Mask Or Menace - IC Contact Post

[helpdesk_hero]

This is David Alleyne, I'm not available at the moment.
Please leave your name, contact information, and what this is regarding after the beep.

Comments

[helpdesk_hero]

[Okay, text doesn't even BEGIN to cover this. Expect a call. One where Peter will get a strange perspective on David, because the guy hasn't had time to dig out his phone, so instead Peter gets David sitting in front of a mirror, looking back at himself. Thanks, glasses.]

What did you do?

[made_up_names]

[ WELL. Shit. Peter wasn't expecting the call, but here he is. And since he didn't get time to change, he's in a sweatshirt that looks like got completely shredded. ]

Why do you assume it's something I did?

[helpdesk_hero]

You're right. That isn't fair. Could be the government has assigned you a guardian. But as none of the other imPorts in their minority that I've met has has this problem, I have to assume something has been done that you're associated with.

Just tell me it isn't Beck.

[made_up_names]

[ This is a long, guilty pause. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[It is possible to see the exact moment where that registers in David's face. Where he goes from teasing to actually bordering on angry.]

Did you agree to this? Were you involved in the paperwork? Did he tell you going in?

I swear, I'm going to find that asshole and break his arm.

[made_up_names]

[ Aww, hell. He's not sure what kind of reaction he expected? Actually, he expected pretty much that, and it's sort of comforting to hear someone yell on his behalf. ]

Of course not, sort of, and it was kind of an accident? God, if it's not an accident, I'm furious. But I can't actually tell.

[helpdesk_hero]

This is the guy that was talking just the other day to me about how he wanted to work with you, hire you to work for him, and otherwise micromanage your life by controlling your pay. Okay, so many not in those words, but this just seems right up his damn alley.

Listen, which state are you in? I'll figure out someone to pull the information from.

[made_up_names]

[ Urgh. That's. Peter looks dimly horrified by that? Actually he's a lot horrified, but trying not to show it. ]

It - it could have been an accident? I got him to fake being my guardian for two seconds so I could convince my school to put me in the right grade. There was a lot of paperwork.

[ So it's possible. But also possible Beck took advantage of the situation. And - ugh he hates everything so much right now. ]

Nonah. Uh - North Carolina, I think.

[helpdesk_hero]

[And David needs to take a few days off of work then.]

So, I'm presuming the thing you need help with is making this go away. Sooner rather than later. And you don't trust him to handle it.

[made_up_names]

Right. Exactly. He says he's running the paperwork to undo it, but...

[ Well. If Beck was lying about this being an accident, that won't go anywhere. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[And David can probably get it done in just a few days.]

Emancipation won't be the most effective approach. That's legal battles for a while. Better to just make the paperwork disappear and hack systems to change data.

[made_up_names]

[ Oh. Peter brightens. ]

Really?

[helpdesk_hero]

If you're willing to let me.

[Completely illegal, but he'll do it.]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah uh. He's belatedly having that thought. ]

Are you gonna get in trouble?

[helpdesk_hero]

Less than you'll get into with that man being responsible for you.

You said two things. What's the second?

[made_up_names]

Just - be careful. Please.

[ Also, he sighs. ]

D'you know a guy named Murphy? Teenager like us, comes from a weird apocalyptic future?

[helpdesk_hero]

As if I'm ever anything but careful. And no, I don't know a guy named Murphy.

[Honestly, he doesn't know a lot of people. His circle has been rather small.]

[made_up_names]

Shoot. Okay, maybe that's a good thing? I'm trying to get a read on him.

[helpdesk_hero]

What's wrong? Should I keep an eye on him?

[made_up_names]

Well - um - he pushed me into traffic.

In his defense, we were trying to find a safe way for me to show him how tough I am.

[helpdesk_hero]

That isn't even remotely safe. Want me to hack his grades?

[Get the guy held back?]

[made_up_names]

You can do that?

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm going to be in town already. And I've always got my friends' backs.

[made_up_names]

...

Just like - one semester's. Not enough to get him held back.

[helpdesk_hero]

And see, I'd rather have him held back. Or transferred.

[What a pain. Let him do everything he should.]