[IC CONTACT]

[photophobic]

You should know where to find me.
But if you leave a message here, I will see it.

Comments

[photophobic]

[Does Kylo sound just a little more... satisfied? Confident?]

Well. I am just a mindreader. Which is like being an observer, isn't it? But more focused. More... intimate. Personal.

[timestones]

So how does that work? How do you map a mind? Is it in coherent sentences? In images? Memories? Is it through feelings? In a moment, or stretch out? How do you just read minds?

[photophobic]

Do you think in coherent sentences?

[timestones]

If you can do that across a device, why don't you give it a shot now and find out?

[photophobic]

If I could exert my power over the Network my enemies really would be in trouble, wouldn't they.

[timestones]

And is that what you think I am? Your enemy?

[photophobic]

I'm suggesting the Network might be a lot quieter, if I had the ability to use it as a conduit for my will.

Unless I am far more tolerant than they expect.

[timestones]

Probably best for everyone that isn't the case after all. You wouldn't just have to deal with what's put out on the network, but all the additional brain-noise.

[photophobic]

Mm. I would have to deal with it. [He... can't resist.] Wouldn't I.
But perhaps it's not so different from being an observer, as you are. Do you see all the outcome-noise? Or do you have to look for it.

[timestones]

I try and save that particular party trick for key events like New Years and the end of the world, so no, I don't see all the outcome-noise outside of very specific contexts.

But keep that under your proverbial hat, I like to appear as mystical and all-knowing as possible.

[photophobic]

Difficult, isn't it.

The quiet. More than the noise.

[timestones]

Different, not difficult. Now, at any rate.

But I don't think what we experience is the same thing.

[photophobic]

I wasn't talking about me.

[timestones]

[Stephen huffs a quiet laugh.]

Touché.

Do you feel like you're getting some secrets now?

[photophobic]

[There is a very definite smile in Kylo's voice now, slow and satisfied.]

I don't often work blind. But I think... I'm beginning to get the measure of you. Yes.

[timestones]

Well, we all start somewhere. Or think we do.

[photophobic]

Mm. And some of us don't like to stay at the beginning for very long. Tired of your housemates already?

[timestones]

Am I expected to bring them everywhere with me? I’d have to answer some awkward questions at the kids’ parties if that’s the case.

[photophobic]

[Really now. Kylo's just going to pretend he didn't even hear that attempt at deflection, considering you chose to contact him via audio feed on purpose, Stephen.]

What was it was about exploring your new home that reminded you to contact me, I wonder.

[timestones]

Multitasking.

[photophobic]

Having so many dangerous individuals in one reality must make it difficult. To choose which to observe.

[Which is absolutely a deliberate swerve back to pour scorn on the rest of the imPort community, who are clearly not so observant. Or discerning. Kylo's disdain is not at all subtle.]

... though it seems you might be the only one to have grasped the threat.

[timestones]

That selection process really is the least of my occupational hazards. Have you ever tried to clear interdimensional hex fungus from old heating pipes? Now that is difficult. And disgusting, I might add.

[There's a lot going on here and flippancy is a tactical choice for Stephen here, and not for his emotional preservation.]

The threat?

[photophobic]

[Why anyone would bother doing anything with heating pipes is beyond Kylo. Which is fine, as he's not particularly interested in following the diversion anyway.]

Any threat. You've seen it. They fixate on an irrelevant detail and miss the wider movement. And even when warned of a real and present danger. Even when their failure to engage with it has visible consequences. Instead of learning from the experience, they forget. They ignore or reject anything that doesn't provide evidence to support their own beliefs. Their own priorities.

But you're talking to me. So. We both know which threat I mean.

[timestones]

You're right, I have seen it, but it's not a reaction that's unique to this world. None of us as immune to feeling denial and refusing to accept what is in front of us.

To your earlier point, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to notice, but it was my job to protect my reality back home. I see no reason to alter that now.

So yes, I am aware of several potential threats. And considering who I am talking to, yes, that is one I'm also aware of.

But that wasn't expressly why I contacted you today.

[photophobic]

How do you protect reality if you refuse to do anything.