[Text, Friday afternoon]

[professorwolf]

[Lyall's been meaning to get on the network again for a while, and now that he's finally got a few things to say, it takes him a minute to actually get started. He does finally, though, after a couple false tries.]

Lyall here. I've been in the gallery, and I think a lot of the rest of us have, too. I've even been by that forum, though I didn't post anything. I find it a little disconcerting that whoever was replying kept referring to people as "humans", as if he or she was not one. Given what we've seen thus far, I do not think that is impossible.

Also, I know at least one other person has heard howling sometime at night. I heard it, too, Wednesday night. It wasn't those mutant dogs, the smell was entirely different, and no one else around me seemed to have heard it or even noticed something was wrong.

[He isn't sure whether or not to mention the dream, but he does say:]

I keep thinking it's something connected to all this. That howl, and the feeling of being watched a few others have mentioned, and that wolf statue, with all these visions and changes we're all going through.

Has anyone else heard it or felt anything strange?

[Private text to students, pre-students, and former students:]

I know a certain one of my students has been joking about a club. I was thinking of making it official, if you really wanted to have an after-school club of some sort for those of us on this network. All age ranges, so long as you're still in school of some sort?

Comments

[struckout]

[ It would be a lie to say that Kallie isn't disappointed, regardless of just how small her hope was that there would be some sort of answer lying in wait here. Resignedly, she just leans her hip against the counter, refolding her arms, pausing a moment before she says anything more. ]

Just more mystery, then. [ Another beat as she looks at him, then glances away towards the floor. ] They disappear when I'm not paying attention, too.

[ ... And just as promised, the ones that hadn't been picked up...? Had they even existed in the first place? ]

[professorwolf]

[Surprised, Lyall looks down where the other feathers had fallen, and blinks at the empty space.]

So I see.

[He gives the one in his hand another look-over with more interest, this time trying to see it rather than smell it.]

I might not be able to answer your questions, but at least I could rule out a few things. That it's definitely not a local bird. I don't suppose there's anything in the visions you've been getting that have anything with feathers in them?

[It's a long shot, but he's convinced that the visions people get are all connected, at least within a single individual.]

[struckout]

I don't think so.

[ That said, she furrows her brow and pauses a moment, as if she has to think about it in retrospect. Regardless, reevaluation doesn't seem enough for her to amend her initial answer, save for: ]

I've really only had one... 'vision' so far anyway.

[professorwolf]

Then you won't have much to work with. True.

[He gives her an apologetic look.]

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. If I come across anything or anyone with a scent like this, I can get in touch with you to let you know. I doubt I'll be forgetting it.

[struckout]

It's alright... thanks anyway.

[ She lowers her chin, uncharacteristically-- well, soft in demeanor. She's usually quiet in general, but also direct on top of it; this uncertainty, however, is something that's unfamiliar... and rather unwelcome if she has to think about it personally. ]

[professorwolf]

[And the uncertainty worries him, even while he knows they're all feeling it. She's just always been steady.]

You're welcome.

[He reaches over the space between them to offer back the last feather, giving her a little smile.]

And if you need anything, please don't hesitate to talk to me. All right? We should keep together, at least as much as we can.

[struckout]

[ If his worry shows, Kallie doesn't notice, instead busying the fingers of one hand with a necklace strung around her throat- as she continues to think a moment more. Finally she dips her chin in a distracted nod, taking a deep breath. ]

Right. [ And after taking the feather back (not that she really knows what to do with it, anyway), she simply bends slightly to reach for the bag she'd brought before straightening again, a tight-lipped expression, just short of grim, briefly flickering across her face. ] Thanks again, Mr Lyall.

[professorwolf]

[It'll probably just disappear in a few minutes, anyway. Lyall just would feel weird keeping it. He watches her as she thinks, then smiles a little when she straightens, as if to counter her flicker of expression.]

Always welcome, Kallie.

[They're in private. He's using her name, dammit.]