tramitem_net | video, morning;

[There certainly aren't many video posts on the network, not that Lisa could find. But it'd be kinda hard to express her present concern otherwise, so here she is, a moving picture complete with worried, slightly stressed drawl, and hair a bit less elegant than her usual composed look. Almost like she keeps-]

Hey. Lisa here. Uh, I know it's kinda sudden, but- has anyone gotten things back? Not just memories, but stuff? When I woke up this morning, there was somethin' on my bedside table. Lock was still set on the door and the window, so I don' think anybody got in, but then-

[-brushing her hair back to one side, showing off (or looking at) a little pink earring, shiny like enamel or something; it looks like a cartoonish rabbit with a shocked expression, blank eyes and mouth open wide, and hanging upside down. Compared to the understated gold she's been wearing in public until now this is fairly different to her norm. After a second, she lets her hair fall back to her side, a flash of pink from the other side of her head proving it's a paired set.]

-these were there. They're cute, I like 'em, but they're not really... me? I think they're hers and I don't know how to feel about that.

[A beat. Then, belatedly:] Oh, and I got a memory too, but I'm not so worried about that. That's fine. Other me knows her way around a bass, and her friends can shred. I'll decide if that's a big cosmic joke later when I'm a little less shaken up.

Uh. I hope everyone's okay. I know it's apparently been a rough day or two on the network. I'll be okay - if anyone needs someone to talk to, I'm here for you.

[Lisa takes a deep breath, before seeming to relax a little, smiling and giving a little wave as the camera feed ends.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He smiles, but it's weak because he knows he's never had the guts to tell anyone to shut up]

I truly don't think anyone snuck in on you, Lisa. I have the same sword I had in a memory. There definitely wasn't anyone that knew that and delivered it to me. I'm sure it's the same for your earrings.

[That should be reassuring; there's a glimmer in Lisa's eyes as that sinks in. But no, there's one more option-]

What about the Bureau? [It comes out in a near-whisper.]

[His expression turns uncharacteristically serious for a moment, then softens to something more reflective and searching]

That would be very illegal. But how would they know? And where would they get those specific items if they did? It doesn't seem likely..

Like wiping people's memories is very illegal. [Her tone is harder but still quiet; clearly she doesn't trust the Bureau on this one.]

[He frowns]

I guess we probably don't have laws against that but we should. There should be consent there..

The Bureau... is guarding secrets. There won' be consent. For all we know, the stuff's coming from them. We just... we don't know anything. That scares me, too.

Yeah... I don't know what to think.

I- [She's shaking, and after a second, she looks at her hands to realize that; Lisa's eyes widen, and she mouths no, no, no before she scrunches her eyes shut, stands up, and walks out of frame. There's a muffled, soft sound somewhere between a groan and a scream, then after a few seconds' quiet, she softly calls,] Just a second. I- need to decompress. I'm a moron.

[The distant sound of running water, a murmur of Lisa's voice that quickly turns into what sounds like shakily vocalizing a song, and the sound of something plastic and kinda heavy falling. After a minute or two, the water turns off, and Lisa returns into frame, bangs damp and holding a hand towel as she dries her face a bit. She seems... slightly calmer?]

Sorry, Elliott. I'm setting myself up for a breakdown again and I should know better than that by now. Or at least enough not to keep doing it in front of other people. [The ghost of a smile hits her lips, but it doesn't reach her eyes.]

[It's awful, knowing she's this upset and unable to really ease any of her fears or help at all. All he can do is wait and try not to feel terrible]

Hey, no, it's okay. I'm sorry. Um, if there's anything I can.. [He glances off, shoulders dropping, then runs a hand over his head] I mean, if you want to hang out or talk or something.. I know it sucks to go through this by yourself.

[Not that she feels much better for doing it to him. It'd be one thing to scream by herself, it's another entirely when he's still on the line and she'd feel even worse just hanging up on him, even for that. Still, he's trying, and she appreciates that a lot, managing a real, if small, smile.]

I think I'd like that. I don't want to freak out all over you, though, unless you're really okay with that. [A hollow, slightly wet chuckle.] I swear, I'm not normally like this! I'm a lot more fun and a lot less... the last ten minutes.

[Elliott returns her smile, feeling a little better about it]

I know. You're really good at thinking about all the angles. This is probably just a downside of that. And it really is okay, if that's what you need. I'd be a hypocrite if I thought any less of you for it.

But um. What are you comfortable with?

[Lisa's laugh now is more full if a little more watery, and when she winds down, her eyes are bright again.] You're starting pretty well already. I felt really ugly for a few minutes there. Thank you, seriously.

I... hmm. As much as I'd love to stay in and see if I can find a bottle of wine to properly decompress with, that's both a bad influence and probably not a good idea. A coffee shop or something might help me not turn into an utter mess in public... and maybe sugar will help. Or breakfast. It's kinda cliche, but I just need to not be alone right now. And not being in my room that may or may not have had secret agents in it in the last twelve hours would probably help. [Starting to ramble again, but she sounds. Stable? That's something, at least.]

[He nods, pride swelling a bit that he helped]

Sure. Breakfast sounds good. Do you have any favorite places you like to go?

Whatever's good now, honestly. Anything but the smoothie shop, I'd flip out all over again. Maybe pancakes or something. Those are a good comfort food, right?

Yeah, pancakes sound good. Maybe an iHop or Denny's?

[She makes a show of looking out the window... yep, still morning, she hasn't been crying into the cereal she doesn't have for that long.]

Given the choice between bad diner or worse diner, I think I'll take the most terrible option. Let's see... [She mutes the mic and half-turns away, but her lips telegraph "hey Siri" pretty clearly. She's back a few seconds later.] Denny's work? There are half a million around town, we'll pick one that's not too far out of the way for either of us.

Sure. But uh, if there's somewhere else you'd rather go, we can do that. Those two were just the first to pop into mind.

It's scientific fact that junk food tastes better the worse your emotional state. So chain diner pancakes should be the perfect pick-me-up.

[He laughs shortly]

Is that right? All right then, if that's what you want.

It'll be fine! Meet me there in a little bit, then? Call it half an hour, maybe? I need to finish getting ready.

[And she even meant getting ready, instead of, say, screaming into her pillow again.]

Yeah, I can make it there in that time. See you then.

video, morning;

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