A kick-flip is nothing like treading water. I hate this. I'm going to have to leave my nice, dry house to save your ass before this all blows over. I can tell. Please don't make me do that. I cannot overstate how much I do not want to go outside.
I know how to swim. Wolves do, too. In general. I can't turn into a wolf. Completely. Yet. Working on it. Not that that's relevant.
relax, dude i can swim super good at the doggy paddle anyway, it's not a problem my apartment is way above the water getting kind of bored of having to stay inside though, not gonna lie
anyway that's totally relevant i'm making it relevant because i want to talk about this i didn't know werewolves could turn into like complete wolves i thought the point was like half man half wolf how would that even work? what happens to all your bones?
Read a book. Study something. You're young. Do homework. You need it. I can give you some math problems to solve. That could be productive. Basic algebra. You're in highschool, right? Should be rudimentary. x squared minus 4x equals negative 4. Solve for x.
Anyway. They shift shapes. You could probably have found a hint towards that somewhere within the term "shapeshifter". Turning into a full wolf requires a certain state of evolution. A sense of self-assuredness and understanding. It's difficult to explain. My mom could do it. I can't.
x=2 also you severely overestimate the amount of anything in my apartment we've got like two swords, a skateboard, and a pokerchip between us and the beds, obviously you could just tell me to fuck off instead
[ he's not offended - clearly, since he's still here to make conversation. ]
i see you're a smartass couldn't get that from the term shapeshifter anyway that's kinda cool you said you're working on it though, right? like... how close are you do you think
Yes. Good work. You don't need to fuck off. I was genuinely trying to suggest something for you to do inside. Good to keep on top of your studies in a place like this. They can slip. That's all. We could just talk, too. If you don't want me to make an entire sheet of algebra problems for you to solve.
I don't know. I have no idea. I'm happy with who I am, these days. Comfortable, at least. Theoretically, there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to tap into that particular power. But. It is what it is. I've still got the half wolf half man thing going for me. And this monstrous, horrible form I was given by the city, at some point. Doubt that one can swim, though. It's, like, eight feet tall. I would probably sink.
yeah, well i'm not all that invested in school kinda don't care if things slip
[ because king's is garbage and he never wanted to be there anyway. he never wants to be what they truly want him to be, if he can help it. but what's he supposed to say? 'hey, i go to a school for assassins in training so studying consists more of 'how to kill a person in just one move' and less of that algebra bullshit, so it's kind of hard to keep on top of it here without actually going to class or having any of my textbooks'?
nah. ]
uhhh okay i'm gonna circle back to the werewolf full wolf shift thing in a second but what do you mean when you say the city gave you a form?
Okay. Your life. Your decisions. Should still read, though. I have a pretty decent library, at this point. Real books that people brought from home and left to me — not the porn you'd find around here. I can bring you some of my favorites. At some point. If you want.
[ reading is fundamental, ok. a boy as smart and as independent as billy would do well upgrading his critical analysis skills. ]
Ah. Yeah. This city can change you. Physically. There was a party. There are a lot of parties, for some reason. Many of them mandatory. Attendees gained monstrous forms. Permanently. So. I guess be on the lookout for that? Doubt you want anyone turning into a shark monster while they're sucking your dick. Or maybe you do. I don't know what you're into.
okay. yeah, fine, sure. but like, later. i don't wanna get my leg chewed off if i accidentally drop a book in the water or whatever
[ ... ]
like - everyone got one? what happens if you don't turn up at one of these mandatory parties?
[ but more importantly— ]
i mean someone turning into a shark monster would be cool as shit, dude just not when they're all up in the downstairs god, it makes me shudder just to think about it all those teeth they've got two rows you know
I wouldn't chew your leg off. Just break it a little. Pop off a kneecap, maybe.
Punishment. As with all things. Citations, typically. But — more often than not, mandatory events are... mandatory. I mean, there was once a bell that rang through the city and made everyone who heard it start fucking each other. Can't exactly prepare for things like that.
Anyway. I am aware of that extremely common fun fact.
Stop making me feel bad. That first thing. The book thing. Quit it. I am proud of you. And I won't hurt your legs. Shut up.
Mass hypnosis. Now that I think about it, you should probably try to stay away from the water as much as you can. There's going to be some kind of consequence. People who spend too much time in the water are going to turn into horny mermaids, or something. Probably going to have to wait until after the flood for me to give you those books. Which defeats the point. But. Still. Safety.
i'm not trying to make you feel bad i'm just saying i've busted my knee caps so many times falling off my board that's like a papercut by this point
aren't mermaids always horny? or is that the other thing sirens. is there a difference? i guess sirens aren't horny so much as they're hungry for sailor flesh. whatever
if everything you've ever told me so far is true it sounds like this isn't the first time weird shit has happened in the city and it probably won't be the last i'll take your books and save them for the next time i'm imprisoned inside my apartment
Okay. Well. Fine. Good. Get better at skateboarding.
Everything here is always horny. Fish parts and flesh-hunger not withstanding. Mermaids just like drowning people, though. Typically. Not that I've ever met one, but that's what I've heard. Then again, hunters say worse things about werewolves. I'm sure there are plenty of mermaids out there who don't tip over boats just to watch people die.
Smart. Okay. Thank you for humoring me. You could have very easily just admitted to my face that you have no intention of reading anything I give you. You're kind.
says the dude who probably doesn't know how to skate
what do hunters say about werewolves?
i'll read whatever you give me, dude maybe not all of it especially not if you're into boring shit, but gotta fill the extra time somehow when hot people aren't banging down my door trying to get at me, you know
Kind of have a predisposed acclimation for skateboarding, being a werewolf. Improved balance. Greater stamina. Heightened sense of awareness. Pretty much all athletic feats come easily to me.
Uh. That we're animals. Rabid dogs deserving of being put down. You don't need to hear about that. Not exactly a fun topic of conversation. Nor an accurate reading of an entire species of people. Shouldn't have even mentioned it. Anyway. All I read is boring shit. Shakespeare. Literary criticisms of dated political stagnation. You will hate it. I won't mind.
blah blah blah sounds like a whole lot of talk don't have to prove it when the streets are flooded, right i see right through you, derek
[ he's kiiidding, though he would like to see a werewolf shred at some point. ]
hey, that sounds kind of like some of the shit people say about me and i'm just a regular guy with a mohawk who likes loud music and giving the finger to the establishment
dude, i would pay money to hear you read shakespeare out loud like, full english accent and everything i've only got like a dollar to my name but apparently a dollar is worth way more in the future so like it's more like $20? i don't know, i'm guessing a whole extra $19 for you
[ it's actually only worth like $2 but what the fuck does he know. let him be optimistic. ]
More than willing to prove it when everything clears up. We'll have a race. Play some skate version of HORSE, maybe. Or maybe we won't. Feels like it might be kind of psychopathic to shit all over you like I would. You clearly love skating. And you're young. Kind of a dick move to be a grown-ass adult, as well as a relative beginner when it comes to skating, and still go out of my way to kick your ass and crush your self-confidence. Maybe I'll just bring you orange slices, or something.
People are wrong. About you. About me, too, but. About you. Just so you know. And yeah. Wow. That is exactly how economics works. Unfortunately, I can't do an english accent, so. You're shit out of luck.
i think you're underestimating how good i am at skating everyone falls down, dude doesn't mean they're shitty when it happens but you can still bring me orange slices if you want i'll take anything for free
yeah i'm not that worried about it i don't really give a shit what people say just thought it was kind of weirdly familiar is all but they're wrong about you too i know you literally just said that but i think it's worth repeating you seem like a really cool dude so far
ugh if it doesn't come with the accent then i don't want it
Probably. I don't think you're shit. I think you're probably pretty good, actually. Doesn't mean I won't kick your ass. You're only human.
Sorry you went through that. And thank you for saying that. Hope you've had a better run of people here. I know you're a good person. You deserve kindness. More than most. So. Yeah. Friendship. Or whatever.
But I'm not charging you. You just said you'll take anything for free.
i'm a human who's had years of practice if you school me that quickly with like literally no effort then fuck it, i want to be a werewolf too damn
people here are alright so far haven't really bumped into any assholes, surprisingly it's kind of weird, actually not complaining but maybe that's one of the criteria for getting dragged here "can't be a total bullshit dickhead" anyway, that reminds me i have that necklace for you hope you didn't think i was kidding
also, i didn't think i had to specify that torture does not fall under the umbrella of things i'll willingly take for free
Probably shouldn't base a decision like that off of my, though incredibly sweet, skateboard prowess. But. You're right. You've had a lot of practice. If you were a werewolf, you could very easily go pro. Something to think about.
There are plenty of total bullshit dickheads here, unfortunately. You're lucky to have avoided them. And no. I didn't think you were kidding. I've been looking forward to it. In return, I'll — you know. Not force you to participate in english homework just because I want you to participate in english homework.
Kind of. USB drive. Do you... know what a USB drive is?
[ eighties, and all that. anyway, derek realizes pretty quickly what his obsession with homework is about, and he's not sure if it's something billy needs to know about in full, but. he'll be vague. ]
Nothing like that. I was in a position back home where I was a mentor to some people. Kids your age. Didn't do enough for them. Should've made them stick to their studies instead of dive headfirst into the life I gave them. I guess you remind me of them. I want you to... you know. Be responsible. Take care of yourself. Learn. Grow. Shit like that.
no clue sounds like a computer thing though hard drive, etc. or am i way off?
[ there's a short lull in the conversation here. billy... can't really recall the last person - last adult, anyway - who actually cared about his education, or his growth or whatever else. his teachers cared, maybe, but they cared about whether or not they could mold him into the assassin he was sent there to become, which means fuck-all to billy. his mom cared, obviously, but a lot of the comfort and support she would have offered her kids was beaten out of her by gene. billy can't really remember a time when she didn't seem small and quiet and scared of doing or saying the wrong thing. ]
it's not overstepping i mean, i definitely don't want to do homework or anything but i appreciate you looking out more than you know
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a kick-flip is kind of like treading water
i mean not if you only do like one, but
it's sort of the same motion
anyway, don't dodge the question dude
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I hate this.
I'm going to have to leave my nice, dry house to save your ass before this all blows over. I can tell.
Please don't make me do that. I cannot overstate how much I do not want to go outside.
I know how to swim.
Wolves do, too. In general.
I can't turn into a wolf. Completely.
Yet.
Working on it.
Not that that's relevant.
no subject
i can swim
super good at the doggy paddle
anyway, it's not a problem
my apartment is way above the water
getting kind of bored of having to stay inside though, not gonna lie
anyway that's
totally relevant
i'm making it relevant because i want to talk about this
i didn't know werewolves could turn into like
complete wolves
i thought the point was like
half man half wolf
how would that even work?
what happens to all your bones?
no subject
Study something.
You're young. Do homework. You need it.
I can give you some math problems to solve. That could be productive. Basic algebra. You're in highschool, right? Should be rudimentary.
x squared minus 4x equals negative 4. Solve for x.
Anyway.
They shift shapes. You could probably have found a hint towards that somewhere within the term "shapeshifter".
Turning into a full wolf requires a certain state of evolution. A sense of self-assuredness and understanding. It's difficult to explain.
My mom could do it. I can't.
no subject
also you severely overestimate the amount of anything in my apartment
we've got like
two swords, a skateboard, and a pokerchip between us
and the beds, obviously
you could just tell me to fuck off instead
[ he's not offended - clearly, since he's still here to make conversation. ]
i see you're a smartass
couldn't get that from the term shapeshifter
anyway that's kinda cool
you said you're working on it though, right?
like... how close are you do you think
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You don't need to fuck off. I was genuinely trying to suggest something for you to do inside.
Good to keep on top of your studies in a place like this. They can slip. That's all.
We could just talk, too. If you don't want me to make an entire sheet of algebra problems for you to solve.
I don't know. I have no idea.
I'm happy with who I am, these days. Comfortable, at least. Theoretically, there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to tap into that particular power.
But.
It is what it is.
I've still got the half wolf half man thing going for me.
And this monstrous, horrible form I was given by the city, at some point.
Doubt that one can swim, though.
It's, like, eight feet tall. I would probably sink.
no subject
i'm not all that invested in school
kinda don't care if things slip
[ because king's is garbage and he never wanted to be there anyway. he never wants to be what they truly want him to be, if he can help it. but what's he supposed to say? 'hey, i go to a school for assassins in training so studying consists more of 'how to kill a person in just one move' and less of that algebra bullshit, so it's kind of hard to keep on top of it here without actually going to class or having any of my textbooks'?
nah. ]
uhhh
okay i'm gonna circle back to the werewolf full wolf shift thing in a second but
what do you mean when you say the city gave you a form?
no subject
Your life. Your decisions.
Should still read, though. I have a pretty decent library, at this point. Real books that people brought from home and left to me — not the porn you'd find around here.
I can bring you some of my favorites. At some point.
If you want.
[ reading is fundamental, ok. a boy as smart and as independent as billy would do well upgrading his critical analysis skills. ]
Ah. Yeah.
This city can change you. Physically.
There was a party. There are a lot of parties, for some reason. Many of them mandatory.
Attendees gained monstrous forms. Permanently. So.
I guess be on the lookout for that?
Doubt you want anyone turning into a shark monster while they're sucking your dick.
Or maybe you do. I don't know what you're into.
no subject
okay.
yeah, fine, sure.
but like, later.
i don't wanna get my leg chewed off if i accidentally drop a book in the water or whatever
[ ... ]
like - everyone got one?
what happens if you don't turn up at one of these mandatory parties?
[ but more importantly— ]
i mean
someone turning into a shark monster would be cool as shit, dude
just
not when they're all up in the downstairs
god, it makes me shudder just to think about it
all those teeth
they've got two rows you know
no subject
Just break it a little.
Pop off a kneecap, maybe.
Punishment. As with all things. Citations, typically.
But — more often than not, mandatory events are... mandatory.
I mean, there was once a bell that rang through the city and made everyone who heard it start fucking each other.
Can't exactly prepare for things like that.
Anyway.
I am aware of that extremely common fun fact.
no subject
nothing i haven't already experienced before
but this place is so fucked up, dude
isn't that like... hypnosis?
mass hypnosis. fucking crazy, man
i read it in a book
i thought you'd be proud
no subject
That first thing. The book thing. Quit it.
I am proud of you. And I won't hurt your legs.
Shut up.
Mass hypnosis.
Now that I think about it, you should probably try to stay away from the water as much as you can.
There's going to be some kind of consequence. People who spend too much time in the water are going to turn into horny mermaids, or something.
Probably going to have to wait until after the flood for me to give you those books.
Which defeats the point. But.
Still.
Safety.
no subject
i'm just saying
i've busted my knee caps so many times falling off my board
that's like a papercut by this point
aren't mermaids always horny?
or is that the other thing
sirens. is there a difference?
i guess sirens aren't horny so much as they're hungry for
sailor flesh. whatever
if everything you've ever told me so far is true
it sounds like this isn't the first time weird shit has happened in the city and it probably won't be the last
i'll take your books and save them for the next time i'm imprisoned inside my apartment
no subject
Well.
Fine. Good.
Get better at skateboarding.
Everything here is always horny. Fish parts and flesh-hunger not withstanding.
Mermaids just like drowning people, though. Typically.
Not that I've ever met one, but that's what I've heard.
Then again, hunters say worse things about werewolves. I'm sure there are plenty of mermaids out there who don't tip over boats just to watch people die.
Smart. Okay.
Thank you for humoring me. You could have very easily just admitted to my face that you have no intention of reading anything I give you.
You're kind.
no subject
what do hunters say about werewolves?
i'll read whatever you give me, dude
maybe not all of it
especially not if you're into boring shit, but
gotta fill the extra time somehow when hot people aren't banging down my door trying to get at me, you know
no subject
Improved balance. Greater stamina. Heightened sense of awareness.
Pretty much all athletic feats come easily to me.
Uh. That we're animals. Rabid dogs deserving of being put down.
You don't need to hear about that.
Not exactly a fun topic of conversation. Nor an accurate reading of an entire species of people.
Shouldn't have even mentioned it.
Anyway.
All I read is boring shit. Shakespeare. Literary criticisms of dated political stagnation.
You will hate it.
I won't mind.
no subject
sounds like a whole lot of talk
don't have to prove it when the streets are flooded, right
i see right through you, derek
[ he's kiiidding, though he would like to see a werewolf shred at some point. ]
hey, that sounds kind of like some of the shit people say about me
and i'm just a regular guy with a mohawk who likes loud music and giving the finger to the establishment
dude, i would pay money to hear you read shakespeare out loud
like, full english accent and everything
i've only got like a dollar to my name
but apparently a dollar is worth way more in the future so like
it's more like $20? i don't know, i'm guessing
a whole extra $19 for you
[ it's actually only worth like $2 but what the fuck does he know. let him be optimistic. ]
no subject
Or maybe we won't.
Feels like it might be kind of psychopathic to shit all over you like I would.
You clearly love skating. And you're young.
Kind of a dick move to be a grown-ass adult, as well as a relative beginner when it comes to skating, and still go out of my way to kick your ass and crush your self-confidence.
Maybe I'll just bring you orange slices, or something.
People are wrong.
About you. About me, too, but.
About you.
Just so you know.
And yeah. Wow.
That is exactly how economics works.
Unfortunately, I can't do an english accent, so. You're shit out of luck.
no subject
everyone falls down, dude
doesn't mean they're shitty when it happens
but you can still bring me orange slices if you want
i'll take anything for free
yeah
i'm not that worried about it
i don't really give a shit what people say
just thought it was kind of weirdly familiar is all
but they're wrong about you too
i know you literally just said that but i think it's worth repeating
you seem like a really cool dude so far
ugh
if it doesn't come with the accent then i don't want it
no subject
I don't think you're shit. I think you're probably pretty good, actually.
Doesn't mean I won't kick your ass.
You're only human.
Sorry you went through that.
And thank you for saying that.
Hope you've had a better run of people here. I know you're a good person. You deserve kindness. More than most.
So.
Yeah.
Friendship.
Or whatever.
But I'm not charging you.
You just said you'll take anything for free.
no subject
if you school me that quickly with like literally no effort
then fuck it, i want to be a werewolf too
damn
people here are alright so far
haven't really bumped into any assholes, surprisingly
it's kind of weird, actually
not complaining but maybe that's one of the criteria for getting dragged here
"can't be a total bullshit dickhead"
anyway, that reminds me
i have that necklace for you
hope you didn't think i was kidding
also, i didn't think i had to specify that torture does not fall under the umbrella of things i'll willingly take for free
no subject
But. You're right. You've had a lot of practice.
If you were a werewolf, you could very easily go pro.
Something to think about.
There are plenty of total bullshit dickheads here, unfortunately. You're lucky to have avoided them.
And no. I didn't think you were kidding. I've been looking forward to it.
In return, I'll — you know.
Not force you to participate in english homework just because I want you to participate in english homework.
no subject
obviously
you got any books on werewolves?
what's this obsession with homework about?
were you a teacher back home or something?
no subject
Do you... know what a USB drive is?
[ eighties, and all that. anyway, derek realizes pretty quickly what his obsession with homework is about, and he's not sure if it's something billy needs to know about in full, but. he'll be vague. ]
Nothing like that.
I was in a position back home where I was a mentor to some people. Kids your age.
Didn't do enough for them. Should've made them stick to their studies instead of dive headfirst into the life I gave them.
I guess you remind me of them.
I want you to... you know. Be responsible. Take care of yourself. Learn. Grow.
Shit like that.
Probably overstepping. Sorry.
no subject
sounds like a computer thing though
hard drive, etc.
or am i way off?
[ there's a short lull in the conversation here. billy... can't really recall the last person - last adult, anyway - who actually cared about his education, or his growth or whatever else. his teachers cared, maybe, but they cared about whether or not they could mold him into the assassin he was sent there to become, which means fuck-all to billy. his mom cared, obviously, but a lot of the comfort and support she would have offered her kids was beaten out of her by gene. billy can't really remember a time when she didn't seem small and quiet and scared of doing or saying the wrong thing. ]
it's not overstepping
i mean, i definitely don't want to do homework or anything but
i appreciate you looking out more than you know
[ ... ]
not a whole lot of people care that much
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