Second Chances: the Network

CW/TW: likely mention of a gun shot wound in comments

Facts as we know them

1. They can't see me and Edwin, but they know about us.
2. They're obsessed with salt.
3. They're using iron, so they definitely know about us.
4. We'll find out in the morning what happens when I'm injured just before sunset.



5. I might need help in the morning.

You can call it the Peter Tingle, you can call it Spidey Senses, you can call it just plain paranoia, but someone's been tailing me the whole way home.

They're not stupid, he's keeping his distance. Like...literally just out of reach of webbing distance. But I'm also not stupid and he's literally there any time I turn around.

This is getting old. I don't know what they've got going on but after what happened to the pack, it's not cute or funny.

So the question is - what do we do? Should I try confronting them? Or someone with slightly more tact, maybe? Tony can tell you, me interrogating people doesn't usually go well.

This is gettin real irritatin followin me at the bar. I'm bein watched? By gorram who? Ain't no one there but the black and the Shepard. Well? Speak up for yourselves proper like and I'll shoot you less. Maybe.

[Crew]
Gonna need you all to check in again.

Cafeteria talk today at school was about Halloween costumes. I said I was thinking about being Freddy Mercury, and one of the kids asked who that was.

I feel outraged and old. More outraged, I think. How do they not know Queen? I get it if one of us from a different universe doesn't know, but from here, when I know I've seen their albums on both vinyl and CD? Inconceivable.

Now that the city seems to actually be back to "normal," allow me to be a total basic bitch for a second and ask if anyone wants to go find an orchard this weekend and pick some apples or something? Though I mostly just want to stuff myself on apple cider donuts, tbh.

I have been here long enough to see times like these, where a larger group arrives or returns all at once. It does not make anything easier, it will likely never get any more easy to deal with when we lose loved ones.

But now is a time for support. Ask for it, provide it, whatever you need or are able to do. Check on your neighbors, "our people" or otherwise. The smallest offering can make a world of difference in times like these. We are in this together.

[ ooc; I am turning off tracking on this post - please use it to corral character reactions about the drops so the network comm isn't getting spammed and posts being buried ♥ filter to your own people, text messages, whatever. Your characters don't have to talk to Una at all, it's just a place to corral this. ]

The Monday blues've got me thinking about the long weekend ahead. It's one of the grilling holidays, right? Are we doing something as a community, or should we plan our own things?

[DBD Group]
Wanna just converge and turn or brains off for three days and watch the cheesiest films we can find?

Could someone direct me to the best place to get some tea, please? I think I may need it.

Especially considering I was just in England and now...I'm not.

So. Uh. My bad?

I think I need some help. Like a lot of help. Like I have no idea why a spell that was supposed to reverse the age on a loaf of bread within the diagram instead reversed the age of random people in the building and I definitely made it worse trying to fix it. Is anyone good at magical troubleshooting?

The catch is that nobody but me can read the spells, Arra enchanted the laptop so it just looks like a game of spider solitaire to anyone looking at the screen but me. So... yeah.

[Private to Edwin Paine]
I had this whole thing typed up and ready to post.

It was not as angry as it could've been, but it was not polite, and it was absolutely me stirring the pot. It would've made it worse, which I never want to do for you.

I wouldn't be here if not for your particular brand of honesty and candor. Not everyone appreciates it, but I do. Immensely.
[end]

People seem stressed. We should probably do something about that. Important scientific questions first: How much pizza have we, as a group, ordered in the last week, and on a scale from 1-10, with 1 being not at all, how sick of it are we?

I hope everyone is okay. I'm not really sure what's going on. Just that things on the network are chaotic. It's gotta be Mercury in retrograde. That always seems to drive chaos into people's lives.

Edwin, are you

Tim, is everything

I feel like going to the bookstore today. Maybe I'll find some more star charts there.

[Private to Niko]
I need your help with something.

A few somethings, actually.

But it's all a secret, so I need you to solemnly swear to not say anything to anyone about anything we're going to discuss.

You game?
[end]

[Private to Edwin]
A semi-anonymous check-in wherein we know who the other is but you can't see my face when I ask you how things are going with CK and if he's behaving and treating you nicely. But not in the cat way where they leave dead birds for you because they think you're a shite hunter who can't fend for yourself.
[end]

I saw an old punker, definitely my generation, at the Ulta today. They had a foot tall, hot pink mohawk and a shirt that read, "Pride is Punk". Hell yeah it is. Being unapologetically yourself is punk as hell.

Since my birthday is in the middle of the week, would people prefer doing a get together the Saturday before (the 21st) or the Saturday after (the 28th)? I'm thinking dinner and a bon fire at night on the beach is probably going to end up being the best option.

There really always is something exciting happening around here. First a space trip and now Easter magic!

What did everyone get? I hope something amazing!

[Monty]

Don't think that I forgot about your birthday coming up!! Is there something you want to do? I want it to be the best for you.

[DBD Crew]

Sooo, I want to plan a birthday party for Monty and I'm totally open to suggestions/party planning partners!

Astrology books? Did someone send me these? I mean it's almost my birthday but...

I know people liked being in space, but I feel so much better now that we're back on earth. That plus more astrology books just made my day. I'm so glad I don't have to spend my birthday in space. 🖤

...

...

...

...

...pation 😉

It's Pi Day and I'm a 20 year old math nerd with more money than he should be allowed.

Pizzas for everybody! Get your orders in or a supreme and a cheese are showing up at everyone's doors.

Damian, there's a vegan one coming your way. So18 boys, are we still going vegan or is cheese okay? Anyone else with dietary needs (who isn't a vampire cause I don't think they make blood pizza idk)?

This math class is. so. freaking. boring. I'm ready for spring break. Why is it still two weeks away??

[DBD CREW + FRIENDS*]

So, break is about a week long and I'm itching to get out of the city. Do we want to go and do anything somewhere for a few of those?

(* = if you think this applies, go for it!)

I guess if anyone needs me, I'll be drowning in missed homework from the last two weeks so I don't fall behind. ✌🏽

[Hope]

Sorry for being the biggest brat ever. Oof.