002 | video

[mrbackwards]

 [ When the feed clicks on.. Curtis is soaked.  He looks pretty pissed about it, too, as his eyes focus to the dark cloud above him. Rain continues to fall down on him as his glare hardens. Some people were going to find this so funny; he probably should have chosen audio. ]

I don't know what the fuck it is, but if anyone can tell me how to make it stop I'd appreciate it.  [ And he continues to stare up, almost hopefully, before shaking his head and running his hand down his face.

His wet hand. Down his wet face.

It isn't as productive as he'd hoped it would be. ]

I wanted to ask about jobs in this place.  Is there a bar or... anything.. that's hiring?

[ It's  d i s t r a c t i n g. ]

[[ ooc; find a rainbow event! ]]

Comments

[likeboudica]

It wasn't— [ she's almost tempted to drop her head on the table to copy his posture. ] My time in England has not been good to me. I'm glad that I am here now.

[mrbackwards]

[ She should. Only cool people sulk like Curtis. ]

Is that the last place you were? England?

[likeboudica]

Yes. I was in London before I arrived here.

[mrbackwards]

Were you going back to New York anytime soon?

[likeboudica]

No, I do not think so. There is nothing for me in New York, and even if there were, I would not have the money to pay for the journey.

[mrbackwards]

That's... really shitty. Guess you can make the most of the time you got here, yeah?

[likeboudica]

Yes. The City has been far kinder to me than England. [ Smiling again, though it's a little forced. ] I like it here.

[mrbackwards]

[ He gives back a tight one. ] If there's ever anything you need, you know you can ask, right?

[likeboudica]

See, that is what I mean. Everyone in the City is so very nice, and accepting.

[mrbackwards]

.. you're not about to cry, are you?

[likeboudica]

No. [ Making a bit of a face. She hates crying, especially in public. It's something to be avoided at all costs, and she isn't even sure whether she could, still. ]

[mrbackwards]

All right. Just.. making sure. [ Because you are a girl and he's not sure how he'd make you feel better. ]

[likeboudica]

[ That she doesn't cry doesn't mean that she doesn't feel bad, but this is— old wounds, perhaps. They still hurt, but not as badly as they used to. ] I don't like crying.

[mrbackwards]

Nobody likes it. But everyone does at one point, yeah?

[likeboudica]

At one point, perhaps. [ She cried, when the Dark Sisters forced her to Change, when she thought she couldn't stand it anymore. ] I have not had reason to, here.

[mrbackwards]

That's good. I'm really glad to hear it.

[likeboudica]

And you, would you prefer to return home?

[mrbackwards]

... I have to figure some things out about the future before I go back, I think.

[likeboudica]

In that sense, it is helpful to have time here, in the City, that one might not otherwise have, is it not?

[mrbackwards]

Yeah I guess.

[ .... ]

My girlfriend's going to die.

[likeboudica]

Oh. [ For a moment, she doesn't react, doesn't quite know how to, then she reaches out — slowly, unsure — to cover one of his hands with hers. ] I am sorry.

[mrbackwards]

[ His brows go up, and he flinches a little until he sees what she's doing and extends his arm across the table so her hand (and his hand) are mostly away from his rain. ]

I want to try to fix it when I go back.. to stop it. If I don't do something really fucking stupid..

[likeboudica]

[ she almost draws back again at the flinch. that is not at all what she intended. but then, he does not seem to mind so much, so she leaves her hand where it is. ]

How could you fix it?

[mrbackwards]

[ He lowers his gaze to focus on their hands, subconsciously taking her palm in his. ]

I-- [ wait. ] Don't think you'd believe me if I told you.

[likeboudica]

I have learnt to believe a great many things. [ There's a story behind those words, too, but this is not the moment to tell it, so she simply leaves it at that. ]