video.

[bumbles]

( Cue one video post with Mr. Casey, looking a couple years older. The thin grey sweater covers up all the major markers of change in terms of more tattoos and more scars, save for a thin one running across his throat. Maybe the light obscures it - maybe it doesn't. The real thing is that he looks calmer, less uncomfortable with himself, even doing a video post. More steady, less haggard. Like he actually might sleep instead of being constantly run down. )

Uh, hey. I just-- thought I should um, let p-people-- know I'm back.

( Actually he got a little while ago, as those living with Max probably know, but he's sort of been sticking around her pretty constantly all that time. Not being around when she returned to the house seemed like a bad idea, all things considered. )

Or if you knew uh, a guy c-called-- called Atlas. That was me, too. I don't um, don't really do the secret identity thing anymore. Just if anyone wanted to uh, track him d-down.

( he takes a couple more pauses when he speaks, goes through more slowly, less of the urgent need to jsut spit it out from before.

Well. There's... not much more to say. Really he needs to go and catch up with people one on one, talk to the clinic, find his friends, see how things are. This just felt necessary.

A little nod to the camera, a slight smile, and the feed cuts. )

Comments

[bumbles]

Atlas, um. Didn't seem that-- important, any m-more.

( At home he doesn't even use Atlas any more. Not really. Here it had never been so necessary.

Maybe she can tell his eyebrow is quirking a little. ) Um. That isn't-- that uh, convincing.

( Gently, but he has to let her know that he's not sold on it. It's just insulting to both of them, otherwise. )

[motherofnemesis]

Should I be giving congratulations, or?

[ Her experience with people losing their secret id's has tended to be a lot more - traumatic, is one word for it.

But that gains him a roll of her eyes even if he can't see it. ] You know, one of these days you could try not calling people on their lies.

[bumbles]

M-maybe for some stuff. I'm uh-- I'm not all that p-public at home. I just don't really uh, don't use Atlas much any more.

( Despite himself, he snorts a little. )

I c-could make it up with coffee?

[motherofnemesis]

Well, consider my congratulations extended.

[ not that she isn't still quite a bit curious, but she doesn't want to dig. there's a long pause at that second bit, though, and then she surprises even herself. ]

I wouldn't say no.

[bumbles]

( In all honesty, Max is one of the people he's be okay talking about certain stuff to. Maybe no everything, that's-- it's difficult. But some stuff.

His head tilts, and there's something closer to the past Donny there, the ability to still look like a puppy. ) Really?

( :D ) You c-could um, come to-- ( "my place" feels weird, when Lisbeth and Lady Anne and Other Max had all been living there long before him. ) The place I'm living?

[motherofnemesis]

[ she would be incredibly flattered and also a little bit confused to know that, really. but definitely very pleased. mostly pleased. ]

Why not? Send me directions and I'll swing over.