001 | audio

[doubleoohbaby]

[The sounds of outside filter through the network, distant with little to be heard beyond the faint rustle of the wind, but there nonetheless. A distinctive clink-fwoosh of a lighter disrupts anything further, followed by the slow crackle of burning paper and tobacco and a satisfied inhale and steady exhale. When he finally speaks, it's with a tone that lacks interest.]

Well, isn't this quaint. Doubt I would have believed it were I not seeing it with my own eyes. At least the woman greeting me was persuasive enough. [You can practically hear the dirty little smirk.]

Even so, I'm not quite sure how I feel out of my home and sent on my merry way towards college kid dorm rooms. Or rather, I'm perfectly aware of how I feel about it, just the words I'm looking for aren't for public ears.

Still. Judging by the archives on this thing, there's plenty of you about who know this world, so come on, share your wisdom with an outsider, would you? One can never know too much.

[A pause as he inhales another lungful of smoke, eventually adding with a thoughtful exhale:] Oh, and don't patronise me with the basics. I'm curious, not stupid.

Comments

[allsongs]

[she squints a little. English is the words, but–] Englishman is new.

[doubleoohbaby]

Englishman. A man from England. Like myself.

[allsongs]

[hmmh. interesting. her mouth quirks a little, eyes narrowing.]

...Yes. I understand. Thank you.

[doubleoohbaby]

See, you'll get there in no time. What language do you speak?

[allsongs]

[her head tilts up, looking down to scrutinize the blank screen. you, speak. language.

her? well...]

Much. [a sweeping gesture from her throat, under her chin, and out.] I learn much. [a series of words, phrases, some more exotic than others. names of languages from strange places.]

[doubleoohbaby]

[An apologetic pause.]

I'm afraid I haven't heard of any of those.

[allsongs]

[she smiles, shaking her head a little. she didn't expect him to know, so no harm is done.]

I will learn words of you. Better talk soon, yes?

[doubleoohbaby]

I'd like that! Thank you. Perhaps have dinner one day?

[allsongs]

[a slow eyebrow quirk. dinner? that word's popped up...quite a lot. from men. logging that connection away in favor of things she's more interested in in 3, 2...

she puts a hand on her collarbone.] Simmaeri. My name. Englishman, yours is–?

[doubleoohbaby]

[He'll take that lack of answer as a yes, rather than rejection. He doesn't do rejection.]

James. Simmaeri? That's a pretty name. Unusual.

[allsongs]

James. [there's a mimic of his accent in saying it, because goodness knows she's going to treat a person's name properly, and how they give it is part of it.

she gives a thoughtful hum. she always did like the words and names ending in s.]

James...is a good name. Yes.

[doubleoohbaby]

Thank you. It's nothing special, but I have to live with it.

[B'aw, she is pretty adorbs, even by his standards.]

[allsongs]

You're welcome. [because that's what you say after "thank you." SEE SHE'S GETTING THIS SHIT.

of course...squinting:] James, [tapping the screen.] I see no. [make with the face-showy business already!]

[doubleoohbaby]

I'm very shy.

[No he's not.]

[allsongs]

Shy is...?

[doubleoohbaby]

[A brief pause. Why the hell is it so difficult to explain ones own language?]

Nervous? Timid? I'm uh, scared to be seen.

[allsongs]

[a very scrutinizing look...all she has to work with is tone, cadence, and what few words she knows in all that. not many.

hmmh.]

You must...[lifting her hands to faintly gesture.] Show. Some words...[palms up as she lifts her shoulders. some words you can't just say to make them make sense.]

encrypted; video

[doubleoohbaby]

Seventy percent how you look, hm? Suppose it's only fair.

[With a slight shift, he reaches to switch on the camera and then almost immediately distracting himself with lighting another cigarette.]

samesies homegirl can't change settings r u kidding

[allsongs]

[ah–

she blinks, holding her breath on a sound, and takes a moment to consider this face.

her expression warms; feels good to be a gangsta to be given what she asks for. the sound winds up being a soft little note, pleased. she tilts her head, following the direction he'd turned to take care of that oral fixation problem of his.]

Hello, James.

here bro, let him help you with that encryption

[doubleoohbaby]

[He doesn't even smoke much these days, but universal travel has set him on edge just enough to have him reaching for old habits. Puffpuff.]

Hello Simmaeri! Nice to finally meet face to face, hm?

what a gentleman.....

[allsongs]

Yes, [her smile quirks a little.] a good face. [she squints.] Is shy?

waste of time but yeah c:

[doubleoohbaby]

Very shy! [Lift his hands to his face to hide behind them.]

[allsongs]

[huh. hiding is shy?]

Why is this?

[doubleoohbaby]

[Peeking out from behind those hands!]

I suppose I'm just a very private person.

[allsongs]

[her mouth tugs a little. hmm.]

I am sorry, James. I will understand. Much days...