Twentieth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

To all of you from post-1776 America, happy Fourth of July. [Thoughtful pause.] Well, I suppose it's the fourth of July for everyone else too... I hope you're all having a nice day.

Um. [A throat-clearing, a clanking of metal.] If anyone is interested in current events from - October 9, 2006... I found a newspaper.

[Long pause.] I'm not the only one - seeing things, am I? I thought I was just hallucinating, but the newspaper seems pretty real...

Filtered to the Genius Pirate || Not Really Sure This Is Going To Work

Captain - Might I have a word with you?

Filtered to Winry || Unhackable

Winry, do you have a minute?

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

Oh - I'm sorry. Mine aren't like that. [Thank goodness.]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. At least I know it's not real. [His quiet tone might suggest that if he wasn't seeing it, he'd probably be dreaming about it, anyway.]

So what are you seein'?

[i_speak_softly]

Inert things. Buildings. Subway trains. Hot dog carts. No enemies, no friends. [Trade-offs.]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

[Creepy. But at least it's not nightmare fuel...hopefully.}

Any hot dogs in the carts? I hear NYC's got some of the best sidewalk 'dogs you can get.

[i_speak_softly]

I never see the carts, actually. I only smell them. [Smile.] If I ever find the hot dogs, I'll bring you one.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

All right. Now that right there? That's torture.

But yeah, if you do, load it down. You only live once, after all.

[i_speak_softly]

Will do, Derek.

... So, you've never been to New York?

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Passed through a few times, but never really had a chance to check it out. Usually had someplace else I had to be at the time.

[i_speak_softly]

I know the feeling.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Sucks to be the so-called hero, huh?

[There's both gentle amusement and sympathy in that tone.]

[i_speak_softly]

Actually, at the time I was a wanted fugitive.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

...for what?

[Derek can't imagine that, for some reason.]

[i_speak_softly]

We were helping this other person who - well, technically he was government property, which is why he was on the run....

I'm not making any sense, am I?

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

[Derek raises an eyebrow, and then sighs.]

Actually...sadly, yes you are. Go on.

[i_speak_softly]

... Really? Um - so we were trying to help him escape, but of course it's illegal to help a criminal, so there were warrants out for our arrest also... which is why we didn't have a lot of time for sight-seeing.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

{Derek smiles a little at the 'really' part and keeps listening. through the explanation.]

Sounds complicated. Ever get it straightened out?

[i_speak_softly]

Ah... we all escaped that star system in the end, but later some aliens came to our world looking for this other person, and he - he sacrificed himself to end the war. [Thoughtful pause.] He survived, though. Mostly.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Glad he survived.

[i_speak_softly]

Me too. He's a close friend.

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Hmn.

Then I'm even more glad.