SWITCHBOARD

[transmittable]

If you'd like to ask the Transmitter something over the phone, go right ahead! The Transmitter will answer the phone as soon as she's available. Leaving messages is impossible, given how old these phones are, but you should be able to reach her at almost all hours.

Comments are screened for privacy; all Patients are offered confidentiality, didn't you know?

Comments

[heritrix]

[Hehehe... Rin comes back to the phone, feeling even more fired up.]

You know if you're that rusty, maybe we should play it after all?

[transmittable]

I- I do fine!

[ ...she sounds indignant- ]

I've made him blush several times, thankyouverymuch!

[heritrix]

Really, really!? [She sounds ecstatic.] I thought he was the smooth one!

[transmittable]

Oh, he is, but I've- I've got some, basic skills, I've leveled up a few times!

[heritrix]

"Leveled up"?

[In which the Transmitter's well-earned boast falls flat because Rin doesn't understand even basic video game or D&D references.]

[transmittable]

...Oh my god, that's right, you don't know about texting, have you never played a video game?

[heritrix]

I tried one last Thursday, and I hated it! It was no fun at all!

[Somehow the tech-illiterate got both a copy of Pagan Dance and a console to play it on in one-go from the vending machine. Rin was able to slot them together, and turn it on and load the game!

She just then proceeded to die to the first enemy that could kill you on the first level, for over an hour.]

[transmittable]

Well, that's 'cause you jumped in headfirst, you have to ease yourself, girl!

[ A surprised but amused laugh. ]

Ugh, if- if the computers had early Windows games, I bet you'd like those. Real mind-teasers, but not too hard.

[heritrix]

I'm not sure I trust that. I heard all about Tetris from Tsubasa; a supposedly simple game that boasts psychoactive effects.

[She's on to technological engineers and specifically game developers!! They were just as nasty as mages all along!]

[transmittable]

Tetris? No, Tetris is an institution. How'd she explain it? She must've made it sound scary- it's not scary, I swear.

[ Golden end: Rin plays a video game and enjoys it. ]

[heritrix]

It was verbose, even for me.

[Rin relents eventually, willing to humor this. But wow trying to recall this discussion, it was so many words. Tsubasa explained the shapes, in that precise way, and the meaning of a tetronimo, and then after that...]

She said it was addicting; that if you play it long enough, you start to visualize it even when you're not playing, processing your surroundings in such a way that you fixate on ways that random shapes you see day-to-day could fit together, like boxes and buildings. But she also said most often it occurs during the onset of sleep, where the shapes falling on an endless grid follows you into your sleep, where you're unable to escape.

[That's about right. Rin's prejudice against machines might have taken some liberties there at the end, but otherwise it's actually nearly word for word...]

[transmittable]

...Whoa. Yeeah, I think this might be a just-her thing, that's is so not how I think about Tetris.

It's just fun to like...make everything line up and disappear. It's satisfying.

[heritrix]

Are you sure that's not the addiction talking.

[HOW CAN RIN TRUST AGAIN]

[transmittable]

Hey, I'm no desperate addict, I like simple things. ...and like, Mario Kart or super awesome beat 'em ups or fighting games, but- nothing that makes it sound like you're converting to a new religion.

[heritrix]

You say that, but it sounds like you're speaking tongues.

[Oh well.]

Anyways, you said the computers here don't have them, so there's no point to it.

[...but does that mean they do have something on them? Hmm. They must if the Risen can get them to work, right?]

[transmittable]

Wha- you've never heard of- ohh, can't be helped.

[ The Transmitter sighs. ]

...No more promising on things I can't deliver, but if I could get you guys some more video games? I so would, then you'd see.

[heritrix]

I guess we'll never know~!

[Oh, come on, Rin. Try new things.]

Oh, but on the note of things you can or can't deliver, that reminds me. These aren't for me, but there are a few items I think some people here could use. If you can deliver on them, that's fantastic, but if you can't it's not a problem either.

[Is it okay if she asks?]

[transmittable]

Oh, uh- sure. What're you asking about?

[heritrix]

Nozomi could use some massage oils. She was offering to work on people's backs the other day with nothing but her bare hands or shampoo, if you can believe it, and I could think of better uses for the olive oil in the kitchen.

The other item I wanted to ask about is for Lovecraft. I don't know if you're aware, but he's predisposed to diving into the pool and hanging out at the bottom, clothes and all? It's freaky to watch, but also cool.

[Because he is definitely a Servant. And okay barring that, at least not human she's sure.]

I think he feels more comfortable down there, but he'll get a nasty amount of chlorine in his eyes if he keeps that up. Can goggles be arranged?

[transmittable]

While both of those are...interesting and inspiring choices, I can say right now they're gonna be a no. Like...99% sure. They're the kind of things that'll be called "frivolous."

...Tell him to, uh. Maybe someone can make a blindfold...?

[heritrix]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[She doesn't sound disappointed, even if it is disappointing.]

It's fine. I'll see what I can come up with on my own.

[She doesn't have a lot of plans for this week, but it's only Monday. Hahaha...]

Anyways, I've kept you away for a while, huh. This has been fun, though. Surprisingly.

[transmittable]

You'll think of something. You're a resourceful girl.

[ But, ah... ]

It has been. ...Feel free to call again, if you want.

[heritrix]

I think I will.

[And she means that. It might be some time before they can have a nice chat like this again, and Rin has to keep in mind the Transmitter is still a potential enemy, but she thinks she likes her.]

But for now, I'll let you get back to someone a little more Amiable.

[Eh, eh? Had to get that last shot in.]

[transmittable]

[ Oh, that one wasn't expected! The Transmitter sputters and gasps and...huffs, as if she can't find anything to really say. ]

G- goodbye, Courageous!

[heritrix]

[/CACKLING TBH]

Goodbye, Transmitter~

[And still laughing, sounding all too amused, she hangs up.]