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voice; @🐾 Mister 🐶 Pom 🐾; early November

[feistro]

[Does he call at any time but the dead of night? Only sometimes.]

Haven't seen you in a minute. Just making sure you and yours are all right over there.

[opposed]

[ Well, at least it's mostly expected at this point. She's moving to take he call elsewhere for the moment, so he'll hear the pad of her feet on the carpet. ]

We've been all right for the most part. Jayce has been looking into things on our end and I imagine Viktor will be helping him.

[ Keeping it vague about the Augmenter. ]

How's Gale? I...went to visit him but that wasn't long after his return.

[feistro]

He's doing better. We got out of the city for a couple of days, away from Patho-Gen. I think that helped clear our heads.

[Among other things. It's quiet wherever he is, save for the sound of chirping insects and the call of night fowl.]

[opposed]

You both deserved it. After all that's happened, it's something I wish we all could do without being spied on. Karteria's felt so...

[ Dangerous. Unsafe. ]

...stifling, lately.

[ It's not untrue. She's been feeling it for weeks now but since the past month, it really does feel as if Karteria's become a box in which there's no real escape. ]

[feistro]

Yeah.

[He gets what she's saying. Or not saying, rather.]

If nothing else, maybe what happened has drummed up more interest in the rebuild project.

[opposed]

While that's true, we have a great deal of ground to cover. And we'll need to build a proper barrier before the town is capable of actually housing anyone.

[ There's a longer pause here. ]

...I also worry that it's going to be a much easier way to target us.

[feistro]

Been thinking about that myself. Patho-Gen might have a hard time getting to us, what with the radiation and all, but if they do get out there...

[They could order them to come in. Knock them out. Hell, maybe mind-control someone big like him to destroy everything they've built, or to hurt the others taking refuge there. The possibilities are endless in the worst way.]

[opposed]

We've seen that they can get us to go anywhere, do anything. If this venture is to truly succeed...we will need to ensure we cannot be sent elsewhere. Or we will have to try to have some kind watch.

[ Which is fine with her; she was considering seeing if a small tower could be made regardless for just that reason (and because Brickston spoke to her about the view). Someone could man that for such purposes. But it doesn't negate the issue. ]

[feistro]

Even then, a watch will have to know when we're being controlled. Or keep from getting controlled themselves.

[And that's not even touching the problem of people like him, who don't like the idea of being watched, even by a fellow Augmented for safety. They can't all be trusted, same as anyone.]

I was thinking about how we get out there, too. It's a long walk for some folks. Especially those without legs.

[opposed]

That part I have prepared. I...have two mirrors that act to teleport people from one place to another. I've asked someone to house the first in a location that people wouldn't think twice about seeing Augmented milling about.

[ An art gallery, namely, but one run by an Augmented who is rather ostentatious to begin with. ]

I still need to find a location for the second mirror out in the forest or by the bridge.

[feistro]

[Okay, he can help with scouting, but—]

Wait, you got mirrors too?

[opposed]

[ Oh. Huh... ]

I did. Jayce did as well a few weeks ago, though his are...a little odd.

[feistro]

Odd how?

[opposed]

I'm not certain. I stepped through them and they were simply...strange to me.

[ Like something was briefly missing. ]

Regardless, they seem safe. I haven't tested my own yet.

[feistro]

Hm. Can't say I've ever felt anything going through the ones Northly and I've got. I thought they might be put to better use out there so no one has to go through Patho-Gen's teleporters.

[He hates those things.]

[opposed]

It's a solid plan. But we can use mine, that's no trouble. I can't ask you to use that when it could be vital for you and yours.

[ And she's asked too much of him already, especially recently. ]

I would want you to be safe too.

[feistro]

Pretty sure Northly comin' over at all hours ain't vital, Mel.

[opposed]

[ Oh, is that how it is? ]

It's still yours to do with for your own gain. You don't need to donate it for others, is what I'm saying.

[feistro]

I could say the same about yours. You got more people over there than I do. Folks you need to look after.

[opposed]

I'm also the one who is asking people to give of their time, their resources, and their energy towards a project which may or may not get us all killed or worse.

[ There's the impression of a smile there, grim in nature. ]

And as I am not capable of doing anything related to said project, the least I can do is give my resources. Including mirrors of dubious origin.

[feistro]

[Classic Mel, always underestimating her own contributions. He sighs quietly on his end, knowing he's not winning this battle.]

Where do you think they come from?

[opposed]

I...I don't know. I also received quite a bit of money some months back, which allowed me to invest in some of our efforts in the city. I've been a bit wary now that we received the mirrors.

[ As it means someone or something is watching them, knowing what they're looking for. Knowing what they need. ]

[feistro]

[He also got money. But what would be giving them money and magical mirrors?]

Seems like there's something out there that wants to help us. But why?

[opposed]

I don't know. The caretakers of Kelesis, whomever they are, seem grateful for our help. I wouldn't necessarily say they aren't compassionate in some respects...but I received money before we even found Kelesis.

[ So it has to be someone or something in Karteria, or something in the woods that's been watching. ]

Perhaps it's naive to hope that something wants this world to be saved somehow.

[feistro]

Maybe it's the world itself trying to help us.

[Sure, maybe the idea of a world giving them mirrors and money is far-fetched, but they've all been dragged out of their own worlds and are turning into monsters, against all reasonable logic. Anything seems to be on the table these days.]