ic contact//CURRENT

[darkov]

[INSERT DEFAULT INBOX VOICE MESSAGE/EMAIL GREETING HERE]
email: ENABLED (will go unanswered)
text: ENABLED (high probability these will go unanswered)
phone/audio: ENABLED
video: ENABLED
latest status update 3/6/2018

Comments

Lo and behold, it's a [Voice] message

[d33tached]

[Originally, D33 was going to send Marty a text message. Then, of course, he remembered the the entire reason for his contacting Martin was in regard to the fact that the boy can't read.

[D33 finds this predicament so frustrating that he nearly forgoes contacting him at all. But, eventually, he resigns himself to using his voice - that way Martin won't see the irritation on his face while they're speaking.]

Good evening, Martin.

Have you continued to practice your reading skills since our last meeting?

[darkov]

[EVER GET HEART PALPITATIONS FROM JUST HEARING SOMEONE'S VOICE?? Marty has. though D33's no villain, he sure does pack a lot of unpleasantness in memory, and just the start of that message puts the Darkov on edge. what did he do wrong now.

give him a couple minutes here: responding directly to a voicemail is still kind of tough to do on purpose.

there we go:]

He-hello? Uh, um. About the reading? Right? Yes, um. I...I still practice...

[d33tached]

[D33 sighs, but that's about it. Of course he'd be nervous to hear from him. He's nervous that the sky is blue.]

Very well, then. How is it coming along? Have you come across anything of interest?

[darkov]

Um...

[okay, yes, the sky being blue is unnerving by how very blue it is, but that's neither here nor there. what's more concerning is this man's interest. like. why......]

I...I read a lot about fish. [a pause.] How, how to take care of them, mostly. Or...what kinds there are.

[d33tached]

[D33 scoffs a little (that probably makes Martin feel really good). He doesn't really mean to, but...fish? Really?]

Well, I suppose most any type of reading will suit you well with your current proficiency level. Have you been making use of the Maurtia Falls library as I suggested?

[Not that he's been watching for you or anything.]

[darkov]

[it feels great. kinda like Alex back home -- all that's missing is a sneer. (so maybe it's good there's no video!)

a bit of a delay:] Uh, um. I mean... I...A little. Sorry. [a beat.] I don't go out...much...

[d33tached]

[It's cool, he gets it.]

The internet has a great deal of resources as well, most of which are available at no cost.

Are you familiar?

[darkov]

I--I don't think so. No. I don't know. Sorry.

[d33tached]

[Another sigh, though this one a bit more restrained.]

Yes, well. It can be rather difficult to grasp if you did not have access to such technology in your own world.

At any rate, I think I have found something that might suit your interests, as well as your current skill level, and I am able to send it to you through your communicator if you are willing to make an attempt at reading it.

[darkov]

[there's a hesitation. he wants to be extra certain he heard right.]

You mean-- You...want me to read something you found?

[d33tached]

If you would be interested in such a thing, then I do have something that I might recommend for you, yes.

[Just focus on the "yes" part - he's wordy.]

[darkov]

[but what if the rest has secrets. what if there's a test.]

Oh...

[why? he still doesn't get it...]

Um. O-of course. Sure. That's...generous of you. Kind, I mean. Thank you.

[d33tached]

[Something in D33 still shudders at the thought of being generous, for some reason, but he doesn't sound irritated when he says:]

There's no need to thank me.

[Then, he sends through an ebook - Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales for Kids.]

It's a compilation of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen. That's the author's name in the title.

[darkov]

...

[a hesitant sound.]

...Fairy tales, sir...? [you assume too much if you assume he'd know what the hell those are.]

[d33tached]

[For once, D33 doesn't seem to mind explaining. Oddly enough, fairy tales are actually something he happens to care about.]

They're very old stories with elements of fantasy to them. I think you will find that you will quite enjoy them.

[darkov]

[fantasy. fake? isn't fantasy like...fake? he feels like he's heard that word used in the context of lies before.

maybe this was a bad idea. he's not sure...]

So...they're not real?

[d33tached]

The stories are fictional, yes. They're made up, but quite entertaining.

A great deal of literature is fictional in that way.

[darkov]

Oh...

[hrmhhh...]

Um. Sorry, is... Is that good? I mean...are they just like...lessons?

[d33tached]

The stories do have some moral implications if that's what you mean by "lessons", but essentially they are meant for entertainment - something enjoyable to do during your leisure time.

[darkov]

[fun, again...]

I...I see. Alright. I...I'll try. [a slight pause.] Thank you, sir...

[d33tached]

You needn't call me sir, I will tell you again. I go by D33.

[darkov]

[but that's so many more syllables.

hastily:] So-sorry! I--um. Sorry. D33.

[d33tached]

That is correct.

Do let me know what you think of the tales. I found them quite fascinating when I was a similar age to your own.

[darkov]

[in a shaky exhale:] Alright... I'll try.

[d33tached]

Don't concern yourself with it too heavily.

[His voice is surprisingly calm as he says so, but he means it. This isn't something he's forcing Martin to do, he just genuinely thought that the boy might enjoy the stories and, since he is learning to read...]

As I've said, it is for your leisure.