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[predestinarianism]

Hello, everyone. It looks like I'm not the only person just now becoming aware of this... forum, for lack of a better word. I've already read through the FAQ, but while I admire the dedication of those maintaining it, I still have a few questions:

• Is there any meaningful distinction between using "pulses" and "echoes" to describe the memories (or other things, I'm lead to believe) that we receive? Is one preferred over the other, or is it a matter of personal preference? Do they carry different connotations?
• I've seen numerous references to aliens in multiple recent posts that I haven't found explained in the FAQ. Could someone kindly summarize?
• It sounds like people who don't receive pulses/echoes can't access or sense this network. If I were to access it by writing on a piece of paper, say, and I left that paper lying around somewhere, what would my parents see? What if they look at my screen as I'm typing on it? I'd rather not take unnecessary risks, particularly as I'd like to keep my involvement as minimal as possible.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

[predestinarianism]

[She frowns at the computer screen for a moment, before she thinks she gets it]

That déjà vu feeling, right? [She asks, once she's looked up the proper accents] So there's no way to stop that from happening? This is all very interesting, but it sounds sort of troublesome.

[moonlitblade]

[Ethan grimaces at the accented symbols in his datebook. Too fancy to remember.]

That sounds right. There's no good way to keep it from happening, except to leave the city or not talk to anyone ever again. Some things are harder to "trigger", but almost anything you do could possibly be something that "other you" had done in their lifetime.

It's not really a bad thing, though - you learn about the person you're getting these pulses from, plus sometimes you'll get things or powers. And most of us aren't bad people. It's a weird life, but it's not entirely bad.

[predestinarianism]

In my mind, it's a bad thing if it means keeping us tied into something so dangerous, but I can't deny that I'm at least a little intrigued.

Leaving isn't an option, unfortunately, so it sounds like I don't have much choice in the matter.

[moonlitblade]

Not really, no. Sorry. I know it's not the best thing, but you're just going to have to get used to it.

I should probably introduce myself if I'm going to say all this, huh? I'm Ethan.

[predestinarianism]

It's all right. I prefer to know what I'm getting into instead of sugarcoating it.

I'm Lynn. I appreciate the time you took to say it.

[moonlitblade]

People seem to be in two groups - some will be happy to tell you everything we know, and some would rather not tell you anything. Then there are the people who will make fun of you first before doing one or the other. I can't say I like that approach.

Nice to meet you, Lynn. I don't mind helping - all of us together can do more than a bunch of us separately, I think. And if you know what's going on, you probably won't do something that'll get youin trouble.

[predestinarianism]

Of course. God forbid some of us become aware of this later than others, surely it must be personal willingness to wait.

[which is actually pretty rich, coming from her, because she hasn't had anyone give her a hard time and will likely act more-knowledgeable-than-thou for any subsequent newcomers, but whatever]

Just accessing the network once has certainly shone some light on things that have been going on in the city. Better to stick together and support each other, right?