The second of these three reports is for Screwtape.
Again, there's already a report for him. I'm not going to bother linking it because, if you've been reading my blog, you've already seen it. Poe killed him. Pretty brutally, to be honest. But that's not a matter for this report.
Personally, I think the bastard what he had coming to him. His death was fitting. Just. He pushed Poe to her limit. Tried breaking her. In the end, she broke him.
I guess I should remain unbiased in this. If nothing else, Screwtape was dedicated. Very dedicated. Fervent. He did whatever he needed to, and went above and beyond what was asked (perhaps even needed). He was responsible for the deaths of many, and for the pain of even more. I guess that's something he'd consider something to be proud of.
I'm glad he's gone. It means Poe's safe. Good riddance to him.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Showing posts with label Screwtape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Screwtape. Show all posts
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Poe's Return
Okay. Things have settled here a bit. A few things: I've got three reports to write up: Donovan, Screwtape, and Rachael (aka Maurice). I'm ready to write them up, but this comes first.
That post...went up on Poe's blog before she got back. That was the first contact I got from her.
She showed up a little later that night. Wasn't covered in blood or anything, so she obviously cleaned up beforehand. I looked up as she came back, and there was immediately a sort of tension between us. We could both feel it. Worry. Fear. Maybe some anger or other feelings. Just...tension.
She looked down. "I'm back," she said quietly.
"Yeah. Hey. Welcome back."
She just stood there for a few seconds, not moving, not talking. I was...she was still Poe. I managed to tell myself that. She was still Poe. Not someone else. I had no reason to worry. Stood up, walked over to her. Gave her a hug.
She instantly put her arms around me, clinging to me, and it's like...that was enough to trigger her. Snap her out of it. She started crying into my shoulder.
"You okay?" I asked her.
That post...went up on Poe's blog before she got back. That was the first contact I got from her.
She showed up a little later that night. Wasn't covered in blood or anything, so she obviously cleaned up beforehand. I looked up as she came back, and there was immediately a sort of tension between us. We could both feel it. Worry. Fear. Maybe some anger or other feelings. Just...tension.
She looked down. "I'm back," she said quietly.
"Yeah. Hey. Welcome back."
She just stood there for a few seconds, not moving, not talking. I was...she was still Poe. I managed to tell myself that. She was still Poe. Not someone else. I had no reason to worry. Stood up, walked over to her. Gave her a hug.
She instantly put her arms around me, clinging to me, and it's like...that was enough to trigger her. Snap her out of it. She started crying into my shoulder.
"You okay?" I asked her.
She took a few deep breaths. "I...I don't know. I don't know how I feel. Happy. Sad. Relieved. Scared. I don't know, Messi. I need some time to think."
I held her while she shook and cried. I don't blame her. What she did couldn't have been easy on her. I mean, she completely lost control of herself. Told her it was okay. Screwtape was gone now. She didn't have to worry about him. She was finally safe. And I was scared, yeah. I was worried for her. I still don't know how to treat the issue. But I think she’ll be okay. I hope she’ll be okay.
I held her while she cried for a while. Let her get all that exhaustion and the pent up feelings out. Stayed with her until she calmed down. “Messi?” she said. “I’m going to my room. I need some time alone right now.”
So she’s locked up in her room again. But this time she’s herself.
I hope she’ll be okay.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
Why do things always get worse?
So a box showed up on our doorstep today. A cheerful, happy box. Shiny red paper, very neatly wrapped. I brought it into the apartment, opened the little nametag thing to see who it was for and from.
Four words: Happy Valentine's Day, Raven.
I got Poe, showed her the box. She refused to open it. Made me do it instead.
It was
fuck
It was his head.
Donovan. His head. Screwtape sent Poe his head as a Valentine's Day "gift."
She...she screamed. And then locked up. Wouldn't move for a while. Just stood there, frozen, staring at the box (I had closed it up so she didn't have to see the head, of course). Didn't move. Didn't respond. Just stood there in shock for close to ten minutes. Have you ever see someone completely shut down for ten whole minutes? Watching someone do that for just long enough that it's noticeable is scary enough, but when it's ten whole minutes? I had put "91" into the phone five different times. I can't get anyone outside involved, though, because that brings all sorts of hell down on all of us. I was just about to call Zombie when she suddenly started moving again. Just wordlessly shuffled into her room and locked the door behind her.
That was...that was low, you bastard, even for you.
I'm calling Zombie anyway.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
So a box showed up on our doorstep today. A cheerful, happy box. Shiny red paper, very neatly wrapped. I brought it into the apartment, opened the little nametag thing to see who it was for and from.
Four words: Happy Valentine's Day, Raven.
I got Poe, showed her the box. She refused to open it. Made me do it instead.
It was
fuck
It was his head.
Donovan. His head. Screwtape sent Poe his head as a Valentine's Day "gift."
She...she screamed. And then locked up. Wouldn't move for a while. Just stood there, frozen, staring at the box (I had closed it up so she didn't have to see the head, of course). Didn't move. Didn't respond. Just stood there in shock for close to ten minutes. Have you ever see someone completely shut down for ten whole minutes? Watching someone do that for just long enough that it's noticeable is scary enough, but when it's ten whole minutes? I had put "91" into the phone five different times. I can't get anyone outside involved, though, because that brings all sorts of hell down on all of us. I was just about to call Zombie when she suddenly started moving again. Just wordlessly shuffled into her room and locked the door behind her.
That was...that was low, you bastard, even for you.
I'm calling Zombie anyway.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Sunday, February 12, 2012
I can't believe this
Donovan's dead. Screwtape killed him. There's three posts that went up here, here, and here, and he...he's dead.
Screwtape knew. I don't know how, but he knew. Not just that we were planning something against him. That wasn't particularly hard to find out. He knew about Donovan. How...let me explain.
I asked Poe if she'd...she'd like to work together to see if we could bring her back to who she used to be as Annabel again. And I've been in contact with Donovan for a bit now, trying to work together with him to help Poe. He's probably the only one alive who knew her as Annabel and knows her as Poe.
Shit, I just reread that sentence, and now my hands are shaking again. Was. Past tense. Not present tense.
He was...someone from Poe's past. Someone from Annabel's past. She won't admit it, but I'm pretty sure she used to have at least a little crush on him.
And Screwtape somehow (I have no fucking clue how) found out that we had been talking to him so he went off and killed him and how could we possibly have been so stupid and
fuck. Oh fuck. I'm...I can't do this now. Poe's sobbing, I'm fucking crying, I can barely think straight, I can't do this report right now, I want to kill that son of a bitch too badly.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Screwtape knew. I don't know how, but he knew. Not just that we were planning something against him. That wasn't particularly hard to find out. He knew about Donovan. How...let me explain.
I asked Poe if she'd...she'd like to work together to see if we could bring her back to who she used to be as Annabel again. And I've been in contact with Donovan for a bit now, trying to work together with him to help Poe. He's probably the only one alive who knew her as Annabel and knows her as Poe.
Shit, I just reread that sentence, and now my hands are shaking again. Was. Past tense. Not present tense.
He was...someone from Poe's past. Someone from Annabel's past. She won't admit it, but I'm pretty sure she used to have at least a little crush on him.
And Screwtape somehow (I have no fucking clue how) found out that we had been talking to him so he went off and killed him and how could we possibly have been so stupid and
fuck. Oh fuck. I'm...I can't do this now. Poe's sobbing, I'm fucking crying, I can barely think straight, I can't do this report right now, I want to kill that son of a bitch too badly.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Friday, February 10, 2012
Screwtape is Gone
Screwtape just...disappeared. Took off and left. Didn't tell Poe. Didn't tell Nee-chan. Things just don't make sense. He's not the type to do something spontaneous on an impulse like this.
Poe and I have been...trying to figure out a plan of action. I think he suspects something. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. I think he went on the run because he's worried.
I think we might have him on the ropes.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Poe and I have been...trying to figure out a plan of action. I think he suspects something. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. I think he went on the run because he's worried.
I think we might have him on the ropes.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Business
I updated that post about the dead people (I'm not going to link it, it's right on the blog, first post of the year) and the list the other day, even if I only got around to mentioning it now. Irritating, as always, especially because the idiots who feed me information haven't been feeding me enough (and sometimes the info is even flat-out wrong). So please, if any of you have, you know, first-hand information or can correctly identify a dead body so that the more incompetent of the Trackers in the field don't feed me bad or incomplete information, be my guest.
And if you even think of dropping off the radar by having one of your friends say "Oh, yeah, I identified the body, he/she's dead," then keep in mind that I'm in close contact with at least one dedicated Tracker and one dedicated Hunter, and so help me, if you feed me bad information, I will do everything within my power to make sure you start move straight up to the top of their lists.
Anyway, that's taken care of. On to a few future matters of business.
I got in touch with...that one kid, whatever his name was. Glasses. I'm going to be doing an interview with him soon. In addition, I have a few people I met with/will meet with, whose identities and times of meeting are temporarily being withheld and are, ultimately, unimportant. It's just business, and it's probably not even going to be worth mentioning. However, I do plan on meeting with Eddie again soon.
And on the non-business front, Screwtape is...not doing anything. I'm not even joking. Basically, he says he hasn't changed his methods before, and he's not going to suddenly do it now. I talked to Eternity about the situation, and he laughed me off with a "Honestly, Alan, what makes you think it even matters to me?" And then he said something about all three of us being replaceable. So I guess it's back to the drawing board. I know I've got the support of most of you, but obviously, I'm not going to be able to say anything about any of my plans.
So that's what you've got to look forward to: an interview with the Glasses guy (and maybe Ginger if he's around), and a meeting with Eddie and the husks.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
And if you even think of dropping off the radar by having one of your friends say "Oh, yeah, I identified the body, he/she's dead," then keep in mind that I'm in close contact with at least one dedicated Tracker and one dedicated Hunter, and so help me, if you feed me bad information, I will do everything within my power to make sure you start move straight up to the top of their lists.
Anyway, that's taken care of. On to a few future matters of business.
I got in touch with...that one kid, whatever his name was. Glasses. I'm going to be doing an interview with him soon. In addition, I have a few people I met with/will meet with, whose identities and times of meeting are temporarily being withheld and are, ultimately, unimportant. It's just business, and it's probably not even going to be worth mentioning. However, I do plan on meeting with Eddie again soon.
And on the non-business front, Screwtape is...not doing anything. I'm not even joking. Basically, he says he hasn't changed his methods before, and he's not going to suddenly do it now. I talked to Eternity about the situation, and he laughed me off with a "Honestly, Alan, what makes you think it even matters to me?" And then he said something about all three of us being replaceable. So I guess it's back to the drawing board. I know I've got the support of most of you, but obviously, I'm not going to be able to say anything about any of my plans.
So that's what you've got to look forward to: an interview with the Glasses guy (and maybe Ginger if he's around), and a meeting with Eddie and the husks.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Monday, January 9, 2012
New Year
Okay, I've gotten Poe's permission to post this. It may as well come out now. This is how we spent New Year's Eve.
[We're sitting on the couch, watching some TV (more looking at it than watching it, actually--I don't even remember what was on). Not really saying anything. We've got beer. Not much. Neither of us are particularly big drinkers, but you guys know that already. This is a bit of a special occasion, though. After all, the last time we were drinking together, we were trying to forget shitty things, too.]
Messenger: So...another year gone, huh?
Poe: ...Yeah.
M: [chuckling slightly] Kyle would always say...well, he always insisted on emphasizing the new year instead of the old. Fresh beginnings and all that. But I guess we don't really have much to look forward to, do we?
P: [shrugs] I guess there's really not much behind us, either.
M: Yeah. Might be almost tolerable if there were something worth it in the present, though. But it's a shitty present, too. [pause] So...yeah. [pause] Goodbye, 2011.
P: Goodbye.
[we sit in silence for a bit, taking an occasional sip on occasion]
M: So, um...listen, Poe...look, I know you don't want to talk about this, but...this thing with Screwtape....
P: [looking down] It's nothing.
M: Poe, those bruises...they're not nothing. Look, I'm really sorry I saw that. I never meant to walk in on you like that. But I did see them, and I know they got there somehow.
P: You really shouldn't worry about it, Messi.
M: Well it's a little fucking late for that now, isn't it, now that we're in a sort of Mexican standoff with Screwtape over this whole thing.
P: Well, perhaps if you'd just forget about it....
M: [deep breath] Look, Poe...you're the only friend I really have right now. And this is...this is something I can't just forget about. It's only hurting you more to ignore this.
P: Not everyone has it as easy as you, Messi. This isn't the worst thing that could happen to me.
M: Yeah, but...look, Poe, that's not the point! You don't deserve this.
P: That's not the point either.
M: What is the point, then?
P: That some things are what they are.
M: They are what they are, huh? I don't even know what they are, because you won't fucking tell me. What's he doing to you, Poe?
[silence]
P: Nothing huge. Just a smack or two. When we can't find someone. A belt if I make a mistake.
M: ...the fuck? Nothing huge? You're just...Poe, that's abuse! That's illegal!
P: Messi, what do you expect me to do? He says that he believes the only reason I'm...allowed to have thoughts of my own is because, um, You Know Who doesn't know about me yet.
M: [I stumble over my words a few times] And you just...go along with that?
P: If I don't, he'll find some way to let him know. I'm not going back to that, Messi. I can't.
M: What, and Screwtape's absolutely right about this? You know for sure that this crazy theory of his is right? Poe, you know that he thinks that The Boss is picking us as some sort of "chosen" to remake the world in his image after he "purges" it, right?
P: How do you know he's wrong? What if he's not?
M: So...you can't risk it. You won't risk...going back to Eddie. [she nods] Look, Poe, it's not that I don't understand that, it's just that...I can't let him do this to you.
P: I can't go back there, Messi.
M: You...you won't. We'll find another way. Some other way to get him to stop.
P: [I could swear the corners of her mouth tug up for a split second] Thank you.
[silence]
M: So this is why you haven't been updating your blog or posting around, isn't it?
P: Yeah...yeah it is.
M: He punishes you for that, too? [she nods. silence] So...does Eternity know about this?
P: I don't know. Apart from that Thanksgiving, I've never seen him. Probably.
M: And does, um...does any of this have to do with that, um...that thing with Donovan?
P: I don't know. Probably.
M: Does Screwtape know about that? [she nods] How did he find out?
P: He's smarter than you give him credit for. You have to be good at reading subtle things like that to be a Tracker.
M: Is it...just the beatings, then? I mean, he...doesn't do anything else, does he?
P: What do you mean?
M: Never mind. It's...never mind.
P: No. Please. Messi, what do you mean?
M: Well, it's just...there are, you know...forms of abuse other than physical. And other forms of physical abuse.
P: Are...are you asking what I think you're asking?
M: Um...yes? And no. Probably. But I'm asking about more than just that, too.
P: [she covers her mouth, stifling a laugh] No, Messi. Nothing...nothing worth mentioning.
M: Okay...okay, good. Sorry. Um...that's good. [pause] So...do you have any ideas on how we can, you know...stop this? [she shakes her head] Well...tell you what. We'll figure something out. New Year's resolution, right there, huh? How's that sound? [extending my bottle]
P: [extending her bottle to tap it against mine, allowing herself a smile] Sounds like a plan.
[we drink, then fall silent for a while, watching the TV again]
M: Poe? Can I ask you a question?
P: I...I guess?
M: Why did you, you know..."let Donovan go," as you put it?
P: I...I don't really know. I just...I liked him. I didn't want to see him die.
M: Even though you knew that if Screwtape found out, he'd...?
P: Well...yeah.
M: He...he used to mean a lot to you, didn't he?
[there's a pause before she nods]
M: ...He still does, doesn't he?
P: [a long pause] I...I don't know.
[there's another long silence]
M: ...Do I?
[understandably, another long silence]
P: Yes.
[I don't really remember how exactly I reacted, but there's another pause. I think I probably drank some more. Or maybe a lot more.]
M: I'm sorry I haven't been there for you recently. That I've been so withdrawn lately.
P: I...it's okay.
M: No, it's not. I was stupid and should have picked up on clues I didn't. I ran my mouth without thinking. I feel like this is all partially my fault. Like I could have stopped it if I had just, you know, been there for you more.
P: You couldn't have.
M: Well yeah, but, but I mean, maybe I would have figured it out sooner, and...I'm sorry.
P: It's okay, Messi.
M: [trying to smile] I guess...I guess I just don't want to lose you. You, uh...you mean a lot to me. I worry about you. I mean, I've lost Hyde and Caper and...I don't think I could stand losing you. I think it'd be harder.
P: I...uh...thank you.
[She pauses, then leans forward and wraps her arms around me, pressing her cheek against my chest. I'm caught off guard, but slip my arms out of her embrace after a second and put them around her. And then we just...sit like that for a bit.]
M: Hey, Poe?
P: Yeah?
M: ...What time is it?
P: Uh...11:56
M: They're probably pretty antsy over in Time Square, huh? I, um...look, I'm sorry if I've said anything that's upset you.
P: I...no. No, Messi, you didn't say anything to upset me.
M: Good, good. I'm...heh. I'm not really too good with people.
P: That's okay. I am. It isn't any fun.
M: Uh, Poe?
P: Yeah?
[A pause. I lean forward and, uh...our lips meet for a few seconds. She smiles again. That real smile that I see so rarely.]
P: Um...h-happy new year, Messi.
M: Yeah. Happy new year. ...You know, I think that's the second time I've seen you smile like that. [she blushes] It's a shame you've been drunk both times.
P: I'm not drunk!
M: You've been drinking, though. You're at least a little tipsy.
P: I'm...[blushes slightly, then kisses me again] Well, I'm at least a little sleepy, I guess.
M: That...I'm going to assume that was the alcohol speaking there.
P: [laughs] It's okay.
M: I bet you're not even going to remember this in the morning.
P: I will too!
M: [I look at her] It's...almost strange seeing you like this. You know, so happy. It's like you're an entirely different person. Is...is this what you were like as Annabel?
P: [her face falls a bit and she looks down] I...I don't know. I don't really remember.
M: ...Right, I'm, uh, I'm sorry for bringing that up. Shouldn't have done that.
P: Maybe...maybe we should get to bed soon.
M: Yeah. That'd probably be a good idea. Uh, goodnight, I guess. And, um...happy new year, Poe.
P: [she gives a hesitant, slightly embarrassed smile] Happy new year, Messi.
Screwtape, I know you're reading this. I'm hoping we can settle this as calmly as possible. If not, well, I know you're a man of integrity, if nothing else. I trust that we can find the best way to settle this.
How would the meme-obsessed people say this again? Oh yeah.
Come at me, bro.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
[We're sitting on the couch, watching some TV (more looking at it than watching it, actually--I don't even remember what was on). Not really saying anything. We've got beer. Not much. Neither of us are particularly big drinkers, but you guys know that already. This is a bit of a special occasion, though. After all, the last time we were drinking together, we were trying to forget shitty things, too.]
Messenger: So...another year gone, huh?
Poe: ...Yeah.
M: [chuckling slightly] Kyle would always say...well, he always insisted on emphasizing the new year instead of the old. Fresh beginnings and all that. But I guess we don't really have much to look forward to, do we?
P: [shrugs] I guess there's really not much behind us, either.
M: Yeah. Might be almost tolerable if there were something worth it in the present, though. But it's a shitty present, too. [pause] So...yeah. [pause] Goodbye, 2011.
P: Goodbye.
[we sit in silence for a bit, taking an occasional sip on occasion]
M: So, um...listen, Poe...look, I know you don't want to talk about this, but...this thing with Screwtape....
P: [looking down] It's nothing.
M: Poe, those bruises...they're not nothing. Look, I'm really sorry I saw that. I never meant to walk in on you like that. But I did see them, and I know they got there somehow.
P: You really shouldn't worry about it, Messi.
M: Well it's a little fucking late for that now, isn't it, now that we're in a sort of Mexican standoff with Screwtape over this whole thing.
P: Well, perhaps if you'd just forget about it....
M: [deep breath] Look, Poe...you're the only friend I really have right now. And this is...this is something I can't just forget about. It's only hurting you more to ignore this.
P: Not everyone has it as easy as you, Messi. This isn't the worst thing that could happen to me.
M: Yeah, but...look, Poe, that's not the point! You don't deserve this.
P: That's not the point either.
M: What is the point, then?
P: That some things are what they are.
M: They are what they are, huh? I don't even know what they are, because you won't fucking tell me. What's he doing to you, Poe?
[silence]
P: Nothing huge. Just a smack or two. When we can't find someone. A belt if I make a mistake.
M: ...the fuck? Nothing huge? You're just...Poe, that's abuse! That's illegal!
P: Messi, what do you expect me to do? He says that he believes the only reason I'm...allowed to have thoughts of my own is because, um, You Know Who doesn't know about me yet.
M: [I stumble over my words a few times] And you just...go along with that?
P: If I don't, he'll find some way to let him know. I'm not going back to that, Messi. I can't.
M: What, and Screwtape's absolutely right about this? You know for sure that this crazy theory of his is right? Poe, you know that he thinks that The Boss is picking us as some sort of "chosen" to remake the world in his image after he "purges" it, right?
P: How do you know he's wrong? What if he's not?
M: So...you can't risk it. You won't risk...going back to Eddie. [she nods] Look, Poe, it's not that I don't understand that, it's just that...I can't let him do this to you.
P: I can't go back there, Messi.
M: You...you won't. We'll find another way. Some other way to get him to stop.
P: [I could swear the corners of her mouth tug up for a split second] Thank you.
[silence]
M: So this is why you haven't been updating your blog or posting around, isn't it?
P: Yeah...yeah it is.
M: He punishes you for that, too? [she nods. silence] So...does Eternity know about this?
P: I don't know. Apart from that Thanksgiving, I've never seen him. Probably.
M: And does, um...does any of this have to do with that, um...that thing with Donovan?
P: I don't know. Probably.
M: Does Screwtape know about that? [she nods] How did he find out?
P: He's smarter than you give him credit for. You have to be good at reading subtle things like that to be a Tracker.
M: Is it...just the beatings, then? I mean, he...doesn't do anything else, does he?
P: What do you mean?
M: Never mind. It's...never mind.
P: No. Please. Messi, what do you mean?
M: Well, it's just...there are, you know...forms of abuse other than physical. And other forms of physical abuse.
P: Are...are you asking what I think you're asking?
M: Um...yes? And no. Probably. But I'm asking about more than just that, too.
P: [she covers her mouth, stifling a laugh] No, Messi. Nothing...nothing worth mentioning.
M: Okay...okay, good. Sorry. Um...that's good. [pause] So...do you have any ideas on how we can, you know...stop this? [she shakes her head] Well...tell you what. We'll figure something out. New Year's resolution, right there, huh? How's that sound? [extending my bottle]
P: [extending her bottle to tap it against mine, allowing herself a smile] Sounds like a plan.
[we drink, then fall silent for a while, watching the TV again]
M: Poe? Can I ask you a question?
P: I...I guess?
M: Why did you, you know..."let Donovan go," as you put it?
P: I...I don't really know. I just...I liked him. I didn't want to see him die.
M: Even though you knew that if Screwtape found out, he'd...?
P: Well...yeah.
M: He...he used to mean a lot to you, didn't he?
[there's a pause before she nods]
M: ...He still does, doesn't he?
P: [a long pause] I...I don't know.
[there's another long silence]
M: ...Do I?
[understandably, another long silence]
P: Yes.
[I don't really remember how exactly I reacted, but there's another pause. I think I probably drank some more. Or maybe a lot more.]
M: I'm sorry I haven't been there for you recently. That I've been so withdrawn lately.
P: I...it's okay.
M: No, it's not. I was stupid and should have picked up on clues I didn't. I ran my mouth without thinking. I feel like this is all partially my fault. Like I could have stopped it if I had just, you know, been there for you more.
P: You couldn't have.
M: Well yeah, but, but I mean, maybe I would have figured it out sooner, and...I'm sorry.
P: It's okay, Messi.
M: [trying to smile] I guess...I guess I just don't want to lose you. You, uh...you mean a lot to me. I worry about you. I mean, I've lost Hyde and Caper and...I don't think I could stand losing you. I think it'd be harder.
P: I...uh...thank you.
[She pauses, then leans forward and wraps her arms around me, pressing her cheek against my chest. I'm caught off guard, but slip my arms out of her embrace after a second and put them around her. And then we just...sit like that for a bit.]
M: Hey, Poe?
P: Yeah?
M: ...What time is it?
P: Uh...11:56
M: They're probably pretty antsy over in Time Square, huh? I, um...look, I'm sorry if I've said anything that's upset you.
P: I...no. No, Messi, you didn't say anything to upset me.
M: Good, good. I'm...heh. I'm not really too good with people.
P: That's okay. I am. It isn't any fun.
M: Uh, Poe?
P: Yeah?
[A pause. I lean forward and, uh...our lips meet for a few seconds. She smiles again. That real smile that I see so rarely.]
P: Um...h-happy new year, Messi.
M: Yeah. Happy new year. ...You know, I think that's the second time I've seen you smile like that. [she blushes] It's a shame you've been drunk both times.
P: I'm not drunk!
M: You've been drinking, though. You're at least a little tipsy.
P: I'm...[blushes slightly, then kisses me again] Well, I'm at least a little sleepy, I guess.
M: That...I'm going to assume that was the alcohol speaking there.
P: [laughs] It's okay.
M: I bet you're not even going to remember this in the morning.
P: I will too!
M: [I look at her] It's...almost strange seeing you like this. You know, so happy. It's like you're an entirely different person. Is...is this what you were like as Annabel?
P: [her face falls a bit and she looks down] I...I don't know. I don't really remember.
M: ...Right, I'm, uh, I'm sorry for bringing that up. Shouldn't have done that.
P: Maybe...maybe we should get to bed soon.
M: Yeah. That'd probably be a good idea. Uh, goodnight, I guess. And, um...happy new year, Poe.
P: [she gives a hesitant, slightly embarrassed smile] Happy new year, Messi.
Screwtape, I know you're reading this. I'm hoping we can settle this as calmly as possible. If not, well, I know you're a man of integrity, if nothing else. I trust that we can find the best way to settle this.
How would the meme-obsessed people say this again? Oh yeah.
Come at me, bro.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Holiday "Cheer"
Ho ho ho. Happy fucking Holidays.
As Christmas approached, New York started to get insanely busy. Might be my imagination, but it seemed busier than previous years. Must be because everyone tried to make this year count, considering that the world’s evidently cockblocking us by exploding four days before the holiday actually hits next year.
And while everyone else was busy decorating everything and buying gifts and singing Christmas songs and writing Christmas letters, I’ve been busy juggling an incredibly tricky situation and writing about people who have died recently.
I’m sure you’re all wondering what’s going on with Poe and those bruises. Well, I, like an idiot, decided that the rational thing to do in a fit of panic was to freak out and post it where the world could see it. It’s kind of habit to post anything I think is noteworthy here, and my brain didn’t make the jump from “this is something important” to “I should keep this between Poe and myself.” I’ll explain more later once things around here die down some and once I’m free to talk about it, but the laconic and vague version is that Screwtape is, in one way or another, directly responsible for the bruises. Because all three of us know that I’d press Poe for answers that she’d have to give to me, as soon as I posted he knew I’d find out, and we all know that you guys aren’t going to just glaze over this, so the secret’s basically out. Which makes the whole situation difficult for all three of us, since we’re dancing around the topic. The thing is, even though what Screwtape is doing isn’t right, we’re in a situation where we can’t exactly say that he’s in the wrong, and things are tense as we’re all waiting to see who makes the next move.
Poe and I spent Christmas in our apartment. Didn’t really celebrate. Not much reason to. We invited Nee-chan to spend the day with us, though, mostly to bring some cheer to the place. She’s pretty easy to shop for, especially with Poe to help figure out her more specific tastes. Knives, anime, plushies, anything else related to anime or Japan…not exactly like I need to agonize over figuring out what she’d love. It’s the nice part about shopping for obsessive people.
New Year’s Eve we’re probably spending alone at the apartment. It’ll be nice to have the quiet. Nee-chan’s mentioned something about spending time with some of Morningstar 1.0’s old crew, so she’s out of the picture. Then we can finally move past this so-called “time of joy and cheer” and try to regain some normalcy in our routines. You know, continue the standoff with Screwtape. Figure out what the hell’s going on around me. Cling to my fleeting sanity. The usual.
I should have a post commenting on the recent deaths up soon. I’ll update the list at that time.
-Don’t Shoot The Messenger-
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Alone Again
Well, Poe and Screwtape took off yesterday. They're going to be doing some field tracking, which I can't really say too much about. Can't tell you where they're going, can't tell you who the target is, can't even say whether it's a name that I or any of you would recognize. All I can say is that they're going to be gone for probably around a week. I've made Poe promise to write something up at some point while she's gone for me. I
And now I'm alone again. Nee-chan came over for a bit and we watched the latest episode of that Mirai Nikki show, but she left again right after that. It's kind of nice. Poe's always been pretty quiet, so it's not like the place is suddenly silent, and it's sort of freeing just knowing that I'm alone and being able to relax. Having some space.
Anyway, I'm probably going to go meet with Eddie in a day or two to ask him some questions. Be looking forward to that, because you're going to get to hear all about the mindless drones you've been constantly killing. Fun.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
And now I'm alone again. Nee-chan came over for a bit and we watched the latest episode of that Mirai Nikki show, but she left again right after that. It's kind of nice. Poe's always been pretty quiet, so it's not like the place is suddenly silent, and it's sort of freeing just knowing that I'm alone and being able to relax. Having some space.
Anyway, I'm probably going to go meet with Eddie in a day or two to ask him some questions. Be looking forward to that, because you're going to get to hear all about the mindless drones you've been constantly killing. Fun.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A Thanksgiving Gathering
Well, I think I can say that this has been the absolute worst Thanksgiving ever.
Before we start, let me say that I've got a lot to talk about. This might be a bit belated or get split into multiple parts.
Jacob decided that he'd prepare us a Thanksgiving meal. I don't know why the hell he thought it was a good idea, but he insisted, and hey, free food. Not like we can usually afford to eat like kings. I think I've lost about twenty pounds in the last half a year or however long it's been.
I think I would have preferred leftovers. Wouldn't have been as good, but it would have been better than what we usually get and we wouldn't have had to socialize. Getting about forty people with varying levels of sociopathy together (Around fifteen "agents" and twenty-five "hollowed" or "broken" or whatever you want to call them) is probably not a good idea.
Yeah, there's about forty of us that Jacob funds. We all fit in the rich bastard's house pretty well. Talked to a few people, and it sounds like half of the total funds go to this man named Eddie. He's...I think the term he used was a "Caretaker." Basically, he's responsible for overseeing the...the ones that can't take care of themselves. I still never know what to call them. Apparently, Eddie has a job similar to the one Andrew had. I think he's probably the most "normal" of anyone I've met who's here of their own accord. It's obviously hard on him, though. He has very hard eyes. That's the only way I know how to describe them. Eyes that look like he's seen so much that nothing bothers him anymore, and if it does, he can't outwardly emote. Things I'm thankful for, #1: my job isn't nearly as stressful as Eddie's.
Didn't get to talk to Eddie that much. I only saw him for a few minutes with everyone else, then he went to a separate area of the house to keep an eye on the ones he's supposed to keep an eye on. Visited him there for a few minutes to ask about his job, but it didn't last very long. He kicked me out pretty quickly. He didn't seem too happy I was there (even though I told him I was just curious about his job and his...charges, I guess), but I convinced him to give me his contact information. Might go talk to him again later. Don't think he likes me, but he seemed to want to talk to Poe some. Curious as to how things were going. She seemed more intent on avoiding him.
Anyway, that left about fourteen of us, plus Jacob and Eternity, sitting around and eating and...doing other Thanksgivingy stuff, I guess. Eternity's not funded by Jacob (pretty sure he's on some higher level of funding) but showed up anyway for some reason. Maybe we were the only group who had a Thanksgiving gathering, maybe he gets along well with Jacob, or maybe he just wants to fuck with me or something, but for whatever reason, he was there. Gave me that same patronizing routine, so I tried to avoid him as much as I could.
Watched the game with some others for a while before eating. Eternity and Theta both watch football, apparently. Theta's kind of strange about it, though. Just sits there and stares at the screen. Doesn't talk. Doesn't cheer. I have no clue which team he was going for, or if he even had a preference. Gave up on watching after finding out that Eternity's a Packers fan (wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing then that we were going for the same team), and decided to use the opportunity to talk to some other people more. Besides, Poe refused to leave my side, and I have the feeling she wasn't exactly enjoying the game.
Glasses came up to me at one point. Turns out he calls himself Muad'Dib (and I only know how to spell that incredibly stupid name because of Poe). Anyway, Muad'Dib comes up and starts talking to me. Says he recognizes me and that I'm a friend of Nee-chan's, right? I can't really say that Nee-chan's a "friend," exactly, but I nod. He starts sighing and talking about how cute she is and how lucky I am to be so close to her. Asks if I think he has a chance. I'm not sure this guy remembers the night he and Ginger had to pin her down (speaking of Ginger, didn't get the chance to talk to him at all and ask for his name. He mostly stood off to the side the entire night, with what looked like a grimace on his face). I reminded him of how unstable Nee-chan is, and how he should know that, having experienced it firsthand. The kid must be a dumbass, because he looks at me and says this, verbatim:
"Well, yeah, but look at her. I mean, she's probably all sorts of kinky. She's gotta be a freak in bed."
I may be wrong, but something tells me neither of those kids has gotten laid in their life.
Muad'Dib started talking to Poe some then. I caught a few things from their conversation. Apparently the kid's a pilot (I'd ask why the hell we need a pilot, but then I'd have to ask why the hell we need a hacker), and he's flown Poe around when they need to do more hands-on field tracking. Apparently she's got an assignment coming up soon. Speaking of which, Poe, would have been nice if you had mentioned that earlier. Or, you know, at all. But anyway, Muad'Dib takes a deep breath and heads over to talk to Nee-chan. Don't know how it went, because I didn't stick around, but I guess I also don't really care. If he has a chance with her, good for him.
I talked to a few other people, but I didn't have enough time to hold any sort of meaningful conversation or gauge them before the meal started. I have no clue how exactly Jacob figured out the seating, but I could tell he was being pretty deliberate. He put Nee-chan between Poe and Screwtape, for example, probably to keep Poe and Screwtape fairly close, but separated in a way that doesn't require them to look at each other. I ended up between Poe and Muad'Dib. Clearly, Jacob had gone out of his way to try to avoid conflicts.
A shame that it didn't work.
We ate in silence for a while. Everything was fine. And then Jacob said something about how he was hoping this could be an experience to bring us all closer together and how he'd like it if we at least tried to talk to each other. That's when things sort of went to hell.
There were a few murmurs of conversation. Couldn't catch most of it, but it sounded relatively normal. Then things exploded. As great as Jacob is, he clearly doesn't spend enough time around us. Getting us all together is one thing. Getting us all together and forcing us into conversation is going a bit too far. You absolutely cannot get people like us together and expect the conversation to be anywhere near healthy. You know that uncle who always makes family gatherings awkward because he's vocal about views no one else in the family holds, or something along those lines? Well, imagine a big family where everyone's that uncle.
Screwtape started talking to Poe, telling her how happy she must be to see Eddie again after all this time. Eternity started asking me how Kyle was. Nee-chan brought up Morningstar, and apparently opinions on this new guy and his predecessor are pretty mixed.
Jacob decided to remove all the knives from the table pretty quickly.
Anyway, the whole thing degenerated into shouting matches until Eternity stood up and yelled something about us being a family and that we should be simply enjoying each other's company. You can't tell from the syntax I used, but he used second person plural, not first person plural. Bastard made a big show about caring about how much we get along, but didn't even include himself as "one of us."
After that, everyone pretty much stopped talking and just ate. Except for one couple (didn't get their names or anything), and they didn't even talk. Just acted all flirty with each other. Fun facts about eating: Theta's apparently a huge eater, Screwtape eats very simply (he apparently only drinks water, didn't eat anything particularly sweet, and didn't add any additional seasonings), Nee-chan's kind of a picky eater, and apparently Ginger's a vegetarian. After we finished eating, we took off. Some said goodbye to others, some thanked Jacob as they went. Others (Theta was the one I remember, but there were a few others) just stood up and left the table without a word. The whole thing was just...really awkward, like no one really wanted to be there. Easily worse than any family gathering I've been to.
Let's hope that I don't have another thanksgiving like this for a long time.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Before we start, let me say that I've got a lot to talk about. This might be a bit belated or get split into multiple parts.
Jacob decided that he'd prepare us a Thanksgiving meal. I don't know why the hell he thought it was a good idea, but he insisted, and hey, free food. Not like we can usually afford to eat like kings. I think I've lost about twenty pounds in the last half a year or however long it's been.
I think I would have preferred leftovers. Wouldn't have been as good, but it would have been better than what we usually get and we wouldn't have had to socialize. Getting about forty people with varying levels of sociopathy together (Around fifteen "agents" and twenty-five "hollowed" or "broken" or whatever you want to call them) is probably not a good idea.
Yeah, there's about forty of us that Jacob funds. We all fit in the rich bastard's house pretty well. Talked to a few people, and it sounds like half of the total funds go to this man named Eddie. He's...I think the term he used was a "Caretaker." Basically, he's responsible for overseeing the...the ones that can't take care of themselves. I still never know what to call them. Apparently, Eddie has a job similar to the one Andrew had. I think he's probably the most "normal" of anyone I've met who's here of their own accord. It's obviously hard on him, though. He has very hard eyes. That's the only way I know how to describe them. Eyes that look like he's seen so much that nothing bothers him anymore, and if it does, he can't outwardly emote. Things I'm thankful for, #1: my job isn't nearly as stressful as Eddie's.
Didn't get to talk to Eddie that much. I only saw him for a few minutes with everyone else, then he went to a separate area of the house to keep an eye on the ones he's supposed to keep an eye on. Visited him there for a few minutes to ask about his job, but it didn't last very long. He kicked me out pretty quickly. He didn't seem too happy I was there (even though I told him I was just curious about his job and his...charges, I guess), but I convinced him to give me his contact information. Might go talk to him again later. Don't think he likes me, but he seemed to want to talk to Poe some. Curious as to how things were going. She seemed more intent on avoiding him.
Anyway, that left about fourteen of us, plus Jacob and Eternity, sitting around and eating and...doing other Thanksgivingy stuff, I guess. Eternity's not funded by Jacob (pretty sure he's on some higher level of funding) but showed up anyway for some reason. Maybe we were the only group who had a Thanksgiving gathering, maybe he gets along well with Jacob, or maybe he just wants to fuck with me or something, but for whatever reason, he was there. Gave me that same patronizing routine, so I tried to avoid him as much as I could.
Watched the game with some others for a while before eating. Eternity and Theta both watch football, apparently. Theta's kind of strange about it, though. Just sits there and stares at the screen. Doesn't talk. Doesn't cheer. I have no clue which team he was going for, or if he even had a preference. Gave up on watching after finding out that Eternity's a Packers fan (wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing then that we were going for the same team), and decided to use the opportunity to talk to some other people more. Besides, Poe refused to leave my side, and I have the feeling she wasn't exactly enjoying the game.
Glasses came up to me at one point. Turns out he calls himself Muad'Dib (and I only know how to spell that incredibly stupid name because of Poe). Anyway, Muad'Dib comes up and starts talking to me. Says he recognizes me and that I'm a friend of Nee-chan's, right? I can't really say that Nee-chan's a "friend," exactly, but I nod. He starts sighing and talking about how cute she is and how lucky I am to be so close to her. Asks if I think he has a chance. I'm not sure this guy remembers the night he and Ginger had to pin her down (speaking of Ginger, didn't get the chance to talk to him at all and ask for his name. He mostly stood off to the side the entire night, with what looked like a grimace on his face). I reminded him of how unstable Nee-chan is, and how he should know that, having experienced it firsthand. The kid must be a dumbass, because he looks at me and says this, verbatim:
"Well, yeah, but look at her. I mean, she's probably all sorts of kinky. She's gotta be a freak in bed."
I may be wrong, but something tells me neither of those kids has gotten laid in their life.
Muad'Dib started talking to Poe some then. I caught a few things from their conversation. Apparently the kid's a pilot (I'd ask why the hell we need a pilot, but then I'd have to ask why the hell we need a hacker), and he's flown Poe around when they need to do more hands-on field tracking. Apparently she's got an assignment coming up soon. Speaking of which, Poe, would have been nice if you had mentioned that earlier. Or, you know, at all. But anyway, Muad'Dib takes a deep breath and heads over to talk to Nee-chan. Don't know how it went, because I didn't stick around, but I guess I also don't really care. If he has a chance with her, good for him.
I talked to a few other people, but I didn't have enough time to hold any sort of meaningful conversation or gauge them before the meal started. I have no clue how exactly Jacob figured out the seating, but I could tell he was being pretty deliberate. He put Nee-chan between Poe and Screwtape, for example, probably to keep Poe and Screwtape fairly close, but separated in a way that doesn't require them to look at each other. I ended up between Poe and Muad'Dib. Clearly, Jacob had gone out of his way to try to avoid conflicts.
A shame that it didn't work.
We ate in silence for a while. Everything was fine. And then Jacob said something about how he was hoping this could be an experience to bring us all closer together and how he'd like it if we at least tried to talk to each other. That's when things sort of went to hell.
There were a few murmurs of conversation. Couldn't catch most of it, but it sounded relatively normal. Then things exploded. As great as Jacob is, he clearly doesn't spend enough time around us. Getting us all together is one thing. Getting us all together and forcing us into conversation is going a bit too far. You absolutely cannot get people like us together and expect the conversation to be anywhere near healthy. You know that uncle who always makes family gatherings awkward because he's vocal about views no one else in the family holds, or something along those lines? Well, imagine a big family where everyone's that uncle.
Screwtape started talking to Poe, telling her how happy she must be to see Eddie again after all this time. Eternity started asking me how Kyle was. Nee-chan brought up Morningstar, and apparently opinions on this new guy and his predecessor are pretty mixed.
Jacob decided to remove all the knives from the table pretty quickly.
Anyway, the whole thing degenerated into shouting matches until Eternity stood up and yelled something about us being a family and that we should be simply enjoying each other's company. You can't tell from the syntax I used, but he used second person plural, not first person plural. Bastard made a big show about caring about how much we get along, but didn't even include himself as "one of us."
After that, everyone pretty much stopped talking and just ate. Except for one couple (didn't get their names or anything), and they didn't even talk. Just acted all flirty with each other. Fun facts about eating: Theta's apparently a huge eater, Screwtape eats very simply (he apparently only drinks water, didn't eat anything particularly sweet, and didn't add any additional seasonings), Nee-chan's kind of a picky eater, and apparently Ginger's a vegetarian. After we finished eating, we took off. Some said goodbye to others, some thanked Jacob as they went. Others (Theta was the one I remember, but there were a few others) just stood up and left the table without a word. The whole thing was just...really awkward, like no one really wanted to be there. Easily worse than any family gathering I've been to.
Let's hope that I don't have another thanksgiving like this for a long time.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Explaning some stuff
Jesus it was hard convincing Poe to write this up. She keeps talking about how it's not right, how she shouldn't be writing anything, how she'll say something wrong...but whatever. Here's what's been going on.
I do not want to blog about this. I don't want to blog at all, really. Messenger can't do it himself though, and he's asked me to do it for him. He really doesn't like being a liar, I guess. We got in a bit of a fight about it actually. Which is why I'm here writing this.
Screwtape has gotten worse. He's always scared me a little. Now he's even more intense than he used to be. He does seem a little less angry at me though, so I will take small mercies where I can get them.
After Messi's post about Eternity, Screwtape came over. I was not in the room, but I could hear them talking. Screwtape demanded that Messi take the post down, because it was just lies being spread around. He said Eternity was just trying to break him. This was a test of faith that Messi was losing.
I feel weird saying it, but I think I might agree with him. Eternity is pretty big here. He does exactly what he says he does. Even if he was just using us to forward his own goals, it seems strange to think that he would tell Messi this. That's assuming this was the real Eternity in the first place. I don't like doubting Messi, but the whole thing seems off.
He refused to take the post down. He claimed that Screwtape was just angry because his world was falling apart. They argued like this for a while, then Screwtape seemed to back down. That was when I heard a small snap, and Messi screamed. I ran into the room, but Screwtape was already gone.
That's how Messi broke his finger, and why he can't really type right now. He seems pretty upset about the whole thing, but I don't think he's going to be able to update very much until it heals. I don't think this is a bad thing. I thought that blogs would be a good thing. Really they just stir up trouble.
Still, it is sort of his job. Messenger will be back to this blog as soon as he can be.
So yeah. Screwtape broke my fucking finger because I wouldn't take a post down.
I'm going to be laying low for a bit while the situation cools and my finger heals. It hurts like hell, and you have no clue how unnatural it is to type while your ring finger is in a splint.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Edit: Okay, since I'm getting some questions, let me elaborate on a few things. I'm not having a "religious crisis." That's Screwtape, much as he'll deny it. The "test of faith" phrase that keeps getting thrown around means that Eternity is trying to get in my head. Break me down. Test me. You get it now? Good. Screwtape said the reason he broke my finger was "the cost for spreading uninformed rumors and causing dissent" or something like that. He also said that I got the good end of the bargain. My ass.
I do not want to blog about this. I don't want to blog at all, really. Messenger can't do it himself though, and he's asked me to do it for him. He really doesn't like being a liar, I guess. We got in a bit of a fight about it actually. Which is why I'm here writing this.
Screwtape has gotten worse. He's always scared me a little. Now he's even more intense than he used to be. He does seem a little less angry at me though, so I will take small mercies where I can get them.
After Messi's post about Eternity, Screwtape came over. I was not in the room, but I could hear them talking. Screwtape demanded that Messi take the post down, because it was just lies being spread around. He said Eternity was just trying to break him. This was a test of faith that Messi was losing.
I feel weird saying it, but I think I might agree with him. Eternity is pretty big here. He does exactly what he says he does. Even if he was just using us to forward his own goals, it seems strange to think that he would tell Messi this. That's assuming this was the real Eternity in the first place. I don't like doubting Messi, but the whole thing seems off.
He refused to take the post down. He claimed that Screwtape was just angry because his world was falling apart. They argued like this for a while, then Screwtape seemed to back down. That was when I heard a small snap, and Messi screamed. I ran into the room, but Screwtape was already gone.
That's how Messi broke his finger, and why he can't really type right now. He seems pretty upset about the whole thing, but I don't think he's going to be able to update very much until it heals. I don't think this is a bad thing. I thought that blogs would be a good thing. Really they just stir up trouble.
Still, it is sort of his job. Messenger will be back to this blog as soon as he can be.
So yeah. Screwtape broke my fucking finger because I wouldn't take a post down.
I'm going to be laying low for a bit while the situation cools and my finger heals. It hurts like hell, and you have no clue how unnatural it is to type while your ring finger is in a splint.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Edit: Okay, since I'm getting some questions, let me elaborate on a few things. I'm not having a "religious crisis." That's Screwtape, much as he'll deny it. The "test of faith" phrase that keeps getting thrown around means that Eternity is trying to get in my head. Break me down. Test me. You get it now? Good. Screwtape said the reason he broke my finger was "the cost for spreading uninformed rumors and causing dissent" or something like that. He also said that I got the good end of the bargain. My ass.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
My Ex-roommate is Completely Batshit
I think the title pretty much sums up the situation.
Earlier today, Screwtape stopped by. Knocked on the door. Seemed pretty urgent. I opened the door and let him in.
"Messenger, Raven," he said, "Follow me to my apartment. We need your help."
"What's going on?"
He looked at me and shook his head. "You still know so little about your old roommate. Just please, follow me."
So we followed him down the hall to the room. Last time I had been there was...a while ago, I guess. I might be remembering this wrong, but I don't think I'd been down to the room since that night Caper died. But I don't want to get into that now because it brings up all sorts of bad memories and it's not important anyway.
As we got closer, I heard yelling and screaming. Always a good sign. Screwtape opened the door to reveal the apartment. Remember how when The Boss tossed Caper around, the apartment was kind of a mess afterwards? Well, evidently, he's more careful than Nee-chan, because the place was ripped up. Nee-chan was storming around the apartment, pounding on walls, slashing at the furniture with a knife, throwing things around...it was bad.
Poe and I just sort of stood there in shock for a few seconds. "When she found out about Morningstar's death she was...upset," Screwtape said.
There were these two guys about her age, maybe a little older, sort of scrambling around the apartment, unsure of how to deal with the situation, sort of shouting at each other. Kid with glasses and a ginger. Ginger told Glasses Kid to grab her and hold her back. Glasses Kid shouted back how he was trying but "she's waving around a freakin' knife, man!" He ducked a second later as a drinking glass shattered against the wall above his head.
Screwtape turned to us. "Raven, try talking to her to get her attention. Messenger, we'll get behind her and grab her arms. You take left arm, I'll take right arm. Right arm first so that the knife is out of commission. I'll let the other two know to grab her legs once we have the arms restrained."
I just nodded. He sounded like he knew what he was doing. As Nee-chan walked into the bathroom and started shouting at the mirror, Screwtape briefed Glasses and Ginger. And I just sat there for about three minutes as she screamed at herself. During those three minutes, between bouts of "holy shit I am dealing with someone who has gone off the deep end," something occurred to me.
"Screwtape," I yelled, "Why is Poe the one distracting Nee-chan? You're using her as bait, aren't you?"
"Theta hasn't arrived, and she has the strongest connection with Nee-chan," he said. "Plus, she's the most expendable of us."
Right. Of course. Bastard. She was standing right there, too. But Nee-chan chose that moment to come out of the bathroom, so Poe just sort of...called her name, I guess. Said something to briefly distract her. Worked well enough. Screwtape got ahold of her right arm, and got her to drop the knife in a matter of seconds, while I tried to grab onto her left arm. Her flailing hit me in the face a few times. Shins are bruised now from the kicking. Glasses took a foot to the face as he tried to hold her down. We got her on the floor and just sort of pinned her down. The whole time she just kept yelling about how she was going to "fucking kill that stupid bitch." Those words made up probably about 50% of what she said, actually (the rest of it consisted largely of "Morningstar," and about five Japanese words I don't remember and didn't understand), although it was mostly incoherent.
We sat there for ten minutes. Ten minutes of her screaming, sobbing, and struggling underneath us. Screwtape and Ginger seemed to know what they were doing, but Glasses and I were kind of holding on for dear life. And Poe just sort of stepped back into a corner of the room and froze up. But Nee-chan would just sort of cycle between screaming, sobbing, and then falling silent and just breathing heavily. And then screaming again, her torso and head writhing as she tried to get free. It's...I don't even know how to describe it. I can't do it justice. She had four people pinning her down and I still felt like she was the one in control.
But at the end of the ten minutes, Theta showed up. Looked at Screwtape, and said just a few words. "Did you tell Jacob?" Screwtape nodded, and he just responded with "good," before walking over, reaching down, and pressing somewhere on Nee-chan's neck. Pressure point or something, I guess, because she lost consciousness almost instantly. Screwtape and Ginger stepped back. It took me a bit longer to feel safe letting go. Glasses was still gripping her leg, and his face looked like it was going white at that point. But I guess I shouldn't point fingers, since I probably wasn't looking much better. Theta picked her up, hoisted her over a shoulder, and carried her to a back room (her bedroom I guess, probably). He came out, turned to Screwtape, and told him that he'd be staying for a few days. Screwtape didn't raise any objections or seem even remotely bothered by announcement.
Anyway, Screwtape turned to the rest of us. "Thank you," he said. "You've been a great help tonight. Except for you, Raven, but I didn't expect you to be pulling your weight at this point." I swear, Theta was the only thing keeping me from beating his ass into oblivion.
But yeah, no reports today (I've got Morningstar's to write up now, too) because I've been too busy with all that shit. Sorry to let you all down. I'll try to get one or two of them up tomorrow.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Earlier today, Screwtape stopped by. Knocked on the door. Seemed pretty urgent. I opened the door and let him in.
"Messenger, Raven," he said, "Follow me to my apartment. We need your help."
"What's going on?"
He looked at me and shook his head. "You still know so little about your old roommate. Just please, follow me."
So we followed him down the hall to the room. Last time I had been there was...a while ago, I guess. I might be remembering this wrong, but I don't think I'd been down to the room since that night Caper died. But I don't want to get into that now because it brings up all sorts of bad memories and it's not important anyway.
As we got closer, I heard yelling and screaming. Always a good sign. Screwtape opened the door to reveal the apartment. Remember how when The Boss tossed Caper around, the apartment was kind of a mess afterwards? Well, evidently, he's more careful than Nee-chan, because the place was ripped up. Nee-chan was storming around the apartment, pounding on walls, slashing at the furniture with a knife, throwing things around...it was bad.
Poe and I just sort of stood there in shock for a few seconds. "When she found out about Morningstar's death she was...upset," Screwtape said.
There were these two guys about her age, maybe a little older, sort of scrambling around the apartment, unsure of how to deal with the situation, sort of shouting at each other. Kid with glasses and a ginger. Ginger told Glasses Kid to grab her and hold her back. Glasses Kid shouted back how he was trying but "she's waving around a freakin' knife, man!" He ducked a second later as a drinking glass shattered against the wall above his head.
Screwtape turned to us. "Raven, try talking to her to get her attention. Messenger, we'll get behind her and grab her arms. You take left arm, I'll take right arm. Right arm first so that the knife is out of commission. I'll let the other two know to grab her legs once we have the arms restrained."
I just nodded. He sounded like he knew what he was doing. As Nee-chan walked into the bathroom and started shouting at the mirror, Screwtape briefed Glasses and Ginger. And I just sat there for about three minutes as she screamed at herself. During those three minutes, between bouts of "holy shit I am dealing with someone who has gone off the deep end," something occurred to me.
"Screwtape," I yelled, "Why is Poe the one distracting Nee-chan? You're using her as bait, aren't you?"
"Theta hasn't arrived, and she has the strongest connection with Nee-chan," he said. "Plus, she's the most expendable of us."
Right. Of course. Bastard. She was standing right there, too. But Nee-chan chose that moment to come out of the bathroom, so Poe just sort of...called her name, I guess. Said something to briefly distract her. Worked well enough. Screwtape got ahold of her right arm, and got her to drop the knife in a matter of seconds, while I tried to grab onto her left arm. Her flailing hit me in the face a few times. Shins are bruised now from the kicking. Glasses took a foot to the face as he tried to hold her down. We got her on the floor and just sort of pinned her down. The whole time she just kept yelling about how she was going to "fucking kill that stupid bitch." Those words made up probably about 50% of what she said, actually (the rest of it consisted largely of "Morningstar," and about five Japanese words I don't remember and didn't understand), although it was mostly incoherent.
We sat there for ten minutes. Ten minutes of her screaming, sobbing, and struggling underneath us. Screwtape and Ginger seemed to know what they were doing, but Glasses and I were kind of holding on for dear life. And Poe just sort of stepped back into a corner of the room and froze up. But Nee-chan would just sort of cycle between screaming, sobbing, and then falling silent and just breathing heavily. And then screaming again, her torso and head writhing as she tried to get free. It's...I don't even know how to describe it. I can't do it justice. She had four people pinning her down and I still felt like she was the one in control.
But at the end of the ten minutes, Theta showed up. Looked at Screwtape, and said just a few words. "Did you tell Jacob?" Screwtape nodded, and he just responded with "good," before walking over, reaching down, and pressing somewhere on Nee-chan's neck. Pressure point or something, I guess, because she lost consciousness almost instantly. Screwtape and Ginger stepped back. It took me a bit longer to feel safe letting go. Glasses was still gripping her leg, and his face looked like it was going white at that point. But I guess I shouldn't point fingers, since I probably wasn't looking much better. Theta picked her up, hoisted her over a shoulder, and carried her to a back room (her bedroom I guess, probably). He came out, turned to Screwtape, and told him that he'd be staying for a few days. Screwtape didn't raise any objections or seem even remotely bothered by announcement.
Anyway, Screwtape turned to the rest of us. "Thank you," he said. "You've been a great help tonight. Except for you, Raven, but I didn't expect you to be pulling your weight at this point." I swear, Theta was the only thing keeping me from beating his ass into oblivion.
But yeah, no reports today (I've got Morningstar's to write up now, too) because I've been too busy with all that shit. Sorry to let you all down. I'll try to get one or two of them up tomorrow.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Friday, October 7, 2011
A Summary of Events Thus Far
All right, I guess my blog's getting a bit long and it's exactly the most episodic thing out there. I guess I should provide a CliffNotes version for those of you who didn't want to bother reading the actual assignment.
Hi. Call me The Messenger (or Messi, for those of you who are too lazy to type the whole thing out--Messi, not Messy or Mess). I work for someone I call The Boss. You might know him by a variety of names. The Slender Man seems to be the most standard. I'm a 27-year-old hacker who acts, as you may expect, as a messenger. I write up reports of the deceased and post them to their blogs. I'm not going to bother linking you, but I've got a tag on the left side of the page for "Reports." Feel free to click that to get an example of what I'm talking about.
Anyway, before you get all judgmental, I'm working for The Boss for two reasons. The first is that, simply put, it's safer. Why run when I can get on his good side instead? The second is that I'm kind of here in my brother Kyle's stead. I asked him to, if I work for him, leave my brother and those around him alone. I don't know why, but his answer so far seems to be "sure, why the hell not?" So I'm doing this largely for my brother's sake. He and his friends are writing and filming one of those vlog things, incidentally. I actually think that they're just going through a few small rewrites now and are going to start shooting soon. I give him maybe two more months before he loses interest.
Anyway, started working here, and I got to know some of the others who work for him. The first guy I met (a guy calling himself Hyde) was also the first report I wrote up. The first two I met who actually stayed alive long enough for me to get to know them were two partners called Caper and Poe. Caper referred to himself and Poe as "Trackers," or people whose job it was to discern and monitor the locations of runners. I got to know Caper fairly well. He was the type of guy who you could never take seriously, probably because he never gave anyone the impression that he took anything seriously himself. Poe, meanwhile, was this quiet and withdrawn girl always dressed in what she describes as "gothic lolita" clothing who always seemed to be trailing after Caper.
Around this time I started interviewing people just so I could figure out what exactly I had gotten myself into and why exactly I was one of the "bad guys." Tried interviewing Caper a couple of times but never got a straight answer out of him. Talked to a hollowed or hallowed or husk or whatever you guys call them calling himself William. Several of them, actually. They lost their identities so they tried taking on a collective one. Interviewed a youth calling himself Alex. Never really saw him after that, so I decided to check around. Turns out he died a few months back. No big ceremony surrounding his death or anything. That's just the way things go around here.
Anyway, things really started getting hectic around here around the time Caper died. He and Poe told me that he had just destroyed evidence that kept the Hunters (the people who finish the Trackers' jobs) from being able to locate her. I later found out that he had actually also killed one of said Hunters, but I'll get to that when I get to that.
Poe didn't really know where else to go at that point, so she came over and we got drunk together to try to forget. Because that's how adults handle their problems. They turn to alcohol. Started to get to know her for a bit. Then she cut off all contact for a while to mourn. Started up a blog of her own (linked in the sidebar on the left) as a coping mechanism.
We've got a guy funding us so that we have a place to live and don't starve to death. His name's Jacob. He's a stockbroker who decided that he could part with some of his money if the alternative was death threats from what he views as a cult. He's actually also a really nice guy, in my opinion. Anyway, he also deals with living and working arrangements. He decided that I needed a roommate, and that Poe needed a new roommate/partner. So I ended up rooming with an unstable Japan-obsessed teenage girl calling herself Nee-chan (who I later found out was a replacement for the Hunter Caper killed), and Poe ended up with a psychologically abusive fanatic called Screwtape. Poe couldn't stand rooming with him, so we convinced Jacob to let her and Nee-chan trade rooms. Now Nee-chan's living with Screwtape and Poe's living with me. And I guess Poe and I have sort of started to develop a bit of an unofficial relationship or something? I don't know, it's complicated.
Speaking of Poe. Basically, Screwtape's kind of been harassing her, I guess? There was this old boyfriend of hers or something named Donovan who found her after I interviewed her and he recognized her story. And now he thinks that he needs to be playing the hero and should come and "save her." So I should probably be keeping an eye on him. I'm surrounded by enough crazy as is. I don't need Don Juan adding to that.
Anyway, shortly after all that, I started getting these tapes from this unknown sender (I've dubbed him "Big Brother" for the sake of giving him a name) with some purpose I can't entirely figure out. The tapes tend to show the more negative sides of my co-workers. The first five were of Nee-chan in various stages of batshit fucking insane, the second two displayed Caper's murderous side (this is when and how I found out why exactly he was killed), and one showing Poe as...well, it showed me that she didn't exactly willingly sign up to work for The Boss.
And now I may finally see some closure to this, because Big Brother's wants to meet in person. But before all that happens, I've got some work to do. A lot of people died recently. I've got three reports to write up (Maduin, Morningstar, and the Slender Man division of the PTC) and work is taking priority.
And now you're caught up with the present. Congratulations. Have a fucking cookie.
God I'm tired.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Hi. Call me The Messenger (or Messi, for those of you who are too lazy to type the whole thing out--Messi, not Messy or Mess). I work for someone I call The Boss. You might know him by a variety of names. The Slender Man seems to be the most standard. I'm a 27-year-old hacker who acts, as you may expect, as a messenger. I write up reports of the deceased and post them to their blogs. I'm not going to bother linking you, but I've got a tag on the left side of the page for "Reports." Feel free to click that to get an example of what I'm talking about.
Anyway, before you get all judgmental, I'm working for The Boss for two reasons. The first is that, simply put, it's safer. Why run when I can get on his good side instead? The second is that I'm kind of here in my brother Kyle's stead. I asked him to, if I work for him, leave my brother and those around him alone. I don't know why, but his answer so far seems to be "sure, why the hell not?" So I'm doing this largely for my brother's sake. He and his friends are writing and filming one of those vlog things, incidentally. I actually think that they're just going through a few small rewrites now and are going to start shooting soon. I give him maybe two more months before he loses interest.
Anyway, started working here, and I got to know some of the others who work for him. The first guy I met (a guy calling himself Hyde) was also the first report I wrote up. The first two I met who actually stayed alive long enough for me to get to know them were two partners called Caper and Poe. Caper referred to himself and Poe as "Trackers," or people whose job it was to discern and monitor the locations of runners. I got to know Caper fairly well. He was the type of guy who you could never take seriously, probably because he never gave anyone the impression that he took anything seriously himself. Poe, meanwhile, was this quiet and withdrawn girl always dressed in what she describes as "gothic lolita" clothing who always seemed to be trailing after Caper.
Around this time I started interviewing people just so I could figure out what exactly I had gotten myself into and why exactly I was one of the "bad guys." Tried interviewing Caper a couple of times but never got a straight answer out of him. Talked to a hollowed or hallowed or husk or whatever you guys call them calling himself William. Several of them, actually. They lost their identities so they tried taking on a collective one. Interviewed a youth calling himself Alex. Never really saw him after that, so I decided to check around. Turns out he died a few months back. No big ceremony surrounding his death or anything. That's just the way things go around here.
Anyway, things really started getting hectic around here around the time Caper died. He and Poe told me that he had just destroyed evidence that kept the Hunters (the people who finish the Trackers' jobs) from being able to locate her. I later found out that he had actually also killed one of said Hunters, but I'll get to that when I get to that.
Poe didn't really know where else to go at that point, so she came over and we got drunk together to try to forget. Because that's how adults handle their problems. They turn to alcohol. Started to get to know her for a bit. Then she cut off all contact for a while to mourn. Started up a blog of her own (linked in the sidebar on the left) as a coping mechanism.
We've got a guy funding us so that we have a place to live and don't starve to death. His name's Jacob. He's a stockbroker who decided that he could part with some of his money if the alternative was death threats from what he views as a cult. He's actually also a really nice guy, in my opinion. Anyway, he also deals with living and working arrangements. He decided that I needed a roommate, and that Poe needed a new roommate/partner. So I ended up rooming with an unstable Japan-obsessed teenage girl calling herself Nee-chan (who I later found out was a replacement for the Hunter Caper killed), and Poe ended up with a psychologically abusive fanatic called Screwtape. Poe couldn't stand rooming with him, so we convinced Jacob to let her and Nee-chan trade rooms. Now Nee-chan's living with Screwtape and Poe's living with me. And I guess Poe and I have sort of started to develop a bit of an unofficial relationship or something? I don't know, it's complicated.
Speaking of Poe. Basically, Screwtape's kind of been harassing her, I guess? There was this old boyfriend of hers or something named Donovan who found her after I interviewed her and he recognized her story. And now he thinks that he needs to be playing the hero and should come and "save her." So I should probably be keeping an eye on him. I'm surrounded by enough crazy as is. I don't need Don Juan adding to that.
Anyway, shortly after all that, I started getting these tapes from this unknown sender (I've dubbed him "Big Brother" for the sake of giving him a name) with some purpose I can't entirely figure out. The tapes tend to show the more negative sides of my co-workers. The first five were of Nee-chan in various stages of batshit fucking insane, the second two displayed Caper's murderous side (this is when and how I found out why exactly he was killed), and one showing Poe as...well, it showed me that she didn't exactly willingly sign up to work for The Boss.
And now I may finally see some closure to this, because Big Brother's wants to meet in person. But before all that happens, I've got some work to do. A lot of people died recently. I've got three reports to write up (Maduin, Morningstar, and the Slender Man division of the PTC) and work is taking priority.
And now you're caught up with the present. Congratulations. Have a fucking cookie.
God I'm tired.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Monday, October 3, 2011
Meeting Theta
This Occupy Wall Street thing, huh? Crazy, huh? A bunch of dumbasses (some of whom wear masks) making demands when they don't even know what their demands are, and another bunch of dumbasses brutally opposed to this first group taking the law into their own hands. It all seems marginally familiar somehow. And then there's me, not really choosing to take either side. Wow, I'm really forcing this metaphor, aren't I?
But really, Jacob's been pretty stressed about all this, since these protests affect him more or less directly. Or they would if the protesters decided why exactly they're sitting out there. They decide that they're all going to take up space on Wall Street to fight corruption, but when people finally say "okay, fine, what do you fucking want?" they just kind of go "um...we...don't want corporate greed." Oh. Okay. That's a noble cause. I can get behind that cause. Just one question--how the hell exactly do you go around changing that? "Hey, it'd be really nice if you people completely stopped loving money! Do that and we'll go away!"
But I'm not here to discuss politics and the economy, because I tend to make myself look like an idiot when I do. I'm here to talk about what's been going on the last few days. As usual, Poe and Nee-chan had their Saturday anime session. Only thing that makes this time notable is that Nee-chan brought Theta over for a visit.
Theta is...well, built like a bodybuilder isn't a good phrase, because while he's one of the most muscular people I've ever met, he's not really that stocky. Built more like a gymnast or a stuntman, I guess. Tall. Bald. Necklace of Theta symbols (θ) tattooed around his neck. He walked in and just sort of stood there, as if perfectly content to remain standing in one spot.
"Uh...hey," I said. "I'm The Messenger."
He looked at me and gave me a slight nod. "Theta." Notably deep voice.
"You...need some coffee or a glass of water or something?"
"No."
"You...wanna at least sit down?"
He gave another slow, slight nod. "Thank you."
I led him to the kitchen, sat down opposite him. Tried to talk to him some. Theta is...not a conversationalist.
"So, you're Nee-chan's partner, right? The two of you are Hunters, right? What exactly do you do?"
"Hunt." He said it in dead seriousness, though maybe with a hint of confusion, like he couldn't understand why I'd ask such a stupid question. Didn't bother asking him to elaborate.
"So where do you live, then? I know you don't live with Nee-chan."
"Fortunately. She accidentally killed her last partner. Living about half an hour away. Lived there with Helios until her partner killed him." He nodded over at Poe. I attempted to change the subject.
"So what exactly do you think of Nee-chan?"
"Nice girl. Dedicated. Good at her job." A pause. "Glad I'm not living with her." I chuckled a bit. He didn't. I stopped pretty quickly.
Theta didn't stay long. I'm kind of glad he didn't, as he's kind of got this intimidating presence. He rarely speaks, and when he's not speaking, he looks deep in thought. It worries me, not knowing what he's thinking about. Nee-chan left later, enthusiastically waving goodbye. Poe told me that I should watch with them next time, or at least pretend to watch. I might, but I'm not watching anything in Japanese. Nee-chan's going to have to understand that.
And of course, Big Brother decided to call me yesterday.
BB: Messenger! How nice to hear your voice again!
M: So Theta's big and silent and intimidating. Your point?
BB: Well of course you don't know what my point is. That's why I've called.
M: So what is it about Theta? So he's kind of creepy.
BB: I wouldn't go with "creepy." More along the lines of "heartless." Complements Nee-chan quite nicely, actually. Nee-chan's overly emotional. Wears her heart on her sleeve, so to speak. Theta? You can never quite tell what he's thinking, can you? Nee-chan's stupidly innocent and naive. Can't quite seem to grasp the consequences of her actions? And Theta? Theta understands, he just doesn't care. He doesn't have some convoluted sense of loyalty and duty like Screwtape. Doesn't second-guess himself like Caper. Doesn't really have a reason to be on the side he is like you or Poe. He's just here, doing Father's bidding. Try interviewing him. I'm sure that whenever you ask "why," he'll just answer "because."
M: So he's mysterious.
BB: Not mysterious. Emotionless. Heartless. Cruel. Very devoted to what he does. Practices a lot.
M: Practices killing people? Like down at the shooting range or something?
BB: Shooting--really, Mr. Funeral, you know how strict the gun laws are. No, Theta doesn't carry a gun.
M: Then how the hell do you practice something like that?
BB: Well, there are some particular people he views as...disposable, shall we say? People who aren't really people anymore? Can't really say yes or no either way?
M: Wait, what?
BB: Oh, wait, sorry, that's an uncomfortable subject for you, isn't it? Your girlfriend used to be one.
M: You know she's not my girlfriend.
BB: All but name, Messenger, all but name. But while we're on the subject of Miss Poe, why don't we talk about what she hasn't been telling you?
M: I don't know what you're talking about.
BB: Well of course you wouldn't know, she hasn't been telling you. You know her partner Screwtape, right?
M: Of course I do.
BB: Well he's a lot different than Caper. A lot more overbearing. If you had a mind to, you could probably call it harassment. It maybe is, considering how much he hates her. You see, he's not exactly too fond of "Father's dolls," as he calls them. Thinks that the "Chosen" are the people Father's choosing to build a better society. The "dolls," on the other hand, oh, they're being punished, because clearly they're the worst of the worst.
M: Sounds like you don't agree with his assessment.
BB: Maybe I don't. But maybe I do. I'm just trying to be neutral here. Let you form your own opinions. Chances are, he's must as right, if not moreso, than you. But anyway, can you see why he might have, shall we say...problems working with someone who he thinks deserves to be a brainwashed mindless slave working among the elite?
M: You're an asshole.
BB: You want the truth, don't you, Messi? I'm just giving you that inside scoop that reporters like you love so dearly.
M: I'm not a reporter, I'm a hacker.
BB: Really? Well, you had me fooled!
M: Look--
BB: Ah, ah, ah! I've got the conch shell yet, Messenger. I'm calling to let you know that...well, I'd like to meet you soon. Talk to you face-to-face. Would you prefer that?
M: Yes, I think I would prefer that.
BB: All right, then. I'll get back to you once I've made time in my busy schedule.
And here he hung up.
So. Looks like I'm finally going to be meeting Big Brother at some point in the future. Wish me luck.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
But really, Jacob's been pretty stressed about all this, since these protests affect him more or less directly. Or they would if the protesters decided why exactly they're sitting out there. They decide that they're all going to take up space on Wall Street to fight corruption, but when people finally say "okay, fine, what do you fucking want?" they just kind of go "um...we...don't want corporate greed." Oh. Okay. That's a noble cause. I can get behind that cause. Just one question--how the hell exactly do you go around changing that? "Hey, it'd be really nice if you people completely stopped loving money! Do that and we'll go away!"
But I'm not here to discuss politics and the economy, because I tend to make myself look like an idiot when I do. I'm here to talk about what's been going on the last few days. As usual, Poe and Nee-chan had their Saturday anime session. Only thing that makes this time notable is that Nee-chan brought Theta over for a visit.
Theta is...well, built like a bodybuilder isn't a good phrase, because while he's one of the most muscular people I've ever met, he's not really that stocky. Built more like a gymnast or a stuntman, I guess. Tall. Bald. Necklace of Theta symbols (θ) tattooed around his neck. He walked in and just sort of stood there, as if perfectly content to remain standing in one spot.
"Uh...hey," I said. "I'm The Messenger."
He looked at me and gave me a slight nod. "Theta." Notably deep voice.
"You...need some coffee or a glass of water or something?"
"No."
"You...wanna at least sit down?"
He gave another slow, slight nod. "Thank you."
I led him to the kitchen, sat down opposite him. Tried to talk to him some. Theta is...not a conversationalist.
"So, you're Nee-chan's partner, right? The two of you are Hunters, right? What exactly do you do?"
"Hunt." He said it in dead seriousness, though maybe with a hint of confusion, like he couldn't understand why I'd ask such a stupid question. Didn't bother asking him to elaborate.
"So where do you live, then? I know you don't live with Nee-chan."
"Fortunately. She accidentally killed her last partner. Living about half an hour away. Lived there with Helios until her partner killed him." He nodded over at Poe. I attempted to change the subject.
"So what exactly do you think of Nee-chan?"
"Nice girl. Dedicated. Good at her job." A pause. "Glad I'm not living with her." I chuckled a bit. He didn't. I stopped pretty quickly.
Theta didn't stay long. I'm kind of glad he didn't, as he's kind of got this intimidating presence. He rarely speaks, and when he's not speaking, he looks deep in thought. It worries me, not knowing what he's thinking about. Nee-chan left later, enthusiastically waving goodbye. Poe told me that I should watch with them next time, or at least pretend to watch. I might, but I'm not watching anything in Japanese. Nee-chan's going to have to understand that.
And of course, Big Brother decided to call me yesterday.
BB: Messenger! How nice to hear your voice again!
M: So Theta's big and silent and intimidating. Your point?
BB: Well of course you don't know what my point is. That's why I've called.
M: So what is it about Theta? So he's kind of creepy.
BB: I wouldn't go with "creepy." More along the lines of "heartless." Complements Nee-chan quite nicely, actually. Nee-chan's overly emotional. Wears her heart on her sleeve, so to speak. Theta? You can never quite tell what he's thinking, can you? Nee-chan's stupidly innocent and naive. Can't quite seem to grasp the consequences of her actions? And Theta? Theta understands, he just doesn't care. He doesn't have some convoluted sense of loyalty and duty like Screwtape. Doesn't second-guess himself like Caper. Doesn't really have a reason to be on the side he is like you or Poe. He's just here, doing Father's bidding. Try interviewing him. I'm sure that whenever you ask "why," he'll just answer "because."
M: So he's mysterious.
BB: Not mysterious. Emotionless. Heartless. Cruel. Very devoted to what he does. Practices a lot.
M: Practices killing people? Like down at the shooting range or something?
BB: Shooting--really, Mr. Funeral, you know how strict the gun laws are. No, Theta doesn't carry a gun.
M: Then how the hell do you practice something like that?
BB: Well, there are some particular people he views as...disposable, shall we say? People who aren't really people anymore? Can't really say yes or no either way?
M: Wait, what?
BB: Oh, wait, sorry, that's an uncomfortable subject for you, isn't it? Your girlfriend used to be one.
M: You know she's not my girlfriend.
BB: All but name, Messenger, all but name. But while we're on the subject of Miss Poe, why don't we talk about what she hasn't been telling you?
M: I don't know what you're talking about.
BB: Well of course you wouldn't know, she hasn't been telling you. You know her partner Screwtape, right?
M: Of course I do.
BB: Well he's a lot different than Caper. A lot more overbearing. If you had a mind to, you could probably call it harassment. It maybe is, considering how much he hates her. You see, he's not exactly too fond of "Father's dolls," as he calls them. Thinks that the "Chosen" are the people Father's choosing to build a better society. The "dolls," on the other hand, oh, they're being punished, because clearly they're the worst of the worst.
M: Sounds like you don't agree with his assessment.
BB: Maybe I don't. But maybe I do. I'm just trying to be neutral here. Let you form your own opinions. Chances are, he's must as right, if not moreso, than you. But anyway, can you see why he might have, shall we say...problems working with someone who he thinks deserves to be a brainwashed mindless slave working among the elite?
M: You're an asshole.
BB: You want the truth, don't you, Messi? I'm just giving you that inside scoop that reporters like you love so dearly.
M: I'm not a reporter, I'm a hacker.
BB: Really? Well, you had me fooled!
M: Look--
BB: Ah, ah, ah! I've got the conch shell yet, Messenger. I'm calling to let you know that...well, I'd like to meet you soon. Talk to you face-to-face. Would you prefer that?
M: Yes, I think I would prefer that.
BB: All right, then. I'll get back to you once I've made time in my busy schedule.
And here he hung up.
So. Looks like I'm finally going to be meeting Big Brother at some point in the future. Wish me luck.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A talk with Screwtape/Tape #3
Screwtape showed up at my door today before I sat down to watch the third tape. He had dropped by to pick up Poe for their excursion down to Starbucks (I think that's where they go) to work. Of course, as I had assumed, he reads my blog (for those of you wondering who haven't seen the comments, Nee-chan's never read any blog but "Morningstar-sempai's"), and decided to have a brief chat with me.
"Messenger. What a surprise. I believe you've leveled an accusation against me that you'd like to discuss."
"What? No, no, not an accusation. Just a theory as to who left the tapes. I'd have called you about it earlier, but I don't think I know your number."
"No," he said, "I do not believe we've exchanged them. I hope you don't mind me keeping it that way. I'd rather not end up with you calling me over things like this, or about one of the interviews you seem so fond of."
"So you'd decline an interview if I asked?" I asked him. He raised an eyebrow.
"Did I ever say that, Messenger?"
"Okay...would you do an interview with me at some point?"
"No. I would not," he said, clearly amused. "Now, about this accusation."
"Theory."
"Either way, you have the wrong man, or woman as it may be. I'm sure you don't believe that I snoop through my own roommate's personal effects, do you? And honestly, what motivation would I have to spite you?"
"You did break a bird's neck in front of my roommate. I'm just saying."
"And how is that an affront to you? Unless I've made a grave mistake, I believe she wasn't even your roommate at the time. Besides, I was merely demonstrating a point. I've caused her no harm, have I? Which reminds me." He pushed past me into the room. "I'm waiting, Raven," he called out. "We're going to be running late as it is." He turned to me. "Look, Messenger...let me make one thing clear. I know you demonize me because of that incident with the bird. I see no reason for that. And I know that you're going to be writing down this conversation, and since I don't see your little recorder in your hand, I'm guessing it's going to be from memory. I already know--don't correct me, because I'm sure of this--that you'll be demonizing me in your post as well. And if you want to do that, I have no way of stopping you. But know this: no matter what you think of me, no matter how self-righteous you believe yourself to be compared to me, I did not leave you those tapes. It would be senseless and accomplish nothing. So please. Do not try to pin this to me."
Poe came out shortly after that, and the two of them headed off. That's when I watched the tape.
This one is...unexpected. Well, not really, because I knew exactly what to expect, but...it's hard to explain. I'll just post the transcript for you; there's not much there.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
"Messenger. What a surprise. I believe you've leveled an accusation against me that you'd like to discuss."
"What? No, no, not an accusation. Just a theory as to who left the tapes. I'd have called you about it earlier, but I don't think I know your number."
"No," he said, "I do not believe we've exchanged them. I hope you don't mind me keeping it that way. I'd rather not end up with you calling me over things like this, or about one of the interviews you seem so fond of."
"So you'd decline an interview if I asked?" I asked him. He raised an eyebrow.
"Did I ever say that, Messenger?"
"Okay...would you do an interview with me at some point?"
"No. I would not," he said, clearly amused. "Now, about this accusation."
"Theory."
"Either way, you have the wrong man, or woman as it may be. I'm sure you don't believe that I snoop through my own roommate's personal effects, do you? And honestly, what motivation would I have to spite you?"
"You did break a bird's neck in front of my roommate. I'm just saying."
"And how is that an affront to you? Unless I've made a grave mistake, I believe she wasn't even your roommate at the time. Besides, I was merely demonstrating a point. I've caused her no harm, have I? Which reminds me." He pushed past me into the room. "I'm waiting, Raven," he called out. "We're going to be running late as it is." He turned to me. "Look, Messenger...let me make one thing clear. I know you demonize me because of that incident with the bird. I see no reason for that. And I know that you're going to be writing down this conversation, and since I don't see your little recorder in your hand, I'm guessing it's going to be from memory. I already know--don't correct me, because I'm sure of this--that you'll be demonizing me in your post as well. And if you want to do that, I have no way of stopping you. But know this: no matter what you think of me, no matter how self-righteous you believe yourself to be compared to me, I did not leave you those tapes. It would be senseless and accomplish nothing. So please. Do not try to pin this to me."
Poe came out shortly after that, and the two of them headed off. That's when I watched the tape.
This one is...unexpected. Well, not really, because I knew exactly what to expect, but...it's hard to explain. I'll just post the transcript for you; there's not much there.
Tape #3
This one is actually an assortment/timelapse of clips. Nee-chan is lying on a bed, cuddling her plushie. She lies in the fetal position, unmoving in most of them. In fact, the only difference in most of these clips is the timestamps. She lies near-motionless--near-catatonic, even, for hours at a time.
There is a knock on a door, followed by a man's voice.
Voice: Nee-chan, are you okay? [Silence] Look, I'm...I'm leaving some food outside the door for you. [More silence] Nee-chan, can you say something? Anything? Just so I know that you're still alive?
Nee-chan: [quietly, but audible] Go away.
Voice: [Silence] Okay. I'm leaving the food out here if you want it.
There are a few more hours of silence and motionlessness. At no point does she retrieve the food. Finally, she turns onto her back and holds the plushie up above her.
Nee-chan: I'm sorry, Slendy-kun. I messed up, didn't I? Gomen Nasai. [Silence] I'm sorry! I tried! It...I wasn't prepared enough, that's all! [Silence. When she speaks again, she grows more and more agitated] Don't look at me like that! I tried! What all do you want? I thought it would be a nice bonus! It wasn't even what you wanted me specifically to do! [Another silence] No! Shut up! I'm not listening! I tried and it's not my fault! It was an accident! [Brief silence] Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!
At this point, she starts crying and she throws the plushie at the wall as hard as she can. She pounds the bed with her fists as she sobs, and throws the plushie around the room a few more times, battering it some in the process. Eventually, she just leaves it and collapses on the bed, sobbing, slowly pulling herself back into the fetal position.
End Tape #3
So, on to why exactly this is unnverving for you. Some of you may have found this mildly familiar. I sure as hell did. You know why? Because the guy who knocked on her door? That was me. That was in Nee-chan's room in my fucking apartment during the events of this post. That is the room that Poe is staying in now. And this wasn't just Nee-chan recording herself. This was a hidden camera.
Let me reiterate. There are cameras. Hidden cameras. Hidden fucking cameras in my fucking apartment.
I sort of stormed into Poe's room while she was out meeting with Screwtape to check. Sorry, Poe, invasion of privacy, but I didn't want to bother you while you were working and that's the only angle I knew of for sure that had a hidden camera. It wasn't there. That was the only place I checked in Poe's room, but I did scour my room and the rest of the apartment for hidden cameras. Couldn't find them, or even any evidence that there were, are, or ever have been hidden cameras installed in my apartment. I'm going to see if I can find some bug-checking equipment, and I'm going to do that ASAP. I haven't even attempted changing my clothes since watching this tape.
Who the hell is this guy?
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
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