ic inbox

[lingeringhope]

[Hope's voice is clear and clipped.]

If you would like to leave a message, you may do so here. I can't promise to respond. I have many demands on my time, and this sort of thing is far down the list. Still, if you would like to, you may.

Comments

[casperdisaster]

[Noah is not sure he's doing this right but he's trying. He's been thinking about this a lot, about... how Hope said he'd try to bring them back if they died. And lately it's been plaguing Noah more and more, the thought of dying again.

But not in a bad way.

He's not sure if that counts as suicidal ideals. Is it, to be nostalgic for a simpler time? When you know exactly what it means?

Noah isn't going to go out and kill himself. He doesn't want that.

But he wants to be prepared if it happens, especially after Fear brought to life their deepest fears and all.

It's just a contingency plan. That's all it is.]

Um. Uh. H-hello? H-hope? Um. I'm Noah, I'm, - uh. One of the people who came through the door thingy. [Okay, just spit it out, he doesn't have all day to sit and listen to you and wheedle you to get to the point. Or maybe he does, Noah doesn't know.] Um! You said before when someone asked, that if we died you'd try to bring us back to life? I don't know if that's had to happen for anyone yet but - uh. I wanted to request that if I die maybe... maybe don't bring me back right away? Not that I don't appreciate you doing it or trying! I just - back where I come from, I've been dead. For a while. And. I think if I happen to die being a ghost again for a little while before I go back to living might be good for me. That's all. I'm still sentient when I die, I can still feel things. So. It shouldn't be a problem, right?

Um. That's all I wanted to ask uh thank you again for like um making food for us and all that too that's really nice umthat'sall.

[lingeringhope]

Very well, if that's what you wish.

[He won't ask why, mostly because he doesn't really care.]

Try not to die, though.

Voice

[amos_moses]

Well, a god having a voicemail is a new one on me, but since you don't seem the type for divine appearances...

[Amos chuckles a little. He'd been to the temple of Hope several times to ask his questions, and when no visitations or answers had been forthcoming, had gone on the hunt for a better means of communication.]

I have a coupla questions, an' you seem like the guy..sorry, god who might answer me straight. That Fear guy, he seems the sort to play head-games just for the hell of it, an' I'm just not keen on mind-fuckery.

So, first off, I hear we're all from different worlds. This true? Because this place seems awful similar to my own home.

Secondly, I've been told we're here in this ruined city as replacement believers for the...divine quarrel you've got going on with Fear. Is that true, too?

And if that's true, then what do you need from us as tribute? Existing? Sacrifices of some kind?

That's the main ones for now, I guess. I've got others, but I'm always asking too many questions, as my grandmother has told me many times. Oh, an' thanks for the food an' supplies, I hear that's your doing, too. We appreciate it.

Voice

[lingeringhope]

I've no intention of appearing to any of you until I know you are trustworthy, which is not likely to ever happen.

But I can answer your questions, yes. In order: yes, sort of, and I need your hope.

Anything else?

[morphinum]

so apparently you're the omniscient being I'm supposed to talk to if I've got questions about this place

are you growing poppies anywhere? or anything else that can produce opium, morphling, etc, etc, etc

because listen I think the last thing we both want is for me to go through really fucking awful withdrawal in this cave

[lingeringhope]

Poppies? Not that I'm aware of.

I imagine you'll be healthier without it. Try not to die, if you can manage that.

[casperdisaster]

Um, so. Uh. First - first, thanks for - for the letting me be dead for a bit. It was - well it wasn't nice but I think I really needed it, so...?

[Fuck, fuck, he is screwing this up this is not a buddy to talk to. Get to the point. Noah would have been content to stay this way, really, but seeing it actually affect Adam and Ronan - being buried alive and Noah only able to help unreliably - has him thinking he should go back to being.]

The point is - if I could... I'd like a body again. If you can. If you have the time. Uh. Thank you.

[lingeringhope]

First you don't want a body, then you do want one? Make up your mind, I'm not here to simply make you a body whenever you'd like.

I don't have the time. You'll have to do something for me in return.

[unitas]

Can you tell me how to kill Fear, yet?

[lingeringhope]

At least you're being straightforward about it.

But no.

text

[unfollowing]

i was told you're in charge.

a few things:
-i need make-up. currently there isn't anywhere i can get anything good, and i don't like what the sun or whatever here is doing to my skin.
-i seriously cannot stress the make-up enough. and not any of that department store shit. i need moisturizer, toner, the works. i don't know what's in the air or the light here, but i don't like it. it's not inspiring any hope in me, if that's any incentive.
-the clothes here are mediocre at best. the fabric is scratchy, and i'm not even going to comment on the styles. you can fix that, right? you are a god and all.
-the housing is okay and all, but i think we could do with a spa.
-and a nice restaurant or two. i've been here five days and i'm not impressed with the food selection.

thanks, sweetie

xo

text

[lingeringhope]

No.

Video

[krangke]

(He can't believe he's actually doing this. He really can't. But is it so different than making requests from WICKED when back at the Glade? He sucks it up because after everything that's been going on lately...He's made his mind up about something.

When he turns on the transaction, he's at once diplomatic and to the point. He'd figured there's no real point in beating around the bush here.)

All right. I have a request and some pretty heavy reasons why you should probably fulfill my request.

You've got an entire group of people here with no real sense of community. Shame that. There needs to start being some responsibility put into place, a bit of structure to this place. You know what that does? Unifies people. Instills...

(He reeeaaaaaally thinks this is dumb but before he can start sounding sarcastic he forces himself to sober up-)

Hope.

People are good when they have a goal to move towards and something to do with themselves besides lay around starin' at their bloody ceilings wondering when the hell they're going to be tormented next. They need positive distractions.

And after this whole meat debacle...

I think you should give us a plot of land that's fertile. Nothing big- there's not many people here. I don't actually know if this land is already fertile... But enough to plant crops. Give us the seeds. Potatoes, squash, corn, strawberries- stuff like that. Maybe some flowers too, honestly. It's a scientific fact that people actively cheer up at the sight of flowers. Happiness, hope- kinda the same department.

(He thinks. That sounds right.)

People could work together in the garden. We could make our own food and therefor take some of the weight off of you and the others for providing for us. People are much more capable than you give us credit for. We can make our own. At least some of it. People are good when they're busy, they are more positive, more hopeful. And if you gave the group something like this it might make them lean more in your favor too.

I've worked gardens before. I can teach people- you don't even have to do that. I know others who have experience as well. I just need the tools, the supplies, and the land. I can even group together the people to do it.

So, please.

(He lets out a faint sigh. That's about it.)

Video

[lingeringhope]

You are not the first, or even the second, to suggest this. I even created seeds for one of you who wished to do the same thing. I've seen no results yet. You humans are full of demands with little follow-through.

voice

[wipedclean]

The fireflies. Are they yours?

[Because he's got a bone to pick with you, Hope.]

[lingeringhope]

No. They belong to Delight.

voice

[cowardley]

Excuse me, Mr. Hope? Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about the previous inhabitants of this place?

[lingeringhope]

You can ask if you like, but I can't promise to answer.

[dedikated]

How about the next time you drag people in, you bring me some medical doctors? [ She's actually surprised how calm she manages to sound, because Hope - like all of them - is using everyone here like a puppet on a string and it brings up every prickly memory of working in The Agency.

Here's what we need you don't get a say or any information to decide! Good luck!

But there's more pressing concerns than her distaste for the Gods and desire to avoid them. Like the fact that the Clinic volunteers are too few and too underqualified for this place. ]

[lingeringhope]

I am not the one who brings you here. I have no control over who or what arrives. Has no one told you that yet?

[circumitus]

[Rey is very loathe to do this. Not only does she hate asking for favors, but approaching one of their supposedly "kidnappers" for one doesn't sit right with her. But Nick's physical state when she had poked around at his inner workings was worrisome, and that of course takes precedence over her own comfort. Doesn't mean her teeth don't grit as she starts texting up this message.]

would it be possible to manufacture any spare synthetic parts?
need some tools as well.
the screwdrivers you gave were useful by the way. just need more than those.

[lingeringhope]

What kind of parts? I'm not familiar with that sort of technology.

Is it really necessary?

voice; backdated to the 19th!

[torrefied]

Hope.

Sharon - the girl who's responsible for what's happening here - she's dead.

[lingeringhope]

Was that really necessary?

[Video]

[mismanagement]

[Following this.

Maketh doesn't bother looking pleased. She's tired more than anything, and frustrated.]

I need Henry's armor replaced. It was destroyed and we have neither the skill nor the equipment to fix it.

Rage gave a price. It was cruel and would cause harm to others here.

You like to claim you're reasonable. So here I am. I'm willing to negotiate something if you will see it through.

[Video]

[lingeringhope]

Arms and armor are not an area I have much experience in. I can try, but it will require energy and time.

Repair one of the bridges that cross the river, and I'll make you that armor.

[voice]

[circumitus]

When one of us dies, do you have to bring us back?

[voice]

[lingeringhope]

I do not have to, but I greatly prefer to. My true preference, of course, would be that you not die in the first place.

22.7; permatext

[verinumeri]

[ And forgive the double approach, but the post seemed an optimal introduction to this topic, if not the appropriate avenue for a request. This is partially a result of this conversation. ]

Attention: Mr. Hope
Subject: Request and Inquiry
Request: A zone of 'safety' within the Coliseum

Details: I will preface by noting that I am aware you exert considerable energy keeping the monsters out of the city, as you've made clear in your recent post to the network. Thus, I am also aware that I may be requesting the impossible.

I was conferring with a member of the guard about their typical preparations and the necessity of patrolling the coliseum on the day the Door opens. Understandably, new arrivals, already disoriented by arriving, are especially susceptible to the beasts that have been likewise pulled through. The guard expressed it fortunate if unlikely no one has died, though they've certainly been injured, which isn't a very inspiring welcome to the city. Should someone die, I suppose that would burden you as well.

As such, she thought a defensive implementation would be a valuable addition to the coliseum. A 'safe zone' where the arrivals could collect themselves and wait to be escorted by the guard, that the beasts could not breach. We might put up a sign.

As the temples proved effective safe houses when that girl tampered with the city, I wondered, if perhaps we built a small shrine to you that would double as the 'safe zone', that would assist in making this sort of thing possible. Unless whatever made your temples unique cannot be replicated or moved.

Offer: Whatever you think is appropriate. I doubt anyone coming in will feel more hopeful as a result of this, but it might reduce negative feelings.

Inquiry: Related to orienting new arrivals. Are you responsible for the phones? You have a message ready on each when they arrive, so I've assumed. If an application was completed that served as a comprehensive guidebook to the city, would it be possible to have it likewise by 'default' on each phone?

Other: Thank you for your consideration.

[lingeringhope]

I could not protect the entire coliseum. The temple is only so safe because my power has imbued it for many years, and I could not do the same thing for the coliseum. However, if you were to build a shrine of some kind within the coliseum, I could focus my energy on it when new arrivals come. It would not cover much area, but it would keep the monsters outside of it and provide a bit of safety. With Sorrow providing more food, I don't think it would be more of a drain on my resources than I can handle, but I would require some kind of focal point - both for my convenience and yours. That way you will know where to direct people to.

And yes, if you create a 'guidebook' I could add it to each phone, including the ones received upon arrival.

[Video]

[thechoiceisyours]

[Chris realizes he's never called Hope directly before, so it takes a moment to figure out what to say, but eventually he just gives a small smile and goes with something simple.]

Um, hey, Hope. I wanted to say um, thanks for the power, and ask you if you can tell me anything about how it works? I know it's for healing, but I want to, you know. Use it as best as possible, I guess.

[So he figures asking Hope's the best way to go about that.]

[Video]

[lingeringhope]

You're welcome. I hope that you will use it appropriately. If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them, but in general - the more you use it the more quickly it will run out. You can't bring people back from death, but you should be able to heal very grave wounds.

text - 7/30

[unfollowing]

i really like my gifts

thank you

[You're still a dick, but you showed taste and class, so you get that right back.]

[lingeringhope]

You're welcome. I'm pleased you enjoy them.

voice; backdated to the 1st!

[torrefied]

... You didn't have to give me anything.

[Hi, Hope, it's this asshole again. 8|]

voice;

[lingeringhope]

You helped out. You earned your reward.

[text]

[thechoiceisyours]

[Chris definitely hadn't planned on directly messaging Hope again so soon after last time, but he's been more or less lurking in Hope's temple for the last day or so since Ashley disappeared. In that time he realized there's probably lot faster and easier way of getting an answer about where she might be, though it took a few hours to decide to actually do it.]

Hey. I'm sorry to bother you again, but my friend is missing and I was hoping you could tell me if it's because she needs to be brought back to life.

[It's hard enough to type the words, let alone say them, so he's definitely glad he chose text. But Hope would know if Ashley died, right? That would pretty much answer what happened to her either way.]

[text]

[lingeringhope]

No one has died recently. If she is missing, it's likely because the Door has sent her home.

[And that should be a good thing, right?]

text

[hybridification]

Hey man, I was hoping you could do me a huge favor.

It would, uh. Make me super hopeful. As a matter of fact, I'm hopeful right now that you'll say yes. See how helpful I am?

text

[lingeringhope]

What is this favor that you want?

text

[mismanagement]

I desire something that is in your power to grant. In giving it to me, I'm fairly certain you would receive something of use to you in turn. Well?

text

[lingeringhope]

That sounds rather vague. What, specifically, do you want?

| video.

[dedikated]

( in all actuality, she knows this is probably a better request for Sorrow. But- well. At least Hope, in his own way, has been scoring some points for being reasonable with her?

So, she'd much rather divulge this request to him instead.

Really, she should have done this almost as soon as she arrived, months ago, when the timing lined up for Marc's birthday and their parents' deaths, but a month into life in the murdercave, when you still have hope of leaving is hardly the time to ask that. But it's nearly time for another anniversary. So- )

You got anything made with lavender here? ( The tone she asks this in is almost over-cultivated casual, too forced to be entirely natural, and asked over video because anything else seems inappropriate for this request. )

video.

[lingeringhope]

What is lavender? A flower?

[He vaguely thinks that might be right.]

[ video ]

[anthropophagite]

[ oh boy he is nervous as hell, this is awful. When the feed starts, he doesn't speak right away, trying to figure out how to word this without sounding awful - but he will sound awful, he knows that. ]

Ah- mister Hope? I think I need your help.

It's regarding my diet, I can't eat anything provided in this place - I need to eat something else. I was wondering if you could get it?

[ video ]

[lingeringhope]

If you cannot survive off what is provided here, I can make something else for you. What is it that you need?

[save_theworld]

[Oh boy, a new text! Golly, I wonder which ungrateful sod wants something this time-]

Hello. I have a joke for you.

What has two wheels and is green? Grass, I lied about the wheels.

I hope you have a good day.

[Yep sure all good then.]

[lingeringhope]

[What.]

I don't understand. Grass doesn't have wheels.

Wait - was that the point?

[What..............]

[closerift]

Hi... Hope. [ This isn't awkward or anything. ] So, I know we've not seen eye to eye much, but you're an enemy of Fear's - [ Or, he's supposed to be!! ] And since the 'zombies' had been his doing, I thought you might be able to help.

[ Maker, does she hate asking for his help, but. ]

I was bitten and had to have my hand removed, which... admittedly makes things a lot more difficult. It's hard to hope when you've only got one hand, you know. So, wondering: is there any way you can... I dunno, recover my hand? Get it magicked back onto my wrist? Please?

[lingeringhope]

I could return it to you, yes. Or rather, make a new one identical to the old one. Not for free, however - in exchange, tell me of the moment in your life in which you were most hopeful. And please be detailed.