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

[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.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Advice easier given than taken.

[mathemagier]

Don't you dare call me a hypocrite, Newton.

[driftsintobuffetline]

I wasn't, but if you're so quick to the defense, maybe you are. How was it while I was gone getting Kaiju powers, huh?

[mathemagier]

Miserable, as you well know, but I wasn't about to kill myself over it. I never said it would be easy, but it's not in fact, the end of all things.

[driftsintobuffetline]

I wouldn't kill myself. There's a difference between killing oneself and having a death wish.

[mathemagier]

Self-desructive isn't much better.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Which is why it's important to me to check on Miles.

Look. If nothing else, the Drift goes both ways. I can make sure he's not planning anything.

[mathemagier]

Newton.. promise me you won't do anything rash or stupid if ever I leave you.

[driftsintobuffetline]

....leave me?

[mathemagier]

Not like that, I wouldn't- if I'm ported out I mean.

[driftsintobuffetline]

I'd still have you in my head, the leftovers, the memories. And under my skin. And legally, now, you're a part of me. I have physical things of yours, of our life together. I...I can't say I wouldn't do something, but ...it's better now. It feels real.

Miles has a lifetime with Greg, but he doesn't have quite that.