iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

// i like the mixed signals in threads here. is noelle dead? did she drown? is she alive? is the on the other side of the lake? is she still in hometown? it doesn't matter one bit.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Oh, I dunno... you've got some fierce competition. Monster Teen is really in the runnings. [ A few beats, then a giggle. ] I'm kidding. Of course.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ An echo, a figment, it's more than she's gotten in so long that she takes it at face value. ] ...Maybe. But anything is better than there. Anything. [ She takes a deep breath. Her lungs are full. ] I've broken off the road made for me and that's what matters.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

// dude. this is so fucked /pos extremely well done, i love the idea of berdly just thinking everything else is a video game too

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

It's just like what you said. You were right the whole time. ... I'm glad I found you. Deep down, I knew if I left... I'd see you again somehow. And now look at us. Hehe... we really made it! [ The water. She isn't sure if she's drowning, or... ] Don't be sorry. I'm here now.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...Kris's friend talked a lot about the dark. How it... constricts you, when you aren't ready. How it's dangerous. ... I'm glad you got out of town, sis. It's so dull there. It's so... ugh, everyone just keeps going down the same path without looking.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

... [ He wasn't? That's... ] What? No, at the library, you... you were asleep. For a long time.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

It's so... stifling. So dull. I hated it. And now we're... ...hehe. We did it, sis. We really... we really did it. [ She's crying. Is it joy? Pain? Fear? Sadness? Who can tell anymore? Does it even matter?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Even if you hate yourself. I know I do. I think it's just... the price. Of looking too far. For seeing too much. But I'm just... Angel, I'm so glad you got to be free. It's better than being stuck there. Anything is.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ She smiles widely. She looks... truly, truly happy. No pain, no fear. ] I know you were... so tired of this place. That's why, when you left... even if I missed you, even if I looked for you, I knew deep down... wherever you went, it was better than here. So... I'm glad.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ She doesn't fear it. In a way, it's... peaceful. Familiar, in some alien sense. She's learned to roll with the fear by now. It'll just make her stronger. ] Then... All my hopes for you. They came true. ...they came true, Dess!

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

... [ She could tell him. He could be just like them. Stronger. Better. More interesting than he's ever been. But... ... ...he's not Kris. ] Funky dream. Sorry to tell you, but if you're dreaming of Susie... she's not up for grabs, ha ha!

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Nothing! Just... fahaha, it was funnier in my head. Given the... you know.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ ...She... doesn't speak for a while. She only stares at Dess. ] I wanted to be like you. So... brave, and carefree. You were... heh. You were my hero. Kris and me, we looked up to you. So we did what you did. What's... wrong with that? You always said you were the best.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...My mom is the mayor, you know? She can, like. Exile you from town or something, probably. [ A little laugh. ] I'm serious. It's just... been a long few days. I've been having a lot of dreams. Some good. Some bad. It's... got me thinking, that's all.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...well. You were right that I don't love you like that. But... you're still my friend, Berdly. I think you can be a little overbearing when we're in public, but... I know that it isn't really you. I wouldn't still hang out with you if we weren't friends.

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Reposted by *

|| ⠀— just another girl. @incomitatus.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀| TEMP PINNED. | ⠀

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

... [ She... frowns. ] Berdly, do you... really think I hate you, or something?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...Fahaha. That's the biggest concern about us being problematic that you have? Just kidding, hehe!

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...Why do you think so? [ Still, she sits down, crossing her legs as she stares out at the water. It's mesmerizing. There are bodies in the water she recognizes. Or maybe it's just driftwood. Who cares anymore? ] ...You never told me why you're so scared. I'm still here, aren't I?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...I want to do something crazy. And then I did! Me and Kris... we did something. ... Are you proud, sis? We did what you did. We left this... this stupid town behind. Just like you.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

No you wouldn't. And that's okay! Really. There's something nice about you being... just Berdly. Even if you get on my nerves sometimes, fahaha. Don't worry about me.. Really. I'm doing fine.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I feel... great, honestly. I just hope you do too. I... worry about that, you know?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

But now that we're here, I... I get it. Why you left. Why you couldn't bear spending a moment longer in this... this stupid freaking town. Why you left me. I was just Noelle. Back then, I was... fahaha, I was so dull. But... I'm changing now! Kris, they... they're helping me.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...I don't know. [ She swallows hard, trying to ignore the way her lungs burn. Is it the water? Is it the air? It doesn't really matter, does it? ] You left us. ... ...you left me. And I was so mad for a while. Maybe I still am?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...normal. Fahaha... I don't think I want normal anymore. I'm... so tired of normal.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Maybe for a few months. Maybe even a year. But then the case would dry up. And you'd forget. ... I don't think you're a bad friend, Berdly. I really, really don't.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

It's not like you even really care! Even if I did just up and leave, everyone would just forget, and you know that! ...It happened to her. ...I'm not about to hurt myself, Berdly. I just... needed some air. It's been a long day.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Shut. Up. [ She takes a step towards him, frustrated. ] Stop telling me what I'm about to do. I'm not doing anything. I'm just standing here. And you're getting mad at ME, because... what. I look a bit off? I got bad sleep?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...How could I not? You're you, and I'm... just Noelle. You were always the one I wanted to follow.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I've been dreaming a lot recently. Or maybe you have...? I'm not sure what's real and what's not anymore! ... It's not like it's the first time we've spoken in a dream, right? It's the only way I've ever seen you, since...

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...I can see you. And I can see the edge of the lake. Is that where you went? You went without me?

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...fahaha. My bad, sis.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...and then you act like I'm about to kill myself???

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...Maybe I'm changing. Maybe I have changed. What's so wrong about that? ...Why can't anyone see that we've been so... stagnant?? Maybe I'm tired of just... being a Noelle! I've tried to be good for so long, and look what it's gotten me! And then... and then I step out of line for once, and...

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

(Cheese and crackers, I've GOT to put a lid on it. If I keep going like that, they're gonna thing I'M the crazy one!)

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

WHY DO YOU KEEP THINKING I'M ABOUT TO JUMP IN??? [ ... ...Haha. That wasn't... very nice. She takes a deep, slow breath... and smiles. ] I'm fine, Berdly. I'm not going to get hurt.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

BUT I CAN STILL SEE MORE THAN THEM! Like... like looking through dark glass. ...I can see. But they've all blinded themselves.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ Why is he looking at her like that?? Like SHE'S the crazy one here? Like she isn't the only one that can see. Her and... ... ] Berdly? What the hell are you even talking about? You're acting like I'm about to jump into traffic!

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

But there's so much out there, if they would just... open their eyes! ... If they would just. LOOK.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...Fahaha... Hahaha!! Berdly, what are you talking about??? What, you think I'm just going to jump into the lake, and... No. I'm fine. You can never control me.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ ...Gosh, she could really strangle that pencil-thin neck right now! But she doesn't. He doesn't know any better, does he? ] Seriously, Berdly... I'm fine. I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me. [ She'll be far, far away from here anyway! ]

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

[ Oh right, Susie. ...ha. ] Maybe! Or maybe I'll be just fine, fahaha. Don't worry about me.

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* @underthelake.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

...I didn't... sleep. Very well. The Festival, you know? [ After everything, it's taking... more than usual to put up with them, she's noticing. So dull. ]

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