joint post with substitutable. Vegas early morning.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt Abbot adjusts the camera on his laptop. He's still in his Vegas hotel room--funny, since a lot of the group has gotten home?

But right now, Matt is in his room with his hoodie zipped up all the way (Matt it's hot, stop). His hair is ruffled and it looks like he's had trouble sleeping, but--

Behind him another another boy is sitting up, rubbing sleep out of his eyes in confusion. He is wearing Matt's pajamas. Please do not ask.]

Good morning, Vegas and good nearly afternoon, Locke City. I have once again implemented a dastardly scheme. Since my last hostage got away from me, I have taken a new one. Except this time it is a Vegas native. I believe he was trying to hero at me or something, but I turned the tables on him and now he is my captive.

I will be returning with him to Locke eventually. In the mean time, I will try to continue more evildoing.

[The video cuts out. Matt knows he's going over the top. People might yell at him becuase Serious Things happened. But fuck it. He needs the amusement and maybe a few people will play along.

Then he switches to text.]

Got out of the hospital yesterday. No permanent damages, just some bruises and a few cracked ribs. Should be home by the beginning of July.

And I'm sorry. I should've had a better eye on things. I hope everybody's okay.

[Replies will also be coming from substitutable! Who has just reapped in with a new reincarnation and has no idea he was being recorded.]

Comments

10 minutes belatedly;

[substitutable]

Don't... worry about it.

I'm actually supposed to be going to Locke around the same time as him since I usually live there. He's not really kidnapping me.

[drawitagain]

Then it is a joke?

That's a scary thing to go around telling people!

[substitutable]

Believe me, I know. I would've protested if I was more awake.

[Siiiiiiigh.]

He's got a lot of dark jokes.

[drawitagain]

So you're just going with him to the city? I was really worried something bad was happening...

[substitutable]

Not right now, no. It's kind of complicated but I swore my secrecy.

[A dramatic sigh! A shake of his head! Then a sleepy yawn as he scratches his head.]

Nah, don't worry about it. We ran into each other and it ended up being too late for me to walk home safe so I spent the night and we found out we'll be going back to Locke at the same time. We're both attending LCU.

[drawitagain]

That's cool, then! I go to school in Locke too...

[Pause.]

Well, I don't actually go to school, but that's where I live!

[substitutable]

Hmm. Like, homeschool then?

What's your name by the way?

[drawitagain]

Online classes!

I'm Haruka! What about you?

[substitutable]

Ah. That makes sense. I'm Shintaro Kisaragi, you can call me Shin though. Nice to meet you Haruka.

[drawitagain]

Shintaro Kisaragi...

That's funny! I know another boy named Shintaro Kisaragi!

In fact, you look exactly like him!

Wait, you're not him, right?

[substitutable]

Yeah, I've got someone telling me the same thing... Takane, right? I wish I could tell you but I don't remember anything about either of you or anyone that looks like you, so I can't really tell you.

But maybe?

[drawitagain]

Yeah! Takane is my--Um, I guess you could say she's my best friend? Her, myself, and Shintaro all have memories of being together in the same world.

But...you're Shintaro too, so maybe you have the same memories of him? He did forget all of that, so...

[substitutable]

When was this?

I mean, that's weird isn't it? Aren't we supposed to be reincarnations or something?

[drawitagain]

A few months, maybe?

Well, no one can say how it works for sure, you know? There could be all sorts of weird conditions...

What is it that you remember? You should at least remember one thing if you're able to use the network...

[substitutable]

I've definitely heard about some weird things already.

I'm not too comfortable talking about it on a public post like this [a shake of his head] but it involved a guy that was decked out in black. Black hair, clothes. Had some crazy eyes and his clothes had arrows on them?

[drawitagain]

Woah. Sounds like a pretty scary guy! I don't remember anyone like that, so we'll just have to wait and see until you get more...

I just remember being in high school with Takane.

[Tilts his head.]

So. When are you getting back to Locke? We should meet up!

[substitutable]

I'm an orientation leader at LCU in July, so I'll be back around the same time as this guy. Maybe driving back together. We'll see.

This is your number, right? I can send you a message when I get in. Takane can come too if she wants.