If the asshole old man had them sworn to secrecy, it probably woulda gotten him in trouble. The Order is dicks like that. Either way, I'm goin' too. Half the fuckin' Order stationed here's probably goin'. Wait, shit, I got through, hang on--
[He hangs up on the GC, only to get Jusis's voicemail. He comes back to the GC.
[Unfortunately, Dad takes after his son in the sense that you really shouldn't tell him not to look into things, because then his nosy ass has to.
Rean drops briefly off the call, but he's back not long after. His voice is a little shaky. Or maybe it's just the connection? He is in the basement, after all.
(It's definitely shaking.)]
Any chance you could give us a brief translation of that last bit, Ash?
[Not even bothering to pretend he didn't immediately ignore Ash's advice...]
If the old man gives me any answers, I'll let you know. But lemme re-watch to get a translation.
[One second.]
"Why?! Because I dared to want something more than the wretched, broken heart I was given? Or is it because I want something that I can never have?" Or somethin' like that.
[Rean makes a noise not entirely unlike a frustrated growl, and then goes quiet for a while. Quiet enough that the other two would be forgiven for thinking he'd dropped off the call again, if not for the occasional rustling of Rean digging through the storage still.
Eventually, though:]
Whatever it was, I don't think it's necessarily real. It had a sort of... dreamlike quality to it, you know? What with the blurred out faces and all.
[That hurts to hear. He can take a few guesses to what Jusis might mean by that...but he doesn't dare voice them right now. Instead he takes a deep breath and tries to focus]
...Y-Yeah, you might be right Rean. Now that you mention it, Alcatraz isn't even used as a prison anymore. My family visited it during a vacation once, the whole place is a historical site.
Old Man says no one who uses the MetaNav likes to talk about it, so who knows what the fuck is goin' on. I'm getting Pat and Morgan an' going back to my RV until we get some idea of what the fuck is goin' on. [A beat.] Pretty sure V and the doc're too pissed to keep an' eye on 'em, and I ain't seen shit from Tiny or the shut-in.
[Rean, knowing the Craigs, does not have anything nice to say about the answer to that question, and so does not elaborate.
He does, however, drop off the call again, this time to talk with his anime buddy that he may or may not realize is his anime buddy. He pops back on as soon as he can.]
Shroud says they tried whatever it is they did at the beach. [A pause.] Jusis' idea. Figured it'd have less people around, apparently.
[It's a very good thing he has something to focus on other than screaming.]
So, that seems like the best place to stake out for now, unless we get word that the gate has opened up elsewhere. Probably ought to bundle up, it's not going to be pleasant this time of year.
Blame my dad. He has some interesting ideas for what makes a good vacation.
[But now's not the time to get into his daddy issues (this is Jusis's month for that!)]
The Beach? Gah, it's gonna be cold and sand will get everywhere- [SIIIIGHS. He'll suck it up for Jusis]
-- Nevermind, we'll keep an eye on it. Ash, you three just do your best to take care? No sense in all of us getting hypothermia. I promise we'll keep you up to date the second we see something.
We'll try. I'll let you guys know what the rest of us stationed here figure out or if I see anythin' weird. Pretty sure none of us are going to school tomorrow, so Albarea gets to write those excuse notes when we get his ass outta wherever the fuck he is.
[Rean has been asking that question for several years with little in the ways of answers, Ash. Some things, we must simply Accept.]
Listen, I'm not happy about it either, but I don't feel comfortable just sitting around and waiting for news. You don't have to come along for this part if you don't want to, though, Elliot. I completely understand.
[There's a little more rustling.]
I'm pretty sure we still have the tent my family sent down, though. Where is it? ...Maybe with the old coats and stuff...?
[He's just talking to himself at this point, feel free to ignore him. Although why his family felt it necessary to ship him a tent and coats is another question, here.]
Basement hall closet next to the spare knife box, dear. [He says it so casually] And of course I'm coming along! Just doesn't mean I have to be happy about it...
[But no way he's staying behind on this one]
And please Ash, don't worry about that. I'm used to getting kids excused absences for supernatural stuff. I'll just say the three of you came down with a case of head lice from your RV.
Food poisoning clears up in a day or two though. This will give you a week! [...] Also, it's totally believable.
[THAT RV SIR
Rean answered that question, so he just makes a sound of agreement]
Good thinking. If nothing else, it'd be good to have spares in case someone else gets the same idea and isn't as prepared. [...!] Oh, I'll pack any food and drink we'll need!
I dunno, that sounds like a severe lack of knives to me!
[Is he joking? It's unclear.]
Yes, we have a camping stove. Trust me, my family was more than happy to outfit me with everything I needed to camp once I was in here and not constrained by dorm rules. Something about "you can't live that close to a park that beautiful and not go camping!" I tried to tell them Elliot and I weren't all that interested, but, here we are.
[HOLD UP DID SOMEONE SAY FISHING]
—! You're right! I'll have to pack up my gear, too.
[He snorts] Yeah, seriously. Switchblades are good but you shouldn't use it for everything. That's a great way to damage the blade.
[So you need more knives!!]
That's right. Meanwhile my Dad made me do wilderness survival training a lot when I was growing up. I hated it the entire time, but the lessons did stick.
Rean and I have even gone camping before! Remember that summer trip on the Appalchia trails?
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[He hangs up on the GC, only to get Jusis's voicemail. He comes back to the GC.
He's upset enough that it shows in his voice.]
Don't try callin' him. It ain't pretty.
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Rean drops briefly off the call, but he's back not long after. His voice is a little shaky. Or maybe it's just the connection? He is in the basement, after all.
(It's definitely shaking.)]
Any chance you could give us a brief translation of that last bit, Ash?
[Not even bothering to pretend he didn't immediately ignore Ash's advice...]
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And god, it's so disturbing]
Just what was that...?
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[One second.]
"Why?! Because I dared to want something more than the wretched, broken heart I was given? Or is it because I want something that I can never have?" Or somethin' like that.
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[Rean makes a noise not entirely unlike a frustrated growl, and then goes quiet for a while. Quiet enough that the other two would be forgiven for thinking he'd dropped off the call again, if not for the occasional rustling of Rean digging through the storage still.
Eventually, though:]
Whatever it was, I don't think it's necessarily real. It had a sort of... dreamlike quality to it, you know? What with the blurred out faces and all.
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[That hurts to hear. He can take a few guesses to what Jusis might mean by that...but he doesn't dare voice them right now. Instead he takes a deep breath and tries to focus]
...Y-Yeah, you might be right Rean. Now that you mention it, Alcatraz isn't even used as a prison anymore. My family visited it during a vacation once, the whole place is a historical site.
[The Craigs have interesting family vacations ok]
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[Anyway.]
Old Man says no one who uses the MetaNav likes to talk about it, so who knows what the fuck is goin' on. I'm getting Pat and Morgan an' going back to my RV until we get some idea of what the fuck is goin' on. [A beat.] Pretty sure V and the doc're too pissed to keep an' eye on 'em, and I ain't seen shit from Tiny or the shut-in.
[He's Worried.]
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He does, however, drop off the call again, this time to talk with his anime buddy that he may or may not realize is his anime buddy. He pops back on as soon as he can.]
Shroud says they tried whatever it is they did at the beach. [A pause.] Jusis' idea. Figured it'd have less people around, apparently.
[It's a very good thing he has something to focus on other than screaming.]
So, that seems like the best place to stake out for now, unless we get word that the gate has opened up elsewhere. Probably ought to bundle up, it's not going to be pleasant this time of year.
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Blame my dad. He has some interesting ideas for what makes a good vacation.
[But now's not the time to get into his daddy issues (this is Jusis's month for that!)]
The Beach? Gah, it's gonna be cold and sand will get everywhere- [SIIIIGHS. He'll suck it up for Jusis]
-- Nevermind, we'll keep an eye on it. Ash, you three just do your best to take care? No sense in all of us getting hypothermia. I promise we'll keep you up to date the second we see something.
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Anyway.]
We'll try. I'll let you guys know what the rest of us stationed here figure out or if I see anythin' weird. Pretty sure none of us are going to school tomorrow, so Albarea gets to write those excuse notes when we get his ass outta wherever the fuck he is.
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Listen, I'm not happy about it either, but I don't feel comfortable just sitting around and waiting for news. You don't have to come along for this part if you don't want to, though, Elliot. I completely understand.
[There's a little more rustling.]
I'm pretty sure we still have the tent my family sent down, though. Where is it? ...Maybe with the old coats and stuff...?
[He's just talking to himself at this point, feel free to ignore him. Although why his family felt it necessary to ship him a tent and coats is another question, here.]
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[But no way he's staying behind on this one]
And please Ash, don't worry about that. I'm used to getting kids excused absences for supernatural stuff. I'll just say the three of you came down with a case of head lice from your RV.
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[Also--]
Okay, why the hell do you have a spare knife box? Is that a box of spare knives or somethin'?
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[As for the question, he responds like this is totally normal:]
I mean, yeah. Who knows when you're going to need more knives, you know?
[...Rean may have a blade problem. It's fine.]
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[THAT RV SIR
Rean answered that question, so he just makes a sound of agreement]
Good thinking. If nothing else, it'd be good to have spares in case someone else gets the same idea and isn't as prepared. [...!] Oh, I'll pack any food and drink we'll need!
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Why wouldn't you have a spare knife box? My family always had lots of knives on hand.
[Again, welcome to the Craigs]
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[REAN.]
Good idea on the food and such, though, Elliot. Probably ought to make a little extra just in case there are other people there.
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[Because that's the problem here????]
Alright, I can do that! Oh, and maybe you can do some fishing.
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[Is he joking? It's unclear.]
Yes, we have a camping stove. Trust me, my family was more than happy to outfit me with everything I needed to camp once I was in here and not constrained by dorm rules. Something about "you can't live that close to a park that beautiful and not go camping!" I tried to tell them Elliot and I weren't all that interested, but, here we are.
[HOLD UP DID SOMEONE SAY FISHING]
—! You're right! I'll have to pack up my gear, too.
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[So you need more knives!!]
That's right. Meanwhile my Dad made me do wilderness survival training a lot when I was growing up. I hated it the entire time, but the lessons did stick.
Rean and I have even gone camping before! Remember that summer trip on the Appalchia trails?
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[Why are you two LIKE THIS.]
Didn't Albarea say Appalachia was haunted as fuck or something?
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