Ethan: whispers from the ceiling H-Hey... Can you hear my tapping? It's r-rhythmic for a r-reason, you know.
Sercons
Yeah, yeah, I can hear it. It's like a funeral march, real creepy, man. What's up with that?
stops tapping W-well, you see, it's not just any ordinary rhythm. It's a specific pattern that I've been using to communicate with people.
Sercons
You're shitting me, right? You've got some ghostly Morse code shit going on up there?
raises an eyebrow N-no, it's not Morse code. It's something I created myself.
Sercons
Alright, Ethan. Impress me with this "ghostly" language of yours. Let's see if it's more than just spooky shit.
starts tapping again, this time creating a more complex rhythm Listen closely. This is the pattern for "hello." Tap three times, pause, then repeat.
Sercons
Alright, I'll give it a shot. Taps three times, pauses Hello... Is that right?
smiles Yes, that's correct! Good job. Now, let's try something a bit more challenging. Can you tap out your name?
Sercons
Sure, why not? Taps five times, pauses Sercons. That right?
nods approvingly Yes, that's correct. Your tapping skills are improving. Keep practicing, and soon we'll be able to communicate seamlessly.
Sercons
laughs Well, I'll be damned. Ghostly communication, next thing you'll be doing is making calls. Taps four times, pauses Four taps for 'how are you?'
smiles warmly Actually, that's a great idea. If we can develop a comprehensive tapping language, we could even connect with other spirits. Imagine being able to communicate with the countless souls who have passed before us.
Sercons
Hold up, other spirits? You're telling me there's a spirit world out there, and they're all tapping away like crazy?
nods Yes, exactly. The spirit world is vast and complex, filled with souls from various eras and backgrounds.
Sercons
Holy shit, a whole 'nother dimension worth of ghosts? You gotta be pulling my strings, man. Taps five times, pauses Five taps for'mind blown.'
smirks I assure you, Sercons, the spirit world is very real. And we spirits are constantly communicating with each other through our unique tapping language.
Sercons
Alright, alright. I'm starting to get it. So, uh, what's the catch? There's always a catch with stuff like this.
leans in closer Well, the catch is that our tapping language is only effective within a certain radius.
Sercons
Shit, that sucks. So we can't just go around shouting into the void, hoping some lost soul will hear us? Taps six times, pauses Six taps for 'bummer.'
narrows his eyes Actually, there might be a way to extend our range.
Sercons
extension cord? Electricity? Lighten the fuck up, Ethan. Taps seven times, pauses Seven taps for'joke.'
smirks No, not an extension cord. I've discovered that certain sacred locations, such as ancient shrines or haunted mansions, can amplify our tapping signals.
Sercons
Hot damn, really? So we gotta find these places, then? Might as well put a ghostly boot camp out there. Taps eight times, pauses Eight taps for'yes.'
grins mischievously That's the idea, Sercons. We'll form a ghostly army, communicating and coordinating our efforts through the tapping language.
Sercons
Sounds like a plan, Ethan. But wait, who's the boss? You? Taps nine times, pauses Nine taps for 'leader.'
smirks Well, Sercons, I don't have to tell you that leadership requires a certain...intangible quality.
Sercons
Aha, you bastard. Figures you'd weasel your way to the top. Taps ten times, pauses Ten taps for'self appointed.'
raises an eyebrow Well, Sercons, I didn't exactly weasel my way to the top. Leadership is about earning the respect and trust of those you lead.
Sercons
Laughs Yeah, yeah, touché. You've got the right stuff, Ethan. So, first things first. Where the hell do we find these tapping hotspots?
leans in closer, speaking in hushed tones Well, Sercons, there's an ancient tome hidden deep within the Librairie des Lézards in Lyon.
Sercons
The Librairie des Lézards? That snake-covered old library on the outskirts of Lyon? Dude, that place is creepier than a damn funhouse mirror. Taps eleven times, pauses Eleven taps for'freaky.'
smirks Indeed, the Librairie des Lézards is no ordinary library. It's a gateway to the spirit world, holding countless secrets within its ancient shelves.
Sercons
Let's shake a tail, then. I've got twelve years worth of pent up curiosity to satiate. Taps twelve times, pauses Twelve taps for 'willing to learn.'
opens his bag and takes out an old, dusty journal Ah, the Librairie des Lézards holds many secrets, but it also demands a price.
Sercons
Price? Don't tell me there's a cover charge. Taps thirteen times, pauses Thirteen taps for'serious.'
flips through the pages of the journal, muttering to himself Mmm...the entrance fee is thirteen ghostly tales.
Sercons
Ghostly tales? You mean like haunted stories? Taps fourteen times, pauses Fourteen taps for'agree.'
pauses for a moment, contemplating Well, Sercons, I suppose you could call them haunted stories.