005M; bertl writes for cracked.com in his spare time

[toobig]

A - Shopping; closed to Ellie, action - backdated to the 12th

[This was stupid. When Ryan and Ellie had talked about his steaming problem, they had come up with the "perfect" solution. They decided that if he had a big enough coat, it would hold the steam inside of it like it was the Hindenburg until it was punctured on an errant corner and exploded, causing the traumatic deaths of millions around him. Or, it would just make him look completely and utterly stupid. Both were possibilities here. He hoped the former would encompass the latter before it had a chance to happen and at least his life would end with a bang instead of a whisper.]

[He was musing on this while walking into the shopping strip with Ellie, sticking out like a sore thumb as usual considering he stood a head and shoulders taller than pretty much anyone else in the universe.]

I have a perfectly functional winter coat at home, you know....

B - Sleepover; closed to Ellie and Ryan, action - backdated to the 14th

[Bertholdt had never even had someone over to his apartment besides his aging mother before the Network had pretty much ruined his life. Now he had Ryan over at least twice a week, and this weekend Ellie would be coming along as well. It has started out as a joke, "let's have a sleepover," but like with all things concerning Ryan sarcasm had become a reality. And considering Ryan lived at the fire station and Ellie had privacy issues, he'd laid down and let them walk all over the idea of him being the one to host this..... event.]

[So he'd cleaned up and bought snack food (which was becoming increasingly more difficult for some reason,) as well as made his first purchase of alcohol in months. They were adults, a couple six packs were mandatory. You know, for something mature like a goddamn sleep over.]

[So wondering if it had all actually been an elaborate joke, Bertholdt waits in his apartment for the two jerks friends he'd made so far.]

C - Network; OTA, handwritten text - 2:17AM

You'd really think the lottery for this Echo thing would have some kind of handicap for someone with a preexisting condition. Is there a help network for that kind of thing on here? I really can't stop taking my medicine.

Comments

A - Shopping

[toobig]

[shortspoken]

'Perfectly functional' won't do. You're doing the equivalent of saying 'I don't need a bus to carry this herd of children to school. I have a bicycle.'

[ Ellie is not particularly enjoying the extra attention that comes from being in public with Bertholdt. She is, however, enjoying making The Face at anybody who stares too openly.

She's also walking right past some of the nicer clothing stores without even glancing into them. She has a particular shop in mind, okay. She's a woman on a mission. ]

[toobig]

[Having Annie there is surprisingly better than normal, with people staring and then pointedly running the fuck away when she death glares at them. It's kinda nice.]

It's plenty insulated enough, it's from Land's End.

[shortspoken]

You're getting a new coat. If you keep protesting, I might start thinking you don't want to be seen out with me. A frail girl with a fragile ego like mine might start to get offended.

[ She comes to a stop in front of an incredibly-shabby looking Goodwill store. It should be noted that Ellie isn't exactly well-acquainted with popular culture, so she sees nothing even mildly amusing about getting Bertl a big-ass coat from the thrift shop down the road.

She probably thinks Macklemore is a type of raincoat. ]

In there. Go.

B - Sleepover Stuff

[toobig]

{ooc: Post Order; Ryan>Ellie>Bertholdt.}

[schild]

[ Did you say booze, Bertl? Because Ryan brought some of that, too. Not that it's a big deal or anything, but if you've pretty much invited yourself and your not-best-friend-maybe-from-a-past-life to your boyfriend's house, it helps to bring something other than your loud self. Right? ]

[ He'd never joke about this though, which is why Ryan shows up with a smile, ringing the bell for Bertholdt's apartment, assuming he'll be at his phone. Ryan's actually been looking forward to this, okay? Something about the three of them hanging out is nice. ]

Yo, Bertl! It's me! Open up!

[ How positively endearing, Ryan. ]

[shortspoken]

[ Ellie hasn't brought booze. She brought better things! Like a rucksack full of glittery nail polish, Bertholdt's brand new "Team Mom" shirt and a tacky-looking pink cardboard box labelled "Little Miss' First Sleepover Set" that contains moisturising facemasks, truth or dare cards, hair curlers and accessories.

She couldn't not buy it. The thought of getting the guys all prettied up with glittery hairslides was enough to make her giggle. In public. Several people who witnessed it are now in therapy.

She appears seconds after Ryan rings the doorbell, almost as if she's been lurking around and lying in wait like a creepy creeper. BUT HAHA THAT'S NOT LIKELY, IS IT? HAHA. Ha. ]

You mean it's us.

[ That counts as a "hello." ]

[toobig]

Yeah, come on up.

[He unlocks the door for them, and opens the door to his apartment when they come up to his floor, letting them inside.]

I know this is your first time here, Annie, try not to be too impressed.

[It wasn't that big, though the lighting was nice, but it was cozily decorated, the whole far wall across the apartment lined with bookshelves. Definitely a writer's loft, but Bertholdt hardly thought it was anything to brag about.]

video; iPhone

[earnedmystripes]

There's a free clinic run by some of us numbered people. LSR, near the Dead District. If you'd need a ride, I wouldn't mind taking you.

perma text;

[toobig]

I don't know if it's an issue that needs a doctor, though... I mean, if I'm losing my appetite they can't really stop it from happening.

text it is, then!

[earnedmystripes]

It can't hurt to get it checked out? Since it's free and all, and maybe they have something echo-y that can help by now

sorry tiger bertl doesn't like talking on the phone. or at all.

[toobig]

Yeah... that's why I'm asking on here first though.

I guess I'm at a loss.

[ text; cellphone ]

[hoennmaihime]

[....okay, she'll bite.]

What's the problem?

perma text;

[toobig]

I'm not sure yet. I just ...feel like something strange is happening to my body.

[hoennmaihime]

You have my condolences. I do hope things work out for you.

[honestly, she doesn't actually care as long as it doesn't affect her life, but saying that would be rude and rudeness isn't what she's going with today.]

Why would that prevent you from taking your medicine, however? Are you worried that your changing physiology might cause the effects of your medication to differ?

[toobig]

Thanks...

There's that... and the fact that my last Echo made it so I feel really sick any time I try and swallow food or pills or even water...

text

[mood2wiingiing]

lmao seriously, like theres not enough some of us have two deal with already.

i know theres a couple of doctors on here they talked two me before.

permatext;

[toobig]

What were they like?

Re: permatext;

[mood2wiingiing]

well theyre doctors. they seem ok enough??
i havent gone yet even though i should lol.
but you know they offered their work up two me and everything so i guess theyre good.
sorry not two helpful there i guess.

[Handwritten]

[dododo]

I'm one of the doctors here. There is a clinic that have been made to make it easier in case any of us have things we cannot show the public. I don't work there, but I can maybe be of help all the same.

What's your condition?

permatext;

[toobig]

Uh, I suffer from hyperthyroidism. I have all my life, so... not taking my medicine is going to ...be a bad time.

But... the last Echo I had made me not want... to eat anything and the pills make me sick without anything in my stomach...

Re: permatext;

[dododo]

Why don't you want to eat anything?

handwritten text;

[wirsinddiejager]

wait an echo is stopping you from taking your meds? thats fucked up.

permatext;

[toobig]

Yeah, it's... not fun.

I'm not sure what to do.

[wirsinddiejager]

how big of a deal is this exactly. like are you gonna die if you dont take them.