[IC Contact -- Snowblind]

[bookofnope]

[There is a click noise. It sounds as though it might be judging you.]

Comments

day 47, morning, id: fastoon

[clockblock]

[Before getting down to his business for the day, Alister takes the photos he promised and sends them off to Beckett.

* attachments: 10 photos, labeled "photo#". Clear, sweeping shots of the park (1) and the mass graves that Alister has unearthed from various angles in the best light possible. He's made sure the corpses themselves are as well-documented as he can manage.]

day 51; @guardian; image;

[phaseshifter]

[ In Beckett's inbox, there is an image. An image lovingly created in the tablet's drawing program. An image that is a complete mess comprised of overly-loopy cursive text handwritten on a background of different coloured lines and swirls.

Yeah.

The text reads as follows:

Still kicking, friend? \OuO/
Did you know that most robots and AIs are completely unable to read non-uniform text placed onto a sufficiently garbled image?
It's a major weakness of all but the most advanced ones! I believe people from Earth used to use that sort of thing to stop automated programs from signing up to their ECHOnet sites and such.
Isn't that interesting?? ♥

WOW, WHAT AN INNOCENT MESSAGE. ]

[bookofnope]

[Oh, how interesting. It takes him a little while to get the hang of how to do things, but within an hour, a swirly text image - colourful, although strangely dominated by sheds of red - happens to appear in Angel's own inbox. WHAT COULD IT BE.


Much improved, thank you.
I was not aware of this fact. Isn't history fascinating?
You say "all but the most advanced", though. How would you rank Norfinbury technology in terms of advancement as you know it?
Also, what on earth does \OuO/ mean?


See, he's not Old, he can totally manage digital technology!!]

private; audio @LELRIC

[armoured]

[He hasn't really spoken to Beckett much since he arrived, but he has heard several worrying things through the grapevine. The conversation he had with Zell a couple of nights ago has pushed the last straw, and so he's sending a message just after lockdown.]

Beckett, it's Alphonse, I don't know if you remember me but we need to talk.

[bookofnope]

[Though they haven't spoken much, Beckett has a good memory for names; moreso for people tagged in his mind as perhaps more than they seem. His answer is dry but cordial.]

I do remember - the alchemist. How can I help you?

Day 59; @dickcheese; voice

[headjacked]

[ Voice over video, considering his stuck ECHO-eye and dead arm. One of the last people he wants to look pitiful in front of. ]

Hey.

[ Of course, his voice is shredded and pathetic, so. Not much of an improvement. He clears his throat. ]

Angel showed me the talk you guys had. The one about Vaults? Not sure what I can bring to the table, since she's kiiiiiind of the expert, but I was kind of sort of in the middle of hunting one down, so. Sure, let's talk.

voice;

[bookofnope]

[Beckett would vastly prefer text communication now, due to some people and their insistence on burning mouldy furniture, but he also knows the value of keeping things even. So on the bright side, this means he sounds about as ragged as Rhys does.]

Any additional insight would be welcome. I'm aware that- [cough argh etc.] pardon, I am starting to think that Angel and I are both... biased, on this subject.

Day 64; text; @zd

[swatsflies]

[After failing to hear from Rhys or Angel, he'll try Beckett since Angel said she was going to meet up with him.]

Yo, Beckett!
Have you heard anything from Rhys or Angel?
I'm hoping they just lost their tablets while that monster was after them.

voice

[bookofnope]

[Beckett sounds distracted and slightly out of breath. Gravedigging, you know. It may be enough to conceal that he is also very worried.]

Nothing since what Handsome Jack posted. No response to my messages to either of them. Is there still no word?

text, @totheark, Day 61

[0thingsonmymind]

thereis no
NIMA
MN
in hos pi tal basement mor gue

thereis more
distortion
but ido not knowif that is be cause
hosp ital
ornot

*Or because of the two people who were mindfucked by the Operator exploring it.*

text;

[bookofnope]

I see. Thank you for the information.

There are two obvious options. The first is that we are not searching in the right place, and NIMA is located in its own, separate facility.

The second is that we are not searching for the right thing. It may not be a machine as we conceive of it at all, and we will not recognize the relevance of anything we do find.

(backdated) Day 73, evening; @CaptSteveRogers; audio

[starsandtights]

Hey, Beckett. Are you going to continue your investigations of the bodies up in the park? I think I've mentioned, I'd... kinda like to see those folks buried. But only if you're done up there, I don't want to interfere with your work.

voice; Day 74

[bookofnope]

[You're not going to believe this, Steve, but Beckett sounds reasonably glad to be hearing from you!

Steve. No, I wasn't going to keep digging - although, if you are heading there to bury them, I may join you for a final look. If you do not mind the company.

Day 77, @totheark, text

[0thingsonmymind]

*He's not sure how he feels about what he asked of Beckett before he died, but even if he hadn't said anything the man would have been on he short list of who gets a heads up that he's returned. He can sort out his feelings when he's got some better footing.*

iam back

didyou find any thing
?

*He has no idea how long he's been dead, so he doesn't know if Beckett even had a chance to do anything.*

text

[bookofnope]

[The response only comes much later in the day, close to lockdown, after Beckett has had a little time to process what happened the night before. Seeing Brian alive is definitely a welcome relief after that, and he is glad to have something to tell him.]

It's good that you've returned. I did find something.

@Rdua and I spent the night at the funeral home. She was in the morgue, I was in the office. We left the tablets on to talk to each other. This is what I managed to record. Be careful - don't play the last few seconds, or the sound will blow your tablet out.

[Here he attaches the video of what they got from midnight on: First the hum that rises in pitch, then the sudden popping out of the corpse slabs and the way their backs illuminate, then the rising light until the video is gone.]

The tablet failed after that, but I heard more movement. At some point she started to scream until her throat was gone. I heard what I think was her skull cracking, then silence. There was light and movement in the morgue until an hour or so before dawn. @CaptSteveRogers got me out in the morning. We couldn't find any trace of her or any evidence of anything that happened.

[A dry report. He has no interest in starting to examine any particular feelings he might have about the incident.]

day 79; @guardian; text;

[phaseshifter]

Beckett?? I need to tell you something on Rhys' behalf. But first I need you to promise not to tell *anyone,* okay?
Not that you're a gossip, but, you know. It's a very serious thing (so serious that I'm not even going to emote at you!!).

[bookofnope]

How ominous. Has he managed to decapitate himself with the butter knife after all?

[A bad time for jokes, such as they are. He may be trying a little too hard to sound his normal snarky self.]

But you have my word. No one will know. What is it?

Nihgt 85; @totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

imade it to caves entr ance house
areyou in?
or at
new place
?

text;

[bookofnope]

Good. Things are easier inside, for the most part.

I'm with Rhys and Angel at the entrance to the new place. It's well worth exploring. I can wait for you.

[And after a pause, because he can't help but want to tell everyone ever because holy shit:]

There's some very good food.

day 89; @zd; text

[swatsflies]

Yo, Beckett.
I haven't seen you around the network recently.
You're still okay, right?

text;

[bookofnope]

Do you need something, Zell?

[Forgive him, he may not yet quite comprehend people being friendly for friendly's sake.]

Nights 89-91

[0thingsonmymind]

*Each night Brian sends a separate video. Enjoy his contentless updates, Beckett. He figured you'd want them and/or probably would have offered in post office log.*

Night 89
*The video starts with short bit of going through the grocery store, but most of the video is inside the toy store, with Brian going through the shelves and around the walls. At one point he tries a door in the back that's locked.

Also there's a period of a few minutes where its focused on him cutting open a stuffed monkey with a steak knife. There's just stuffing in there, as one would expect, but Brian jerks backwards once he's done cutting and Jade can be heard obviously surprised and worried about it. The video at this part is heavily distorted, and not just with Brian's usual distortions (that are common in the rest of the video) but with the screen pulling and such that's common with monsters and places like the morgues.*

Night 91
*Tonight Brian and Jade are exploring what appears to be a souvenir shop. Its pretty packed with shelves of touristy things, mostly Native American (Iñupiat) stuff. There's also a small backroom that's free of tourist-trap-ness. Its not very exciting and the only distortions are Brian's normal ones.*

Night 92
Provided event'd up for your concenience

voice; night 89

[bookofnope]

[It so happens that he watches that one video in real time, speaking up when the static starts up thickly, hoping to draw their attention.]

Brian. What was that? The video's gone distorted.

day 93; @SceptredIsle, text

[keepscalm]

I would bid you a good evening, but I don't think pleasantries are necessary in this case, so I'll skip the pretence.

I'm sure you know why I'm contacting you.

text;

[bookofnope]

Ohhh, whatever could it be. Is it to tell me off? Scold me for my lawless ways? Ask me to capture it on video next time, for public pleasure?

@prettypinkflowers; text; Late Night 93

[lacecase]

Are you hurt?

text;

[bookofnope]

Only the delicate feelings that some people keep inexplicably assuming I have.

Day 92, shortly after noon, @totheark, text

[0thingsonmymind]

what didyou
see
?

text

[bookofnope]

[Definitely not dead, then. Off the tablet - glad that Brian communicates strictly by text - Beckett affords himself a moment of all but shivering with relief.]

A number of things. Anomalies looking like inhumanly tall men around you, mostly, though those seemed harmless. Later you and Jade were attacked by one that looked similar to one of those trolls, with glowing eyes - maybe glasses - and surrounded by green fire. The tablet falling, a great deal of blood.

None of that happened, I take it?

Night 92; @totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

*Tonight's video features snow, rubble, and what appears to be a home decor store. The shelves are basically empty, but damn there are a lot of them. Lots and lots of aisle of...creepy. Most of the video is quiet, but sometimes footsteps (other than Brian's) can be heard and at a few points giggling (?!) happens. The source of the giggling is never seen, but when its heard the picture has mild, rippling distortions. Those happen sometimes for the extra footsteps too.
Brian's normal distortions also happen. Thankfully none of those ripple.*

text

[bookofnope]

Interesting. Just like in the school - remember? Was there a compulsion to leave before lockdown?

Day 94; @zd text

[swatsflies]

Yo, Beckett!
Playing the two pianos together made the one at the school bleed.
Jim has some of the blood on ice now to check it out when we're able.

text

[bookofnope]

Somehow I'm less surprised than I think is healthy. What do you mean by "check it out"?




Also, how much blood are we talking about?

[He tried not to ask. He really did. But, well. It is the b-word.]

@totheark, text; Day 97

[0thingsonmymind]

whereare
you
?

text

[bookofnope]

Not far west from my previous location, as far as I can estimate. Which I grant isn't terribly far. I hear you've been separated from Jade - do you know if you are still on the same side of the tunnels?

@totheark; video; Nights 93-95

[0thingsonmymind]

Night 93

*Tonight Brian and Jade are touring a small book store, an accessory store and a large library.

The bookstore's shelves are mostly empty (surprise, surprise) but there are a few books still there. They mostly seem to be fictional and range from novels to picture books. None of the books have dates or prices on them.
The building itself is dark, as there are clearly not enough windows to light everything. There's a back room that's locked but Brian doesn't spend much time at it once discovering the door can't be opened.

The accessory store was once brightly colored but is now worn and damp. Traces of Beckett's true nemesis, mold, can be seen around. There are still some scarves, bags, costume jewelry and other accessories in the store but most of it seems ruined.

The library is large, consisting of two floors and has sections that one'd normally expect in a library and a few study rooms. There are also some lounge areas, including a children's libary and a teen's library, both of which have beanbag chairs. At one point Brian cuts open a beanbag chair in the teen's library but there's only normal beanbag chair stuff inside of it. Occasionally there are tables and chairs that look like they once had computers but, like everywhere else, the electronics have been removed.
The library, like the bookstore, is mostly empty of books. The books, and few magazines, that exist are once again void of dates and suggested retail pricing. The magazines also lack address labels. There's also a section for movies and video games but it's completely empty.*

Night 94

*Much less of interest this day as most of the area seems to be snow and rubble. (Brian thankfully doesn't send ALL of their rubble wanderings, just bits here and there. Enough to get the idea that there isn't much else to be found.) The only building the pair find is a storage unit that is sadly lacking in lighting. Brian explores it by tablet-light and discovers only illegible and/or crumbling books.*

Night 95

*More rubble, more snow, and eventually a return to the building from the night before. Brian and Jade go through the storage unit again and gets much of the same results.
They do find a book cover that looks interesting, something about miniaturization in technology...but the book itself is completely missing.*

@totheark; text; Night 95

[0thingsonmymind]

*Shortly after the video is sent, he sends a text message.*

ifound s d card
itsays can re store used card
on ly once

@dickcheese, text, Night 97;

[headjacked]

Hi

Hey



I had a really bad night

text;

[bookofnope]

Yesterday? That makes two of us. Are you still alone, Rhys?

day 102, very early morning - text - @claytonator

[dr_unconscious]

If you ever see this, I hope you're happy and you've learned what you wanted to. Telling you not to do something like that again obviously doesn't work and you've more than proven that I can't stop you, so. I won't stress it too much. I'm not happy with you.

Hope you'll be back soon. Let me know if you need anything when you wake up.

Day 105, noon; voice

[bookofnope]

[Finally, a reply. And Beckett sounds - not too bad, actually. Calm. It's almost the same wry but amused tone he used on Clayton when the doctor himself revived.]

How the mighty hath fallen. Clayton Epps, finally admitting that he can't stop me. And all I had to do was die.

[The smirk is right there in his voice. But he sobers up after, humour gone, more contemplative. Maybe even - no, not a chance.]

Jokes aside, I do suppose I owe you - at least an explanation. But face to face, if you don't terribly mind. Does your clinic still have hot water?

Night 101, during Beckett's feed (very near to the end); @totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

ifwhen you re turn
tell m e

Night 102, @totheark, video

[0thingsonmymind]

*Because what better way to tell your friends you care than to share traumatizing video he knows Beckett will want it if when if he returns, Brian sends a sanitized copy of Beckett's death video. Its been muted and the video cuts off shortly after 'Angel' starts to rise from the ground.*

Afternoon 97; @CaptSteveRogers; voice

[starsandtights]

[Clears throat. Steve's tone is neutral, all business.]

Peggy says you had some questions about the two of us, and whether we're from the same world? I figure my perspective might be more helpful, since I've got about 70 years on her. ...It's true what Peggy says, I was asleep for 66 years. But in my present, where I was brought here from, Peggy's still alive. We're friends, we talk often. She's never said anything about being brought to Norfinbury. But that could mean... any number of different things. Peggy—Peggy here—she and I haven't had a chance to compare notes, really. So far nothing from our shared history that's come up has been noticeably different. If this changes I can let you know.

It's probably also worth considering that there was a Peggy in the funeral morgue, since before I got here. I—assume she's still there.

If you have questions, I'll answer them. ...Is there a reason, though, that our situation is of more interest to you than that of any other groups that know each other from home?

voice;

[bookofnope]

[If it isn't just the call he'd been waiting for. Expecting? Dreading? Probably not dreading, but Beckett is a little surprised that Steve is being so helpful here. How nice of Peggy not to set him off, though... she did seem a woman to fight her own battles.

Neutral all-business it is.]

Honestly, a lot of it is convenience. I had an easier in for talking to her than most, and her being quick on the uptake doesn't hurt - and you must admit, your situation is rather unique, once one becomes aware of the time gap. Doubly so when one is aware - ah. [His voice drops a little when the realization clicks. So that was who Steve saw in the morgue that day. Well. That easy in just got very very complicated.]

It isn't personal, if that is your worry. I hardly have some vested interest in keeping you all to myself. [He half-jokes without thinking; his thoughts are all elsewhere.]

@SceptredIsle, text; night 101, after Beckett's feed concludes

[keepscalm]

Please let me know when you return, and if you need anything upon waking.

Day 105; noon; voice

[bookofnope]

Consider yourself informed.

[Beckett's voice is oddly neutral, an unusual reserve. Not cold, but careful.]

No need, per se, but some insight would be appreciated. Did it somehow - affect you, when I -? Did you feel anything?

[He's thinking in the metaphysical level. Whether England had any emotions on the matter is a whole other kettle of fish.]

Night 108, a few hours after lockdown; @totheark, text

[0thingsonmymind]

iam go ing to
over night
in gro cery store

doyou want
vid e o
?

[bookofnope]

This could be risky, I'm sure you're aware. Is Jade staying with you? Is this the store on the other side of the ice tunnels?

[He's hardly going to tell Brian not to do it, but maybe do it in... the least potentially deadly way.]