TEST DRIVE MEME

[bibliofilo]

TEST DRIVE MEME

> The Park. Man, what a nice day out. Why not enjoy it? I'm sure -- shit, yep, there's some echo monsters.
> The Mall. Exactly what it says on the tin! Dodge the hordes of teenage mallrats or take part, whichever suits your tastes.
> Rainy Day. Agh, it's fucking awful out. And is it raining those vermilion things?? Now you've got an Echo to contend with on top of everything else. Find some shelter, quick!
> PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, HOW FUN
> The most horribly kitschy Arts and Crafts Fair you can imagine.
> NEW YEARS. What better way to start out the new year than to learn that everything you know is a lie? Or if you are already acquainted with the network pass out some resolutions.
> A food fight has just broken out in the cafeteria. Join? Flee? The choice is yours alone.
> Wild Card! Make up your own.

Comments

[espigeonage]

Yeah... I'm really going to have to introduce you, I feel awkward just repeating someone else's story.

Hah. Thanks, Gabriel. I'm good for now! I live with someone else who's networked. It's an apartment so there's other people around, but I know their schedules - and I'm not going to just stay hidden over something people might notice. [he'd go stir crazy.]

But what's your place like, anyway?

[thebalrogslayer]

I'd like that. Especially if he knows more of this -- elvish than me. [Gabriel would be the first to admit that he isn't really sure what he's doing with it yet.

But he is glad that Julien has a safe space to stay, not least because he's noticed that he seems to be easily one of the oldest on the network (with a few exceptions, and at least aniline isn't in his teens like many he's seem) but also because it's in his nature to want to protect people and make sure that they're safe.]

Nothing too fancy. Thankfully I don't have a wife or children to worry about through all of this, and my parents are back in the UK so they're safe. [And removed from any transformations that may or not happen.]

[espigeonage]

He'll probably be happy, he's been hoping for someone else who knows it.

[Julien is not mistaken for a teenager as often as he used to be. Care, stress, and responsibilities over the last several months all take their tolls. He's young, though.]

Probably for the best. Yeah, I used to live with my sister, but she moved out west after the bombing. Can't say I blame her.

You seem to have a pretty busy life... Thought about cutting back a little, or something, in case you end up unrecognizable?

I need to learn to turn my phone off. Last tag for the night.

[thebalrogslayer]

That's understandable, it's human nature to seek out people who understand you.

Your sister isn't one of us then? It's strange how it seems to pick us at random. You'd think that family bonds might stay through all of this. [He's been following the network long enough to realise that it seems to be entirely random who's family is involved and who's isn't. Gabriel is an only child, though, and used to living alone, so family isn't something he often drags into his thoughts.]

I'll have to. If things become more noticeable, that is. But I don't want to have to drop my charity work for it. [It's something that's been bothering him, but hopefully he has enough money squirrelled away to keep him safe and maybe he's brought enough awareness to pass the charity into public funding entirely now, even if that will mean scaling some of it's operation back. Nit's certainly not ideal, but what can he do? He's already retired from modelling once, he'll take what life throws at him and roll with it.]

<3

[espigeonage]

Nah, she's a normie. And in on a lot of stuff - she had to be, I kind of had to relearn how to talk - but the bombs freaked her out and she's got a daughter, too. Also normal. I think. Who knows, though, if they'd stayed. [He shrugs] Some people get theirs earlier than others.

That stuff's all pretty inconvenient, isn't it. I know if things keep on I won't be able to be out in public like at all. [He presses his lips together.] But I have a rich networked friend with a rich house I might mooch off of, just so I won't be stuck in an apartment. I hate doing that kind of thing! But, well.

[thebalrogslayer]

[He frowns, head tilting.] You had to relearn to talk? Was that because of the [Vague, slightly awkward wave of his hand] um. Physical changes, or something mental that happened?

[Still, it's a relief to know that people are looking after one another. He needs to look into what he can do and work out a plan to retire from public life if necessary. He doesn't want to be the one to draw attention to them.] If that happens - and I hope it won't - you'll have to find things to do to keep yourself occupied.

[espigeonage]

Physical... here, give me your hand, it's faster to just show you. [He taps his own shoulder, finger thumping off his hollow collarbone. Julien's a little too polite to go around grabbing hands.]

[Then he smooths back his not-hair again and speaks with his mouth closed, only slightly muffled. His voice vibrates through his whole body, particularly the air sacs branching off his lungs - there's one under his clavicle, infiltrating his bones - and anything touched to him resonates a little too.]

Yeah. Yeah, I know... I kind of have this thing or - power where I can make myself not very noticeable, so maybe I'm not trapped, whatever happens.

[thebalrogslayer]

[Gabriel hesitates, but does reach out. Compared to Julien's heat his hands are cold. When he feels the resonation he jumps, contact broken for a moment, but then reaches out again, curious.]

That sounds like the most useful power. [He agrees with a laugh, pulling his hand away again.] What I wouldn't give for something like that some days.

[espigeonage]

[It's a party trick, sort of, but it's fun to watch people react even as he has to keep himself from pulling away from the cold hand. Briefly Julien grins.]

There, see? Not normal. I speak with this... thing in my chest, I don't actually need to use my mouth at all. Took a while to find out how to sound human.

[Now he raises his eyebrows a little] Fame, huh?

[thebalrogslayer]

Not normal, but useful, I'd imagine. [He pauses, and then adds,] Amongst people who understand, anyway.

[And there's a small not at that and a wry smile.] Not that I'd particularly call myself famous at all, but sometimes a small amount of public attention is needed to get things done.

[espigeonage]

So far it's basically just good for showing off. I can sing like nothing anyone's ever heard, though.

[Julien snorts, gently, and folds his arms over his chest, eyes bright and teasing.] You're not? I must be mistaken, Gabe, clearly you just look a little famous.

[thebalrogslayer]

['Gabe'. It's a nickname he entirely associates with America - one he was never subjected to before he came here aside from by the few Americans he met in Europe, and it makes him smile even if he dislikes it. He should have nipped it in the bud years ago, but then, like now, he was too polite to say anything, and he smiles in amusement at himself as much as what Julien says.]

Not all of us are born with such elegant grace, I understand where your mistake comes from. [He replies, with a flick of his hair. His prim looks lasts for about a moment before he laughs and shakes his head.] Thankfully I'm not interesting enough to be truly famous.

[espigeonage]

[Like most social birds Julien's good at picking up on emotions. Hmm, he thinks, and files it away.]

We have different opinions on what's interesting, good sir! You do still have your looks.

[whoah whoah whoah this guy is like twice his age. Julien puts his hand to the back of his neck, sheepish.]

...hah, do I sound like I'm flirting?

[twice his age but Julien's only going to apologize if that seems unwelcome. :|]

[thebalrogslayer]

[Probably twice his age and then some, and certainly old enough to be his father. But Gabriel laughs and waves a hand, brushing it off. He's never been much interested in relationships anyway, and Julien apologises, so why make a big deal of it?]

So I've been told, but when you reach my age you'll realise that it doesn't matter how you look, there are still plenty of ways you can feel the difference from when you were twenty.

[espigeonage]

[Julien shrugs lightly; always live in hope!]

Too bad! But you gotta admit, you've not gone and settled much. When you're twenty, sure, not a lot of people think too far ahead to the future, but it's always a question - how I'll change, if I'll turn into my parents.

[thebalrogslayer]

Do you feel like you're turning into your parents? [Teasing. Gabriel's not sure what Julien is turning into, but he's fairly sure it's not them.]

[espigeonage]

[his father's big in Canada, and Julien used to worry more about being something like him.]

God, I hope not! My net worth's in the negative and I have already pre-committed suicide for if I ever try politics.

- basically, I have blue hair and if I google my name there's a picture of me duct taped to the wall in college. And the whole "pretty openly bisexual" thing. That's still something politicians like to hide, right?

[thebalrogslayer]

[Gabriel frowns faintly, not very happy that even after all of these years those are the things that people are still worried about.]

None of those should be a bad thing, especially the two that aren't your fault. And your hair suits you. I like it. [It's not flattery for the sake of it, he genuinely does like it.]

[espigeonage]

The tape kind of was my fault, actually... And I don't think fault enters in at all but I certainly could be quieter about hitting on guys, I just don't want to!

[He grins carelessly, leaning against the trunk of a tree, and gives his head a little toss so a lock of nothair flops into his eyes.]

Thanks! This actually turned white a while back. Not my color, but hey, it takes dye and now I don't have to bleach. You have no idea how much bleach damages hair long term.

[thebalrogslayer]

How was it your fault? [Curiously, with a tilt on his head.]

Another echo? What colour was it originally.

[espigeonage]

Well, kind of a long story. One of those stupid-college-kids things. I did buy some of the tape and wear suitable clothes, but I thought we'd be doing it to someone else.

Black - well I'm an Asian mix, that's pretty common. But I started getting gray hairs way back in high school, and it was like [pure anguished teenager for a second] nooo. And if I just kept to a little black dye no one would have to know, but I'm an adventurous lad sometimes. Took a while to settle on blue.

[thebalrogslayer]

You wore suitable clothes but thought they were going to do it to someone else? [Maybe he's missed a step.]

[espigeonage]

That's right! I guess on some level I knew he'd chicken out. Or have a sudden attack of common sense, whatever!

[thebalrogslayer]

Common sense is all too common these days I fear. [With mirth dancing in his eyes.] Is there any particular reason you planned to tape someone to the wall?

[espigeonage]

Alas and alack, people aren't stupid in the same way they were in your day, huh? [Julien can match that. Birds have started to come back, strutting around fearless of him to look for food.] And no particular reason. It's been a while, but I'm pretty confident in saying alcohol was probably involved.