PSA regarding the happenings of the day

[xp_cypher]

It would appear that somehow, a lot of people seem to be under the general effect of my power.

I've been kind of racking my brain trying to figure out how to rigorously "science the shit out of this" as the line goes. The downside of having one of those powers with pretty 'fuzzy' boundaries. But between the random language breakthroughs and the odd noticing of patterns, I'm about as confident as I can be that something related to my power is happening.

(Heh. Confident...hey Angie, do you -actually- understand statistical intervals now? :D)

Anyways. What remains to be seen (and I am trying to figure out how to actually test) is:
-the size/radius of the phenomenon
-whether it's centered on me or static
-how long it will last
-whether any effects will be temporary

Plus, y'know, trying to determine what the hell actually caused it in the first place.

Thankfully, my power is relatively benign. The worst anyone should encounter is being potentially "stuck" in observing a pattern or speaking a language (this is probably why you're counting so much, Nica). Other than that, you might notice a mild tendency toward echololia (repeating what other people say back to them).

I am available to answer any questions people might have about all this. (keep in mind that "hell if I know" may be an answer)

Comments

[xp_tarot]

Yes, your powerpoint last week on the increase in trafficking of questionable medical devices has made more sense (sans your educational captions) than it did when you presented it.

Yes I opened it just now to check.

[xp_cypher]

How mad were you about that? :D

[xp_tarot]

I hated every second of the statistics class I took during uni, there is a reason I had to resort to a tutor I could bribe by telling him he had a cute butt.

[xp_cypher]

You earned that B-.

[xp_darcy]

Generally I would be disgruntled about the fact that I have had my room switched on all day and missed all of this, but given the current probably for the best. Even if access to both would generally be brilliant.

[xp_cypher]

Thankfully whatever's going on with me doesn't seem to have any ill effects, but if something weird happens I might bother you to use your room as a refuge?

[xp_darcy]

There are far worse things that could be leaking across the mansion than what looks to mostly be your language and pattern understanding, but you're always welcome. Even if you just want to make sure Nica stops counting for a few hours.

I'm mildly salty I can't take advantage of it to get some work done right now.

[xp_cypher]

I figure unless it gets unbearable for someone, or I develop some kind of nasty side effect, I'll just let it be for now.

I'm just saying everyone should be REALLY grateful it's not cicada season.

[xp_darcy]

Oh no, then I would personally be escorting you to my room to give the rest of the place some peace.

[xp_cypher]

The first season I had to listen to them was brutal.

Thankfully we've got like fourteen years until that brood comes back.

[xp_darcy]

Wait–was it just the patterns in the screaming and the urge to repeat them yourself, or some sort of understanding as to the meaning?

[xp_cypher]

Oh, there's just enough understanding to cause me migraines.

So, I've had...way too long. Like 20 years to workshop this analogy (Brood X was here in 2004 and again in 2021). Only because I've been watching a fair bit of Dropout and I'm a memetic so-and-so, let's go with this.

Imagine you're in Grand Central Station, and there are like four million people there, all talking more or less at once. But offset just enough from each other that you can't really get single words out of any of it. One million of those people are Izzy Roland saying "I'm hungie." Another million are Sam Reich saying "I've been here the whole time." Another million are Brennan Lee Mulligan talking about how laws are threats. And the last million is Grant O'Brien talking about the fifty people he performed oral on at some party.

And they're all talking in their own slightly different versions of Simlish.

[xp_darcy]

Excruciatingly descriptive, sweetie. But yeah, we'll spare everyone else that.

[xp_emplate]

Well, I suppose a certain amount of testing might be accomplished by simply having people start walking away from you to determine at which point the growth of bark no longer appears to be some sort of obscure code . . .

[xp_cypher]

And then reverse it (I move and see if the effect moves with me). This has got potential at least to try and figure it all out.

[xp_emplate]

My suspicion is that I myself will be a poor test subject; due to the nature of my own mutation I believe there is a high likelihood I would carry yours beyond any field you may exude until what I've absorbed runs through my system. However, I foresee no complications with taking measurements.

[xp_cypher]

[xp_lusized]

Wait so if I stand near you how long would it take for me to learn Italian enough so I can sing opera?

[xp_cypher]

Only if you go full Retta with it.

[xp_lusized]

I don't know who that is

[xp_cypher]

oh fml my soul just left my body how long has Parks and Rec been off the air

just google "You don't know how Retta rolls" and find the video of her on Conan O'Brien and you'll get it

[xp_tarot]

“ It would appear that somehow”

It is the most infuriating thing that I have been sat next to you for ten minutes to help you track science and re-read this post, and now have an inexplicable urge to say “somehow, Palpatine returned.”

I do not care for it.

[xp_cypher]

So basically just like Oscar Isaac?

[xp_clea]

I thought it seemed familiar. You really do have cool powers Doug, I stand by my statement. But alas, I am going to bed. I spent all night deciphering Ancient One's book because not all good things last long. I quickly made an alphabet for it as well as a list of words, maybe you can look it over to make sure I actually did translate it.

Everything seems like a dream-like state.