Video - OT*ALL*

[ubuntu_programmer]

[The message flickers as it comes through, turning on all devices that can receive the network. The background is a grimy blanket hung on a wall haphazardly, with bits of numbers and letters scrawled on the wall sticking out above. In the foreground is a tired and worse for the wear looking Ian. Of course, they could be tired because it was two in the morning. Or because they have been working for hours without break.]

"Let's try it this way then," [they said. There was an exhaustion in their voice that implied that this was far from the first attempt, and that they had little expectation this one would go any better.]

"Alright, let's try this. One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten. One Six Seven Eight Fifteen. Note to self, change my Steam password. Not that anyone's hearing this, because that would mean things worked. And clearly they didn't. Again. Someone has got to bring Chell coffee beans and soon...."

[Clearly the tired Ian was unaware that the message did in fact go out. To everyone. Anyone who responded to Ian was likely to surprise them... But then again, anyone who responded was likely in for a few surprises themselves.....]

Comments

[ubuntu_programmer]

"For two days, then. And... I will have to change the password for sure now." [A groan. Would TFA even work here?]

"Do yourself a favor, never get stuck here on the Island. The lack of coffee is felt."

[papillion_de_resistance]

Hmm... not quite as bad as the 75-hour marathon I pulled once in college then, which is a tale of project deadlines and poor decisions. I don't think I could manage that again these days though, even with the help of coffee.

By the by, what-

[About halfway though the message the image gets overlaid by filter that makes it look like gold glitter is showering down, then abruptly the sound of Gabriel's voice is replaced by a jazzy song with French lyrics that don't end up translated for some reason. Gabriel seems to be unaware of either of these things.]

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Ah sorry, you cut out there a li..."

[And then it was Ian's turn. They were clearly still speaking, as they could still be seen, but the audio was drowned out by another song that did not translate. Ian seemed unaware of this entirely.]

[papillion_de_resistance]

[Gabriel frowns, attempting to adjust the settings on his phone to get Ian's voice back, but to no avail. It's not til the song ends that the channel seems to clear.]

...I think there may still be a few crossed wires somewhere. Can you hear me properly now, Ian?

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Yes, I can hear you" [Suddenly Ian had a cat filter.] "Meow."

[Ian had said "now" but apparently the glitch had a sense of humor.]

[papillion_de_resistance]

[Gabriel tries to stifle a snicker at the pun but doesn't quite manage it. He clears his throat and collects himself quickly however.]

... Apologies. I don't suppose that filter or the accompanying pun was intentional? And neither was the song before it?

[ubuntu_programmer]

"...... I seem to have more work to do. Does the filter at least look decent?"

[papillion_de_resistance]

I imagine that partly depends on whether or not you like cats. But it looks reasonably well done, at least.

Out of curiosity, did anything strange happen on your end?

[He didn't really have anything... sensitive on this phone, but there may be a few potentially embarrassing things that he wasn't keen on sharing with the world.]

[ubuntu_programmer]

"You also had a filter and a song, I wonder if that is a pattern or a coincidence...."

[papillion_de_resistance]

No way to tell, I suppose, unless it continues.

The song that came through on your end was interesting at least, if not entirely my taste. Unless I'm mistaken, the lyrics were mostly in French? French is my native language, of course, but the English words were still in English, and the rest fit the tune too well to not be original. Which makes me wonder if it not being translated is deliberate or part of the glitches?

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Beats me, this whole place has taken everything I know about any of this and throwing it out a window onto a trampoline. I'm just trying to catch and reassemble all that I can."