[Second] Backdated to the Fourth of July, 75% droned

[midgardserpent]

Jormungandr had been going through the whole day feeling like he was forgetting something incredibly important. His conversations with his wife and children had felt hollow and forced, almost unreal. He tripped over words at unexpected moments for little to know reason...

...and then he would be confronted with images of the ocean, a sense of immense vastness, and an immediate wrongness to... well, everything.

So, in the late afternoon, with still plenty of time before any barbeques or fireworks, he decided to go for a walk. Clear his head. Knock some sense into himself.

And so, on July Fourth, Jormungandr can be found roaming the town, perhaps with a look of vague confusion on his face.

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[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

[Lilly is feeling quite out of it herself. Not because she's having any problems, oh heavens no. It's because she's too dense to realize what exactly is going on. She took to the streets in an effort to clear her head, but seeing a man with a distressed look upon his face is enough to make her stop.]

Is everything alright, sir?

[midgardserpent]

[He stops. Does he know her? On the one hand he knows he does, he's lived in this town his whole life, he should know everyone, but on the other the depths of the ocean whisper to him lies lies and he can't even tell.

He opens his mouth to reply but suddenly he doesn't know how. He shuts his mouth again, frowns, and tries once more.]

I... I'm not. Really sssure.

[Why did he hiss out that s sound? That was unnecessary.]

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

[Lilly stares for a moment, then shakes her head and speaks with certainty. It makes perfect sense to her.]

If you're not sure, then you've either forgotten something or there is. This entire town has been strange today, hasn't it?

[midgardserpent]

[Yes, it has been strange. It's been far too strange in a way that Jormungandr can't put into words.

But he can't put it into words not only because it's indescribable, but because he's having trouble speaking at all.]

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

[Lilly waits for a response, but quickly grows impatient when she doesn't get one. That only means she steps closer, though.]

Did you hear me? I asked you a question.

[midgardserpent]

[He composes himself and manages to reply.]

I heard you. Yess, it hass been sstrange.

[Once again he finds himself holding those s sounds a little too long. He grimaces at it, forcing himself under control.]

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

[Lilly is still completely perplexed. She can't tell if this man is dense, panicked, or just...in some sort of pain. She gives him a long look, and then speaks again.]

Do you need assistance getting to a doctor?

[midgardserpent]

[He looks at her, thoroughly unimpressed.]

No. I do not.

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

If you insist.

[She taps her foot impatiently. That hissing sound doesn't phase her in the slightest, and since he's responding to her, that clearly means he's interested in conversing.]

It's the strangest thing. It almost seems as if people are losing their minds today. It's a relief to speak with someone relatively normal, since I'm positive evil is lurking just around any corner. I just have to find it...

[midgardserpent]

[That's... a strange thing to say. Especially since he hasn't felt sure of himself all day.]

...losing their minds?

[He didn't hiss. Thank god.]

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

Yes. It's like the people I know can't even make up their own minds about their personalities. One moment, they're acting like drones, and the next, I'm being told something about home. I don't think it's just a prank.

We're both lucky not to be affected.

[midgardserpent]

[What she's saying doesn't make any sense. Or does it? The use of the word "drones" doesn't mean anything but it strikes a chord with Jormungandr. He recognizes it. Affected? Affected by what?

All of it serves to make him more confused, but also intensely curious. He wants to find out more but it sounds like she won't go into details... He frowns.]

What sorts of things do they say?

[There. It took far too long to say, and he still doesn't know why, but it was appropriately vague enough that she won't suspect him.

...suspect him of what though? What is going on?]

[how-right-i-am.livejournal.com]

[Lilly is still completely oblivious. She knows types like him, types that are slow to speak. His quietness is working well in his favor as well, since Lilly is the sort of person who will speak to anyone who listens.

She places a hand on her hip and shakes her head.]

Mad things. My name, for one, is Lilly Pendragon. Yet, I've been called Mrs. Crane today...my Mayfield name. Yet, the very next second, my friend called me "Tinto," a rather...annoying nickname. It's something a drone wouldn't know, yes? But at the same time, he acts like he's a drone.

[Yes. All of her use of "they" is really about just one person.]

[midgardserpent]

[He doesn't really know what she means. Two different names? That's strange, it's not... right...

He nods, unable to formulate a response.]