002. video

[vestigiaflammae]

[The video clicks on to show sky, and then a flash of red hair before Lea manages to adjust the angle of the screen and beams at the camera. He's sitting on a wall, in the spot where the rusty barbed wire isn't anymore, a riot of summer greenery fighting for sun and space in the broken concrete of the yard behind him and a dandelion in one hand. He waves the flower at the screen.]

-- You know, there are some really cool places out here! You know, if you walk far enough. I found some flowers if you still need any, Sollux. There's a ton of these yellow things!

[He pauses and, a little too casual to make it sound like a throwaway comment, adds:] I guess I've been lucky this week or something, I don't know -

Hey, does anybody know why it's just some of us who've got that. You know. Thing, with the going invisible?

[He worries absently at the flower, stem smearing green over his fingers, and makes a face.]

... I hope they figure that out quick.

It's kind of freaky.

[like basically everything here but. But. Everything's cool. After a moment, he tosses the dandelion off the side of the wall and grins again.] And hey, does anybody recognize this spot? 'Cause I'd really appreciate directions back home! I'll owe you one.

Thanks!

Comments

[vestigiaflammae]

[Martin looks... scared, maybe. Or upset. Lea can't tell, but he's got a weird look on his face, that's for sure. He tries for his best encouraging smile, trying not to scare the guy off: a., he'd feel bad, and b., he'll never find his way back home.]

Hey, nice to meet you in person! Seriously, thanks a lot. Anything I can do for you to make up for it? I know it's kind of a long way.

[theguideless]

Oh, uh... [his head droops and sends his gaze down at the thanks and offer, not particularly convinced there's need of it. it takes effort to look back up, shoulders shrugging up.]

No, it's...fine. Truly. I don't need anything. We can just go. [he's already turning to head back the way he came.]

[vestigiaflammae]

Seriously? Thanks- [But he still looks upset. Damn. Lea hurries to catch up, trying to match Martin's pace.]

I mean, I still really appreciate it.

So, Martin, how long have you been here?

[theguideless]

[where Lea's step has spring, Martin's trudges, until the other's caught up and obliges him to pick up the pace. easily done. still, he lapses now and then to fall back a step despite being the one who ought to lead. habitual, really. having to think on an answer slows him, too, as he chews on the inside of his lip, making a small sound.]

Mmhuh...I don't...I don't really know. Sorry. [he shakes his head.] I didn't keep track right away, and...[exhale.] Forgot...a few days...So.

Sorry.

[the silence is almost enough to dive into, but suddenly, embarrassed:] It's been a long time. To me. I think, though...

[vestigiaflammae]

[Lea slows down to match Martin -- normally he'd run ahead, but he's really starting to be worried, here. Something's wrong, isn't it? Maybe it's being here too long, or maybe he's one of those people who's having problems.

Or whatever. Isa'd tell him to just ignore it, but Martin's doing him a favor, and besides, Lea never has been good at squelching his curiosity.

He gives the younger boy a friendly grin.] That sucks. Being here for a long time, I mean. I'd probably lose track too!

Are any of your friends here from home?

[theguideless]

[he winces a little at the fresh grin and innocent question, grimacing down at the grass they're trudging in.]

No. Just me.

[vestigiaflammae]

Oh. Well, that sucks.

[Don't mind him, Martin, he's just going to reach over to clap a friendly hand on your shoulder now.]

Actually, I don't have anybody here I know either! Just this one guy who kinda looks like a kid I met back home....

[theguideless]

Wuh-- [Martin staggers mid-step under the hand (which is hardly a weight at all, but come on! who expects these things??), stammering muffled sounds left and right as Lea talks over him.

the distress ebbs quick enough, though, leaving just uneasy doubt. it's not like he's never been treated nice before, but it's just...not something he expects outside of the family. even now (slow learner).

wait.

what was he saying, again?]

Oh...uh...[Martin has no idea.] Oh. [this is so embarrassing.]

[vestigiaflammae]

[Lea's starting to get used to the way Martin acts, but even so... wow, that was pretty extreme for a shoulder pat. He lets his hand fall, shrugging cheerfully. Did the kid even hear what he was saying? He was kind of busy panicking...]

-- But anyway, I figure we don't know how long we're gonna be stuck here, so we might as well make friends, right?

[theguideless]

If...[he speaks to the ground in front of them:] If that's what you want to do...

[vestigiaflammae]

Yeah, I do.

[He tosses Martin a grin.] So. Friends?

[theguideless]

[he gets a double-take, eyes getting big and face growing red.]

Oh, I... [his next step has him moving slightly away.] I shouldn't. I'm sorry. I...I shouldn't.

[vestigiaflammae]

[Lea blinks, pausing mid-step.]

Hey, I thought we were getting along pretty well here! What's with the "shouldn't"?

[theguideless]

[suddenly being the leader isn't so bad! no eye-contact, for one. Martin hurries onward.]

It's just. Better not to. Better that way. Sorry. I'm not. Supposed to. [wow. he winces at that, knowing he oughtn't have even expanded on that.]

[vestigiaflammae]

You're not supposed to have friends? Who came up with a dumb rule like that?

[Lea sped up, trying to keep pace.]

[theguideless]

[there's a good bout of flustered mumbles and sounds, with Martin tugging unhappily at the cuffs of his sleeves and exhaling in little huffs. hot. why's the sun so hot??]

No, I'm...It's. Practical. I'm not supposed to...do human things. [he's wincing as he says so. despite all the human things I've had to do here so far...]

[vestigiaflammae]

So.

I mean, tell me if I'm wrong here, but you look pretty human to me.

[theguideless]

I'm not. [his shoulders shrug up as he hugs his elbows.] I just look like one. Sorry.

[vestigiaflammae]

Seriously? [Pause. Blink. Nope, you still look like a person to him. -- But that's not the really important question here, is it?]

... Well, okay, then. Do you want to have friends? I mean, forgetting the "supposed to" stuff.

[theguideless]

Oh, uh...

[he drags the sound out a little, lapsing into an uneasy silence. he's not sure. friends? as opposed to...family? he's not really clear on the differences.]

I don't know. Maybe not. It'd be troublesome for them...

[vestigiaflammae]

It's not a pain for other people to be friends with you. -- The more friends the better, right?

So who cares if you're supposed to do human things or not? As far as I'm concerned, we're friends already.

[theguideless]

[the more the better?

oh, man. Martin sure doesn't know about that. that's a lot of responsibility, isn't it? and he's no good with those kinds of things...

red-faced, shoulders shrugged up and head tucked down, he chews on his lip as he frets about it, only to shoot a fast glance up and over at the boy. friends already? but he didn't sign up for this!]

Uh, but-- Are...are you sure that's really a good idea? I mean...

[vestigiaflammae]

Sure it is! You're not so bad, Martin.

[Friends, already. He doesn't have enough of them here: it makes him a little nervous. And he does like you. So it's all right.

Perfect logic!

-- He grins, shrugging.] So why not?

[theguideless]

[it's so weird, seeing all this cheeriness he equates with a cousin (a girl) manifest in a stranger. a stranger eager to not be a stranger. why? Martin's not anything special. he's bad luck.

he swallows, watching the ground ahead very pointedly.]

If...you want, but...I won't be any good at those kinds of things. I'm not supposed to be.

[vestigiaflammae]

Hey, don't worry about it. I can show you the ropes.

[Lesson one: get used to Lea clapping you companionably on the shoulder, 'cause he's doing it again.]