Jarod is still learning about his new home—and the best way to learn about any new locations is the people. Experience, time and again, has shown him as much, that learning about the people the old fashioned way can tell him more than any book, info sheet, or simulation ever could.

…okay, so occasionally he runs very small simulations in his head to help out where he can. But it’s not like he can help it.

Tonight, he’s looking for a good place to do some sewing for his own dolls when someone drifts past him…muttering. They seem upset, in distress (fugue state? drugged? hypnotized?) and moving in a manner that’s…forced.

It’s a little tricky, but Jarod pulls out two sets of skills and lets himself become a doctor and a police officer. Setting his basket down, he jogs up to the person walking onward, trying to make them stop.

“Excuse me? Excuse me…hey, are you all—whoah.”

He keeps a gentle grip on their shoulders, startled by eyes that seem to glow red from within—and entirely unaware of the danger up ahead.

“What…happened to you? Can you hear me?…”