IC Contact Post

[mathemagier]

[Screened calls go straight to voicemail, where an impatient recording answers]

You've reached Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. Leave your name, number, and business if you expect a return call. Thank you.

Comments

[mathemagier]

[This is starting to sound like it could be alarming]

Newton...

[driftsintobuffetline]

Greg is gone! The man is hurting! And all you have to say is "Newton"? I was trying to be a good friend, okay? I know we have a strict policy on this, but it's Miles...

[mathemagier]

[Oh boy]

What did you do, Newton?

[driftsintobuffetline]

... I agreed to show him an example of a Drift using a squid cap. By which I mean I offered to Drift with him.

[mathemagier]

[What]


...What? You can't possibly be serious! We don't have any idea of what the repercussions could be! Between his network connection and ours- not to mention it could be permanent!

[driftsintobuffetline]

Repercussions? It's a basic Drift! Nothing more! I'm not Mako. I can't just flit around, Drifting with anyone. I'm not initiating anything with his powers, just his brain, and when it's done, the link will be gone. It's no different from any other Drift!

[mathemagier]

You don't know that for certain! Our Drift is permanent, and it's possible any others that connect with us could be as well!

[driftsintobuffetline]

Well, I've agreed to this! So I'm doing it! You're just to jealous it's Miles! You'd have been okay with Qubit, but it's fun-size twin and so you're getting your undies in a bunch over wild conjecture and what-ifs!

[mathemagier]

[They've been married for a week and already he's being accused of jealousy]

It's not because of Miles! It's because of his connections with other people and our own unknowns!

[driftsintobuffetline]

[They've been married for years]

His parents and Tex--that's it. He's lonely, Hermann. Don't tell me you wouldn't if you were in his shoes!

[mathemagier]

[Welp]

I wouldn't. Not only is it irresponsible, but I'm not interested in connecting with other people!

[driftsintobuffetline]

I know! That's why you have no friends!

[mathemagier]

[Well he deserves and sort of invited that one, but it still stings.]

You should have discussed this with me before making any sort of offer. I expect I won't be the last to hear of something like this again.

[Maybe he is a little jealous.]

[driftsintobuffetline]

Yes, okay, I was in the moment, alright. I'm sorry.

Now do you want to supervise my coding or are you going to make me hack this together like the first time?

[mathemagier]

[Sigh]

Much as it pains me, I do value your mind as it is. I wouldn't have you unwittingly ruin it due to shoddy programming.

[driftsintobuffetline]

You love me~ and my mind~

[mathemagier]

Oh shut up; I haven't entirely forgiven you yet. I hope you didn't plan to do this at our new lab?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Qubit's lab? Hell no. We're doing this at Miles' house. I like the guy, but I don't trust someone with secrets when their power is to share their brain on a party line.

[mathemagier]

Well, that's something else to think about- or not to, when you're drifting with him. Bad enough you're risking mine.

[driftsintobuffetline]

To be honest, I'm more afraid I'll think of you and he'll have to endure our wedding or the proposal or something equally awkward and unfair given that he's just lost his chance to have the same with Greg.

If he finds out you wear dumb pjs or had an orgy or love Saturn, I think that's kinda a victory, all things considered.

[mathemagier]

Much of ours lives have been entwined so I imagine that will be difficult. But perhaps attempt to focus on your science or fascination with the Kaiju. I can attempt to direct you.

[driftsintobuffetline]

I love that fancy, casual way of basically saying you're everything to me these days. Yeah, I know. I'm in deep. I'm screwed. My head is Hermann Gottlieb 24/7.

...Now imagine my Hermann channel suddenly went silent...maybe forever. It's like losing a whole piece of myself.

[Softly.]

I don't know how Miles is going to make it.

[mathemagier]

You'd live, as I would- as he will. Not joyously, but you'd manage. Perhaps he'll yet return.

[driftsintobuffetline]

What kind of life is that, though? It's just existing. What's the point?

[mathemagier]

The point is not to throw away your existence. Your life is worth more than that. Find a new goal and pursue it.