User:Nathan1123/It's an Alternate Life - Chapter 2

Even long after the main festivities were over, UR and Up continued bouncing music videos back and forth across the wiki chat. All the admins and main users had left the chat, but as long as UR and Up had each other for entertainment, no amount of party was necessary. UR's desktop was a mess of various browsers, apps, and widgets that were utilized in the aforementioned gathering, as UR's avatar was now a portrait of George Patton, while Up's avatar now featured a squirrel. The most recent music video pasted to the chat featured an older song, with lyrics catchy enough that both parties knew them by heart.

United Republic: We all live in a yellow submarine,

UpvoteAnthology: Yellow submarine, yellow submarine,

United Republic: We all live in a yellow submarine,

UpvoteAnthology: Yellow submarine, yellow submarine,

United Republic: Lol, like the voice of an angel

UpvoteAnthology: Beautiful

United Republic: And to think I told Centrist I'd be bored to death! I had never seen such commotion started over a few emotes, it was a riot! And then all the excitement people had sharing and copying different makeshift avatars, that was a such a blast. Say, the third avatar you used, was that really you IRL?

Slightly embarrassed, Upvote attempted to distract the conversation from focusing on her real identity, a thing most citizens of the Internet fear.

UpvoteAnthology: Do I look as funny as you do?

United Republic: I guess I'm not quite the military type. You… you look wonderful. If it wasn't me saying it, I'd say you were the most attractive person on the wiki

UpvoteAnthology: Well, why don't you say it?

United Republic: Idk, maybe I will maybe I won't. How old are you anyway?

UpvoteAnthology: 18.

United Republic: 18? It seemed like just last year you were 17

UpvoteAnthology: Is that too old or too young for you, Mr. Hansen? :P

United Republic: Not at all, it's just right. Your age fits you. Yeah, you look a little older with an actual face,

United Republic: Uh I mean, the way you present yourself, it makes you look older,

United Republic: I mean younger, you just look… ugh nvm

Upvote's avatar immediately changed out to a portrait of Queen Isabella, cutting through the thickness in the air.

UpvoteAnthology: The knave that doth defame the Queen's character may now step forward

United Republic: A pox upon me, for a clumsy lout

United Republic: Do you accept this man's humiliation?

UpvoteAnthology: You may… kiss my hand

After almost a minute of silence, UR replied

United Republic: Hmm, hey, Up…

Upvote immediately broke UR's train of thought by pasting a music video of Dean Martin, quoting some of lyrics in the same post. UR's train thus thoroughly derailed, he instead proceeded with opening another browser, this time to an old and forgotten wiki page, the first page of an unfinished timeline called “Washington Shot at Murdering Town!”. Having not been updated in years, this page looked as worn and beaten as a condemned home. It was filled with unformatted text, incomplete template code and reams of other random nonsense.

United Republic: Ok then, how about I just vandalize the Murdering Town page

UpvoteAnthology: Oh no, don't, I like that old page

United Republic: No, you see you make a wish and then leave your signature on the page. You have to be pretty quick nowadays too, since EoGuy has been getting more active

UpvoteAnthology: No, Will, please don't. It's full of romance, that old page. I'd like to adopt it

United Republic: What, that thing?

UpvoteAnthology: Uh huh

United Republic: I wouldn't adopt the timeline to save my life. Now watch, right on the third paragraph I'll wedge my sig in there

The page immediately updated to reveal the vandalism UR stuck on the timeline page. As if summoned, the page began updating again as the aged EoGuy came in half-heartedly fix some of the page's grammar.

UpvoteAnthology: What'd you wish for, Will?

United Republic: Well, not just one wish, Upvote, a whole hatful. I know what I'm going to do tomorrow and the next day the next year and the year after that.

United Republic: I'm shaking the dust of this crummy little website off my feet and I'm going to see the world: Conworlds, Atlas, the Forums, publications… then I'll get through college, see what they know. Then I'm going to make a name for myself. I'm going into politics, and run for Governor, Congressman, and…

UR was interrupted in his thought by a notification, indicating the page was edited by Upvote. Curious, UR reloaded the page and saw Upvote's signature, proudly replacing a section of text in a type 1 header. She had already determined in her mind to not answer UR's next, inevitable question.

United Republic: Hey, that's pretty good! What'd you wish for, Up?

UpvoteAnthology: :D

UpvoteAnthology: We all live in a yellow submarine

United Republic: Yellow submarine…

United Republic: And what did you wish for on that page?

EoGuy was once again immediately seen re-editing the page again, although for the first time he seemed to pause a bit at the feed of chat

UpvoteAnthology: Ah… no

United Republic: Come on, you can tell me

UpvoteAnthology: If I tell you, it might not come true

United Republic: What is it that you want, Upvote? What do you want?

United Republic: Do you want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down

United Republic: Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Up

UpvoteAnthology: I'll take it. And then what?

United Republic: Well, then you could swallow it and it'd all dissolve… and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes, and the ends of your hair

United Republic: Am I talking too much?

In a shocking turn of events, EoGuy then entered the chat. A disgruntled grammar police of retirement age, EoGuy kept a default avatar and a generally low profile on the wiki.

EoGuy99: YES! Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?

United Republic: Um, wait, excuse me?

EoGuy99: Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?

United Republic: You want me to kiss, what?

EoGuy99: Ugh, youth is wasted on the wrong people.

United Republic: Hey now hold on a minute here, you old windbag!

Suddenly, Upvote interjected with a sudden realization of her own

UpvoteAnthology: YEEEP!

United Republic: Huh? What's wrong, Up?

UpvoteAnthology: In the picture I sent you… I left my draft poster board in the background, it has my name and address on it!

United Republic: Oh sure, I'll delete it right away

Before he could comply with that suggestion, however, a more crafty idea was entertained in UR's head

United Republic: Wait a minute, what am I doing? This is a very interesting situation

UpvoteAnthology: Please delete that image, UR

United Republic: Hmm, a man does not get in a situation like this every day,

UpvoteAnthology: I would like to move on from this, please

United Republic: Not on wikia, anyway

UpvoteAnthology: reee!

United Republic: Gesundheit. At any rate, this requires a little thought here

UpvoteAnthology: United Republic! Delete that image at once!

United Republic: I've heard about things like this, but I've never…

UpvoteAnthology: How barbaric. I'm going to tell the TSPTF on you

United Republic: Yeah try getting in line on their request page

UpvoteAnthology: I'll… call the police!

United Republic: It doesn't work in a different state, and besides they'd be on my side

United Republic: Maybe I could see what the going price is for this sort of thing on the Dark Web. Nah, the point is, in order to get back this image…

United Republic: I've got it! I'll make a deal with you, Up,

UR was never able to finish articulating his devilish scheme, for at that moment Lightning and Centrist entered the chat. They were not at all concerned of what just transpired, because they had far more pressing news to give. Not wanting to cause any trouble, however, a windows browser popped up and UR deleted the image immediately.

LightningLynx: UR!!! Come quick! Imp had a terrible accident

United Republic: Up… I'm sorry I got to go. The image is gone now

Centrist16: Come on, we've got to move

United Republic: Did you call an ambulance?

LightningLynx: Yes, it's on its way now

UR, Centrist and LL sped way from the chat as fast as possible, leaving Up behind in contemplation of her own thoughts.

The screen shifted once again, this time showing a private group discussion between several members of the TSPTF. Every one of them was the cream of the wiki, bearing a multitude of stars and no less than 30,000 edits to their name. A few of them had college degrees of their own, or otherwise experts in their field. Lordganon was the chairman of the board, although discussion was largely dominated by the presence of Scraw. United Republic and LightningLynx were also in attendance, as executors of ImperiumGuy in abstentia.

Lordganon: I think that's all we need from you, UR. I know you're anxious to make a meeting.

United Republic: AH.com are very particular on punctuality.

Lordganon: I want you all to know that UR gave up the opportunity in Altverse in order to straighten things out here these past few months

Lordganon: Good luck to you on the Forums, UR.

United Republic: Thanks

Lordganon: Now we come to the real purpose of this meeting, to appoint a successor to our dear friend, ImperiumGuy, to lead the position over the King of America timeline

Scrawland Scribblescratch: LG, in all due respect, I'd like to get to my real purpose

Vivaporius: Wait just a minute now, Scraw.

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Wait for what exactly? Its obvious this timeline is not necessary to this wiki, or any wiki for that matter. Therefore, I make a motion to delete the whole thing and restore the media sources to the archives.

LightningLynx: UR, do you hear what this buzzard just…

CrimsonAssassin: Scraw, its too soon after Imp's death to discuss euthanizing King of America

Vivaporius: Imp died like what, three months ago? I second Scraw's motion

Lordganon: Very well, in that case I'll ask the two executors to step out

Lordganon: Oh, but before you go, I'm sure whole community wishes to express its deep sorrow at the passing of ImperiumGuy

United Republic: Thank you very much

Lordganon: It was his faith and devotion that are responsible for this community TL

Scrawland Scribblescratch: I'll go further than that, I'll say that to most people Imp was King of America

LightningLynx: Oh that's just fine, Scraw, coming from you, considering that you probably drove him to his grave

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Imp was not a professional, that's what really killed him

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Oh, I don't mean any disrespect to him, God rest his soul. He was a man of high ideals, so-called, but ideals without common sense can ruin this wiki

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Now, you take this nation page here from Solace (you know, the fellow that sits around all day on his brains in map games). You know, I happen to know his article was turned down as a stand alone timeline, yet he comes here and we're letting him continue his half-baked ideas in the KoA universe. Why??

United Republic: Well, I handled that, Scraw. I posted the information to the talk page, his research and evidence. I can personally vouch for his professionalism

Scrawland Scribblescratch: A friend of yours?

United Republic: Yes, sir

Scrawland Scribblescratch: You see, if you play Angry Birds with some admin here, you can come and write a timeline. What does that get us? An immature, lazy rabble instead of professional althistorians. And all because a few starry-eyed dreamers like Imp stir them up and fill their heads with a lot of ASB ideas.

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Now, if you want to know what I say,

United Republic: Now hold on one second Scraw. Let me set something straight.

United Republic: You're right when you say Imp was no professional historian, I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, convoluted community TL I'll never know. But neither you nor anybody else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was,

United Republic: In the several years since he and LL started this thing, he never once thought of himself, isn't that right, LL? He didn't build up prestige or his own TLs to get anything published on other sites. But he did help quite a few users out of despair, Scraw. And what's wrong with that? I mean, you are all admins of this wiki here. Doesn't it make them better users? Doesn't it make them better contributors?

United Republic: You said, if I can find the exact words, they 'had to wait and learn more before they even ought to think of making a TL'. Wait? Wait for what?! Until the older members all leave for other projects, leaving only the crusty shell of a website behind? Until they're so worn down and depressed that they…

United Republic: Do you know how long it takes for an average user to get good at historical research?

United Republic: Just remember this, Scraw, that this rabble you're talking about… they do most of the working and dreaming and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and dream and live and die in decent community timeline? Anyway, Imp didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be!

Scrawland Scribblescratch: I'm not interested in your book, I'm talking about KoA

United Republic: I know very well what you are talking about. You're talking about something you can't get your fingers on, and its irritating at you. I know that's what you're talking about.

United Republic: Well, I guess I've said too much, I,

United Republic: You're the admins here. You do what you want with this thing. Just one more though, this wiki needs this measly, shabby community TL if only to have some place where people can come without crawling to Scraw. Let's go, LL!

UR left the chat, still seething in the stress he worked up for himself after telling off Scraw. LL followed close behind, more springy in his step as he felt an overwhelming sense of triumph. Meeting the other users in the public chat, UR was almost physically shaking for the emotions he had just exerted. He was still determined to get on his way out of the wiki, but the thought of KoA getting deleted at the same time kept irritating his brain. Scraw, meanwhile, was the most visibly frustrated of them all.

Scrawland Scribblescratch: Sentimental malarkey! I want my motion, now

LightningLynx: Man, oh man, you really told him off, UR. That really shut his big fat mouth up

LightningLynx: You should have seen it, FP

ForesakenPear: What happened? Seemed like there was a lot of yelling

LightningLynx: Oh, nothing much, we're just getting kicked out of our timeline after seven years. Meh, easy come, easy go

ForesakenPear: Oh well, here it comes: 'help wanted – timeline experience'

SolaceEaSw: Do you think AH.com is gonna wait for you?

United Republic: I'll be there in a second

LightningLynx: Hey, yeah you don't want to miss this opportunity too. You better get yourself out of here

United Republic: I wonder what's going on in there…

LightningLynx: Oh don't worry about that. They're kicking us out of our timeline. So what? I can find another job, I'm still a young man

LightningLynx: Hey, you gave up your position at Altverse, you don't want to miss out on this, too, do you?

Before UR had a chance to answer that question, LG suddenly emerged from the private chat.

Lordganon: UR! UR! They voted Scraw down! They want to keep it going

ForesakenPear: Hooray!

LightningLynx: Hell yeah!

Lordganon: But they only have one condition, just one condition

United Republic: What's that?

Lordganon: That's the best part of it! They appointed UR here as senior contributor and take Imp's place

United Republic: Wait, no! but surely LL could…

Lordganon: You can keep him on, that's alright. As senior contributor you can hire anyone you like

United Republic: LG, now let's get one thing straight, alright? I'm leaving, and I'm leaving right now. I'm going to AH.com, this is my last chance. LL here, he's your man.

Lordganon: But UR, they'll vote for Scraw otherwise.

Just as before, the whole screen froze to capture this single moment, but this time it was Clarence's doing. Clarence had been steadily adapting to this whole medium as time went along.

“I know, I know” he said, “he didn't go.”

“That's right. And not only that, but gave his position in Altverse to Centrist, and sent him to Conworlds. Centrist became very prominent member of that community, and rose to the rank of admin there.”

“Yes, but what happened to UR?”

“UR got two years older, waiting for Centrist to come back and take over the King of America timeline.”

The screen shifted again, with some minor aesthetic updates to the layout but overall no major changes to the wiki chat. UR and LL were visibly older and more mature, evident by their mannerisms and language, although their avatars were largely the same. They were currently waiting for a planned meeting with Centrist, who was revisiting the wiki from Conworlds after two years absent. In the meantime, UR and LL were in the middle of a discussion about their future plans, particularly UR who was eager to switch places with Centrist.

United Republic: Oh, there are plenty of openings around for someone of my interests, look at this,

UR pasted a few screenshots of websites he had been browsing.

United Republic: There, 'Project Genesis' – Conworlds – wanted for military expertise. And here's Atlas – wanted, for poli-sci expertise.

Centrist entered the chat at that point, but initially was shown as AFK, indicating he was not yet ready to come online. A characteristic 'ding' was made from the browser to alert the event.

United Republic: Ah, thar she blows :). Do you know what the three most wonderful sounds are?

LightningLynx: Yup. Breakfast is served, lunch is served, and dinner is served

United Republic: No, no, no – it's FB messages, Gmail, and Discord pings. It shows that there's a chance, a possibility of my escape, to finally live my own life again.

A couple minutes later, Centrist came fully online, and began talking in the chat.

United Republic: There's the professor now! Old professor of Altverse history, my good friend Centrist lol

Centrist16: Well, if it isn't the Atlas aficionado himself! I hope you aren't still messing about on the Dark web.

Centrist16: Hey LL, you've hardly changed a bit

LightningLynx: Nobody ever changes around here, Centrist, you know that

United Republic: Oh, I'm so glad to see you

Centrist16: Yeah, where's MP?

United Republic: Not far, just cooking the fattened calf. Come on, we've a lot to catch up on

Centrist16: Wait a minute, I have something to show you

A new user entered the chat, this time bearing the avatar of the planet Saturn in a crisp, digital photograph. He was an old familiar face to the other users, but more aged and matured than when they last knew him.

United Republic: Oh, hello there

LightningLynx: How are you doing, Sat?

Centrist16: My new project partner, Sat

Saturn120: Admin Saturn to you lol, of the Future Wiki

Both UR and LL were stunned in their respective places. They had last known Sat as a bright-eyed new user with barely a reputation to his name, in a constructive sense at least, and now here he was, administrator of his own wiki.

LightningLynx: Wait, come again?

Centrist16: Well I messaged you I had a surprise, so here it is. My new partner-in-crime

United Republic: Well, uh, what do you know… admin

LightningLynx: That's excellent news! Congratulations man

United Republic: Why didn't you tell anyone lol

United Republic: Man, Sat, what's an intelligent guy like you doing, hanging around this two-headed user of ours? :P

Saturn120: Well I'll tell you, it's purely mercenary. The Future wiki offered him a job

Hearing those words, UR slumped back in his chair, mind spinning. A feeling of almost betrayal washed over him, now knowing Centrist had chose this other community timeline instead of coming back to take over his job. By his initial silence, Centrist could start to sense he would have to intervene with an apology.

LightningLynx: Ah, so he gets to work on Conworlds and Future now I see, his cup runneth over.

Centrist16: UR… about that job. Sat spoke a little hastily I guess, but still… I never said I'd take it. You've been holding the fort here for two years now, and I won't let you down, UR. I'd like to,

Centrist16: Oh, I forgot to check on something, I'll brb

Sitting back in his chair, UR continued to stare at the screen, deep in thought as the chat idly passed by.

LightningLynx: It was a completely shock to me, Sat. Our old, old friend of the wiki now the rank of Admin

Saturn120: Of course, and Centrist would speak often of this place too,

LightningLynx: Hell yeah, we're gonna give the biggest welcome party ever :D

Saturn120: 'Will this, Will that' is mainly all he ever talked about lol

United Republic: So Sat, about this job…

Saturn120: Yeah, Conworlds and Future wiki was doing a collab timeline, real heavy into future governments. So we decided he would be best starting with research into military and poli sci fields.

United Republic: Is it a good project?

Saturn120: Oh yeah, definitely. Not terribly challenging, but a good career, you know. Everyone on the wiki fell in love with him

United Republic: And you too, it seems

Saturn120: Lol

The screen shifted to later that night, after another round of festivities and divergences on the wiki. The trio of LL, UR, and FP along with other wikians had just concluded a skype call related to the current progress of King of America. The timeline was being developed splendidly under UR's care, and at this rate was en route for being nominated for a Stirling. For the time being they could relax, so much so that more than a fair share of alcohol was involved.

LightningLynx: Oh man, I'm feeling so good right now, I could just spit in Scraw's eye

LightningLynx: Hey, maybe I will lol

LightningLynx: Eh, probably should be going home. Am I too wasted?

United Republic: Well, let's see. What is this?

UR then pasted an image of a platter in the chat, emphatically, LL immediately responded

LightningLynx: A half-dollar

United Republic: Alright, what denomination?

LightningLynx: Cranberry

United Republic: You're definitely in tip-top shape to me

LightningLynx: Ah, thanks ur! Welp, time to be on my way

In spite of LL's commitment, the current state of his sobriety compelled him to begin breaking out into song lyrics

LightningLynx: When the night, has coXHUghuH2ghGH

LightningLynx: OOoof. I'm fine, im fine

LightningLynx: So darling, darling stand…

UR was momentarily amused by LL's antics, but quickly his demeanor began to faulter into complete frustration. He momentarily glanced at his browser, then began furiously closing out of each and every tab. These tabs being a variety of research material and applications for other wikis or professional publications, which were now useless to him as his obligation is stuck to King of America. At the same time, Monster Pumpkin entered the chat.

United Republic: Hello MP.

Monster Pumpkin: What's with not telling me about Sat? Sounds like pretty impressive imo. What do you think?

United Republic: It's kind of nice I guess

Monster Pumpkin: Looks like it will really keep Centrist on his toes

United Republic: Keeps him off of althistory wiki, at least

Detecting the insecurities of UR, MP decided to change the subject

Monster Pumpkin: Did you know UpvoteAnthology is active again?

United Republic: Hm?

Monster Pumpkin: Talked to her just three days ago

United Republic: Hmmm

Monster Pumpkin: Nice girl, that Upvote,

United Republic: Hmmm

Monster Pumpkin: The kind that will you find the answers, UR

United Republic: Hm.

Monster Pumpkin: UR, can you please listen at least?

United Republic: Hm?

Monster Pumpkin: Can you give me one good reason why you shouldn't collab with Up?

United Republic: Sure – JoshTheRoman

Monster Pumpkin: Huh?

United Republic: That's right, Josh is crazy about working with her

Monster Pumpkin: Well, she's not crazy about it

United Republic: Well how do you know? Did she tell you?

Monster Pumpkin: No

United Republic: Then what?

Monster Pumpkin: Well I've got eyes, don't I? lol she lights up like a bulb whenever you are around

United Republic: Oh…

Monster Pumpkin: Besides, Josh is out on vacation this week, and as I said she's active now

United Republic: And all's fair in love and war?

Monster Pumpkin: Eh, idk about war, unless we're talking map games maybe

United Republic: You know MP, I can see right through your little game here… trying to get rid of me, hm?

Monster Pumpkin: Of course haha

United Republic: Well I guess that means there's no time like the present

United Republic: Alright MP, you dirty old soul, I think I'll be going out to find a girl right now, shouldn't be too difficult lol

United Republic: Now, if you'll just point me in the right direction, I'll be bidding you goodnight

Monster Pumpkin: Goodnight, UR

The next day, UR was on chat. A number of new tabs were open to a variety of social medias, as UR was exploring different avenues of meeting women online. Still, it was clear he wasn't sure exactly what he wanted at this point. Candy was also present on the chat, finishing up the tasks of her timeline for the day. As if on cue, a number of younger users were also on the chat playing white knight to each other for her attention. All at one moment, however, Candy noticed UR's arrival.

Candiesrgood: Ah, excuse me, boys,

Vandenhoek: Hey, wait a minute

Candiesrgood: I think I just got a date. But uh, stick around just in case, hm? (followed by a curious Pepe emote)

Vandenhoek: I guess I'll wait in line lol

Candiesrgood: Hello, Will :))

United Republic: Hello, Candy

Candies put on the charm as best she could, in her usual way of zeroing in to one person on the chat and tune out all other conversations. UR, meanwhile, was polite as ever to Candy's approaches, but in no way dominated by them

Candiesrgood: What's cooking?

United Republic: Nothing

Candiesrgood: Then what are you doing now

United Republic: Probably browsing Wikipedia for a while

Candiesrgood: Research? Phooey. Don't you ever get tired just reading about things?

United Republic: Probably. What are you doing tonight?

Candiesrgood: …nothing

United Republic: How about we make a night of it?

Candiesrgood: Sure, I'd love to UR. What'll we do?

As UR was typing, Candy pictured in her mind what quiet, romantic evening would be in store for her. Then finally, he responded,

United Republic: Let's ditch the wiki chat and jump on an Agar.io server

Candiesrgood: huh?

United Republic: Yeah, then we can meet up on a Paradox game. It's beautiful this time of year with new DLCs being released, and we can join as two nations in the same secret society. Then we can exchange contact information, and meet in person over a Skype call, and and then…

United Republic: We'll stay up the whole night, and everyone will be talking and there will be a terrific scandal, and…

Candiesrgood: UR! Have you gone crazy?? Spend time on some whack game with a bunch of homeless nerds? I would be caught dead giving contact to someone else

UR was somewhat dumbfounded in his tracks, especially as the chat began to uproar with trolls poking fun at this spectacle, causing UR to become increasingly frustrated

Vandenhoek: LOL

United Republic: Candy, shush please

Candiesrgood: No! you think just because you and your,

United Republic: Oh nvm, just forget the whole thing!

As everyone else in the chat continued to be Lolling, UR immediately dropped out of the chat, hoping to escape the humiliation. Flushed with frustration, it took him much of the day to let the blood pressure of his face cool back to a comfortable level. Still, when he re-entered the althistory chat he continued to be withdrawn, feeling suddenly depressed. When Upvote eventually entered the chat, giving off its characteristic ping, UR's eyes momentarily glazed at her name on the screen before returning to its melancholy state. Up's avatar was a custom drawn cartoonish figure, an anime self-portrait in a highly aesthetic style. Up was not AFK, but she was eerily quiet, as if waiting for something to happen. UR, out of boredom, was just spamming different keys in the chat.

UpvoteAnthology: What are you doing, more vandalism lol

United Republic: Hello, Up. I just happened to be checking in

UpvoteAnthology: Yeah, so I noticed. Have you made up your mind yet?

United Republic: What?

UpvoteAnthology: Have you made up your mind?

United Republic: About what?

UpvoteAnthology: About what music you want to share this time lol

UpvoteAnthology: MP messaged on my talk page said that you wanted to chat

United Republic: MP messaged you? How did he know?

UpvoteAnthology: Didn't you tell him?

United Republic: I didn't tell anybody. I was just checking social media and happened to open the chat…

United Republic: Just, checking things online you know

UpvoteAnthology: Here, I want to show you something

Upvote pasted a link in the chat, and as UR opened it, a tab opened to Up's Deviant Art page. This was her own personal workshop of various historical or fantastical works of art, ranging from flags and coat of arms to portraits or farnart. Upvote had clearly expected particular guests to arrive, as the entire page was filled with sites and sounds that gave off a constant feeling of nostalgia. Several images on the front page were current projects or commissions, the most prominent being a caricature of UR titled “Will lassos the Moon”. The song “Battle of New Orleans” played automatically in the background of the website, which true to form only played out of one side of UR's PC speakers.

UpvoteAnthology: Well, what do you think?

United Republic: I'll look it over in a minute, I just…

United Republic: I didn't tell anyone I was coming on

United Republic: When did you get back anyway?

UpvoteAnthology: Tuesday.

United Republic: When did you have time to make that avatar?

UpvoteAnthology: Do you like it?

United Republic: It's alright. I thought you'd go back to Conworlds with Josh and the rest of the gang

UpvoteAnthology: Oh I contributed from time to time, but idk… I guess I was homesick

United Republic: Homesick? For althist?

UpvoteAnthology: Yeah, the friends and mentors and… you know, everything

UpvoteAnthology: So you will stay a while?

United Republic: I suppose for a minute, but I still don't understand it. I didn't tell anyone I was coming on to chat

UpvoteAnthology: Would you rather leave?

United Republic: No, I don't want to be rude

UpvoteAnthology: So what do you think of the art then?

UR took a quick glance at the Deviant Art page, his mind still somewhat spinning from earlier that day, while Upvote patiently awaited on her bright expression. UR looked back to the chat thoughtfully as he replied,

United Republic: Some sort of meme, huh?

United Republic: No matter what the context, althistory artwork has the same smell to it

UpvoteAnthology: Thank you

After a long pause, Upvote began chiming in to the music, but trialed off into another awkward pause.

UpvoteAnthology: We all live in a yellow…

United Republic: What's up? Oh, right, right,

United Republic: Well, it was nice hearing from you,

UpvoteAnthology: It was certainly nice hearing about Centrist and Sat,

United Republic: Oh yeah, they're alright, I guess

UpvoteAnthology: Don't you like Sat?

United Republic: Well of course I like him, he's a chum

UpvoteAnthology: So its long-term commitments you aren't enthusiastic about, hm?

United Republic: Oh no, long-term commitments are fine for Centrist, and Sat, and Josh and you

It was at this moment that a constable decided to enter the chat as well.

Thewolvesden: Hey Upvote, and who do we have here?

UpvoteAnthology: It's just me and UR here

Thewolvesden: UR? What does he want this hour of the night

UpvoteAnthology: I don't know. What do you want, UR?

United Republic: Me? Not a thing, I was just checking in for a minute…

UpvoteAnthology: He's making violent love to me, constable! Sheer sexual harassment

Thewolvesden: You better get running along before I have to kick you off. But you stick around, Up. Josh I understand is going to Skype in to you tonight

United Republic: What? Ugh, I didn't mean to…

United Republic: I didn't come here just to…

UpvoteAnthology: What did you come here for, hm?

United Republic: I don't know! Why don't you tell me, since you seem to have all the answers

UpvoteAnthology: Well, why don't you just leave then?

United Republic: That's what I'm going to do. Idek why I came on chat in the first place. Goodnight!

UR's icon went AFK. Not wanting to completely close the chat, UR just needed a minute to reset his temper. A moment later, Upvote's Skype icon began ringing. Silently frustrated herself, Upvote furiously closed out of Deviant Art and other similar tabs before answering the call, occasionally speaking but largely using the chat system.

UpvoteAnthology: Hello

As UR started to become curious how the conversation would go, his icon steadily switched off from AFK, which Upvote immediately picked up on.

UpvoteAnthology: LMAO, hi Josh, how are you :)

JoshTheRoman: Awe, just great. It's so nice to hear your voice again

UpvoteAnthology: Oh well, that's awfully sweet of you.

UpvoteAnthology: btw there's an old friend of yours here, United Republic

JoshTheRoman: You mean old moss-back Will?

UpvoteAnthology: Yes, old moss-back Will

JoshTheRoman: LMAO, put him on the line then

UpvoteAnthology: Wait a minute, I'll send him the call…

UpvoteAnthology: Will! Josh wants to speak to you

Upvote sent a call to add UR to the group chat. After almost ten seconds, UR picked up

United Republic: Hello, Josh.

JoshTheRoman: Well if it isn't old Willster! A fine pal you are. What are you trying to do, steal my girl? :P

United Republic: What do you mean? No one's trying to 'steal your girl'. Here, why don't you talk to Up for a while

JoshTheRoman: Now wait a minute, Will, wait a minute. I want to talk to both of you

UR and Upvote began to become aware of each other's visual presence over the Skype video. Not that there was anything mysterious about seeing each other's face, but for some reason right at that moment their eyes began locking in position.

UpvoteAnthology: We're listening, Josh

JoshTheRoman: I have a big deal coming up that's going to make us all very famous. Will, you remember that night in Sky's server when you told me your idea for a timeline without Napoleon, the one at Acre?

United Republic: Uh, yeah, Napoleon… uh-huh

JoshTheRoman: Well, Viva's snapped up the idea. He's read to make a full timeline out on Conworlds. What do you think of that?

United Republic: Conworlds? Well, why Conworlds?

JoshTheRoman: Why not? Can you think of a better place haha

United Republic: Oh idk, why not right here? You remember that old community timeline on Washington being shot? You tell Viva he can get that adopted for peanuts. And all the participation he needs, too. Half the wiki got thrown out of work when they closed it down

JoshTheRoman: That so? Well, I'll tell him. That sounds great! Maaan, I knew you'd come through

JoshTheRoman: Now listen Up, you're in this one too. Do you have some spare media in your workshop?

Even getting lost in each other's eyes, UR perfectly recalled the Deviant Art page showed by Up earlier.

United Republic: Media? Yea… well a little

JoshTheRoman: Ok listen. I want you to put every asset you have into our project, you hear?

JoshTheRoman: And Will, I may have a job for you; that is, unless you're still married to that broken-down timeline King of America lol. This is the biggest thing since the Internet, and I'm letting you in on the ground floor

JoshTheRoman: So Up? You still there?

UpvoteAnthology: I'm here

JoshTheRoman: Since I know you're both online to the wiki, would you mind telling Will I'm giving him the chance of a life time, understand? The chance of a lifetime

Up looked back up at UR, breathing heavily as their gaze mutually penetrated each other's pupils. With a quick, short inhaling, Up spoke through UR's webcam.

“He says it's a chance of a lifetime”

UR furiously replied on the wiki chat, unable to contain his emotions,

United Republic: Now you listen to me! I don't want any of your images! I don't want any ground floors, and I don't want to be committed – ever – to anyone! You understand that? I want to do what I want to do! And you're…

United Republic: You're,

United Republic: Oh, Upvote… Upvote, I…

UpvoteAnthology: UR… Will…

United Republic: Becca...