savetheearth | Entry 002

Entry tags:

Entry 002 | Web cam

[Surprise! This time Aeron isn't using his journal or phone, and you can see what he looks like this time. Normally he'd at least try for a wry or polite look on his face, but instead his expression is tense, and his voice tight with unease.]

I have to ask. Has anyone else felt like they're being watched or followed? I could have sworn...

[Aeron shakes his head.]

Anyway, I used the webcam this time because... [He hesitates.] I was wondering if any of you would want to hold a general meeting for the network users. I hardly know what any of you look like, and it's rather inconvenient for us to tiptoe around the subject until we're certain when we meet. [He was already thinking about this before, but his run in with a certain doctor at the gallery has only emphasized this problem in his mind.]

I know some of you have been meeting in smaller groups, but...perhaps knowing who's involved in this whole thing will come in handy later. As I said to someone else before, we have a better chance of surviving the attacks being thrown our way if we're all on the same page.

[And now he clears his throat.] You know what I look like now. You can reply through the system or find me at the Sky Apple Cafe near the university if you'd rather talk in person.

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The Sky Apple.

[ Emery's tone is flat. Yes, yes, the rest of your post is all good and well, and he'll probably text you about it later, but come on Aeron. ]

Fantastic. First you make my coworker quit, and now you're trying to arrange coffee mornings at my caf. Do you just ... [ A pause as he searches for the words. ] ... enjoy watching me run around after you?

[Fay is grinning widely and looking like he doesn't have a care in the world. Somewhere in the background a shower is running, and his hair is a bit damp.]

You know, I really think you're onto something. I mean, sure, this is dangerous stuff and all that, but since they don't seem to be able to get to the network... well, it only helps us if we know who we can trust, right? [He shrugs lightly.] So that's a yes on the meetings from me, at least.

That would be inviting misfortune, wouldn't it? If there happened to be a mole on here, they'd know we'd be gathering and easily make us drop like flies.

[yeah, she doesn't identify herself on the network 8|]

Sure, babe. You buying?

[Emery will get a couple second's worth of Aeron's expression of surprised uncertainty before it abruptly switches to audio.]

I'll change the location if it bothers you so much.

[The reply is said stiffly, Aeron's voice sounding even colder than it had during their first meeting. It certainly has none of the exasperated familiarity that's been creeping into his recent interactions with Emery.]

[ Uh-oh. Emery's seen that face before - a couple of afternoons ago, in Aeron's apartment, when he'd made the mistake of saying his flat looked less than lived in. Still, it comes as a bit of a surprise when the feed shuts off so suddenly; ]

Aer—

[ But he's speaking again, which is good, although it's more cold and clipped than before. Snarky banter aside (since Aeron's obviously not feeling receptive), Emery softens his own tone just a little. ]

Are you all right?

I don't know, some people want to stay anonymous. You probably won't get that many people wanting to talk in person. [Basic Internet safety, plus that running undercurrent of paranoia since the Paul Ben thing, most likely.

But he's pretty sure he knows this man's face. Thank god for being a barista, sometimes.

Robb hesitates for a moment--this isn't exactly the best idea, after all--but then switches to video as well, his expression carefully smooth.]

But I know the Sky Apple. I'm willing to talk there.

[A little incredulous:]

You think someone may be following you, and at the same time you want to meet up with the other network users in-person?

That was my hope.

[At least someone agrees with him. That makes the knot of worry in his chest ease just a little.]

If it's widely known to the network users that Dr. Strider's the one to go to for injuries, why shouldn't we know who to go to for other things?

You believe there's a mole?

[Not that the idea hasn't occurred to him, but he hadn't known there might be evidence for it.]

I wouldn't overlook the possibility.

["Babe"? Really? Probably just as well that he's sticking to audio so this person can't see the face he makes.]

I hadn't realised you needed further incentive.

Of course. Talk is cheap.

I know you from somewhere.

[Aeron seems to be studying Robb's face intently. Then, his eyes light up in recognition.]

You're...the barista at Starbucks. Well, this is a surprise, but it proves my point exactly.

[A little incredulous right back at you!]

I don't blame you for being paranoid, but is there a reason you all seem to suspect one another? I thought it was the members of police and other higher ups that you were having trouble with.

Yes, just like that. [He nods eagerly.] I mean, I think there are people on here who are scientists and the like, and one or two who know something 'bout the military, right? That'll probably be helpful sooner or later.

[His smile turns a bit wry.] Unfortunately, at the moment I'm the guy you turn to for lap dances, and I ain't exactly sure how much use that'll be, but maybe I'll get something useful from the thingies later, who knows? ["Thingies" of course being Echoes.]

[Aaaaand suspicions confirmed. He nods, a corner of his mouth turning up.]

Yes, well, you'll get used to being surprised. As far as I know, there's all sorts of people on the network.

Can't speak for the rest, but I'm being "paranoid" because if someone's watching you, they're gonna be checking up on whoever you meet. Great plan.

Yeah, the other day.

Did you go to that exhibit too?

[Fred hesitates.] I... did, a few nights ago. Made it hard to get to sleep, which probably didn't help my final.

But as for the other, I don't see why not. I'm Fred Vandenberg. [Why no, he doesn't realize this is the same guy he introduced himself to before.]

[ He'd only posted via audio when it'd happened, but today it's a golden-eyed teen with a fair bit of concern in his expression. Having to default to distrusting those around him never did work out for him. One good turn, etc. ]

On Monday night. I couldn't stop feeling like there was something else wherever I was. Finally, I heard howling, and...

I had a weird dream, after that. Then it stopped.

Yes to feeling followed. Not really to the face to face meeting. My mom still thinks I'll be kidnapped by orc-pedophiles because of facebook. I don't really wanna share all that much on the crazy death network.

Yes, I have felt like I was being watched, from inside my own home. Right after a rather disturbing dream and hearing a wolf howl. Not one of those dog mutants, either.

As for a meeting, I agree in principle, but I am not sure about a lot of us in one place. It might be suspicious, especially if any of us are being watched. I know not all of those mutant dogs were killed, and some of them got good looks at us. Perhaps smaller groups that can coordinate?

And before you ask, I don't use webcam because I actually don't have one :) I have been thinking of perhaps fixing that, though.

Do you really think keeping to smaller groups is a better idea?

[He sounds a bit resigned.]

[A stunned sort of silence.]

What, exactly, are orc-pedophiles?

It looks like being followed is becoming a common theme for most of us.

[Aeron looks down thoughtfully.]

I was told there were werewolves involved not too long ago. Do you think the howling could be more of them?

It followed you back to your home?

[He's not liking the sound of that. It's almost as if they're trying to figure out where they all live...]

Fred. [Aeron pauses.] A final, you said. Was it for a mathematics course?

The one with the statues? I did.

[A pause on the other end.]

You think this might be connected?

Small groups are inherently less suspicious than large groups. It's easier to come up with a cover story for a smaller group that makes sense, and easier to avoid notice. Plus, if any of us are being watched, having multiple watched people in the same place is only going to make it more likely that the rest of us would wind up being watched, too. There are at least forty people on this network, after all, and that's a fairly big group.

It might be. It's pretty suspicious any way you look at it.

Um... things that exist in the minds of paranoid moms for purposes of hyperbole? She's kinda internet-phobic, which is weird, because she's a techy person mostly.

That's what I thought when it first happened. But I didn't see what they were like for myself, and there's no real proof. I've seen what they can do to someone, though...

[ Needless to say, he hopes they haven't gotten in over their heads any more than they already are. ]

Um... I only noticed it while I was at home. I don't know if whatever it was followed me or just found me...

[He blinks.] Yeah, Calc One. How'd you know?

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Entry 002 | Web cam

voice;

video because fuck yeah

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video --> audio

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[audio] -> [video]

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[Video: phone]

( video, laptop )

[Text: Computer]

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