savetheearth | 001 ✮ text

[ The whole thing was completely unbelievable, there was no doubt about that. Who would've thought that typing random numbers into your phone after a search for cough syrup would turn up an untraceable network filled with what looked like bunch of crazy people? At least, calling them "crazy" seemed like the most likely conclusion. It occurs to him that he really should be doing his job, but sheer curiosity kept him looking through the posts.

Besides, it could all be related to his assignment. Somehow (okay, that was maybe reaching just a little, but what exactly can a guy do?). So, he begins to type on his phone, not quite sure what sort of person will turn up. ]

So let me guess: This is all an elaborate viral advertising campaign for cough syrup, right?

[ Well crap. Sarcasm doesn't quite translate that well through text, now does it? Still, it seemed like the better option than broadcasting either his face or voice, where (to the right person) he might as well just say "FBI agent here! Ask me about my entire life". ]

Unless any of you have a better explanation. Because from where I'm sitting, cough syrup advertising still looks a lot more likely than "aliens" and "robots".

[ Still, as they always say, sometimes "the truth is stranger than fiction". ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Unless... that's exactly what "they" want you to think.

Damn.

"They" who?

[conversations with Kara have that effect more often than not. it's nothing to be worried about]

it is very cute! they are much more expressive than the usual emotes, i have found, although those are also very adorable. i am glad that i can now match and mix between the two. :D

well, there are many people who understandably do not wish to have their true identity known. so it would likely be a bit difficult to gather truly accurate numbers from a simple request.

You know. "They". "The man". All that fun stuff.

[ Ah, blissful ignorance. If only he had remained convinced that this was a very elaborate roleplay network. ]

We know lots of men!

And women! Could you be more specific?

[ A sigh. ] You can see why I was looking for cough syrup now. You'd think that these so called "echoes" would be a bit more interesting than laryngitis.

[ It's really that that's making this difficult to believe.

He pauses for a minute, considering something. Finally, he decides that there's really not any risk in mentioning this to a kid. ]

If you'd like, I could mention it to them. I'm involved with the police. Sort of.

[ More of a co-operative relationship, if anything, and his assignment has really only just started. ]

Perpetual laryngitis. I can't say that ranks up there with "shapeshifting".

And please, don't call me "sir".

[ It's not even an overly formal setting, and hell, and it makes him feel much older than just 28. ]

[She's quiet for a moment, because she doesn't want to offend and she doesn't want to lie.]

Okay. Just be careful. You seem really nice and I don't want anyone getting hurt.

[ His voice is actually pretty reassuring.

And he figures it's safe enough to save more. ]

If it makes you feel better, my bosses are definitely higher up than the police. So if some corrupt cop tries anything with me, they'll have a lot more problems than one agent.

[ Oh, how little he knows. ]

[ ...And at this point, he has decided that there's no point in being overly secret because he's either hallucinating all of this, or it's so completely insane, no one would fully believe what's going on. ]

I am a "cop guy" myself.

[The reassurance works, she's smiling again and it comes back into her voice when she replies.]

That's good. I like police officers, I want to believe in them.

[In truth she wants to believe in everyone, but that's a sentiment not many share these days.]

I'm Holly, by the way.

[Small twitch of what's left of his mouth - would've been more of an apologetic flinch were it face to face, but alas noted - ]

I understand. Please excuse me... [And back to the previous - momentarily catches in a neutral figurative lightbulb-off that the shapeshifter alluded to'd gotten a distinctly on its own apparently irrelevant nuisance pulse before the shapeshifting had come in, but now that's not his to share.] Several of us had underwhelming pulses before anything extreme. What happens is frequently related to what we are doing at the time... They are "triggered."

[ Someone just did. Among other things. ]

Yeah. I saw it. It's... a lot to believe.

...You're all sure that you're not just a group of really dedicated roleplayers?

[ With... a network that magically connects via paper. ]

Ok. Now, say I do believe all of this. [ which he still isn't quite sure if he does ]

Is there more to it than "just wanting to stay fit" or "laryngitis"?

Sorry. Sarcasm doesn't translate well over text.

[ it's a bit of a curse. ]

It was really more of a "throwing it out" sort of thing.

[ Since he's actually been using his voice in a few conversations... well... one more isn't exactly going to hurt. There's a distinct subharmonic effect as he speaks. ]

See?

Unfortunately, yes. Much more. You want to hear my party trick?

[he doesn't wait for a response, but changes his voice, makes himself sound exactly like some popular, low-voiced radio host.]

I had to relearn how to talk a few months ago.

[and a pitch-perfect imitation of one of those "talking guitars" from the seventies]

It was a _{total pain}, but _{my _voice is} a whole ^{lot^{more^flexible}now.}

[aaaand Gerald's sister, not that he's aware of their connection.]

So now I can do vocal impersonations and talk with my mouth closed. Cool, huh?

[ He watches the video, frown deepening as it continues to play.

His first reaction is to rationalize it. The Chief of Police didn't seem to want to do it. But, as it continues to play, he knows that there's never any rationalizing for murder. ]

There has to be something we can do.

[ Those bastards. No one was above the law, he was sure of that. There had to be something they could do.

As much as he hated suggesting it... ]

My father has high up connections in the FBI. If we just—

[ ...had proof. Showed him the video. If they could do that, then couldn't they solve this? ]

Edited (idk sounds better. :|) 2013-12-31 06:05 (UTC)

[ He couldn't quite tell if it was sarcasm that he was treated with, or genuine joy. Either way... ]

Really?

I'm so incredibly thrilled.

So... what are the robots, then?

[ Well, on one hand, it's nice to see that youthful enthusiasm is alive and well. On the other hand...

THERE IS NOTHING COOL ABOUT THIS. ]

Close. Most of them involve the words "confusing", "as", "all", and ~~hell~~ "heck".

((ooc: strike-out is deleted text.))

[ Oh god. ]

It was actually sorta meant to be a joke.

You sound a lot like my sister. [ Which, once again, was sorta oddly comforting. ]

Yeah, that's what I meant. To be honest, I'm still not sure this isn't all some sort of mass hallucination.

[Long pause.]

Oh. We knew that!

Yep! It's very funny!

Heh, I suppose it doesn't.

But that's... interesting. You don't have any idea what might be the cause of that?

All you got was the voice?

individuals on the network such as yourself or myself as far as i can tell

[ Wow. Just.

Wow.

Who are these people. ]

Well, I'm... glad that you think so.

Now, do you mind telling me what exactly this network is for?

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