[Jaunt] Apologies for the comm-spamming

[youandyoualone]

This is Anafiel Delaunay, lately of the Walkabout. I was told of the plague of Trojans here by Naoki and so I have come to lend my aid in whatever way I might. I have also brought Sakuya Tachibana, a healer of no mean skill, in hopes that he might be able to treat the computer disease.

If anyone can tell us how we might help, please do. I am not a healer myself, but I have spent some time as a soldier in my youth. I am willing to follow instruction.

Comments

[tookashirototheknee]

Avoid touching people. That's how it spreads, through communications interface.

[Matt's mental voice is a bit snarky, very tired, and appearing on the network for the first time in a long while.]

It's a reference to an ancient war, where a brilliant asshole built a big wooden horse and stuck his entire army inside. The opposing side brought it into their walled city without thinking. When it got to be night... the people in the horse got out and took over the city.

So, yeah. It's a reference to that.

Private, no protection

[verdeleonessa]

Matt, I need to talk to you.

Private: Protection II

[tookashirototheknee]

What's up?

[Please don't ask to meet up, Pidge. He won't put you in danger too.]

Private: Protection II

[verdeleonessa]

[She wants to. She wants to meet him so badly. But in the current situation she knows it's not wise.]

I'm going to be very blunt with you and tell you straight, okay? I - we - think you might have been infected by the virus already.

Private: Protection II

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, is that all? Yeah, I kinda figured, the first time I went to sleep and woke up somewhere else. I've been walking ever since. Two steps forward and one step back. I'm trying to avoid whatever pull has a hold of me while I don't know what I'm doing.

Just... don't tell Shiro? I don't want him to worry about me.

Private: Protection II

[verdeleonessa]

[That would explain why she hadn't been able to find him at all. Of course he had figured it out.]

Shiro already knows and he... He was also infected.

[tookashirototheknee]

Shit.

[Matt's voice cracks just a bit.]

Where is he right now? Maybe I can help.

[Another pause.]

Pidge, please be careful, ok? I don't want you getting hurt. That's... really most of why I'm going the other way. Ugh, I wish I could be with you both right now, but this... it's for the best.

[verdeleonessa]

He volunteered himself to stay in Liminal Space so that Claudia and Jules can look at the grey modes code.

[What that implies is something she leaves for Matt to figure out. With Shiro volunteering and staying there.]

I know. I will be careful. I've been trying to help with finding a cure mostly and... well, to be honest, I tried to find you. I miss you.

[youandyoualone]

[Dryly.] I am familiar with both the story of Troy and that of wily Odysseus. I have had the benefit of very good tutors and a university education. But I am to understand that these Trojans are not, in fact, ancient Helenes and instead a kind of 'virus.' And a 'virus,' as I understand it, is a small creature that brings disease. [Thank you, Alcuin, for explaining what you learned from being a space doctor to him.]

Hence, my bringing a man with healing abilities to you.

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, whoops! Sorry. I'm never sure what universes have what. Didn't mean to insult you or anything.

[He's just an awkward space turtle at the best of times.]

Huh. Well, a computer virus is somewhat different than an actual virus, but here, where programs are people, that's not a bad thought, actually.

[youandyoualone]

'Tis fine. I just find it oddly amusing that people keep expecting me not to know Homer.

And yes. That was my thought too. To live among the circuits and make the computers work, it is likely that the Programs are not made of flesh as you or I, but the energy that powers computers and lightbulbs. [A slight pause.] At least, I assume you are made of flesh.

[tookashirototheknee]

Yeah, as far as I can tell, Programs here are pure energy with a sort of consciousness attached to them. They're mostly independent, sentient beings, but some of them are extremely beholden to commands.

Oh, I'm definitely made of flesh. Most species I've encountered so far in my world are. There are a couple rock-based species, and some sentient planets.

[youandyoualone]

Really? How fascinating! Like the Hecatites of Questing Country or more rock-like still?

[tookashirototheknee]

Less crystals and more just... rocks. The Balmerans live on the sentient planet, and take care of them. It's a fascinating relationship. I've only met one of them, but I got to talk to him for a while about where he was from.

I'm hoping to actually visit one of the sentient planets at some point.

[youandyoualone]

You should. It would be very interesting to converse with a planet, I think. The things you might learn from one... although I suppose it would depend if the planet could converse and also might speak your language.

Private, level 2

[triggerhappytraitor]

Can you meet me somewhere? I may be able to clear up at least some of the infection with Apollo's powers.

[tookashirototheknee]

That would be great... if I knew where I was. I just went walking without really paying attention to where I'm going. Mostly I'm avoiding anything that looks like it moves or is solid. Um. I figure if I keep walking away from people, then I can't infect anyone.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Self imposed inverted quarantine, huh? [[There is just a touch of amusement there]] Not a bad plan, really. I could meet you back in Liminal, or portal to where you are, if you can show me your location.

/belatedly

[vrepit_no]

[GASP!!]

Matt! Matt, Matt, oh thank the stars, it's Matt. Hi starshine. Are you 'kay? You're not hurt, right? Don' feel hurt. But!! But I wanna know! You're 'kay? You're not trapped or nothin?

[tookashirototheknee]

[Oh dear stars. It's like the Garrison again when Shiro would come and lie on his floor and ramble all night.]

I'm fine, 'Kashi. Just walking away from everyone so my stupid ass doesn't get anyone sick. How are you, though?

[vrepit_no]

Noooo.... Maaaaattieeeeeee.... But y'r all alone out there, an' there's enemies an' stuff! Somebody shot at Stone with a fuckin'... a fuckin' mortar! Like, a ground-to-air bomb! Don' want them t' find you out there. Sh'd come back to liminal, sweetheart. Least while you're awake 'n stuff.

[tookashirototheknee]

I'll be ok, Shiro. I know how to hide. In fact, I'm pretty good at that.

[He sighs deeply.]

... A computer mortar. Now there's... something. I don't know what kind of something, but it is something.

I'm fine, Shiro. I don't want to hurt anyone else. This is the best way. Besides, I'd just respawn if something happened to me.

[vrepit_no]

No! No. Nope. Nuh-uh. No respawns. None. Won't letcha. Gonna send you help. Mmhmm! Good people. Gonna help see if he can heal you. Cause respawns are not happening. Not allowed mister.

...Miss you. [An awful lot judging by the ache in his mental voice.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Shiro, you're a mess. That's obvious. If there's someone who can help, for the love of tiny baby stars, keep them there with you. The worst that's going to happen to me is that I'll walk for a while... and then turn grey and walk back. Heck, if I could find a way, I'd just tie myself to a rock or something.

[There's a long sigh.]

I miss you too, Shiro. When this is all over, I think I need a lot of snuggling.

[vrepit_no]

Hey! Not a mess. Don't look at me that way, 'M not a mess! Made them give me somethin to keep me down. Dun wanna hurt anybody anymore. Not again. Gotta keep him weak an' restrained while they get at his code an' write an antivirus. 'Mokay. Jus' a little loopy maybe. Gotta chair an' everythin.

Gonna hug you lots'n'lots. Many lots. Alla hugs. Kisses too. Bes' thing to ever happen t'me.