audio, @Conductor

[entwinedfate]

[ Hello, you all. While no one's blessed with a pretty face today, his soft, soothing voice should be good enough. ]

Forgive me if this is something that's remarkably normal in this unremarkable city we're in...

[ A small beat, as if he's preoccupied with something else; there's the gentle strum of some string instrument in the moment. A harp, maybe, at the university. ]

... But is there a reason we were asked about our satisfaction in regards to the party they threw last month? Along with that odd question in the second half -- how many of you voted to turn towards the voice, I wonder.

[ You know. This satisfaction survey, that popped up on everyone's devices the first of the month. More soothing harp music, it sounds like he's trying to pick out a tune from memory. ]

I admit, I'm a little curious about everyone's answers! I gave it a pretty neutral score myself; it was novel, but I wouldn't go again. The string of letters and numbers they had in reference to it was rather interesting too, though I'm not certain how it was "for the good of the many". Have there been any others? I recall a similar phrase the day their party was to begin too, actually.

Comments

[entwinedfate]

It was only the deceased for me, for first thoughts. It could've been someone very much alive to someone else. Would you have turned then?

[ Just curious! ]

[coolerjunpei]

Maybe a couple months ago, I guess. Not after getting locked in the mall with all the... fake people.

[Trust no voice, actually!!]

[entwinedfate]

[ Make sure you tell your blond bestie that too she chose turn. ]

Wow, they're really playing you like a fiddle! You don't think that'll have just as bad an effect if you do ever see the people you know again?

[coolerjunpei]

[Why don't you all embrace the strategy of "being tired of shit."]

Uh... no? How do you mean?

[entwinedfate]

I'll put you in a situation, and you can either think it through or answer immediately.

[ The harp's melodic sound drops slightly, more mournful as he finds his fingering with it. A poor, sad song. ]

At this point, you know better than to trust your eyes, your ears. The city's only trying to get under your skin, after all -- be it with unusual behaviors, phantoms of the living and dead, or memories resurfacing. [ Bless Robby and his rundown. ] While there's always a chance someone you know could appear, what's more likely? That, or just another trick?

[ A beat. It isn't for Junpei to answer with, just for thought. ]

One day, someone you know does happen to show their face. A friend, a lover, an enemy -- whoever, but they're among the newest attractions of the city. Are they real? What's the likelihood? They might call out to you, act like they're new here -- isn't that just another way the city could imagine them for you to interact with? From what I've heard, the performances this place puts on are quite realistic one way or another...

... So, friend, what would you do? And be honest. Paranoia can only protect you so much, you know.

[coolerjunpei]

[Somehow he's having "this could be the history God abandoned" flashbacks...]

Well, that's sophistry. "Some people in these specific situations weren't real, therefore all of us could also be not-real"— it's not a very good argument from the start. Either way, why is the burden of proof on me instead of them?

[He's Just Saying, if someone wants to turn up and fool him - or not! - then his part in that little play is just to respond, not to run all the tests. Surely. That he would absolutely be the Orpheus to at least a few Eurydices if they were real notwithstanding; it's still a bad argument, sir!!]

I'm just saying, I don't think I'm the one who needs to prove authenticity. If you want an actual what-would-I-do, then... I'd give them a shot, depending on who it is.