[ Text - Handwritten ]

[selfassured]

[ Derek had honestly made an attempt to forget the numbers at first. Repeating different words, different phrases. Listening to terrible songs on repeat.

Not that it had worked. He had developed an impressive headache for all of his effort though.

He gives a short sigh before giving into curiosity and scribbling the numbers down on a nearby piece of paper with a small note below them. ]

I have a feeling by this point that these numbers are important. I could do without them being the first thought on my mind though.

[ He pauses in his writing for a few moments, taking in the other lines appearing on the paper.

That wasn’t what he was expecting, at all. Although in hind-sight perhaps he should have, there were plenty of tales, mainly horror based, about text appearing after a phrase of some sort is initially written down.

This seems far less demonic though, more reminiscent of a certain worldwide network. ]

The numbers are an access code then. Looks like the standard internet has a competitor when it comes to mobile access.

Comments

[handwritten]

[detectivetroll]

No kidding. Apparently you can access this through just about anything. And so far, no ads telling me that I've won something.

text {iphone}

[ursoreckless]

welcome to the secret numbers club. here, have some things that others have found out about the club: [[FAQs]]. if there's any questions don't ask me, i'm just as confused as everyone else. just be glad no one's trying to get you into spandex yet.

[ video ]

[fatherssins]

[ Adrian was not prone to communicating on the network with the video up-link, but after having just sent a video message to another new user he didn't feel inclined to switch to another media. He's a pretty man, to be sure, but there are elements to him which show that he's male; his voice being the most obvious for the time being. ]

It's not exactly standard.

[handwritten]

[selfassured]

Very convenient.

Have you received any messages asking for donations yet?

text

[selfassured]

Thank you for that.

Why is someone trying to put people into spandex though?

[ text ]

[selfassured]

[ Derek of course, can't make things a little more even on the communication method difference, so he rather stubbornly sticks to writing. Even though the more experimental part of his mind is wondering whether a mirror would work now.

To be fair, he's seen a lot of different people in the past. A wide variation to the point where he's not going to assume someone else's gender from voice alone. ]

This isn't, no. A normal network connection would be.

[fatherssins]

There have been so many new people recently...

[ That was more or less Adrian voicing his thoughts, rather than anything directed at the other speaker ]

Do you need any information? I mean--I'm not particularly good at this sort of thing but maybe I can help?

[selfassured]

[ Derek just files that little bit of information way for later. What can you really say to something like that without a little bit of background knowledge? ]

Sure. Why don't you start with telling me what you think I need to know.

[fatherssins]

[ He hesitates before answering ]

Alright, let's see... well, I suppose it's worth knowing that the number you have is unique and connects you to everyone here on this network. It's also probably good to know that most people who know this place experience... changes.

They're not always bad, I think.

[selfassured]

Changes? That aren't 'always' bad but, could be.

I'm honestly not sure whether to call that ominous or unbelievable.

[ It really does sound like a joke someone made up one day. Go to a city, experience some sort of life changing event. ]

What sort of changes?

[fatherssins]

[ A notable (as well as pretty dismayed or sad) sigh, people always asked that question and the only way to answer it was to show people, which was equally as unpleasant. ]

Some of my teeth fell out, and less than two hours later, grew back. And they looked... different.

I can show you if you want, I suppose.

[selfassured]

Different.

[ Of course the obvious question would be different 'how' but, Derek holds back on that response for the time being. ]

You could. But you don't really want to, do you?

[fatherssins]

The last person I showed them to looked scared. I dodn't want to scare anyone.

[ That said, Adrian pauses a moment, then opens his mouth curling back his upper lip just enough to show those sharp, pointed (and very new) canines. He exposes them for a while before relaxing again. ]

See? They're just different.

[selfassured]

I doubt they're that bad.

[ Derek waits a few moments before responding, just trying to gather his thoughts a little. He does have to admit that those canines don't look particularly normal. At least not in a society with dentistry options. ]

Definitely different.

[fatherssins]

[ There's a noticeable lull to Adrian's expression. He'd never wanted to be different, with difference there seemed to be some exclusion and he felt alone enough as it was. ]

Yeah, at least they're not visible most of the time. If I'm careful.

[selfassured]

[ This is would be a moment where Derek falls short in one regard, he's never been particularly good at comforting people. At least, not in a way that other people appreciated. ]

So, what, they come and go?

[fatherssins]

[ He shakes his head ]

No, they're here all the time it seems. I just can't... yawn in public I suppose.

[selfassured]

It's not a matter of "can't" though, is it?

It's that you won't because someone might see.

[fatherssins]

[ He seems almost shy at that response ]

Well, yes. I don't want people to think I'm weird.

[selfassured]

[ If Derek could honestly write out some sort expression of a sigh, he would, because this is really out of his normal element. ]

Look, i'm going to give you a little free advice.

Stop worrying about what other people think. They want to think you're weird, then let them.

[fatherssins]

[ But Adrian's feelings were all too clear; he looked beaten down like a kicked puppy ]

I just--I don't want to stand out, it's easier that way.

[selfassured]

[ Derek ends up pausing for a few moments, trying to think of a route for this conversation. Honestly, this is his sister's element, not his. ]

You don't think that going out of your way to blend in might be a little suspicious?

[fatherssins]

[ And he noticeably gasps ]

Am I drawing unnecessary attention? Oh dear, that wasn't my intention at all!

[selfassured]

Probably.

[ Not that he's in a position to actually give a definite answer. ]

Intentional or not, if you're acting out of the ordinary, people are going to make assumptions.

[fatherssins]

I never thought of that before.