[audio]

[yearrounder]

[This would have been text if Annabeth could actually spell, but audio works just as well. No hints of where she is, at least, and with recent...events that's probably safer. Or maybe she's just honed her paranoia so well that it's second nature by this point. Probably that last one. There are more than a few people who would agree.]

Has anyone else noticed that it's been...I don't know, sort of quiet since the... [she doesn't want to say "Null" out loud. That's an old habit.] ...announcement? I don't know, I guess I figured things would be a little more chaotic. Maybe I missed something, but it's quieter than I expected.

[It doesn't seem like a bloodbath at least? That counts as a victory? Maybe?]

As quiet as it ever gets, anyway. I mean I feel like everyone already knows that it's never too quiet.

It could be worse, I guess.

Comments

voice;

[storyseeker]

It's not your fault. No one wanted to be the one to deliver an obituary.

[She sighs.]

This community is going to fracture if fear gets the best of people, especially if they're right to be afraid. What's the saying? It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you?

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

Yeah, I don't blame them.

[She's been in that position more than once.]

Some healthy paranoia saves lives, but if this keeps going...I don't know. People shouldn't always be afraid but that seems like the default around here.

voice;

[storyseeker]

It isn't always. It wasn't, until the a mass murder-for-hire solicitation appeared on the network.

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

I guess so. I still think constantly dreading what's going to happen next is close enough.

voice;

[storyseeker]

It might be. I suppose that depends how well you cope with the specific threat of someone wanting you dead.

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

It's not really that uncommon for a lot of people, but I guess it must be weird to everyone else.

voice;

[storyseeker]

Does this kind of thing happen a lot where you're from?

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

The hit list or the general terror for your life?

voice;

[storyseeker]

Why not both?

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

Because one happens more often than the other one.

voice;

[storyseeker]

[Yikes. Sounds like she comes from an exciting world. And not necessarily in a good way.]

At least you've got practice at this, then.

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

[Like you have no idea.]

Yeah. That doesn't make it nicer, though.

voice;

[storyseeker]

No. It really, really doesn't.

Re: voice;

[yearrounder]

Maybe one day we'll get a nice happy life, but I'm starting to doubt it.