<argylecape> If it needs to be done, sure.

<argylecape> It sounds like nobody's doing it right now, though, and nothing is especially on fire.

<GenderBender> It's... not exactly on fire, no.

<GenderBender> But it's smoking.

<argylecape> I guess what I'm trying to say is let's be careful not to make a worse problem while we're fixing this one.

<argylecape> If there does need to be a new DoS type thing, fine.

<argylecape> I'm just not sure that's actually true.

<GenderBender> I guess.

<GenderBender> I mean, these things are statistically uncommon but they do happen.

<GenderBender> Like fires and car crashes.

<GenderBender> Also there's the more immediate problem of "the second most powerful person in the City is buddy-buddies with Bedlam."

<argylecape> Yeah.

<argylecape> Who's the most powerful, by the way?

<argylecape> I feel like it'd be a good idea for me to be able to recognize them if they turn up someplace.

<GenderBender> The mayor.

<GenderBender> The heads of each department are appointed by him, and they're technically jointly the second most important people in the City

<GenderBender> But D.o.S. is effectively the strongest dept.

<argylecape> Okay.

<argylecape> I'll look them up when I get a minute.

<argylecape> In the meantime, what do you want to do? You seem to care a lot about this.

He sends several messages, one after the other, very quickly.

<GenderBender> Well, yeah, cubism may not be as dangerous as people think but it is dangerous and

<GenderBender> If I flicker like that and I'm okay...

<GenderBender> There must be a lot we don't understand.

<GenderBender> Does it even need contact for infection?

<GenderBender> Is despair cause or symptom?

<GenderBender> How does it all work?

<GenderBender> And the D.o.S. must know more than it lets on and if it's trying something it's got the power to affect everyone.

<argylecape> Mmhmm.

<argylecape> I don't know of anything you can do to help yet, though.

<argylecape> And I'm kind of nervous about telling you much if you're going to be around Hollister or anything

<argylecape> Like, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't clue him in on purpose, but it's easy to make mistakes with this stuff.

<GenderBender> Hmmm

<GenderBender> That's fair

<GenderBender> But Hollister already knows about the creepy doctor, right?

<argylecape> Yeah

<argylecape> What are you thinking?

<GenderBender> Well, like I said, someone needs to figure out what the D.o.S. is doing and why

<GenderBender> And how to stp them

<GenderBender> Stop*

<GenderBender> But we don't necessarily need to tell Hollister it's the D.o.S.

<GenderBender> And he could be a useful resource, within the government

<argylecape> You could tell him you're taking it over, with me dead, that'd work.

<GenderBender> ...it feels very wrong to pretend you're dead.

<argylecape> I'm open to suggestions, if you can come up with something that's as safe and doesn't make anyone think I'm crazy.

<argylecape> It really is best if the DoS doesn't know I exist, though.

<argylecape> Even if they can't catch me, it would let them guess more about what people I'm helping might be able to do

<argylecape> Which makes it harder for us to do it or less likely it'll work when we do.

<GenderBender> If I think of something I'll tell you.

<GenderBender> Meantime you'll need to have disappeared for a few more days before we declare you dead.

<argylecape> That's the plan, yeah.

<GenderBender> Right.

<GenderBender> So are there any news about Montgomery & co. you can tell me about?

<argylecape> Let me think.

<argylecape> He's in charge of some other guys.

<argylecape> I heard one of them flicker, I'm not sure about the rest.

<argylecape> They're not very good at what he has them doing, and I don't think I can learn much more by watching them.

<argylecape> I don't know where he is, though. Some kind of office, I heard it when the guys called him, but I don't get much detail through phones.

<argylecape> I might look up the DoS offices next and go there, that seems like a decent guess and even if it's wrong I'll learn stuff.

<GenderBender> Alright.

<GenderBender> I don't exactly have a lot of power to do anything but

<GenderBender> I know a guy who knows a guy.

<argylecape> Yeah.

<argylecape> Well, I'll keep in touch.

<GenderBender> Please do.

<GenderBender> And I should stop visiting you, I guess.

<argylecape> I don't think it's that risky.

<argylecape> I'll be able to tell if you're being followed or anything, probably.

<argylecape> And I really don't think you're dangerous yourself.

<argylecape> I kind of want to come give you a hug right now.

<GenderBender> I feel like the spontaneity of the sentiment will disappear if you actually do come.

<GenderBender> Thanks, though.

<argylecape> Yeah.

<argylecape> Are you doing okay otherwise? How are things going there?