joint post with substitutable. Vegas early morning.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt Abbot adjusts the camera on his laptop. He's still in his Vegas hotel room--funny, since a lot of the group has gotten home?

But right now, Matt is in his room with his hoodie zipped up all the way (Matt it's hot, stop). His hair is ruffled and it looks like he's had trouble sleeping, but--

Behind him another another boy is sitting up, rubbing sleep out of his eyes in confusion. He is wearing Matt's pajamas. Please do not ask.]

Good morning, Vegas and good nearly afternoon, Locke City. I have once again implemented a dastardly scheme. Since my last hostage got away from me, I have taken a new one. Except this time it is a Vegas native. I believe he was trying to hero at me or something, but I turned the tables on him and now he is my captive.

I will be returning with him to Locke eventually. In the mean time, I will try to continue more evildoing.

[The video cuts out. Matt knows he's going over the top. People might yell at him becuase Serious Things happened. But fuck it. He needs the amusement and maybe a few people will play along.

Then he switches to text.]

Got out of the hospital yesterday. No permanent damages, just some bruises and a few cracked ribs. Should be home by the beginning of July.

And I'm sorry. I should've had a better eye on things. I hope everybody's okay.

[Replies will also be coming from substitutable! Who has just reapped in with a new reincarnation and has no idea he was being recorded.]

Comments

[substitutable]

If this network's anything like what I imagined from talking to Matthias last night, people take death and danger way too lightly here.

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound mad. But still, I don't think it's something to say without being careful about it. People did get hurt during the mob, after all.

[sjokolade]

I know...and it makes me wonder what will happen to the network and the people involved in this thing.

I know I have after the Wise Snake attack but we're still up in the air on what we can do next though.

[substitutable]

Do your best to survive, I guess? I can't say much since I'm new, but I guess, just take care of yourselves.

[sjokolade]

Yeah, that too. I've been here for almost half a year now and everything still feels like I just got here at times.

I'll say this though! I hope you know what you're getting into now that you're on the network.

[substitutable]

I think I know that I probably have nooooo idea what I'm getting into.

But at least I'll be prepared for the surprises.

[sjokolade]

All I can say is that you're better at this than I was when I got here! I thought this was cool at first before...you know.

But I don't know.

[substitutable]

I'm gonna be honest, it's still pretty surreal. But I guess when your first experience with this network is mistaking a kid's intentions with his fake gun it preemptively sobers you up a little.

[sjokolade]

Wait hold up! What was that?

Something about a fake gun? Why would he do that?

[substitutable]

Oh. It's his magic thing? He was using it to heal. Evoker?

[sjokolade]

Oh right, his Evoker...I forgot about that...

Yeah, still doesn't change how messed up that is.

[substitutable]

It's pretty messed up, yeah.

Worse when you got an idiot like Matt who'll joke about it.

[sjokolade]

...Hey, I've been wondering.

Has anyone ever told him how it's not cool to joke about stuff like that? Like anyone? At all

[substitutable]

Probably not? Like I said, a bunch of people here are desensitized to this. Or they laugh along because he jokes about it.

If he wasn't injured I woulda punched him smh

[sjokolade]

Either way...

I don't know, maybe I should talk to him about this or something. But I don't want to seem like it would be rude to pry too.

[pheromonecoffee]

i can read everything you're saying

[sjokolade]

[............]

Well, will you look at the time! Goodness, time sure does fly when you're having fun talking with your friends doesn't it?

So much so, I didn't even realize that Matt was listening too!

[Ahahaha...ha...haa..haaaaa....now what?]

[pheromonecoffee]

the network is a fickle thing.........................

[sjokolade]

I know right? You never know who might be listening over to what you're writing and who can just suddenly talk about of nowhere!

[pheromonecoffee]

Crazy stuff.

[sjokolade]

And then a whole lot of stuff can happen too coming out of it huh?

Don't you agree?

[...Abby now you're just stalling!]

[substitutable]

He's had a rough time. Not just this week either. I don't think he really needs to be lectured, either.

As long as we don't laugh it off whenever he tries to get us to, I think that's enough for now.

[sjokolade]

I guess so.

The only thing we can do is just wait and see whatever happens from here...but mind if I ask you something though? I'm not being too pushy with this right?

He is my friend and I do wonder if he's going to be okay.

[Both mentally and physically]

[substitutable]

Well, he healed, for one. I am witness to that. Crazy stuff that healing business. Plus, he seems tough, in other ways. I'm not gonna call him weak.

But that aside, yeah, you can ask me. I'll see what I can answer

[sjokolade]

Crazy stuff? What crazy stuff with that healing business? Unless you mean shooting your head with that Evoker thing?

And well, just tell him that Abby said that she was worried and...if anything goes wrong or if he needs someone to talk to? He can always talk to me okay?

[substitutable]

Both. That was my first real encounter with the Numbers.

I think he sees this message, but I'll pass it along for you. You should probably tell him that in person, though. I'll make sure he gets back to Locke safe.