maskormenace | 001

[There's the sound of some fumbling with the communicator as someone struggles to get the thing oriented and recording. For a moment, there's a flash of one giant, emerald green eye close up to the lens as the owner inspects the device.]

Is this...is this thing on? Is it recording...? Gods dammit...how the hell...

[More fumbling. Then another voice offscreen can be heard: 'Hey boss, you want me to show you how to--']

No. Look, I got this. Go over there and finish checking the inventory and let me--

[Finally, he manages to get the comm aligned and recording. The blue haired newcomer looks absolutely exasperated.]

Okay, I think I've got it. Anyway, I'm not sure who all can see this? But I'm having some issues here. Now, I, for one, am glad that I was provided employment upon working here. I kinda wish it was more in my field, but hey, beggars can't be choosers, am I right? I've run a shop before. I know business. I know how to sell. I can sell a full set of plate mail to an eighty year old wind mage. My point? I can do this job. Here's the problem:

[Darin tilts his comm to show his store, namely the Thot Topic in Nonah that he has been given management of. The store is in great shape and people are shopping and being helped by the staff. But over by the entrance there stands three seemingly disaffected teens. Two girls and a guy, and they are all taptaptapping away at their phones.]

Can someone explain to me what the hell is happening here? They've been here for hours. They're here every other day, it seems. They don't talk. The best part? Hang on.

[Okay, looks like we're moving now. Darin walks over to the group and not-so-discreetly circles them while holding his comm aloft. Maybe some eagle-eyed viewers might catch one of them texting 'omg, the old blue haired guy is back guys lmao' before Darin walks back to his original position towards the back of the store.]

Did you catch that? Did you? They're sending those messages to each other. They're talking to each other! Through their little devices! Instead of using words! Culture shock my ass, is there a priest or something out there? Because I think these kids are possessed and I do not deal with ghosts. Seriously, if anyone can offer me any insight into what the hell is wrong here, I will give you ten percent off of whatever the hell you want from my store. Hell, make it twenty percent.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You really think they're up to no good?

I mean, I'm a pretty good judge of character. They seem like they're just...

...Bored. And generally unimpressed by the world around them.

Hope you're right. Also for what it's worth, if bored kids are shoplifting they usually go for cheap shit like lipstick or panties or socks or something.

Gods, I know I'm about to sound like my old man but...

...What the hell is wrong with kids these days?

[ She shrugs. ]

Boredom, alienation, jealousy. Kids want attention and if they can't get it for positive reasons they'll get it for negative reasons.

Who knows, really. Well, other than them but they probably won't tell you.

...I guess I can kinda relate to that. Trying to get people to understand me and notice me in weird, misguided ways, I mean.

See, for me, it was tricky because all of the easily noticeable parts about me were considered 'bad.'

[He reaches up and tugs at his blue bangs for emphasis.]

Blue hair seems a lot more common here at least.

I just got used to not being noticed. There's a lot of things you can do when people don't pay attention to you.

[ It's a fact, and she states it as such. Whether or not this was good or right for her isn't something she even thinks about.

She tilts her head. ]

You don't dye it?

Well, yeah, but doesn't it still get lonely? It did for me.

[He laughs.]

Nope. Been a blueberry since the day I was born. Got the roots to prove it.

[ She shrugs. ]

Everything has a downside.

[ Such an optimist. The hair thing is interesting. ]

Is that like, inherited? Or did you just have some kind of hair color mutation?

Yeah, but that doesn't mean you have to stand for it.

[Darin laughs a bit nervously.]

I...guess you could say that? It's not inherited from either of my parents. My dad had black hair and my mother had brown, almost auburn hair. My brother and I are kinda...unique. He has deep green hair and I have this vibrant blue. Makes telling us apart easier on account of us being twins.

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