savetheearth | 001 ✮ text

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[ 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". ]

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You never know, but if it actually is I'd really like to have a few words with the creator because it can be a bit scary.

[More like a lot scary but she's not even sure who this is. It could be an elementary kid for all she knew!]

Scary? Howso?

[ ...That didn't sound all that good to him.

For a moment, he wondered if he was talking to a kid, or something. In which case, he really had to wonder about the implications of minors roleplaying on an encrypted server. ]

Some of the things people have gotten back, like bladed pet things and random memories. I've been pretty lucky, but some others haven't.

[Just listening to what Ethan told her he'd found digging through the network was enough to give her nightmares.]

[ Well... that doesn't sound too good. not in the least. ]

And dare I ask where exactly they've gotten these things from?

Um.... thin air? I woke up in a bright yellow dress with accessories to match... I didn't go to sleep in that.

[ ...What?

Well, that's gotten creepy. ]

It just... popped up? No one put it there????

[ Had he stumbled onto some sort of...

No. He really didn't want to think that. Because there had to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for what this girl (...right?) was saying. ]

I sure hope no one put it there! I mean I have siblings that like to play pranks but that would be a little creepy!

[Even the thought has her shivering with an 'egh' feeling.]

Besides, I also got a staff a few days ago when I ran into a gang member, that literally was just there, in my grasp.

[Try to logic that one because she's tried too!]

[ He was about to really question this entire line of thought. He really was. But, instead, he finds himself drawn to another part of her comment. So, he switches to voice, even if there's something distinctly... off about how it sounds (blame the underlying subharmonics). ]

A gang member attacked you?

[ This was... rather concerning. ]

Did you report it to the police?

[ and technically, while he is the police, this still qualifies as a municipal manner. ]

[Oh well if he's going to voice so will she, the offness of the voice doesn't bother her, she's just going to put it to a weird phone connection right now. What will most likely ring the strongest from her end is the fact she's female and young.]

They did on the twenty-first. I was out shopping with friends. We didn't report it mainly because... um, I'm not sure if everyone in the police force can be trusted. I was told not to trust them, but I still do. Just- how am I going to explain how I suddenly got a wand?

[ Hearing the voice causes him to worry just a little bit more. The fact that there was at least one kid caught up in all this... ]

The police are there to help you. [ He genuinely believes in them. There were a few rotten officers out there, but the good ones far outweighed the bad, right? ]

Criminals, especially ones who would harass kids, shouldn't be allowed to get away.

[ He's sorta not quite registering the whole "wand" thing at the moment, because that's a little out there, isn't it? ]

They didn't hurt you guys, did they?

[ Everyone had to answer for their crimes, right? ]

I'm fine! We weren't too terribly hurt. [[ooc: which might change a wee bit because the thread is literally going on right now but details!]]

I know they're supposed to help you. I just know from others that there are some that are out to get numbers.

[ ((ooc: s'cool 83)) ]

So you're saying that some of them are working with the NSA?

[ He's assuming that she means "phone numbers". ]

Regardless, it's still a good idea to report it, even if you leave out some of the more unimportant details.

[She actually laughs, it's a bubbly kind of laugh.]

No, not like that. [She's still smiling as she talks, the smile is easily heard in her voice as she goes on to explain.]

Um- we're called 'Numbers' or that's what I've gathered from the network. You know, because we see those numbers after our first echo. That's what they call it when you get a memory or an item.

Though others call it pulses. I like calling them echoes more.

[ A pause, as he attempts to piece things together. Nothing here still makes any sense, but he's beginning to see something of a picture.

A very muddy picture, mind you, but a picture, nonetheless. ]

So, my lost voice is supposed to be one of these "echoes"?

[ more importantly, however... ]

And, why would the police be after you all?

Oh that's your actual voice? I thought it was a bad connection! [She sounds surprised but not horribly so, just intrigued.]

Ah, yes it would be an echo, they can come back in forms of memories, items and even powers. It's a little scary at first but- well I haven't gotten anything horrible back.

As for the police... I'm not sure? I just was told to be careful around them.

[ 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. ]

[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. ]

[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.

The law is there to help you. And it's... nice to meet you, Holly. Given the circumstances and everything.

[ He pauses for a moment or two, debating on whether or not he should give out his real name.

He settles on a middle ground of sorts, using the nickname his kid sister had given him when she'd decided that "Gerald" was just too much work to pronounce correctly (it helped that she was about.. three when this happened). ]

You can call me "Garrus".

[ After all, "Officer Vakarian" made him sound way too much like his father. ]

Garrus? That's a really cool name! [She compliments, smiling all the while, before she continues.] Thank you for offering to help. There are a lot of nice people on this network, we try to help each other.

[She's thus been spared anyone who might use it maliciously.]

Well, it's more of a nickname my sister came up with. My actual name isn't nearly as exciting.

[ You know what... this kid is absolutely adorable. ]

It's no problem, Holly. I'm one of the "good guys".

[ Okay. Maybe that was too cheesy for Gerald's own comfort but... at this point, maybe he was allowed to be a bit cheesy. ]

[He can't possibly see her smile but the fact he's trying means so much to her.]

I'm glad. I really want to believe in everyone, at least with you being one of the us, we know there's someone we can trust.

[ He's still not quite sure that he's one of "them", but... ]

I intend to keep it that way. People should be able to trust those in positions of authority. Otherwise, the whole system starts to break down.

[She doesn't know much about the system idea but she likes the idea of people be trustworthy, so she'll take it.]

Thank you, Garrus. I have to go now but if you need anything, just mention me on the network and I'll see it!

[ VOICE | PHONE ]

centurian - 2014-01-06 00:25 (UTC) - Expand

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