video.

[theguideless]

Ha, um...

[exhale. Marty fidgets, tablet propped up on his lap, himself squeezed against a corner of a room. his face goes through periods of twitchy, half-hearted smiles that he forgets to keep for more than half a thought.

he tugs at a length of hair, his bangs, holding them down as far as they'll go – just short of the tip of his nose.]

I need to borrow scissors. Or a knife. [weak smile #3.] See? It gets into my eyes and hurts when the wind blows too hard.

It'll only be a couple minutes.

[too bad that's not very long at all. not-so-cheap excuse to talk to the void and get some answers? you bet it is.]

Comments

[obliterating]

I did.

[He smiles.]

Mostly animals. Chickens and cows, like that. We had a horse, too.

[Old Mac-ssarian had a farm.]

[theguideless]

[he squints. he knows about horses and cows...and...chickens? right? frowning. those are...]

Birds? [right?]

[obliterating]

Chickens are birds, yes.

[Slight smile.]

Horses are...big, four-legged animals with hooves on their feet. You can ride horses. Cows are like fat horses.

THE POPUP KEEPS GETTING IN MY WAY WHEN I HIT REPLY so im sorry if i keep hitting subscribe or w/e

[theguideless]

Oh, I, [smiling weakly.] I know about the horses. We've seen a lot...when they send us to different places. There was a battle with a lot of them.

I SEE HOW IT IS I DIDN'T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND ANYWAY

[obliterating]

What kind of places have you been to?

[Why is a kind going out into war smh]

WOWWWW

[theguideless]

Ah, well...

[he fidgets, having to think about it.]

There was a big, open place with lots of hills and grass...That's where the horses were. The battle.

And I've seen the land outside of the city...

that's it you're not invited to the rat farm

[obliterating]

Try not to go out there alone, alright? It's supposed to be pretty dangerous.

That's what I hear, anyway.

[He's going to go and see for himself, though. Getting a little cagey around all them BREATHERS.]

SNIFFS DERISIVELY AT RAT FARM

[theguideless]

[grinning a little.]

It's not very friendly, I know...But it's alright. I don't have a reason to go out there right now.

his rats are fed only high-quality plague grain

[obliterating]

You can let me know before you go out there, I'll go with you if you ever need to.

Same goes for missions, okay?

THROWS CANDY WRAPPERS AT THEM

[theguideless]

[eh?

Martin looks baffled.]

I...But why? [UR A STRANGER.]

RUDE. YOU WILL RUIN THEIR APPETITE FOR DINNER.

[obliterating]

[Shrug.]

I don't think anyone should be alone, if they can help it. It's always safer with more people.

[No one should be alone. Especially not kids.]

You take care, Martin.

JUST AS PLANNED.

[theguideless]

[oh...

well, that's actually rather kind. Martin smiles small.]

I won't be alone. Please don't worry.

but then how will i feed them their dinner of small childre- i mean. grain.

[obliterating]

I'll try not to.

that was so awful it made me forget to fix the subject line

[theguideless]

[nodding.

a beat. sheepish:] Ah, well, it...was nice to meet you. [..um.] Sir.

just as planned tbh

[obliterating]

You too, Martin. Take care.