R1 DEADLAND PT2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[donotlick]

You don't have to force yourself.

[ Hank keeps his voice level, calm to try and reassure her. ]

Not like I've been gazing down the window of the AV room since I got here. Fuck that place.

[throwabookatit]

[ She winces at the thought, admitting: ]

...If we had a roof, I'd be sticking far from it. That's...where she...

[donotlick]

[ Hank waves a hand. She doesn't have to finish that thought. ]

Don't worry about it. Normally people don't come back after they die, so it's not like there's some handbook on dealing with the whole "guess you're dead" thing.

You don't have to get over it. Ignoring it sounds pretty damn good.

[throwabookatit]

[ With his wave she shakes her head. Don't think about it. Don't think about it, Becca. ]

...Normally, I'll tell people not to ignore the traumatic things that've happened to them, but... You're right. This is far from normal. Isn't it?

[donotlick]

Yeah. I don't think humans're made for that stuff.

[ Hey, at least Hank is very good at that. He's gotten loads of practice thanks to interfacing with Connor and feeling him die. ]

This ain't some character-building shit. We're better off forgetting it. Wasn't either of our faults.

[throwabookatit]

...A stupid mistake is still that. A mistake.

[ Still, she seems uncomfortable with just letting it be that. ]

Could...could you grab me something then, that looks...I don't know, normal? I'd take a damn cookbook, at this point.

[donotlick]

[ Hank nods. He's done thinking about that. ]

Sure, you got any styles you like? Otherwise I'm gonna get you something I wanna eat.

[throwabookatit]

Something unhealthy, you mean? Mmm... Just surprise me. Whatever's the first interesting thing that comes to mind, food or not, that has nothing to do with murder or ghosts or bloody curses or evil viruses.

[donotlick]

You got it.

[ Hank gives her a smirk. He'll come back with something fun, I promise.

I mean, actually he comes back with some fancy YA book because Jan only reads this shit. ]

You read Six of Crows before?

[throwabookatit]

No, but I've...heard of it. One of those new- uh, new for me- young adult ones, yeah?

[ she hasn't read it and neither have i ]

[donotlick]

[ It's fun!!! Not... the kind of book Hank has read, but you know what?? Too bad, Hank. ]

Yeah, I had a really long layover on a flight once and I ended up reading it. It's about this fantasy 1800s type place, with like... magic and a big heist. It's kinda badass.

[ He's blushing a little, dads can read YA too!! ]

[throwabookatit]

You've read it. Really?

[ She just raises her eyebrows and she'll take the book, how...amusing. ]

Well... Fantasy's a good genre to escape with, in any case.

[donotlick]

It didn't look like YA when I bought it, okay.

[ The pages have black edges. It's very Hardcore. ]

Yeah, I figure it might be kinda fun, at least. It's about a bunch of kids but they all sound like they're in their 30s even though everybody insists they're "seventeen."

[throwabookatit]

[ SO hardcore, Hank. So much. ]

Well, isn't that always how it goes? A bunch of adults, don't know how to write teenagers... Honestly that's usually why I read, ah- more mature things.

...But I could give it a shot.

[donotlick]

Try it. Trust me, it doesn't suck.

[ The sequel has a shitty ending, but not this one!! ]

Just don't go around telling people I read YA, okay?

[throwabookatit]

Afraid it'll ruin your "tough guy" image?

[donotlick]

[ Hank chuckles> ]

Right, wouldn't wanna do that.