video / un: yaksha

[alatum]

WHO: xiao & you.
WHERE: libra app.
WHEN: 22/4
WHAT: local cryptid spotted!!
WARNINGS: none atm.

[ the feed opens a young man frowning at the screen. while not wholly unknowledgable about technology he is by no means skilled in removing unwanted apps that frankly do not want to be deleted. it seems he has been fighting this fight for a hot minute and unknowingly hit the video function. xiao exhales, defeated, before blinking rapidly in surprise.

oh, this is on. well, it won't hurt to ask. ]

If there is anyone skilled in the removal of unwanted applications seek me out. [ how are they going to do that, xiao?? ] My own efforts in removing this have done very little.

[ maybe introducing himself will help facilitate the removal of this app? how else are people to seek him out. ]

My name is Xiao.

[ good job buddy, you tried. ]

Comments

video; un: eunietheboss

[medicgunner]

[Hello mysterious young green man, have a mysterious blunt bird(?) lady here to ruin your day.]

If you're trying to get rid of the Libra app, 'fraid you're shit outta luck there.

[alatum]

[ that is not the news he wanted to hear. ]

I am. [ then if he can't get rid of it. ] Do you know much about it? Is it simply an application to aid in communication or is it capable of more?

[medicgunner]

[better to hear it now than be fucked later!]

Mostly the former. Folks what have high enough Spirit Energy sometimes get it on their phones after a while. They come and go all the time, but no one's gotten rid of it on their own.

Aside from only the ones who know about paranormal shit getting it, it's a regular ol' message app.

text: Inazuma

[eiternity]

I am quite skilled with app removal.

Unfortunately, this application has resisted all my efforts. I believe you are ‘out of luck,’ as the children say.

[alatum]

So I have been told. However I have also been informed it is little more than a communication device and I needn't worry over it.

[eiternity]

This is correct. From my understanding, the only information this app takes is that which we give directly.

ACTION

[whiteshroud]

[After a day of dealing with Yuuki, Jun decided to go get some air on his favorite roof. It's been awhile since he's gotten to be there alone and--


--- Who the fuck is this.

Standing on the roof is a shrouded person who...well, is pretty close to Xiao in height. His body language is one of confusion. When he speaks, he talks through a voice modulator]

Who are you?

[alatum]

[ he was honestly minding his own business, messing with his phone and the odd app that had suddenly appeared. how was he supposed to know this roof belonged to another? not that he cares in truth, a roof is a roof and all xiao desires is the ability to see his surroundings.

the modulated voice does give him pause, muscles tensing as he adopts a defensive stance out of sheer habit. today has been r o u g h. ]

No one of importance. [ like he is going to give his name to a shrouded man!!! boy? he is xiao's height so... ] Who are you?

[whiteshroud]

[...]

No one of importance.

[TWO CAN PLAY THIS GAME XIAO. He puts his hand on his hip]

Are you new to the city? I've never seen you around before.

1/3; video; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

[He cannot believe his eyes right now. Normally he is very calm and composed, but he's dealt with some hell the past few weeks and this is almost his worst nightmare?

Not seeing Xiao. That part is actually quite nice.

But having Xiao run into him on a mission, when he knows there are others watching, when he knows that Xiao could be considered a weakness, when he knows that if the Black Order overstepped their contract and tried to recruit him he would not be safe—

There are a thousand scenarios racing through his mind backed by memories of people who are Xiao and people who are not Xiao, and nearly all of them end in disaster.]

What—

2/3

[lapislazily]

[He closes his eyes for a moment and tries to ground himself. This is fine. This is fine. He's safe. He's safe. Zhongli can keep him safe.]

3/3

[lapislazily]

[His voice is calm, but there's definitely an edge to it that suggests he wants to append the greeting with a lecture.]

Xiao. What are you doing here?

[alatum]

[ it was only a matter of time in truth, especially now with the app in his phone, however he did not expect it to be so soon. within the blink of an eye xiao's entire demeanour changes, the annoyance in his expression vanishes and his shoulders slump in an effort to make himself seem smaller. zhongli's tone is one he knows well, one that often follows a lecture - one xiao knows he is certainly due for his insolence. ]

F- [ his brow furrows, lips forming a tight line. ] My travels brought me here Zhongli.

[ not the while truth but not exactly a lie either. ]

I did not expect to find you here.

video: UN: trienemybest

[droptheious]

Yeaaaaah, from my understanding this thing never goes. It's just around forever. For better or worse.

...Sometimes, for the worse here, honestly. Anyway, hi? I'm Varian. Welcome to the club, I guess.

[alatum]

That is... annoying.

[ whatever! he guesses he'll use it! ]

Hello. [ actually this thing is making him interact more than he used to, maybe he won't use it as much. ] It is good to meet you, Varian. [ he knows he sounds awkward and stilted, he is TRYING. ] Thank you... for the welcome.

[droptheious]

That's one way of putting it. It'll go off whenever Zodiac want to make an announcement too and doesn't shut off until you look at what they have to say.

[He sounds so annoyed by that, his opinions on Zodiac are...not great. After they openly threaten you, you kind of get done with their shenanigans.

Bless him, he's trying his best. ]

No problem. Have you been living in the city long? I know...uh some people have been here for a while before the app shows up.

video · un: vinviv

[mehjin]

Yeah, sorry, you're kinda SOL.

[she shrugs casually.]

[alatum]

What?

[ WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? ]

[mehjin]

Shit outta luck. You won't be getting rid of the app. None of us can.

un: yor

[bethorns]

[ Yor, who got the application basically just now and kind of assumed it was a game: ]

So it's a social app? Hi Xiao!!! You should keep it so we can chat!! [ Why ]

[alatum]

[ !!! he did not expect to find her on this, it isn't sure how to feel... maybe he won't be trying to get rid of it. ]

Yor, [ you see that twitch in his face? the tiny upturn of the corner of his mouth? xiao is smiling. ] It appears that way yes, others have told me it is impossible to remove.

[ a beat. ]

So I will be keeping it.

[bethorns]

[ Yor's smile is much easier to see, but that probably isn't too surprising. She doesn't seem to mind that Xiao smiles are that small though... ]

Then I will, too! [ She says, like she intended to delete it at all and didn't just immediately accept it being a thing, ] It's nice to keep in touch...though I don't get most of what people are talking about.

[ TBH THIS IS TRUE OF THINGS OFF-APP IRL TOO...SHE'S JUST LOST EASILY... ]

voice; un: darkSlayer

[kowase]

My knowledge with computers is about as far-reaching as a fish's ability to explain how one can climb a tree.

However, I will let you know from my singular experience, Xiao, that this 'app' is not one you can remove.
Neither can you silence it.
Or hide it away in a folder.

Repeated attempts to delete it have made it appear back in my folders despite turning off or restarting the phone immediately upon removal.

I feel as if it is supernatural in some way, and it is hopelessly stuck.

[alatum]

[ he does not hide the frustration that brings, brow furrowing as he listens. ]

I have come to accept there is no riding my device of this program, as frustrating as that is. I have also been informed of the benefits of having it in regard to communication with others.

[ it did also reveal his presence in the city to his father, which is both a blessing and a curse. ]

It does appear to be connected to the supernatural happenings within the city.

[kowase]

[ like sisyphus, one may be bound to hell when it comes to this app and its incessant need to remain on one's phone. there's no escaping it. ]

The very same reason I have allowed myself to accept my fate with having this idiotic application on my phone, as well. While I despise social media and the idea of people having 24/7 access to me at the click of a button.

I am very interested in the supernatural, so for now, I will tolerate it.

... Are you a new arrival to the city. [ keepin that question subtle--did you drop into the city like his brother, or... ]