video ☣ fleetwide

[gunslinger]

Who: Jr. & you!
Broadcast: Video (Fleetwide)
Action: Marsiva!
When: nowiiiish

[ If the communicator enjoys being on when someone's still waking up, it's in for the usual wtfery treat, and the deceptively boyish voice of this little dude isn't going to soften the language any. He awakens quickly, knocking the communicator right onto the floor in his hurry to jump up, the visual now of the ceiling. ]

What the hell?! Where—

[ There's some shuffling and then hurried clacks of boots darting across the room (checking out that window) and then quietly lingering near some of the video screens. Angry yes, but he wants to figure out what's going on before he panics. It's only a minute or two with muffled sounds in the backgrounds before he runs off to explore, can you blame him? It's another ten minutes before a distant: ]

Sons of bitches!

[ is released off-screen, and those clacking steps close back in with surprising speed, the communicator jarring around so his face can come into view, and it's not a happy face (but still a kid's face). Not enough info, and he can't find anyone who has real answers. ]

Hey! Where are my guns?! Atromos! You another Testament?! You watching in your crystal ball, and you want a show?! [ Literally shouted like this is NOTHING NEW to him, despite his angrypants. ] You think I care? Can't even lock me up for real? You're either lazy or cocky!

[ Good luck even getting a word in, friends, as he's off destroying as much as he can. If something can be knocked onto the floor, it's gonna be. If he can grab it and smash it, he's gonna. If a telekinetic blast can slam it into a wall, then bam. It's not just a rage fit; he wants to piss someone off enough to lure them out for confrontation. Then maybe he'll get somewhere. ]

Hey, hey, your ship is a pile of crap. I've seen better ships flushed into Federation scrapyards! Uglier than sin and the charm's kinda lost with this tacky communication gear. It's better off this way, trust me —

[ A few lights shatter in bursts as he walks down a hall, but his tone is actually growing calmer (if sharper). ]

— but if you don't think so, you better come and join the party or tell me where my friends and crew are.

Comments

[save_the_souls]

He doesn't require food. He only eats it as a treat.

[WHICH HE DOES NOT DESERVE IT RIGHT NOW!! But he'll finish up with the disinfection and move to bandaging. "Walker"...jeez. That'll take getting used to.]

And I don't know how much of a story it is. [The lack of space fare that is.] It's 1898 AD where I'm from. Not much space travel then, or Ethers.

[gunslinger]

AD?!

[ WHOA. Caveman. ]

No way!

[save_the_souls]

[RUDE. HE IS A VICTORIAN]

Yes...way.

People come from all sorts of times and worlds in places like these. I've come across people from as far back as the Middle Ages.

[gunslinger]

[ You might as well be hitting yourself in the face with a club right now, Allen. Jr. reads a lot of books, seen a lot of shit, but there's still only one way he can reason out what he's hearing. ]

I'm still in that place, aren't I?! Either that bright light blew out my brains and I'm dead right now...or just hallucinating via another weird space-time anomaly. Christ, I'm not sure which idea is worse at this point. That Testament was all "Oooh, that's the kind of place this is," and this is the best it's got?

Well it's...successful at being damn confusing, that's for sure, but I don't know what the hell else it's meant to accomplish!

[ He's hallucinated better. ]

[save_the_souls]

[He groans, immediately regretting what he said. That's right, don't mention that shit until after the denial phase has passed. Ugh, he forgot.]

You're not hallucinating or dead, Jr.

I know everything seems very strange to you right now, but...it's not either of those.

[gunslinger]

And you keep talking to me like you know me!

[ NOT SUPER DUPER HELPING, unfortunately. Not that anything could. ]

[save_the_souls]

That's-

[Bugger. He caught on]

That part is a long story.

[gunslinger]

Skip to the punchline.

[save_the_souls]

[....]

[See Tim, this is exactly why he didn't want to do this. THIS IS WHY TIM. THIS IS WHY YOU GET NO DINNER.]

[But ugh, here goes nothing]

...We were friends. Though you won't remember any of that.

[gunslinger]

...That's the punchline? I'm not laughing. I mean no offense, but I'm sure I'd remember someone from Lost Jerusalem even if someone tried to scramble my brains.

[ Obviously from Lost Jerusalem by the date, despite Allen's unusual........look. Not like Jr. can go around judging books by their cover, can he? ...Mostly. ]

Sorry...Earth. I mean, do you even know— I mean... [ JR. IS SUCH POET RIGHT NOW. Many redundance. Much word. ] I don't remember reading about flying golems in Earth's nineteenth century! And how could— Your story's got holes.

[save_the_souls]

Of course it has holes, you told me to skip to the end.

[HE WARNED YOU ITS A LONG STORY; but he can tell Jr. is looking at him funny, so he'll give a very patient explanation]

But yes, I am from nineteenth century Earth. I look...strange, because of a childhood incident. I used to have red hair. [So really he's only like a pseudo anime] And I'm not surprised Timcanpy and the other golems didn't make it into the history books. The Vatican likes to keep a lot of things secret.

[gunslinger]

[ Mutation that changes hair color? Not like Jr. knows anything about...that...uh... ]

Vatican?

[ He needs to think for a moment to place it, but there's some recognition there as he waves his other hand to dismiss his own question. So many outdated terms, but all the religious links seem pretty par-for-the-course so far in this URTV brat's experience. ]

Okay wait... So... Where is Lo— Earth right now? I'm guessing nowhere near here from how you've been talking?

[ Too much to hope that he tripped into Lost Jerusalem before everyone else. Even it was with time travel, couldn't that count? Could have been a rock star ~ ]

Why would I forget? I don't have any time missing, unless it...was just before I woke up here.

[ Obviously there's nobody around to claim he hasn't been missing from home. Hell, he wasn't even 'home' when this happened...it was it's own strange alternate world. Shit! How much is he going to have to take at face value? ]

[save_the_souls]

[Yeah, when Jr. waves his hand to dismiss the question about the Vatican, Allen will happily oblige. Since seriously, fuck those guys with rusty poles. The rest of he has to say about those dudes, the better.]

Mm, sorry. [No rock star status for you] We don't know, currently. Dr. Crusher has been trying to locate where we are with starcharts, but...I don't think she's had any luck.

[He would've heard about it if she did. Maybe seen a happy dance or something. But he offers a thoughtful frown at his question about forgetting.]

...It's something like that. There was another place like this one- as in, it would take people from all sorts of times and worlds unexpectedly. And often when it tire of people, it'd send them back to the time and place they were before, with their memories of the place erased. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure why I still remember.

[Probably for the drama of this show. It'd explain why it grabbed so many old time Paradisians]

Anyway, we were both there for awhile. But you were sent home, so you wouldn't remember. Or, maybe you're just from a time where you haven't been there yet so there's nothing to remember yet. [Same difference, really. He offers a sympathetic look] ...Sorry, I'm sure this isn't helping you believe this isn't a hallucination.

[gunslinger]

Uh...

[ Bless him for he is trying his darndest to listen to this whole thing without just freaking out again. ]

Honestly, even my hallucinations have made more sense. And it's hard to believe you're lying, at least.

[ Because that is the most convoluted and vague way to try to explain what's going on, and not in the hoity-toity way that Ormus or U-TIC attempt. Which, given the magnitude of what's trying to be expressed, is understandable. Maybe? ]

You have...some kind of proof that you actually know me?

[ Anyone can find a name. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Look it's just hard to explain these things without sounding either crazy, or like a prolific serial killer. There's a reason Allen prefers not to say anything normally.]

[But hey, at least Jr. isn't rejecting him out right so that's...something, right?]

Ah- [Proof...proof...he'd rather avoid the I know private info game since that just comes off as serial killer-like...] - Oh!

Timcanpy must have a recording of you. Would that work?

[gunslinger]

[ He looks uncertain. Videos can be doctored (oh such pain that has caused him) but obviously there's only so far they can go...right? He glances to Timcanpy, then shrugs and nods. ]

Hey, man... You might as well take this magic show all the way.

[ Or he will just get angry again at lying liars lying about knowing him. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Don't worry Jr, Allen doesn't care enough about you to make fake videos. But he gives a little resigned look at Timcanpy before he holds out his good hand for him. Timcanpy flutters up into his palm like a sweet angel (screw you golem you're still not getting dinner).]

Tim, show something with Jr. in it. Something normal- maybe something from the house?

[Tim seems to contemplate this order before he opens up his mouth all the way (damn that's a lot of teeth) and what looks to be a holographic video starts to play. It looks like a group of people at a dinner table, playing a game of Scrabble. It's clear to tell one of the people is Jr., as well as Allen & Ino (both of them who look slightly younger in subtle ways), some redhead with an eye patch and a blond man.]

[As the scene plays out, it's pretty clear what's going on: a typical game. The other redhead and Jr. seem to be wiping the floor with everyone else with a bunch of obscure words - though the other redhead seems to be in more casual spirits about it. He even goes so far as to sometimes lean over and help Allen out pick words in a friendly manner. Helpful, though it doesn't make much of a difference from how far behind Allen is point wise, and he's got a clear annoyed expression that strongly suggests he wasn't the one who picked the game. Ino doesn't seem to be doing that hot either compared to the redheads. And the blond guy? Doesn't seem to be playing so much as just acting as the designated rule keeper - much to the annoyance of everyone at the table.]

[gunslinger]

[ What in Hell is he watching?! It's fascinating, if his gaping stare is any indication, but he's quick to snap to attention before too long passes so he can fire off more questions. Everything about it is disorienting, from the unfamiliar background to most of the faces and the various fashions.

Confusion is an understatement, but that is also a regular state for Jr. and the friends he wishes he had at his side now. ]

Who are they supposed to be? You saying we sat around playing games? ...Did we ever at least make it interesting with bets?

[save_the_souls]

Tim, pause the recording. [The recording freezes and the sounds from it halt when Jr. starts asking questions. Allen removes his hand from holding Tim and steps to the side. Timcanpy still hovers in the air with the image without his support.]

Sometimes, but I have a tendency to cheat when money's involved.

[he shrugs before he continues on.] But yes, when things were peaceful, sometimes we'd play games. [You know, like friends do sometimes. He starts pointing to the people] That's Ino, she's here in the fleet too. You'll probably meet her soon. [He walks around the image as he talks] That's Lavi, he's one of my comrades and as far as I know, he's back in our time period. And that's Arthur, he's- [-Dead. Also the legendary Arthur. Neither topic he wants to delve into right now, so time to say something that'll shut down that discussion] - He's my ex, and not here either. I don't like talking about him.

[Well, at least it was an honest answer]

[gunslinger]

[ Names. Names he tries to remember! Ex? Whatever, those details aren't important to him beyond the fact that...apparently they're details he should have already known. Huh?

What kind of guy admits to cheating? Is that a psych move? Would it be strange for Jr. to call him a liar now or even more fitting? What to do! ]

Uhhh.... Wait, so how long was I there? How much time did I forget...if I'm supposed to believe this?

[ Which will also hint to Jr. how close they might have been. If Jr. is around people for long enough, he knows secrets around bound to come out. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Truth be told, it is a bit of a psych move. Allen knows damn well Jr is a cautious person, and all the proof in the world alone wouldn't be enough to convince him. He'll find some way to try to poke holes in it. So there really was no point in hiding information from him. Especially if the information makes them seem a bit more human.]

[Jr. was a cautious person, but he was a person who tended to be moved more by feelings than most cautious sorts. So. yeah. He may be pulling some well intended psych moves. Sorry bro. Cheaters always cheat.]

I think...it was about three years? Three and a half? Somewhere around there.

[in other words, he knows a lot Jr. A lot]

[gunslinger]

[ There is an art to being both cautious and reckless! That art may have something to do with being locked in a kid's body, or maybe it's just all this interdimensional travel. It's gotta make for the x factors!

This is some serious shit he'll have to mull over, though. Like— If this is to be believed, he's known Allen and Ino (theoretically) longer than he's known MOMO or Shion. SO MUCH could happen in three years, and he knows that. This feels invasive on a level he can't grasp, and that isn't particularly Allen's fault (but he is currently the easiest target). ]

No way.

[save_the_souls]

[Annnd here comes the rejection part. One of the parts Allen hates the most. Even if he understands the reasons behind it...it's hard for it not to feel hurt hearing that from a friend]

I know it's confusing and hard to believe...but it's the truth.

[gunslinger]

[ Damn but does the strange guy look like a kicked puppy. Of course, Jr. understands (better than anyone) how deceiving appearances can be. That extends to acting. It's easier, even more natural, to believe that these people are lying over the insane alternative.

But Jr.'s experienced too many strange things in his life just to say 'fuck off' to this scenario. Whatever's going on here, there's got to be a reason for it. ]

What else did we do together?

[save_the_souls]

[No sorry Jr, you actually kicked a puppy this time.]

...We'd fight together, whenever a threat came up. And travel- to learn more about the world and maybe find a way out.