[voice] open to both courts

[scanningutterly]

[Orlando had turned on the video first, finding the idea more natural, even if he's using his real (real?) body instead of speaking through a sim. But the idea of talking about this face-to-face, face-to-face with strangers, made him freeze up. Death is a pretty personal thing, especially your own. So he switched to voice, trying to give himself a layer of distance. Personal as it may be, he'd still like some answers on this.]

So... [There's a pause as he takes in a deep breath and lets it out as a sigh. So much for a strong start.]

How many of you are dead? I mean, died in your world, but...came back here?

It can't just be me, right? [He tries to make that last part sound like a joke. It doesn't really work.]

Comments

[ voice]

[dappergent]

[ If there is a way to private this, Oscar is doing so as this news is something he's not told those from his own world just yet (and hopefully never will). ]

I'm afraid I was dead by mere minutes when I was led here. At the least, I hope you had a peaceful death.

[ but he felt sadness saying that, because in one so young sounding, death was still a tragedy. ]

[ voice]

[scanningutterly]

[Orlando laughs, he can't help it. But it's not a bitter sound; it's a release.]

No, I managed to avoid that.

[ voice]

[dappergent]

[ ah, sneaky fellow! But he can't begrudge the man when he laughs so openly, relief tinging his voice as Orlando speaks. ]

You must have had quite the scare then. I'm glad for your life, but what trouble did you get into that made you think you nearly died?

[ because the way the boy had spoken, it was a much closer encounter to death then most. ]