[ laptop / text ]

[allinvein]

[You know how it sometimes helps to write stuff down when you've got too much on your mind? Well, there's this number, see, that's been plaguing John for a while now, and he figures, "Hey, maybe it'll go away if I just jot it down somewhere." If nothing else, if it's written down, he'll still have it in the case that he forgets it--highly unlikely, but let a man dream!

Anyway, the result of scribbling down said number on a post-it note ends up with him awkwardly scrolling on that tiny pad of paper for a few minutes before he gets pissed off at the resolution size and switches over to a bigger piece of paper, then over to his phone, and finally to his laptop. It's been about an hour now since he started reading (or rather, skimming over posts while stuck somewhere between disbelief and amusement), and John's finally decided to join the fray.]

You know, I'd be tempted to write this whole thing off as a really bad joke, but I could've sworn I saw some mentions of people I actually know on this thing. I suppose they could be in on whatever this is as well, and if they are, I'm definitely going to be asking who switched out my post-it notes for the iPhone seventy or whatever number they're on now.

But it doesn't feel right. People pretending to be other people--real people--on the internet? Sounds a bit too much like fraud to be fun. So what's going on here? Anyone feel like filling me in on the whole story? I'd be here for days if I tried reading everything.

[As he stares at what he's just written up, John wonders, "Christ, I haven't just stumbled upon some secret forum run by crazy people, have I?" Hm, maybe he shouldn't have posted anything. Oh well, too late now.]

Comments

[allinvein]

[Oh, hey, he knows a Julien. Probably not the same one, but whatever.]

Glad to hear people aren't pushing for reveals. I'm still not entirely convinced that this isn't part of some giant conspiracy theory. ;)

Anyway, Julien, it's nice to meet you. I'm John. I know, I know--it's a very generic name, but I promise, it's not an alias.

[espigeonage]

Lol, you might not be that far off! We're a conspiracy now, sort of.

That's fine! Some people actually have to have the names for them to be generic, right?

[allinvein]

First rule of the conspiracy: you don't talk about the conspiracy... ?

And I suppose you're right. There are far worse things than being generic. I've actually heard of people being named Medicine and Okra before.

[espigeonage]

You can if you like, but it'd better be someone you're sure of. Just be careful. And hopefully the twist isn't that you've been fighting yourself the whole time.

Or Pilot Inspektor! Those poor kids!

[allinvein]

Yeah, probably best that I keep to the network for the time being. Maybe I'll venture out and speak to the doctors listed on the guide one day. Been to LSR a couple of times in the past, actually.

[espigeonage]

They're pretty chill! lol, maybe I know you? I volunteer there, I'm the odd one out.

[allinvein]

[Oho! So maybe this is the Julien that he knows.]

You just might. Know of any John's who come by every now and then with a new patient in tow? :)

[espigeonage]

We actually do get a few of those! But, let's see. Tall, dark, handsome, cute accent?

[allinvein]

You flirt! ;)

Yeah, that'd be me. Fancy meeting you here. The world really is a small place. How long have you been a part of this mess?

[espigeonage]

So you do remember me! I'm glad!

lol, well, since around the middle of April? It does pretty much line up with how I've been spending a lot more time near the Dead District.

[allinvein]

I'd be hard pressed to forget someone like you!

Spending more time near the Dead District isn't making this whole situation worse, is it? No magical craters spreading spores to infect us, I hope? (I should probably lay off on the movies.)

[espigeonage]

Then I'm doing my job!

I hope not. There was a statue there, there were these werewolf things. Nothing lately, but we don't know if it'll change... Pretty sci-fi in its own way. Or maybe urban fantasy?

[allinvein]

I'd go with urban fantasy, but that's just me. Aren't those sorts of books and tv series real popular these days? Either way, I suppose I should be happy that we haven't hit horror movie levels of terror yet.

--I probably just jinxed us.

[espigeonage]

Wellll... horror elements anyway. Maybe you'll be lucky and not get too many of those!

[allinvein]

I certainly hope not. I don't think I'd mind getting some superhero powers though. Flight? Teleportation? Super strength? Could come in handy.

[espigeonage]

Could be, could be! I seem to be getting more athletic, lol. My lungs went screwy and now I'm barely ever out of breath.

[allinvein]

Yeah? Like some sort of bizarre case of asthma that left you stronger when it went away? Hope the change wasn't too rough on you though.

[espigeonage]

It was rough! But once things are passed and there's some distance they look a little better, you know?

[allinvein]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Is that how you found your way to LSR clinic? If you don't mind me asking, of course.

[espigeonage]

Sometimes!

Nah, I've been with them, ish, for almost a year. Practically as long as I've spent in Locke! lol I just met Strider and like... I'm not actually clear on how I ended up working for him. Guess he needed another pair of hands and I'm willing!

[allinvein]

So long as you're enjoying the job, it doesn't matter how or why you ended up there, right? :) The health benefits are a big perk, though, I imagine--with or without all this crazy stuff going on.

[espigeonage]

Lol, it really doesn't!

Yeah that's actually the deal. I don't get paid but if I need anything, well. Of course I used to be so healthy it was like... yeah didn't need it, but it's always good to have a plan, right? Emergency room bills are hideous.

[allinvein]

Definitely. And even if it's not an emergency or anything even really bizarre, there's something nice about having a friend in the medical field that you can bother. Might be a tad annoying to them though, what with all of those inane questions. ;)

[espigeonage]

Lol, maybe! I can be a little much, but Strider would say something if it started to get to him, and he hasn't yet. I do know when to stop talking, sometimes!

[allinvein]

Hah, I bet your chatter adds a pleasant air of ambience to the place, what with your dulcet tones. ;) Who wouldn't want you around for the company?