video.

[theguideless]

[I.D. simply reads "Martin" now. and a Martin surely is at-hand! long time no see, network. only six-plus months long, nbd.

he looks fairly pleased and...relieved after a beat. because he's pretty sure he's figured this out.]

Hello... [his eyes wince. doubt.] Hello? [the screen tilts a little while he inspects something.]

I think this is right. It's been a long time since I've used one of these... [his stare trails away.] I took one of the new ones. I think that's alright, since mine's been gone for a long time...

[a beat. he looks back.]

Is everyone alright? Now that they're gone...

Comments

[theguideless]

[blink.] Oh, I...I wasn't scared of him. It's just...

Bariyan thought I should stay away from him. I didn't really understand why.

time to make this PRIVATE

[fintastic]

I would have said the same thing when we first met, when Eridan first showed up. But he's improved now. He can still be very aggressive, but he's learning.

...it's not all his fault, but I don't think Bariyan was wrong to say it, either. He was just trying to protect you. Eridan can be hard to deal with.

PRIVATE

[theguideless]

[staring in that thinking-slash-listening combination of his that takes some time on his own end.

softly, thoughtfully:] I know you're right, about Bariyan...But I feel like, maybe, I was the hard one to deal with. Back before. And that's why, even now...I think he's a good friend.

PRIVATE

[fintastic]

Well I don't think you're hard to deal with, if that helps.

PRIVATE

[theguideless]

[flushing.] Oh, auh...Yes, thank you. I'm glad about that.