[Video]

[chalicejoker]

[The video feed opens up on the infamous Lord of the Bugmen. He would look tired if his bugman self was prone to showing that sort of thing. People are getting attacked--hell, killed--over being Numbered, and it's wearing on him.]

With the way things have been now, it's become harder out there for anyone who isn't obviously human. Anyone who's easy enough to spot in a crowd, anyone who's easy enough to identify as one of us, becomes an easier target for them to choose.

[He clenches one of his hands into a fist. This is not an easy post for him to make, but he thinks it needs to be done.]

I'm not saying everyone else is safe. None of us really is now. There's more to it than that. Some of us don't exactly think like a human anymore. Not entirely. And it's not...exactly easy to deal with. Or to explain to people who haven't had part of their brain rewired. And that can be a liability. Make things worse.

[There is a bit of awkward bug shuffling around, shifting his weight, and fidgeting. Saying that in a public capacity--such as public is on the network--may not be the best idea, and he's aware of that.]

It's easier to deal with if you've got someone else to talk to. Someone else who gets what being a monster can mean. Someone else who's been through all the weird physical changes.

[He is suggesting a support group, but he is very bad at just going out and saying so.]

So I was thinking it might be a good idea for those of us who have gone through the freakier changes, who might have weird instincts, or think they'll be turning into something else soon to get together somehow. Preferably somewhere quiet where no one's likely to come across us. Because if Energy Up or someone like that shows, I'm smashing their recording equipment.

Comments

[Video]

[oncedevil]

[Had this been a week ago, he'd have jumped right on that train. But after Anthony, after Espresso Yourself got hit again and he failed to protect again... To the tune of Anthony's death no less.

Enough was enough.

It was time to forget about playing nice for the benefit of others.]

And do what, exactly? [He sounds a little more short and snappish than he necessarily intends, but, well... Can you really blame him right now?] Put a leash on ourselves? At this point I'm starting to think, if they're going to fear us.

Maybe they should.

[Mostly because the next person that comes through the door of that coffee shop waving around threats, is dead. Plain and simple.]

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

All I'm saying is that we don't want to hurt anyone we care about. Or someone who doesn't deserve it.

[He shrugs.]

Maybe to use the crazy so it can do some good instead of to tear each other's heads off.

[And, after a thoughtful pause...]

Tear their heads off instead.

[Video]

[oncedevil]

Alright, I'll give you that.

[Because that would be really traumatizing and he already has evidence of that being a risk...]

Now that's an idea I can get behind.

[Tony no.]

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

Yeah. I don't want any repeats of...other stuff.

[He won't specify the cathedral if you don't, Tony.]

I'm pretty sure no one would miss a few mafia goons if they were gone...

[Text]

[professorwolf]

[The werewolf on the other side of this is sad and tired, so he's not bothering with voice today. And since it is daytime at the moment, his laptop is safe from accidental punch-throughs.]

A good idea, and probably one we should have thought of sooner. Count me in.

[Text]

[chalicejoker]

Thanks. I was hoping you'd be on board with it.

You have any idea where we could meet?

[Text]

[professorwolf]

If we don't mind going a bit out of our way, with the corrupt police mostly driven underground now, those warehouses they used to use are largely abandoned again, both outside the city and out by the manufacturing district. I think the ones outside the city might be safer, given the mafia presence inside.

[Text]

[chalicejoker]

And none of us have any particular ties to the warehouses. It also isn't out in the open like a park would be. I like the idea.

text; handwritten

[darkhourdear]

[Phillip heard about it on the news... he didn't know Anthony so the death doesn't really bother him (though he knows better than to say that), but the thought that other people could get hurt because of this...]

Are you ok?

text; handwritten

[chalicejoker]

I think so. I've stopped myself from going out and doing anything stupid.

[Revenge should be planned, not a total rage thing, right? And it's not like he wants to worry Phillip.]

Are you all right?

[Because checking on impressionable small children is kind of an important thing to do in these situations. At least that's what Hajime thinks.]

text; handwritten

[darkhourdear]

[Not doing anything stupid is probably good.]

Yeah I'm ok. [why wouldn't he be?]

text; handwritten

[chalicejoker]

Good.

[That's a relief. Hajime will take this where he can get it.]

You want to come to the monster meeting if we have one?

[Video]

[scarlet_devil]

[The image of a rather agitated Emilia appears.] That's all well and good, but how is that going to stop these attacks on us?

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

We can share information. Figure out what each one of us can do.

[He shrugs.]

And if we get some decent idea of that together, maybe we could have some sort of plan. Ferret them out and take them down once and for all.

[He might have tried for a grin if he could actually emote in this form.]

Sort of vigilante monster justice, maybe.

[Video]

[scarlet_devil]

I suppose that might work... If it's off the network.

[Her large, black wings spread, and her eyes glow a brighter red.]

Oh? Perhaps we'll chase out that miserable traitor with the rest of them!

Another thing, though... Simply killing them isn't enough, we must make them afraid.

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

That's what I was thinking. Easier to control the guest list.

[He considers this.]

But they're the only ones who need to be afraid. The general public doesn't have to be.

[There's a humorless chuckle.]

I guess I want to be able to pick and choose who's afraid of giant bugs.

text

[abhero]

you don't plan on making everyone sit in a circle and talk about their feelings right

text

[chalicejoker]

I am the worst at talking about feelings. I will not make anyone do anything I won't do myself. I will spare you all the feelings talk, because it would be terrible.

text

[abhero]

what's the plan then bc it looks like people want less talking and more revenging
not that i'm against going after these fuckers

[But he won't take part in it because he doesn't trust himself to stop with those who deserve it.]

text

[moreweaponsthanyou]

A support group like AA you mean? Except for Numbered.

text

[chalicejoker]

Sort of. For numbered who are turning into something that isn't human.

text

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Not a bad idea. I'm mostly lucky I can still pass as human these days.

Video;

[knights_king]

...I got a house. [That's the best he can manage in his poor state.]

Video;

[chalicejoker]

But do you really want a bunch of monsters and will-be monsters in your house?

[There is actually a note of embarrassment in his voice as he asks that.]

Some of us have super strength...and we're going to help the people who have it and can't control it yet.

Video;

[knights_king]

I know monsters, pal. If you ain't liable to kill folks for no reason, you're fine by me.

And, the super strength thing--well, I'd say just train it outside of the house.

[After he and Emilia survived a shoot-out earlier--Arthur was convinced 'big bug guys' weren't at all the problem.]