» the city network

I suppose there's no reason to put this off any longer.

Recall a month ago I said that someone stole a book from me. To be more forthcoming, it's known as a skin bible from my world. About as charming as you can expect. I was concerned that the person in question would use a ritual instructed in the book.

If you experienced a series of wretched rooms, the replaying of your memories, that sort of thing -- that was the result of the ritual, at least in its limited form.

[He says with a sneer:] And you can thank Fearne for the lovely time you had. I'd exercise some caution with your belongings around her, suffice it to say.

...Though I will also bear the responsibility of being the owner of that book. I had no intention of ever using it myself, but it seems some people can't fucking help themselves.

That'll be all. Please try not to get yourselves sick or injured, I'm tired.

( the feed starts, and there sits a woman. the nook she'd found this time around is clearly another one of the cafes scattered about, quiet and without all the harsher lights of stark fluorescence. she's made herself quite comfortable from the looks of it, a teapot visible within the framing with a few unused cups overturned by it, as if she's expecting company. there's even has a platter of fruit, a small afterthought of one.

slices of peach, if one were so inclined as to squint.

some have met her already, some know her quite profoundly, but that matters not. she has a question, just as she always does, and she figures a face to the voice would be a little more reassuring than mere text, given what she has in mind. the crowd seems.. skittish. wary. she'd rather they not run too soon before she sates a curiosity.

her tea steeps within reach, and her chin rests on her knuckles as she waits; her voice akin to that of a dirge when she finally parts her lips to speak. )

Indulge me for but a moment.

( oh, she's well aware of the range of how this can be taken. it's quite alright. )

But what would you say is a moment of achievement for you? Big or small. You're free to use whatever criteria suits.

( ah. )

And if you'd rather not have it broadcasted, I'm not hard to find. I'd be pleased for company.

[ Well, here's some footage! Of something red and long and...

fleshy and sharp and with eyes??

It's probably fine. It's laying there nicely on the grass of some park, until a hand wraps around the hilt and the footage ends! Now there's just a husky voice, sounding a little bemused. ]

Well, there you have it. For whatever reason, I almost tripped over this just getting out of bed this morning.

And I know I'm not getting this back for my good behavior and perfect manners.

[ hello and welcome to Boredom Hours, sponsored by one too many midafternoon beers and a perpetual inability to not immediately make his ennui everyone else's problem. today's host is... Reno!

when the video starts, it's to a shockingly decently framed shot of Reno doing the hooligan squat on the front stoop of his apartment building. he's got a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth, and once he's sure that the video is rolling he takes a long drag of it before he speaks. ]

Sup. I'm Reno. Some of ya may know me from my colorful past as "guy who got yanked into pool by tentacle monster."

[ probably nobody knows him that way but it's fine. we are not concerned with strict veracity here. Reno blows a neat smoke ring and grins the kind of grin that means he knows he's being a pain in the ass. ]

I was thinkin', y'know, there's only so many of us. Probably ain't a bad idea to get to know each other, right? [ he gestures with his cigarette as he speaks as if to underscore his words. ] We need some conversation starters. Some icebreakers, y'know? Everybody's favorite highlight from their corporate bonding retreats.

So! [ he holds up a hand to count on.

one finger. ] Two truths and a lie. Post 'em, let other people guess. I'll leave mine too. Shoutout to the blond girlie who had that party a couple months back for this one.

[ two fingers. ] Hot or not. Or smash or pass, whatever you wanna call it. Post yourself and let people vote, if you're brave. Or post your friends if you want to fuck around. You can all see my face right now so count that as my submission.

[ three fingers. ] Creativity exercise, open prompt. You can go anywhere, be anybody, do anything you want. The world ain't ending and there's no war or whatever the hell going on. Who are you and what are you doing? [ brief smoke break, and then Reno stubs the butt out on the cement, exhaling as he says, ] Me, I wanna make mediocre coffee for minimum wage and not worry about shit except makin' rent.

[ and lastly, four fingers. ] "Reno, this is fuckin' stupid and I don't want to do it." Okay, nobody's got a gun to your head. We ain't even got guns here. Do what you want.

[ his four fingers curl in so he can offer a cheerful, if a bit manic, thumbs-up before he reaches out to turn off the video.

just before he touches the button, though, he pauses as if something just occurred to him— ] Oh, shit—also, drop map pins for your favorite restaurant in this place. I'm in the market for new eats, bonus points if it's spicy.

[ okay, now he's gone. ]

[ there's a monk. a buddhist monk, dressed nape to ankle in ceremonial robes, bare feet on hard tile floors. the penthouse behind him is classy and tasteful, but a jarring modern contrast to his clothing. it doesn't take much movement to realize his right sleeve, however, is completely empty. cheerful and chipper, he smiles and waves at the camera. ]

Hi hi~! Oh. I've been here since the first of us and not properly introduced myself on the network. My apologies, I'm a bit shy. [ yeah right. ] I'm Getou Suguru — [ the bow of his head is just deep enough to not be impolite. ] — a shaman from Japan. Back home, I specialized in hauntings and strange phenomena, as well as karmic work and even some chakra alignment. If you're suffering from strange aches and recurring nightmares, compulsive thoughts or stranger whispers, unprecedented cravings...

[ he's extremely animated through each of these symptoms even though he rattles them off like a medication commercial: acting out an ache in his nonexistent arm, a hand over his eyes for the nightmares, holding his head for thoughts and whispers, and... something a little more devious for cravings as he winks. ]

Please don't hesitate to visit.

[ a map link identifies his location. he's not very worried about stranger danger, is he? there's a long beat where he just smiles, and it seems like the feed might end, but then he acts on another thought that's been rolling around in that silly head of his: ]

Ah, and... Satoru.

[ to throw himself at the mercy of the public image is... a lot. he must know it, this man who values his pristine image. is it apology enough then, to make himself look like such a fool? he slides onto his knees mid-screen, clapping his hands together in prayer. are there tears? there might be tears. ]

Can't you please finally forgive meeeee?

[ what an embarrassing note to end on. ]



[ note: this character is a villain who hates humans so please check the journal for content warnings! i caught covid in the middle of sept so sorry for the abrupt hiatus; i'm working my way through backtags soon. no worries if anything's too old! cheers ]