four sick, disgusting thoughts | audio

[somesayinfire]

[through the open window of Brooke's apartment, any listeners might be able to hear the faint sounds of Sunday night traffic. there's the additional sound of plastic against wood and the selfsame window sliding closed, then some fumbling noises as she gets her phone back into position.]

Sorry I've been off the grid lately, numbers club. No sense in hiding it anymore, I guess. I can't move my arm, and it's because of an echo. That means I can barely work and I definitely can't drive. I guess if nothing else, it's giving me killer legs. [she puts on a weak smile, and that might translate through to her voice, but it's gone as soon as it showed up.]

If anyone was planning on getting any mortuary benefits from me, that's kind of... off the table. At least for right now. I hear prosthetic technology is pretty good, if it comes to that. That's not why I'm finally getting back in touch, though.

I was downtown today and I could swear this ringing in my ears was getting worse the longer I was down there. And I haven't had tinnitus at all—I mean, okay, everyone has it, but mine hasn't ever been this bad. I got that favorite feeling of ours right before I started hearing it, so it could be because of some echo that I haven't figured out yet, but... I don't know.

Do you think one of you guys could head down there and corroborate this story? I'd go again myself, but I look really suspicious and I'm not exactly eager to draw the attention of any cops right now.

Comments

[Audio]

[truthandlogic]

Now I see why you asked what you did previously. [And he is indeed doing some research and legwork towards her suit no matter what she decides on that.]

As far as your story, I'll be downtown tomorrow and can indeed look into it. The warning is appreciated.

[somesayinfire]

Everything you do is what's appreciated, Miles. We've got all this corruption and general terrible stuff going on, so it's nice to see people still fighting the right fight.

[truthandlogic]

[Well, he's not appreciating the echoes he's getting from all of this, seems his past self dealt with corruption as well.]

That is just what I do. Our legal system is set up the way it is to ensure every person receives a fair trial. Both sides have a lawyer because it is only by knowing both sides of a story that we can find the truth that lies somewhere in between.

[lackinginfaith]

You haven't been able to move at all?

[somesayinfire]

Nope. Not even somebody else using my brain could do it. It's in a cast right now, just for appearance's sake. I don't know what other-me did to deserve this, but they must have been astoundingly cruel to puppies.

[lackinginfaith]

Maybe you were paralyzed in that life. Not pleasant to think about, I know. You've had a network doctor look at it?

[originaloddcouple]

Br-BROOKE!

Hi, I'm Isaac, we haven't actually met but HAVE YOU HAD YOUR ARM CHECKED OUT?!

BECAUSE NOT MOVING SOUNDS REALLY BAD!

[somesayinfire]

Hi, both of you. I already got it checked out. A friend of mine has my back on this whole... thing. He's got me covered. All I know is that I can't move it, it's because of an echo, and the best I can do is hide it for now.

[Audio]

[scramasax]

Ms. Reynolds - what happened to it...? -- The arm - if I'm allowed to ask...

[Keeping his voice relatively suppressed out of apprehension as much as concern - his mind's wandering this way and that to what inability to move one's arm exactly could mean.]

[somesayinfire]

Of course you can ask. I just can't move it. From my shoulder down to my hand, I just... it doesn't want to listen. I can't even feel anything there anymore, honestly. It's not the best situation in the world, but I don't think it's spreading. Which, trust me, I was definitely worried about for a while.

[scramasax]

-- So it's - paralyzed? ...It's not -- ... [Cuts himself off sharply there as he isn't sure precisely what he's asking if it isn't - too many things to say, given what has happened to people, but he'd certainly been leaning toward picturing it frozen or locked solid.]

[summit]

What's, happening to it? I, uh... I've some experience, with that. Except, not in an echo.

[somesayinfire]

...Oh. Um. It's paralyzed, I guess is the best way to put it, except it's basically immobile even for other people, too. If I could still feel things in it, I'd say it felt stiff.

[summit]

Oh my God. [ That's... ] I'm, so sorry.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

What changed in your arm?

Same noise as it was when the lights were going? I'd heard it was in the mines too, hadn't noticed it in town. Where about where you?

[audio]

[somesayinfire]

It's paralyzed and rigor-y. It's not a great way to be, but it's... no, there's no but, it just sucks. Anyway, I forget where exactly I was when it started getting worse. I just remember I was downtown, like, around where all the suits do their 9-to-5s. I'm pretty sure it was the same noise as the lights.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

I'll look into it tomorrow after school.

And when you say rigory, you mean like it's actually dead? Or just busted up?

audio;

[drama8om8]

Lucky you! It's my birthday in a month and mom's getting me a car. So I will totally drive you places when I get it. Which is one less thing to worry about! You are so welcome.

[ RUN LIKE THE WIND BROOKE

FUCKING RUN ]

[somesayinfire]

...Are you sure that's the best idea in the world, Tavia? Shouldn't you practice without a passenger for a while?

[drama8om8]

That sounds like wuss-talk to me. Full on wussy-wuss wimptalk. Relax! I will be super great at driving just as I am absurdly great at everything else I ever do. It is my curse. And also my gift!

audio

[15minuteslate]

Whoa, I'm sorry about your arm. There's nothing a doctor can do about it?

But the good news is, I'm pretty sure you're right about the buzzing. It's way worse at work than it is at home, and I work pretty close to downtown.

[somesayinfire]

I've already been to the clinic and it doesn't really match up with anything that, well, exists. The best option I have is to keep it in a cast for show and hope nothing worse happens. Thanks for the concern, though.

Odds that this is a Thunder-related thing? I mean, let's be real here.

[15minuteslate]

Yeah. I'm half expecting to wind up standing outside the ThunderCorp offices, scratching my head like an idiot and unable to explain to the security guards why I'm loitering.

[text; handwritten]

[darkhourdear]

Are you ok? [noooo he wants you to get better.]

[audio]

[somesayinfire]

[oh nooo! she almost forgot she has people she doesn't want to make sad. :(]

I could say yes, but I'd be lying. I'll get better, though! Don't worry too much.