video, after the caverns

[fuck1ngusernam3]

 So, correct me if I'm wrong about this. 

[Hank doesn't bother with an intro, just starts right on in. The angle he's holding his wrist shows both his face and the stick he's dragging along the wall behind him, which has been in a fire at some point in the recent past and leaves a long black trail of ash over the wall as he walks.]

But when all you heroes trooped into the haunted caves under the mysterious freaky lake the communication plan was along the lines of, 'gee, if someone gets their feet ate off by some freaky bullshit I sure do hope they yell real loud so I can get there before they bleed out' right? I mean, I trust you guys know to make a post letting us all know if you need backup, but what if this- [Here the screen shakes as Hank wiggles his wrist, indicating the watch] -gets busted, or stolen, or whatever? 

I don't know, I was just thinking, next time a bunch of us, or just anyone, goes into something that might get bad there should be some kind of post stuck to the top of our feed that we could all check, just something like this-

[He stops walking, still talking as he starts to scratch a little list in ash onto the wall beside him.]

Hey, I wonder how little Suzy's doing. Oh, she checked in an hour ago, she's probably fine.

[He writes Suzy on the wall, and a checkmark next to her name.]

How about JimBob the Murder Bot? Oh, he hasn't checked in for about seven hours, I should take someone to go look for him.

[Next to JimBob the Murder Bot he doodles a little skull. Sorry Jimbo, it's hard out there for a figurative probably-dead robot. Better luck next time.]

Or maybe you guys would rather do some kinda daily role call like in school or, hell, maybe it's just more fun to lone wolf your way through all this world saving shit, what do I know. Decide amongst yourselves. I might be around, I might not. Just thought I'd throw this out there. I'm gonna go eat. 

Comments

[fuck1ngusernam3]

Well...

[Hank pulls a face, looking like he's tasting something weird. That sounds dangerously like getting involved. But-]

I uh, I guess it couldn't hurt to go see what you put together. What kind of census info would you even want? Those demographics would come out pretty fuckin weird, I can tell you that for free.

[weremongoose]

[It's a slippery slope to involvement too. Beware, Hank.]

Good. It'll be nice to speak in person too.

[But right what kind of census.]

The usual, I suppose. Name. Age... which may be misleading, but still, at least something. Maybe any others from their world that they're aware of.

[He manages to mostly hold back a grin as he adds,] Annual household income, Coke or Pepsi preference

[fuck1ngusernam3]

[Hank huffs, amused.]

The day we get Coke or Pepsi up here to pick a favorite on I'll be first in line to take that vote. But uh, before we've got any real power structure set up here people don't have any reason to tell us shit. Like, what are we even going to use it for? If those questions aren't coming from someone they trust people wanna know how their info's gonna get used. I mean, we wouldn't have to worry about a lot of shit they had to back home and there'll be plenty of people who'll fill out a little survey just cause they wanna help, but. If a strange guy came to my door asking questions about me I know I'd tell him where he could stick his little scantron.

[Will it be nice to speak in person, though? Will it? Hank's not any nicer in person.]

[weremongoose]

For making sure no one gets inadvertently left behind in a dangerous situation, and for keeping track of the people who disappear without warning or explanation. And you're right, some might object. So it'll have to be voluntary. And hopefully it proves useful enough with those willing to engage that anyone hesitant can see the benefit of it.

[Barabas offers a sympathetic shrug.] Most of us are still strangers. But we all have the common ground of being snatched from our homes without warning. It's understandable for some people to be... on the defensive. But just because it may not work perfectly, or because not everyone will be on board isn't reason not to try. If that approach doesn't work, we try the next one.

[Barabas is used to this sort of person, Hank. The only difference is Hank doesn't turn into a huge apex predator.]

[fuck1ngusernam3]

Oh, yeah.

[Hank raises his eyebrows, smiling a little, wryly. Guy's got him there, doesn't he?]

Persistence. Think I remember what that's like. So, would you do another post asking whatever or would you want to go door to door, since uh - what'd you say about that office, you trying to keep physical copies there or something?

[That's a wonderful difference, one to be thankful for. The last thing anyone needs is for Hank to start spending time as a literal bear.]

[weremongoose]

[Honestly Hank would fit right in with Clan Heavy, but Barabas is at least kind enough not to remark on those sorts of things. Not everyone wants to hear they remind someone of werebears.]

A post can't hurt, and it's certainly quicker than door to door. But actually presenting it to people in person could be more effective.

[Por que no los dos?]

[fuck1ngusernam3]

Well you gotta choose one, we don't all get hardons for paperwork like you lawyers. I do think uh, havin a hard copy's a good idea, but it'd be kind of hard to take that with us on our next little field trip so, I don't know. Watch might be better. It's weird that these things don't come with like... printers, I don't know. It's just weird that something that's made by an actual probably-a-witch is less advanced than something I'd see back home.