[Network] username: leonskennedy | ota

[needsabreak]

[The camera angle isn't the most flattering, hinting that the tired looking young man isn't too used to camera phones.]

Hi. My name's Leon Kennedy. I'm new. I know a handful of people here are new too but some have been here before. I guess, I'm hoping to talk to a few people who are returning about the things you know about this place. Talking over this thing is fine but I'd prefer to meet in person.

Anyone who's returning who'd be alright meeting in person, I'll throw a drink on me into the deal. Your choice, beer or coffee.

Comments

@H.West

[tolife]

There is a small coffee shop near City General. If you are willing to meet there, I'd not mind sharing my experiences.

[needsabreak]

Near City General? [He'd find it on the map after they hang up, he decides.] Sure. When can you meet?

[tolife]

How does around 6pm tonight sound?

[needsabreak]

Sure. My calendar isn't exactly full.

[to action?]

Action

[tolife]

Sounds agreeable, I have a hard cut-off at 7 as I must get to work. I will see you there.

[ His tone curt and right to the point.

True to his word, Herbert was waiting at the café. Already in a booth with some coffee. The waitress knew he was waiting on someone. Time may have passed, but he used to be a regular here a few years back, and this was just normal. So Leon would be led over and offered a drink when he arrived.

The short scientist was writing in a notebook on the table, while he waited. His coffee ignored for now. ]

[needsabreak]

[Leon leaves earlier than he needs to, a little worried he won't be able to find the place and not wanting to either run out of time or piss this guy off. He ends up finding the place pretty easily, meaning he's almost twenty minutes early... equally embarrassing. Ah, well.

He steps inside the coffee place, spotting the stranger he's meeting, and finds a server first. The server begins to immediately guide him to the table but he stalls and makes sure to arrange to pay the man's bill before he heads over to join him.]

Hey, sorry I'm early. I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me.

[tolife]

[ Leon paying would certainly surprise him. He was used to footing the bill anytime he spoke to someone about the city. Devi aside, but who tells Devi no? Not even the Reanimator, nope.

He looked up when Leon spoke. Not really smiling but not glaring either, he motioned to the other seat. ] No problem at all, I see you are like me, the earlier, the better.

[ Nothing set him off more than being late. ] It is no concern at all, My name is Herbert West, this is my second time here.

[needsabreak]

[Leon takes the seat opposite of him, the server returning with a coffee for him a seconds later to a quiet 'thanks' from Leon.]

Yeah, I was worried I'd have a hard time finding the place and I hate keeping people waiting on me.

[He tries a sip of the coffee. Yep, coffee.] Nice to meet you.

And you said you have a job? You mean in the City, I'm assuming. You're not somehow traveling back and forth or something right? How long have you been here, this time.

[tolife]

Completely understandable in a new world. One can hardly fault you if you were late.

[ His pen set aside as he looked at Leon again, sitting back to cross his arms over his chest. ] Likewise, it is always good to meet someone else curious about what is going on here.

As for your question, I had a job here before, when I called in they went on and scheduled me. I am a doctor, I work at the hospital down the street. If I could travel home, I would remain home. Alas, I am as trapped as us all.

[needsabreak]

Gotchya. Makes sense. [That made sense even if it was a little disappointing. And here he thought a way home might've been right under his nose.]

Well, since you're a doctor, maybe you can help me out with something I heard about this place. Is it true that people don't stay dead? They wake up in the morgue? Do they come back... different?

@xohq

[revmeup]

[ Her shot is much better. This lady knows her angles. ]

Is this only for repeats or can newbies get a drink too?

[needsabreak]

Hmm, depends. Can I talk you into picking a bar and not a coffee place?

[revmeup]

One hundred million percent.

[needsabreak]

Deal. Do you have somewhere in mind? If not, there's a little bar not far from me. I think it's called the Outlaw? Meet you there?

[revmeup]

What district is that in? I can find it.

[needsabreak]

The Coliseum. I'll grab us a table.

[to action?]

[revmeup]

Ugh that's a million miles away!

[ Well, that probably isn't true, but it is on the other side of the city so emotionally it's a million miles. ]

Okay, I'll meet you there. But don't be in too big of a hurry.

[ To action! ]

[tolife]

Sadly, I have not found anyone who can leave and return at will. And I, myself, an atheist, have met Lucifer Morningstar here. The Devil himself. And even he couldn't leave.

[ He felt that explained enough. He sighed a little at the question. Sitting up to take his coffee, looking Leon in the eye.]

It is very much true. I have not only seen it happen, but it has happened to me. Normally, you lose memories or something like that after, at least for a while. That did not happen to me. I was killed and then awoke again when everyone else arrived. Perfectly cognitive. They can be taken to the morgue, but even so, they will return to their bed and vanish from where they are after a few days when they awake.

[needsabreak]

Is it? [He legitimately feels pretty bad about that.] Next time you pick.

[Maybe he's assuming a bit too much but it seems like something of a compromise.

He finishes up his work and gets ready to leave. This has to be the least traumatic, most ordinary first day of work he's ever had. He shrugs his jacket on and makes his way to the bar. It's the second time he's been to this particular bar and after a quick scan of the room, he's pretty sure the stranger isn't here yet. No problem.

He finds an out of the way table and takes a seat, ordering a pitcher for them to share and keeps an eye on the door.]

[revmeup]

[ Harley has managed, through creativity and careful theft, to put together a wardrobe more versatile than the dress she showed up in. So at least she shows up looking kind of normal. Harley-normal.

She recognizes him from the network and takes a moment to appreciate that he looks a lot better in person before joining him at the table. ]

Hiya.

[needsabreak]

I'm not surprised. That seems like something that would break their little game.

[Leon listens attentively as he continues, expression a carefully maintained neutral. He doesn't doubt that Herbert thinks he's spoken to someone claiming to be the Devil.

He looks genuinely shocked when Herbert casually mentions that he's died. He's hanging on every word.] That's it? Memory loss? Other than that... they're still themselves? They aren't undead?

Do you have any idea what causes that? Is it the City keeping us alive? One of the magisters mentioned that the reason we're here is because the City needs something from us, could it be keeping us alive?

[needsabreak]

[He spots her at almost the same time, raising a hand to get her attention and then getting up as she comes over.]

Hey. You found it okay. [He motions for her to sit down, shrugging his jacket off before taking his own seat again.] Help yourself. [He motions to the pitcher.] It's whatever they had on tap. But if you want something else, feel free.

So, you're new too?

[tolife]

Exactly, and they need us puppets doing their little dance for whatever plans they have.

[ Taking a sip of his coffee as he kept his eyes on Leon. Studying the man, as he does with most people.

He waits until Leon has finished, his expression as neutral as ever, nodding with each question of course. ]

As someone whose has vast experience with the undead, I can confirm, they and I, are fully alive. There are no undead here. Vampires and some demonic types aside.

[ He paused a moment before adding. ] I wish I knew, alas, I have no answers there. Sometimes people vanish and don't return, but there is never a body in that case. However, I would advise to not trust the magistrates, besides Nina anyway. She is a good one. The rest are as crooked as politicians.

[needsabreak]

[Leon's practically forgotten his coffee at this point, leaning forward a little.]

Vanish? What do you mean?

You obviously remember them, so that means the City doesn't just erase that they ever existed. No body... Is there stuff left here? No... no messages left behind? Letters? Nothing?

[He folds his arms, expression darkening as he gives Herbert a nod. He doesn't really need to be told about the magisters. He'd immediately gotten that vibe.] You're preaching to the choir. But sometimes there's still something to glean from someone who only ever lies.

[tolife]

[ To Herbert it was old news, but he is happy to share knowledge for any reason. ]

Vanish, as in gone. I have known people quite well here who simply are there one day, the next. Daniel is fine examples. While most of us returned, he did not. His room at the Red Current is empty, but his items in the house we shared with his fiancé are there still. She is here as well. But it is like he was never here, yet was.

[ A moment spared to sip his coffee before continuing. ]

No messages, no bodies. Only items and memories of those left behind. If that answers a little better. As for those that rule us, well, I would damn near start a club to bash them, they can't be trusted, as I said.