video

[theguideless]

[LONG TIME NO POST. but hey, shiny new...typey-posty-devices. he must try. he must...fail to really get how this shit works.

the feed is sideways. a blink, a beat with an expression realizing oh hey it's doing a thing, and then a moment to quickly right the thing. this way. whew. okay.]

Ha, uh...Sorry. [sheepish.] I wasn't very good with the old one...and this one's stranger. [let him demonstrate by trying to fold one corner of it into view...but not really getting that far and just kind of. shaking the feed. oh well.]

Maybe it just takes getting used to... [by golly it only took months to feel comfortable with the old one what could go wrong with this.] I'll try not to do anything too strange or...press anything I don't recognize. [which is a lot.] I just wanted to make sure I could at least...hear from people again.

[a beat.

wait...]

I'm...being heard right now, right?

Comments

[theguideless]

[dictionary function? he looks as uncertain about that as kind of before.]

Anything you can tell without pointing and showing me in person?

[sithiche]

Uh, yeah, I can try. Just a second.

[ About a minute later, a text message is sent, containing instructions for using some of the more important functions on the communicator. ]

[theguideless]

[slow on the uptake over here, Marty's still waiting patiently, kind of starting to drift off and stare elsewhere, scratching at the bridge of his nose and sniffing loudly. doot doot doo...

ping? he blinks, looking back at the tablet. what ping? he searches around before finding the little notice.]

Oh, wait...Something just came up...I think I might've pressed something? I'm not sure.

[sithiche]

[ He blinks at that. ]

I sent a text message. Is it that, or something else?

[theguideless]

Oh...That was you? [huh!] Oh. [h-haha...] Oh, so...Do I just...[finger hovering.] Touch it? Or...

[sithiche]

Yeah, tapping on it will bring the message up to view. There should be a little "X" in the corner when you want to close it. [ already reconsidering the plan of trying to explain this over the network... ]

[theguideless]

[it's a little like teaching ur grandparents about the internet...a little.......]

Oh, alright... [tap.

a flash of distress oh no the video feed is gone. a little worried:] Are you...still there? Or...[x-button OH HI THERE YOU ARE. sheepish:] Ah, right... [aheh.,]

[sithiche]

[ he taught his 4000 year old father how to use a smartphone, he is prepared for anything ]

Yeah, the other window should cover the conversation window unless you move them around, but the other person will still be able to see you unless you've ended the conversation or switched to voice or text mode.

[ still wondering if this is making sense. maybe he needs to speak more slowly or something. ]

[theguideless]

[that blank, listening-to-learn stare ensues. move them around...?]

How do I make them move?

[sithiche]

Um. Put your finger on the window and hold it there, then slowly drag it across the screen. If you put two fingers on it and slowly move them closer together or farther apart, you can make it smaller or bigger. [ he holds up his fingers and gestures as though trying to demonstrate ]

[theguideless]

[beat.

he moves to mimic the gestures, once away from the screen and then actually giving it a shot the second time. he grins a little when things do as he said, then lets out a sound when it gets too big.]

Oh– ha...It doesn't take a lot, does it?

[sithiche]

[ he chuckles at that ]

No, it just takes some messing around to get used to.

[theguideless]

I guess I have something else to do... [his nose crinkles a little with the smile.] Thank you.

[sithiche]

No problem. You can send a message if you have any questions about it.

[theguideless]

Oh – [he bites another thank you because he already said that. aha...] That's very kind. You've been very kind from the start.

[sithiche]

[ oh sob if only you knew differently, Martin... ] Yeah, well. You're a nice kid.

[theguideless]

[bashful:] Ah, ha...I hope so. I mean, I'm trying.

[beat. the thought hits...and he feels infinitely more ridiculous than nice. he ducks his head, hand reaching up and, without any real direction, winds up just swiping at bangs and curling at his jaw, scratching once.]

I didn't...[a laugh in his exhale.] I didn't even tell you my name then, did I? I don't think I did...

[sithiche]

[ He blinks and then laughs a bit. ]

No, I guess I didn't either. I'm Artemis.

[theguideless]

[beaming:] Martin. It's nice to meet you!

...Though we already did. Didn't we.

[sithiche]

Yes, it's a pleasure. [ he chuckles ] And I suppose so, yeah.