SHOKA <---> BARRETT

[gluttoning]

Comments

Post-Mithrun Death

[threatmewted]

[Ring ring ring...

It's a call from the same area code, surprisingly?]

[gluttoning]

[...

He answers the line, though it stays silent for open air for a few moments. When he speaks, his voice is rough and exhausted.]

Who is this?

[threatmewted]

[A familiar voice can be heard on the other end:]

It's Hana.

...How are you holding up?

[gluttoning]

[...]

I... don't know. [His tone is uneven. But he swallows, exhales.]

You said this was urgent. I want to know why.

[threatmewted]

[She goes silent for a moment on her end. And then, after a deep breath to steady herself:]

...When you're stuck in the game with the log out error, if you die, it'll kill you in real life.

That's what Hien told me when we tried the little PK plan. ...And then he threatened me and Fandaniel to keep our mouths shut about it.

Post-Funeral

[threatmewted]

So Mithrun just got up and logged off.

Please tell me he actually called or texted you to explain what the fuck just happened.

1/2

[gluttoning]

[Delivered 12:15pm

Sorry, Shoka, looks like you'll have to check the forums.]

2/2

[gluttoning]

[8:30pmPST]

FlameMane emailed me. Said she was putting something on the forums.

I'm calling him now. If he's at the hospital I don't know if he'll pick up.

[threatmewted]

Good.

And good luck.

[gluttoning]

I'll keep people updated.

Thanks, Shoka. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

[threatmewted]

Aren't you at a game right now? I kind of figured you wouldn't see anything until you got back anyway.

9/11

[gluttoning]

dv

i'll tell you when i can. not now.

[threatmewted]

[It takes her many hours more to notice the message.]

Why the wait?

[gluttoning]

dangerous for somebody.

don't ask. can't answer yet. might put me in danger too.

[threatmewted]

[...]

Even if it was in person?

[gluttoning]

don't know. i can't risk it yet. maybe the game knows too. wouldn't let me talk.

don't give up on me though, shoka.

9/16 Evening

[threatmewted]

[Her coworker had been yelling way too much in the breakroom for her to just not notice something went down at that game, and after finishing up her shift and looking up the actual details after work...

Are you ok?

What happened?]

Are they at least letting you keep your phone?

[It's too late for her to do much else...]

[gluttoning]

[The response is carefully typed.]

I'll presume your name is Shoka, from his contacts.

He does not have his phone. Please direct any questions to the university if you are a classmate of his.

[threatmewted]

I'm not, no. Are you one of his brothers?

[Shit what were all their names again rip.]

[gluttoning]

[Told you this would be on the test, Shoka!]

Yes.

If you're with the city or the press, please go through the official listings offered by UC of Berkeley. I don't have time to entertain you.

[threatmewted]

I'm not one of those, either.

Anyway, I won't keep you. If you have time/remember, just let him know I said "get well soon"?

And I'm not sure which brother you are, but I'm sorry this happened.

9/25 - ΔEdgy Youthful Hangout

[gluttoning]

[From here:

Well, if not for the weird lack of enormous amounts of people and deafening amounts of noise to take up the space, this would feel weirdly like home. Barrett's eyes glance over to the food court, familiar brands on site, before he shakes his head and gives a nod towards the dark neon decor of the arcade.]

I wonder how loud it'll be. [Though maybe that would be better...] Maybe they'll have air hockey or something in there.

[A glance behind him, to make sure they're alone.]

I owed you a talk, though, so... figured I might as well not do it somewhere too boring.

[threatmewted]

There's not much I hate more than being bored.

[With a grin, she'll follow close behind.]

What'd you wanna talk about?

[gluttoning]

DV.

[Just cutting to the chase as he ducks into the weird blacklight decor, looking for the token machine. Do they even need tokens? Eh. He's running off reflex, not game intuition.]

Unless you didn't want to talk about him right now.

[threatmewted]

[Her eyes narrow.]

You know I'm always down to learn more.

You think you can get away with talking now?