IC INBOX for The Revival Project

[dr_riley]

You've reached Doctor Drake Riley. I'm not in right now, obviously. If it's an emergency, you'll know where to find me. Otherwise, leave a message and I'll get back to you.







Hi, this is Drake Riley, and as much as I'd love to answer your call, I frankly haven't got the time and I'm sure it isn't as important as whatever reason I'm away. If this is an actual emergency, EUGENE, come get me yourself instead of sending nastygrams through Xbox Live.






This is Riley; if you're getting this message, it means I'm working as fast as I bloody can and don't have the time to answer stupid questions.






I'm not in, stop calling!

Comments

[dr_riley]

[That answer gives Drake cause to lean back in his chair and fold his arms, his face darkening not just from the concerned expression it's wearing, but because he's backed away from the light of his desk lamp. He stays like that for a few seconds, drumming his fingers on his arm, before leaning forward again.]

Surely you had some kind of shelter in your home world. Have you found a suitable one on the beach?

[He rather doubted it. Drake didn't make a habit of finding himself on the beach as a general rule, but he didn't remember seeing any buildings or ruins there.]

[silenziobruno]

[ That's a bit of a concerning look for Drake, but Alberto reminds himself that the man seems to be the serious sort. Maybe the serious expression doesn't mean he's angry. ]

I lived in a ruined tower, and then I slept in a tree-house for a few days. I even had a pillow there. [ He hasn't slept in a bed in...well, never. But Alberto has the uncanny ability to fall asleep in any place that's flat enough, and he knows how to make a fire in case it gets cold at night, so he's convinced he's just fine like that. ]

I've been looking, it's an ongoing process... [ He will eventually find a place, he's sure, but for now, he sleeps anywhere that's sheltered enough from the cold wind. ]

[dr_riley]

[A ruined tower? A tree house? This has sped right past child neglect to child homelessness, and that doesn't sit well with Drake at all. In fact, having a son almost Alberto's age makes it hit even harder than the altruism his Catholic upbringing insists on.]

Wow. A pillow, even. Listen...

[He doesn't like kids, honest!]

...there's a building directly north of the central fountain on the edge of the city. Looks like a SCIF, not a lot of windows. There're plenty of rooms and offices, some have couches with pillows. Until you find a more suitable place, you should take one.

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto's life has been rather eventful, let's leave it at that. If Drake knew the full story, chances are he might be even angrier.

And sure you don't like kids, keep telling yourself that, Drake. ]

A SCIF? [ He doesn't know what's that, but he memorizes the indications. While Alberto says he's fine sleeping at the beach, which is true, he doesn't know yet what sort of animals exists on the planet, and it could be dangerous to be unprotected. ] Sleeping on a couch would be nice. Are you sure no one would mind?

[dr_riley]

[Oops; he forgets sometimes.]

Sorry. SCIF stands for sensitive compartmented information facility. They're places that're built to keep secrets safe from spying or eavesdropping. Most are just rooms in a building, some are entire buildings, underground bunkers, what have you. I think this one might have been for research and development.

And uh. No, I'm the only one here. I don't think anyone will mind.

[Famous last words]

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto knows that Drake likes using big words but sometimes he gets really lost and has to ask about them. Most of the time he's interested in what the other man as to say, even if he doesn't always get it. Luca would have loved Drake, he's sure and ask him to tell him more about science and how the universe worked. ]

A... like super-secret hideouts. Those are awesome. You're inviting me to your house?

[ 'House', Super Secre Hideous Building...same things to Alberto. he's touched by the offer. ]

I promise I won't play the music too loudly.

[dr_riley]

Not - uh - ... Sure. Secret hideout. Whatever makes it more interesting. I wouldn't call this place a house, but...

[He pulls a face and offers a one shouldered shrug.]

...it's suitable as shelter, at least.

[silenziobruno]

If you are living there, it should count as a house, right? Even if it's really big and has multiple levels.

[ Sea monsters don't have a concept of skyscrapers, they're houses are underwater. Even if Alberto spent most of the time in the surface, he's never seen building this big before Temba. ]

It beats sleeping outside for sure. Thank you, Drake.

[dr_riley]

It's.....

[He makes a face and tilts his head]

...fine. Alright, it's got walls and a ceiling. Running water. Electricity. May as well be the Four Seasons.

....anyway, you're welcome. It's certainly better than sleeping outside with no shelter.

And it's Doctor Riley.

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto can't help but grin when Drake admits that technically, his place fits the description of a house even if it isn't one. He's a bit confused about the season comments, though. ]

I'll grab the gramophone and go there. Do you want me to bring you some fish or something from the beach?

Ah, Doctor Riley, got it. I didn't know you could cure sick people.

[dr_riley]

[Drake gives the boy an incredulous grin at the offer]

The ones you've been smashing with rocks, you mean? No thanks. No way to cook them, and while I like sashimi as well as the next genius, they're probably riddled with parasites.

And no. I'm not that kind of doctor. I'm much uh. Much better with machines than with people.

Anyway, bring the box, I'll have the security light on so you know which building it is.

[silenziobruno]

They're no smashed. I can grab them by hand just fine. And they all still taste good, you can cook them over a fire with a stick.

[ It is that simple to him. Alberto can eat fish raw without problem, but he likes cooked food as well. It's always tastier and less messy. Drake's explanation earns new a new wrong assumption, sorry. ]

So you're a doctor for Exos and the like? [ They're made of metal and ceramics, that much Alberto knows. But he seems to forget about the question almost as soon as he utters it, giving a smile and nodding enthusiastically. ]

Will do! Thank you.