[this message erases all traces of itself almost immediately after Hank reads it, ominously.]
Hank, I know that Oswald is too kind for you. However, expect that if he does not make an example of you, I will. The rules are in place for a reason. - H
Hank, I know that Oswald is too kind for you. However, expect that if he does not make an example of you, I will. The rules are in place for a reason. - H
Hank?
Got a moment?
Got a moment?
[ Well, Hank is probably in his room and Connor is off being upset, so yeah, he's got time. ]
Hm? Yeah, what's up?
[ Here's one person he's not surprised to see? ]
You as surprised as I am that I'm still alive?
Hm? Yeah, what's up?
[ Here's one person he's not surprised to see? ]
You as surprised as I am that I'm still alive?
Actually-- yeah.
This was the one thing that Oswald was freaked out before the course started. It's why I was late the first day.
This was the one thing that Oswald was freaked out before the course started. It's why I was late the first day.
[ Hale works in mysterious ways. ]
"This" meaning people punching you, or...?
"This" meaning people punching you, or...?
Apparently some of the students tried to attack him in the entrance exam. He's been paranoid ever since. There are so many different security protocols.
Oh, shit.
[ I mean, that makes sense too. ]
Maybe, uh... I mean I don't know what the hell he's thinking, but it kinda seemed like he wanted to get me on his side. 'See things his way' or something like that.
You'd think with his weird spy, that would be enough friends for the guy.
[ I mean, that makes sense too. ]
Maybe, uh... I mean I don't know what the hell he's thinking, but it kinda seemed like he wanted to get me on his side. 'See things his way' or something like that.
You'd think with his weird spy, that would be enough friends for the guy.
[his eyebrows raise and... he looks a little unsure suddenly.]
What?
What?
Yeah, I mean. His punishment is to get me off of booze for the week, right? And I told him that quitting cold turkey was gonna fuck the shit out of me, so then this asshole goes: "I understand. Call me if you need anything." Or some shit like that.
It was real fucking surprising, let me tell you.
It was real fucking surprising, let me tell you.
That is... extremely suspicious. I wouldn't trust him.
[but then again, not drinking would. be both good and bad. withdrawal will suck.]
[but then again, not drinking would. be both good and bad. withdrawal will suck.]
No shit. I trust him about as far as I can throw 'im.
[ Which isn't very far. But yes, Hank gets to go through some delightful withdrawal, won't that be fun. ]
But a whole lotta shit here doesn't add up, and I'm startin' to get fucking tired of it. At least if I got a direct line to the boss, I can know what he's fucking up to.
[ Which isn't very far. But yes, Hank gets to go through some delightful withdrawal, won't that be fun. ]
But a whole lotta shit here doesn't add up, and I'm startin' to get fucking tired of it. At least if I got a direct line to the boss, I can know what he's fucking up to.
You might have an open line, but would you really know what he's up to? Oswald is a true believer who doesn't question what is happening. He's not going to second guess something depending on who it came from.
That might be true, yeah. But even shitty testimony can have something worthwhile going for it.
I'm not ruling him out just because you don't like him, Han. The world out there is still fucked, and his reasons are fucking nuts, but Megumi believes it too. I trust you, and you did me a solid, even if Hale found out... but how come you're the odd man out?
I'm not ruling him out just because you don't like him, Han. The world out there is still fucked, and his reasons are fucking nuts, but Megumi believes it too. I trust you, and you did me a solid, even if Hale found out... but how come you're the odd man out?
I don't know.
[he admits, and then crosses his arms over his chest.]
This was a normal school when I applied-- but it did exist. I've heard of it, I applied to be here, I wasn't kidnapped.
[he admits, and then crosses his arms over his chest.]
This was a normal school when I applied-- but it did exist. I've heard of it, I applied to be here, I wasn't kidnapped.
This is gonna sound fucking stupid, but it could be you're from another dimension. One close enough to this one... just one where shit didn't go bad.
Think about it. These people can make us forget. Didn't you say you forgot some shit, too?
Think about it. These people can make us forget. Didn't you say you forgot some shit, too?
Not like that?
I had a fucking m--
[he bites the insides of his cheek, and his posture stiffens.]
I had a fucking promise to my parents that I'd go here and teach, instead of going straight into the private sector.
I had a fucking m--
[he bites the insides of his cheek, and his posture stiffens.]
I had a fucking promise to my parents that I'd go here and teach, instead of going straight into the private sector.
A fucking what?
[ He means the first thing. ]
[ He means the first thing. ]
I misspoke. I was gonna say a mom's promise... but it sounded lame. Sorry.
That's kind of adorable. You're a fucking nerd.
[ He's not into it. He's not into it. He's not into it. ]
Anyway, that doesn't prove anything. I'm still banking on this divergent dimension theory. It's the only thing that explains why you think everything should be normal, but Todd and Megumi are both trying to build people up to fight some Big Bad.
[ He's not into it. He's not into it. He's not into it. ]
Anyway, that doesn't prove anything. I'm still banking on this divergent dimension theory. It's the only thing that explains why you think everything should be normal, but Todd and Megumi are both trying to build people up to fight some Big Bad.
Maybe... It's both. They're just closer to it than the rest of the world?
[look, he cares a lot about his parents. especially his mom. he's a good son]
[look, he cares a lot about his parents. especially his mom. he's a good son]
Maybe.
[ He shrugs. But also... ]
Hey, this is gonna be real fucking random, have you gotten any weird notes or something from anybody you didn't know?
[ He shrugs. But also... ]
Hey, this is gonna be real fucking random, have you gotten any weird notes or something from anybody you didn't know?
Huh?
[he considers this, maybe a touch too long.]
No... Why?
[he considers this, maybe a touch too long.]
No... Why?
You sure?
Because I did. So, y'know. If you have, you can tell me.
Because I did. So, y'know. If you have, you can tell me.
Nothing that explicit. Just other, minor things. What did you get, Hank?
Minor things like what?
Because I got a fucking threat.
Because I got a fucking threat.
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