[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[snowblindmods]

Welcome to Norfinbury. The time is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R and the date is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R. This network has been provided for your use. Please interact politely with everyone else on this network.

Comments

@jphawkins, video

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's leaning into the camera as if that will help him see more of Dug's environment. Of course it doesn't, and of course he can't see whoever likely owns Dug. ]

-Hey, you there?

[andiloveyou]

[In return, Dug sticks his nose right up against the tablet, sniffing loudly. That'll help him smell Jim, right? There's still no person to be seen, but a small red light on his collar lights up.]

Hi there! I am here, yes. Are you there?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Oh, whoops. Jim pulls back from the tablet, relaxing now that he knows what's going on. ]

-Sorry, man, didn't realize you could talk.

Hey. I'm Jim.

[andiloveyou]

Oh yes! My old master made me this collar. My name is Dug, and I use this collar to talk.

[rattlingthestars]

Must be some collar.

[ Jim's really curious how the thing works, in fact, but he's... kinda getting the sense that Dug probably wouldn't know. ]

Guessing your master didn't show up with you?

[andiloveyou]

[Jim's senses are fantastically correct.]

I have not found my master yet. I am alone in this house. I am talking to people on the screen so it is like not being alone, but I am going to find my master so I will not be alone for real.

[rattlingthestars]

[ This may actually be the saddest thing Jim's seen in Norfinbury, what the heck. ]

I'm sure if he's here he'll find you soon, 'cause you posted on the network. But uh, until then - can you open the door to the house where you are? Reach the handles and stuff?

[andiloveyou]

Uh...

[Without answering, he gets up and walks off screen. From outside the camera's view come scrabbling sounds, and then a click and a creak.]

I have opened the door!

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's waiting patiently. He slumps in relief at the sound of the door opening; as bad as it is to send the little guy out in the cold, it'd be worse if he were trapped in there starving and going nuts. ]

-Good job, buddy.

[andiloveyou]

[Dug bounds back into view, all wide puppy grin and wagging tail.]

I am going to go outside now! I am going to go outside and look for my master!

[rattlingthestars]

Good luck.

Just, uh - when it's time to go inside, your tablet will make a noise. You've gotta get inside, even if you haven't found your master yet. Okay?

[andiloveyou]

Right.

[He gives a firm little nod of his head, very business like for all of three seconds.]

I have got to get inside. But first I am going outside.