[video]

[ghostly_stutter]

S-so this is normal, right? I mean--

[Panning down from Chloe's slightly panicked face, she focuses the video on her hands and arms, which are swiftly being overtaken by black inky tattoos. She tries to take a closer look--to discern if there are words being written across her skin, but she can't make heads or tails out of it.]This--this has

Comments

[thii2ii22tupiid]

That's what happens when you don't use the journals enough. It should go away now.

[ghostly_stutter]

That's a relief. At least it's not--

[She cut herself off. Best not to jinks anything.]

Thanks, Sollux. How have you been, recently?

[thii2ii22tupiid]

Its just annoying, it doesn't seem to be dangerous.

*Meh.*

Same as always.

[ghostly_stutter]

Good to know. That's one thing that isn't dangerous in this place, at least.

If you want to explore again some time soon, let me know? I'm getting antsy.

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

I-It's normal, y-yeah, don't-- d-don't worry.

[Well, not normal, but common enough.]

Just-- i-if you-- if you haven't w-washed it off yet, i-it should-- come off n-now. I-It's alright, y-you're-- you're o-okay.

[video]

[ghostly_stutter]

I wish I could read the words, it these tattoos mean anything.

[Chloe's lifting both of her arms, inspecting them. A small smile curves her lips.]

I feel like I'm a part of a mystery film, and I'm part of the clue.

[Laughing self-consciously, Chloe turns back to her journal.]

Thanks for answering me, Xanth.

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

A...A-Any time, Ch-- Chloe.

[Really, as long as he can help, he's glad.]

Y-You, uh, y-you get used to that... mystery f-feeling.

[Audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

[Another bright laugh.]

I guess you do.

[70ftandcounting]

Oh! Yes, that happened to me, once! It...it goes away if you write, then bathe.

[ghostly_stutter]

So I do have to wash it off.

Thank you for letting me know. I remember vaguely talking to you once or twice before. How are things holding up?

[70ftandcounting]

Yes.

Oh...well, alright, I suppose. [The whole Kevas thing is making her unhappy. And she hasn't seen Flynn around in a while.]

[3wayforjustice]

Just make a journal entry. It should start fading.

[ghostly_stutter]

That's... what I did. It will fade on its own, then?

[3wayforjustice]

Mine did.

[ghostly_stutter]

Okay.

Thanks, Anders.

[There's a pause. She almost doesn't ask.]

How--how are you doing?

[Video]

[bffpoltergeist]

[Liz's eyes are wide as she replies, looking at the black letters as they shift on Chloe's skin. She's gone over the other responses, so she knows her friend isn't in any imminent danger, but still...]

Wow, Chloe... that is, like, wicked weird!

[Video]

[ghostly_stutter]

Liz.

[There's relief in hearing a familiar voice. Seeing a familiar face. Her friend.]

H-has this happened to you at all?

[Video]

[bffpoltergeist]

[Liz shakes her head, tucking some errant strands behind her ears.]

No way, like, nothing like it. Well, like, nothing outside of the one around my ankle. Are they, like, the same thing? I mean, the writing looks the same...

[She looks down from the journal, apparently examining her ankle and the writing that entwines it.]

[ghostly_stutter]

I-I don't know. Maybe.

I--I have a tattoo like that one, too.

[Only it was across her midriff.]

I was trying to decipher the writing, but it's too jumbled. Or maybe it's in another language. I can't tell.