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[perfectsymmetry]

After last week's truthful phone call, Crowe's daring to venture outside again. He really hates wasting the nice summer weather, after all. So it's time to get back to life as usual in Mayfield. As usual as it ever gets, anyway.

A) How does Crowe vent frustration? SPORTS! Well, in this case, martial arts practice. Crowe's been training religiously in Mayfield in his long stint here, and has had a few different trainers. Today, he'll be teaching the boxing equipment a lesson it'll never forget, complete with some yelling as he throws some punches and kicks. Who knew Crowe had it in him? That meek personality hides a fierce fighter underneath. He tries to go to the rec center just as it opens, hoping there will be less people for him to bother with all the noise. But there's bound to be some other early birds there, right? Maybe some who want to see what's going on, or maybe even spar.

B) Later that day, exhausted from his workout, Crowe heads to his usual hangout, the park. He's working at a picnic table in the shade, and in front of him lies his dozens of newly-developed photos. Crowe takes pictures of all non-droned people in town, and has been doing so for months. He's looking through the new ones, pictures spread out on the table that anyone passing by could see. You might be in there, or someone you know. He has his old albums there with him too, and is sorting them all away. His iPhone is sitting on the bench next to him, quietly playing music. Some of the older ones he flips through, looking over the ones of his now droned friends sadly. Once in awhile, a breeze picks a photo or two up, and he has to chase after. Maybe it blows your way?

Tucked away in one of the albums is also a piece of paper that you might find him looking over. Ciel gave it to him months ago, and he's still trying to figure out what it could mean.

Comments

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

That's why I take those photos. So many people come and gone... I want to make sure they're remembered as they should be.

Ah, I'd like to. I-I wonder, I've been away from home so long... If we go, will we pick up where we left off? Will we even remember being here? I had planned to join the soccer team in the fall, but that was last year already...

[ex_seventh238]

You're not letting shadows of people here before getting you down, are you? It's very thoughtful of you to do this, but it becomes counter-productive if that becomes a draining chore to you more than anything else. Memories embody both good and bad, but it's thinking back to the nice things that's happened before that you can draw some hope for the future. ...Haa, well, that's what I think. Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?

I do believe so, actually! Have you ever talked to anyone who has been droned for some time, but then snapped back to themselves again, except they really look older and would also say that they went back to their world for some time? I've spoken to a few people about this myself!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

N-No, it's a good thing to do. Even if I miss them, I'm glad to have these pictures once they're gone. And I have them in case someone else would like to have one of a friend who's left too.

[Yeah this only happens to like *every other person* Crowe knows in town, it seems. Most recently was the whole Norway debacle.] U-Um. Yeah, you're right. Though if you think about it, that only makes us being here that much more complicated....

[ex_seventh238]

Mm, that's thoughtful and convenient too. Just keep in mind the good reasons, okay?

It does, but given what we've seen here during April Fools, don't you think that it could invalidate the possible theory about souls? We're easier to keep in line without our powers and possessions, but we get them back with time anyway. Several leaked phonecalls between the figures of this town also suggest that things aren't as much in order as they would like for us to believe, so if someone arriving means becoming trapped in Mayfield, wouldn't it still be possible, that their droning means they went back home because the town couldn't keep them here anymore, for one reason or another?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

A-Ah, true... Otherwise we'd just be droned all the time, yeah?

[ex_seventh238]

Yes, that's right. Drones also get replaced; have you had that happen to your household members before? One evening, you went to bed after saying goodnight to a drone sibling or parent, and the second morning, someone conscious and new completely took over their place. They jut disappeared, so their bodies don't always stay here either. That also tells us that the slots here are limited, which can be seen as another restriction proving that the town can't do anything. Some of these people who got droned before being replaced return to Mayfield too, but it can be both with or without previous memories of this place. Either way, it's like their being here never impacted their home world, wouldn't you say? So in that case, isn't it more likely that people simply go back, instead of picturing the worst case scenario like what everyone saw at the Dairy? The town likes to mess with our minds too, so naturally it'll draw the most horrifying possibilities to intimidate us. Does that make sense?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Y-Yeah, it does... Sometimes the people just get moved to another house in town, though, instead of being replaced. Ah. I-I guess trying to make sense of this place doesn't really do much good, eh? Just gives you a headache.

[ex_seventh238]

Mm, that's true too, it happened to someone I know. He's been bumped up to become a father, too... Aha. It really does, so please keep your imagination in check; there's no use picturing the worse, when we can't confirm anything anyway. It's like being afraid of the dark, you know?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

R-Right. But finally getting some useable information here would be nice. You can't really trust anything we learn, so... So maybe that way, we wouldn't have to be afraid of the dark.

[ex_seventh238]

Do you mean like getting a light source? Useable information can be compared to a flashlight, but if we can't find one, you have to go for the traditional methods, like using candles! Like, there are other things you can do to not be constantly in a state of worry, so you don't always feel burdened and preoccupied. [Ciel that analogy doesn't..... really work................. but okay keep talking...] Ahh... have you been researching again? [The tone's not reproachful or curious... kind of knowing, if anything.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Um. Y-Yeah, I have, though admittedly I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. Ah, that paper, the diary page? Where did it come from?

[Time to be straightforward.]

[ex_seventh238]

The town goes out of its way to lead us around. That? ...Ah. [She looked mildly surprised for a moment, but recovers quickly.] It was at the dairy, during April Fools. [...] Did you make it inside, before... that machine came out? [Milkmech brings back memories...]

HOW DID I FORGET THIS TAG sob i am sorry

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, yeah, I did make it in there, but at the time I wasn't sure what I was looking at. I-i don't know how much of what I saw I believe now anyway.

NO WORRIES /backtags forever...

[ex_seventh238]

I don't either, honestly, but it's inside where I found that page, near the generator. Others also found notes, though I do admit that the one I came across felt more like a red herring than anything else. Plus, even if it's not, a diary page is too subjective to provide much information. Something is still better than nothing however, so I held onto it and transcribed a few copies.

me too yay

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

You're exactly right. Subjective, sure, but if it's real, if there's more pages... We might be able to find out who wrote this.

;u;/

[ex_seventh238]

We already know that there has been people before us, and their physical appearances can be changed by the town. Billy Smith and the Librarian are the best example: he didn't sound at all like a young boy in that phonecall, did he? So it's possible that the girl who originally wrote this has been changed to someone else too. But even then, it's possible that she's no longer in Mayfield. The odds are very slim; would you have any idea where to start? [...She wanted to say impossible, really, but... Ah, there's no use in making that sort of statement, especially when Crowe must be already aware.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

True. People come and go so fast in this town so that's entirely possible... But I'm running out of investigative angles here.

[ex_seventh238]

[She sighs and slumps her shoulders.] That may be true, but... There is Police Chief Grady, too. With him gone, the town has to appoint a new officer. If you wait a bit more, maybe we'll get a clue then?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping to actually do some investigative work before Grady is replaced. Since we have no idea who might replace him, better to do it now than later.

[ex_seventh238]

[She stares at him for a little bit. If he was expecting objection, it's not coming.

And then, a small sigh and her shoulders slump. ...Yeah, she's dealt with him enough to know that he's too stubborn to be dissuaded.]

That does make sense... You're set on this?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He nods firmly.] Yes. Someone has to do it.

[ex_seventh238]

...Geez, stubborn as always... You've considered the risks? [She knows that's repeating now, but there isn't much else she CAN say at this point.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Of course. I-I won't ever forget what happened last time we tried to check out City Hall after hours.

[ex_seventh238]

Then please let someone know if you think you will need help, and don't try to take too much upon yourself. Can I ask that much of you, Crowe?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Alright. I promise.