poly_chromatic | action // video

[Midday, a new arrival--or perhaps someone familiar to those who have been in the City for more than a few months--appears by the fountain. His button-up shirt (buttoned all the way to the top, as usual), khakis, and loafers aren't exactly seasonally appropriate, but at least he managed to avoid the icy fountain.

It's not as if the cold can bother him that much, anyway.

He looks around for the device that he knows will be nearby and--yes, there it is, just like always. He dusts stray snowflakes off of it, checks the date, and switches it to record.]

This is Justin Pendleton. If anyone who knew me is still here, I'd appreciate a response.

Who's currently running the City? Anonymous? What state is the police force in? Again, answers would be appreciated. Thank you.

[He moves to end the recording and hesitates.]

Neil, Todd. You'd better still be here.

[There, good. He cuts the video short and pockets the network device. Until he hears from his flatmates, Justin resolves to check out the City and see what has changed in the four months he's been gone himself.]

[ooc: Feel free to contact him via the network or run into him in person! And don't forget that it's National Hug Day. <3 Justin does so ~~hate~~ love hugs.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Justin is indeed still in the vicinity of the fountain. It seems like the logical place to be; that's where Neil and Todd would go, he's sure.

And he's not wrong. Justin doesn't exactly run to Neil when he sees him, but he does take his hands out of his pockets to wave feebly. But look, there's a smile! A real one!]

[He doesn't need to go running, because Neil is as always enthusiastic enough for the both of them.

Enthusiasm might be selling it short, really. You could definitely call it a flying leap, the way he throws himself at Justin to hug the other young man.

Yeah, he's not even cursed.]

[Having friends who are that eager to see him will never stop feeling like a novelty. After a moment of awkward how-do-hug, Justin manages to reciprocate the motion. Honestly, he forgets how these things work when he leaves the City for a while.]

It's good to see you, too.

I can't believe you're back!

[There are few things that please Neil as much as friends showing up; particularly when it's a friend with no where else to go.]

I can't, either.

[How many times has he come and gone? He doesn't even remember. Maybe he keeps coming back because it's where he belongs.]

Did you talk to Todd yet? Or anyone else? We never moved your things, we could go get a jacket or something if you want one.

[That's what Neil would say, if he said anything. The City is home, for people like him and Justin; and it's home for Todd, too, and some of the others, even if it's selfish to think so.]

I was just talking to Todd. Some other people, too. [Neil&Todd take priority, of course.] I don't need one--how are both of you? Is my cat still here?

[Neil's excitement must be a little contagious because Justin almost sounds animated.]

Of course your cat's here. Still doesn't get along with the dragon, so Annabel stays in the bookstore.

[Good, that is good. The simple fact that Justin is in a good mood keeps Neil in one, too.]

Are you hungry or anything?

Thanks for taking care of Electra.

[Not that he doubted for a moment that they would.]

Hungry? [Justin's still kind of amazed to be here and to find that Neil and Todd are still here, too. He's amazed that wearing coats and eating food are things he can still do, even if he doesn't technically have to.] Maybe, but shouldn't you be at the book store?

Old friends don't come back every day. This was worth closing up for a while.

[So many feelings! Justin doesn't know what they're called or what to do with them!]

Since you're closed, could we find Todd and go to a French restaurant? I'll pay if you two haven't emptied my bank account.

We haven't. I mean, we've used some of what you left but the store doesn't do that badly, mostly.

[Neil grins, a little bit abashed.]

As long as he can get out of work that sounds great!

You can use more of it. You know that, don't you?

[God knows Justin is beyond caring about buying non-essentials. The poets can go buy a yacht for all he cares (provided he would be invited onto said yacht).]

If he can't, then it can wait until dinner.

I know, we're just-- you know, there's not that much we really need.

[They're a thrifty sort. It comes of their upbringing, Neil's particularly.

Neil and Todd technically own a palace, they've got more non-essentials than they know what to do with. And they'd definitely bring him on their yacht. A yacht would be useless without friends.]

I'm sure it'll work out.

[He's still grinning. Feel loved, Justin.]

You could always use a theater.

[Ah, the City elite. Outlasting friends who leave you their earnings and property does have its advantages. By this point, probably half of the privately-owned businesses in the City belong to a handful of long-time residents.]

For now, tell me what I've missed.

[Or just keep talking to him, Neil. He really did miss you.]

We did start converting some of the Palace into a playhouse, but... well, every time we got serious it seemed like something happened to the whole City, and it's hard to keep a project going when people come and go.

[He shrugs. That bothers him sometimes more than others; now, he's in too good a mood to dwell.]

Let's see-- when did you leave? Was it August?

That's how it goes.

[The coming and going. A person gets used to it.]

Yes. The Anonymous Group had announced that the barriers had been destabilized.

They've been trying to change them, so people can leave. The curses haven't stopped-- somehow the City still needs them, I guess. It's not really so different.

They're trying to change the barriers?

[That never goes well.]

It's... well, I guess I understand why they want to.

[Selfishly, he kind of hates the idea. Everyone will leave and then he'll have... nothing.]

[He nods just enough to indicate agreement.]

If they change it, will leaving be mandatory or by choice? Do they know?

I don't know. To tell you the truth, I try not to think about it.

That's the smart thing to do.

[Except Justin's thinking about it now. He just came back; he's not ready to go back to being dead yet.]

action // video

still impress. amaze.

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