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[anunluckypenny]

[It's dark inside Penny's room above the Welcome Center. The dim light from the network device is enough to illuminate Penny, who looks even more frazzled than she usually does when the Centers are understaffed. In fact, she looks outright panicked.]

Hey, City? I know I'm not the only seeing things in the mirrors, but is it getting worse for anyone else? Like, are the images getting more... I don't know, vivid? Like they're getting ready to crawl right out? Or am I going crazy?

I mean, if I'm going crazy, I'd really like to know about it. And I'm not totally ruling it out, either. I've just been freaking out all month and nothing's even happened.

[She pauses, turning to her right as if there's something there. Whatever it is encourages her to turn her attention back to the device.]

Okay--um. If... I don't mean to sound totally needy, but is anyone free? I get that it's Saturday and you all probably have plans, I just... you know, if you don't--

[Penny interrupts herself with a terrified squeak. She glances off to the right again, and... off goes the device.]

Comments

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[sleepingstar]

[Don't be afraid, Penny! That's not a monster you're seeing from the corner of your eye; that's just Pai, poking her head into the Welcome Center curiously.

...okay, so yes, it is a monster, but not one you have to be afraid of. Yet.]

Hello?

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[anunluckypenny]

[Penny jumps with a yelp. On edge? Yes. Both of her dogs raise their heads when Pai shows up, but show no signs of being alarmed.

Deep breaths, Penny.]

Oh, hey there.

[sleepingstar]

[Pai tilts her head and looks at Penny curiously.]

Are you hiding from somebody?

[anunluckypenny]

What? No, definitely not!

[She glances around furtively.]

I mean, nothing that can get me, I guess. Can I help you?

[sleepingstar]

[Pai ignores the question because the answer is no.]

Why would you hide from something that can't get you?

[punchedhitler]

Do you want to come spend the night?

[anunluckypenny]

You have no idea how much I'd like that. But I don't want to be a bother, and Sam and Tumbles and Lucretia can't really be left alone...

[punchedhitler]

You wouldn't be a bother.

[anunluckypenny]

You're so, so amazing, Steve. It'd just be one night, I promise.

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[moonlitrequiem]

I have not seen anything unusual in mirrors. [She makes a mental note to check the network and see if anyone else is mentioning the phenomenon, though. And while her expression and tone might not sound sympathetic or comforting, Yin does answer that last question of Penny's. She might just be offering up the simple truth, though.]

I do not have plans and am available.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

That's probably a good thing. The stuff I'm seeing? Not so great.

You're so sweet, Yin. I think I'm good now, though--thank you.

video;

[moonlitrequiem]

[There's a long pause.]

What are you seeing?

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[anunluckypenny]

I don't know how to describe it, exactly? I mean, it's me, but it's definitely not me. Her fingers are always curled like claws and there's this look on her face that scares me. She hurts people, too. Just... scratches them, or shoves them aside, or worse.

[mightbeconcussed]

Definitely not going crazy. I'll bring by some cupcakes.

[ Because she's been baking like a fiend to try and get her mind off it. ]

Maybe some cheesy movies. How do you feel about Resident Evil and zombie ass kicking?

[anunluckypenny]

Thanks, Lucy. Sorry, too. If you don't think I'm crazy, you must be seeing things, too.

Would you believe that I basically never watch movies? I could go for some. Maybe they'd take our minds off of things.

[mightbeconcussed]

[ She hesitates and then nods. ] Yeah. It's not much fun.

[ That gets a big smile. ]

I'll get some things together and head over soon.

[anunluckypenny]

[LET'S IGNORE THINGS TOGETHER.]

Lucy? Thank you. You're a pretty amazing friend.

voice;

[her_waterloo]

I've... I've seen it too. A couple of times.

Is October in the City usually bad?

voice;

[anunluckypenny]

You have? That's--not good, I mean, because no one needs to see these kinds of things...

It is, yeah. Kind of has a reputation.

voice;

[her_waterloo]

Reassuring in the worst way? It's like the Bloody Mary game caught up with me, or something.

...Geez. Guess we'd better hope that the new regime keeps it as mild as possible.

voice;

[anunluckypenny]

It's just like that! Only worse, I guess, because I think the monsters're personalized.

They've said that they're trying. All we can do is hope that that's enough.

[skintoskin]

Pens? You need me to come over?

[Though he doesn't know what he'll do if she's got dangerous company...]

[anunluckypenny]

I don't need you to, Neil, but you're totally welcome to come by anyway. Lucy's going to bring over some movies. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you joined in.

But only if you want to, I mean.

[skintoskin]

Will there be popcorn and chips?

[anunluckypenny]

There'll be food of some kind, I can guarantee that.