Chapter Sixty - Emoting

Chapter Sixty - Emoting

Chapter Sixty - Emoting

Emoji, in the form that we readily recognize them as, appeared even before the advent of the internet, though they only really became popular with the standardization of communication systems. Things like Unicode made them somewhat reliable across multiple platforms, and eventually they grew to become a standard part of the modern lexicon.

As text-based communication became more popular, and eventually ubiquitous, the humble emote began to replace entire words. It even made sense. A smiley face could convey as much as an entire paragraph, at times.

Today, people have entire catalogues of custom emotes, and emoji-artists are some of the most well-paid custom art makers in the modern world. A signature, person-specific emote can mean a lot to its user.

:)

--Professor Besters, Lecture on the New English, 2025

***

The evening ended with a much more subdued tone than I was initially expecting it to.

Lucy and I had another turn on the dance floor, this time alongside a few dozen others who were willing to brave Lucys stumbling dance moves, and supper was served. It was all terribly fancy stuff that made even the fancy stuff back in the hotel look unfancy by comparison.

Once the dancing was over, and a few political sorts that werent Burringham gave some quick speeches, the evening sort of just... wrapped up.

A few of the attendees were drunk enough to need help finding the exit, but other than some raised voices, they didnt make much of a fuss. The crowd basically just thinned out bit by bit until I glanced at my aug overlay and realized that it was so late that it was almost tomorrow.

Lucy, Gomorrah, Frannie, and I were heading for the entrance when I heard someone call out to us.

Burringham ran over, a big grin on and his cheeks a healthy rosy colour. Stray Cat, Gomorrah, he said as he came closer. I just wanted a quick word, before you take off.

Sure, I said.

His smile, if anything, widened. I have to thank you both, especially you, Cat.

Didnt you thank me on stage already? I asked.

He nodded. Yes, but theres something impersonal about that kind of message. Its all pageantry and show. I meant every word I said, but I feel like the method of delivery robs some of that credibility. he shook his head. Sorry. The hour and the days events are robbing me of what little eloquence I have.

Oh, dont say that, Lucy said. Youre still perfectly charming, no matter the hour.

Burringham laughed. Thank you. If youre ever on the lookout for a job, by the way, please avoid politics, for my sake. I prefer it if my competition isnt better than I am at charming people.

Lucy giggled and pressed herself closer to my side. Ill think about it. Maybe cut you some slack.

So, I said. Are you feeling alright?

Yes! Very much so. He rubbed at his side where I knew the gunshot had been. There isnt even a scratch to show for the trouble, and I genuinely feel splendid, like Ive just woken up from a long nights rest midway through a vacation and found myself ten years younger. I could get used to feeling this good.

It should last a little bit. At least until the nanites die off. But try to avoid getting shot again, I dont know how much they could do for you then.

I chuckled. A distraction wouldnt hurt, I admitted.

Awesome! I was just about to convince Gomorrah and Frannie to go on a double date.

Oh? I asked. Are they actually, you know, gay-gay?

Lucy wiggled her hand in the air before her. Everyones a little gay, they both have above-average amounts of gayness.

Ah, yes, I said. Above average gayness. How eloquently put. So is there like, a curve here? A ranking?

I was thinking of a sliding chart? Like one of those colourwheels, but flat. Youve got hella gay on one side. She gestured between us. Then moderately gay in the middle. She gestured to our favourite nuns. And then you have non-gays at the other end.

Does the fact that a flattened colour wheel looks like a rainbow mean anything? I asked.

Happy coincidence.

I have the impression that your system might not work for everyone, I said.

She shrugged. Im sure I could fit a third dimension in there somewhere. So, double date?

Did you actually tell them it was a date? I asked.

Lucy snapped her fingers. Thats it. The third dimension can be usefulness.

Usefulness?

Yeah, theyre both very low on that score. So they dont need to know that its a double date because that would just confuse them even more.

Uh-huh, I said.

We reached Gomorrah and Frannie who were waiting next to the Fury. Lucy convinced us to head out and grab something light to eat, Gomorrah said.

I am easily convinced by ice cream, Frannie added. She leaned back against the car, arms crossed and looking cooler than anyone wearing a nuns habit should. Its my one fault.

Your one fault? Gomorrah asked.

Keeps me humble."

I laughed. Alright, ice cream it is, I said. I think itll make for a nice night cap for us.

But then we need to go home, we have kids to look after, you know, Lucy said.

Frannie turned around. You two sound so old, she complained.

***