never be able to live out that role. He was never meant to.

Raiden hops to his feet and strides to the edge of the roof, staring out into the looming clouds with hooded, melancholic eyes. And it is only then that he remembers to turn the Dreamberry video feed off with a low, husky sigh, after sleeping dreamlessly for so long.]

[The voice over the network is low, firm, and tightly controlled to disguise any flicker of emotion in his tone, particularly when he enunciates her name.]

When and where is the last anyone has seen of Rose? I need all information on her that you have on hand.

My frequency is 141.80.

( A trip to the exotic pet shop )

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*All that's visible through the screen is a pale eye. Narrow, drawn, resigned.

It blinks.*

I need information on Luke fon Fabre.

My frequency is 141.80.

( Like a scene from beauty and the beast )

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*Raiden awakens, acutely aware of chilly the morning dew on his brow. He exhales, a plume of steaming breath arcing into the dawn.

After a few moments of silence, he abruptly reaches up toward the Dreamberry screen and cuts the transmission.*

((OOC: Next time on 'like a scene from beauty and the beast,' Colonel Campbell as Gaston. Stay tuned.))

*The screen flickers through the white noise, revealing Raiden performing a one-handed handstand on the railing of a rooftop. Apparently, after his conversation with Snake he must have hit the public broadcast button instead of the hang-up key. He lowers himself down to the hanging mode and shimmies across the railing around the roof perimeter. Just when it seems like he can't hold on any longer, he swings himself up into a flip over the railing and lands firmly on the roof. He takes a few moment's rest, then catapults himself back over the railing and into the hanging mode.

Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.

On his third try swinging himself up and over, his feet suddenly give out from under him.*

WH--WHOA!--*THUNK*

*Obviously the gods of this world were laughing, the providential force behind allowing this unintentional broadcast to go through. He hits his head on the way down, crashing to a heap on the ground and out of sight of the video screen.

Damn those inconvenient puddles of fresh morning dew and slick seagull poo. They really prevent one from gaining a proper, firm footing.*

((OOC: If anyone wants to backlog with MGS2 Raiden, let me know and I'd be happy to do it))

( Not safe for work. )

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*Awakens with a sharp gasp, eyes wide, heart racing. It’s midday. Jack hardly ever sleeps at night.

Immediately looks down at his hands. They’re clean. He runs his hands through his sweat-drenched hair. He is completely unaware that he’s being watched.*

Rose…

*Takes a moment to calm himself before he disappears from the screen. It isn’t clear what he’s doing – searching for something?*

Where are you? I can't find you.

*The video feed for this broadcast is a little strange. The user seems to be holding the phone/device at an angle; all the viewers can see are a bare, branded chest (with the numbers 57-86 smack on the upper right pec), white-blonde hair and a pair of dog tags. The voice isn't wholly unfamiliar to Somarium denizens, but it's definitely more upbeat, lighter, than what they're used to hearing.*

This is Raiden.

Snake, do you read me? I've been trying to patch into your frequency for the past hour. The Colonel isn't responding to my calls. I think I've been captured! I'm on the top of a large building, in some kind of ruined city. It doesn't look like Manhattan anymore.

I think they took my gear.

I might be able to climb down, but I can't do much naked, especially in this cold. I'm not sure my grip gauge is large enough to handle it. Snake, what the heck is going on?? I --

What a minute, 'public broadcast'? But I didn't-- what the he--

*the transmission abruptly cuts off here*

( Breathe, Raiden )

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*The cold wind stirs Raiden to wakefulness. He glances at the Dreamberry screen with a flat, sad expression and gently removes/sets his visor aside. His heeled feet wander away from the video screen to check something on the far end of the courthouse roof in silence...*

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...

*Many of you who have reception may get a spotty transmission. It begins with crackling static, and you may be able to see the silhouette of a human form. A low, firm voice occasionally makes it through the static.*--ou copy--*static crackle pop* end me-- *Drowned out by static and the sound of pounding rain.

The message repeats a number of times, slowly clearing up as the sender, Raiden, moves out of the outskirts of the industrial district. The urgent, slightly out of breath, low-voiced broadcast is as follows:*

Is there anyone out there? Do you copy.

Watch your step. The winds are weaker toward the center; take cover in the village if you can make it on your own. Is there anyone trapped in the collapsed buildings? I can help you.

Send me your location if you are stranded. Hurry.

( ”Mundanity” )

********************************************

*Opens his eyes.

He doesn’t look thrilled with his recent dream. He knows he’s going to get an earful from Snake any second. He steels himself for the coming conversation, hoping he can end it quickly.*

The Dead Walk - William Loose

( Splat. Schlick. Slice. Squish. )

*Awakens with a sharp, harsh breath. The DreamBerry shows nothing but a bright white light. There’s a whirring sound as Raiden’s visor snaps shut and his extremely perplexed and exhausted, but very much alive visage swings into view.*

( Sorry, I don't believe in privacy settings. It probably malfunctioned. Apologies for strangeness. )

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*There's blackness on the other end of the Dreamberry once the dream ends. No sounds of movement, no sudden jolts; just the sound of Raiden's steady, even, too-controlled breathing.*