9th Mistake, an anniversary mistake [video]

[moralperil]

[Mahdi is wearing his hair down, a rarity for him. He's dressed in a loose-fitting shirt, nothing too impressive, sitting in his room and smiling.]

I've learned a lot since I arrived here a year ago. Most of all, I learned that people are more than just a sum of their good and bad deeds, People are much more complicated than I ever understood at first. So I want to thank everyone for being patient with me - or uh, not, as the case may be - because it's been a chance for me to learn. Thanks.

Have you learned anything really surprising while you've been here? I'd like to know.

...On the note of anniversaries, um, I'd like to go out dancing? Somewhere with really upbeat electronic music, that's my favorite. Sort of as a personal celebration for making it this far. Maybe I'll have a dinner or something too, if I can think of something nice to make. Would anyone like to come with me? Dancing, not to dinner. Dinner's still in planning stages. I'll need a buddy, or um, a bodyguard, because I'm so small. It's not good for me to go crowded places on my own. I'd feel more comfortable if I had someone big and tough by my side! Or just tough. Pretty much anyone's tougher than me.

[As if to prove him right, a small black kitten crawls up his arm and begins chewing on his hair.]

Truffle! How many times have I told you, I'm not your mama! You don't need to groom me!

Comments

[moralperil]

...I chew on it too sometimes, so. [Shrug.] It's not the same. It's not the same as letting someone cut it. And he only chews a little bit on the ends, anyway.

[allucinator]

Yeah, but cats--

[Oh, whatever. Jack sighs and slumps back in his chair as Cassie stares at the datapad. When it becomes clear her brother isn't returning, she hisses at Mahdi and leaps off the table.]

So how come you're the sort to celebrate and not mourn it bein' a year?

[moralperil]

Um... I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer that question?

There doesn't seem to be much point in mourning it. Coming here was out of my hands from the very beginning. But this much time as has passed, and I've found that I've grown a lot as a person, so I'm happy.

[But he doesn't sound 100% convinced on 'I'm happy.']

[allucinator]

[He nods, accepting that answer.]

Makes sense. Only . . . don't you wanna go home?

[moralperil]

[Mahdi wraps ribbons of his hair around two fingers, pulling it tight around them as he thinks.]

...I miss my family, but I'd already resigned myself to being separated from them, so I'm not as broken up about it as some folks.

[allucinator]

[He nods, listening-- though he wrinkles his nose after a moment.]

Sorry. Didn't mean to quiz you or nothin'.

[moralperil]

It's fine! I quizzed you first!

Hey, Jack?

[allucinator]

Yeah?

[moralperil]

Let's go dancing together!

[allucinator]

[--what. He stares at Mahdi for a few seconds, honestly taken aback, before offering a weak laugh.]

I don't do so well with crowds, kid. And this sorta music ain't my . . . style, sorta thin'.

[moralperil]

Okay, um.

First of all? I'm not a kid. I'm probably older than you.

Second of all, have you ever gone? You might be surprised!

[Mahdi actually would've left it alone if Jack said he didn't want to go if not for the 'kid' comment, now he's a little huffy.]

[allucinator]

First of all, you're a kid cuz you act like one, and second off, I've gone dancin' plenty. But I don't like crowds any more, I just-- they're not good.

[A beat. He adds:]

But I'll take you out for a drink, if you want.

[moralperil]

Oh. I can kind of understand that.

I'm actually trying to find someone tough to go with me because I'm a little scared someone's just going to pick me up and carry me away! [Sheepish laugh.]

But I'm still not a kid. Haven't you ever heard the phrase "There as many ways to live as there are people on Earth"? And I'm not even from Earth!

You definitely have to buy me two drinks if you're going to keep up that nonsense.

[allucinator]

[He rolls his eyes, but fondly.]

I won't let nobody touch you, all right? You wanna go out in-- call it two hours?

[moralperil]

T-tonight? Um, okay! I haven't been to many bars around here, do you know someplace that's not too crowded?


[OOC: would you like to log? i can set one up~]

yessss please!

[allucinator]

Yeah, I got a place. You're old enough to get in, yeah?

[Now he's just teasing.]

[moralperil]

[asfdhjlsadf;aisdfu;]

Of course I am! [hotly:] Are you?


[ooc: for youuu]

[allucinator]

Not in the least. See you tonight, mate.

[moralperil]

But--! [Aaaand it's too late. Okay. Great. He's assisting a child in breaking the law. A child who calls him kid. Okay.]