deernet | video; un: shiro

[Local man sits at his kitchen table, arms folded and a coffee mug in front of him. He looks... worried. Concerned. And is clearly preparing for a Speech.]

My name is Shiro.

I'm one of the Sleepers who came here from Deerington, the dream world. I don't actually know how many of you out there are in the same boat anymore, so... with a choice like we've been given, I don't know how many of you remember the last time we had one like it.

[He means the vote that ended the dream.]

That vote ended with Julia Sodder's death.

I want to think it's because a lot of us didn't fully understand the consequences. I want to think it was because a lot of people were hurt, afraid, and thought they were doing the right thing. Or they just wanted to protect the people they knew. Regardless, Julia Sodder died. The people she'd brought into her world to save her... they let her down.

[Deep breaths Shiro, because it really sounds like you were trying to say I let her down, there. He folds his hands, and props his chin up in them.]

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I'm not saying don't give this Pthumerian your opinion. At this point, inaction is probably the worst idea we've got. These beings - they're a part of this world whether we like it or not. They have been for longer than we can probably realize. [He grimaces.] Aside from one...

[Friggin Mother Mercy/Superior.]

We should be careful, I think, to do anything that cuts them off from their world. Even if we think it might help the people we care about. Protect them. We could end up doing something we really regret.

[There's a long pause, Shiro debating his next words.]

Like always, I'm open to explaining anything to people who have no idea where I'm coming from. I'm more than happy to talk about what happened in Deerington. The way I see it, maybe that will help us understand this world.

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[ Should he remark on Shiro's state of being? Probably not? Since it looked like they were already death-warmed over. The reaction is pretty much what he was expecting since he ended up coming unannounced. Maybe even more strange because Glitch hadn't made it obvious he had any of his Trench memories. It's an awkward pause as he stands there on the porch as he raises his hand with a little wave. The most prominent thing about the wave is that it's with the hand that he lost now firmly reattached.]

Uh.

Yeah, hi, Shiro.

I came to say hi? And uh....talk I guess?

I... yeah. Yeah, come in. Come in.

[Excuse him while he frantically mind-dials Adam - did you know Glitch was back?? - while letting the teen inside. Taking stock of similarities, differences. One, Glitch knows him. Two, there's the hand. Three...?]

[His brain is racing. And he's automatically leading the way to the kitchen. To make some tea or coffee or something.]

[ Shiro being awkward about this doesn't make it anymore easier at this reunion. He feels like he intruded or has already stirred something up. Maybe because his arrival was so sudden, or it's this voting crap again.

Either way, he awkwardly walks in, following behind Shiro. He takes a seat at the kitchen table and just proceeds to watch Shiro. He sits there, tapping the table awkwardly as he looks towards where the man was walking around.]

Uh. So.

I remember things if that helps.

Figured I'd come by and ask how you are and...how things are?

You always seem to know what's going on.

Well, I hoped you remembered something. Or else you showing up here was going to be a little weird.

[That's supposed to be funny. He's trying to be amusing, or lighten the mood or something. Shiro absolutely doesn't mind the unexpected drop in. Not in the least. He's happy to see the kid, just surprised.]

[Relieved.]

I should be asking you that question... [He gets the kettle filled. Plunks it down on the stove. And, fortunately, hot drinks are his singular skill.] Showing up here is never easy.

Actually nah, a programmed robot killer here to sell you bad life insurance.

[ The joke is responded with his own sense of sarcastic humor. It was hard to lighten the mood when someone already felt like it was all so dark. But, he's also good at deflecting.

Though the statement definitely doesn't leave any room to deflect. He bites his lip for a moment before giving a momentary shrug. ]

Weird. It's weird.

I've had two lives smashed together into one. The ones from here and the ones from...

dunno if I can even call it home. Maybe the other place?

So yeah. It's weird.

Can we even use life insurance here?

[He pauses in his whole drink-making business to think that one over. He doesn't really reach any sort of conclusion, and shrugs.]

I don't know if it helps, but - a lot of people just start calling it "their world".

But for what it's worth - we're glad you're here.

Asking the wrong teenager, guy. Only know it's a thing to begin with from a history book.

[ History of taxation fraud was definitely a slow and boring read that day.

An adventure to never be looked at ever again.

He purses his lips in thought though as he folds his hands at the table. Their world? He could laugh to spite himself for that. ]

Hm. Maybe the best description I got right now.

[ He does look back up, pausing for a moment. He couldn't hide how conflicted he was behind a usual sour expression. He felt lost before finally saying; ]

But, uh. Yeah. I. Wanted to ask about your announcement...and what I should do.

[Shiro is quiet for a while after. Finishing up his task. Boiling water. Pouring into a mug - pour over coffee for him. Then he pauses...]

Tea? Or coffee?

[He's got both. And making it keeps his hands busy.]

As for the announcement... technically, you don't have to do anything. You don't have to vote. I spoke to Hali, the Pthumerian making the offer, and one of his aspects is choice. So whatever we do, whether we choose or not, he'll honor it.

If you don't feel like it's one you can make - hey, I'm not going to judge.

Uh. Coffee. Definitely coffee.

[ Not do anything, huh? It brings a frown to his face. What was that saying? Good men who do nothing are just as bad as the people who do the bad thing?

Still, last time he did something that was big it ended in killing Sodder. ]

Maybe it's best if I didn't. I didn't make good choices when it came to Sodder...

Got it.

[More pour-over coffee it is. There's sugar on the table, and, as an afterthought, he snags the milk from the fridge too, before plunking mugs and milk down. That taken care of...]

[Now he has no idea what to do with his hands.]

Well... in this case, I'm not sure if there's a "good" or "bad option. [Though confirmation of Glitch's vote is - well. He can't be angry. Or disappointed. It just sits heavy.] Hali, from what we can tell, is a Pthumerian embodying choice in general.

He's sincere in his offer, and whatever we choose, he'll honor. So... he, at least, won't retaliate.

video; un: shiro

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