3rd Contact

[pathofthorns]

[Naoki's post starts up showing a dimly lit room, the sound of a very Nineties keyboard loudly clacking away. The view pans to Naoki's face, eyes bagged and haggard. Its almost a minute before he looks away to see that he's recording. He smiles and waves weakly]

Oh, hey guys. Sorry I haven't been on lately. Things have been really busy here. And! And I've been doing some digging and I think I found something.

[Yep, he's still on his 'ITS A CONSPIRACY!!!1!' kick from when his Kamen War video was taken down. The screen is filled with news articles entitled 'Cybers Corp. communication tower projected delayed' and another with the headline 'Cybers Tower building resumed in Yoyogi Park']

Apparently, according to these articles, Cybers Corporation, a major communication group had begun building a major signal relay tower in Yoyogi Park, but it ended up running into some major legal issues that delayed it. Then just after my video was taken down, those problems just up and....vanish. And I think...

[Just as he was going to get some steam in his obvious rant, his phone beeps. He looks down to the message and his expression flushes into a frown.]

Oh. Uh crap. You guys have any idea what's good to get a sick teacher? Isamu just sent me a mail that Yuko-sensei was just admitted to a hospital and wants my help to wish her well. Still wish I knew why he keeps asking for my help when it comes to dealing with her...

[The feed cuts off there as he murmurs silently]

Comments

[tenminutes]

I think the typical present for teachers is an apple, also known to keep the doctor away.

[ She's joking, of course. ]

[makewayforroze]

If you're not careful, it looks like you could get sick, too. Are you sleeping well?

[shadow_spread]

Fruit is usually a good gift for someone who's sick.

[pathofthorns]

I don't think that would help seeing as the doctor is there.

[pathofthorns]

Me? Oh fine. Sure yeah. Totally.

[NOPE.jpg He's clearly floundering for a good denial]

[pathofthorns]

Might go with that. Like a fruit basket, yeah?

But the mail didn't say she was sick, just in the hospital. Would getting fruit be in bad taste if she was hurt or something that like? I don't knoooow...

[tenminutes]

Give an apple to the doctor, then.

[pathofthorns]

But wouldn't the apple just be repelled away from him? I mean if it keeps the doctor away, wouldn't it work in reverse?

[Naoki that's not how it works and if you were in your right mind, you'd know it]

[makewayforroze]

Are you sure? You really don't look well.

[tenminutes]

They're not magnetized, stupid.

[pathofthorns]

Oh, just a trick of the light! Probably...yeah, definitely. Nothing to worry about!

[pathofthorns]

[Naoki opens his mouth. The words are on his tongue. 'But what if they WERE!?' But even he realizes that's too stupid]

Yeah that's.....jeez, I think I've been looking this kinda stuff up for too long if I'm thinking like that.

[makewayforroze]

[She can tell you're lying.]

If it's not something you want to talk about with someone you don't know about, I understand but try not to hide it from others who care about you, alright?

[pathofthorns]

[He sighs] You're right. Its just...there's got to be a reason why they don't want people talking about it...

[makewayforroze]

Your video? [As someone born before videos, she almost seems to be talking about something alien.] Was there something bad on it?

[pathofthorns]

No, it was just of what happened before. You remember a couple months back when all those monsters attacked all over right? The Rider War? Well, after Kefka managed to save me from, you know, dying, I got a camera and ended up recording the big fight between Shocker and the Riders. When I came home, I put it up on the internet and people saw it. And then it suddenly vanished and every time I try to put it up again, it's instantly torn down.

There's something going on! I..I just don't know what.

[makewayforroze]

Could it have been the people they were fighting? They might not have wanted everyone to know they lost.

[pathofthorns]

They lost pretty hard. I mean, its really noticeable that they lost since there isn't a giant evil castle in the sky anymore.

[makewayforroze]

That could have been the reason they would take it down.

[pintsizedpyro]

Just skip out and don't go. Sounds like a waste a' time, if you ask me.

[No one asked you anything, Beelzemon.]

S'not like you're getting anythin' out of it, right?

[pathofthorns]

But we beat Shocker. There's no way they could still be around...

[PARANOIA INTENSIFIES]

[pathofthorns]

Well I can't not go. I already said I'd help Isamu.

[makewayforroze]

I'm sorry, I didn't know very much about it. I do know that you have to rest or you'll get sick.

[tenminutes]

Maybe you can get her a magnetized metal apple but don't tell him and just watch as funny stuff happens.

[shadow_spread]

Yeah, things like that.

I think fresh food is good for anyone in a hospital, no matter why they're there.

[pathofthorns]

Huh. Well if that's the case, then I'll go with that. Thanks!

[pathofthorns]

I'll be fine! Swear.

[pathofthorns]

That's just plain ridiculous.

[shadow_spread]

No problem.

I hope she recovers soon.

[pathofthorns]

Me too. This is really sudden. She hasn't looked all that bad in class....wait.

[ P O N D E R ]

Wait, she has. Well, sort of. She's really been looking sad lately. And she's tried to hide it but she's been pretty gloomy for the last couple of weeks.

[tenminutes]

Laughter is the best medicine next to actual medicine.

I like how "90s keyboard" evokes such a strong image

[fallen_stage]

So, a communications structure had a number of bureaucratic barriers to its construction, and suddenly they clear up? Sounds suspicious all right.

As for your teacher, I would suggest some cut flowers and books. Hospitals can be dreary, dull places, so try bringing gifts to brighten up her surroundings.

CLACKITY CLACKING INTENSIFIES

[pathofthorns]

I know right? Its super shady!

Huh. That's a good idea too. Now I just have to find out what kind of flowers and books she would like...

[pathofthorns]

It would be if there was anything to laugh about.

[makewayforroze]

You're already looking sick. Wouldn't it be best to just rest a little? It's never easy to work when you're too tired.

AT LEAST FOR ME such a 90s baby. and my dad was always up-to-date

[fallen_stage]

It is, but the source could be a number of things. Personally I would suspect some greased palms. Is there any who would benefit from this signal relay tower?

If you don't know, then you could send some that would suit her. For example, if she has respiratory problems, I wouldn't send anything with a strong scent. Personally I like to send a message, but the thought counts more than anything else. You might send what flowers you like, or ones that are popular. As for books, something popular or engaging. Even if she doesn't like it, it should be something interesting to read. Maybe a literary magazine? In my world, at least, they carry all sorts of stories.

[pintsizedpyro]

Yeah, so, who cares? Just bail anyway! What's the worst that can happen, huh?

[pathofthorns]

No, I'm fine. I'm.... [Y A W N ~ ~ ~] I've just got to look at a few more things.

[pathofthorns]

[Naoki instantly flinches.]

I think I'd know what would happen. I'm really going to want to avoid it.

up to date with the LOUDEST KEYBOARDS

[pathofthorns]

Well Cybers Industries has the most to gain from it. According to the news articles and several other related sources, this tower is the center of a set of relays that cover the vast majority of the Tokyo metropolitan area to an almost unprecedented degree. With control over the airwaves that high, they could do almost anything they wanted in regards to what airs.

Huh. Well I don't know what's she's gone in for, but I think I could get her some books. In fact....[Naoki trails off, mind flashing back to her discussions in class and how she would gush about some authors] I think I've got the perfect ones.

[tenminutes]

You must not have much of an imagination if you can't imagine a magnetic apple in a hospital being funny.

[makewayforroze]

Is there anything that won't be there in the morning?

[pintsizedpyro]

...That bad, huh? Heh, sucks to be you then.

So what's up with that other thing you mentioned? The tower thing. Sounds suspicious as hell, if you ask me.

[shadow_spread]

[well, that doesn't bode well]

Then it's a good thing that you're visiting her. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you.

except for those soft, "chunky" feeling ones. thump thump

[fallen_stage]

I'm afraid you've lost me. What do you mean "airs"? Like a sound that reaches all of Tokyo? Still, if they have the most to gain, and broad influence, of course that's suspicious.

[Kuja smiles, flicking some fringe away from their face.]

There you go. See? You know your teacher better than you think. It just took a little rumination.