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

[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.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

Thank you. I trust you are well?

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

[ 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

[--!!!!!]

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

[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.

[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.

im coming ovver
same apt as vefore right

That's right.

Why are you coming over, though?

why?

[unprepared??? for that question?????? He sort of flounders at his keyboard for a second before typing out the mature response.]

cause

just cause

That works. You still haven't picked up the plastic container you left the last time you brought food.

[Because Barnaby isn't going to act like he needs the company, even though he's already starting to look up places that will deliver food for two to his door.]

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

Are you OK?

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

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

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.]

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?

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?

Getting up to speed, you mean?

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

oh whoops
hey mayb we can have diner together and i can vring back any leftovers with it

[Because bringing home an empty plastic container just seems odd, ok. Anyway, he grabs his keys and his hat and heads out the door, crossing the familiar path to his partner's apartment and reaching in about the usual ten minutes. The doorbell gets rung, and he fidgets with his vest and tie in the intervening seconds waiting for an answer.]

[Thankfully, Kotetsu isn't kept waiting long. When Barnaby opens the door, he looks well enough, although his glasses can't quite hide the brittle look in his eyes, an indicator of how fragile he feels on the inside. It's something that came and went during his first stint in Heropa, although he very seldom felt this vulnerable.

He's unsure of what to say for a moment, so he just opens the door a little wider, wordlessly inviting Kotetsu inside.]

[It's only been a couple hours at most, in terms of actual time he's experienced, since he's seen Barnaby, but there's a little tug in his chest when his partner opens the door. Maybe it's because he was working on resigning himself to the idea of being cut off from everything he knows and cares about again, or the fact that when he'd tried Barnaby's number just a couple hours ago, he'd gotten an error message, but somehow there's an overwhelming sense of relief to see his partner standing there. A stupid little grin lights on his face as he lets himself in, and he flops onto the couch across from the TV, leaning back into the cushions and resting his head against his arms.]

So we're stuck here again, huh? What a pain.

[Though he doesn't seem as unhappy about it as when he made his network post a few hours ago.]

i am so glad to hear that i didnt see you when we made it out its alright so you dont need to apologize theres something else i need to tell you if thats alright

[Well, some things never change, at least -- like the way Kotetsu shamelessly sprawls himself out on Barnaby's furniture. The familiar sight brings him a small amount of comfort, at least.

In all honesty, there isn't much reason for Barnaby to return home, but that doesn't mean he wishes for Kotetsu to stay trapped here. Barnaby lingers awkwardly beside the couch.]

I...know you were really looking forward to spending more time with your daughter.

My apologies for worrying you. I appreciate your understanding, though.

What did you want to discuss?

im sorry can you make this conversation private i havent figured out how to

[ It's not serious or anything, but things happen when Sasha feels cornered by nosy reporters.

Freddie. ]

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! ;)

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

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

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