saveourearth | Counting the Days to Meet You on the Other Side. (ACTION AND NETWORK

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Counting the Days to Meet You on the Other Side. (ACTION AND NETWORK | OTA)

Date: 8th of July
Characters: Open

[ 1. Book Shopping ]

Rune rushes into the bookstore, bypassing his usual stop for the folklores section and going to an entirely new one. He stops in the How-To and Mystery sections to start, and looks a bit frantic as he starts rustling through book titles, and leaving a bit of a general mess in his wake - leaving some of the books crooked or out of order as he puts them back. Although he's trying very hard to find something specific, he also has no idea how to find it.

Still, he manages to gather a significant pile to finger through, sidestepping his way to a table as he tries to find more titles. He reaches for another as he's walking and the weight of the ones already in his arms manages to tip him over. He crashes into someone and the books scatter in all directions, some of the pages bending as the flop open before they hit the floor.

Rune's face scrunches as he grumbles something in Norwegian before he stands up and tries to help the person up. He tries to smile, but his normal cheerfulness appears to be muted.

"Ahm soree aboot that."

(I'm sorry about that.)

[ 2. Network Log ]

[Rune is scrambling through pages of books he just bought, as a number crosses his mind. He opens a tube of lipstick and scrawls it on his dressing mirror, just in case it might be important - though he's not sure how, but he's certainly not giving it another thought. And then he goes right back to scanning through the books, muttering to himself about how to find a person. He's certainly not aware that the mirror is now allowing others to look in on him. He writes a handful of sticky notes and puts them on the mirror as well. He has a heavy look of concern on his face, one that usually doesn't show when he's at the bars, mingling in general, or especially during performance times.]

"Ah've bin here almohs ah yir... Whay kin't ah fihnd him?"

[(I've been here almost a year... why can't I find him?) Especially with... Whatever that concerning thing was with Mr. Helpful talking about Mr. Evil. As he says that, he turns abruptly, and gives a yelp as he trips and falls into a trunk filled with some of his costumes. Whoops.]

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How long have you had that number in your head, now? More immediately, are you all right, Rune?

[Rune scrambles for his phone when he hears it ping. And his frown turns to idle confusion, glancing to his mirror at the number he scrawled, then at nearby windows, trying to see if his friend is there.]

How did you know I wrote a number? Hmm... But I guess I've had that number for awhile now. Not sure how long. But it might be important.

And of course I'm fine! ...Well, mostly. I'm a little worried.

Writing that Number down turns whatever you wrote it on into a viewing or listening device. It sure scared me the first time I found that out. It's just a private Network, though; no one can access it without a Number. I've checked thoroughly. And I agree it's likely important, Rune. Worried about your brother?

[Rune smiles in amazement. It's not that he wouldn't like to be skeptical, but he has more important and pressing matters to attend to, so it's kind of on the back burner. He'll just roll with it. Experimentation can happen later.]

Ohhh, it's like magic!! That's amazing!

[Rune's face falters a bit with talking about his brother. He finds himself taking a deep breath as he just... stares at the phone for a minute. Then he glances back at the mirror. If Walter can see him, then there's no hiding it, right? ...It's probably time to come clean anyway. He nods as he types again.]

Very... I'm...

Walter, I think I'm done here. What I mean is...

I want out. I want to find my brother, or the next clue that tells me he's not here, and get out. I'm not ready for.... whatever it is that comes next in this place. But I don't want to leave without him.

It is, yes.

[Frankly, Walter's surprised Rune hasn't terminated the mirror connection yet. The man certainly has a right to.]

I understand. I'll be checking as well, Rune; both online presence and 'on the ground' here in Mossgate. We can still talk without the Network, if you cross the Boundary. It would take some serious explaining, and some measures on your part as well, but we can keep up the search here and out in the wider world.

[While we still can. Walter leaves that untyped, yet still thought. While I still can.]

[Rune has to really pause and think of that for a moment. Walter is giving him a way out, it sounds like. So he doesn't have to stay here.

Still... He shakes his head a little. He made a promise, didn't he?]

What happens if I cross the Boundary? Would I still be able to help investigate? About this Mr. Evil?

[Being outside the problem and still being able to help would be ideal, honestly. Mostly. He follows up the text shortly after:]

I should still make sure he isn't here, at the very least. I have to make sure he's safe.

You could still hold conversations: there's no memetic effect preventing people from understanding texts about the subject, or from watching prerecorded videos. There's simply the initial knowledge hurdle, alongside some of the descriptions sounding improbable without evidence.

[Accessing the Network in the first place, however, is right out.]

Right. I want to be sure he's safe, too, for your sake as well as his.

[A pause in thought.]

Do we know anyone like that?

[He needs an example, okay?

Rune smiles a bit, grateful that his friend cares about his brother, too. It brings him a little ease in this chaotic turn of circumstances.]

Thank you so much, Walter! I'm very grateful to have you as a friend. I guess I should buy my good luck charm some dinner later!

[Both for being grateful, and because he's hoping to keep his own positivity up. Maybe they can cover some ideas later.]

[As this is off-Network, Walter is more comfortable revealing this part.]

Benjiro Thorne and Sadie Moore have been experimenting with leaving the Boundary and keeping their un-Numbered selves up to date with videos and notes. I can arrange a meeting in-person if you'd like; Ben prefers not to use the Network.

[Some internal keysmash-flailing about the return of being a 'good luck charm' later... ~~aka only a few nanoseconds.~~]

You know I have no trouble paying my own way, Rune. But, thank you. I think I'd like that.

[Part of him seriously considers sending Rune a heart as part of that text-

But after what happened with Jim-

He dismisses the notion, at least for now.]

Sure! That would be awesome. :)

[More friends and ways to work around things? What's not to look forward to?]

Yea, but I like spoiling you~ And you deserve it.

[And, nope, Rune still hasn't erased that number yet. So anyone can see Rune give a nurturing smile to his phone as he types and sends that.

Look, he likes making sure you're taken care of, okay, Walter?]

[Walter needs all the taking-care-of people can give him, Rune. You are being a good person.]

You need help shutting off the Network connection, or did you want to play around with it some more?

Maybe a little, haha! How do I turn it off? Can I experiment with it later?

Easiest way is just to erase the Number. And yes, we can experiment. ;)

[That emote gets thrown in because Walter knows how that sounds even without it.]

I should look forward to it, then. ;)

[Rune laughs, finding the implication.

And with a bit of window cleaner and a rag, Rune wipes the number off the mirror.]

[Now that was an unforgettable voice suddenly coming out of the Network. It's always interesting when new people pipe up.]

Who are you looking for?

Edited 2019-07-17 18:41 (UTC)

[Rune blinks around, glancing immediately at the doors and windows for a source. He turns in his spot. Visibly confused, he just smiles.]

Sorree, whea ahre yuu?

[Sorry, where are you?

A beat.]

M'bruther. Hiis kinna th'reezon ahm here.

[My brother. He's kind of the reason I'm here.]

Umm, I'm at home. This is the Network, certain people have Numbers that turn whatever they're written on becomes able of receiving messages.

Your brother?... What happened to him?

Hopeflee, hiis alrigh'. M'mutha tohlt meh weh were seprated when weh were vureh yuung. So, ahm jus' lookin' fir him. Ah dun know much aboot him, thoh.

[Hopefully, he's alright. My mother told me we were separated when we were very young. So I'm just looking for him. I don't know much about him, though. Problematic? Probably. But that doesn't deter Rune from his goal at all.]

Edited (I can write, I swear!) 2019-08-08 02:08 (UTC)

Oh god, that's awful! I can't even imagine what it would be like to have been separated from my twin.

What's your brother's name, maybe we can help you find him?

[Rune offers a smile.]

Ah dun know iif iis awful. But ah wuud lahk t'faind him. Ii wuud beh naise t'haf more family.

[I don't know if its awful. But I would like to find him. It would be nice to have more family.

A beat and a laugh.]

Wehl, mah muther suujested ah few names. Ah dun know fir shir. He probleh took mah father's last name? So that cuud beh Smith. An' his firs' name cuud beh Jakob, Seth, or Collin. Muther sed those were th'top of father's list ahf names for m'bruther.

[Well, my mother suggested a few names. I don't know for sure. He probably took my father's last name? So that could be Smith. And his first name could be Jakob, Seth, or Collin. Mother said those were at the top of father's list of names for my brother.

((OOC: as a note, any of this could be redacted later, should anyone app for Rune's brother. Thank you for understanding.))]

Well a good place to start would be the county council in Mossgate. Or if it was seperation through adoption? Then the adoption agency.

You'll probably need a lot of proof though. Birth certificates and the like.

While Benjiro tends to frequent the library instead of the bookstore, he wanted to search for a little extra information he could not quite locate in the older texts. Of course mentioning the errand had added a couple books to his list for his aunts, so he is staring at that list with a few books in the other arm when the collision occurs.

For the poor man that falls against him, it feels more like hitting a padded wall than another person as the 6’2” solid built teenager barely has to step to keep upright. List passed to his occupied arm, Benjiro cringes as he assesses the spread of books on the floor and gives a look of concern to the man getting to his feet from behind a fabric facemask that covers his nose and mouth, “Sorry,” he begins automatically, “Are you alright?”

Since the man is back on his feet, he lowers down to start gathering the scattered lot.

Edited 2019-07-25 02:42 (UTC)

"Ah, ahm faine. Thenk yuu fir yer help."

(Ah, I'm fine. Thank you for your help.) Rune kneels down to start picking up the books as well, trying to carefully flatten some of the wrinkles on the bent pages to no avail. Oof.

He gives a half-hearted chuckle at his dismay.

"Wehl, ah giss ahm bayin these n'madder what, then."

(Well, I guess I'm buying these no matter what, then.) He tries to stifle a sigh at that. He should have been more careful with the books.

The strong accent catches his attention immediately, but he is not able to place it as he gives a nod to acknowledge the word of thanks. Benjiro stays focused on gathering the books, looking at the titles in passing as he does out of curiosity without allowing it to slow him. At the comment on making such a large purchase, he starts to examine some of the copies more closely.

“Not all of these are beyond hope... I’m sure the owner will understand if we explain,” he tries to offer in sincere optimism with a gentle tone. A touch of humor follows, “Otherwise you might need to buy a whole new shelf too.”

Once the last book has been lifted from the floor, he rises back to stand with a neat stack of those he gathered.

Many of the titles are ways to try and find someone - private investigation, missing people, even some titles in fiction. He legitimately has no idea how to begin searching for a missing person, okay? Maybe he should have put his skill points into being a detective instead of a performer.

Rune can't help but smile at the humour. It does alleviate the mood, even if it's only a little.

"Ah, no, naht anuther shilf. Ah've got s'mennee ahlretti. Then ah'd haftu git rid ahf meh fehri tehl coolekshin."

(Ah, no, not another shelf. I've got so many already. Then I'd have to get rid of my faerie tale collection.) Which, he wouldn't get rid of them. But it's still nicer not to have to buy a whole new slew of books to find a space for.

After the release of tension and collecting of the books off of the floor, Rune sets his stack carefully on a table before extending his hand to Benjiro.

"Ahm Rune, naise t'meet yuu."

(I'm Rune, nice to meet you.)

The theme of the collected books is recognized, yet he withholds a comment to avoid prying. Awkward conversations can be prolonged by such comments, and this man may want to get on his way.

Grateful that his humor had its intended effect, he chuckles at the notion of being forced to give up a collection to make room. No book lover would do such a thing over a hastily gathered smattering of books. The teenager follows his example and puts the collected stack of books next to the first on the table, careful to keep his own texts separated and in one arm.

Smiling in return from behind his half mask, Benjiro accepts the extended hand, “Benjiro. It’s nice to meet you too.” Rune may notice the grip from the teen is awfully light. After releasing the handshake, he puts that free hand on the second stack at the table, “Would you like to talk to the owner before we try to get all these to the counter?”

Rune notices the light handshake, but it doesn't worry him none. All walks of life are a thing. The only thing Rune cares about is that Benjiro is nice; and Benjiro has more than proven that he is, helping with the books and all.

"Ah, d'yuu kno thm pursnilly? Ah problee shuud. Dun want t'cahs more trouble. Shuud ah fallow yuu?"

(Ah, do you know them personally? I probably should. Don't want to cause more trouble. Should I follow you?)

“Not as anything more than an acquaintance I’m afraid. I spend most of my time in the libraries, but I have come here enough to be a regular,” he answers honestly. Then giving a nod, he walks to the front counter.

A request for the owner is filled promptly, and Benjiro bows forward as he apologizes to the store owner before explaining the accident. Rather than being upset, the owner is glad they explained rather than simply sticking the books back on the shelves for the damage to be discovered later. Still, the books with the worst damage will have to be marked down, so a small fee for those that are not to be purchased is requested. Those books are separated out by the owner and far fewer in number.

After, the owner will leave Rune with the books and Benjiro to decide on what purchase to make.

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Counting the Days to Meet You on the Other Side. (ACTION AND NETWORK | OTA)

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Re: Private Text - Call it a wrap, or do you want to continue?

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No worries :)

1 - If I’m not too late to join?

Never too late! <3

Thank you <3 Forever slow however

Nah, slow is fine, lol. I'm quite the turtle myself sometimes. <3

Fellow turtle!

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