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Glow-worm – P.10 (Sequel is live!)
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Author Archives: wildbow
Glow-worm – P.9
♦ You have four unread private messages from an Anonymous account. Click here to read.
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♦ Private Messages from Anonymous Sender
Your account settings permit anonymous messages. These messages work like collect calls: review what was sent and accept or decline.
Anonymous [Old Message]: Hi. I think we talked a few times a while ago and I wanted to ask something
Anonymous [Old Message]: I’m not sure if I’m DMing the right person or if I got punctuation wrong. Last time we talked was was years ago when you did the photoshoot.
Anonymous [Old Message]: I feel really lost. I have questions but I don’t know who to ask. I thought of you and I hope I’m not bothering you or getting the wrong person. I really need some advice or perspective
Anonymous [Old Message]: I sent message anonymously so if I’m wrong or if I’m bothering you you can refuse
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: That’s me. I barely remember the photoshoot. That was a busy time for me.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Sorry for late reply. I had work to do for coming semester. If you need advice I can try to give it- I will say that I keep putting myself in a position to give advice and I may not be the best person to give it.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Can you make a regular account and message me? I keep getting notifications because you’re anonymous
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♦ Private Messages from FlippinMad
FlippinMad: Hi.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Hi. How can I help?
FlippinMad: Thank you
FlippinMad: I’ve been thinking about things for a long time and I’ve been digging for info and answers and trying to put it all together. Is hard because people don’t want to talk about things and a lot of people don’t want to talk to me in particular. People get upset
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: The world ended. It’s kind of upsetting
FlippinMad: I know. I know
FlippinMad: you were there?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: We were all there toward the end. Very few exceptions.
FlippinMad: thousands of capes were there and nobody wants to talk about the specifics
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: The answer will come out in time. It may already be out there in places. Communication is limited. Pockets of humanity are spread out and the people who have a say in info getting from city A to city B are probably wanting to keep things peaceful for now. Gov’t or what we have that passes for gov’t, PHO and the 12ish other online bodies…
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: they control info. But they can’t stop word of mouth. Not easily. We will hear the full story one day. I don’t know if it will be a good day but we will hear it.
FlippinMad: Ok
FlippinMad: I’m stressing about it so I’m not sure if I can wait
FlippinMad: Can I ask questions and you can decide if you want to say or not?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: you can ask. I can’t promise any answers.
FlippinMad: Thank you
FlippinMad: Did you know Skitter? Weaver I guess
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I didn’t know her. Not really
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: We crossed paths.
FlippinMad: She’s one of the people I ask people about and they get mad or defensive. Or they tell me they have something to do and never get back to me
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Yep.
FlippinMad: Why?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Short answer: I can’t/won’t say
FlippinMad: Okay
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Longer answer: I don’t know how things unfolded, but I think people fall into types and categories. I don’t know enough to say one way or the other but I think she was looking for something.
FlippinMad: I don’t know if I understand
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You’ve seen the video stuff?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She hurt someone you know?
FlippinMad: I tried to find everything I could get. I’ve seen the cell phone movie from the cafeteria. I saw a few. not just the big one that was on the news. Then I went back to find other news and footage. Then I followed along
FlippinMad: Her joining the heroes and later with her talking to schoolkids but there wasn’t much good video with that second one. I saw the movie of her in New Delhi and I saw her on TV here and there.
FlippinMad: She hurt people I care about I guess. That’s not why I’m asking
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’ve seen the same. I saw her as the novice warlord
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She hurt an awful lot of people. A crazy lot.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She killed one of our best heroes
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She also joined the Levi fight. She apparently helped against the S9. She joined the Wards
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: It’s hard to reconcile
FlippinMad: That’s my problem
FlippinMad: I want to figure it out but there are gaps
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I don’t have the answers for you. I can only theorize
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I read a thread on PHO a few days ago and it made me think. I said I think she’s someone who was looking hard for an answer. I think she was wounded and lost and for this reason & probably because of other factors she did a lot of damage while looking. The people she was with. Things being primed for everything to fall down. Timing or bad luck. Personality.
FlippinMad: Wounded
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m looking at my history and I’m having trouble finding the thread
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: there are people who are searching I think and there are people who just are. I think both can be good and both can be toxic. Some people are searching because of something that pushed them. A lot of capes just are. Some are doing the pushing, instead. And there’s all sorts of types.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I don’t know her nearly well enough to say which she was but I don’t think she stood still. Or when she did stand still it was because she was on a precipice, looking for a push or for something to push. But again I don’t know her.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You would have to explain more about what you want to know for me to give you any more of an answer
FlippinMad: I pushed her
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You pushed her?
FlippinMad: I really hope you don’t block me or ignore me
FlippinMad: I’ll try to explain but give me a moment.
FlippinMad: Do you remember me? We met a few times but I think the only time we had a conversation was before the Vice-Versa photoshoot. There were six of us who were around the same age and the designers were taking a while.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I remember that. A bunch of non-capes from around the city, dressed up as capes, some of us local capes in fancy dress. Skitter wasn’t a part of that, obviously.
FlippinMad: Yeah. I’m starting back at the beginning
FlippinMad: They picked top athletes, valedictorians, bunch of others.
FlippinMad: You were hanging out with us. Shadow Stalker and the rest of us were joking around.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I remember now. Emma?
FlippinMad: Her friend. I’m the short one. It was her biggest shoot ever and she was super psyched. I tagged along. We were joking around and you were laughing with us and the staff were running around freaking out and trying to do last minute costume changes
FlippinMad: You were in fancy clothes and you had one of those masks on a stick, and Clockblocker was nearby complaining about having to hold his mask up until Ageis (sp?) got some ribbon and tied it to his head for him, which made the hairdresser freak out
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Aegis
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: They catered those nonalcoholic soda cocktails with layered colors. We drank them like they were water
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: and the one woman’s eyes bugged out when she saw what the bill was. I felt so sorry for her.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: We gave the staff so much grief.
FlippinMad: But that was part of the fun
FlippinMad: Yeah. It was like a dream, hanging out with heroes and cool people. Everyone was so fancy, including my friend. It was the one time in my life where I felt like I was one of the teens in one of those overly polished scenes in a teen movie where everyone looks so perfect
FlippinMad: I was really really hoping that they were going to just pull me in as an extra
FlippinMad: Because one of the kids they’d invited had backed out.
FlippinMad: But it didn’t look like it was going to happen and I was having enough fun that I didn’t mind too much. I said things and people laughed at it. And everything was great until then
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I said something didn’t I?
FlippinMad: You called us a bunch of bitches
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: That was it.
FlippinMad: You said ‘This was such a nice night and you c-words had to spoil it by being disgusting. Come on.’
FlippinMad: and then you walked away and most of the heroes and heroines went with you or whatever. Leaving just me and Emma and a couple of others.
FlippinMad: They 100% went into…
FlippinMad: I don’t know what you call it. Defense mode. They wanted to bring things back to center. Normalize. They were saying things like “what’s bugging her? We weren’t saying anything that bad”
FlippinMad: And I was sitting there being quiet and I remember thinking they were wrong. we were kind of being bitches and we were kind of going too far when ragging on people who weren’t there.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: The disabled girl I think. We were having to wait because they were having to adjust her costume to work around her back brace.
FlippinMad: Yeah.
FlippinMad: We said something loud enough for her to hear from the other end of the room and you spoke up and then you went to go hang with her instead
FlippinMad: The night didn’t seem as magical after all that. I was really bothered.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I barely remember beyond that. I did the photoshoot and we tried to cheer the girl up. It was mostly great and I saw Emma a few times after that and there were no problems but we weren’t friendly
FlippinMad: It was the first time in my life I stopped and took stock and asked myself “am I a good person?”
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: To an extent you get a pass. To an extent. We were 13-20 I think. You were closer to 13 than 20. Teenagers are shitty and most teenagers make a couple of mistakes. Not excusing it. It sucked as a thing. But teenagers being asshats mitigates it
FlippinMad: No
FlippinMad: I was really fucking shitty.
FlippinMad: I think its worse because I had this wake up call and I asked myself if I was a good person
FlippinMad: Except I never got around to answering that question. I kept putting it off and feeling shitty about it
FlippinMad: We kept being bitches. And then a couple months after that we put Taylor in the hospital. Skitter. I don’t know if she had powers then but if she did then I don’t know why she didn’t murder us all
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You’re the bullies that pushed her over the edge
FlippinMad: Me and Emma and our friend Sophia and Julia and a few others. But we were the main three or four
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I feel dumb not connecting those dots before. Preoccupied atm and I was preoccupied then. Fuck me. Emma was one of them? They kept your names out of the media
FlippinMad: Word still got out.
FlippinMad: So this is where I am because I almost feel responsible? Or I don’t know if I’m responsible
FlippinMad: But we pushed her
FlippinMad: And after that she joined bad guys and robbed a bank
FlippinMad: And then somewhere after that the empire got upset at her and her group and called them out before attacking the city and RIGHT after that the Endbringer attacked.
FlippinMad: There were all these theories about why it attacked Brockton Bay and the big two were that there was a holy grail or something? I didn’t follow that one. They said it might have to do with why people wanted to control the city?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: A target. Something that would make the city valuable. Or someone. Endbringers have gone after specific people before
FlippinMad: Ok. I don’t know. The other one was that the city saw so much fighting in a short time. Taylor was a part of that and I’m part of what pushed her out there
FlippinMad: I know I sound narcissistic and shit but…
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Are you gonna finish that sentence?
FlippinMad: I don’t know. I feel responsible
FlippinMad: I was pretty much there at the beginning and I pushed her and…
FlippinMad: it feels like I was at the top of a hill and I pushed a rock down it and it rolled down out of sight
FlippinMad: and then this rockslide starts further down the hill and wipes out a town and kills this really important person and a whole bunch of other horrible things.
FlippinMad: …and I go looking and my rock is lying there in the devastation. Nobody’s saying what happened. her wiki page is gone and people get annoyed or upset when I ask. I want to know what happened when I couldn’t see. Every non-answer I get makes it worse
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She was her own person. She made her own decisions along the line.
FlippinMad: I know that
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You don’t own her. You don’t own every decision she made or the whole fallout
FlippinMad: I know. But I didn’t help matters.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: No. You definitely own some of it.
FlippinMad: And you can’t tell me what happened.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I can’t & won’t. But I guess I can say this.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: With the evidence we have we know she did some good things. She did some bad things. She did some incredibly controversial things. She was more vicious and ruthless than she needed to be maybe.
FlippinMad: Am I responsible for that extra viciousness and ruthlessness?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Can’t say. Neither can you. But it probably didn’t fill her with smiles and joy did it?
FlippinMad: I spat on her once. It was Emma who really got to her and Sophia who went out of her way to hurt her. I was…
FlippinMad: I put her backpack in the toilet once. Books, notebooks and all. The water was clear but it was still the toilet and yeah. I put glue on her desk and juice on her seat and I stood by when the others were doing the worst stuff.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Fucking why?
FlippinMad: I don’t know. I never really stopped to think about it. My friend was a model and my other friend was a top athlete. Maybe I wanted to keep up. I told myself it was prank tier stuff but at the same time
FlippinMad: I’m saying this because this is like I’m confessing but like…
FlippinMad: Some time between when that photoshoot happened and when we put her in the hospital we were talking. Emma Sophia Julia and I. We figured we were falling into a pattern and we kept knocking her down when she picked herself up too much.
FlippinMad: and I had this moment where I saw she was really low and I spat on her. I remember the look on her face
FlippinMad: what the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t wake up to what I was doing until I got fucking caught which is just so doubly shitty. My parents found out when we all got called to school and that was the last time I interacted with Taylor. Moved away with Leviathan.
FlippinMad: I fucking spat on her face
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Stop now please
FlippinMad: ok
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Ok.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: If you kept going I would’ve closed this and left you to it. Now I’m going to try to give you your answer here. Ok?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Even though you probably don’t deserve it.
FlippinMad: Yeah
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Draw your own conclusions. Look at who she was and extrapolate. She did good she did bad. As time passed yes the bad things might have faded some but the controversial stuff she did might have gotten worse. Extrapolate.
FlippinMad: You’re saying that’s what happened? At the end. She did some good and she did some bad but she did something super controversial?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I am saying *nothing*. I am suggesting that if you are wondering what happened when you couldn’t see then you can make some educated guesses.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She killed people. She hurt people. She may have played a part in a war over the city. She threatened innocents with bugs and choked more than one person to death or nearly to death by shoving spiders and centipedes down their throats. She killed Alexandria at a time when we needed Alexandria most.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She consorted with rapists terrorists and monsters.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: And because it eneds to be said yes she became a hero. That counts for something maybe. Maybe she had to. Maybe not.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She was there at the end and whatever she did, nobody will speak of it, at least for now. Fill in the blank
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Now she’s gone and you’re still here.
FlippinMad: Gone?
FlippinMad: she retired? Or she’s dead? Gone gone?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She is *gone*.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: But listen to me. because you made the choices and you carried on when you could’ve stopped and you spat on her and I’m not ignoring that. I’ve been holding back so I can get to it now.
FlippinMad: I’m listening
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: She was all of those things and she might have still been a better person than you
FlippinMad: …
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Feel shitty? Good. Is it weighing on you or eating at you or making you wonder? Fucking good. That’s the way it should be.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Carry it. Own it. Make allowances for the fact that you were a teenager but don’t you dare excuse it or ignore it
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: If owning it means you assume the worst case scenario? that you pushed her and she took action and that line of action ended in the end of the world being uglier than they needed to be? Fine. Make do.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Maybe things would be better. Maybe they would be worse. Maybe someone else would have taken the same role. Maybe we would all be dead. You might not ever get a clean answer and that might be her justice against you
FlippinMad: Yeah
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: All this I’m saying? I feel like I can say it because I have my own regrets and misdeeds. I’m trying to own them just like I’m telling you to. I didn’t fucking spit on a girl when she was already having a bad day or make fun of a disabled girl on what should’ve been one of the top ten days of her life but I could probably make a priest’s jaw drop if I were the type to visit a confessional
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m not giving you advice I wouldn’t take myself
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Carry it. Take it with you and use it as motivation to make things better. We need a fucking lot of that motivation.
FlippinMad: I’m training to be a teacher
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Then I hope 10x as much that you own this and learn from it
FlippinMad: Yeah
FlippinMad: Thats kind of the plan. I want to anyway but the school turned me down.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Anything else?
FlippinMad: When do I get to put this behind me? When do I get forgiven or get to forgive myself?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You’re asking me? Never.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I don’t believe in forgive & forget. Not for the things I’ve done. not for what others have done to people I care about. Not for what’s been done to me.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: The moment we forget is the moment we allow those wrongs to be done again.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Forgiveness is the easy way out. Less to carry.
FlippinMad: That doesn’t seem fair
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Villains outnumbered the heroes. Now heroes outnumber villains. Allegedly. People lost everything and they didn’t deserve to. Some people get powers and some don’t. Things are the furthest thing from fair.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Maybe it’s not fair that she’s gone and you’re here.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Maybe you will get the answer about what happened and you’ll feel better and that’ll be unfair because you shouldn’t.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Maybe the opposite is true and no good answer will come out and she’ll be forgotten without tombstone or anything else.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I expect we’ll get the answer and it’ll be an unhappy compromise between the two
FlippinMad: It doesn’t seem fair to yourself I mean
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’ll handle me. You handle you. You focus on making sure no girl you teach gets spat on, short girl from the photoshoot.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: It’s easy enough to keep something moving once it’s already moving, but getting it going in the first place is hard. That’s the thing about second chances and fresh starts. It’s a (re)start. You gotta get things moving all over again, the second time around.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Let’s try to make sure things are moving in the right direction. Alright? Deal?
FlippinMad: Alright.
FlippinMad: Not quite the response I expected
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I had the impression it’s the response you were asking for
FlippinMad: You might be right.
FlippinMad: Thanks
FlippinMad has left the conversation
Glow-worm – P.8
Subject: PHO Technical Assistance
August 24th, Y1
After discussion among the moderation team, we have agreed to allow the name change. As we discussed in the tech help chat, our primary concern in these situations is an abuse of the system or a lack of accountability. This being said, your account is in good standing and you’ve agreed to a probationary status.
Your in-account email, curated lists, private messages, badges, and accesses will remain intact, as will your forum account’s connection to your wiki contributions.
Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.
Graham at PHO
Subject: Re: PHO Technical Assistance
August 24th, Y1
Thank you so much! I am having another problem. I’ve been getting caught up on my PMs/DMs/Emails and there is a lot of abusive content. All of the recent messages are very hostile or vulgar. It seems to have started before I even signed back on. I don’t know why. I’m so sorry to raise problems when I’m probationary.
Subject: Re: Re: PHO Technical Assistance
August 24th, Y1
Graham here. I looked at the incident log and found one major incident that another site admin handled. An article came out here. Two groups online identified the people in that article and shared out their screen names and other information. We took action when people used PHO resources (direct messages, email) to harass one of the individuals in the article. We took action and removed them, but they may be returning with the use of new accounts and expanding the number of people targeted.
If you could report any or all of those involved, it would help us a great deal. For solutions, I can think of three options: you can continue to report so we can continue to take action (as these are not the people we want on PHO) and we can hope this quiets down, you can move to a new account and start fresh, or you can agree to give PHO staff access to your private messages so we can take action. This would involve us reading anything private in the conversations, and it would mean anyone messaging you was notified that PHO staff can read your things. We would limit this to only recent and new senders, so your friends and pre-existnig conversation partners would stay private. As a bonus the notification could help stem the influx.
-Graham with PHO
Subject: Re: re: re: PHO Technical Assistance
August 24th, Y1
I’m not comfortable giving you access as I might receive sensitive or personal messages (and I would want to). I’ll report what I can.
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♦ Topic: [Article] Weld to Warden
In: Boards ► News ► Events ►Gimel.US
Ball-Chan
Posted on August 23rd Y1:
[Article Text, Editorial]His list of credentials starts off good. A two year tenure as a member of the Boston Wards with no offenses or misconduct reported to the media. He was the third monstrous cape to feature as an actor on a television show, the first to make a second appearance on TV, and the first monstrous cape with an onscreen kiss. He was the subject of a viral online image, released with various humorous captions, and it was a combination of this and arguably his small-network television appearances that gave him his popularity. He rode this success to a position as the first monstrous cape to be the team leader of the Wards. Ambitious fellow, isn’t he?
Weld’s popularity and time in the spotlight made him a figure of interest when, following undisclosed events in Brockton Bay, he turned from the established heroes and brought the vast majority of the monstrous capes in the Protectorate and Wards with him. Speculation flew as to why, and Weld was cagey when asked. No comment, the teenager said.
Weld’s team was dubbed ‘The Irregulars’ in a play on the term for unconventional military squadrons and on the team being wholly made up of monstrous capes. At this stage, it was still possible to praise Weld for his efforts. He reached out to monstrous parahumans both American and international, and he kept his team together while carrying out deeds for the camera. Maintaining a group of such size isn’t an easy task when its numbers are swelling like his group’s did. He wasn’t too open about his methods or his team’s motivations.
Things take an ugly turn from here. When Chevalier announced that the PRT was mending its ways and that the person at the heart of the organization’s corruption had been defeated, Weld’s irregular team of monstrous capes kept away and kept silent. Heroes called for unity, the Suits answered that call, sending many members to America to serve, following a schism of their own.
Even the defeat of Behemoth or the appearance of the new Endbringers didn’t serve to bring Weld back into the fold. If anything, Weld seemed to note that his team’s numbers were dropping. He and the monstrous capes serving under him stopped making as many public appearances. We don’t know what he started doing at this time, but his team was still recruiting. No comment, Weld said.
It’s telling, too, that Weld’s appearance changed. He decorated himself with horns and scales. To those with an eye for the symbolic, Weld was a monstrous cape who was embracing the monster and turning his back on the cape side of things.
More time passed, and more silence followed. No comment, he said, on the rare occasions when he appeared in front of the cameras. No comment.
On that Thursday, June 20th, 2013, Scion took our world from us. He took almost everything from us. Based on our limited accounts of what happened, Weld was there for the initial foray, an organized series of attacks mounted from an oil rig. He was not there after, leading a substantial portion of his team to other venues. There’s no indication of what he was doing, but we do know he wasn’t there for the skirmishes on other worlds, against other major organized groups of parahumans. We do know he wasn’t there for the follow-up confrontation on the beachhead.
Many will argue it was a chaotic time. No reports are wholly accurate, the world was ending, and the number of parahumans fighting was no doubt mind-boggling. Why make a point of this in particular?
To start with, today was the day Weld returned to Gimel after some time elsewhere. We’ve been told he was doing a combination of work in Earth Bet and spending some time touring other worlds in the company of the mass-murderer codenamed ‘Garotte’ and a pair of unnamed capes the two were friendly with. He was extended an offer to join the Wardens as a leader of one of the group’s cells, and he accepted.
People are applauding, it seems. Weld led a rather formidable team of monstrous capes away from the field of battle, at that critical point in our recent history. He came back practically alone, his team gone. He’s tight-lipped as to why.
His Wards team didn’t do very well either, for the record. We haven’t heard the full story from him there either. He claimed that he didn’t want to disparage his former employer, and that they were still on positive terms.
Does he deserve the position?
Is he trustworthy?
Is he even that good of a cape or a leader?
I’ll remind you of two of his favorite words, while you mull over those questions.
“No comment.”
(Showing Page 13 of 13)
► Wytchmlj
Replied on August 23rd, Y1:
Nobody is saying why things happened like they did. Some are hinting @ it tho.
A lot are hinting at it. Conspiracy of silence.
Weld seems to know things and like the article says he’s keeping his mouth shut.
It is his right to keep quiet. It is our right to say he’s an asshole for doing it.
► Capricorn (Hero)
Replied on August 23rd
Guys guys guys. this is a hit piece and it’s a bad one at that.
Full disclosure: I know Weld some. he was and is one of my favorite people
But come the fuck on. Everyone has a motivation driving them. skimming through the comments on this article makes that v. clear. YES absolutely wonder at weld’s motivations. wonder about everyone’s. wonder about the people who are pushing hard for moving forward and about the people who want to go back to the way things were. wonder about the person who wrote this article and why he has the focus he does.
but don’t make the mistake of focusing so much on the question marks that you forget about the other punctuation marks & if someone shows you who they are then believe them. Weld’s teammates in Boston and Brockton Bay only had nice things to say about him. Period. Weld did charity work with kids he definitely didn’t have to do. Period. Weld served as team leader for a city in need and he kept his wards alive thru the Slaughterhouse Nine and God knows what else- exclamation mark.
Weld has never shown himself to be anything but decent. if you’re filling in the blanks or raising questions then take your cue from that first & foremost.
► Tdren
Replied on August 23rd
Silence isn’t an option. Things are heating up, people are scared and we’re scared for a justifiable reason. Powers came out, and we started seeing broken powers. People with mutations, people with no off switch. Monsters who needed to be quarantined. Endbringers.
Now we’ve got a different kind of broken power.
It keeps getting worse. It gets worse in a linear and steady way. These things follow from one another. There is a visible pattern and there is a sense to be made of things. The new broken powers follow from the people made monstrous by their powers. If Weld knows something we have to ask.
We have no authorities. We have no system of government. We have no national cape team or licensed heroes. We can’t even agree on a name for Gimel’s megalopolis!
We can discuss all day but at some point we need to make decisions. We need to say we deserve to know and if you won’t tell us then no you can’t represent us and no we won’t trust you to have our back.
► FFlash
Replied on August 23rd
@ Capricorn – I think you have some bias you’re not admitting to here. You disappeared too, didn’t you? You left Reach and disappeared. A couple of your old teammates are saying they’re thinking about joining the Attendant and you’re not included in that. Why? Are we supposed to use your metrics to evaluate you? Go by the face you presented to the public?
I think I’d rather read between the lines. Your old team doesn’t want you for a reason
► AtoLo
Replied on August 23rd
1000000000s of human beings died or have yet to make their way to us.
1000000000s.
1000000000s of humans with families. mothers and fathers. good days and bad days.
i say 1000000000s instead of billions because billions barely sounds different from millions and i think the zeroes drive it home
the city is as big as it is because we were lucky. we only lost about half of those close to us in N.E. US.
refugees of Earth Shin say a parahuman took over their Earth a decade ago. one woman. she went back home to continue ruling them.
there is a world not far from us which is at constant war. there are tears in reality they can use to reach us and they have a lot of incentive to do so. they have parahumans too.
there is a theocratic state which is more distant but they have some parahumans too.
there is a world of monsters like Weld and his irregulars.
there are others, smaller. there are probably others who we haven’t been told about.
every week we get a handful of reports of people triggering with broken powers. They burn bright and burn fast and they do a lot of damage.
on the smallest level we are quiet and still because we are afraid to disturb the peace. but on the big level our new neighbors aren’t focused 100% on us. we’re important. we’re a powerful few even though we lost 1000000000s. the tyrant queen is looking at us but also watching over her shoulder for the war world and the monsters and the broken triggers. the war world is wanting to venture out but maybe an expedition is hard to field and they get broken triggers too. they’re getting more regular triggers.
the truce will break, both on the small level and the big
we are hurting from the loss of 1,000,000,000s and we are only just now reaching the point where we need to make decisions. what do we call ourselves? what direction do we go? Do we move forward or backward?
Like i said we are smaller in number than we should be. we’re hurting. we’re distracted and scattered.
but i think we have the most powers at our disposal. that’s important.
and i think we’re best equipped to have the answers when others come asking. i think that’s the most important thing by far. they are going to ask and we are going to want to have answers to offer them
i think we need people to start telling instead of hinting. information is the most valuable resource at all.
► Yipper
Replied on August 23rd
Information is also more volatile than oil, nitro, or nuclear material. Look at the secret identity leaks going on in this thread. Targeted harassment of Weld & others. If hundreds or thousands agree to keep quiet about things then maybe there’s a reason.
Let’s not turn into a rabid mob
► Space_Squid
Replied on August 23rd
Humanity has seen its worst test yet and it came out the other side.
I’d like to draw a comparison. I’ve read some of these pages and I see an effort to make us out to be the enemy. the monstrous capes are this mysterious thing and some of us are made out to know things that we aren’t saying
I can tell you who we are. just like you we’re scarred. we were hurt very badly and altered very dramatically and we didn’t get to know why. we desperately wanted answers because our histories friends and families were taken from us. we were forced out of our homes and thrust into a strange place and many of us were left desperate or dangerous. Just like some of you.
We learned some partial truths and that made things worse. Then after a very long time and a lot of pain we learned most of the rest of the truth.
I won’t pretend its easy. I struggled every day and then I struggled more after the end of the world.
But we fought a hard fight whether it was to save the world or to get to safety or to climb out of dark angry depths. We came out the other side. Every day we survive is a day we can say “I was THAT strong so I can definitely survive this.” Replace I with WE because we are all together in this.
I don’t know if that will work for you but it helped me
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … 11, 12, 13
■
♦ Topic: help
In: Boards ► Groups ► C53
Casey_F08
Posted on August 23rd Y1:
I would like to thank you all for reading this. I was invited to post here by Quasi after I posted in some other places. Quasi has been talking to me and resurring me.
I remember hearing about the monster heroes and I never payed much attention to them. Now I think I am one.
My name is Casey Forks and I would be starting high school this fall if things hadn’t gone bad. My mom hasn’t been well for a long time and my brother has the same condition so we decided to stick it out and whether things. we had a shelter and we had some food. my dad and I went to stores and raided them for more foods that would last and we stocked up.
The shelter didn’t work out. we all got headaches and dad said the air filters weren’t sufficent. we went upstairs into the house and sealed all the gaps and dad tried to fix up the filters. long story short that didn’t work out either. I should have tried to get somewhere safe but I stayed. I shouldn’t have stayed.
I didn’t think enough about monster capes or about those with powers but now I am both. Maybe I am not Casey anymore. I am frozen like the dead people who have lying on the ground for the years since the world ended, like a mummy without bandages. Mold grows on me and grows around me and it covers everything I can see and think about. I am a god of death and decay and I am an open fridge door with mold growing inside it and spilling out. with every passing day and hour and minute I am less like casesy and more a god of gross fridge stuff. my world of mold gets bigger every moment
I grew mold on my dads body and I could make him move. I grew mold on his brain and I got him to think and with his thinking I finally got the generator and the router and the phones working. It helped that I grew mold on the pieces and parts.
Now I am making my sister type because I cannot move any part of me a milimeter and I am asking heroes for help. I’m internet famous and there are articles written about my situation so that gives me some hope
But more importantly I am trying not to lose my mind. Quasi is helping me with that and he said you would all help by sharing your stories.
I am so scared that the heroes won’t save me but I am just as scared they’ll save me but they won’t be able to fix me. I am scared that I won’t be able to move. I am scared I won’t be able to hug a pretty girl or lie next to her in bed. I never cared about the rude stuff that much I thought that the cuddling would be the nicest part. I want to see the world through eyes that aren’t moldy and to take a deep breath and scream or even laugh. I want to play soccer again with all my friends there and I want my parents to be there and be proud.
Tell me I’ll be ok.
(Showing Page 3 of 3)
► Casey_F08
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
Thank you thank you for your words. they give me hope.
►Engel
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
Be strong brother. With powers all things are possible. Through trauma and struggle we find ourselves so much stronger. It takes time to adjust and it takes time and effort to find the right keys to the right locks. With help (and you have so much help!) Clocks can be turned back and flesh can be reshaped. We killed a god and the worst is behind us. Slowly but surely we will put the pieces back together. If I did not believe this 100% then I would not be here to write this message to you. Be strong.
► Casey_F08
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
I am trying.
► Casey_F08
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
thank you all so much
► Space_Squid
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
I read some of your old posts Casey. when you fractured your ankle playing soccer you were worried you would never play again but you got there. When powers are involved the lows are so much lower but the highs are high enough to make it all so very worth it. You are funny, smart and cool and people wouldn’t be rooting for you if you weren’t. Your fears echo mine when I realized what had happened to me. I worried I would never have control or have a boy next to me or anything else. I can tell you it is possible.
► Fishie (Board Admin)
Replied on August 23rd, Y1
Thread locked. Article with details/wrap-up here.
Casey has been added to the names thread here. We won’t tolerate objections on the matter. He was close enough to being one of us.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3
■
♦ Private message from Whippersnap:
Whippersnap: I saw you in the casey thread. you had your name changed but you did a bad job of covering up the change.
Space_Squid: I didn’t cover it up. The old name was a lark at a time I needed to laugh but I’m done with it. Its embarrassing now
Whippersnap: some of us were talking in the chat and we agree you weren’t an ally in the end.
Space_Squid: I see
Whippersnap: Egg was only one to come back from there. he said you and Weld stopped us from getting justice
Space_Squid: the messages I got. They weren’t from angry civilians. They were from you?
Whippersnap: from us.
Space_Squid: okay. no need to worry then. I won’t come back. I wish you all the best.
Whippersnap: fuck you
Space_Squid: You should know I killed her. The one who did this.
Whippersnap: you stopped us from getting our justice and took it for yourself.
Space_Squid: I guess so
You have left the conversation.
■
Subject: PHO Technical Assistance
August 24th, Y1
Hi Graham,
Space Squid here.
I hate to be a pain. I’d like to ask if it’s okay if I just deleted my account and started fresh.
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Cap, Mangled_Wings, Weird_Insect, of5, Heart_Shaped_Pupil
Cap: pisses me off
of5: Its the way it goes. He’s a tough guy. He can roll with it.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: S!
Mangled_Wings: Hi S.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: hi
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: ! ! ! ! ! ! Yes !
Kraken_in_a_Jar: *hugs Kenzie to get her to stop wiggling*
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: *dies*
Weird_Insect: geez K, that’s not funny…
Weird_Insect: …we’re using short-form names btw, S.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Oh I see. I don’t really see the point but ok
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: sorry
Kraken_in_a_Jar: its ok
Kraken_in_a_Jar: It put a smile on my face K.
of5: here we are. it’s really good to see you, S. Keyboard got?
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I got my fancy keyboard. Everything fine tuned. Saw the worlds. Spent time with my favorite person.
Cap: speaking of
Kraken_in_a_Jar: it’s ok. he’s tough.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: thank you for rooting for him.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: it meant a lot to see your name there.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I see the anger and the agitation and I think really people are not complaining about what they are complainng about.
Cap: How is Weld doing?
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Hes good. Hard to tell sometimes because he is so strong. Emotionally. He busy but good. New position means a lot even if I can’t go with him.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You’re with us
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Absolutely
Cap: things are stirring. world is about to shift. we ride the wave.
Weird_Insect: we have work to do first. organization to do. things to figure out.
Cap: (he’s so different online)
of5: don’t start cap.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: did I miss much?
of5: someone put a hit out on me. that’s fun
Kraken_in_a_Jar: !?
of5: It’s no big deal. Nothing is happening just yet. You’ve been gone 5 days?
Kraken_in_a_Jar: 5 days. Weld left to go talk to people and brought me with. we had to wait for keyboard order so we got a boat and permission and went looking. Tried to find my place of birth. no luck but was some of the best days of my life
Cap: I’ll take that as a challenge. see if we can’t top your boat trip.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: you didn’t make any major decisions?
Weird_Insect: No. we wanted to wait for everyone. Cap saw you online and figured it was you. he got ahold of R and I made sure the others stuck around.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I wouldn’t have let them either for the record. you’re one of my favorite people
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Thank you, C. *hugs K*
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: *dies*
Kraken_in_a_Jar: it means a lot to me.
Mangled_Wings: Strength in numbers
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Not in numbers.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I don’t think so.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I think its strength in difference. We all stand at different angles and places. See things differently. we can support one another and hold each other up because of that. but we have commonalities. A and me. K and me. K and C. R and B.
Weird_Insect: T&A.
of5: Haha
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !!!!
Cap: oh my god, C. you can’t go being funny like that. you’re not allowed.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’ll PM you to explain, A.
Mangled_Wings: No need. I didn’t think it’s funny.
Weird_Insect: thank you, A…
Weird_Insect: …it was a lame lame joke…
Weird_Insect: …rest of you don’t laugh too much or I am going to quit
Kraken_in_a_Jar: we’re doing this because we work together.
of5: It’s been weird not having you around, s. I think the balance is defintely something we need to keep an eye on
Kraken_in_a_Jar: Balance 100%.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: we represent the lead we want others to follow
Kraken_in_a_Jar: stability
Cap: yeah
Kraken_in_a_Jar: strength
Mangled_Wings: Absolutely.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: cooperation
of5: Yep
Kraken_in_a_Jar: and honesty and good health and kindness and moving forward and all of that junk. I feel really awkward now because people keep saying yes and now there are expectations and I feel like there’s an order to it.
Weird_Insect: all that junk, yes.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Don’t feel awkward! no expectations. Well, some. but is good. we should have you be leader for this project and do the speeches.
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I am not a leader. Let me think on the speeches
Kraken_in_a_Jar: and I’m really tired of pulling on these knobs especially after all the travel. I think I’m going to get myself free and find another.
Weird_Insect: nobody say it
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: another knob? ! ! !
Weird_Insect: damn it, K
Kraken_in_a_Jar: He’s definitely not a knob
Kraken_in_a_Jar: I’ll probably see you all online at some point. if I don’t I’ll see you at the next meeting. Soon.
Mangled_Wings: Soon
Glow-worm – P.7
Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.
You are currently logged in, Heart_Shaped_Pupil
You are viewing:
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Note: With your current settings, you may find your homepage to be rather sparse! Consider re-enabling default settings, selecting some general categories, people, teams, locations or topics to follow, or refine terms to review threads you’ve visited in the past.
■
Connecting to “gChat.ParahumansOnline.Treefort_Lookout(6667)” (Attempt 20)
Resolving Host Name
Connecting…
Connected.
Using identity “Heart_Shaped_Pupil”
Welcome to the Treefort_Lookout! A hangout for those 16 and under with inquisitive minds and an eye on the goings on around them. Keep conversation focused on sharing info. Other discussion belongs in our Pillowfort_Lazytalk or Snowfort_Mission rooms.
Maxtag: Hi Kenzie
Toxicfish216: Heya. Wanting to get right to business?
Thistlesoup: *hugs* Hi love
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: *hugs back* Hi thistle, hi max, hi tox.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: no rush on business. i’m starting my day
My_Own_Gren: Hi K. We were talking about stuff just now. There’s a bit to catch up on.
Dogtooth: Heya, optics. Good to see you.
Magnep: hi kenzie. what’s up?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: hi Peter, hi Megan, hi nep
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: not much is up
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: how are you guys? does anyone need help with anything?
Asnag: I don’t think so. We were talking about your stuff, actually.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: neat. i’m getting breakfast so i’ll be a second before I’m settled
Tockta: How are you doing? You said you were feeling down in Pillowfort last night.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i’m better
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i’m ready to start the day. i’m excited at the idea of getting info.
Thistlesoup: That’s good to hear. 🙂
Milldross: You wanted us to nag you about your punctuation and capitals. Your friend got irritated about it.
Flying_Kevin: this is the girl that was the Ward, right?
Flying_Kevin: I’m new btw
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I did. Thank you mill.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I did. I just woke up.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I am. Hi Kevin.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: *rubs hands together* get me started.
Johnsonjar: Hi K. 🙂 You wanted us to keep an eye out for your old teammates.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: who? where?
Johnsonjar: We found two of them. One second.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !! Who?
Johnsonjar: Aven and Houndstooth
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Thank you! Good job! You’re awesome!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Ima go talk to Aven first.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Away
You have marked yourself as away.
■
♦ Private message sent to AvenG
AvenG: ?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hi Aven. It’s Kenzie
AvenG: Oh. Kenzie M?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: That me.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m not supposed to be sharing out my name and tying it to this account but I figure in this context it’s okay. You’ve seen my face, you know my name, you know my powers, I trust you.
AvenG: Yeah.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I don’t want to be a pest. I just wanted to say hi and say I’m glad you’re alive. I always thought you were cool.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: and if you ever want to talk or meet or whatever, you know where I’m at and you can send me a message.
AvenG: Ok.
AvenG: No offense, but I probably won’t.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: ok.
AvenG: Sorry. I’m trying to get a fresh start, the Wards were pretty good times but that was then. You and I didn’t talk then, with the age difference, so it’s strange to talk now.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It’s okay. You were frontline and I was backline. You were a teenager, I was the brat.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: There are lots of reasons I’m sure but ‘no’ is the only one that matters. I wish you the best. 🙂
AvenG: thank you. Good luck with whatever you end up doing, Kenzie.
■
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /back
You have marked yourself as back
Welcome back to the Treefort_Lookout!
Tockta: How did it go?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Not great. She didn’t want to talk.
Tockta: Aw. 😦
Thistlesoup: *hugs*
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: *hugs back*
Maxtag: We’ve got your back.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m going to talk to the next one. Wish me luck!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Away
You have marked yourself as away.
Doones: Good luck!
■
♦ Private message sent to Houndstooth
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hi H.T.
Houndstooth: Hi Kenzie.
Houndstooth: I’m in the middle of a conversation with Ave. She said you reached out.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m keeping an eye out for my old teammates.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m glad you’re alive, houndstooth.
Houndstooth: I’m glad you’re alive too, Kenzie.
Houndstooth: What are you up to these days?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m looking at joining a team. Kind of. We’re still figuring a lot out. It’s exciting. they’re neat.
Houndstooth: That’s really good to hear
Houndstooth: I’ve talked to some of the others offline. We made out better than most. The only question mark is 10-59, but I’m suspicious they’re okay.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I already found them. they’re alive and well.
Houndstooth: Did you? ok. good. great. Then we only lost Pigeonhole, but you knew about them. We made out better than most.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: it’s great. I’m so relieved.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I really liked the team. Everyone was so cool.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It was an important time for me. Coming back to Baltimore to join the team was the first time I got to stop and settle down.
Houndstooth: Yeah
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It was home
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: so it means alot to me to hear you say **we** when talking about us making it out mostly okay.
Houndstooth: You know that was then, don’t you?
Houndstooth: Back in the past. Things have changed.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: uh huh
Houndstooth: You got a bad deal, Kenzie. Not the worst I’ve seen but I’ve seen a lot of people get better hands than what you got. You tried as hard as anyone and you did really good work.
Houndstooth: You were a better hero when you were four and a half feet tall than some adult capes I know today
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’ve heard this speech before H.T.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: variants of it
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: you gave me a version of it once
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: you don’t have to let me down easy. I’m tough. 🙂
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: just cut to the chase. 😉
Houndstooth: I think you shouldn’t contact the others.
Houndstooth: They have their own things to work through. They’re rebuilding. Everyone’s looking forward.
Houndstooth: You have a new team. That’s great.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: huh. was i really that bad?
Houndstooth: You weren’t bad okay?
Houndstooth: You weren’t bad.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: but?
Houndstooth: But…
Houndstooth: give me a second to type.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: HT… i was ten
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: iv’e grown up some
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i was there for the end of the world
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i did stuff. i actually really helped
Houndstooth: Absolutely
Houndstooth: I keep typing responses and deleting them
Houndstooth: People are gunshy
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: gunshy?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: of me?
Houndstooth: Shit. Now I feel bad.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Don’t
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i’m disappointed is all
Houndstooth: I can’t stress enough that I have a lot of respect for you.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: thank you 🙂
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: can you give me one shot then?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: not even as friends. it can be business. I’m useful. you’ve been prasing my work ethic. I’m smart. I have a kind of team. If you do me the favor of giving me a shot I can do you one favor for free.
Houndstooth: I don’t know
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: you’re a smart guy and you were a good leader. you know how these things work. you know my power has its uses. others would kidnap me for it. I am offering myself to you and you would be stupid to turn me down. use me. please.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: if you respect me so much then let me prove myself
Houndstooth: Okay.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Yes?
Houndstooth: Sure. Absolutely.
Houndstooth: I can contact you here?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: yes
Houndstooth: I will be in touch.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: ok
Houndstooth: I will also talk to the others. I will leave your contact info with them. If they are comfortable with it they can reach out to you.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: got it
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’ll cross my fingers.
Houndstooth: I have to run.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: thanks for making the time to talk to me
Houndstooth: Keep up the good work. Bye.
■
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /back
You have marked yourself as back
Welcome back to the Treefort_Lookout!
Tockta: How did it go? Is your day looking up?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: The high point of the conversation was toward the end when he said don’t call us we’ll call you.
Tockta: I don’t understand
Flying_Kevin: ?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It doesn’t matter. I’m choosing to view this in a positive light. My day has to get better from here.
Tockta: That’s positive.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It is!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: For now I need a distraction.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Any other news?
Maxtag: Tattletale took on a new mission that’s taking her to Earth N. She’ll be busy for a short while.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Priorities!
Maxtag: I didn’t know it was important.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It is. Information about my new teammates is key.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: be right back.
Thistlesoup: Bye!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Away
You have marked yourself as away.
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Cap, Mangled_Wings (away), Weird_Cephalopod
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: was R around?
Weird_Cephalopod has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Bye C.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Rawr. K is here. everyone run away! >:3
Cap: R left. he dropped off the grid
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Arrrg
Cap: C was saying he had to go get lunch soon.
Cap: I think that’s why he left
Cap: A is eating too. she practically living at library now I think.
Cap: but she has to leave it to eat.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: ok
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: it’s good that she’s there. good to learn and study.
Cap: why?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Tattletale is out of town. They probbaly won’t attack without her around to act. There is a repreive. I got some info on her late last night too
Cap: that’s great. hopefully he swings by the library and we can let him know.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: great
Cap: is quiet today. lazy sunday. how are you doing?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: today has been interesting. i’m looking forward to S getting here and to the next meet.
Cap: agreed on the first two parts. partial agree on the last. I think we’re going to get yelled at
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I can not imagine that.
Cap: shoot. would love to chat but am being asked to go to church.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: at noon?
Cap: family is asking. church gets overcrowded these days so we attend during certain blocks of time.
Cap: you and me. we talk later, yeah?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: for sure.
Cap: good work on the tattletale info. strategy will be so key if R ends up in trouble. you a champ.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: not a problem
Cap: sorry to duck and run
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: go, you dork! it’s ok 🙂
Cap has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /twiddle thumbs
twiddle thumbs: Unknown Command
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Yeah
You have left the conversation.
■
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /back
You have marked yourself as back
Welcome back to the Treefort_Lookout!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hit me with some more of that business
Maxtag: Hi Kenzie
Maxtag: You said teammate related things were important.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Yes. You have more?
Maxtag: I’m not sure. It’s minor but you said it was related to two of your teammates.
Maxtag: Weld is back. Article here.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Oh. He was away? The people I’d tell about it are away for lunch.
Maxtag: I don’t follow.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It’s okay.
You currently have one alert about possible admin action. Please click to review and open a conversation with a site administrator about conduct issues.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hahahahaha XD
Doones: What’s so funny?
Magnep: ? 🙂
Flying_Kevin: I don’t understand.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Today has been quite a day. I’m having a run of bad luck. Admins want to talk to me and I think I know why. Haha.
Doones: Good luck!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: can I get a bit of a hug, Thistle?
Thistlesoup: *hugs*
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You’re the best.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Away
You have marked yourself as away.
■
♦ Private Conversation with Shower (Admin):
Please note that conversations with site administrators may be recorded and reviewed.
Shower: I’d like a moment if you can spare it.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hello.
Shower: Thank you for the prompt response. I’m Graham. I’m with the PHO IT team. You can call me by my name or just ‘shower’.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hi Shower. What can I do for you?
Shower: We had some unusual search activity that seemed to be causing congestion. Would you happen to know anything about this?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I might. It would have been during off-peak hours though.
Shower: We update infrastructure during off-peak hours. it slowed us down. It stalled us for three hours last night.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: oh that’s not good.
Shower: You’re piggybacking off of our servers?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I was trying to help. We’ve been updating the wikis as much as we can and three-fifths of the work is gathering data that’s helpful to others.
Shower: We?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It was a stupid hobby project. I was thinking of what everyone wanted the most and information seemed most critical. I had some guys I knew from way before and I thought I’d get everyone up to date and on the same page.
Shower: We often encourage hobby projects on PHO, though we cannot when resources are as tight as they are, and it would depend on scale and the amount of mess created. How easy is this to dismantle, and do I need to talk to anyone else?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Nobody else. It was me alone. I can fix it right now.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: How bad of a problem is this? Is there any leeway?
Shower: It’s interfering with others’ ability to access things. It might not seem like a problem here, because you’re close to the home node, but there are people on the periphery or far-flung regions and they’re going from satellite to ground to satellite to here, across several Earths.
Shower: I think it’s best if you clean up as much of it as you can.
Shower: I think that since you’re a chat member in good standing, we’d be willing to let this slide with a warning if it can be promptly dealt with without any mess.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’ll have to reboot.
Shower: I’ll talk to you shortly.
You have left the conversation.
■
Connecting to “gChat.ParahumansOnline.Treefort_Lookout(6667)” (Attempt 32)
Resolving Host Name
Connecting…
Connected.
Using identity “Heart_Shaped_Pupil”
Welcome to the Treefort_Lookout! A hangout for those 16 and under with inquisitive minds and an eye on the goings on around them. Keep conversation focused on sharing info. Other discussion belongs in our Pillowfort_Lazytalk or Snowfort_Mission rooms.
Toxicfish216: Heya. Wanting to get right to business?
Maxtag: Hi Kenzie
Thistlesoup: *hugs* Hi love
My_Own_Gren: Hi K. We were talking about stuff while you were disconnected. There’s only a little to catch up on.
Dogtooth: Heya, optics.
Magnep: hi kenzie. how are you this afternoon?
Tockta: How are you doing? You sounded positive the last time I asked.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: yeah
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: right to business
Johnsonjar: What do you need?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I need everyone to be quiet.
You have been auto-set to away as you have been idle for five minutes
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill Toxicfish216
You are no longer set to away
Toxicfish216: BusinessOrPleasureBot disconnecting…
Toxicfish has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill Maxtag
Maxtag: MissionBot1 disconnecting…
Maxtag has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill JohnsonJar
JohnsonJar: MissionBot2 disconnecting…
Johnsonjar has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill My_Own_Gren
My_Own_Gren: NewsAmountBot disconnecting…
My_Own_Gren has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill Dogtooth
Dogtooth: HTBot disconnecting…
Dogtooth has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill Magnep
Magnep: CasualConvoBot disconnecting…
Magnep has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill Flying_Kevin
FlyingKevin: InstantNewGuyBot disconnecting…
FlyingKevin has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /Kill TMI_Mom
TMI_Mom: DelayedNewGuyBot disconnecting…
TMI_Mom has left the conversation
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Thistle, can I ask for something?
Thistlesoup: You don’t even need to ask, love
Shower (Admin) has joined the conversation.
Thistlesoup: *Big Hugs*
Shower: I thought you might be dealing with the problem. Or is it dealt with?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Haha. This is embarassing.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m dealing.
Thistlesoup: Do you want another?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Be quiet thistle.
Shower: Are they A.I.?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Haha. No. They’re as dumb as dog farts.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Trigger phrases or phrases a set time after login. Different bots for different tasks. I’ve taken care of some of the most problematic. I’ll clean up the ones that are here for appearances.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I wanted to see if I could make them just realistic enough to fool anyone who accidentally stumbled in.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /kill thistlesoup
Thistlesoup: HugBot disconnecting…
Thistlesoup has left the conversation
Shower: I see.
Shower: I don’t know if I was here long enough to be fooled, but I’m definitely confused.
Shower: You’re sure they’re not AI?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: If they were A.I. I could be a potential S-class threat.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m just really lame
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: it’s hobby programming. Not my focus or specialty.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: /kill Doones
Doones: LuckBot disconnecting…
Doones has left the conversation
Shower: I’ll leave you to it, unless there’s something I can help you with?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I built a server to manage any CPU load from the more complicated search bots. Can I donate it or something?
Shower: You built a server?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I emulated what you guys run and set it up intermediary.
Shower: I don’t even think that’s possible. But it might explain some of the other things we’ve had go wrong, actually. No, we’ll need you to shut it down.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You can have it. It’s probably better than what you have.
Shower: Absolutely not. The security issues with that would be horrendous. It would allow snooping, spoofing- no. Take it down ASAP
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: ASAP. Got it
Shower: We’ll talk before the day is out. I need to make sure we have a handle on everything involved here.
Shower has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: okay then.
You have been auto-set to away as you have been idle for five minutes
Executioner404 has joined the conversation.
Executioner404: /Kill Goatfish
Goatfish: WIP_Capbot is disconnecting…
Goatfish has left the conversation.
Executioner404: /kill Shameful_Manatee
Shameful_Manatee: WIP_Chrisbot is disconnecting…
Shameful_Manatee has left the conversation.
You have set the topic to: “.”
Executioner404: /kill AvianB
You have set the room name to “Chat114”
You have cleared the chat logs.
You have left the conversation.
■
♦ Private message from Mangled_Wings
Mangled_Wings: I have a question. Are you busy?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: staring at a blank screen.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: What’s the question?
Mangled_Wings: I’ve been called Queen Dark twice and King Dark once.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: oh
Mangled_Wings: What does it mean? there are no dictionary websites that explain. I searched and I keep seeing the same paragraph.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: The paragraph is a paste. Queen Dark is a mean joke.
Mangled_Wings: they mock me?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m sorry.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You’ve gone quiet. You shouldn’t reply to them, you know.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You’re still quiet. I don’t think the internet suits you, A.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I think you are beautiful and stunning and terrifying in person. In a good way, I think. Because you and I are on the same side.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Your voice doesn’t translate well.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I think you’re intimidating and you want to be intimidating on the internet and that doesn’t work at all. C is the intimidating one here. Somehow. He has that knack. That atmosphere. The skill.
Mangled_Wings: C is?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Funny, isn’t it?
Mangled_Wings: I think I hate the internet to the very center of my being.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: If you think about it, with powers and all, the center of your being could include the vast monster in another dimension that’s all hooked up into you. Passenger stuff. The center of mass could be in the middle of an alien god monster the size of a mountain or moon. I imagine it has the energy of a small star stored in it.
Mangled_Wings: This serves to illustrate the depth and energy of my hate for a setting where C might be more intimidating than I am.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I think I might agree with you on the hate thing. I want to meet face to face and hang out with S and you and maybe C and definitely Cap and R. I want that to work out.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: If that fails, I dunno.
Mangled_Wings: You don’t know?
Mangled_Wings: I thought we had a deal.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I wasn’t sure if you were being serious.
Mangled_Wings: I am always serious.
Mangled_Wings: We’ll handle this project. I aim to learn all I can. When or if it falls through, I will be an independent villain again. I aim to be a successful one.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Yeah.
Mangled_Wings: You’ll work for me. I’ll pay you, of course.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hm.
Mangled_Wings: What?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: people run scared from me. it seems even non-people run from me, if I pay attention to what happened in the last hour.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: you aren’t running
Mangled_Wings: I don’t scare.
Mangled_Wings: The world is filled with blithering idiots. More are only blither and more are silent idiots. You’re the exception. If you will work for me then I’ll damn well make good use of you. I’ll incentivize you to stay around.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: okay.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: you’re one of the cooler people I know, you know?
Mangled_Wings: See? Not a blithering idiot.
Glow-worm – P.6
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Click here to login.
■
Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.
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♦ Private Conversation with A_real (Admin):
Please note that conversations with site administrators may be recorded and reviewed.
Curious_Cephalopod: hello?
A_real: Hello. Thank you for the prompt response. I’m Sydney
Curious_Cephalopod: I can guess what this is about
A_real: According to our systems you have 32 individual accounts that you’re rotating through.
Curious_Cephalopod: this is true
A_real: Is it really needed to have one individual account for each day of the month and one for what I assume are holidays?
Curious_Cephalopod: not what I was doing…
Curious_Cephalopod: …but would be amusing with some reshuffling…
Curious_Cephalopod: …assuming it was allowed…
Curious_Cephalopod: …I’m guessing you will say it isn’t
A_real: Duplicate accounts are of concern when it comes to tracking action across accounts
Curious_Cephalopod: I see
A_real: Isn’t that a hassle to manage 32 separate accounts?
Curious_Cephalopod: I use a program to copy over settings
A_real: I see.
Curious_Cephalopod: I checked ToS. I don’t think any of this is against the rules
A_real: But why do it?
Curious_Cephalopod: security. I’m being surveilled…
Curious_Cephalopod: …doing this lets me find out things
A_real: Surveilled?
Curious_Cephalopod: yes
A_real: On PHO?
Curious_Cephalopod: if they were stalking me elsewere and not here where it’s stalker central then they would be bad at what they do…
Curious_Cephalopod: *elsewhere…
Curious_Cephalopod: …and they aren’t
A_real: If you’re trying to obfuscate, I have to question why you use a chain of names that connect to one another.
Curious_Cephalopod: I’m not trying to hide. I’m trying to find out things.
A_real: Do I need to notify authorities? If you’re joking, you need to tell me now.
Curious_Cephalopod: that would cause more problems than it fixes…
Curious_Cephalopod: …can we just say I’m joking and you agree and you can tell me what my punishment is…
Curious_Cephalopod: …or what I need to do to fix this issue?
A_real: I remain concerned.
Curious_Cephalopod: how about this?…
Curious_Cephalopod: …one second…
Curious_Cephalopod: …there. It should be in my user images.
A_real: Verification_For_Sydney.i
A_real: I see it. I see. I’m assuming that in a matter of days, if you’re an avian of some sort…
Curious_Cephalopod: Insect. Yes, I could supply a different verification image…
Curious_Cephalopod: …so can we chalk this up to a peculiarity of mine? Powers weirdness?
A_real: I’ll have to discuss with others.
Curious_Cephalopod: alright
A_real: I’m not wholly satisfied with this resolution. Either you were joking about something serious
A_real: Or you’re being cavalier about something serious
Curious_Cephalopod: Or I’m being watched and I’ve been under various kinds of observation for some time…
Curious_Cephalopod: …and this isn’t that serious. Consider me a curious sort of multi-limbed invertebrate who would be happy to be left alone…
Curious_Cephalopod: …except there’s always someone on the other side of the glass, tapping or taking notes. Ears pressed up against the walls. constant whispers…
Curious_Cephalopod: …things moved in my habitat when I’m not looking…
A_real: I think I have a sense of what you’re getting at.
Curious_Cephalopod: …anohd thgis poartiocular obdserver is benign
A_real: ?
Curious_Cephalopod: software glitch. it doesn’t like interruptions
A_real: I see.
A_real: I’m putting you down as a verified cape, with some notes. I’m not going to make this available to anyone looking at your profile unless you want it.
Curious_Cephalopod: I don’t
A_real: I would like to link all of your 32 accounts together. This might take a few hours of fiddling on my end. It would only be info available to us and to you
Curious_Cephalopod: and to any outside parties with access to my computer?
A_real: I would avoid letting anyone have that access, if possible.
Curious_Cephalopod: that will be fine. I will try and I’m fine with being linked up.
A_real: Thank you for cooperating. Have a good day.
■
♦ Topic: Multiversal Travel Warnings
In: Boards ► Gimel.US
Khain (Guild Staff)
Posted on August 22nd, Y1:
The Guild is presently established in three facilities outside of the city in Gimel.US, supporting authorities and serving as bodyguards and representatives for the onetime denizens of Earth Bet, as new areas are surveyed and contact with new cultures is made.
The process is exciting and interesting, and we report back as much as we are able, but it does have its hazards. After two recent incidents, we have decided to reach out to those we are familiar with, who are familiar with us. This forum is one of many places we’ll be striving to communicate needs and necessities.
Humans are explorers by nature. Our best count right now, excepting areas we cannot fully access, is that portals, devices, and tears between realities are currently allowing access to forty-seven Earths. Six of those Earths have been blocked off due to implicit threats or are fundamentally inaccessible. Two more have been closed off at the request of their denizens. Earth Aleph, which most Earth Bet residents are or were familiar with, has been blocked off as well.
Speak with authorities before making any trips to territories unknown. We don’t and can’t mount effective rescue operations if someone leaves and fails to return, but we have some ability to do so if and when authorities know where you’ve gone and you’ve stuck to the established route. People got lost or stranded in the wilderness on Earth in 2012, with all that world’s satellites. It can and will happen in new universes.
Do not travel to inhabited worlds. Absolutely do not make first contact. The first of the two incidents noted above was one where a family traveled across Earth Chamesh and happened across a settlement we were currently talking to. Much confusion and concern was had and we are still recovering.
The second is to please stick to charted territories. Exploring the uncharted is exciting, but if you aren’t equipped, you can come to harm, even if the world is uninhabited. One ex-Bet government (which shall remain unnamed) sent one expedition to Earth Achat. The Europe of that world was home to an invasive species, which grew as a tubular mold in dark, shadowed spaces, particularly in forest. Eating food exposed to the spores these molds created causes stomach cramps that progress to reflexive vomiting over the course of two to five days. The vomiting then lasts another two to five days, causing death by dehydration for any who don’t receive care.
Be aware:
• Earth Gimel has been partially explored and checked by thinkers. There are no guarantees. Except for some rare indigenous colonies, it is unsettled. Gimel has five major points of settlement, with civilization finding its foothold around these points. The City, as of yet unnamed, is the primary US point of settlement and one of the primary waypoints. The City is a megalopolis with a commonly cited population of fifty million. A rough map (one month out of date) here.
• Earth Mem has been partially settled by others from Bet. We are currently trying to establish some kind of communication and link.
For novice explorers and those looking to settle new territories, we would encourage Gimel and Mem as largely safe options.
• Earth Bet has been deemed uninhabitable. Contrary to popular belief, radiation is not a major concern. However, many industrial sites were either destroyed or have weathered the last two years of neglect poorly, with chemicals leeching into groundwater and settling in valleys. Terrible numbers of deceased humans and other living species have led to other health concerns, particularly in previously heavily settled areas that received heavy damage. There will always be those who attempt to hold onto what we have lost, and many persist in trying to maintain some existence on Bet. However, new incidents arise on what seems to be a weekly or twice-weekly basis, with one in three having to do with powers, the powered, untended tinker technology, masters, and lingering threats. We may one day return to Bet, as some groups have fervently expressed a desire to do, but we have a great deal of work to do before this is possible. It may not happen in our generation or our children’s generation. Be aware that if you choose to return to Bet (and most authorities agree you have the fundamental right to do so) you may have to re-apply for entry and you will very likely be putting your well being in peril.
Speak with authorities before traveling to any other worlds. More information on multiversal threats.
More information to be disclosed about outside threats and cultures as we have it.
(Showing Page 108 of 270)
► Ohearn
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
It’s about concentration. The fight happened near here. Scion attacked. We don’t know why but it might have had to do with the Slaughterhouse Nine, going by the news reports and what some have said. It might have had to do with the Simurgh. It could have been something else altogether. But things wrapped up near here. People came through and most of us picked two worlds to settle in, with Gimel as the big one.
But a lot of people fought. A lot of capes. Many were foreign. The fight ended… and then? We are doing or did our best to get them home, but not all want to go home. Or Scion didn’t leave them a home to go back to. A lot of them have gathered into like groups. That’s where we get the weird corner-world settlements.
► Venturain
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
the corner world places aren’t inherently bad tho, right? we (my family) just got into the city one month ago. right away pressure pressure. we can move into city but standardized rent and we need to earn wage and we may be asked to move. best option is to move to city periphery and farm. they say they will give us tools and resources to get started but good spots are taken or very far away and farming isn’t easy
corner worlds are closer in a way. go to noon, go to wherever from there.
if we aren’t reconstruction or farming we aren’t wanted. so why become cogs in the city’s machine? we can strike off on our own. minor risk but total freedom
► Slayer of Isaac
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
@ Venturain – that was our mindset. My family tried it.
We had the bad fortune of settling at one corner settlement. Two points removed. We got off to an okay start. Shelter up, food out, basic needs covered. Regular trips to the city to supply up and cover more advanced needs.
Winter of Year Zero caught us off guard. We thought we were ahead of what we needed but staying warm gets hard and getting warm means chopping wood, which means physical effort, which means needing more food.
I was handling most trips into the city. I was worn out and got real sick. My brother handled one trip, asked for help, came back with capes.
They helped, yeah. Then they took over. It was bad. You can find my photo diary on my user page.
My brother went out and asked for help again. The second time around, the capes were willing to fix the problem and leave. Most of us moved back to the city. Bitter feelings.
► Athonic
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
@ Venturain – there’s need for other work. doctors. teachers. there’s a need for people that are good at finding and vetting the skilled labor. finding qualified doctors and getting them to hospitals, finding teachers and helping to establish new schools.
organization is the hardest part.
many injured, many with special needs. i’m in robotics and prosthetics and there’s no shortage of need. my friend is a radiologist and he’s in high demand.
► Lex_Dogbell
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
Many of those things require education. Letters started arriving yesterday. Rejected, rejected, rejected. No education. My friends are saying government is holding off on setting up schools because there is so much need for physical labor, industry, agriculture.
► mlekk (was mlekk)
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
[User was banned for this post, badge changed]
► Ferris (Cape Dad)
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
Right now we don’t seem to have many threats at home. Things are quiet. The monsters are out there if they’re even alive. Sleeper is still in Zayin and seems contained there. The Birdcage was abandoned and we don’t know if the residents were left to starve. Few of the real monsters seem to be here. The dictators don’t have the infrastructure. Our best capes are off doing good work and seeing what’s out there. Our capes at home are calm and quiet. I’m okay with that.
► Fishmon
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
Not all of the dictators. Not every place was ruined. There are monsters out there who I will not name out of fear for my safety. They were kept in check back on Bet and nothing holds them back now that much of the world has evacuated. The weather may be bad there but they may not have had industry or other problems to taint things. Things are looking up here but there I think it may be hellish for the citizens. Who can help them? Is difficult. If calamity comes in plague or bugs or rats then the people suffer, but dictators will not let them escape. I make calls every day.
► Moor (Guild)
Replied on August 22nd, Y1:
I’m going to reach out to you by direct message, Fishmon. Tell me what you can.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … 107, 108, 109 … 268, 269, 270
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Cap, Heart_Shaped_Pupil, of5, Mangled_Wings:
Cap: I don’t know that much
Mangled_Wings: You know some. You were a corporate hero.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Share. Don’t be shy. 😉
Cap: I was a man on the ground in a flashy costume. I was told to do things and I did them. my mental energy went toward figuring out what I would do when I had discretion.
Cap: Some of it.
of5: I know what you mean about mental energy.
Cap: right? time management is a nightmare even without complications. add family, team drama, having to look good for the cameras and magazines and I wasn’t exactly thinking about upper management. I listened to the boss and I winked at the intern with the cute butt sometimes.
Cap: I didn’t dwell on the ins and outs. so if you want me to supply info on the ins and outs of how the corporate capes work as a business, I can’t. I don’t even want to dwell on it. those were bad times for me. there’s a reason I left it behind.
Mangled_Wings: I hope you can share what you do know at some point.
Cap: Of course.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Spending a lot of mental energy lately, R?
of5: I might have to go to ground. I may not be able to travel to the next town to use library hookup until our next meeting. I have some indications that some people are after me. More than they were the day before yesterday.
Cap: do you need me to come? My brother and I can visit, hang out, offer you some backup. I might not remember much about the nuances of the corp team, but I have pride in my ability in a scrap
of5: I appreciate that.
Cap: it could be fun. you’re the closest thing I have to a best friend atm, so we might as well hang at some point.
of5: Oof. Yes. We get along best, out of the group. It would be good in other times, maybe. But I don’t know what vectors they can use to attack or track me. This whole thing is a mess.
Cap: I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with the cluster-trigger clusterfuck
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Amen.
Mangled_Wings: Agreed.
of5: Easiest if I just drop off the radar for a bit. We can touch base later. I might check in to see if S showed and we can go from there. Otherwise I see you in a few days.
Cap: help is available if you need it.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i was going to say. i’d ♥love♥ to be of help
of5: I’m safe where I am for now. in a sense.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: With family?
of5: Mostly. Obviously not when I’m here. Hard to strike a balance. It’s not good times.
Mangled_Wings: My sympathies.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !
of5: I… really appreciate that, a.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !!
Curious_Cephalopod: please, K. Let it be.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Ok. 🙂
Cap: C. good to see you stepping out of the shadows.
Cap: I wondered if you would speak up
Curious_Cephalopod: the shadows are where it’s comfortable and safe.
Mangled_Wings: The shadows are where the real monsters lurk
Curious_Cephalopod: that too, A…
Curious_Cephalopod: …that too.
Cap: why are you curious, out of curiosity?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Doing research?
Curious_Cephalopod: curious in the british sense…
Curious_Cephalopod: …odd, quirky, eccentric…
Curious_Cephalopod: …I was doing research, as a matter of fact.
Mangled_Wings: On?
Curious_Cephalopod: figuring out the landscape. looking at maps. where we want to set up.
Cap: and?
Curious_Cephalopod: and it feels like the A-listers are busy. everyone else is in the shadows…
Curious_Cephalopod: …waiting for someone else to break the peace and take the hate when they get blamed…
Curious_Cephalopod: …the problem is we’re so geographically spread out. even if we discount R.
of5: I’m aiming to move into the city. There are complications
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: your friend
of5: a lot of things.
Curious_Cephalopod: the megalopolis makes for bad logistics.
Cap: I do hope you’ll step out of those shadows more, c.
Cap: it’s been interesting talking to you online and seeing how talkative you are here.
Cap: I like what you contribute when you speak up
Curious_Cephalopod: that’s me being an introvert.
Cap: that’s fixable
Curious_Cephalopod: I think you badly underestimate my introversion, T…
of5: Okay, hold on.
Cap: holding on
Curious_Cephalopod: [error]!
Curious_Cephalopod: [error]!
Curious_Cephalopod: [error]!
You have disconnected from chat
You have reconnected to chat
of5: As the person who knows capricorn best, I’m going to step in and say this convo should end. It’s going to end in hurt feelings.
Curious_Cephalopod: my feelings are fine.
of5: Ok
Cap: I’m fine.
of5: Let’s end the convo here. We’re here to back each other up. Let’s be more cautious than not.
Cap: sure. I’m annoyed but I can take a break.
Cap has left the conversation.
of5: I hope I didn’t make things awkward.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: It’s fine. Made sense.
Curious_Cephalopod: balances to be struck
of5: Yeah
■
♦ Private message from Heart_Shaped_Pupil
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: She said something nice!
Curious_Cephalopod: ?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: A!
Curious_Cephalopod: Ah.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Good things good feelings. I’m psyched because this all feels positive.
Curious_Cephalopod: maybe
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: On the topic of positivity…
Curious_Cephalopod: ? Did you disconnect?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: So I was thinking we should meet in the city. You were talking about logistics and I was thinking about where eveyrone was. you’re closest to me and we’re the same age I think? So I was thinking we could meet and talk strategy over fast food. We could even do something after and build team bonds and things like that. Maybe a movie or arcade. Whatever you want to do.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: No pressure.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Sorry. I wrote and rewrote that three times
Curious_Cephalopod: You mean a date?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I didn’t say a date.
Curious_Cephalopod: But you mean a date.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Maybe. Sure. Springtime of youth and all that pizazz.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Or pre-springtime. Tweentime of spring? The thawing of the slush doesn’t have the same conotations
Curious_Cephalopod: I think there are about a hundred different reasons why I should say no to that. actually…
Curious_Cephalopod: …make that two hundred. I legitimately think I could name two hundred reasons why that’s a terrible idea.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Really? Two hundred?
Curious_Cephalopod: The more I think of it, the more reasons I come up with…
Curious_Cephalopod: …no, K.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Can I ask why?
Curious_Cephalopod: because you’re you and I’m me…
Curious_Cephalopod: …no and don’t ask again.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Ok. 🙂
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Can I ask another question?
Curious_Cephalopod: will I regret saying yes?
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: When you were talking to Ms. Sydney earlier
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: You hinted at having a reason for the changing nicks.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: What was it?
Curious_Cephalopod: Honestly?…
Curious_Cephalopod: …I wanted to see if you’d get curious enough to reveal yourself.
Glow-worm – P.5
Subject: Your Nilles University Application
August 21st, Y1
Dear Applicant (Point_Me_@_The_Sky@mail)
We regret to inform you that your application for graduate study in our department was turned down. We look at each application and applicant as a whole and decisions are based on a composite of information including your previous academic performance, referrals, relevant professional activities, proposed research statements, and test scores.
Due to a high volume of applicants, this message has been partially automated. Your application was received by paper and email and discussed by me and one other faculty member. We responded by email as per your preference. We would like to stress, for your particular application:
• That we would very much like you to apply again in future years.
• That we would encourage you to use the same email address, as we can easily tie it back to this application.
• We felt your academics were very strong.
• We felt your extracurriculars were exceptional.
• We felt your references were exceptional.
• In a time when records are often lacking and references may be hard to identify or contact, your application stood above and beyond in how complete and thorough it was.
Nilles is one of three Universities serving an estimated population of fifty million on Earth Gimel and its associated territories, and it is the sole post-secondary institution offering graduate studies. Over one and a half million bright and eager minds have applied to Nilles in avid hope of starting or resuming their educations, and regretfully, with our current facilities, we cannot accept more than twenty thousand.
Although these circumstances mean we must regretfully send you an unfavorable response, we appreciate your application. We wish you the best in your future endeavors and look forward to hearing from you next year.
Yours truly,
Dr. Marilyn Ginbar
Graduate Advisor
■
♦ Private Messages from Glitzglam:
Glitzglam: Friend said emails out today
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I got mine this morning.
Glitzglam: And? ? ?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Same as last year.
Glitzglam: : (
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: We have completed a review of your applic’n. Paperwork good. Grades good. X’lars good. Refs good. You’re perfect.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: But the world ended two years ago, sorry! No place for you now. Please apply next year. We’ll keep track of your applic’n and the fact you applied last year, we promise!
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: no mention in this yrs letter about me applying last year so I do have my doubts
Glitzglam: aw hon 😦
Glitzglam: why tho? My friend got in and I know his ap wasn’t as good
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: why do you think?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: That’s a serious Q’n btw. Because I don’t know
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Rational part of me thinks high demand program + only so many grad students allowed in
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: That part of me outnumbered 14 to 1 tho
Glitzglam: hm hm
Glitzglam: very specific #
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’ve been thinking about it all day. Made a list. Lots of unreasonable answers that are semi-possible. sentiment / reference backstabs me / people with ties to uni staff get in first / uni tied to gov + gov wants specific focus for research
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I could go on. I know some of those sound crazy
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: + all of that? If true then no reason to think next year will be different. Last year was a third the number applicants, they accepted 2.5%. This year, what? 1.4%?
Glitzglam: um
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Could be multiple of above. could be none.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Enough about me. How is training going?
Glitzglam: is fine. not important.
Glitzglam: Im going to visit as soon as possible
Glitzglam: k?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: No need to treat me with kid gloves. We all suspected this would happen.
Glitzglam: honestly ?
Glitzglam: we all were saying 2 temper expectations
Glitzglam: but we would wink as we said it
Glitzglam: we thought u would get in
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: That doesn’t make me feel better
Glitzglam: have u told everyone?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: no
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Today I have stuff to do. I work and think.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Might go for long trip before h.school semester starts + I get busy with work. Visit home.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Share after I get back I think.
Glitzglam: K. Im visiting 2. field exercises today tomorrow. team want to meet for drinks on day off. I think I might take off nstead. home 4 sure. m/b u?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m okay. But do me a favor?
Glitzglam: anything
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: If you stop by? I set up tarps by house. Make sure they still there & no water getting through? Lost cause maybe
Glitzglam: can do
Glitzglam: u sure u ok?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m not. But I’m the ok sort of not ok. I’ve gotten good at effective brooding
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Our little parcel of humanity is sprawled haphazardly across 15+ alt earths. Has to be a place for us somewhere right?
Glitzglam: right
Glitzglam: and speaking of places. I got 2 take off becuz my place is 2 be doing drills
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Be safe. Say hi to the family for me. I’ll drop by soon.
Glow-worm – P.4
Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.
You are currently logged in, of5
Searching for:
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• …with the term Multi-trigger or…
• …with the term Grab-Bag or…
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• …show topics and replies made within the last year.
■
♦ Topic: [JRPNA] Use of Cluster Powers, Serial Powers, Matched Powers, and Nth-generation Powers to identify ‘Hinge Points’ in Power Expression – 1998
In: Boards ► Parahuman Science
Azavael (PRT Science)
Posted on : June 4th, 2002
[Article] Studies into Parahuman abilities presently catalogue studied powers into three major databases: the PRT database in the US, the Cambridge Parahuman Studies facility, and the EUJP International Listing. The lists are formed by way of interview and laboratory studies with each institution using universally standardized forms in addition to supplementary material. Each of these three institutions have stated an express or strongly-implied desire to understand and predict expressions of power and tie these expressions to the inciting incidents. However, a longstanding problem in this process is that powers expressed, inciting incidents, and contextual factors can be dramatically different across individual cases. While some common themes can be drawn out, derived results are traditionally very big-picture. It is only recently that databases have begun to include sufficient numbers of special-case triggers that allow more focused study of how powers are expressed. We identified cluster powers, serial powers, matched powers, and Nth-generation powers as the special cases to focus on in more focused examination of how power instances can be mapped and we posit a ‘Hinge Point’ illustration of power expression and theory.
[Definitions] • Cluster powers are defined as powers wherein multiple inciting incidents occur either simultaneously or within a minute of one another. Such parahumans will have a collection of smaller powers related to the others. • Serial powers are defined as cases where an individual or multiple individuals in longstanding proximity to a parahuman will develop powers…
[Click to read full article]
(5 of 280 replies match search criteria)
► of5
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
Link is broken.
► WMD377 (PRT Science Admin)
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
Yes. Tagged. It’s good to keep track and note this. This article was pretty important to the time. It would be worth finding someone with it in print and transcribing. Keep letting us know. It helps us track which articles are most important & desired. What’s your field?
► Doubletime_Collies
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
I have this one. I can transcribe over the weekend. Want me to DM you the transcription, of5?
► of5
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
That would be helpful. Thank you. No field – I am furthest thing from scholar. Lot of this is going over my head. Personal interest only.
► WMD377 (PRT Science Admin)
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
Keep in mind that serial and Nth-Generation (2nd gen, 3rd gen) powers are now the same thing.
End of Page 1. Click to view full list of pages.
■
♦ Topic: Multi-Trigger Case Studies – Parahumans 303 Class Notes (Spinky) – September 15th 2009
In: Boards ► Parahuman Science ►Non-Articles
Rightsector
Posted on : September 17th, 2009
From Wednesdays with Prof Spinky. Posted with permission. Cleaned up where I could
Overview: What are clusters?
Other names are mosaic p. expression, grabbag, multi
Effect on resulting power
Why important & Importance to study.
Case studies
Greater effects, things to keep in mind
Pt. 1: What are clusters?
2-6 people trigger at same time or very close together. Each gets a suite of powers. Person A gets Person A primary power and fragment of B, C, D, E, F.
Person B gets Person B primary power and fragment A, C, D, etc.
Pt 2: Effect on resulting power
Term secondary expressions. Weaker or subtle power. Can be conditional.
Primary powers may be weaker than if they had triggered alone?
Powers inspired by others but not identical. Relation may be tertiary.
Example given firebreath -> fire something or something breath
Prof stresses this is very basic example
Term for staying element is hinge (old) or dominant (current). Relates to 1998 article.
Pt 3: Why important & importance to study
Suggests powers aren’t 100% predetermined. Certain elements are highlighted or made dominant.
We can extrapolate from studies like this & serial triggers to work out key elements of existing triggers. What changes & why = what factors are important in standalone non-special trigger?
Case Studies: two cases & how we look at them
Two case studies. Interview, self-reporting, examination
Case Study #1: Sunder Bros
Take note for future week: matched powers. We come back to this.
Brother #1 – Destruction caused to objects ripples out indefinitely, stopping at clear demarcations (images included in lecture notes). Weapon extension without limit (except convenience)
Brother #2 – Weapon sweep extension – some range extension – wider arcs, shockwaves left/right of swing. Stomp to destroy ground in immediate area.
Class pauses, prof asks & responds to input re: dominant factors in each power.
Cute girl in red top finally comes up with answer that satisfies Spinky. Destruction & weapon attack augmentation dominant/staying/hinge factors. Question of range vs. breadth between brothers. Not very lopsided in power difference b/w primary & secondary power. Spinky’s stress on not.
We get some slides of brother’s recreation of trigger circumstance. Distance from threat. Prof Spinky highlights personality traits brothers used on forms they filled out. All as reasoning for different power expressions.
Case Study #2: Fowl & Fair (foreign capes, names that follow are badly translated)
Oxfair – Physical augmentation; size, strength, speed, agility (<- primary), deafening roar, transfer harm from falls/some impacts to nearby others, pain resistance/faster healing
Ramfair – Emotion affecting chant, size increase, some ability to heal very recent damage of others listening to chant/that touching, gather strength/concentrate -> giant leaps
Foulcock (yes, the class laughed) – Flight with build-up of speed over time, speed is transferred to touched others, interrupting flight to deliver high-impact blows. Increased agility, deafening shriek, fast recovery of smaller wounds (scratches yes, no recovery of larger wounds).
Foulpig – Personal biokinesis, swell into flesh bubble with fast recovery/personal mutations if not ‘popped’ in time. Some strength & size increase, but slower while grown. Ability to ‘roll’ with incoming impacts (mover expression? Turns into boulder). Guttural noise (flatulence? Burps?) to interrupt thought processes – turn off others’ brains momentarily.
Discussion of dynamic. Fair & foul on opposite sides post-trigger. Only fair provided answers & allowed power testing, rest has to be inferred. Handouts.
Some discussion of trigger event (see slides for images), some discussion of resulting ‘package’. Powers for each individual distinct but play off each other in semi-complementary way. Reflective of personality? Or ‘guiding hand’ principle?
Pt. 4: Greater effects & things to keep in mind – things touched on in homework reading:
Kill / Kiss – more on this in parahuman psychology class in a few weeks
Personality Bleed – personality traits bleed over from 1 individual to other? Messy
Higher incidences of paranoia, confrontation, aggression, PTSD. Less bounce back?
Higher rate of death post-trigger. Kill / kiss again. Graph
Prof Spinky stresses emotional states may play into the above. Triggers that are sufficient to draw in multiple individuals are worse than average. Can’t jump 2 conclusions. Correlation =/= causation.
(2 of 1140 replies match search criteria)
► of5
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
Lecture slides & graph missing.
► DigaWell
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
ty again of5. nothing we can do about that one
End of Page 1. Click to view full list of pages.
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Questionable_Mammal, Heart_Shaped_Pupil, Cap
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: R!
of5: Hi K. Missed you earlier. Am at library with friend. Researching.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: this is friend you’ve talked about 😉 ?
of5: She is the friend. She is helping with technical side, searches.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Hi friend! Thank you for being good to our R!
of5: She at another computer now. I got her bored. I wouldn’t join this chat if she was watching.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: aw
of5: We stumped atm. Everythink links to outside articles. Dead ends. Most stuff I already know.
of5: and I know v. little
of5: a isn’t here?
Questionable_Mammal: I scared her off…
Questionable_Mammal: …she will be back I think. We still waiting on S. Technical issues. She’s @ workshop later this week…
Questionable_Mammal: …you need A?
of5: No. j/w.
of5: Wanted k actually.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: yuss! \♥/
of5: you know this site. I want search terms to find some people. Articles, anything else. Would need to cover a lot of bases. Normal site search limits # of terms.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: uh. that hard. you want packaged search string
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i can try
Questionable_Mammal: you’re looking for others in your set?
of5: yes
Questionable_Mammal: I can make attempt. gimme time. you might want to fine tune after.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: aw!
of5: Thanks. I owe you one.
Questionable_Mammal: I got games btw. Will give on next meet.
of5: I owe you two
Questionable_Mammal: no. not big deal…
Questionable_Mammal: …go keep researching
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: entertain lady friend!
Questionable_Mammal: …and that
of5: getting off chat. friend blames slow connection through node.
of5: ty again
Questionable_Mammal: I DM you when I have something…
Questionable_Mammal: …keep eye out
■
♦ Topic: [EUJPR] Relationship Entanglement in Cluster-Triggers – 2005
In: Boards ► Parahuman Science
Jr_Max
Posted on : February 18th, 2005
[Translation] Colloquially known as the kill/kiss dynamic, in cluster-triggers, there is a very high tendency toward passionate relationships, either hostility or partnership. Clusters have a 40% chance of one member murdering another, rising to a 50% chance when including attempted murder, 25% chance of a partnership forming, and a 10% incidence of partnership and murder coinciding. The term partnership is used for romantic pairings in instances where sexuality and gender allow, and close friendship or formed teams with members in other cases. In some (10% of) cases of close partnerships forming, the romantic pairing occurred despite one’s typical sexuality. The relationship entanglement study looks at existing cases and clusters to investigate why.
The most dramatic case in recent memory is the Stáj, also known as the Stable, or the Foul and the Fair. The Good Ox was turned into a grisly display […]
[Click to read full article]
(3 of 79 replies match search criteria)
► of5
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
No article on click.
► Dana & Evan (Student)
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
It wasn’t a terribly good one. Doesn’t read as a solid study so much as a commentary. I’d give it a pass. The same details are covered in more depth elsewhere. I’ll see what I can dig up.
► of5
Replied on August 20th, Y1:
Thanks
End of Page 1. Click to view full list of pages.
■
♦ Private message from 17593Q183H17953R9713E714693
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: 974641T17953A8209746413R173901761R796520
of5: ?
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Questionable_Mammal, Heart_Shaped_Pupil
of5: Got a strange message. Friend says it might be a bot. String of numbers & letters?
Questionable_Mammal: could be.
of5: Could be s?
Questionable_Mammal: S isn’t that bad with computers…
Questionable_Mammal: …Block & move on….
Questionable_Mammal: …btw, here is search result for you.
■
♦ Private message from 17593Q183H17953R9713E714693
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Had to check.
of5: ??
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: If you were one of mine.
of5: I’m going to do what my friends said and block you if you don’t explain.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: You’re clearly looking for info on multis.
of5: Yes
of5: I am.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I can provide.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: We can collaborate.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Is important to have others to watch your back
of5: I’ve found some people.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Unless you are a member of a very new cluster, limited # of people you can be.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I found most of the group at I-275. Rest of them wouldn’t be searching online like you are.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I found two members of the shipwreck group. They might be doing what you’re doing with the searching but they know the code. They’re friends of mine. Third member of that group is dead.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: The lecture hall: if you were one of them, you wouldn’t be so naive.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: That leaves three options. The Kansas Cornfield massacre: 3 dead, 1 alive with no reason to care about multis. He ate the rest of his cluster.
of5: Ate?
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: The book fair. Only ones still alive there are within spitting distance of me.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Ate. I know why, too. I can share, but not for free.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Leaves two good options. I can skip one because it’s mine.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: You’re part of the new cluster from the mall.
of5: No comment.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I found one of you already. I reached out to him first. He said no. Bad for him. Lucky for you.
of5: Lucky?
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: The one I talked to said there’s a woman, two boys, and him. I’m going to assume you’re the one I’ve termed the runt. The smallest, easiest target.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: The woman is gathering funds to hire mercenaries and come after you. The one I talked to hired an information broker to find you. Her name is Tattletale. She’s good. She has resources. including the mercenaries I just mentioned. She’s also preoccupied for now.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: A favor from me to you.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: That leaves you & the last one. It sounds like all 3 are coordinating vs. you.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I can just about guarantee the people they’re gathering together are better than the ones you got.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: You need help. You’ve got a case of Kiss/Kill like I never saw and I don’t think they’re reaching for the chapstick.
of5: You’re wrong
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: About the need for help?
of5: It isn’t Kiss/Kill.
of5: I’ll take any help I can get.
of5: Provided I can get some clue you’re legit.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: Glad to hear.
of5: and some idea of what you’re really after
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: You. And a chance to deal with some mutual enemies.
17593Q183H17953R9713E714693: I’ll be in touch.
■
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One result.
♦ Topic: Public Incident Report [Aug 16]
In: Boards ► Teams ► Gunslingers
Lucky Luke (Hero)
Posted on : August 16th, Y1
[…] We were ultimately unable to stop them, as they had two capes we had no information or records on. The first of the capes may have been a thinker, likely the same that shot down our flier. We were unable to glean much more from them, other than the fact they wore fur in the midst of a heatwave.
The second individual seems to be a grab-bag cape. She was a woman with a fanged mask covering her lower face, and a form-fitting dress with a slit up the side of one leg. She displayed a mover power [fourth term] with the ability to run on walls. She produced an emotion-affecting [third term] roar, which broke the ranks of one of the cooperating teams, and had metal claws [second term] which looked to be of tinker make. These claws may have been what enabled her to tear [First term not met, but within allowance] down doors and other barricades with the ease she did. We have the beginnings of a work-up going online shortly.
The attack on the store opening was a failure on our side. We were late to the scene due to geography and we lacked full knowledge of our adversaries. It is our belief that with PHO in working order and more collaborative tools and measure being put in place every day, that we will succeed next time where we failed this once. We are working with authorities to keep an eye out for the stolen merchandise.[…]
■
♦ Joined Group Conversation: Questionable_Mammal, Heart_Shaped_Pupil, Cap
of5: Thank you, c.
Questionable_Mammal: I thought that one result looked good
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: pretty nasty customer
of5: It is. She is.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: are you looking after your friend?
of5: not nearly enough
Questionable_Mammal: did you get the bot thing handled?
of5: Bot thing handled. blocked & moved on.
of5: This woman… concerns me. I’ll figure out a plan of action later.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: we’ll figure out a plan of action later >:)
of5: Thanks. And thanks again, c.
of5: You’re good kids.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: 😀
Cap has joined the chat.
Questionable_Mammal: no personal details online, ya?
Cap: ?
of5: Right. Sorry.
Questionable_Mammal: nothing big, Cap
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Go get ur friend a thank you treat. Giant heart-shaped cookie!
Cap: subtle
of5: I don’t know about cookies. There’s a place to get ice cream.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Go, shoo!
You have left the conversation.
Glow-worm – P.3
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■
♦ Topic: Amnesty & The Devil We Know
In: Boards ► News ► Events ► Gimel.US
E.S.Reaver
Posted on August 19th, Y1:
I’ve seen a few articles and wanted to compile them. There’s a narrative here, if you don’t grasp it then bear with me an I’ll sum up my thoughts at the end.
Article: Strange Reversals: Villain to Hero & Forum Thread
The number of heroes is rising. Multiple known villains have shucked off the black capes for white ones. Which is a good thing, right?
Article: No Witnesses Remain & Forum Thread
The article identifies three villains who we know about in heroic groups – two with the Wardens and one with Shelter. They committed crimes, we have some limited information or scraps of wiki articles, but the witnesses of those past crimes are either dead or yet to establish themselves. We established standards for amnesty, but sometimes those standards can’t be met. The ex-villains find places on the team with nobody to naysay.
Article: Two Black Raincoats & Forum Thread
Let’s get to the examples. Four youths tried to get superpowers by working off of the ‘trigger’ theory of power gain, and became a newsworthy case in 2004. The event got out of hand, one boy and one girl took charge and preyed on the two younger members of the group, torturing them over the course of a weekend. Nobody gained powers, the search for the missing children led to the two older children being identified as they went into town on the Monday to get food and buy power tools, including a circular saw. They revealed the location of their victims; one of whom apparently lost fingers as the wire that was used to attach them to the toilet tank was too tight. Unnamed Boy was sent to juvie. Unnamed Girl was sent to psychiatric care. Both gained powers while in care, both were released in or around 2009. Reuniting, now with powers, they killed three people, wearing black raincoats to keep the blood off, and were not caught. They have been spotted in several locations at the Rochester span, wearing the black raincoats.
“For the time being, the amnesty applies,” Chief Armstrong stated to the media. “We know where they are and we’re keeping tabs.”
Good enough?
Article: “Rended”, “Torn Up”, “Dismembered” & Forum Thread
Written after Miss Militia and Vista, heroines under the Wardens, were seen on several occasions in the company of Hellhound, also known as Bitch or Rachel Lindt. Raises questions about the moral compromise the amnesty has wrought and the longstanding allegations that the Protectorate team in Brockton Bay was cooperating with the local villains. Once the relationship is established and we’re reminded of the past examples, the article devotes the latter half to reminding us of some of Rachel Lindt’s deeds when she was working with a group of warlords to seize Brockton Bay.
“Every day, I wake up and I try to move my leg. The wind gets knocked out of me when it doesn’t move like it should. If I’m active at all during the day, then the pain hits me in the evening.”
Article: Fallen: What You Need To Know & Forum Thread
The Fallen operate as a cult and they’re one of the largest cape groups around. The article doesn’t talk about it directly, but the forum thread has some great posts on the subject (see page 3 and 12). Their recruitment numbers are swelling and I (and others!) think it’s the amnesty that’s letting them get away with it. There’s a lot of talk of Lachlan Hund [article linked] elsewhere and there might be a court case revolving around what others are saying was a powers-assisted abduction. Totally Fallen M.O. for years prior, family says Lachlan never showed any pro-Fallen sentiment before this.
Article: No Cost & Forum Thread
Same article author as ‘No Witnesses Remain’. Following up on several villains who didn’t turn hero, the author finds two villains, both anonymous, who claim they received accommodations, at a time when many were still living in the tent cities. They got ahead of the ‘line’, they got basic apartments and utilities paid for, and they contribute nothing except the fact that they aren’t (as far as we know) committing crimes these days. It’s like we’ve caved to extortion.
We need to have a dead serious conversation about the amnesty. Justice shouldn’t fall by the wayside. Absolutely horrific individuals get their second chances but they get them at the expense of the safety and peace of mind of others. They get things easier.
We heard the arguments why at the start. We had other things to think about and deal with. Heroes had other things. We thought. We dealt. The heroes handled the biggest needs. That was then.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not buying into the anti-cape sentiment you see here and there.
But I’m anti-these-capes. I’m anti-this.
(Showing Page 52 of 52)
► Dive Bucket
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
Where do they go tho? What are we supposed to do?
• No birdcage
• No max-sec prisons
• Bare bones legal system
• No stable government to put either of those in place
• No resources
• No records
• No witnesses (as OP says)
► Erasmus
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
We have strict control over the portals. Send them out to Bet. Close the doors. Or guard them
► mlekk (is mlekk)
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
/mlekk oozes in
mlekk thinks that would cause more probselms than it solves
mlekk thinks they would want to attack the doors
mlekk thinks of the refugees who haven’t made it to us yet
mlekk decides BAD IDEA
/mlekk oozes out
► Mangled_Wings
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
What’s wrong with extortion? What’s wrong with taking measures?
If you stand at the bottom of a hill and a car starts rolling down it with nobody in the drivers seat what do you do?
The way some of you imbeciles are talking about this I can’t help but think you would stand there bitching about the situation until the car hits you.
Get out of their way first and then make sure it wasn’t one part of bigger problem or disaster.
Then and only then do you address the problem with your indignation and sense of injustice cold, clear, and gripped in steady hands. Find some weapon or power and take action.
► Team_Lancer
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
@ Mangled_Wings
1) villains aren’t cars. villains are humans. they’re accountable for their actions.
2) we have more choices than ‘get out of their way’. We’re part of a greater society. We have the choice of catering to them or treating them like the scumbags they are. we’re accountable for how we respond to them. our government is accountable for how they respond to them.
3) ‘imbeciles’ isn’t helping foster good discussion
4) can someone please ban mlekk? They’re in every other thread. Admin said they would deal with low-investment content
5) why the fuck is mlekk one of the only people with working badges?
► Mangled_Wings
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
There are three kinds of villain. There are villains at rest that don’t do anything unless bothered and they may be easy to bother. Don’t bother them unless you’re sure you’re stronger than them. If you don’t have powers you aren’t stronger than them.
There are villains in motion. They want something or they’re going somewhere. Don’t get in their way unless you’re a lot stronger than them. Catch them from the flanks or from behind if you’re strong and clever enough.
These two kinds of villain don’t budge. I’ve known a lot of them. I know how they operate. It takes a lot to move the ones at rest and it takes a lot to change the course of the ones in motion. You can’t do either. Don’t try.
The third kind is the kind worth paying attention to and they’re the ones that are changing or that can change. Objects in motion stay in motion and objects at rest stay at rest and the times and situations to watch out for are when they change states.
The people bitching here don’t know enough and don’t have the power to handle any of that. Get stronger. Get smarter. Leave it to the people who know stuff to tell each group apart and to know when to handle things.
► New_Ohmstar
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
Like you?
You act like you’re the only one who understands the situation
What guarantee is there that they’re ever going to handle things?
People and institutions do what is easiest.
(P.S. Mlekk is only one deserving of badge. Cult of mlekk!)
► Ron_of_Couches
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
Adding articles, part III (Keeping to OP’s format):
Valkyrie Interviewed and Thread Link
Rising star in the Wardens. Exceptionally powerful, many references to the Green Maiden or something? Might harken back to before my time. She is asked directly about this in the interview and deflects.
Shepherd’s Crook and Thread Link (not many posts)
Team started up and fell apart. Reason why? One ex-nemesis and lover of the team leader was invited to the team. They went full yoko. Shepherds no more.
Endemic is the word.
► Mangled_Wings
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
Like me, New_Ohmstar. I have worked with more than twenty villains. I am a villain. When I give you recommendations about leaving sleeping dogs alone I am referring to myself. When I tell you that you want to get out of the way if I have something I want? Referring to myself.
I am not one of the leeches. I pay for my own apartment. I make no trouble. Yet. Yes I am talking to the heroes. They keep their eye on me and I keep my eye on them. There are other factors. This makes degrees of sense you are not equipped to comprehend. For now it is fine and you should take my word for it.
I’m aiming to get stronger. I’m aiming to get smarter. I am not the only one doing this. If you spend your time bitching on the internet instead of doing the same then you’re one of the imbeciles because things are changing and you will fall behind.
I can verify any of this if I must but I don’t know how as I am new to this site.
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 19th, Y1:
If you send me a private message, I can walk you through it. It would be faster to contact an active admin directly.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … 50, 51, 52
■
♦ Private Conversation with Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Mangled_Wings: You said you’d help.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Hello to you too.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Click on your username while reading any thread you’ve posted in. Go to the Help panel. There will be a list of options. Third box, second option, badge verification You might want to open a new window so you can go back from this convo to that
Mangled_Wings: It says import image.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Take a picture of yourself in costume and a piece of paper with your username on it. Connect phone or camera to computer. Find the image and select it, hit the ‘select’ button on the bottom corner of the window.
Mangled_Wings: I don’t have a phone or camera.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Does your computer have a camera built into the monitor?
Mangled_Wings: Yes.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: OS360?
Mangled_Wings: Yes. I think.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Draw the circle in the center of the desktop to open the radial menu. Hit ‘C’ and camera should be something visible. Open it, wait for your image to appear. You’ll want to be in costume. Hit space.
Mangled_Wings: It made a shutter sound.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You were in costume already?
Mangled_Wings: It’s fine.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Sure. You’ll find the picture in the ‘pictures’ bubble
Mangled_Wings: Thank you. I found it. I imported it. It wants me to put in a label before I hit select.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: ‘Villain’, I guess. I don’t know if you really want to do that. You might want to go ‘Cape’ if you want to fly under the radar. People are sore about villains these days.
Mangled_Wings: I don’t fly under the radar. I know what I am and I know what I’ll be, if I don’t die first. Thank you for the help. I respect this more than I respect the more self-pitying of the invertebrates out there.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Alright.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m unfortunately afflicted with desire to help people.
Mangled_Wings: A dire inflection, that.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: 0:) I don’t know if you’re at rest or moving or if you’re open to change, but you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Things will go smoother if you don’t call them invertebrates or imbeciles
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: And maybe stay at rest a little longer, given the chance?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I think they really need it
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: We all need it.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Also. It just occurred to me. If you connect at a library, you’ll want to delete the image before you go. Overwrite it once it is deleted to be sure.
Mangled_Wings: You kill more flies with vinegar in reality.
Mangled_Wings: A person can rest only so long. I’m restless.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: What a pity.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: Spend more time online. Geek out. Learn! Less time spent being bad!
Mangled_Wings: I am not averse to learning. We will see if there is any pity to be had.
Mangled_Wings: I am at a library. I will do that.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You can draw the circle and hit ‘o’ to find overwrite.
Mangled_Wings: I already found it. Thank you. Goodbye.
■
♦ Invitation to Group Conversation by Strange_Mammal
Strange_Mammal: aaaaand I think this is her…
Mangled_Wings: I’m here.
Strange_Mammal: we thought you’d be one of the stragglers
Mangled_Wings: I don’t straggle. At worst I am fashionably late.
Strange_Mammal: you said you hadn’t really used a computer before
Mangled_Wings: I hadn’t. I’m a fast learner.
Cap: this is A?
Strange_Mammal: it’s A…
Strange_Mammal: …we’re using first-letters to stay on down-low…
Strange_Mammal: …until we figure out what we’re doing
Cap: how long did it take to figure it out, A?
Mangled_Wings: Less than an hour. Mammal is?
Strange_Mammal: C.
Mangled_Wings: I see.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: !!! A!
Mangled_Wings: This would be K.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: i was viewing old videos and saw some vids of u
Mangled_Wings: I didn’t know I had any.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: so cool
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: so x-ited to b working with u.
Strange_Mammal: @ K / Heart_Shaped_Pupil…
Strange_Mammal: …type like a grown up…
Strange_Mammal: …my eyes are already bleeding
Cap: hahaha
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Got it!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: I’m saving vids. Show you at next face2face meet.
Mangled_Wings: Okay.
Cap: we still waiting on S & R
Strange_Mammal: they said they would have some trouble getting access
Cap: yes. I got to go. we check in again same time. hammer something out?
Mangled_Wings: Yes.
Strange_Mammal: I will keep an eye out for R & S
Cap has left the conversation.
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Downloading downloading…
Heart_Shaped_Pupil: Getting off chat to download faster. Bye!
Heart_Shaped_Pupil has left the conversation.
Mangled_Wings: Bye.
Mangled_Wings: Ah. That was fast.
Mangled_Wings: I’ll go too.
Strange_Mammal: fyi?
Mangled_Wings: I don’t know this word.
Strange_Mammal: for your information…
Strange_Mammal: …others can see time you spend online on your profile. you spent longer than one hour…
Strange_Mammal: …you’ve been online all day.
Mangled_Wings: I am at the library. Something to do with that, I’d think.
Strange_Mammal: it doesn’t work that way. I am 95% sure.
Strange_Mammal: there is no need to lie, A
Strange_Mammal: the reason for this project is supposed to be we know each other
Strange_Mammal: K will find out if she does not already know. she pays attention to those things
Mangled_Wings: If you are 95% sure there is still 5% chance you are wrong. Assume you are wrong before you get on my bad side.
Mangled_Wings: You do not want to get on my bad side.
Strange_Mammal: ok
You have left the conversation.
Glow-worm – P.2
Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.
You are currently logged in, Capricorn
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■
♦ Topic: Info & Update
In: Boards ► Teams ► Reach (Private)
Moonsong
Posted on August 18th, Y1:
PHO is back on and they are letting the chats run. That’s where we usually meet, but I’ve been warned it’s choppy and slow. I’ll be there.
This took me three hours to just get started with. It’s hard.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I inform you that Coiffure did pass. When Gold Morning arrived, we suspected something might have happened, given the reports. She was killed in one of the initial strikes on the East coast. She was a friend, a teammate, and she was a true hero. She elevated others around her to be better people by the standards she lived by.
Coiffure is survived by only her father. Her mother was one of my favorite adults. She was kind, she was cool, and she was a genuinely good mom to Coiffure. When we went back to school in the fall, she gave us really cool back to school supplies. It remains in my memory as one of the most randomly nice things a relative stranger has done for me.
You’ll also remember her siblings Arthur and Cal, though you might not remember their names. When the family came by, Arthur would be the one curled up in the big chair near the front desk, with one of his game things. Cal would be watching over his big brother’s shoulder. I always thought it was hilarious how uninterested they were in capes.
We can expect they all died instantaneously. I’ve talked to Coiffure’s father. I would suggest that if you happen to run into him, leave him be. He doesn’t want reminders.
Furcate decided to fight on that monumental day and that says so much when not everyone was brave enough to do that. Furcate was wild and tortured and beautiful. They were a handful and yet they rewarded us with ten positive things for every negative we had to overcome. I’d like to think they got something out of putting up with us in much the same way.
I want what I say here to be honest. I did not get along with Furcate the vast majority of the time. Furcate did not get along with me. I still respected them immensely. They said one word for every thousand the rest of us said and yet they could convey so much in their actions. I keep saying those things, using math like ‘ten times over’, but it’s so very Furcate. They overflowed, they swelled. The cup runneth over. I look back and I’m dazed by how much of a place they found in my heart and my thoughts.
It might be crass to say, but I don’t know if anyone’s going to have words for them. Scritch and Scratch were the closest thing we had to a nemesis. They had their scummy moments. They also kept to the rules. They were killed during one of the lulls in the fighting, by a group I won’t name.
The fates of Tribute, Boundless, Capricorn and Steamwheel are yet unknown. I hope you guys are okay.
I’m alive, obviously. Figurehead is alive but you all should know his issues with being controlled. The events really shook him. He’s retired in large part, he’ll be doing something capey, but he’s said he isn’t coming on PHO. He asked me to wish you all the best.
(Showing Page 1 of 1)
No Replies.
End of Page 1.
■
Connecting to “pChat.ParahumansOnline.TeamReach(6667)” (Attempt 90)
Resolving Host Name
Connecting…
Connected.
Using identity “Cap”
Welcome to Team Reach Private Chat. Forum thread.
[Click here to see messages older than 3 days.]
[Old Message: A16 22:24] Moonsong has joined the chat.
[Old Message: A16 22:53] Moonsong has changed the chat topic: Welcome to Team Reach Private Chat. List of Alive & Dead.
[Old Message: A16 23:20] Moonsong: Post made in the forum. I only mentioned the team members. See topic links for the staff members and others I know about.
[Old Message: A17 1:03] Moonsong: I’ve edited the post to add Scritch and Scratch.
[Old Message: A17 4:15] Moonsong has left the chat.
[Old Message: A17 10:15] Moonsong has joined the chat.
[Old Message: A18 2:01] Moonsong has left the chat.
[Old Message: A18 9:50] Moonsong has joined the chat.
[A18 11:04:20] Cap has joined the chat.
[A18 11:04:25] Cap: hey
[A18 11:06:43] Moonsong: Hi Tristan
[A18 11:06:55] Cap: haha. every time.
[A18 11:07:07] Cap: The universe has a dark sense of humor, it seems.
[A18 11:07:09] Moonsong: I’m glad you’re alive, Tristan
[A18 11:07:12] Moonsong: I suppose it does.
[A18 11:07:30] Cap: i’m glad you’re alive too
[A18 11:07:34] Cap: believe it or not
[A18 11:08:11] Moonsong: Were you there?
[A18 11:08:44] Cap: was dragged into it. glad I was though.
[A18 11:09:01] Moonsong: *nods*
[A18 11:09:01] Moonsong: How is your brother?
[A18 11:09:16] Cap: doing well as can be expected
[A18 11:11:47] Moonsong: And your family? Your parents? I liked them when I saw them.
[A18 11:12:00] Cap: alive. we’re in the city. they’re trying to come to terms with things
[A18 11:12:35] Cap: things are really coming together like crazy. new skyscrapers every day, new stores. good and almost like a city in Earth Bet but it isn’t really home
[A18 11:15:08] Moonsong: It isn’t. We’re in the city too.
[A18 11:16:17] Cap: You and your folks? they’reokay?
[A18 11:17:40] Moonsong: They’re good. Dad is taking a shot at mayor or councilman. We’ll see what happens.
[A18 11:17:59] Cap: good for him. thriving?
[A18 11:22:55] Moonsong: nobody is thriving these days. but he’s in his element
[A18 11:23:24] Cap: some are thriving. we’re all playing nice. truce in full effect. masterminds and chessmasters are having a ball out there. guarantee it
[A18 11:25:31] Moonsong: I suppose we’ll see.
[A18 11:28:40] Cap: I read your post, btw
[A18 11:28:42] Cap: good words
[A18 11:28:45] Cap: kudos
[A18 11:28:50] Moonsong: Thank you.
[A18 11:29:27] Cap: I’m surprised you’re here though
[A18 11:29:35] Cap: is Reach still a thing?
[A18 11:29:56] Moonsong: I consider the others friends and teammates.
[A18 11:30:11] Moonsong: I consider myself a member of Reach
[A18 11:30:33] Cap: I get that
[A18 11:30:35] Cap: doesn’t answer my question
[A18 11:30:40] Cap: will it carry on? what happens?
[A18 11:43:50] Moonsong: It won’t. I don’t think so anyway. There’s a lot of hero teams out there and its hard for a sponsored team to get traction even without people feeling betrayed.
[A18 11:44:02] Cap: yeah
[A18 11:46:14] Moonsong: A lot of teams are gathering under the Wardens. PRT-like. They’re walking a fine line between emulating PRT and being PRT. Lots of teams under the umbrella. I’m not sure it’s working. I don’t know if I want to get on board with that. I don’t know if the others would.
[A18 11:46:23] Cap: that’s fair
[A18 11:47:50] Moonsong: I will always be a member of Reach. Even if the team has dissolved.
[A18 11:48:42] Cap: I like that
[A18 11:48:53] Cap: since when were you so good with words?
[A18 11:50:37] Moonsong: Since when did you pay attention to anyone but yourself?
[A18 11:50:43] Cap: …
[A18 11:51:12] Moonsong: ?
[A18 11:52:36] Cap: 45 minutes of something approaching civility has to be a record for us
[A18 11:52:57] Moonsong: I see. Yes. It could be.
[A18 11:53:06] Cap: I would have liked to keep that streak going
[A18 11:53:20] Cap: oh well
[A18 11:54:31] Moonsong: Are you well, Tristan?
[A18 11:55:21] Cap: I see we’re going straight to the barbs
[A18 11:56:32] Moonsong: No barbs. I genuinely want to know.
[A18 11:57:14] Cap: how uncharacteristicaly nice of you
[A18 11:58:23] Moonsong: Do I need to worry about you?
[A18 11:58:45] Cap: no
[A18 11:58:56] Cap: you “helped” more than enough
[A18 12:00:19] Moonsong: I don’t know.
[A18 12:01:08] Cap: don’t you?
[A18 12:02:07] Moonsong: I’ve spent a lot of time hoping you died.
[A18 12:03:34] Cap: WOW
[A18 12:03:58] Cap: geez
[A18 12:04:06] Moonsong: *shrug*
[A18 12:05:27] Cap: geez. there is no humanity in there at all is there?
[A18 12:05:51] Cap: just takes the world to end beforeI get a glimpse of the real you
[A18 12:06:45] Moonsong: Lets not pretend, Tristan.
[A18 12:07:01] Cap: pretend what?
[A18 12:07:42] Cap: you decided you hated me before you ever got to know me
[A18 12:08:37] Cap: you’re really your fathers daughter. two-faced. anyone reading between the lines can see what you really thought about furcate
[A18 12:10:39] Moonsong: I meant what I wrote.
[A18 12:11:47] Cap: a thinly veiled outline of furcates many problems
[A18 12:11:56] Cap: you couldn’t resist saying you didn’t like them
[A18 12:11:23] Moonsong: Are you done?
[A18 12:12:13] Cap: you made furcate more miserable than anyone
[A18 12:12:26] Moonsong: Apparently not
[A18 12:12:29] Cap: you never once tried to understand them just like you never once tried to understand me
[A18 12:13:12] Cap: you had your notions of how everyone was supposed to behave
[A18 12:13:36] Cap: how everyone was supposed to be
[A18 12:13:45] Cap: you know what they call people who come to judgment about people before they have the facts?
[A18 12:14:19] Cap: the label applies, moonsong
[A18 12:14:29] Cap: you wedged yourself into a situation you didn’t understand and you made it so much worse
[A18 12:14:48] Cap: what guts me is you think you were right to do it.
[A18 12:16:39] Moonsong: I didn’t like furcate. I did love and respect him as a teammate.
[A18 12:16:51] Moonsong: I damn well held him at the end. For a long time. I talked to him the entire time.
[A18 12:18:23] Moonsong: Motherfucker.
[A18 12:18:41] Moonsong: I’m crying now.
[A18 12:19:04] Moonsong: And no. I don’t know if I was right, Tristan.
[A18 12:20:08] Cap: moonsong admitting she might be wrong? Did the world end or something?
[A18 12:21:12] Moonsong: Go fuck yourself, Tristan. That wound is too fresh.
[A18 12:22:13] Cap: …
[A18 12:22:24] Cap: yeah
[A18 12:22:29] Cap: I’ll own up to that
[A18 12:23:43] Moonsong: You’re admitting you’re wrong? What happened to you in these past few years?
[A18 12:23:50] Cap: not enough. not nearly enough.
[A18 12:24:48] Moonsong: Guess not. What a shame.
[A18 12:25:23] Cap: that wound is fresh in its own way
[A18 12:25:56] Cap: just so you know
[A18 12:26:54] Moonsong: Alright.
[A18 12:27:45] Cap: fuck
[A18 12:28:20] Cap: this is a mess. we should keep our distance
[A18 12:29:17] Moonsong: Do I need to come after you?
[A18 12:30:38] Cap: no
[A18 12:30:57] Cap: fuck you. no
[A18 12:31:40] Cap: what the fuck was that about not thinking you were right?
[A18 12:31:48] Cap: don’t answer that. do me a favor and shut up for a second.
[A18 12:32:00] Cap: ====——====——====——====——====
[A18 12:32:24] Cap: members of reach – don’t scroll up past this line
[A18 12:32:37] Cap: its just moonsong and i being shitty at each other
[A18 12:33:23] Cap: if you joined the team after I left you probably won’t get it
[A18 12:34:44] Cap: Furcate –azúcar- you were one of my favorite
[A18 12:35:17] Cap: those days were some of my best and some of my worst
[A18 12:36:11] Cap: you were some of the best parts of the best days
[A18 12:38:21] Cap: Coif– after everything that happened I thought I might not want to be a hero anymore
[A18 12:39:50] Cap: your example is the only reason I still want to
[A18 12:39:55] Cap: you were one of the good few
[A18 12:40:44] Cap: to the rest who aren’t here— be well
[A18 12:41:09] Cap: …
[A18 12:41:41] Cap: I’m better at saying stuff in person.
[A18 12:42:12] Moonsong: I’ll let the others know you said it.
[A18 12:42:18] Cap: Thanks
[A18 12:45:06] Moonsong: Tristan.
[A18 12:46:48] Cap: yeah?
[A18 12:48:41] Moonsong: When I said I was wrong in how I handled things?
[A18 12:49:19] Moonsong: I wonder every day if I should have gone further and killed you.
[A18 12:51:40] Cap: lovely
[A18 12:51:48] Cap: you had to spoil it.
[A18 12:52:06] Cap has disconnected.
■
Connecting to “4’&{N8\<v%369ZAM”
Resolving Host Name
Connecting…
Connected.
Using identity “3A::u@T_Enki”
No Topic Set
X29V5n: you’re the latino kid?
3A::u@T_Enki: yeah. how does this work?
X29V5n: You into memorabilia then?
3A::u@T_Enki: sure. memorabilia. I miss my old collection
X29V5n: The person who referred you should have explained most of it
3A::u@T_Enki: some
X29V5n: Let’s say you’re into commemorative plates. Plate with a hero or a villian’s face on it. You care a lot about the plate and its delivery
3A::u@T_Enki: sure
X29V5n: We ensure you get the result you want.
X29V5n: Insurance
3A::u@T_Enki: sounds like just what I need
X29V5n: We offer tiers. Different tiers for various degrees of thoroughness.
3A::u@T_Enki: can you give me a quick rundown?
X29V5n: Most basic tier, you throw a few hundred our way, depending on who is involved, who we put forward and who you expect is going to need to hear it, words. We talk, we let them know we’re serious about wanting X, Y & Z. No hassle. We throw our weight around a bit. Yeah?
3A::u@T_Enki: yeah
X29V5n: Maybe you want to ensure that plate ends up in the most ideal condition. A thousand or a few thousand covers a bit of roughing up. Scratch on the face, scuffing, the sort of thing that can be fixed up.
3A::u@T_Enki: can we maybe not talk about commemorative plates? maybe action figures? plates make me think of my abuela
X29V5n: If you want more coverage for your action figures, depending if we’re talking b-lister or a-lister or something bigger, we might be talking upwards of five, ten thou for more severe damage. Ruined leg, arm, the sort of damage to the face that would take an expert to restore.
3A::u@T_Enki: getting pretty steep
X29V5n: We’re talking cape shit. It’s in high demand, limited supply. Prices climb.
3A::u@T_Enki: just observing. is there a higher tier? what’s the highest tier?
X29V5n: Highest tier covers complete and total destruction. Pulling out all the stops. Starts at twenty thou, but I gotta warn you, the sky is the limit.
3A::u@T_Enki: that sounds good
X29V5n: Good.
3A::u@T_Enki: would you be willing to let me pay half upfront? we’d keep you guys in reserve? particulars get complicated
X29V5n: We work with complicated. Yes. That could be workable.
X29V5n: We will need to negotiate pricing. Did they tell you how to send the image of the product?
3A::u@T_Enki: u5zxN8wEXAKpbBeqzvzy.i
X29V5n: Perfect.
X29V5n: No wait.
X29V5n: You got the instructions very wrong, kid.
3A::u@T_Enki: it’s fine
X29V5n: You’re sure? There’s something deeply wrong with this.
3A::u@T_Enki: why don’t we meet for the rest? I’ll send you the first half now
3A::u@T_Enki: there
X29V5n: Alright. Let’s talk meeting places.
■
Connecting to “pChat.ParahumansOnline.TeamReach(6667)” (Attempt 80)
Resolving Host Name
Connecting…
Connected.
Using identity “Cap”
Welcome to Team Reach Private Chat. Forum thread.
Could not load chat archive. Click here to try again.
[A18 22:08:16] Cap has joined the chat.
[A18 22:08:31] Cap: hey
[A18 22:09:43] Tribute: Fuck me
[A18 22:10:51] Moonsong: It’s fine. Don’t stress.
[A18 22:11:22] Cap: hi moo – wish I knew how you did that
[A18 22:12:45] Moonsong: Hi boo. How are you doing?
[A18 22:13:18] Cap: doing okay. just had a very surreal experience talking to a certain kind of professional.
[A18 22:14:20] Moonsong: That’s good to hear, I think.
[A18 22:14:33] Tribute: ?
[A18 22:15:21] Moonsong: Best not to talk about it, though.
[A18 22:16:30] Cap: yeah
[A18 22:17:55] Moonsong: I’ve missed you terribly, boo. We should catch up.
[A18 22:18:18] Cap: I want to
[A18 22:18:30] Cap: I don’t know if we should
[A18 22:19:34] Moonsong: *nods*
[A18 22:19:51] Cap: I just wanted to say hi
[A18 22:20:00] Cap: maybe bye
[A18 22:20:09] Cap: ask you not to come after me or anything
[A18 22:21:58] Moonsong: *nods*
[A18 22:23:10] Moonsong: So long as the professional you hired has it covered.
[A18 22:23:50] Cap: yeah. covered
Glow-worm – P.1
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■
♦ Topic: We’re Back Online
In: Boards ► Parahumans Online
Hope_In_Pithos (Admin)
Posted on August 15th, Y1:
To call the efforts of everyone involved heroic would be grossly understating things. This IT project required the efforts of seventy eight PHO staff members, employees of Stateside Online, former officials of the US government, former members of the United States space program, members of international space programs, the Guild (Masamune in particular), and numerous independent experts and volunteers. At a time when we’re all stretched thin and there is an incredible amount of work still to be done, seven hundred and eight individuals devoted spare time and valuable resources to get us and six other partners online.
Things will be clunky and frustrating. For most, with congestion being what it is, things will be slow enough that people can get a cup of coffee and come back to find the page hasn’t fully loaded. We’ve stripped away a bit of the polish and the gloss: the header images, badge graphics and the ability to include video or images are gone for now, to keep things simple and easy. We will be moderating very carefully to ensure nobody disrupts anyone’s ability to access the site. It will be painful. Help each other, be patient, and contribute the best you can.
In so many ways, things will be frustrating, slow, and painful. Care, helpfulness, patience, and contribution will make literal worlds of difference. In so many ways.
But we’re back. Stay tuned for bigger, better things. Bear with us as we sort through it all.
(Showing Page 34 of 34)
► I♥Lethe
Replied on August 16th, Y1:
@ Dgators – Generally, you want to be careful because you won’t get any updates to OS360 or other PC OSes, no patches to your phone. There is no tech support and there is little recourse for anyone hit with malware. Plausibly there’s a lot of desperate people out there who see that the defenses are down and we’re in early days. It’s probably easier for someone to come up with new means of attack than it is for anyone to roll out a proper patch. Presumably if they wanted to infect systems or get access they would want to do it now when it would probably let them get access to things that follow.
► KillDestroyKiss (Library)
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
Library project is moving ahead! Plenty of people brought laptops and phones and we’re piecing things together by loading from cache. It is more zombie net than real net but we’re finding things. There are more coming but people want to delete their search histories before they hand their computers over. Because porn.
Downside is now a lot more people know about the net access at the library. Hours-long wait times Q.Q
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
I have access through the portal at the east of the city. When I go through I’ve been doing loops through the old neighborhoods to see what I can scrounge up. If you need something to fill major gaps I can try looking. If not, I’m going to see if I can round off my collection. Would be nice to have a good excuse if I get accused of smuggling or looting tho
► boaty5
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
what collection?
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
Any/all of: Masque/Costumes Under Clothes/Heroine/Shine On
► boaty5
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
fuck that. I regret asking. screw the capes. screw everything about celebrating the capes. they. failed. us.
Site administrators discussed this post. We’re leaving up the first half as we feel it is important for people to process and address these feelings and sentiments. We’ve removed the second half (personal insults) and delivered one infraction.
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
[Edit: removed this myself- I decided I don’t really want to get into this]
► boaty5
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
just because I’m on a site about capes doesn’t mean I like them. it means I recognize how important they are to what happened and what happens next
► KillDestroyKiss (Library)
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
Hm! @ Point_Me_@_The_Sky – We’re looking to get everything we can recorded digitally. Would you be okay with letting us scan your collection? You’re in the city?
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
100%. I can bring it to your library. PM me with location & times good for you. Information is too important
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … 32, 33, 34
■
♦ Topic: [Headline] Refugees Barred Access
In: Boards ► World News ► Main
Boo-chan
Posted on August 17th, Y1:
[Transcribed from print] Conrad James Freed and his family could tell a harrowing tale of their trip across Earth Bet’s America. They have finally reached the Northeastern Bet-Gimel portal, hearing rumor of wait times, only to be told there is a possibility they may not be allowed in at all.
They had been driving, hitchhiking and hiking for four months.
“They aren’t giving us answers,” he told Bulletin News on Saturday.
Their family had been trying to subsist on their rural property in Wisconsin when the weather took a turn for the worse. Though it was June, Conrad says he saw snow falling on the fields where he had planted the first crop of the season.
Two days later, there would be a knock at his door. Authorities had flown over and saw the lights of his house. They warned him the snowfall and the groundwater was contaminated. It would be the last straw, as the unseasonably cold weather had cut into the already thin initial harvest.
Conrad says the authorities wanted him and his family to leave right away. “They didn’t give us a chance to pack. One of the men even grabbed my daughter. He bruised her wrist, he held her so hard. I promised I would cooperate if he would only give us five minutes. I was in shock.”
He and his wife decided to make the harrowing trip to the nearest portal without the assistance of authorities, a decision he says he made on the spur of the moment, after the manhandling of his daughter and the manner in which he was forced from his home. “I came to regret that decision.”
Conrad’s story is far from unique. Evacuation is still underway even two years and two months after Gold Morning. Where things took a turn for the worse for Conrad and his family, and where an undisclosed change in policy may affect uncountable refugees from Earth Bet, is that the border agents have apparently ceased processing refugees.
Tensions are rising and as the number of people in the refugee settlement slowly climbs and resources are stretched thinner, people are speaking out. Conrad says, “We know there is more than enough space on the other side. We see people coming and going but they won’t let us through or even meet us to answer our questions. We’re willing to settle outside of the city. I know agriculture and I know they desperately need farmers. Even if they give us a minimum of supplies and tools, it has to be better than this.”
Bulletin News reached out to authorities and received no response.
–Thoughts? Anyone know what was up?
(Showing Page 19 of 20)
► K.G. Ray (City: West Point)
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
They’re letting people through again now, and they’re letting a lot through. Speculation might have been right. Article might have been more about political pressure than anything else.
► Geronimo
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
Official word is that they wanted to pause and get organized so they could double the number of people coming through. Doesn’t make a lot of sense when it comes to their silence until now.
► Nakyak (Cape Geek)
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
lots of capes stationed at the portal.
some thinkers like Squint and Danger Zone are there.
pretty sure if you watch how they rotate in and out there will always be one thinker on duty.
screening refugees?
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1:
@ Nakyak – could be. Could be that it means less need for pain in the ass background checks with internet running at 33K. Danger Zone sees likelihood a person commits violence to each and every person around them, recency, flavor of violence. Squint sees contraband, possible other hazards. Skip background check, move people along.
► Boosher
Replied on August 17th, Y1
Speaking of security, there was another thread where someone said something about rock & a hard place? It’s apparently being talked about a lot among the refugees.
► Nutty
Replied on August 17th, Y1
@ Boosher – This article, search for Nancy Y’s statement. People traveling across the US to get to portals are being warned about multiple threats. Word on the capevine is that with everyone having pulled out, all former quarantine zones are breached. In the US and elsewhere. Nilbog is the one everyone knows about. He’s in custody, his children aren’t. If you’re paying attention to hero groups and their movements, they’re making lots of trips out. They’re tired and people say they’re aloof.
I say they’re fighting a hard fight and they’re keeping their distance from public and media because they don’t want us to know it.
► boaty5
Replied on August 17th, Y1
they don’t want to tell us a lot of things. what even happened? the world ended and nobody is willing to explain.
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky
Replied on August 17th, Y1
@ Boosher – a big part of what was being talked about in other similar articles was the threat of bandits, bad weather, the wasteland and chasms, unstoppable robot armies, the food shortages. Edit: Nutty beat me to it. Slow internet sucks. I think boaty is a good example of why they’re aloof. People want to assign blame. Assign the blame to the man who did this. In times of crisis, look to the people who are helping. Support them or try to be one of them.
► ✘ [Post removed & user infracted]
► Deepwell5
Replied on August 17th, Y1
I agree for the most part, Point@, but it’s more complicated than that. I gotta side with boaty. We made a covenant with the capes. We put up with a lot. In exchange, they were supposed to protect us. It’s pretty clear they didn’t. Maybe it was impossible. That’s fine. But let’s not ignore that they broke their end of the contract. Let’s not ignore that the PRT is gone, we no longer have non-capes in charge of them, and they have more proportional power than ever. Let’s not ignore that they’re making a new PRT without any of the key rules that defined the last one. Less communication, no oversight.
I’m scared. You should be too.
► DonJon
Replied on August 17th, Y1
Amen
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … 18, 19, 20
■
♦ Private Messages from Glitzglam:
Glitzglam: u cant engage with them. u gotta let it lie.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: I’m worried what happens if the wrong ideas get traction.
Glitzglam: So am I. Im more worried about u. Thought u might need pep talk.
Glitzglam: Have u got that email yet?
Glitzglam: ? ? ?
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: If this is a pep talk it isn’t a very good one.
Glitzglam: Thats a no huh? fuck
Glitzglam: u right though
Glitzglam: I hate typing on phone. Ice cream or coffee. I pep talk u in person. When u can fit it into cray schedule
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: You’re a beautiful person. Yes. Sounds nice. Soon
Glitzglam: We can talk about how gang is getting together for big shebang and what a disaster it will be.
Point_Me_@_The_Sky: you’re doing the terrible pep talk thing again. :0
Glitzglam *New Message*: 😮 :0 😮
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Worm 