002 :: text

[arrowpoint]

[It's text today for Liam, since there's something he doesn't want the network to see.]

Okay I realize aliens are historic and important, and I should probably be more excited right now, but what the fuck is happening to my ears? They're growing or something.

[Growing points, but whatever, let's not advertise that.]

I think I screwed up somewhere. They were sore so I put on a chili pepper extract that I use for my calve muscles after hikes, and now they're just burning like all hell. What can I do to get this stuff off them? Bread?

Comments

text

[arrowpoint]

I'm sorry but milk or yogurt on my ears sounds gross. It's not happening. I already washed with soap and it sorta kinda helped, at least. I may regret it later but the hell with it, I'll deal.

text

[buildyourworld]

It will only take a minute or two, you can wash it off. If the residue stay in your skin, it will only irritates your ears. Unless you want to walk around with peeling skin, you might want to reconsider.

[arrowpoint]

Look, milk and yogurt are animal products. I can't bring myself to do that. You got any vegan friendly advice?

[buildyourworld]

Oh. Why didn't you said so in the beginning?
Rubs baking soda onto it, let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse off. Do it until it no longer stings. Use lotion afterwards, baking soda has drying effect.

Alternatively, rub olive oil and let sit for a few minute. Then wash off with dish washer.

[arrowpoint]

All right, I'll try it if nothing else helps.

[buildyourworld]

Don't wait, the longer you wait, the harder it is to get them all out.

[arrowpoint]

I've got 50 people giving me different advice so I'm trying everything, trust me I'm working on the problem.

[buildyourworld]

All the best then.

What happened to your ears anyway?

[arrowpoint]

[It takes him a little while to answer. It was kind of embarrassing, after all.]

They're being stupid and growing points on me.

[buildyourworld]

[ Well, it could have been worse. ]

Like an elf's? Just pointy or long and pointy?

[arrowpoint]

I hadn't thought of that. Crap I really don't want to find out I was making toys for children in my past life or whatever this is. That sounds really lame.

Just kinda pointy. I'm not sure if they stopped growing yet, though.

[buildyourworld]

Well, unfortunately, we don't really have a choice in what we learn or gain.

Hopefully it's just pointy then, easier to hide them than having long and pointy ears.

[arrowpoint]

Good point, pun intended. You speaking from experience there?

Text > Video

[buildyourworld]

Sort of.

[ Switching to video because it's easier than explaining purple hair, red eyes and looking too young for his own age. ]

See for yourself.

Text > Video also

[arrowpoint]

I'll put on video too if you promise not to laugh.

`[Video clicks on, and though his hair is wet and his ears are red from what he'd done to them, they certainly are pointy.]

Huh. I you've got problems too I guess. Well, you could say you dye it and you're wearing contacts?

Video

[buildyourworld]

[ Don't worry, he's not laughing. He frowns, looking at the ears before commenting. ]

Wow, they're really pointy. I think you'll be able to hide it with your hair.

[ He shrugs and shakes his head. ] Dye comes off, how am I supposed to explain it being in tip top condition every day without it ever coming off? Not to mention, I would get into a case of bad discipline with the faculty for both of that reasons. Besides, it's already known to the faculty that I'm a Numbered anyway, it's easier to explain it as one of those weird things than to lie about it.

Video

[arrowpoint]

[sigh.]

Yeah I was thinking hats, but pretty soon it's going to be too warm for that. Don't the FBI investigate anybody they think is weird?

The faculty? Where do you work?

Video; Private

[buildyourworld]

You'll look even more suspicious if you wear a hat when everyone isn't.

[ He switches to private because of FBI, just in case. ] Yeah, but so far it looks like they are only asking some questions so it should be fine.

The University.

Video; Private

[arrowpoint]

True, but I don't know what else to do. They'll slip out of my hair, that's for sure.

Ah, cool, you're a professor? What do you teach?

Video; Private

[buildyourworld]

[ He thinks for a moment before suggesting, taking consideration of the guy's hair and his ears. ] You might want to consider getting a new hair cut to help with that.

[ He chuckles at that and shakes his head. ] No, not yet. I'm working on my doctorate under the University's grant, so I'm doubling as a Research Assistant. They have me handling tutor classes, hence why the teaching. I'm with the Mechanical Engineering faculty.

By the way, how should I refer to you?

Video; Private

[arrowpoint]

I don't know, I don't really feel like cutting my hair I like it as long as it is.

[That sounded complicated.]

Oh, sorry it's Liam. You?

Video; Private

[buildyourworld]

You don't have to cut it all, I think. Maybe just the side, enough to cover the ears? Well, I'm no hairstylist. You should talk to one.

[ It's a lot less complicated than it sounds. ]

You can refer to me as Tieria.

Video; Private

[arrowpoint]

Refer to you? That sounds formal. You hiding your name for some reason?

[Said out of curiosity, not suspicion,]

Video; Private

[buildyourworld]

Security purpose. I don't trust this network. There were spies of the enemy hiding among us and since we can't be sure if they are still around or not, I'll rather be safe than sorry.

[ He doesn't mind explaining. ]

Video; Private

[arrowpoint]

[He frowns.]

Huh. Yeah... that would suck. I think it's too late for me, now though, I've been asked my name like fifty times and I've said it fifty times. I thought this was kind of an exclusive club, you know?