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

[ifnotloyal]

I don't know if I can accept that...

[ It's hard, man. Real hard. ]

[corviform]

It may not be up to you.

[ He rubs the scruff of Ace's neck before withdrawing his hand. ]

... But you don't need to worry if I get ported back home. I have... people I care about to protect. I'll be fine.

[ BSOD coma for a few chapters, but he'll be all right. ]

[ifnotloyal]

[ That'll get a half-hearted wag of his tail, at least. ]

I guess home is where it's best for everyone to be, in the end.

[corviform]

For many of us, yes.

[ He gets back to his feet, stretching his limbs out a little. ]

You should try to get some rest, Ace. It's late. How many hours does a dog need?

[ifnotloyal]

Hours? [ That earns him a quizzical squint. ] Oh, but I guess people might get worried that I ran out.

[ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

First, though! ]

But what about you? Do you even have a place in Heropa anymore? Where are you going to go?

[corviform]

I live in Maurtia Falls, but I'm going to spend the night at my old place of residence. One of my old housemates has been kind enough to lend me his bed.

[ He glances down the dim street. ]

You should get back soon. If you left without warning, they'll definitely worry.

[ifnotloyal]

Well, I kind of do this all the time...

[ Oh, he probably shouldn't tell Gilbert that. Eheh, moving on! ]

But good. That's good! If you have a place to stay, then I'll head on back. I just wanted to know you were okay and were going to still be okay.

[corviform]

Why are you wandering around at night?!

[ No, he's focusing on that. He's worried! ]

[ifnotloyal]

I told you! I'm a Watch Dog! Why wouldn't I be wandering around at night?

[ Gil, really, it all makes sense. ]

fires eye lasers at

[corviform]

Dogs need their sleep, too!

[ TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. ]

[ifnotloyal]

But I already sleep at work a lot!

[ what has this conversation become ]

[corviform]

Why are you sleeping at work? You're not supposed to ―

[ Wait.

He drags a hand down his exasperated face. ]

Why did they give a dog a job in the first place?

[ifnotloyal]

[ The children aren't crossing the street all the time, Gilbert! Come on! ]

Oh. I guess they just give everyone jobs when they come through. I was pretty surprised at first.

[ If he could shrug, man, he would. He so would. ]

[corviform]

[ Think about the elderly people! ]

What sort of job is it?

[ifnotloyal]

[ The elderly don't need strange talking dogs giving them heart attacks! ]

I help keep an eye on the children at the elementary school.

smacks

[corviform]

A... guard dog?

fights u what now huh

[ifnotloyal]

Sort of! Yeah!

drags you into the bath

[corviform]

Who even comes up with these professions for imPorts...