Network; @XXDARK_STARXX

[omniavincit]

WHO: William and WHATEVER STUPID HANDLE YOUR CHARACTER IS USING
WHAT: Breaking in the network.
WHERE: The information...two-lane country road.
WHEN: Whenever you like (pre- or post-event...or lmao during...is fine)!

[ If one of the handles William selected at random from his phone's perplexing contacts list belongs to you, congratulations! That device you slipped in your pocket? Or squinted at in confusion? Or immediately fumbled, if you're William and can't seem to shake your current spell of bad luck?

It makes a noise. ]

FROM: @xxDARK_STARxx

What do the shadows look like to you?

Comments

[omniavincit]

I was eaten by one. [ But enough about him. ]

Ever feel like it's watching you?

[calculo]

You were...eaten by a spider? One of your shadow spiders or another kind?

( shit, how big did spiders get in this person's world that they were eating people now? )

I always feel like I'm being watched.

[omniavincit]

Not here. It's a long story. [ One he's not averse to telling, but it's not terribly on-topic. ]

Were you on the run? Before.

[calculo]

I get it.

( seems like there were several long stories floating around these parts. )

Depends on what you mean by on the run. I wasn't exactly safe, no. But, no one was dumb enough to try and chase me.

( well, not anymore. not now that they knew who he was and what he could do. )

[omniavincit]

I hope not. [ It gets a shaky laugh out of him, though. ]

That's very mysterious. [ Under other circumstances, he'd think it was for show, but there's a straightforward confidence in the way this other person speaks. ] You don't sound proud of it.

[calculo]

I'm not.

( but it was what it was. )

You found any way to affect your spider shadows?

[omniavincit]

Light only makes them stand out more. They don't care about music.

(Not mine, the radio's.)

Have you tried anything?

[calculo]

To beat them? Swung something metal at them. Didn't work.

Not sure what else to try.

[omniavincit]

[ "Something metal." How absurdly vague—could be a crowbar, could be a broadsword. William thinks about pressing him, but lets it lie for now.

It's interesting, the way he leaves these gaping holes when he could just lie. ] Beating them isn't really my goal. Not unless they start hurting people. Anyway, how do you beat a void?

What are you open to?

[calculo]

Just about anything.

I'm pretty resilient but I'd rather not be a guinea pig to see what a shadow can do to a person.

You have somethin' in mind?

[omniavincit]

I have about half an idea. Give me a little time.

I'll be there too. [ "I wouldn't," he types, then deletes it. What's an assurance from a stranger? ] I'm William.

[calculo]

Robbie.

Would say it's a pleasure but that'd be a lie. Nothing against you, it's this place.

[omniavincit]

[ He coughs out a surprised laugh—he wasn't expecting a name at all, much less something so innocuous. ]

Yeah.

I haven't seen a single person since I got here.

[calculo]

I've seen one or two people. But, haven't seen anyone in awhile. It's not just you and me, if that helps.

[omniavincit]

It does. No offense.

Were they in rough shape?

[calculo]

The other people? A few of them. No one was dying but they could do with a doctor. That's one thing I haven't seen yet.

[omniavincit]

You're leaving a lot to the imagination.

I know first aid and a few tricks. Not enough.

Where'd you come from?

[calculo]

You mean before this? Los Angeles.

If you're talking immediately before this, I don't know. Some building.