[network] @guardian; Afternoon 77; [open]

[phaseshifter]

[ After a day and a half of complete radio silence, Angel and Rhys are back. If anyone was worried about a potential repeat of the whole kidnapping incident, it looks like those worries were unfounded - they both look happy, healthy (ish), and maybe even a little smug. Angel's wearing a flower crown, man, that's about as un-distressed as it's possible to get.

And, you know. Rhys is singing and dancing in the background with Dumpy. That's also a pretty good indicator that they're doing okay. Angel beams at the feed before speaking, clearly EXCITED AS ALL HECKIE: ]

She's a woman! The administrator spoke to us, with her voice, and she's a woman! She didn't even sound robotic - which doesn't mean she isn't an AI, of course, but ones that can imitate human cadence and tone in their speech tend to be more human in other ways, too. As in they tend to have feelings and emotions! So even if she isn't human, she's definitely a person. And a woman! We called it!

[ She pauses, shooting an excited look back at Rhys. Her brief silence makes it a lot easier to hear what he's singing - this, for anyone who might recognise it. He sings pretty well! It just sucks that Dumpy's enthusiastic screaming is drowning out a lot of it. Angel snorts, looking back at the tablet. ]

Um, yes. What... what they said. And now we know she's a person, I think... I mean, I'm pretty sure that she needs rescuing even more than we do. Right?

Comments

@prettypinkflowers; video

[lacecase]

[Ginger has processed everything important that comes with this post. Yes, absolutely. That's why her response to the incredible revelation is insightful and on topic and overall just a good one!]

You're so cute! [She's beaming like a lunatic, her face filled with excitement.] Where did you get that flower crown? It's, like, totally sweet on you!

[And she guesses that the admin being a woman is good to know, too! But...flowers!]

@guardian; video

[phaseshifter]

I - what? Oh, um, geez. Thank you!

[ This is an acceptable derail. Mostly because Angel is aware that the crown is kind of silly but goshdarnit it is cute okay!!! ]

It was in one of the houses - pretty far south, but not so south that we'd hit the tunnels. Iunno why it was there, but, um. I'm not complaining.

[lacecase]

Aaah! That's so good to know! I hope I find one too, sometime, I miss having flowers in my hair. [Flowers are just so pretty okay? And it's nice to see colorful plant-like things after being here for so long! It's, like...refreshing or something!] I'm, like, super far north right now, though, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Oh my gosh, I bet if everyone had one they'd totally be way more happy!

[Her bubble is so big and yet so hard to burst, made from the steel of pure blind optimism.]

[phaseshifter]

Oh... Um, I'll probably be wandering around here a while longer. I'll see if I can find another! And if not, maybe we can just share this one. You know, just switch over who has it every week or two? To spread the happiness a little!

It's just a shame that it wouldn't be practical for everyone to share. I can think of a whole bunch of people who'd be way better off with a flower crown or two.

[ Hi Doctor House. Hi. ]

[lacecase]

Goodness!

[Ginger brings her hands up to her chest. She's so moved! So touched! Angel you are just...well, you're living up to your name really nicely, okay?]

That would be lovely! You're, like, so thoughtful! It's no wonder you have so many friends.

[So sharing is totally caring, after all!]

I can think so many people who would look really cute with flowers in their hair. Beckett, Enoch, Rydia, Steve...oh, and Clayton, of course!

[Can't forget the bae, never ever. He has a beard that just screams "adorn me with flowers like a Grecian God". Yeah! Don't mind her as she daydreams a little.]

[phaseshifter]

[ Oh no. Oh Ginger honey no. No. What have you done. No. No. Angel's eyes light up (LITERALLY BECAUSE THEY GLOW, I'M HILARIOUS) and she bites her lip in an attempt to restrain her glee. GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS! ]

Oh, um. I'm pretty sure Beckett would rather puke up his internal organs than wear a flower crown. But you really think Clayton would do it?

You guys are really cute together, by the way. Supercute.

[lacecase]

Maybe he'd think that but then he'd do it and it would be like a whole new world opening up, you know? And then he'll want to wear flowers forever!

[Yes. This is exactly how it would play out. Ginger laughs happily, both flattered and a bit embarrassed by the compliment.]

Of course I think so! He's so chipper and sweet. I'm sure he'd think it's fun! [Her smile spreads wider across her face...just not as much as her blushing does.] Oh no, no, he's so much more cuter than me! He's, like, a cute two-for-one deal!

[She's totally forgotten about that time she (basically) kissed him on live camera.]

[phaseshifter]

[ Angel is on the verge of gurgling and hugging herself like a giant nerd because this is so cute oh gosh look look it's too sweet everything is adorable. She might never be able to experience this stuff firsthand, but it can't be much better than getting to coo over people who do get all lovey-dovey. Right? ]

Noooo, you're equally cute! And extra cute as a pair. Are you okay with talking about this stuff? Because I have so many questions. How did you get together? Who kissed who first? Have you said I love you yet?

[ aNGEL PLS, ]

[lacecase]

I don't mind talking about it! I think it's fun!

[In public, this is in public. She totally isn't even thinking about the fact that this is on a public network but hey, why sweat the small stuff? Or ever think about the small stuff to begin with?]

Um...I'm, like, not totally sure! I mean, he was super nice to me since, like, the first day I got here and I posted to the Network. And we started cuddling together like, right away after we met! I mean, it just kind of feels like we've been together since the beginning? [She'd actually never thought about it that way but...she guesses this is the closest thing to dating that you can get here.] He kissed me first, and, ah...no, we haven't done that yet!

[Is that a thing that's actually going to happen? Another thing Ginger hadn't thought about! Not that it doesn't feel like it would be so totally easy to say to him...but she's always been so bad at keeping boyfriends, she's kind of nervous to take that leap.]

[phaseshifter]

[ Oh geez. Oh geez, if that isn't the sweetest thing. And that means... ]

Wow, so he wasn't exaggerating when he said he - you know, that he had feelings for you the moment he saw you? I didn't think that was even a thing that really happened. You know, outside stories and bad movies I've streamed off the ECHOnet.

[ Siiigh ~ ♥ ]

So. Freaking. Cute.

[lacecase]

He said that?

[Her smile fades a little, just for a few seconds--but just so delighted surprise can fill in that space. Clayton said that about her? To someone else? Then it has to be true! Her sister always said that men would lie to you about how they felt if it got them what they wanted or if they were a coward, but Ginger just knew that Clayton couldn't be either of those things. And why would he make that kinda thing up to somebody else?]

Before I left about a week or so ago, maybe a bit longer, he said...he's never been happier since when he met me, but...

[The smile comes back tenfold, she's so happy!]

I don't know, that's even, like, better than I ever could've thought, you know? Oh no, I miss him so so so much!

[phaseshifter]

How do you two keep getting cuter.

[ As far as Angel is concerned, that's a legitimate question. HOW. HOW. ]

You need to get back to him as soon as possible! And have a romantic reunion and - oof. You guys are so lucky!!

[ And so is Angel because she gets to popcorn at all of this ]

[lacecase]

I know right? I, like, feel like the luckiest girl ever!

[Dreamy sigh. Honeybun's gonna get some lovin for his honeybuns if you catch her drift.]

I try to remember to send him goodnight messages before I go to bed every night!

[So hard to sleep soundly without her big man cushion.]

[headjacked]

[ uuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH ]

You two have derailed this game-changer of an announcement into -- into girl talk.

Like, immediately.

I should be surprised, but. I'm not.

[lacecase]

What? What's wrong with girl talk?

[Honestly, Rhys, Ginger looks completely scandalized by the implication that this is less than completely relevant discussion.]

Oh! I know! You're feeling left out! You can join in, don't be shy! Hey! What's your favorite color?

[See! She's including him! Friendship!]

[headjacked]

Nothing wrong, but maybe -- maybe you could hold off? Message each other privately? Because I have seen enough of you canoodling with the doc for, like, twelve lifetimes.

I don't need to hear Angel squealing about it all night.

[ wait QUESTION? ]

...wh... uh, blue. If it matters.

[lacecase]

But Clayton's not here! And...wouldn't you still hear everything I say to Angel even if it was private because you're in the same room?

[Silly Rhys! Use some logic!]

Of course it matters! How am I supposed to make you something nice without knowing your favorite color? I'll look for blue fabric and fix you up something really cute, okay?

[headjacked]

That's why you'd use text! You -w-w-wait, make me something?

[ An immediate change of disposition. ]

What about a tie? In red?

[lacecase]

Yes, of course! I love making stuff for people, and that's what friends are for!

[Because maybe they've barely talked so far but all that canoodling Rhys had to endure counted for something. Of course! Just go along with it, it's easier.]

Oh, but...I dunno about a tie. Wouldn't a pair of mittens or a hat or earmuffs or socks or something be more useful? I could make any of those in red, too! Whatever color you like!

[headjacked]

B...but I lost my tie. Tragically. When... ... ...well, you saw what what happened. The aftermath.

It meant a lot to me.

[ Is he laying it on thick? Yes. ]

[lacecase]

[Oh, no. Angel warned her about the begging...but he just sounds so sad and she's not good at not giving sad people everything that they want! Especially when they look so pathetic like that. Just tugs right at her heart.]

Aw...it had, like, a lot of sentimental value?

[headjacked]

Tons. It was symbolic. It--

[ There it is



the lower lip wibble ]

[lacecase]

[So many mixed emotions! Ginger just doesn't know what to think. She hears you, Angel! So maybe Rhys is just over exaggerating! But...what if it was a cheap tie but still had sentimental value to him for some reason? People can get attached to the weirdest things! Like, once, she had this really cute fluffy pen and she lost it at school and got really sad for, like, a totally like time. A week, at least!]

You poor thing!

[Ughhhh this is so hard! Why are they both so nice and cute and want totally different things?]

I don't have anything red right now, but I'll let you know, okay? I don't want you to be sad!

[Quick, a diversion so she doesn't have to say yes or no!]

If you don't want anything in blue, what about your little robot friend?

[headjacked]

I know, right?? There are standard ties of standard length, which - which countless guys have. Mine was unique. It symbolized the uniqueness I strove for.

[ Sniffle! ]

...Dumpy would appreciate a blue bowtie.

sorta not here;

[phaseshifter]

[shouting from across the room]

HE TOTALLY GOT IT FOR FIVE BUCKS FROM A VENDING MACHINE!

[ probably ]