video;

[ex_bandai157]

I've noticed the trend towards asking our fellow transports philosophical questions on this network. While I can't say I particularly see the appeal, there is something about which I am curious of others' opinions.

Namely - how would you define a home?

If it's not something you'd wish to talk about, there's no point in answering; similarly, I don't mind answering, myself, for the curious - it's only polite when asking, after all.

( before anyone bothers with either of those points. homes aren't something he's thought about in years, really, fairly certain of the fact that he doesn't have one anymore; but after eight months or more in exsilium...he's starting to, a little bit. )

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

So he's your one?

[ex_bandai157]

If you insist on phrasing it like that, then yes.

[whatsupcroc]

I think you're more people's home than his, though. Here, and back in Sternbild. So I hope that you feel that, too, you know? You're not that alone.

( The word she really wants is isolated... remembering him as the antagonistic, angry teen who had still been roped into going out to eat, or being, above all things, human at the bass of it all. )

[ex_bandai157]

I wasn't, in Sternbild - at least, not always.

( he means even more recently than his teenage self would've, much as he'd taken samantha's presence for granted. )

[whatsupcroc]

I won't argue that, 'cause I don't really know about Sternbild. I do know about here, though!

[ex_bandai157]

Do you, now.

( there's a touch of humor in his tone - unsurprised rather than trivializing. )

[whatsupcroc]

Mmhmm! 210% sure of that, I totally am.

( Wearing a small grin, watching him via the video feed. )

Not sure if you believe it or not, but I know it.

[ex_bandai157]

Well, ( it's hard not to slip completely into humor ) if you're that sure, it's difficult to argue.

[whatsupcroc]

Like you aren't one hundred times stubborn enough to argue if you strongly felt otherwise! Which is why it's very gratifying that you're not.

( She sounds clearly amused -- she is, for most intents and purposes, poking fun right back at him. )

[ex_bandai157]

Stubborn? That's a new one.

( except not, but she knows that. )

[whatsupcroc]

I think it's always been there, right between "smart" and "sweet." Or was that "willful?"

[ex_bandai157]

"Smart" is acceptable enough, but that's the only one.

( w r y l y )

[whatsupcroc]

Says the hero! So modest, not accepting strong-willed or sweet or probably also handsome.

( She shakes her head, whistling. )

Be he ever so humble, our Barnaby Brooks!

[ex_bandai157]

I'll do my best, anyway.

[whatsupcroc]

I can only aspire to handle everything with a fraction of your grace.

( She winks. )

And while I might not totally mean that, I do mean the rest of what I was saying. You're part of my home here, even if you go.

( Which is a whole lot harder to say than she thought it'd be, for all it ends up blurted out in the end. She smiles, glances away, and shrugs. )

[ex_bandai157]

I'm honored, Collette.

( he says it with complete sincerity, rather than shying away from it. )

[whatsupcroc]

( She pauses in turn. She'd more expected he might do otherwise, but having him say that, act and sound like it's okay... Collette smiles, a different kind of spontaneous affection that leaves her feeling warm. Glancing at the camera, she glances back down at her hands before she looks up once more. )

I'm glad.

( And that's all she feels like she has to say, hearing that he doesn't find it rude or intrusive or unwanted that he matters like that to her. )