[Text | Smartphone]

[shiromadoushi]

[[Bakura's been sending texts to this number for quite a while since he first had it in his head. He's never really expected a response, but as his notebook started writing back, he's going to try it again]]

Did you get this? If so, please reply.

Comments

[twopercent]

[There's a slightly longer uncomfortable lag, since Jack is now faced with the fact that he knows this number, but not the person on the other end. Not remembering things is not a great sign. The only consolation is that this 'Bakura' doesn't seem to know who he's talking to either...]

Jack. How'd you get this number?

[shiromadoushi]

I don't know. It's been in my head a while. But no one's ever responded when I've texted before.

[[Meaning something must have changed. That strange light in the sky... could it have been?

Could this really be the start of an adventure?]]

[twopercent]

[Another pause as Jack scours his brain for any realistic possibilities that might make sense. The idea of some kind of secret military network is pretty far out there, but it's the only halfway reasonable reason he can think of for strange numbers stuck in their minds. Or maybe he's just going crazy. Crazier anyway.]

Uh-huh. Who are you with?

[shiromadoushi]

[[...what?]]

What kind of question is that?

[twopercent]

I mean, what organization? There has to be a reason we both have this communication link working.

[shiromadoushi]

I'm not in any. Not even any clubs in school this year.

[[The thought that he might be talking to an adult has yet to cross his mind. This sort of thing always involved teenagers, right? That's how it was in RPGs!]]

[twopercent]

...school?

Wait... how old are you?

[shiromadoushi]

16.

[twopercent]

[Ugh. Now his head hurts. And he hasn't even been drinking today. Maybe he should start.]

Shouldn't you be in class instead of texting complete strangers?

[Just... ignore the fact that the number doesn't even remotely correspond to a phone number. It's fine. Jack probably just needs more sleep. That's all.]

[shiromadoushi]

It's just math class. Was as good of a time as any to see if the number worked, since my notebook was writing back.

[[He texts, as if it isn't even a thing.]]

[twopercent]

Riiiiight. Should focus up and stop daydreaming, Bakura. Math's important, and I don't think your parents would be too happy with you calling strangers either.

[shiromadoushi]

[[There's a pause as there always is any mention of his parents. Deep breaths. Let it go. But the anger still lingers. Both from the mention and from being dismissed so easily.]]

You think I'm just telling stories, don't you?

[twopercent]

[Jack's definitely starting to get a headache, but at least he can have a bit of a laugh at his own expense.]

What I think is I'm about to get into an argument with a teenager. Was hoping to put that kind of thing off for a few years at least.

[shiromadoushi]

Don't act like I'm a child and there won't be an argument.

[twopercent]

Heh, roger that.

Still, I guess that's about it, huh? You've gotten a reply. Unless there was something else.

[In fact, Jack has a lot of questions about this whole business, like what the hell kind of network is he connecting to with this long number, but it feels really wrong to be talking about it with a kid who's only a few years older than his own son.]

[shiromadoushi]

[[and just like that, the anger is gone. Always good when it's just a short moment.]]

I guess. Until we can find out more about this. I'm just not sure how to.

[twopercent]

"We"?

[Bakura's the first person he's communicated with, after all.]

[shiromadoushi]

Everyone who's responded so far.

And probably that person who was writing through my notebook.

[twopercent]

How many are we talking here?

[shiromadoushi]

At least 5, I think.

[twopercent]

Other kids?

[Whoops, sorry Bakura.]

[shiromadoushi]

Other people.

[twopercent]

I guess telling you to be careful who you talk to would be out of line, huh?

[shiromadoushi]

I've gotten the internet lecture plenty of times.

[twopercent]

Just checking.

Anything in common?