║ eighty-second stanza ║ voice

[mumbled_truth]

I, um-- I hope everyone has a happy Halloween.

[His voice is slightly hesitant and quiet - not that surprising from Todd, but he's certainly feeling the month. At least it wasn't as bad as last year - though he's not sure if that's good or bad.]

I'm... not doing anything, myself, but. I am glad October is nearly over, and I hope everyone is doing all right after everything. And just, uh... be careful tonight, okay?


[ooc: Pretend this was up earlier and please bear with me as I get back into the swing of things post-hurricane madness? ♥]

Comments

voice;

[candothat]

[Look, it's a chirpy little Russian!]

Have you been here for many Octobers? What happens usually on Halloween?

voice;

[mumbled_truth]

[Oh. Well. He's... a little uneasy, but fortunately, Chekov isn't the first Russian he's spoken to here.

But... still hesitant.]

Um-- this is my fourth one.

It's, uh... it's not always the same, but a couple of times, there were curses that started after dark.

voice;

[candothat]

[Does it help that it's a Cold War era accent?]

Fourth! I have not met many people who have been here as long as that.

[brief hesitation] Were those curses bad, mostly?

voice;

[mumbled_truth]

[Hey the last one he spoke to was actually from the Cold War.]

Yeah, there, uh... there aren't too many of us.

[Hmmm.]

Um... I guess that depends, though. A couple of years, people were turned into whatever they were dressed as.

voice;

[candothat]

I'm sorry you have been here so long--unless you enjoy here. In that case, I am not sorry at all.

Oh, that. Lucy has told me about that. Is everyone very careful about what they dress as?

[othersdie]

I don't understand why anyone celebrates Halloween in the City.

[Justin is home from work and strenuously avoiding anything Halloween-like... although he's been doing a fair zombie impersonation for a while now. At least he's being semi-social and not shutting himself in his room.]

[mumbled_truth]

[Todd's happy to see him out of his room, at least. Any time Justin is being semi-social is good - and even Todd himself recognizes that it's probably not good that he's concerned about someone's social withdrawal.]

I don't know... normalcy? Celebrating the end of what's usually an awful month?

[He shrugs slightly.]

[othersdie]

[This is a Justin who has reached a point where he no longer has a purpose (Captain America is running the Police Force now, after all), decided that getting attached to people in the City--the poets don't count--is a bad idea, and given up looking forward to much of anything other than being well and truly dead someday.

Not that he has shared any of this.]

They should wait until November.

[Justin stares at Todd for a moment, clearly pondering something. Whatever it is, he decides not to say anything and returns to skimming the network.]

[mumbled_truth]

[These are things that would be extremely troubling, if he did share them.]

Probably. I guess they're just... being stubborn? Refusing to give in?

[He shrugs, slightly, and watches Justin as he considers and then turns away.]

Um. You okay?

[othersdie]

That sounds right, but I don't think the deities care.

[This is one of those pauses that would be awkward if Todd and Justin weren't friends and quiet people.]

No. ...Can I tell you something ridiculous?

[pratful]

If every October is supposed to be as bad as this, I say we could all use a drink.

[mumbled_truth]

Well, some years have been better or worse than others, but... we probably could all use a drink after this one.

[pratful]

Truth be told, I could've used a drink several days ago. I don't think I've seen anything worse then that circus act. [ it's still giving him chills ]

[mumbled_truth]

Yeah, that was... Well, the City's had some awful things happen, but it was definitely one of the worst I've seen.

[pratful]

[ he shakes his head ] Well, here's to a peaceful November. If we drink often enough to that, do you think they'll listen?

voice;

[anatural]

Are you okay?

voice;

[mumbled_truth]

Yeah-- yeah, I am, just... worried, I guess.

[A slight pause.]

Are you?

voice;

[anatural]

[She's not sure if he knows she's dead, but she doesn't want to get into it either.]

I've been better. I'm glad you're all right. What about your friend? From home?

voice;

[mumbled_truth]

[He does not know that, or else he'd feel awful about asking.]

Oh-- Neil. Yeah... he's all right.

[Just the slightest awkward pause.]

Um. I don't know if there's anything I can do-- I mean, with it being the City, but... if there is, let me know?

voice;

[anatural]

Thanks. [There's a smile in her voice] Just keep yourself safe. Neil too.

[signatures]

You don't sound like you much enjoy Halloween. Or is the entire month?

[mumbled_truth]

It's not really Halloween, just... it's the way the month usually goes in the City, really.

[signatures]

The monsters and the regrets over sweets?

[mumbled_truth]

I'd say... mostly the monsters, really.

[signatures]

That would be more reasonable.