[ 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]

Different. Do you mean that in a good or bad way?

Either way, thanks for the welcome. The people on here have been decent enough thus far.

[fatherssins]

I think it depends, some people have had some really strange experiences here (myself included)!

People here are surprisingly nice, I mean, I don't know if I really fit in to this network but everyone seems pretty caring.

[allinvein]

Would you mind expanding on the strange experiences bit? Just so I can have an idea about what I might be facing in the near future.

And why do you say you might not fit in? You seem like a decent enough fellow. :)

[fatherssins]

Maybe it'd be easier if I just show you.

[ Minutes later the camera turns on and Adrian is on show, he is an impossibly pretty person but his voice gives him away to be a man. His accent is clearly British, and he has a clear and enunciated diction. He seems awkward in showing himself, and even more so when he pulls back his upper lip to show a set extremely sharp-looking canines. ]

A week or so ago some teeth fell out, and these grew back in a matter of hours. They're... pretty awful-looking, and obvious, or perhaps they're just obvious to me?

[ He pauses before adding ]

I don't think I'm like everyone else here, they all seem so "contented", even in the most dire of situations. [ He shakes his head ] Sorry, I'm not phrasing it very well at all, I-- [ No, he decides he won't burden anyone with his issues and he tries to smile. Pleasing as the expression is there is a great sadness that remains in his eyes ] --I didn't even introduce myself, sorry. I'm Adrian.

[allinvein]

[There's a bit of a pause before his response, like John's debating about how to reply to this. After all, this guy just revealed himself on camera, and it seems a bit... well, unfair to just remain anon. At the same time, though, he's still not entirely comfortable with just outting himself on the network.

Instead, he switches on the mic on his laptop, sighing quietly as he does so. For once, he rather wishes that he'd gotten rid of his Irish accent. It's a big city for sure, but American accents certainly outnumber foreign ones.]

Nice to meet you, Adrian. I'm John.

[He tries for inserting some warmth into his tone, but he's not sure how well he's managed.]

About your teeth--it should be all right so long as you don't smile too wide, right? And if anyone asks, you could always say that they're... [John seems to fumble with his words for a moment, like he's not really sure if this is appropriate or tactful to be saying this.] Dental implants? Could be a uh... [No, let's not talk about fetishes. Moving on, moving on...] Never mind.

Anyway, it's not wrong to be troubled by what's happening around you--regardless of what others may say. [Oh dear. Looks like the social worker inside is starting to take over. John is all ears.] Christ, even I'm a little shaken up by everything I've read about this, and I honestly don't think I've even experienced anything yet.

[fatherssins]

[ Adrian was a moody sort of person, at times he could take comments badly when he felt more sensitive than he should've, but there was something genuine about John that brought out a more optimistic temperament in him.

He chuckled at that suggestion ]

Dental implants? Hah! Here in America they'd probably sue for something like these. But thanks, so far I'm trying to decide between your idea and saying that I work in the theatre and that I'm a fantastic method actor.

I think the implants is more believable at this point.

[ It wasn't often that Adrian had a sympathetic ear, so he appreciated John's last comments immensely. If anyone on the network needed counselling, it was him. ]

That's kind of you to say so, everyone seems to be coping better than me.

[allinvein]

Vampires do seem to be very popular these days. Have you seen all of those young adult dark fantasy books they have in stores these days? Implants are definitely plausible, actor or not.

[John laughs softly, shaking his head as he does so, and then he goes quiet for a moment, like he's thinking about what to say again.]

Look, I know it's probably strange coming from a relative stranger, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. [Helping people cope--that's what he does for a living. No, he's not a shrink, but hey, that's not going to stop him from offering assistance where it's needed. Besides, he knows how to get his hands on resources better than most.] We all have our rough spots, and there's nothing wrong for asking for some assistance in getting out of them.

[fatherssins]

[ And Adrian joins in with the laughter ]

Ah, yes, here I am. Adrian the clumsiest and most awkward vampire you'll ever meet!

[ If only he knew ]

That's... very kind of you, you do know there's probably nothing I can offer you in return, right?

[allinvein]

Don't worry about it, mate. [There's an obvious warmth to his tone now, as if he's voicing the grin he's wearing back at home.] The offer still stands, and I expect it to stand in the future as well.