[Voice]

[espigeonage]

[His voice is hushed.]

It's so hot! You people who can still sweat, you don't know how good you have it. I suspect if I stay out in the sun too long, I am literally going to die. And that's literally-literally, not the modern version that means figuratively. Heatstroke is a thing.

Mm. Oh, also, there's a band of thug types after me and most of them aren't all human. Probably not a random thing. I lost them, but I'm not coming down until I know they're out of the area. I suppose I could call the police.

...Aaah, man, I'm going to have to move house, won't I. It's not like where I live is a secret. Or can be a secret, come to think of it! Ugh. [Heavy sigh. From the sound of it, Julien finds the heat and the prospect of moving more annoying than thugs.]

Comments

[Text]

[lightsoflife]

Did you say not human?

Have you heard of any new developments with the police?

[espigeonage]

They don't look right. It's how they move. I didn't get a good look, but I think they've got weird pupils going on.

Nope not since the FBI came in.

[lightsoflife]

Well, the police were modified to gain some animal traits. Could this be related?

And I do hope you're all right.

[espigeonage]

Could be. Or like how the Blood Keys are cyborgs. I don't think the guy with the gun had it, but his lackies, definitely.

lol thanks! I'm almost out of water and it's way too hot here but I should be fine depending.

[lightsoflife]

It seems that things really aren't over. I thought that the technology behind the police's modifications were courtesy of the rogue alien, but could there be another source?

voice

[youngestone]

Fuck, you okay?

[espigeonage]

Hot as hell. There's no cover up here but my own wings. Am I red?

[Julien sends Killian a selfie, one wing visibly upraised to give him shade. His skin is flushed scarlet.]

[youngestone]

Yup. You're gonna burn at this rate. Can't you fly somewhere else?

[espigeonage]

Aaaah, man.

One of them's got a gun. I think once is enough, getting-shot-wise, you know? Especially since all the healers I know are off-network or evil now.

[voice]

[ruleorserve]

I could come see if they're still there, if it would help?

[espigeonage]

Hey, uh... this is Emil? Didn't know you were a Brit.

Sure, if you're anywhere near Alpine Avenue. It's residential here. Little scraps of yard, two story multi-apartment buildings, parking spaces with roof things on top.

[ruleorserve]

It is, yes. And I am.

[Which might mark him out as being sufficiently different if the cultists are looking for that sort of thing, but only if he has to actually speak with them.]

I'm not too far from there, actually. I can be by momentarily, although I'm not certain I'd know the people after you by sight.

[espigeonage]

There are four of them. They split up... rough looking types, kinda like bikers. One is wide and bald and sort of has pointy ears. Denim jacket. There's another with short curly hair and a Confederate flag on his shirt and weird bright eyes, the third keeps coughing and's got tattooed knuckles, a wifebeater, his upper lip's got a scabby split. Then there's number four, he hung back. Scar on his cheek. Quieter. His clothes were more normal, but he had a gun.

[Julien's eyesight is very good.]

Don't engage with any of them if you see them.

voice;

[saviorsoul]

[ Alexi is not as skilled at keeping his voice down, unfortunately. ]

Thugs? Julien, do you need help?

[espigeonage]

Chill, chill. I don't wanna escalate this.

[saviorsoul]

[ He tries harder to lower his voice at that. ]

Is there anything we can do?

[espigeonage]

[With how the network works Alexi could be shouting and they'd only hear if they had their own numbers. Still, he'd wince a lot at that.]

I asked Emil to come see if they're gone. If they're not I can try the police and they should be enough to make these clowns clear off, I hope. I know someone who used to be numbered, he's all right.

voice

[moreweaponsthanyou]

You alright?

And why are random thugs after you? You're not the type to pick fights.

[espigeonage]

Overheating, that's all unless they find me.

I don't even know, man! I saw them following, made sure that's what it was, got a pulse, ditched them...

[moreweaponsthanyou]

I could find a water hose somewhere?

Weird. Guess I better be on guard for those guys.

[espigeonage]

Don't ever stop sweating, Fil. You end up turning bright red and panting whenever it's a little warm.

They looked like they meant business... man, I hope this isn't going to be a thing, stalked by thugs! Definitely you have to be careful, this is ridiculous.

voice

[arrowpoint]

Dude, you okay? You sure you lost them?

[espigeonage]

Pretty sure I lost 'em. I'm really leery of looking.

God, though. It's so hot up here.

[arrowpoint]

Um... well, my place has central air, even though I keep it off most of the time.

[Environment, you know.]

But it sounds like you're stuck where you are, man.

[espigeonage]

It's got shade. If there's water - wait, what are you offering?

Until they leave. They could be gone already, I don't know.