first; video

[labrador]

[ The man shown on the feed looks anxious and rather frazzled; while he holds his phone in one hand fairly steadily, the other can’t seem to stop messing with his hair, his fingers smoothing through it as though it will somehow help. It doesn’t. Keith can’t understand just what it is that’s happened in regards to this strange network; this is the only way he can think of to find out. ]

Ah, hello! I realise that you all likely have to put up with a lot of confused messages such as this. I apologise for adding to them. But, you see… I arrived in Locke City a few weeks ago, and have just started out as a police officer. But as I'm sure you can understand, things are rather…

[ Just before he gets to finish that sentence, he’s interrupted by a rather large golden labrador jumping up into his lap, and suddenly Keith drops the phone so that he can deal with the sudden addition to this broadcast. Eventually he speaks again, though his phone is now face down on the floor. ]

S-steady, John, steady!

[ A few seconds longer and a rather loud bark later: ] What I meant to say is that if someone could explain this current state of affairs to me, as well, I would be in your debt. I've never seen anything like this before.

Despite my confusion over this network and suddenly being able to connect in this kind of way, please allow me to help you, as well! I will do my best to serve you all in any way that I can. After all, as a police officer, it is my duty to assist the people of Locke City!

[ And perhaps someone can dispel him of some of his oblivious enthusiasm...? ]

Comments

( video. )

[disenchant]

[ so who's a loser and using the network to communicate instead of going to where keith is? this guy. ]

Sorry. [ about john, he wants to say, but it never quite makes it out of his mouth. ] He got away from me somehow...

( video. )

[labrador]

Oh, do not worry! He is just excited about our new surroundings. I'm sure that he will calm down in time...

[ No, he won't. John is always excitable. ]

Would you like him back?

[disenchant]

[ he blinks. ]

Isn't he happier where he is?

[labrador]

Why would you think that?

[ Perhaps because John keeps trying to lick Keith's face? ]

I am sure that he would be happy with either of us for company!

[disenchant]

[ this is said quietly, almost like he doesn't mean for keith to hear it: ]

... I think he's always liked your company more.

[ which makes sense. john is keith's dog, after all. ]

[labrador]

I don't think that's true, Ivan! I believe that John enjoys your company just as much as I do.

[ He sits by the door and pines for them both when they're not home... ]

[disenchant]

You're just saying that.

[ it is just one of those (bad) days. ]

[labrador]

[ He has earned himself a confused look. ]

But why would I say such a thing without meaning it?

[disenchant]

[ stop. ]

... I'm not sure. Why can't I ever win this.

[labrador]

I do not understand, Ivan... What is there to "win"?

[disenchant]

Nothing! I was just talking to myself—

[ time for a subject switch. ]

Did you find out more? About this network thing.

[labrador]

Some people have offered to give me assistance, and for that I am grateful! But as of yet I know little else.

[ ... except to make sure John is safe, but generally speaking he knew that. ]

[disenchant]

[ his face grows very serious, but his words are nothing short of incredulous. ]

... I've tried reading other posts. They keep talking about aliens and superpowers—like they're normal. Isn't that just weird? [ pause. ] What did we even get ourselves into.

[labrador]

Oh! I should have thought of doing the same. That is a very good idea!

[ He'll go about doing that in a minute. But first... ]

I have heard mention of the aliens, but what do you mean, superpowers? That seems like something out of a television show... I am beginning to wonder that myself.

[disenchant]

A television show—?

[ ivan falls quiet.

he's staring at his phone like it's the strangest thing in the world as he organizes his thoughts, thinks about what keith just said. he doesn't really get why he's so fixated. why he can't seem to dismiss the idea of superheroes on tv. that isn't that weird, right? kids grow up with that kind of stuff around them, so why can't he let it go and move on?

he would have, too, had it not been for one thing: deep inside, he feels a weird, loud thump. a pulse that courses through him in a blink of an eye. he starts hearing things, loud noises. we still haven't spotted any heroes.

funny, why does that sound so familiar? ivan looks completely distracted as he tries to make sense of a weird scene that starts to play itself in his mind. the sound of police sirens and an enthused announcer dictates every second.

( as all of you know, we bring coverage of super-powered heroes taking on crimes and natural disasters, straight to your living room— )

he can see the title clearly, he thinks. ... herotv? it feels like remembering an old friend, and that's just weird.

he shakes his head. ]

That's just silly. It can't be real. Right?

[labrador]

[ There's silence on Keith's end for a long time, too, because he's going through something similar. It feels like nothing he's ever experienced before, not really; the same scream of the announcer, but this time here he comes, he's the King of Heroes...!

King of Heroes?

The logo flashes in his mind, and Keith stills entirely, not sure how else to address it. Because it's not the first time that he's been pulled into a vision like that, but last time he could only think it to be something of a forgotten memory. Not something like this. ]

I... no, we must be mistaken. It must be something else.

[ So why does Keith sound so unsure? ]

[disenchant]

[ that's the second time something like this has ever happened, and ivan isn't sure how he should feel about it. the guide called them echoes, glimpses of a previous life, but why would his previous life involve something so ridiculous?

it is time for denial, hardcore mode. he's finding it much easier to disregard it than keith at least. ]

... Anyway. What they say about the police here. [ from one heavy topic to another. ] Do you believe them?

[ he's known how badly keith wanted this, and if it turns out they're really corrupt and untrustworthy, there's no way it's ever going to sit well with the other. both of them, really. he'll get mad for keith's sake too. ]

[labrador]

... it isn't very good news, Ivan.

[ That is the short version of it. ]

I have no reason not to believe what they're saying.

[disenchant]

... You'll find a way to turn it around.

[ make it better. ]

You always do.

[labrador]

... I only hope that it will be enough. That the people have not lost their faith in the system entirely.

[disenchant]

I can't blame them if they had, but... It should be fine. I think so, at least.

[ he's so bad at this!! how does keith even do it? ]

[labrador]

I certainly hope that there is something I can do to ease their fears. In any case, I will try my best.

[disenchant]

Don't push yourself too hard.

[labrador]

Ah, you needn't worry! I will be fine.

[ ... he'll overdo it. ]

[disenchant]

[ he knows how you are!! ]

Are you sure?