The future's gonna be out of this world [Text / Mingle]

[spaghettimonster]

Date: [December 26th (Text), December 31st/January 1st (Log)]
Characters: Network - [Russell's number], Log: Open]

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Network: Open Invitation (Mostly)

[In the late hours of the 26th, around 9pm, an emoji-filled text message goes up courtesy of Russell typing his number into his phone again.]

I've decided we're having a party at the flat
If you can read this and your a friend
Or a friend of a friend
You're invited to celebrate the new year and decade

...if your name has 'evil' in it you're not invited

The rest of you! Come party!! 🎉⌛🎉

[There's more celebratory emoji at the end, starting with party poppers and confetti in place of a string of exclamation points, followed by various crossed-circle Nos and radioactive signs and villainous faces to emphasize his other point. Just in case an alien got this and chose to pretend he couldn't read it.]



Mingle: Quite A Normal Party

It all started as a normal, relaxing party idea. Russell's Christmas holidays turned out a little bit stressful, thanks to multiple visits to family where people expressed concern for him. Was money tight, some asked, was his new job not paying enough? Were the doctors sure he was in good health, others whispered in private asides? Well, just have another portion then, someone insisted at every house, and stay over for a big breakfast tomorrow. Reassuring family monopolized the three days, and come the night of the 26th he returned to the flat with every intention of not leaving for a week... but maybe, he mentioned to Walter, having friends visit instead.

So when Walter and Russell had the idea, and Russell posted to the network with a mostly-open invitation, they planned on a "normal" night of it; streaming normal movies, eating normal popcorn, trying to put the insanity of mice and sharks and everything else out of mind. Maybe that plan lasted for most of the days before New Year's Eve, or maybe it fell apart during the network chatter. Whenever it ended, it ended with Russell having second thoughts about the appeal of normalcy

After all, he might have said on the network but definitely said aloud, pacing up and down the hallway of the flat, talking whether he had an audience or not... they were none of them normal, and by now willingly so. After all, he emphasized, if any of them really couldn't bear what was happening, they could move! Some already had! Those still here, whether they admitted it or not, were accepting the strangeness. Choosing it. They might as well come out and say fuck it, we're strange, at least with each other.

(It isn't that simple for everyone, of course, between family obligations and financial limitations. But Russell has his biases.)

In the spirit of embracing it, by the time of the planned party, there's decorations all over the living room, kitchen, and washroom. Streamers and balloons of greens and yellows, grays and blacks, with cartoonish UFOs and aliens all over the place. An aesthetic like this all over. Some of them even say Happy Birthday, because in a manner of speaking it's a birthday for the planet, right? Or at least the calendar.

There's a decent spread of food between some home-cooked things and mostly some store-bought party platters, plus one plate meant more for the canine variety of people. And there's a Russell loitering around near the entrance, quick to open it and greet anyone who comes to visit - maybe even before they knock? (Walter may be giving him a head's up when people are coming).


[If your characters stop by the party, feel free to write top-levels for mingling with each other - this is meant as an open post for everyone! (Except Mr. Evil)]

Comments

[iamnotgod]

It's enough of a novelty to get him to laugh, that's for sure!

Putting his mind partly to work on a different way to refold the paper to send it back to Ben in likewise fashion, he writes:

Vehicle parts, or something more generic? Or perhaps a submarine?

It was only an offhand thought, but upon consideration it seemed worth pursuing to him. Walter folded the paper up again - a different shape than before - and tossed it at a proper angle to fly back at his friend.

[warped_replica]

Noticing the new shape when the paper plane is returned, he catches it gingerly to look over before he unfolds it to read. He raises a brow at the notion of a submarine. It would be useful no doubt.

Benjiro takes a moment to write a response, and then folds the paper back to its original form to send back through the air. Too many changes in shape could make it too flimsy to fly, but each of them using a different shape to fly it is entertaining.

Computer parts actually.

A submarine? Sounds like a fun challenge, but it could take a while to build and I would not have a place to store it. The boat in the backyard is enough of an eyesore to my aunts.

[iamnotgod]

Using discrete shapes works well enough for this; above all else, it's a neat party trick.

All the better!

Perhaps scouting out a location for a 'secret base' of our own should be in order. Something on the water, but not of interest to the Army or other such forces.

Let alone Mr. Evil...

[warped_replica]

As he is beginning to mull over the actual requirements needed to make a submarine functional, that hollow feeling he has not missed sweeps through him. His head lowers forward as his eyes close and he brings a hand to his head. A resounding heartbeat injects a new memory into his mind. Donatello had made a submarine of his own, and on the first trip out into the ocean he found trouble of a rather revolting nature.

Hand lowered from his head to shake his head clear, he picks up the waiting note he had failed to catch and writes.

Sorry about that. Got another memory. Donatello made a submarine. At least it gives me a place to start with design.

A base would be beneficial. Directly on the water may be dangerous and limits options somewhat, but any base would be nice to have . An underwater tunnel or cavern might suffice to hide a small submarine if I can manage it.

I literally just checked my email. XD

[iamnotgod]

Walter's own expression changes on a dime as he notices the shift in Ben's posture.

That he recovers enough to send the plane is reassuring, and Walter reads the note before coming over, but he still elects to answer him from right nearby.

He also still writes out his reply, more for Ben's sake than anything, rather than speaking aloud.

That does indeed sound useful, but are you alright?

The 'you' was underlined for emphasis.

There may be something suitable by the cliffs.

Not that Walter knows what's under there just yet.

***have available.

[warped_replica]

That Walter chooses to move over to join him is appreciated, but also met with an apologetic smile. He watches Walter write and reads the message. He nods his head then writes his response where Walter can watch.

Yes. Nothing feels different. I think it was only the memory. Thankfully.

That might work if the ground is stable enough. A power supply would take some effort to create but that close to the water we might be able to harness hydrokinetic power.

[iamnotgod]

This time Walter whispers, out loud: "Good."

He smiles, faintly, then goes back to writing.

Water over wind seems the most likely.

I don't suppose we have enough spare batteries for short-term power, either?

[warped_replica]

Benjiro’s smile strengthens at that whispered word.

Easier to hide and more consistent.

I can rig something up that would give us enough power for a day or two, but that would be the limit.

[iamnotgod]

If I run across a way to improve that, you'll be the first to know.

But then, Ben's available knowledge base likely easily surpasses most of what's available on this Earth right now.

If only Jim were still around, it could be even better-

Walter cuts that line of thought off abruptly, but it briefly shows on his face, and he looks over at the door as if to distract himself.

[warped_replica]

Given more time to prepare something specifically for the job, I can probably nudge that to three days if we stick with essential utility power only.

Benjiro is not a mind reader, but he recognizes the pitch towards distraction away from something. His friend is right here with him, so he puts a hand to his shoulder with concern and his voice barely above a whisper, “...Walter?”

[iamnotgod]

Walter holds off on replying in text, holding the leftover paper at his side.

"... Ought not to put the cart before the horse," he deflects, a wry tone in his voice.

"Power comes first after we build the place. And to do that we have to scout it, preferably in person."

[warped_replica]

Rather than press, he gives his friend’s shoulder a small squeeze and lowers his hand.

“Inspection should be done in person, but we can run the drone for an initial sweep along the coast and identify some places worth checking out in detail.” Then they can create a report for each location to present to the Numbers as a whole to make a selection as a group.

[iamnotgod]

"That gives us some time."

And probably means it will take them at most a week to get things settled, assuming they don't lose more of the Numbered to whatever makes them forget independently of leaving in the meanwhile.

"Meet up to start the drone-scouting the day after tomorrow, then?" he asks, a more genuine smile spreading back on his face.

[warped_replica]

A nod is given in agreement. They can take this endeavor slowly and carefully without losing efficiency. The less poking around they do in person, then the less likely their unusual activity will draw attention.

“Sure. That should give me plenty of time to charge it and a back up battery.” Mind already turning to how to go about the scan, he asks, “Do you think we should start near one side of the border or near to town?”

[iamnotgod]

"If we do the latter, we can bring metal detectors with us," Walter suggests, acting on another thought occurring to him.

"It would serve as a convenient excuse."

[warped_replica]

A thoughtful hum follows the suggestion, “One detector would suffice if we need a cover. I would rather not dual task flying the drone and trying to look busy with something else. Perhaps we could say the video is to show my sister the shoreline? It’s easier to hide why we’re there than the drone.”

His sister is in Japan, and sharing a location seems reasonable.

Close to threadwrapping this one, you think?

[iamnotgod]

"Mine, too," Walter says - because Haley also loves the ocean.

Even if she hasn't gotten to visit it yet.

"But, yes, that seems reasonable."

I think so

[warped_replica]

“Even better. Two sisters that want a look at where their big brothers live.” A simple excuse bolstered to explain why the two of them at working together with the drone. That is if anyone even bothers to ask them given how common drones are now.

Planning set aside, he’ll keep chatting with Walter. There is a new game he’s considering adding to his streaming and he needs an opinion.