[Text/Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Date: [3/18]
Characters: Thom

---

 [A new number appears on the network, this time drawn out in block letters, and quickly filled in with different patterns using colored pencils. And then a thump, as Thom notices that Gizmo has spotted one of the family cats and hastily drops his sketchpad on the desk.]

Gizmo! What are you doing? 

[The sound of footsteps and a second voice.]

I wanted to play, but it ran away again. I don't think cats are very good at playing.  

Comments

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Why? How do cats play?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

That varies a lot based on breed, but-

Cats like stalking and chasing things, but not necessarily being chased if you're bigger than them. If their tail is raised, they're engaged, but if it's twitching, then they're irritated.

[Wait.]

May I ask who's asking?

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Me! I'm asking!

[A long pause as the dog processes that.]

Would the cat chase me if I ran away?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

I meant, what's your name?

[It may just be an audio feed, but Walter's smiling at the tone in that question. So silly, yet so earnest...]

But- possibly. It could end in biting, though, so watch out for that.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

I'm Gizmo! Thom named me!

Oh. I don't like bites. Maybe cats aren't nice after all.

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

[Ohhhh no. Is this going to be like with Chad, again? Though, one thing in Gizmo's favor is that he's not shouting. Walter does his best to focus on the questions being asked:]

Some cats enjoy play-biting. Sharing a toy - like playing fetch with each other, perhaps - is generally a safer bet, however.

[At least in terms of avoiding scratches.]

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

I'll do that! Thom said sharing is good!

[There is the sound of footsteps running across a floor.]

Thom! Thom! The book voice said I should share with cats!

Book voice? Is this like the radio?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

[Well, he's not just talking to Gizmo anymore.]

Not quite - though if you used this Number you've written down as a code for the radio, you could hear me there, too.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Number? You mean the one that's been stuck in my head all day?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

Yes, that'd be it.

Treat it like a passcode; wherever you enter it, however you enter it, you'll be able to access this Network without anyone who doesn't have a Number noticing.

Though you might occasionally get stares if you try writing it on a wall or similar.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Has anyone written it on a wall? [Thom was suddenly very curious about this.]

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

I've used a mirror, once, so a wall should operate much the same way.

Don't entirely recommend it however.

[He was not exactly in a calm frame of mind when he'd tried it... given he'd only just gotten his Number and experienced an extremely slowed sense of time for the first time.]

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Why? Because writing on walls is something you're not supposed to do?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

It's just more obvious you're doing something when it's as large as a wall, rather than something handheld or at least portable.

Even if people don't ask questions, guesses could still spread around... unless it's an out-of-the-way wall, I suppose.

[Hmm.]

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

I guess. I think I'll just keep using my sketchbook.

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

It's what I do, most of the time.

[He has been decreasing the cross-use-time of the Network on his laptop, as of late.]

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

What else do you do?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

Related to the Network, you mean?

[There's a hint of a smile in his voice.]

Well, I do have a laptop; I was using that when I first found out about all this.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Mmm, it seems a little hard to understand.

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

There's no one here yet who does understand all of it, unfortunately.

We've looked into a fair amount so far, though, with varying success.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

A fair amount of what?

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

How the Network works, what can cause an Echo - for you so far, that'd include Gizmo being able to talk, but there can also be anything from physical changes to receiving objects to-

Well, your family can probably show you some examples.

I also worked with your grandpa Stone to find out the Network's range; it can only be accessed within six miles of the mouth of Moss River.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

Nel said something about memories from aliens.

Re: [Audio]

[iamnotgod]

That would imply they're from creatures not from Earth, normally.

Which... isn't out of the question, frankly.

But it's more that the memories aren't yours. Usually it's obvious through context.

Re: [Audio]

[dreamtamer]

What's context?

Does it taste good?