Telepathic IC 'Inbox' and Messenger Bird Reception (Empatheias)

[spiritofjustice]

[Catch-all post for one-on-one messages that need to be delivered directly to Bobby, either through the amulets or with a messenger bird.]

Comments

Text...sort of | At some point during the first week of July!

[sobored]

[Someone sure is bored waiting for the other shoe to drop after having their true nature revealed during the whole Peromei thing, and a bored Junko usually leads to some sort of horrible thing like...well, look, on the bright side, there's no murder or world ending going on today, right?

Instead, her boredom's leading to her pursuing a loose end from before the whole Peromei mess happened. Which was that one conversation the mysterious (though probably not as mysterious as she'd like anymore) texting girl had with Mr. Emoticon Spam. The one that resulted in that weird despair feedback thing.

And really, why wouldn't she follow up on that? If Fulbright can echo her despair back like that, what's to say it can't eventually be used to create some sort of...perpetual feedback loop of despair? Obviously, it'd need more than two people, but what could that do to Peromei?

So that's why Fulbright can expect a message at some point early this month. But there's no image or voice. Actually, if anything, it's a text message just without text. But what's there is just...

...pure despair. It's not the despair from the Peromei encounter. And it's not the despair from the fallout of that either. All she's sending along is essentially the despair of being her. Because she figures at the very least, that should count as a good start.]

[More like feels]

[spiritofjustice]

[In the overall, Bobby hadn't been too bothered by the Peromei thing. Sure, it'd confirmed once again that the Arehtei are insanely powerful and possible threats. Nothing went up in flames, but lightning mazes are damaging in their own way. Who even knows what the other ones are capable of? Still, this time Bobby managed to avoid getting hit by invasive emotions and he considers that a personal victory.

The clean-up of that whole mess has been taking up a lot of his time. It's still going on. He knows exactly who that sole person responsible for the despair is and a few possible repercussions are in the works behind the scenes, but no real progress or decisions were made just yet. Now that Chief Taciyon is breathing down their necks, it's all the more reason to do a thorough job. The upcoming Enforcer meeting will probably see the first actual results.

Here he is right now, just minding his own business in his office. Paperwork and the like, not very interesting. He was just drinking a cup of coffee when the 'message' seeps in through the amulet. It takes him a second too long to realize what's going on, because in that one second, the full force of Junko's despair is already given enough time to hit.

At first, he doesn't even know what he's dealing with. Emotions are still such unfamiliar terrain that he can't place it. He just knows that it's horrible. Enough to have him drop his mug, allowing the contents to spill all over his desk. He doesn't even realize that much is happening. It feels cold and painful and... familiar? Yes, it feels a little like the jumble of emotions he experienced when he suffered his breakdown in court. A realization- no, a pressing certainty that everything you worked for has just shattered to pieces and there's no way to ever fix it. Knowing that he's experiencing such worthless emotions just causes him to despair over that fact as well, doubling the initial boost. No, maybe even tripling it.

It's over, it's all over...! He should've known he could never keep fighting his emotions...! He should've known he wouldn't be strong enough to keep it all under control...!

And then he finally has enough common sense to roll up his sleeve, ripping his amulet from where it's strapped around his upper arm. It takes an additional five minutes of wheezing into his hands before the despair finally dies down. By then, the temperature in his office has dropped close to the freezing point, the window has cracked, several knick-knacks have turned to dust, a lightbulb has exploded... The list of minor property damage goes on. Most notably, the coffee that'd spilled from his mug has turned to acid and is now chewing through the desk.

Goddammit Junko.

He doesn't send any kind of reply to her- it wouldn't be wise. Even so, there's a good chance he accidentally transmitted some of his own despair back to her before the amulet was removed.]

Okay this time it really is a text!

[sobored]

[When the despair feedback hits her, she'll certainly consider this test a success. Even being prepared for it, she wasn't really ready for that to loop back through her amulet, so it staggers her, causing her to knock a bunch of stuff off of a shelf in the room.

...which is nothing new, she's always picking up things in here or having to replace them, but still. And it's really hard for her to not just laugh and laugh and laugh as the despair continues to happen, but she'll refrain from sending that along. Or sending more despair either. She doesn't want to push him too far.

But still, he does deserve some sort of response for being her unwilling lab rat for the day, doesn't he? So, on second thought, she will send a text back. After all, it's not like she knows he threw his amulet down.]

★~╚(Θ‿Θ)╝*･ﾟ✧✿

[And with that sent along, she'll just go back to inspecting the damage to her apartment and despairing over having to fix everything again.]

[Feelings, again] | Whenever you want this to go down!

[sobored]

[It's funny, really. She didn't think he'd tell anyone, but at the same time, every single time she's done this, she's been bracing for the Enforcers to kick her door down and drag her out of her apartment.

But that hasn't happened yet, has it? Nope! She's sent despair after despair after despair (offscreen, of course), and as far as she can tell? It's their little secret. Which should make it that much more despair inducing, not just for her and for him, but for Edea too. After all, she's the one who compared this to a game, and how can someone play to win, when there's an entire side of the game they're not even aware of?

But that's a problem for another day, anyway, since all she's focusing on today is sending despair. And boy oh boy is this going to be a lot of it. See, presumably each time she's sent despair to Fulbright, she's focused on a specific instance of it. Sure, he might not know the specific causes of each feeling, but to her, they're pretty distinct. First, there was the despair of being her. It stands to reason that the despair of dealing with her sister would've been another instance. And of course, the despair pertaining to the incident that kickstarted a ton of her plans back home, because that came up recently. Oh, and the despair from the Peromei incident, and well, she could send the despair from her recent outing, but that's a little boring right? After all, at least one of the Enforcers got to deal with that first hand, so that'd be a little lame to repeat herself so quickly.

And besides, because it's a game (blame your fellow Enforcer Fulbright), she really should raise the stakes. So instead of some lame ass feeling like that, she'll go all out. So he gets a rather intense feeling, like even more intense than any of the despair she's sent before. Because what could be more despairing than how she felt when the Ultimate Despair was ultimately executed? Or well, almost executed since this place sort of interrupted that.

So there's the despair of sentencing herself to death. The despair of even being in a situation where something like that could happen to begin with. The despair of the first phase of the execution. The second. The third. And so on up until the world of Empatheias ruined the grand finale. Despair compounded upon despair upon despair upon despair upon despair upon...well, you get the idea.

And of course...]

Hey, are you feeling okay?
★~╚(Θ‿Θ)╝*･ﾟ✧✿

[Feelings and such] | 18th is good!

[spiritofjustice]

[Indeed, even after several surprise attacks of despair, Bobby still hasn't breathed a word about it to anyone. Not even to Edea. The reason for that is twofold. One, using the amulets for telepathy isn't illegal. In fact, it's one of their functions. Until some kind of law comes to pass that you can't use them for emotional harassment, bringing it to the attention of the Enforcers is virtually pointless. The second reason, which is one that's far more prevalent in his mind, is that admitting this is getting to him means admitting his weaknesses. If it gets out that transmitting emotions through the amulets can affect him so badly, anyone could do it. ...Even Edea. He doesn't trust her not to try and send him joy or hope or whatever other worthless feeling she might think he needs.

No one else has come to complain to the Enforcers that Junko is doing this sort of thing to them, so it seems like she's just picking on him for some reason. Not knowing when it might hit is the worst. He would never admit to being paranoid, or even being on edge, but he would say that it's inconvenient. It is truly inconvenient. He'd remove his amulet, but with his position, he can't afford to do that for too long. If there's some kind of emergency, people need to be able to reach him. Damage to his near surroundings has been extensive, so he's lucky that she usually targets him when he's at home or at his office. At one point during a particularly hefty attack, he'd fallen to the ground and bitten down on his knuckles to stop himself from screaming. He'd bitten down so hard that it'd drawn blood. That'd just made it worse. Even so, it'd passed. It always passes.

Still, today's little 'delivery' is worse than any other before it. He'd just been folding his laundry when it hits. His breath catches in the back of his throat and he instantly drops what he was holding. This feeling...! The despair of being cornered. The despair of being judged by people who just don't get it. The despair of knowing you're going to die. Much as he wishes for it to pass, it doesn't. It just increases in strength, hitting him again and again. It combines itself with something else- Fear. Fear and anger. He's angry at Junko for being such a horrible bitch and he's angry at himself for allowing himself to be angry.

It's too much.

He can't see. He can't breathe. His chest feels like it might just cave in on itself. He's lying on the ground before he's even realized he's fallen, but the world is still spinning. All he can really do is curl in on himself, grasping at his head with both hands. And then there's the environmental effects, of course. Deep cracks shoot up the walls of his bedroom and several things catch fire. Others explode or shatter. All the light in the room is gone despite the flames. It's like being caught in his own personal hell.

This time, he can't stop himself from screaming. He's screaming despite the lack of oxygen, just because letting it all out might relieve some of the pain his chest. This needs to stop- It has to stop! Those are the only thoughts still running through his mind with such force that the amulet can't possibly miss them.]

STOP IT!!! JUST STOP IT!!!

[text]

[sobored]

Stop?

[Oh hey, Fulbright, you got an actual response from your emotional tormentor.]

Why would you ever want it to stop? If anything I'd think you'd be grateful. After all, this is what you're missing out on.

[Sure, the emoticons were a bit overdone, but hey, he's the one who started it.]

[not_good_not_wicked]

On the 16-17th of August, Bobby got a much shabbier looking messenger bird with a note that said "Say it in person! Apologies by post are no good!"

[spiritofjustice]

[Bobby makes sure to pet this shabby-looking messenger bird and give it one of Balderdash's snacks as a reward before sending his response. This little guy can take it back to Marisa, it's probably going back there anyway.]

I can't. I'm still recovering.

[Yes, that sad smiley face was necessary.]

[Action] The day after the Night of Selenium

[nolongerasleep]

[After her talk with Edea that day, Lithia felt it would also be a good idea to speak with Bobby as well since this sort of news is something he should be aware of and not have to hear from someone else.

Once she finds him, Lithia will put on a pleasant smile that makes it seem like absolutely nothing horrible is going on like the fact that she's going to die in roughly a month or so. Of course it helps that she looks to be in perfect health right now and no emotional effects show that this could be a lie.]

Might I speak with you for a moment?

[Action]

[spiritofjustice]

[Bobby was just taking care of some administrative matters in his office, as he likes to do when his working day reaches its end. Lithia's entry snaps him right out of that, though, and he looks up with a pleasant smile. With not much of a need for having to fake emotional responses lately, the apathy damage to the area surrounding his desk is minimal at the moment.]

Ah, Miss Spodumene. Of course! [He gestures to the chair across from him.] Please, have a seat.

[nolongerasleep]

[Lithia will sit down with a graceful motion. Her smile goes away since she has to speak now on serious and sad things. She doesn't look sad, though.]

Thank you for your time. I wish I had something more pleasant to speak on, but I feel you should be aware of this. Unfortunately, I only have about a month to live now, possibly a bit more if Victor can figure out how to slow or reverse this. I know I shouldn't have kept this quiet, but I admit I was somewhat in denial back then that it would progress to this point so soon.

Image

[spagheleton]

[ Hopefully Bobby isn't too attached to his sleeping time, because Papyrus suddenly contacts him in the wee hours of the morning, bright and cheerful. ]

GOOD MORNING! SANS TOLD ME YOU WERE HEAD OF THE ENFORCERS?

[Voice]

[spiritofjustice]

[Bobby is not that attached to his sleeping time, but that doesn't mean he appreciates being torn from slumber like this. There's a long pause, then a sluggish response. Voice only, because words are the only things he can focus on right now. Conjuring images is too much.]

... 'M not. The head, I mean. That's Chief Taciyon. I'm just one of the commanders.

[image]

[spagheleton]

OH, I SEE! ...WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

[Voice]

[lukeim_yurlin]

[The telepathic call comes in during the early afternoon hours with no image of any sort of accompany it. (Nor will there ever be one during the course of the conversation to follow.)]

Bobby Fullbright?

I hear you're one of two commanders heading up the Enforcers. I'd like a few minutes of your time, if you don't mind.

[A little more polite and formal than usual, but Dezel figures he needs to mind himself here in order to gain favor.]

[Voice]

[spiritofjustice]

[Today's one of those days where Bobby isn't working until much later in the afternoon, which is why Dezel's caught him while he's at home. He was just making tea, actually; the sort of chore that he instantly loses track of once he receives a message. For now, he's perfectly content to reply with just his voice.]

Ah? ...Yes! Yes, of course! Please, go right ahead.

[Voice]

[lukeim_yurlin]

The name's Dezel. I arrived two months ago, a month after a few others I know from home. One of them was taken just a few weeks later in that mass kidnapping incident.

My interest in the Enforcers was limited until that point. Now I'm wondering if it would be worth my while to...offer my services in exchange for being kept in the loop on what goes on around Verens.

First week of March?

[huxceptional]

[Hux was glad that he managed to secure an interview with one of the co-leaders of the Enforcers. The group was no First Order, not by a long shot, but he figured that settling himself into an organization that had some structure would be beneficial for him. He could get some useful intel this way as well.

He wasn't nervous, no, but he still made sure to be prompt and well-dressed as he waited by Bobby's office for the man to show up. Luckily for Hux, appearance was vital to him and he never appeared less than perfectly postured and disciplined.]

Yes!

[spiritofjustice]

[Luckily for Bobby, he values appearance as well! ...For the most part. There are times when he's a walking fashion disaster, but that's entirely by accident! As he is now, in his crisp white suit and carefully gelled hair, he should look disciplined enough.

He hadn't expected Hux to already be waiting for him, but sure enough, there the man is. He looks mildly confused, wondering if maybe he got the time for the interview wrong.]

Oh! Good afternoon! I'm not late, am I? [He casts an idle glance at his watch. ...That watch stopped ticking before he even arrived in Empatheias, but reflexes are hard to break.]

5/6 action

[nolongerasleep]

[After her short conversation with Aiada, Lithia realizes there are a few people who need to be aware of what is going on. One would be the commanders of the Enforcers, another would be Aiada's representative and then a few people close to her.

So first she's going to tackle the Enforcers since that is probably the most important one. She finds out only Bobby is in now, but that's fine and she'll head over to his office where she was told he'd be. She'll go ahead and knock on the door and wait for him to respond.]

[spiritofjustice]

[Bobby is indeed in his office! There's a lot of stuff for him to focus on right now; cases that have recently been resolved and need to be properly finalized, some lingering aftermath of the Zephyras Flower Festival, etc. etc. When there's a knock on his door, he pauses his writing and squints down at the paper for a second before responding.]

Enter!

12/25 ; anon package

[spiritedafey]

[Maya felt a little bad upon hearing about Bobby's mishaps with his wyverns and curtains, so on the morning of Ennea 25, there is a box delivered to his home. However, there is no note or indication of who it's from, but the contents may give it away.

In the box is a calendar with some messy writing scribbled on the cover.]

Here's a proper, correct calendar, Mr. Fulbright! In justice we trust!

[There is also a second wrapped package containing a set of red curtains. Hopefully these ones don't catch fire!!!]

[spiritofjustice]

[He hadn't been expecting any gifts for Christmas- certainly not from those from his own world. Still, Maya only knows about Bobby Fulbright, so in hindsight this makes sense. She does strike him as a very generous, impulsive person. Knowing there should be appreciation for the gesture, apathy chews away at the box the gifts were in.

A few hours later, a big box of chocolate chip cookies will be delivered to Maya's place. Also inside it is a bracelet that he picked up last-minute. The card that was included is homemade and has a drawing of the Blue Badger on it. (because of course the Blue Badger needs to shows its ugly mug and ruin the festivities to some degree)]

Happy Holidays, Ms. Fey! In justice we trust!

[ Backdated to February 14th ]

[magicpanchira]

[ Hey, Bobby. Guess who has left you a hand drawn valentine of Phony Phanty with a big doofy heart?

On the inside, Trucy's neat handwriting can be seen: ]



Roses are red

violets are blue

just keep in mind

Phony Phanty's always watching you :)

-Trucy

[Image]

[spiritofjustice]

[..........

Threatening as it is, he can't bring himself to destroy the card. Instead, he puts it away somewhere and sends Trucy a reply through telepathy.]

Thank you for that lovely card, Miss Wright!