ⅰ ♦ audio. backdated to midnight.

[corviform]

[ It's a bit past midnight and given the timing of this post, it's hardly a surprise there's minimal background noise that can be heard on Gil's end, save for the light scraping of soles against the pavement.

In spite of how late it is, when Gil speaks up he sounds quite awake, a hint of surprise filtering into his voice as he talks into the communicator. ]

There are quite a few messages that have piled up in the past few weeks. I'm sorry for not getting to them yet ― I've only just been ported back. [ A quiet scoff at that. ] And it's almost July already. I hope I haven't missed anything important and I'm trying to catch up, but um... What's this about some game called "paint ball"?

[ Did the government sponsor child's play or something? What. But he's heard the Porter was involved. ]

Did they really allow imPorts near the Porter? If so, did anyone find out anything? I've heard that these temporary port outs never happened when the first wave of imPorts were here. It makes sense if they began after Lachesis synced up with it, but... I've also been wondering if she was successful in the end. She hasn't been responsive since right before our arrival, unless someone found out something.

[ What's the 411 on that? ]

Comments

audio

[attractedtodarkness]

[she's not at all relieved to see that he's back. Nope. Look how much she doesn't care with how she doesn't use video because she definitely doesn't care (she does). She does, unfortunately, sound relieved.]

You're back. [a pause. that sounds too succinct] Your housemate said you were missing.

audio

[corviform]

[ He notes the relief in her voice and is surprised. They aren't particularly close as far as he sees it. ]

Did she? I'm not sure "missing" is the word for it.

audo

[attractedtodarkness]

[he's one of the more tolerable people around, despite his tendency to lecture her. He's memorable and fun to bother.]

What would you call it?

[corviform]

It was a port out, Violet. Missing would imply someone was still around in some way.

[ Right? He tries not to think about the possibility that port outs maybe still lead to being universally displaced. ]

[attractedtodarkness]

[she frowns]

Yeah but the fact remains no one knows if you were coming back.

[corviform]

[ That part also bothers him, but he doesn't dwell on it for too long. ]

I guess so. It's never been easy to tell when it comes to the Porter.

[attractedtodarkness]

Or anything that involves the government.

Anyway, I'm... glad you're back.

[it's said with some hesitation. They aren't close, she knows this but it bothers her to know people can and do leave without warning]

1/2

[corviform]

[ That jab must mean ― ]

― did you participate in that paintball game, too?

2/2

[corviform]

[ A startled pause. ]

... You are?

/fights

[attractedtodarkness]

No. I stopped going to government sponsored events ever since the shark attack in Miami.

And don't sound so surprised. We annoy each other but that doesn't mean we're not friends.

[more or less]

slap fight

[corviform]

Probably a wise idea.

[ She's safer that way.

He pauses again, processing this information. ]

... Oh. Well... I suppose that much is true. But annoying them purposely is still pushing it.

rawr

[attractedtodarkness]

Yeah, I know it is.

[she grins when she catches the softer words]

Just be grateful we're talking through the phone.

[and also thankful that he has no idea where she works right now]

[corviform]

What is that supposed to mean?

[ Hey, he just got back and it's too early (late?) for this kind of nonsense! ]

[attractedtodarkness]

You can't see what I'm doing.

[she sounds amused]

Don't worry about it.

[corviform]

... What?

What are you doing? [ Wait, maybe he doesn't want to see whatever it is. The women of this era have no shame. ] ... Never mind. I don't want to know.

[attractedtodarkness]

[the video catches the tail end of her laughter]

Thought so.

I'm just messing with you. I'm not even smoking right now.

[corviform]

You shouldn't be at all. Haven't I told you enough times already?

[ A beat. ]

... Shouldn't you be asleep by now?

[attractedtodarkness]

[I totally meant audio in the last tag. eesh.]

I'm still not quitting.

[a pause]

I work nights. I don't sleep early anymore.

[yeah that sounds about right. At least she's not in the bar where the music is going to bleed into her recording]

[corviform]

[ He grumps on his end. ]

You should really be taking better care of yourself...

And why are you working nights?

[attractedtodarkness]

I am taking care of myself.

[another pause]

Are you sure you want to hear the answer to that?

[corviform]

[ Good question. ]

... I'm not so sure anymore.

[attractedtodarkness]

Let's just say you're not going to like the answer and leave it at that.

I am being careful though believe it or not.

[she doesn't think he will but it's worth a shot]

[corviform]

I find that difficult to believe.

... But fine, I won't pry.

[ For now. If he finds out he's having serious words with her. ]

video

[attractedtodarkness]

[she can disappear. She will so disappear mid-lecture]

Yes, dad.

Should I pretend I'm going to bed?

1/2

[corviform]

Who's Dad?!