to: all, soon after the summoned return from the alternate reality and regain their bearings

[sketchycharacter]

What the fuck

Comments

[stations]

( The most frightening part, something he's sure Istredd is better equipped to understand than anyone else: )

I can't feel her

[magicalarchaeologist]

Jack, maybe we should talk about this privately.

[ There's a tone even able to be read, a sort of gentle 'we might need to have a talk.' ]

[stations]

It's okay actually, I'm sure it's fine. I'll just wait. Patience is a virtue, right?

Sorry for interrupting you guys! Crazy event right? haha. Okay anyway I'm gonna go do some stuff, I'll catch you later!

( nope nope nope nope nope nope nope it's all fine everything's fine bye )

[magicalarchaeologist]

I'll find out from them if anyone could still be in the crater.

[ He is going to have to get out of bed and walk somewhere to do that, but he'll do it for Jack. He also already messaged Kyle.]

Maybe it would be best if you wait in your room for now, yes?

[stations]

Sure! Maybe!

( No! )

[magicalarchaeologist]

This was your friend Jerry's first experience, right? Perhaps it would be helpful to go and check on him.

[stations]

Shit. Yeah, okay. Yeah, I'll check on him.

( 5D chess maneuver, Istredd. You know him too well. )

[magicalarchaeologist]

I'm sure he'd appreciate that, it must be particularly overwhelming to new people.

[stations]

Well, Jerry's different. He's very

Jerry

"Overwhelmed" isn't really an emotion he experiences like normal people.

[magicalarchaeologist]

So far. I'm pretty sure eight hundred years in a fake reality is new to most people.

[stations]

Most people, totally.
Jerry and I have been through stuff like this before, though. It's fine.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Check on him anyway. Kyle was looking for you too.

[ Technically looking for him because Istredd told him, but it counts. ]

[mathmetism]

nah dog im solid af
hey dude dont stress, we'll find her
you know sabine, she loves taking a supernatural bop around the interdimensional planes, dropping into dreams, showing up in freaky medieval times alternate realities
she's probably just taking the scenic route
we'll find her, jack

[stations]

Yeah, that's totally probably what it is. She'll show up. Time works differently for her. I'm sure it's okay.

Hey, I'm glad you're okay though.

[mathmetism]

see? different transdimensional physiology, different vacay destinations
she'll be back with souvenirs in no time

meanwhile, dont tell him i said anything, but kyle's having a big ol honkin meltdown, the room's a mess, dude's been ugly crying on my shoulder, trying to drunk brain-text folks all day, and desperately hitting on me but i told him i'm flattered my disarming handsomeness and motherly comforting presence have moved him, but i can't take advantage of him in this fragile emotional state
wanna come help me cheer up sensei?

[stations]

Look, Jerry, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but... you know I've actually met Kyle, right?

[mathmetism]

sure, yeah, but
pretty sure eight hundred years in a fake reality is new to most people

[ xoxo istredd ]

man's seen some shit
don't perpetuate the societal myth that men can't cry or experience hysterical emotions, jack
its reductive, and hurtful
let the man grieve
i heard he ran into like
a whole fucking walmart parking lot full of birds right before we got yoinked back so
have some sensitivity, dude

[stations]

( in what is sure to be a very reassuring sign, no response comes after this message. he turns off his mental phone. )

ignore this, just prelude for whatever happens in log land

[mathmetism]

jack?
jackie boy?
jackothy my precious lil empanada?
jacknathon penelope townsend don't make me come up there young man