♕ |[ 90 ]| You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking

[had_not_lived]

I always wonder why it is that some of us can stay here, and others only come to visit. I mean, I'm glad that people who don't want to live in the City don't have to stay, but it seems like some of you enjoy visiting. But maybe I'm just being greedy. It's strange having friends you only see every few months.

I'm late in welcoming you all, but I hope you won't hold that against me.



[ooc; other neils = no, other RSL characters = yesplz!!! Please don't outright tell him he's not real. Otherwise, it's all good and totally backdating friendly! :D]

Comments

[thefavorite]

Hello!

[had_not_lived]

Well, hello there!

[thefavorite]

I was following a caterpillar but then he went into a hole and I couldn't fit so then there was a man with wings but he flew away and then I saw dinosaurs. Do you know if they're for sale?

[had_not_lived]

I'm pretty sure the dinosaurs must have been in the zoo, so no. I don't think they're for sale. I'm sorry.

[thefavorite]

They are in the zoo, but Tatertot wants me to get him out. I'm going to ride him home and then he'll live with us.

[had_not_lived]

Tatertot?

[thefavorite]

Uh-huh. He's named after his grandpa. They're a very traditional family.

[had_not_lived]

That's nice, it's good to know we have such upstanding dinosaur families here. I still don't think they're for sale, though.

[thefavorite]

Okay.

What kind of locking mechanisms does the zoo use?

1/2

[had_not_lived]

[had_not_lived]

...The kind you shouldn't... touch?

[thefavorite]

So... electrified?

[Too bad Reese isn't here.]

[had_not_lived]

I really have no idea.

But some of those animals are dangerous.

[thefavorite]

Tatertot is counting on me.

[had_not_lived]

Oh, I'm sure Tatertot's happy enough.

[thefavorite]

He doesn't seem very happy...

[Doubtful, but.]

Do you have any candy?

[had_not_lived]

Well, you haven't known him very long. On a day like today, of course he's a little eager to get out and visit-- but I'm sure usually, he's all right.

I don't have any, I don't think.

[thefavorite]

It's a shame, really. I think he'd like my brothers.

[But on that candy topic.]

Do you know where I can get some?

[had_not_lived]

[Even Neil, an only child, can hear the threat in those words. So he'll just... let that go.]

Maybe at the Welcome Center?

audio;

[practicingforhell]

Hey, positivity kid. Neil? 'S been a while for you.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

Three years and on my way towards four.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

But you like it here, so that's good.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

I do, and it is.

You're Henry, aren't you? We talked about my roommate's play, last time this came around.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

You remember.

[He sounds somewhat impressed. It's been, what, five months since he introduced himself to this kid? Henry wouldn't remember Neil's name if their last conversation hadn't happened yesterday. His yesterday, not Neil's.]

Yeah, we did. You ever get that going?

audio;

[had_not_lived]

[Neil makes an effort, it just seems polite. Besides, he's used to getting repeat visitors; it wouldn't do to forget someone.]

We did, it was great! Two performances. I'm thinking of opening a playhouse now, a proper one with space to store things.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

[It still matters that he makes the effort. Henry's not used to being remembered.]

Sounds classy, a real playhouse. City needs more art.

People showed up to watch it?

audio;

[had_not_lived]

Oh, yeah; people always do. It's nice, having things to do that aren't... you know, just trouble caused by curses or whatever the Deities might do.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

I bet. Gives you some power to make things happen. Frees you up from--what's it called, that belief that everything's decided for you? I hate that.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

It does feel that way, sometimes. But overall... well, it's not really so bad.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

More positivity. You're a king of infinite space.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

Don't think it never gets me down-- sometimes, I mean some of the curses, especially, can be really rough. But if I'm not making the best of it, then... well, what else is there?

audio;

[practicingforhell]

Being dead or being crazy, I guess.

[Well. That was cheerful. Henry doesn't actually want to make the kid miserable.]

You got anything waiting for you outside of this place?

audio;

[had_not_lived]

The City's all I have. [And what's in the City, of course, the people and places-- and Todd-- but that goes without saying.]

audio;

[practicingforhell]

[Oh. That... oh.]

Sorry. Leaving's rough.

I gotta ask... why're you dead? You're too fucking young. [Because Henry is soooo old.]

audio;

[had_not_lived]

I... felt trapped. I didn't think I had any better options.

It's the worst choice I ever made.

audio;

[practicingforhell]

Sorry you ended up that way. People like you... they're supposed to be alive.

audio;

[had_not_lived]

I am, here. That's all I can ask for. More than I can ask for.