NETWORK | VIDEO

[mrsklover]

[The message starts off with nothing but darkness for a few long seconds. It's quiet and still until, finally, a groan comes through. Another one follows behind it and the video shifts to show it apparently just pressed into the dirt.]

Fuck...

[The video turns again, whipping around as the person holding the comm seems to drop it a few times before finally righting it, camera facing the wrong way.]

How does...fucking... Shit...

[It falls again but then is lifted back up, turned around, and at long last the owner is shown: Richie Tozier squints at the device almost like he's in pain. Which...yeah. Sort of.]

Uh... Hey everyone... [He scratches his head.] You ever get the feeling like you missed something? Or a few somethings?

Comments

[text]

[buildingitsir]

<sub>[York looks at the device from where he's sitting in his warehouse, wondering who the fuck this was. How lame did you have to be to struggle with the communicator of all things?

Then it shows Richie's face and York freezes for a moment. Then fingers fly over the keyboard with that android precision.]</sub>

richie? where the fuck have you been? didn't think finding wallpaper would take that long, holy shit.

Audio

[plate_builder]

Well well well, look who's back from getting cigarettes.

[mrsklover]

[York. Oh, God, he is glad to see a familiar face so fast. And just as snarky as ever. Gotta love this kid.]

All the stores were out! Then I tried going to art school so I could make my own but my vision just wasn't appreciated. Some people can splatter tomato soup on a canvas and be a genius but when I cut up a few museum paintings for a collage...

No, but for real. I have no idea where I was. How long have I been gone?

Video

[crystalmaster]

... Hey, are you okay?

[mrsklover]

The corner shop didn't have my brand. Had to try Siberia.

How many games of catch do I need to catch up on?

[mrsklover]

[He rubs at his head, wincing a little. ] My head hurts? And I kinda feel like someone hit me with a baseball bat a few dozen times. But I'm alive?

[crystalmaster]

What was going on before you ended up here?!

[Although he's doubtful it will be remembered, judging from the phrasing of that response.]

[plate_builder]

[Richie, what in Minerva's name is a 'Siberia'?]

I suppose I shall have to leave that answer to Richie and Mini. My own throwing arm is rather underwhelming.

[mrsklover]

Uh...

[He tries to focus his memory. All that comes back is sludge.]

Any chance it was a big, black void? Like was that just...the weather today?

[mrsklover]

Eh. Pass. I am getting to the age where any wrong move can probably fracture something. I'll just stay a deadbeat.

[He pauses and sobers up a little.]

So. It's been awhile?

[crystalmaster]

... Well, it wasn't the weather here, anyway.

[mrsklover]

Shit.

[Oh well. So much for that.]

I don't know where the fuck I was, then. Maybe nowhere.

[plate_builder]

Months, my friend. It's April near as we can tell.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley winces, but doesn't comment.]

Well ... welcome back? I can take you to the hospital if you want.

[mrsklover]

April?!

[Holy shit... What the fuck happened?]

Okay. The therapy sessions just got a lot more interesting.

[mrsklover]

No...No.

Unless they serve booze there, I have other plans.

[plate_builder]

Yes, I presume they would. Actually, May is imminent. You're quite delayed in the latest session I'm sorry to say. And things happened in the blizzard that no doubt warrant sessions.

[crystalmaster]

... You really think you're in any shape for booze right now?

[mrsklover]

Blizzard?

Fuck, Reeve. What the fuck happened while I was gone?

[mrsklover]

[He squints a little and then laughs.]

Ha! Sorry, we haven't met, have we?

My shape is specially made for booze. I am like an alcohol puzzle piece.

[plate_builder]

So much, Richie. So very much. How about I brew up the end of this month's batch of replicated coffee, and you fetch something from the Diner. Most of those working there now are newer so you should be able to get in and out without too much gossip if that speedy young man is not around.

[crystalmaster]

Yeah, I don't think so. I'm Radley.

Heh. Well, if you say so.

[Radley isn't a doctor and won't push, although he is still feeling very WTH about this decision if the guy is serious about going out to drink right now.]

[mrsklover]

[He nods mildly, feeling equal parts stunned and confused. The Diner. Sure.]

Yeah. Sure. You want something specific or should I just go for a Grand Slam? [ He waves Reeve off before he could get confused by the reference. Something tells him Denny's isn't universal. ] Bad joke. Nevermind. But if you want something, yeah. Let me know.

I might pick up some red fruits too. Coffee is good but something tells me I should have something stronger on hand.

[mrsklover]

I've done a lot worse to this body than fuck up the liver immediately after a black out. [ Sure most of that left him in a rehab and none of it is exactly a brag. But Radley doesn't need to know that. ]

I'm Richie. Richie Tozier. Boring, normal human from Boring-Earth-Plus-One-Alien-Demon-Clown-With-A-Hankerin'-For-Children.

[crystalmaster]

Hey, it's your body.

... So where did an alien demon clown come from?

[Hopefully this isn't his version of Earth.... Although his version sure comes with some weird baggage too.]