text;

[shortspoken]

[ Like many others, Annabel discovers the network by typing her numbers into Google.

She then spends the next couple of hours digging through it so she can get her bearings and avoid looking stupid. Or surprised. Or really any emotion at all whatsover. ]

I'm new. I read the FAQ, so I'm up to speed. I won't waste time with pointless dithering about whether this is some kind of delusion.

I want to know if anyone is organizing any kind of serious resistance against the enemy forces or not. Standing by and waiting to be attacked doesn't count. If so, I'd like more information.

[ There's a small pause. ]

- Ellie.

[ An old nickname from school, not a lie. Not really. ]

Comments

[Handwritten]

[originaloddcouple]

There was talk of self-defense classes a while back.

We're looking into more peaceful actions, just in case.

text;

[shortspoken]

Learning self-defense should be considered compulsory in this situation. Did the classes acually end up happening? And what would your more "peaceful" actions be?

[Handwritten]

[originaloddcouple]

I think there was. The guy teaching them seemed pretty determined.

We decided to try figuring out if there's some massive miscommunication going on first!

[shortspoken]

A miscommunication...?

 

 

As in "maybe the beings from another world are trying to kill us by accident?"

[ G-GUYS... ]

[originaloddcouple]

That's right!

Hit the nail on the head!

[Totally the best plan.]

[shortspoken]

 

 

 

 

Is this a joke?

[ SHE WANTS TO BELIEVE ]

[originaloddcouple]

...No?

[shortspoken]

I
What

 

In what possible scenario could a massive alien conspiracy be a misunderstanding?

[originaloddcouple]

Well, there's-

[Long pause.]

Maybe they think we struck first?

Or that we imprison dogs as slaves?

Or destroyed their satellite probe thingies?

[shortspoken]

 

 

 

 

 

And you're really not joking?

[ IS THIS REAL LIFE ]

[originaloddcouple]

[There's a pause as both Dians discuss why on earth she keeps asking that.]

Yes, we're really aren't joking.

Are you feeling alright?

[shortspoken]

[ what is life any more ]

I'm
Fine, thank you. I have a slight headache, is all.

Suffice it to say that I don't think any of this is a misunderstanding, hilarious as that would undoubtedly be.

[originaloddcouple]

I have some ibuprofen. You want me to get you some?

...Someone died. What would be hilarious about it being a misunderstanding?

[Jeez, take the danger seriously.]

[shortspoken]

The "hilarity" was sarcasm, sorry.
It's a little hard to convey in text without a glut of teenageresque emotes.

[ STILL NOT SURE IF THIS IS ALL ONE BIG JOKE TBH ]

It's just the one person who's died, though? That's promising. I suppose.