002 [Text] [Backdated to a couple hours after Kotetsu's return]

[attainment]

[Oh god, what on earth just happened to him.

Well, technically, he knows. He's heard of the phenomenon where people are temporarily "ported out", but he hadn't given much weight to the idea that it could happen to him. And Kotetsu, too, apparently, if his latest network post is anything to go by. (Because of course he would immediately go searching for any recent records of Kotetsu.)

That doesn't make the jarring transition any easier to swallow, though, especially when foisted with all of those raw emotions from home. He'd learned to compartmentalize many of his issues while in Heropa, of course, but it had been born out of necessity while building a new life for himself here. This, though...to go home for a very brief time...so brief it's almost not even worth mentioning to anyone, and yet it was long enough to make his mouth dry and his stomach hurt.

For that reason, he resorts to text.]

Hi,

This is Barnaby Brooks Jr. Apparently, I left for a short time. It was most likely some sort of Porter glitch, or so I've been told.

At any rate, I offer my sincerest apologies for any business I may have left unfinished before my disappearance. Over the next few weeks, I intend to get caught up on my work and bring myself up to speed on anything I may have missed while gone. [Unlike a certain partner who asked other people to tell him everything...]

Thank you for your time.

[A practical message that gets the job done without revealing too much about himself, just as he intended.]

Comments

video

[huntergames]

Mr. Brooks?

Hello, it's Sasha again. [ A pause. ] Welcome back.

You disappeared from this land... that's called a "port out", isn't it?

text;

[attainment]

Thank you. I trust you are well?

And yes, that's usually what people call it, as far as I know.

text

[huntergames]

[ And switching because it feels weird talking to text.

Really lazy texting... ]

yes ive been alright thank you
i wanted to ask if youve been well since what happened after camp
and i wanted to say thank you for your assistance

text

[attainment]

[Sorry, Sasha, he's just not up for a lot of video calls today.]

Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Compared to other imPorts who were caught up in that incident, I got off fairly lucky.

There's no need to thank me. As a hero, it's my job to protect civilians. I do apologize for not having more knowledge about the outdoors, though.

text;

[earnedmystripes]

[--!!!!!]

bunnny1

[That was supposed to be an exclamation point but he sort of missed the shift key, because somehow he ended up going drinking with Judge Petrov, and he may or may not have had a bit more than he should've when he realized his partner wasn't here anymore. Even if he wasn't technically alone from their world, he didn't really know Yuri or that future guy from Apollon. It was a selfish thing, but dealing with Heropa was so much easier when Barnaby was around.

So now he's home and a little bit less than sober and vaguely considering getting less sober because everything sucks, and he's poking around the network just for something to do beyond stare at his ceiling feeling depressed, when he finds this message there.]

bunyy youre back to
where arey ou

text;

[attainment]

[He doesn't even bat an eye at the atrocious texts, although it serves as a painful reminder of what he nearly lost before coming to Heropa.]

I'm at my house.

text;

[earnedmystripes]

im coming ovver
same apt as vefore right

text;

[attainment]

That's right.

Why are you coming over, though?

[text]

[yatagarasu]

You too??? First it was Mr. Kotetsu, now you too?

Are you OK?

[text]

[attainment]

Yes, it's certainly odd that it happened to the both of us. [Although maybe it's for the best, he thinks to himself.]

Why wouldn't I be okay?

[text]

[yatagarasu]

I don't know, what if the Porter got a glitch or something? Or maybe suddenly finding yourself back here can be pretty jarring.

[text]

[attainment]

That's true. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't unpleasant, but there isn't much that can be done about it.

( text )

[sensuality]

what is up with people leaving? first kotetsu now you.

( she's afraid okay, but she won't admit it. )

( text )

[attainment]

It occasionally happens, from what I understand. [He can't promise he won't leave again, either. No can promise that, really.]

How are you doing? Has the doctor given you a clean bill of health since I last saw you?

[sensuality]

Yeah....

and yeah I'm out and about. Still have a few bruises and my arm tends to hurt here and there at times.

I....thanks for visiting me Barnaby.

[attainment]

No need to thank me. I came by because I wanted to. [He knows what it's like to be hospitalized with no family to visit you.] How is your work going, by the way?

text.

[selfequipped]

Hey, if you need any help with that, I can give you anything you need.

Glad to see you back.

[And frankly, she's relieved he remembers being here.]

text.

[attainment]

Getting up to speed, you mean?

And thank you. I'm glad to be back. Someone I know might get himself into trouble otherwise.

text.

[selfequipped]

Your perpetually tardy partner?

text;

[flattens]

Hey Junior! Good to see u back in the land of sun and babes yo! Not that I couldn't keep the Apollon torch burnin without u boyz, but I didn't want to hog the spotlites!

That'd jes be selfish! And I'm all about spreadin the wealth right?

Catch u l8r, man! ;)

text;

[attainment]

[He still has no idea what to think about this future Apollon hero, so Barnaby stays cautious for now.]

Thank you. Of course, it sounds like things have been fairly quiet in our absence, so there isn't much of a spotlight to share in the first place lately.

[He'd rather it stay that way, too, but he knows it's pointless to even say that out loud.]

text;

[flattens]

[ Ugh so serious. We need to work on that, son. ]

Then I guess I can keep it then! Sure nice of you to offer bro! Seriously no need to be humble or subtle I read you loud and clear.

Knew there was a reason I kept you around!

text | forever late

[lyingheart]

Good to see you're around again.

text | you are never late <3

[attainment]

Thank you very much. Have you been well?

text | i didn't even bring starbucks tho

[lyingheart]

I've been much the same.

[ Which is enough of a non answer she can feel she's hit on socially polite without actually having said anything substantial. Feels like a waste, but being out and out genuine also... feels like a waste. ]

How was your visit home?