RADIO | AUDIO | some idle curiosity

[skeletonenigma]

[The message over the handsets is short, succinct, and to the point. Long story short: the detective is bored, so the first thought to capture some of his idle curiosity gets put to the Foreigners at large.]

Who else has received letters from themselves?

Comments

[insertdadjoke]

Is that a thing that's happening to everyone?

[skeletonenigma]

More than I was expecting, actually. And from what I've seen, the letters are remarkably creative. If you can't see, it's an audio recording.

[redlightgreenlight]

You too?

And here I thought I was going crazy...

[skeletonenigma]

I didn't say I got one.

[Even though he did. Hush. Details.]

You thought you were going crazy because you don't remember writing it, or because it's impossible to decipher?

[solo_patria]

Oh good! I am not going mad, then.

I ah...mine was from another universe, of all things. Is that stranger or...

[skeletonenigma]

[Now that perks his interest.]

Another universe? How do you know?

radio;

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper hesitates at first, but decides that, if other people are getting letters, she won't sound crazy by responding.]

I did.

[The lack of additional commentary is telling.]

radio;

[skeletonenigma]

[He won't press. That's not the point of this. But he does make a mental note, since Pepper is both a friend and a partner.]

When?

[ruinsprofessor]

I wouldn't call it a letter, exactly, but... yes, I did.

[Yes, she definitely did. And is still trying to figure out what to make of it.]

[skeletonenigma]

What would you call it?

[inkulcation]

[For this, China will stop ignoring Skulduggery's existence. For now.]

I tell myself the most fascinating things, apparently.

[skeletonenigma]

[He's so flattered.

Up until this point, Skulduggery's been deliberately trying not to ask the specifics of peoples' messages. With China, he doesn't even think twice about making an exception.]

Such as?

[irishthor]

I have.

[And it's definitely from him.]

[skeletonenigma]

[Good God. Maybe he should have just put up a poll up on the consoles.]

Long, or short?

[edgeoftheknife]

I found mine.

[skeletonenigma]

Oh, good.

Well, not good, but it does help support a theory.

[A pause, because Skulduggery doesn't consider it his place to pry. But there are mitigating circumstances here, and an opportunity to learn more about his own letter.

In the end, he settles on a personal compromise.] Is it anything like mine?

private;

[wrathfulkhan]

I did.

[And he's definitely not going to share more without prodding.]

private;

[skeletonenigma]

[This is the first private reply. Gene's response is short and to the point, but the very fact he chooses to keep it private at all indicates some part of him wants to talk about it.]

Can you give me any details?

audio;

[denyamenti]

[ after some consideration: ] Yes.

audio;

[skeletonenigma]

[Next time he does this, he's hiring someone to create an online poll.]

Excellent. I'm trying to find out if there are any patterns beyond the obvious. Long and informative, or short and vague?

Audio

[wolfstrike]

Yeah, and it told me to hit someone.

Audio

[skeletonenigma]

Someone in Keeliai? Why?

[jinzhong]

Yeah. Asked me if I ever thought about tending bar.

[skeletonenigma]

Maybe you own a bar sometime in the future, then. Or maybe it's code for something I would know nothing about.

[craftlife]

I have, though mine was somewhat unusual, I think.

[skeletonenigma]

Unusual how?