ROLE: Elephant John

[saturations]

ELEPHANT JOHN

Today, regardless of wherever Emet-Selch is, he will soon receive a text message from Bass.

hey!! come thru!!

Emet-Selch doesn't really have time to question what they mean by this, because immediately a shimmery, yellow archway erects before him.

As Emet-Selch enters through the archway he'll find himself in what appears to be an empty street. Walking down this street leads to a towering building with an archway covered in greenery. This area seems to be sort of like a covered patio, with several stores lining the inside of the tower, though all the names are blurred out. One sells clothing, another sells food, another sells tourist trinkets and novelty items. And in the middle of these stores is a giant planter filled with a vibrant splash of technicolor trees and bushes.

Sitting on this planter is Bass. They lift a static-y, melting hand.

"You made it! Come here, I've got something to show you."

And they hand Emet-Selch a laminated piece of paper. It looks kind of like a menu for a restaurant.

RULES
1. Dream something up!
2. Decide who you want to send a message and send them that Dream!
3. It has to be someone different each week, no repeats. Sorry!
4. Don't tell anybody. Seriously.

After reading the rules, Emet-Selch will find that an image becomes the home screen of his phone. He'll also feel something... sticky... appear on the back of his hand as a temporary tattoo of the same image appears. Only you can see the phone background and tattoo, and they both persist outside of this area.

Once the brand settles in, Bass tilts their head.

"Oh. That's probably fine? Anyway, I'm here to explain if you have questions!"

Comments

[ktiseos]

I would prefer to believe so, as well. What would be the point in it otherwise?

[a sigh, a shake of his head. a tinge of worry, but-- not overpowering.

also a mix of both fondness and annoyance when bass mentions vax it's fine]

But I do think this week I will send at least one person what all of you told me, last week. That it would be best not to simply kill those we think to be refracted.

[a pause.]

Though Clarte said their message came through with odd pauses, so it will require careful phrasing, lest they end up hearing 'kill those we think are refracted.'

[looks into the SKY.]

[saturations]

[dats gay emet]

That sounds like a good plan to me. [any plan that doesn't involve death is their favorite?

as for that part, there's a little flash of embarrassment.]

I'll really try to make sure they don't end up weird! You're getting better at helping me so - so maybe it'll be more clear now?

[ktiseos]

[it is but good luck making him deal with it.]

...we may hope. I could always send one to Jiuqing, as I could simply tell her the intended message should it come across distorted.

[saturations]

[bass is going to lock them in a closet.]

Like for testing purposes, I guess, right? Sure, if you don't have anything else you wanna send. At the very least you know she'd tell people she got it.

[ktiseos]

[do it i need help.]

I do not know what else to send, at this moment, save for mayhap a reminder of this to November.

[saturations]

[>:T]

Yeah. [they rock back and forth on their heels.] I think that's a solid plan.

[actually i'm gonna bully you:] So you like Vax, huh?

[ktiseos]

Bass-

[an immediate mix of annoyance and something that feels more flustered.]

I do not see how that would be relevant, regardless.

[saturations]

[they laugh, like an asshole.]

Whoa, whoa. I'm just saying, you were all -- you just felt kinda like I did about Chinatsu, that's all. [they're perceptive! also, a little sad. chinatsu makes them feel like - a stomach drop.]

[ktiseos]

Surely you are not accusing me of-

[having a crush of some sort. that's-- it's ridiculous.

but he feels that emotion at the mention of chinatsu, and frowns slightly, just. focusing on a slightly warmer feeling, for a moment.]

[saturations]

Maybe! [they say, grinning a bit. but the little warm feeling makes them move a little closer, absently creating something - a bracelet, yellow. if he'll let them, they put it on his wrist.

it's warm - literally, judging by the little spark of amber that comes off of it.]

I'm okay. But thanks.

[ktiseos]

...if you are certain, Bass.

[he does let them put it on him, though. it's very not his style... but that's fine. from them he'll deal with it.]

But really, I do not know where you would get such an idea.

[saturations]

[they rock back and forth on their heels again.]

I dunno. I just... [a pause.] We don't always have a lot of time, is all.

[ktiseos]

...

[he's quiet for a few moments, there.]

No, I suppose we do not.

[he almost experienced that, this weekend. expected to need to try to be there for vax, unpracticed as he is in it, after percy's death.

instead-- they have this.]

[saturations]

[they're quiet again, with that same sort of... sad? it's not sad so much as it's just melancholy. like a hole where something used to be. that sort of feeling. like missing a friend.]

[ktiseos]

[...he reflects it, after a moment.

they might not have died, but there are certainly people he misses, too. the longer this stretches out--

he can't consider never returning. he can't. but while he's here, he misses them regardless.]

[saturations]

[well, okay, they're just going to shift. like - their shape. they take his hand, and then shift into a snake, curling around his hand as they do. he won't go numb, this time.]

Maybe when we're done here we can go to the new room that opened up, and you can show me your home.

[ktiseos]

[wow he has two bracelets nice

no, he lets them, it's fine.]

I would not object to it.

[saturations]

[yeah, yellow bracelet and bass boosted.]

Okay. [they just rest their head on his hand. emotional support snake.] So - Jiuqing and November?

[ktiseos]

[bass boosted stop this]

I believe so, yes. Roughly the same message for both, as I do not believe there is aught else of greater import to send.

[saturations]

[a little snake nod.]

Let's do it, then. You wanna try both dreams this time, or let me handle one, still?

[ktiseos]

I believe I could manage both, by now. If you are willing to try.

[saturations]

[wiggles]

Yeah, you got it.