2 [video/text]

[othersdie]

[The video opens to show an exceedingly nice terrarium sitting on a desk, which is located in the room Justin is borrowing from Neil and Todd. A copy of "The Importance of Being Earnest" is lined up neatly to the left. Aaand zoom in.]

From the Diapheromeridae family. [The view shifts to show this beauty.] And this one's from the Phylliidae family.

[Justin, clearly behind the camera, sounds even quieter and less enthusiastic about life than usual, which is an accomplishment.]

I plan on naming one Gregor and one Mendel, but I'm not sure which should be which. I'm open to suggestions.

[The video switches off.]


[Text]
I've never been interested in entomology, but this combination--plant and animal--is interesting. Worth buying on impulse, now that I'm financially secure for the moment. The bank had an account for me. I made decent money before I left.

The network is a good place to ask open-ended questions. I'd like to ask this: What do you do when you feel as though you're missing something? Not that you've misplaced something, but that there's something fundamentally important to you as a human missing. Drink? Are there any more creative answers?

Comments

[othersdie]

[Justin doesn't remember having a journal (it seems that the City is still withholding a good deal of information). He does, however, believe that he would have kept a journal, and Neil wouldn't lie.]

I'd like to read it, yes. Thanks for keeping it for me.

...Have you read it? Is there anything I should be prepared for, or--or awful poetry?

[Because he also believes that he would have continued the tradition, started when he was eight, of writing god-awful poetry in the hopes that, someday, it would magically become decent.]

[had_not_lived]

[Admirably as he may struggle, Neil can't suppress a grin.]

Not that awful.

[Softly, he laughs.] I only glanced through it-- I was curious, but it felt like prying so I didn't read much.

[othersdie]

[He smiles properly and shakes his head.]

Unless I improved, I'm sure it is that awful.

[solemnly] Thank you. There have been names and faces that I can't match up or place, and... and events, but it's difficult to tell what's real and what's not. Here, especially.

[had_not_lived]

Real is a difficult thing to judge here, sometimes.

[He folds his arms absently.]

I hope it'll help. I'll help, too-- I mean, if I can. You can always ask.

[othersdie]

If this is even real.

[But let's not open that can of metaphysical worms.]

I will. Ask, that is.

[had_not_lived]

Good.

[Which is all he needs to say, because it's a step in the right direction. For now that will do.]

I'll go get it?

[It's a tacit offer to leave him with his thoughts, once he's got the journal.]

[othersdie]

I'd appreciate that. Thank you.

[He fumbles for his reading glasses. Justin knows how verbose he can be when he's not talking out loud; he might be holed up in his room for some time.]

[had_not_lived]

[Though it's true he hasn't done more than glance at the book, Neil knows that's true enough. He steps out, pausing just at the door to say,]

You're welcome.