callada | [ITN] IC Inbox

[ THERE'S A LULL IN THE TEXTS. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE, ROSI.... ]

[Holy shit can a guy take a shower? He's still toweling his hair dry when he scrolls through the endless series of messages.

Oh, Daylight. Never change. Except do. Except don't because Dr. Solis okay, importance confirmed, whatever this is.]

I'm here. Do you want to come talk in person instead? I'm in my room.

[ there's an almost immediate response, one riddled with typos because there's a very strong chance day is doing this on the go: ]

yeah sure thei'll be therein a few minus.

[ given the distance of where daylight lives and where rosinante resides, you think it'll take more than a few minutes to cross the distance and reach the intended destination.

but daylight is both a scout, trained for speed and travel, and he's panicking big time. great advantages(?) for running through complete darkness!

... but he does get there. his vents may be stuttering and groaning and his life may be flashing before his optics with how tired he is but he's there, knocking weakly at the door to alert rosinante of his presence.

though, really, the laboured vents should be enough to alert anyone of day's presence. ]

[Dude is fast, that's for real, and it takes Rosinante longer to get dressed these days since he has to re-wrap his entire torso every time. Whether or not Dr. Scully is right about the chance of infection, it makes him feel more normal when he looks in the mirror. Makes his shirts sit nicer, without strange bony ribs curving under fabric so visibly. He tugs Aziraphale's patchwork sweater on over the top, trips over his sweatpants with an audible and heavy thunk in the process of getting them on, and sighs as he calls out:]

One second, sorry-

[But shortly he does manage to make himself decent, except there's been no time yet for makeup. Or like, socks. And his hair, when still damp, is an even wavier mess than usual. But who cares, he's not exactly bothered about looking perfect, it's just Daylight and Daylight doesn't care. Finally, he opens the door, then stands back to let him in.

Only, as he's done before, the moment Daylight is clear of the door he closes it and snaps his fingers with an uttered "silent" to seal off anyone who might accidentally - or intentionally - listen in.]

So, what's this about Doctor Solis?

[He's trying to sound calm. He's very excited.]

[ it's a good thing rosinante is trying to be calm because daylight is not and probably won't be for a while. you'd think him running across the distance would force him to dial it back for the sake of his vents except-

no. it does not. ]

I accidentally gave Dr. Solis a winter holidays gift. [ he pauses here, having enough common sense to realise that sounds dumb. even for his standards. ] Well- Not accidentally. I sent it to the Friend Under the Basement on purpose because, well, they're my friend. I didn't know it was her until she sent me back a gift that had a card that she signed with her own name.

I- I don't know why but I thought maybe writing a letter to her would be a good idea? So I did and I got a response and- Today- Because I was doing Spirit Day with the others like usual- [ hang on- he begins to go through his messenger bag/pouch bag. a few seconds later and he pulls out a letter with practiced cursive writing. ] I got a response.

You can read it for yourself but she's offering hints and information and she's inviting me for tea!

[Friend under the basement? He doesn't mean...]

Wait. What basement. The church?

[That's the only underneath place he can think of, and his eyes go wide. He takes the letter, and sits himself down on his bed to read it.

It's gonna take him a bit. This is a long letter.]

[ daylight nods his helm frantically.

while rosinante attempts to read the letter in peace like a normal individual, daylight, unable to handle the silence, begins to nervously ramble to fill the silence between them: ]

The church! Yeah! I mean- Who else lives in a basement in any of the buildings here in Beacon? [ anyone who does that is weird, even for him, and wait! that's not the point of this talk- focus, day! ] I should have brought the present along with me as proof, I know, but I swear she really sent me something and she wrote a card and everything.

And-! And I only sent winter holiday presents through the post office to Robin and Dr. Ingram and the spirits like the Postmaster General and the Friend Under the Basement. I didn't get a reply from Dr. Ingram but I got gifts from everyone else when I dropped by there. I did a count, like how Emer taught me to do, and the only one the music box could have been a response from was from the Friend.

[It's a good thing he understands Daylight's excitement because silence is otherwise his best friend. And that's a friend he wouldn't hesitate to name as such, unlike some of the people here. Silence is truly an honest, comforting presence.

But instead he has a rambling robot. Okay cool. He's not tuning it out, he's just... dealing with the distractions as best he can by re-reading sentences sometimes.

He has a lot of questions right now but they're not the sort Daylight can answer. Like why the hell does Solis think this is somehow going to be less divisive than notifying everyone herself? What could have happened in the past that was so awful, that she thinks this is a better approach?]

So, who are you bringing along to meet her, have you decided yet?

[ and this is where daylight finally(!) stops rambling.

he slowly shakes his helm, looking sheepish. ]

No... That's one of the things I wanted to ask you about. [ 'one of the things' implying that there's a lot more to go through but perhaps its the best they get this out of the way. ]

I was thinking maybe you or Riku or Soldat could come along with me because, well, we're friends and stuff. [ one could hear the 'but' coming and it does come: ] But- I know you guys have a lot on your plate as is. Between Downtown needing to be explored and winter and the other projects going on and stuff.

And, um, it got me thinking that if you guys couldn't come with me- Maybe someone you guys trust? I don't need to know-know them to let you, er, know now. If you trust them with this stuff than I will too. I just- I just want to be sure I'm going in with my bases covered. [ day isn't sure that bit of his even made sense but he tried to explain his reasoning.

when it comes to relations and communications, he was not good at it. that was dialup's job and he knows he won't be able to ask tough questions or really dig into things if dr. solis didn't want to answer it or tried to avoid it. daylight didn't have the figurative heart for that. ]

I see.

[Gods, how he wants to go. It could be dangerous, could be some sort of trap laid by the spirits, but the handwriting is finer than any spirit he can imagine - and he's never seen one communicate in text anyway, barring the few that seemed to make their way onto the network back in November. This is a pretty far leap from that. Still, it could be like what happened when he went with Winters and the rest to the lighthouse.

It's worth the risk, but there are others just as capable who would fare better in the public spotlight afterward, when word needs to be passed back to everyone. People who he would rather see taking the lead, other than himself, as deeply interested in this as he is. One is the only leader who seems willing to take that title, and he strongly thinks they do need a name and face to hold some sort of authority here. The second is someone who he has known for far less time but who he already can see is responsible and very, very good at working out the riddles this place poses.]

Lord Cao Pi would be extremely well suited to this. You've seen how thorough he is, and how clever. He's not always likeable, I realize that. But I would still choose him on the basis that he doesn't back down, and he has always kept everyone here informed. The second is General Maes Hughes, who I got to know better on our recent trip downtown. He has a quick mind and a good sense for investigation.

[He eyes the letter once more, then hands it back.]

If either of them are unable, I would like to go. I've been wanting to meet her. There's a lot of questions she can answer for us. The dreams made that clear.

Sir Cao Pi! Yeah! I like the idea of him coming along.

[ daylight's winglets flick up at the first name he hears, remembering him very well from the town hall meetings and the post. he was... intense but focused, always trying to herd the group and consolidate information before sharing it with everyone. really good things to have when speaking with dr. solis.

he doesn't know mr. hughes as well but he faintly remembers him from the town hall meeting, when they spoke about their experience during the feast. he seemed- nice and smart, daylight decides there and then. and, besides, if rosinante trusted mr. hughes, daylight will trust him too. that's a name he'll keep in mind when trying to figure out who should come with him.

he nods along to what rosinante is telling him, freezing halfway when he hears a word that jogs his memory. ] ... Right. Questions.

That's what I wanted to ask you for help as well. [ he looks down, scratching the back of his neck while he takes back his letter. ] I- I don't know what to ask her when we meet. There's a lot of ground to cover and it kind of makes my helm spin trying to pin a topic down.

[ he's not gonna lie: there's a risk of him not being able to ask any questions when he meets her. he was never good at probing, pressing questions. ]

[He gives a sympathetic smile as Daylight admits that particular unfortunate failing. Yeah, questions. Kinda important.]

I can definitely help you come up with those. We'll just start brainstorming a list, how's that? And we can always change them, or cross them off. You have your tablet?

[This works. This is the best of both worlds, actually. If Cao Pi goes - since Daylight seemed to take that advice well - and if he writes the questions, or at least a number of them, then he'll be content not to be the one to ask them. It's just the beginning, anyway. Hopefully Dr. Solis will see there's a lot of good in connecting with the entire town.]

I do! [ he perks up, feeling much better since he knows rosinante is helping him create a list of questions he should ask dr. solis. he's also very relieved to have remembered to bring that along with him in his mad rush outside the cabin and to here. ] Yeah. Hang on- It should be here somewhere-!

[ daylight carefully put away the letter and begins to search for his tablet in his messenger bag belt. it takes a bit of digging around but he pulls out soon enough, opening it up to begin writing things down.

he pauses for a bit, looking down at rosinante with big optics.] -Thanks. I really don't want to mess this up for you guys. And that includes Dr. Solis. I know it was a... a risk for her to reveal herself to us, given her experience, but I want to make this work for everyone. So we can figure this out! Together!

[ even in this mildly panicky state, day is determined to believe in the best of people and hope they can do this as a team. ]

I don't know that I'd even call this her revealing herself, but it's a start.

[He runs a hand through his hair, getting those still-damp strands off his neck. Should probably get it cut one of these days. And then he leans over to his own collection of supplies to reach for a cigarette while Daylight gets his tablet, lighting it on his lantern and screwing the top closed again. Okay. Thinking mode activated.]

From her letter, I'd obviously like to know why her appearance caused so much conflict. What happened?

But if she won't go into those things, if she just wants to answer general questions to start with, then: what are the World Eaters? What does she know about them, what might they be vulnerable to, and what have past groups tried?

[ daylight excitedly writes the questions down on his table, making sure to add the comments to remind himself of their importance.

he looks up when he hears the last question, his winglets hitching up in clear interest. ]

Ohhh! The last question is really good. [ he's always been curious about the past groups and what happened in their attempts to stop the world eaters. perhaps more than ever since the night market's arrival and the realisation that others have survived.

and now that he thinks about it as well... ] Do you think we can ask her for anything notable the past groups did before they were reset or something?

Like what Dr. Ingram did. He was able to keep himself alive from the resetting of his group. Surely someone or someones did something to do major improvements or progress.

I'm not sure I follow what you're trying to ask. What Dr. Ingram did wasn't something we should emulate. And his group, specifically, was reset because they were trying to get at Dr. Solis.

[Just, you know. As a reminder. It doesn't sound like that group accomplished much.]

If she has ideas on what we should try, that's fine, but otherwise I'm not sure how relevant a question like that is for directing our survival efforts. Now, a better angle - at least, one she might have good knowledge of - is to ask about what happened in this town in her time. She was central to whatever turned this place dark. In fact, I'd guess she and her research are responsible.

[Because yeah, that would be divisive if others hadn't realized that before she appeared and spoke to them. But it makes sense given the little he knows others glimpsed in their dreams.]

No- I mean- [ daylight stops himself from rambling about what he had meant, wanting to hear rosinante out first.

in the end, he decides to nod in agreement to shift their attention away from the past groups and focus on the important questions like research and information on the world eater instead. it is the most pressing matter they're up against right now so you gotta focus, daylight. ]

What happened to the town and her research. Right. [ he writes that one day, making sure to add in the explanation for why to ask that question. something occurs to him and he frowns in worry now. ] ... What if she doesn't want to answer these questions? Soldat mentioned that possibility to me when I was talking to him about this.

[So he's gone to Soldat first? Strikes him as an odd choice, but all right. More perspectives aren't bad. And unlike when Daylight had approached him with the information from Will's tablet, this he feels is something that should probably be shared somewhat widely, when the time is right. Additionally, he now has a better sense for who can be trusted to keep which secrets and Soldat isn't one to talk gossip.]

Then for now, move on from ones she won't answer. She's the best source of historical information we have and I'd like to keep her from feeling like she made the wrong decision in coming forward. If we're careful, and if she finds the experience to be a positive one, we'll have more opportunities in the future.

[He smiles a little, in fact, hoping to put Daylight at least a little bit at ease because he can tell the pressure of being the one in this position is a lot to handle.]

I'm not too worried about it though. You're easy to talk to. Make sure it's a good, friendly conversation like you always do and things will go fine.

[ if daylight could blush, he would at this very moment.

but since that - along with the ability to cry - was cancelled out from his parents' genes having a disagreement with one another, he'll have to settle with his winglets flicking up in pleasant pride and gratefulness. ] Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rosinante.

It means a lot to me. [ it really does. daylight looks up to his friend with how put-together and collected he always seems to be. so hearing those opinions from rosinante is a relief and makes him think that- yeah. he can do this. if the others think he can do this then he will! for them.

he pauses in his writing and does a snappy salute, beaming. ] I'll do what I can! And, um, I'll also let you know how it goes, right? To make sure we're all on the same page.

Yeah, of course. You're always good at reaching out. I appreciate it.

[And the number one way to keep people doing what you want them to do is to reward them every time they do it. Daylight likes compliments, he's easy. Besides - it's the truth, anyway. Just that sometimes Rosinante can't help but dissect people's behavior, including his own.

Daylight isn't off the hook yet, though, and he nods to the tablet.]

Let's see, we can add a few more still. If you don't get through them all, it's fine. How about, what does she know about the spirits? Where do they come from? She might have advice on communicating with them too, to help you out.

Oh! You're right! We should ask about the spirits.

[ that's a really good idea and daylight now feels a bit silly for not thinking about them sooner. he begins to type that down but the more letters he writes out, the more a frown makes it.

until his original happy expression is gone and he looks up at rosinante, looking concerned for some reason. ] Now that I think about it...

... Coraline to me a while back. About her dream that she had during the feast.

It had something to do with the spirits and what she told me was... really freaky.

[ he shudders when he recalls the story and the conversation they had. ] She told me how she thought, because of what she experienced in the dream, she think the spirits could possibly be the original townsfolk. Or based off of them.

Do you think I should ask Dr. Solis that pointblank...?

I think it's fine to ask if she knows what their origins are. Start there and see what she says.

[But he also suspects that the spirits are townspeople, or former residents of Beacon, or both. His own transformation after his most recent death made him come to that realization, and he's heard and read it a few other times since.

If they are the original townspeople, then a lot of this is going to be painful for her to talk about. She likely knew several of them. But that could be to their benefit if she's on good terms with them.]

While you're asking about history, confirm how long ago this happened, would you? I'm not sure how relevant it is, but it would be a useful point of reference.

[ daylight nods in agreement and types down the question and rosinante's comments, along with his own about how he should approach this carefully with dr. solis. he had come to the same conclusion as rosinante had and the last thing he wants to do is upset her.

when rosinante adds the next question, day looks up from the tablet and tilts his helm out if puzzlement. he then raises his servo to show there's something he wants to ask: ]

Like- The exact number of years it's been since all of this happened? Or what the exact year it was when this all started? [ he feels like those are very two different things. ]

Both, I suppose. I know some of you who were asleep glimpsed dates on things like newspapers. It might be good to know how long after that things went dark, and how many years have passed since then. Having a timeline could be interesting.

[It's one of those things that doesn't have an immediate and explicit usefulness, admittedly. He knows that. But it's a few small facts that will help them understand the full course of events here, and knowing the past is one of the best ways to make sense of the present, or so his studies of military history have indicated.]

[ a timeline definitely would help clear the air about certain things. like what year they're truly in and if the idea they're stuck in a time loop is true or not. little things like that.

so that gets written down too, accompanied by some notes and comments. when he finishes writing it up, a thought comes to mind thanks to what rosinante had said just now. ] Hey. Hey, Rosinante...I know this is sorta out of nowhere but- Um- Do you know any other Dreamers?

Because she's asking for me to reach out to them and I only know a handful fo the others who fell asleep and dreamed something. [ because he knows others hadn't dreamt a thing, somehow, and that makes figuring out who was what and where. that makes it a little difficult for him when he does future note writing and delivering. ]

[ITN] IC Inbox

9/9 DONE I'M SO SORRY PART 2: DAY PLEASE.

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