apocalypsehowcomm | Network - Is This Thing On?

Network - Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On?

(cw: reference to skin-related body horror)

The message that pops up on off-worlders' ADI-issued phones phones likely comes as a surprise given that the network has been down since May 25, along with all of ADI's other fancy tech. It's similar to other network notifications at first glance and looks like an official notification from the higher-ups saying that the network has been restored, but anyone who clicks it will find their phone redirected to automatically download a new app from a shady-looking URL that ends in the phrase "its-ya-boy-pyre".

Upon loading, the app turns out to be a private chat program with most of the same features as the ADI network, though the user interface is much, much less polished. It immediately shows a longer, less deceptive message from a user named "thecolepackage":

Sorry for the trick guys but I don't know if I can get the old network to do like back and forth and I wanted to send something you'd all click open on the first shot. And like if you know someone who's better at cyber security than you and didn't open the message maybe let them know it's okay? It's ya boy Pyre and I figured out how to get this app linked up with your phones, it should be private and safe and all that stuff. I only sent it to you offworlders for now, I'm still not so sure ADI'scool with the whole ex-desolation monster thing. But I thought maybe you could use this ~~and also maybe I was getting lonely~~ because it sounds like y'all have a lot going on right now

And Bonnie's telling me there's all kinds of arguments about what to do?? That's rough man I know what it's like to find out you're kind of doing the wrong thing and maybe feeding something that's going to end the world. And maybe it'll be good if you can all talk about that and figure out what YOU want to do without your bosses telling you since Bonnie says none of your bosses are agreeing on anything and it seems to me like its maybe important to figure out if you're still going to be in the apocalypse disruption gig. Youre in a tough spot and I'd say I don't envy you but also I miss having skin so I do envy you a little bit.

Anyway like I said have at and let your friends know this isn't a virus. Or it's a friendly virus I guess. Also I kind of want to go by my name Cole now instead of Pyre? So if you could call me Cole now I'd like that.

Peace.

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I’ll be there soon.

[And as promised, soon there’s a knock on the door.

On the other side, there’s John, looking as awkward as he feels. He’s never really been good at the whole feelings thing. Fighting, yes. Expressing emotions other than anger or frustration, nah.]

[Rue, to their advantage, is already so well practiced at hiding their true emotions, made even easier with the lack of an expressive mouth. But their eyes are warm and welcoming, even if they are uncharacteristically holding back.]

Please, come in. Sit and make yourself at home.

[It's a very casual dress today - soft greens that match their feathers, with a swooping neckline and long sleeves cut open to the shoulder, to allow better movement for their wings - and their home is as perfectly put together as ever.]

[John enters, politely, feeling for a moment like he was entering the fancy houses of his youth—houses that were always immaculate, perfect in every way. His own room and quarters—not so much. He enjoyed posters of musicians and various sports equipment strewn about.]

Hi, Rue. Uh, thanks.

[He’s wearing his casual clothes—a plaid shirt tossed over a black shirt, cargo pants. John pauses a moment, wondering if this was a standing conversation or a sitting one, but he figures he might as well sit, as was offered to him. He presses his hands to his knees, all awkward and shy now that he wasn’t in a battlefield or fight. Is there an Entity that feeds off of being afraid of conversations and feelings?

Yep, he’s terrified.]

So.

[Sooo…]

I was just—I was worried about you, Rue. And I wanted to make sure you were all right.

I didn’t want—I didn’t want you to think that you were—I wanted you to, uh. I just—I’m not really the kind of person you think I am.

I haven’t been entirely forthcoming to you or…everyone else. Only a few people know what I’m about to tell you. Rodney, for one, of course.

Like I was saying, you shouldn’t sacrifice yourself.

I already did it. Sort of. There was this…incident. In Dogtown. The Hunter, this undead Zombie guy, he—I got shot.

I didn’t make it.

Edited 2023-06-06 06:34 (UTC)

[Almost immediately, Rue can pick up on his trembling nerves.

They follow John over to the couch, to ease themself into a nearby armchair while the man makes himself comfortable and finds his tongue again. Even before he begins to speak, they can tell that something is wrong. This is beyond the rather heated conversation they'd had over the network, beyond the idea of choosing who to follow. It's a thought that terrifies him.

And even if Rue did not appreciate how casually the man was willing to sacrifice others or himself, they reach out a giant paw to rest against his own hand, a gentle reassurance while he collects himself. He does not have to deal with this alone.

Finally, he speaks and Rue listens.

They can not hide the way their expression twists with worry and fear at the mention of having already sacrificed himself, of him dying, of being shot. Against him, Rue's own paw trembles slightly, squeezing over his.]

You speak truly? John, you - You were killed out there?

[The touch does help. It steadies him, prevents his memories from going down darker paths. His hand curls slightly under their paw.]

Yeah, I was. It was…I honestly thought that was it, that I was a goner, but…it wasn’t.

[The thought of leaving Rodney alone in this place was unbearable. Was that what had called the Hunt? Or a combination of that and his sheer stubborn refusal to give up? He goes quiet a moment, taking the time to gather his thoughts. It’s an awful memory, one that likes to sink its claws into his mind and send him on a spiral.]

I don’t know exactly how it happened. Or why it happened. I just know that it did.

[His voice is steady, though the look on his face is a little faraway.]

I’m an Avatar, Rue. Of the Hunt. Just like Nia, just like Hickey. Probably not as bad off as Hickey, but…

[There’s a slight pause. He would accept anything that they told him after this, for good or bad.]

I just—I just wanted you to know that. I’ve already sacrificed myself to the corruption and…jury’s still out on if I’m gonna make it out of it all right, but I think I’ve been doing okay, so far. I have Rodney and he’s still alive, and he’s been around me all the time, so there’s that.

[It is strange.

The only out avatar that Rue has ever personally known was Hickey and they had seen firsthand how such a partnership had destroyed that man. But John is nothing like Hickey, even in the weeks that he's been a fully fledged avatar, he's still himself for the most part, still the dear friend that Rue has known since arrival.

Even now, when they imagine that learning another avatar of their entity was fully in charge would leave a man to proudly brag about his status, John is still so timid and careful, certain that he is in the wrong, just another monster worthy of sacrifice if it helps out his friends.

Well, there is much that Rue does not understand about this place, even now, but what they do know, their belief in is absolutely unshakable.

Just as quickly as they sat down, Rue is rising up on their feet again, towering over the man, so they can close the short distance between them and drag him up into a hard, impossibly tight hug. This is not the soft, tender embraces that Rue is known for, a gentle hint of wing, the barest touch of feathers, this is talons against his shoulders, wings pulling him in close to be crushed into their strong arms.

Rue wants him to feel them. Rue needs him to know how much they mean this.]

That's enough. [And even after they've so long lost it officially, the authority of their former title clings to their every word, strong and firm and unflinching.] You will not sacrifice yourself. I do not care what you have become or why you did it. You are still John. You are still ours and nothing has changed.

[They won't hear him say otherwise.]

Besides, what would dear Rodney say. If you can not believe these words from me, you must believe them from him.

[He’s never been good with hugs, it’s always been an awkward affair, never knowing exactly how he should hug back. For all his skill in reading other people and making friends, he’s actually really bad at things like this, at real feelings, at letting people in.

He was not expecting this.

He blinks, against feathers and talons, surprised but much more than that…it reaches him. It strikes him more than words ever could. Even now, even after he found a family on Atlantis, even after he’s had people outright tell him, a part of him still stubbornly clings to the fear of rejection, abandonment, of failing the people he cares about. A certainty he would disappoint them and they would leave.

Rue did not run away or leave. Instead, they do this. Making sure he knew how they felt.

It strikes deeper than the fear, the self-hatred. That Rue insists, that they say that he’s still himself—

He closes his eyes a moment against the feathers, a little overwhelmed, unable to form the words—even if he could, he wouldn’t know what to say.

How much this means to him.]

He’d be pretty mad, actually. You wouldn’t believe the complaints he’d have. He’d never shut up.

[A deflection, a joke, because this is the only way he knows how to deal. He finally manages to return the hug, movements awkward, a gentle pat to contrast with the crush.

It’s helped. So much.]

Thanks, Rue.

[He wishes he was eloquent, that he could explain what he feels. But it’s all there on his face, the words he can’t say, the gratitude in his eyes that might look just this side of watery.]

[Against him, Rue snorts out a careful laugh, before tipping their head just so to press a peck of a kiss against the top of John's head.]

You greatly underestimate how much time I've spent with the man. I can picture the barrage of grievances he'd lay on you quite vividly! Truly, it would be best for you to avoid such disappointment completely.

[Rue allows him to linger in their embrace for as long as he needs, but once he feels ready to push away, their great paw finds John's face, gently brushing the hair from his forehead with a careful talon.]

Which means you must take care of yourself. For him. [a beat, softer and warmer] And for me. You deserve a chance at happiness just as much as the rest of us do.

[A few chuckles escape him, from a combination of Rue’s kindness and the image of poor Rue spending enough time with Rodney to know exactly the absolute level of discontent the man would have expressed verbally. It’s been awhile since he’s just…laughed. Smiled.

He holds on for one more moment before pushing back, looking up at them. His eyes are definitely watery looking.]

Then I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?

As long as you promise me the same thing. That you’ll keep yourself safe.

[He ducks his head a little, a little unused to the reassurance, the kind words. Hearing them out loud like that, it’s…overwhelming, but in a good way.]

Speaking of which, if you haven’t heard yet, me and Rodney are—I guess, official, official. We’re going out.

[Congratulations, Rue, you’ve unlocked relationship status information.]

[There. That is the man that Rue has known since their arrival, not the one who had been so quick to speak of unnecessary sacrifices.

They can't help but rest a paw against his shoulder, giving John an affectionate squeeze.]

Well! That is the most wonderful news, my friend! Congratulations. You both deserve the chance to be happy together. Even amongst all of this mess. [and just a touch softer, warmer,] I'm so happy for you.

[There's another faint smile, and for a moment it almost even looks like the stress and the guilt over the years have fallen off him, and there's a boyish sort of awkward, shy happiness about him. Sometimes he can't believe it himself, he's been pining after Rodney for ages.]

Thanks, Rue.

It's been a long time in the works. At least something good's happening in all of this.

[And maybe that's it, maybe that's what they have on Entities and Avatars. He is 100% team love and/or friendship conquers all.]

[It doesn't fix all that is going on in their lives right now, but a little light never hurts to focus on. Rue can understand the importance in that, especially now.]

I insist that you go home and rest. This has been so draining on all of us. If we can not take care of ourselves, then we must look out for and remind one another. Please, be good to yourself, John.

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