8th Contract - [video]

[conesoldstober]

[The device is turned on most likely by accident, as you are treated to about a minute of a few of the floor. A rather messy floor, covered in scraps of paper and odd socks. There is a very loud crash just off camera, followed by a passionate stream of welsh which any experts might recognise as mostly swear words. The device flips over, to reveal the bedroom of Howl Jenkins, utterly destroyed, with a young boy in a school uniform standing in the middle of it. He speaks rapidly in Welsh again before switching in to English.]

I don't know what someone's playing at, but I'm supposed to be at school, and when my Dad finds out I'm not he's going to send all the coppers out looking for me so you just better watch it. Now someone had better explain to me just what's going on, or I'll-

[He fidgets nervously for a second, hands tightening in fists.]

I'll make sure you regret it. Paid a malu cachu!

Comments

action;

[minigolfandsushi]

[At the crash, Peter runs up the stairs and bursts into Howl's room. He surveys the damage then turns to bb!Howl.]

You're gonna kill yourself when you see this Monday.

action; !!!

[mrsnose]

[So there's a girl, poking her head inside the room because she heard it and all.]

Hello. Did you wake up here too?

[conesoldstober]

Why do I care what it looks like! I don't even belong here! Twll Din Pop Saes!

[conesoldstober]

[She doesn't look like someone from his school. But at least she's less weird than the shouty English man.]

If we've been kidnapped, I know my father's going to send out for me.

[minigolfandsushi]

Because this is your bedroom, idiot. And quit speaking gibberish.

[He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose]

Look, just go downstairs. I'll pour you a bowl of cereal and explain everything.

[mrsnose]

[He doesn't look like someone from the village, either, but - you stick to familiar people. Even when nothing is familiar.]

I don't know if we have been. What would they want from children?

[conesoldstober]

It's not gibberish, you're just English. And I don't want your bloody cereal.

[conesoldstober]

Are you stupid? Kids get snatched all the time. That's why we have to be supervised all the bloody time at school. They could use us for ransom.

[minigolfandsushi]

Yes, and you speak gibberish. If you don't want any fucking cereal, fine, but go downstairs, all right?

[mrsnose]

[Hey. Hey. Don't be a rude ass.]

No, I mean why would they take a hatter's child? It's not like father could pay any ransom. We don't have that much, and there's also my sisters...

[conesoldstober]

[But 'rude ass' is his default.]

How should I know? I only just showed up here.

[He kicks at a stray sock idly with the toe of his trainer.]

[conesoldstober]

Why should I? You can't make me.

[mrsnose]

[Looks at him for a moment, then peers back outside. Coast looks clear.

She looks back in.]

Come on.

[minigolfandsushi]

Wanna bet?

[And he goes to throw the boy over his shoulder.]

[conesoldstober]

[This does not a happy Howell make.]

Cer i grafu y haliwr mawr tew! Let me down, you wanker!

[And then Peter may feel an extremely strong electric shock pass through him. Like sticking your finger in an outlet.]

[conesoldstober]

We could be walking right into a trap.

[But he shoves both hands into his pockets and follows her all the same.]

[mrsnose]

Are you scared? [Waits for him to join her before taking his hand. Because she's bossy so yes.] Don't worry, your father'll surely send out for you, right?

So we'll just go wait somewhere where rude, dangerous strangers aren't threatening us with no food.

[conesoldstober]

Of course I'm not scared. [He doesn't brush off the hand, though. She seems younger than him and probably needs protecting.] I can look after myself.

[minigolfandsushi]

AAAAAAAAAH!

[Peter collapses to his knees but somehow manages to keep a hold on Howl]

You fucking little piss I'm gonna make you PAY for that on Monday.

[mrsnose]

That's good. We can't exactly escape if you can't. I think.

[Pause.] I'm Sophie.

[conesoldstober]

[Howell follows it up by a well-timed kick to the knee and starts booking it for the stairway.]

[conesoldstober]

Howell.

I can help you escape if you like.

[mrsnose]

It's nice to meet you. [Under the circumstances.]

We could escape together?

pun partially intended

[minigolfandsushi]

[Peter howls and clutches his knee. Fuck that little brat. If he goes and gets himself killed while a kid, it'll be no less than he fucking deserves.]

I'm gonna kill that bastard when he grows up.

[conesoldstober]

Alright. We can find the police station. Where are you from? I'm at school in Bryn right now but my parents live in Llanelli.