driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Apollo and Whoever
Broadcast: Just some SHOUTING but yes
Action: Y; newbie on board the Marsiva
When: Sept 8th? At Some Point^TM

A
[One lawyer is jerking awake with a start in the Hospitality Bunker. His eyes dart around as his mind tries to catch up and figure out what he was last doing. The case is over, right? Is he late for Starbuck's launch? Wait no, that already happened. Right? Right. Crap, did he black out again from his wounds--?

He reaches down, touching his arms and patting his chest. Well, dang. There's scarring from the blast, and he's still sore as hell, but nothing seems to be in danger of reopening and bleeding out again. . .huh.]

. . .Did Trucy and Athena knock me out to put me on bedrest? That seems like something they would do.

[He frowns at the thought. But why would they send him back to the hospital in a nice clean suit?? Weird.

He sits there mulling over scenarios and possibilities, trying to figure out what he was last doing as the overhead speaker drones on and on about game shows this, reality shows that, blah blah blah. . .it's making concentrating a bit hard. Eventually Apollo snaps, unable to hear himself think, and he exclaims to no one in particular--]

OBJECTION!!

[--hopefully that doesn't draw too much attention.]

B
[LAWYER IS UP AND EXPLORING THE DECK. . .somewhat. As soon as he passes one of the wide windows on the ship and stares into the void that is space, Apollo nearly goes as white as his blouse and threatens to faint. Or throw up. Maybe both!! Maybe you just find him passed out face first on the floor. The possibilities are endless.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I. . .

[Clay's paling. He's breathing. There's a real person, an actual living being on the other side of this screen. And it's Clay freaking Terran.

Now it's Apollo's turn for a sudden spike of energy. He leans forward, and he's practically shaking the comm now--god, what did he do? Even if this is a trick, or an illusion, or--whatever, he might just be severing the last connection he'll ever have to his best friend. Clay was talking before! He's trailing off! Why isn't he speaking?! Damnit, Apollo needs to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the man on this comm is the real deal.]

Clay--Clay! If that's you, if it's really you, alive and well, I need to know! Right now, say it with me! Say you're fine! Come on! CLAY TERRAN IS FINE! Please!

[When Apollo first starts to talk, the camera tilts out of view as Clay lowers the comm to his side, his other hand reaching up to press hard against his forehead, the motion sliding his visor up in the process. He doesn't even hear Apollo at first; his head feels light, and it's like his sense of hearing's closed off because of it.

dead, dead, dead dead dead

no, we were safe, we were supposed to be

the glint of glasses in a dark room, the contradiction - no, there was a light, a

no no no no NO

CLAY TERRAN IS FINE!

It's that phrase right there that brings him back to Earth. Clay opens his eyes, suddenly very aware of what's going on around him, even if his ears are still ringing, even if he feels like falling to his knees again. He tilts the communicator a bit, just barely seeing Apollo, and - and -

Apollo's seen him at his worst already. He's seen him when he was broken to pieces, and he helped put him back together again to something even better. This... It reminds him of that time, when Clay was trying to push Apollo away, only for the boy to push on, relate to him, get him to shout.]

I... I, uh...

I'm Clay and... [He nods to himself, then takes in a deep, deep breath, lets it out slowly, then in again, before:] CLAY TERRAN IS FINE!!

!

[He responded! CLAY RESPONDED. He was worried for a moment there--well hell, he's still worried. Clay slowly drifting out of sight, he was about to lose him again. But no, there he is, and Apollo's look of desperation begins to melt away, and he allows himself an awkward, hopeful smile.]

Aha. . .haha! Ahahaha! Hahahaha--!!

[Apollo laughs, and keeps laughing a good bit. Then he's grinning like crazy, his emotions trying to get a handle on how he's feeling. Overwhelmed, relieved, hysterical--if this is a dream, it's simultaneously the best and cruelest one he's had in a long while.

And. Why does the comm look so blurry all of a sudden?? Oh, right. Tears...tears will do that...they're building up and he's trying his best to hold them back. WELP, BETTER COVER THOSE UP WITH MORE SHOUTING]

Th-that's! That's right! CLAY TERRAN IS FINE! And I'm fine too! [Another deep breath--] APOLLO JUSTICE IS FINE!!!

WE'RE BOTH FINE!!!

[RIP anyone's ears who just started tuning in.]

[Finally, Clay raises the comm back up to eye level. Finally, a shaky smile starts to come up again. Who... Who knows, maybe Apollo's from sometime in the future, even though he looks exactly as Clay remembered him, if a bit worse for wear. Maybe he was actually safe after all, despite the breaking in his head telling him otherwise. Maybe - Maybe -

Clay sees those tears in Apollo's eyes, but not for long, as his own vision blurs. He lets out a noise that sounds like a mix between a laugh and a sob, and he ducks his head to wipe at his eyes a bit. Not that he cares if Apollo sees him cry, hasn't really cared since they had that talk about his mother. In fact, despite the attempt wipe away the evidence, there's still tears that come down as he gives the best grin he can show in his state.]

Haha... What are you laughing about?! Ahahaha-! We're fine! WE'RE BOTH FINE! CLAY TERRAN IS FINE!! APOLLO JUSTICE IS FINE!!!

Hahahahaha!

S-sorry, I-I--you laughing is making me laugh more!! Th-this is a horrible cycle! But even still, APOLLO JUSTICE IS FINE!!

[Clay's a better man than Apollo because he doesn't even try to wipe his face when the building tears finally break through. He's gushing now, no doubt about it, but who cares?? If Athena and Trucy were here they'd likely start sobbing too. What an overly emotional agency, gosh.

He's still grinning hard though, still loud and laughing. IS THIS REAL, IS THIS REALITY? He's finally accepted it as such, and he clenches his fists, sitting there, in the middle of the floor, happily yelling at a comm screen. This is fine and there is no underlying traumatic stress whatsoever!! It takes a good bit for him to finally start trailing off.]

WE'RE FINE! And always will be. . .! I knew you had it in you!

[He keeps laughing, too, laughing and shouting and crying, even as the scene plays in his head over and over. Moving down the hall, making it to the lobby, falling to the floor, the glint of glasses in darkness, over and over, like he's trying to remember what happened after that. At the same time, he doesn't want to, wants to focus wholly on his best friend who's started crying right along with him. If... he's really dead, then Apollo seeing him afterwards, alive and well, that must be...

Shit. It makes a fresh wave of tears come through, and another hiccuping laugh. Still, he listens to Apollo. He clings to every word, because in times like these, he knows he can count on Apollo to help him, just as Apollo can count on him. God, they're both such a mess and not even caring.]

Always did! And - ha, I knew you'd come around...! [He places a hand over his chest, over his heart, over his scar, though of course Apollo can't see that.] I'm right here! It's me!

[Just don't think about it Clay don't think about it!

Gawd, this is getting messy. Apollo finally takes a moment to collect himself, sniffling, and aggressively shaking his head as if that will fling all the tears away. This is really putting a dent in his professional look. He drags a hand down his face, hoping he's regained a little bit of dignity. The smile he gives Clay is genuine, but so tired.

But like magicians, lawyers have to keep smiling, right?]

Y-yeah, it is you. Er. Sorry, I thought this was some sort of prank. But there you are, in the flesh. In space.

Ahaha, the shock must have really gotten to me--! I'm. Sorry, Clay.

It - It's okay, it's fine, it's...

[He lets out another chuckle as he lowers his head and drags a hand through his hair. Apollo looks tired, and the poor guy's in space. The one place Clay was sure he'd really hate being. Every time someone asked him if he wanted Apollo here, he'd say no. Every time, because he knows this is the last place Apollo wants to be. His feet belonged on Earth, and his dreams would keep being fulfilled there on Earth. Space was for Clay, not for him. Even though he knew he'd miss him like a missing limb, he was content with what he had before Apollo got here.

And now... and now...]

I'm sorry. You never should've been brought here. You hate heights, you like space but you'd hate being in it, and -

[He takes in a hitch of a breath, and his fingers twitch before he lowers them to rub at the bandage on his nose.]

And I'm. I'm dead, apparently?

[The reminder that they are very much drifting through space is enough to settle Apollo some. Not a good kind of settling, but it's definitely grounding him.]

I'll. I'll get used to it! T-technically space isn't being up high it's just.........like being in an infinite void with no bottom or ending whatsoever.

[He might go a little green saying that.

Why is this happening why space. WHY NOT AN UNDERGROUND CAVERN FULL OF MOLE PEOPLE. That would be slightly better! His mind drifts to a dozen other scenarios he'd rather be happening, until--

I'm dead.

Apollo's eyes snap back to attention, wide with alarm. There's that look of someone seeing a ghost again.]

You're. . .

[He grits his teeth. Yes, Clay's dead, this is a fact. He saw him with his own eyes, tracked down his killer, ganked his jacket, nearly destroyed his relations to the agency for him.

But, here's Clay now. And he sounded so happy to see Apollo, to meet up again. He sounded so excited and casual, like any other day of them hanging out. Like. . .

Like he didn't know.

There's a blink and you miss it grimace from Apollo, but then he's suddenly leaning forward again, desperate smile returning.]

YOU'RE FINE!

I mean--yes! That's. . .that's what I thought! You, ah. You disappeared for a long while, Clay. [A beat. HOW CAN HE SPIN THIS.] N-no one knew where you went! Did you know, Starbuck finally launched into space, too? I bet he hasn't gotten as far as you though, haha!

You just. . .you really had me worried. . .but look you're fine! You've just been kidnapped the whole time, apparently!

[SMOOTH]

[Clay listens to all of that, and at first, his head had lifted, a somewhat hopeful expression on his face. But just listening to Apollo for more than a couple of sentences has him lowering it again, expression hidden from view as he lowers the brim of his visor, fingers fiddling with the edge of it.

Nothing about what Apollo said adds up. Not the way he reacted, not the way he cried, not this. And he's obviously lying. When put on the spot, Apollo actually wasn't that great at lying. He stumbles through his words, tries too hard to reassure. Even Clay, who has a hard time picking up on things like that, knows that. It comes from being friends with him for so long, and even after not seeing him for, god, more than a year, he still knows that. It's honestly a bit of a relief. Or it would be, if that didn't just confirm what he'd been fearing.

Confronting Apollo head on about this might work, but it might just get him to deny it all the more. Instead, Clay sighs, and... realizes that this whole thing is public, that everyone can hear it.

Shit. Again. Well... maybe if someone's hearing this, they can just hear Apollo's explanation, while the rest... he fiddles with the comm until their thread is private, then goes back to what he was going to do.]

Apollo.

Two bombs went off on that rocket. I carried Starbuck through the hallway. I was so exhausted when I reached the lobby that I fell to the floor.

It was completely dark, but I still saw the shine of someone's glasses.

You're the one who works out contradictions. How was I able to see that?

[When Clay goes for his hat, Apollo can tell his story isn't going across so well. Maybe he's just thinking it over, he thinks to himself, frowning slightly. He's crap at lying under pressure, and that certainly wasn't one of his better cover ups.

Maybe he can smooth it out with more details. Or just--change the topic. There's plenty to talk about, right? . . .nah. When Clay speaks again, his tone is different. The jig's up.

He's quiet for a long moment, before straightening himself, letting out a sigh.]

Because the explosion gave you super powers.

[Said so flatly Apollo may as well be laying on the ground. He shakes his head.]

. . .

Do you recall why Director Cosmos conspired with you to stage the launch?

[He sure knows all about that drugging now, buddy.]

[He tenses. Apollo might not be in the same room as him, but the way his fingers run along the rim of the visor is familiar; it's the action Clay does when he's nervous, when he's trying to think up a lie.

He'd been sworn to secrecy, and Clay takes secrets and promises very seriously, even against his best friend.]

Uh...

[But...

Well, he already said a couple of bombs went off. The public was only supposed to know that the ship had malfunctioned, that he'd gotten Starbuck off the ship safely and heroically. Clay didn't really agree with doing it that way, but if it could sell the public, keep their attention away from the dangerous spy on the loose...

So, Clay lets out a sigh. His fingers relax, and he pushes his visor back up. He looks tired, and like he could really use a couple hours to just lay down.]

Because... we didn't want Mr. Starbuck to know what was going on. And the government wouldn't let Mr. Cosmos cancel the launch.

[In a world where the government would rather send their astronauts on a bomb-ridden rocket than cancel it entirely...]

[The action isn't lost on him, and Apollo almost lets out a dry laugh. Here they both are, two nerds who were so excited just moments ago, now contemplating trying to out-lie one another. They really cancel themselves out.

He nods, leaning back from the screen, looking more like his normally lawyery self, as he states the facts.]

Right, and aside from deceiving the public, it served as a gesture to protect you both, in a way.

But it didn't work. The spy he was warned about was actually after something you were going to take on board.

[Clay glances up, now able to really see Apollo from under his visor, and - despite everything, he can't help the smile working up. This right here - This was Apollo's element, stating the facts, working through the contradiction, finding the truth. Seeing him like this aches, because he's still so happy, and Apollo's on the Marsiva where Clay can't be, yet he can't help being glad for it at this moment. He still feels like he's about ready to break apart.

Still, he can't deny that the contradiction had been bothering him all this time, and what happened after his memories got fuzzy. It's like opening up a wound that desperately needed healing.]

Yeah... yeah, that's right, the Hope Capsule. I brought it with me, I was supposed to protect it...

[He frowns, narrowing his eyes a little as a bit of his fuzzy memory becomes clearer.]

I dropped it when I fell. I was too tired, I didn't see where it landed...

Don't worry. You did protect it, and its contents were vital to cracking an important case.

[He is just. . .going to omit the part where eventually it was shattered when a bomb went off in the courtroom. It's not lying if he just doesn't bring it up!!

His expression hardens.]

However, that doesn't mean the culprit didn't try. To him, even with you both in no condition to struggle he. . .that bastard. . .[Deep breath. Professionalism.]

. . .the spy took the opportunity to stab you, not wanting to risk leaving behind any witnesses. And to cover his tracks, he incriminated Solomon Starbuck as he slept. Unfortunately for him, the director appeared before he could make a clean get away. He slipped out under the cover of darkness, without the capsule.

So I...

[He shuts his eyes and lowers his head, hand pressed to the scar on his chest. He feels sick. Even when he sits down on his bed, the world spins, and he feels like it's getting a little hard to breathe.

It's true, then. It was right when he thought it happened, too. They didn't make it out safely, and Clay himself was proof of that.]

Oh god -

[The comm clatters to the floor as he moves his other hand to press against his forehead. The implications of what happened to him are hitting him now; he died, he was stabbed in the heart and left to die by the spy they tried so hard to deter. He died, and he left his friends and family behind. He left his life behind, LA, his future beyond boarding the HAT-2.

He died, and he can't ever go back to Earth, or else he'll just arrive back at that point.

Apollo being here just makes it settle heavier. He wasn't going to see Apollo nail his cases again. He won't bike over to his apartment to hang out and talk about life. If Apollo ever got into a relationship, he can't tease him about it anymore, can't be his best man, can't grow old with him and be best friends for life -

Because, because he - he -

break, break, break]

I-I recognized him - !

[There's barely even a voice, and it's choked, like there's a lump in his throat that he can't breathe past.]

I remember - He was there at the meeting, h-he was supposed to help Detective Arme in case - in case things went wrong, I saw him and said his name and - !

Oh god -

Edited 2016-09-13 05:49 (UTC)

[Apollo's able to keep himself together at first, letting Clay soak up the facts. It was inevitable, Clay's no idiot, he would have figured it out eventually. All Apollo can do is at least try to be composed about it, in contrast to how whiplash his actions were only a little while before.

So initially, hes quiet, watching everything click in Clay's mind. . .until the comm hits the floor. Apollo practically bristles in surprise, and now he's the one contorting himself and tilting his head, as if that will somehow change his perspective.]

Clay? CLAY!

[What's going on, where is Clay? Aaah this is stupid, this was a mistake, he shouldn't have told him! Who would take a detailed account of their freaking death so mildly? Apollo gets to his feet, pacing around in a small circle.]

Clay, come on, listen, it's fine--[Hahhaha NO IT ISN'T.

He goes quiet when he finally hears a response, strained as it may be. A quick breath of relief, and Apollo opts to toss professionalism out the window in hopes of reassuring his friend.]

That's right, you remember! Detective Fulbright. But that wasn't him, it was the spy posing as him! But we caught him, okay? He was brought to justice, and everyone he hurt--you, Athena, Starbuck--he's going to pay for all of it!

Do you hear me Clay? Come on, man, look at me!

[He's dead he's dead he can never go home again, he loves Earth so much and he can never, ever go back, he'll never see his aunt again, nor Starbuck or his entire space center team, he'll never get to meet Apollo's friends or - or or -

Apollo's voice breaks through, as always, and Clay finds himself listening despite the painful hammering of his heart, the breaths he takes that aren't enough for his lungs. Okay, okay. Okay okay okay, breathe. Just like Mr. Starbuck, just like Allen, when they'd panic and he'd do those breathing exercises with them when the shouting wouldn't work.

Listen to Apollo. Breathe in, hold it, breathe out... again, again, until it's easier to think, until he starts thinking that he isn't dying right now.]

You... You caught him?

[He hadn't even thought of that. He'd been so caught up in dead, dead that he didn't think about the guy still going free. The detective... no, the spy.

How was he the spy? He remembered him at the meeting, and he didn't seem to match the little they knew of him at all. Clay rakes his hands through his hair, takes in more deep breaths. It's okay, it's okay, he's fine, he's - he's alive here.

It still takes a long moment, but finally, Clay takes the comm again. He's still pale, his hair is even messier, and there's a very tired, very sad look in his eyes. But at least he's looking at Apollo again, and while his chest still hurts, at least he's calmed down a little.]

So you guys got him?

[Apollo takes a moment--he can't remember the last time he's seen Clay like this. It's almost like back when they were kids, and he was doing his best to cheer him up. This time though, Apollo can't say he knows how it feels.

But if Clay can't put on a brave face, Apollo will for him. He grins, beaming his best so it's the first thing Clay sees when he's back at the comm proper.]

Yeah. . .yeah, we did! It took everyone's help, but he won't be hurting anyone ever again.

[His smile falters for a moment, a brief glimmer of internal debate. Should he go into details? No. Not now, at least. Clay didn't need to know it was the same spy that took Metis' life, or how Aura held the entire space station hostage. . .and Apollo let her. . .Yeah, let's just leave that out for now. What matters is Clay's well being, not his own issues.]

So it's fine, okay? You didn't fail. In fact. . .Starbuck, because of you, finally was able to launch. You gave him the final push to get over his anxiety and trauma. We all watched him go!

[Apollo pumps a fist.]

You--you really are something! Even when you're not around you're always cheering people on, jeeze. And now you've really gone where no man has gone before! Talk about an over achiever, heh.

[The smiling face, and all of that good news... God. It's easy to smile with him. Apollo's always had that uncanny ability; even when Clay was feeling low, all Apollo had to do was talk to him and laugh and smile, and then everything Clay was doing the same along with him.

Clay might have died, but Apollo did the best thing he could do with the position he was in; he caught the guy, made sure he never hurt anyone ever again. He took his case and figured out who killed him, even though it must've been hard.

And Starbuck made it to space! Clay wishes desperately that he could go with him, but just knowing that he conquered his fears and anxiety, that he got to see the stars that he dreamed of... It's great to hear. It's wonderful to hear.

Then the last part... heh. He lowers his head to press against his hand and... laughs. It's quiet at first, then gets a little louder, until it's back to the way he usually laughs: the embarrassingly loud kind that almost knocks him out of his seat. Because this is just like Apollo, this is exactly what Clay missed so much. He says all the right things, and he always manages to get Clay back on his feet.

When Clay's calmed down enough to look at the comm again, his eyes shine with tears, but he still has a big smile on. He does that to him. Apollo does this to him every time he needs it.]

Yup! Nothing can stop me from achieving my own dreams! Not spies or bombs or - or anything! I'll do it and even go beyond that!

[He pumps a fist too, standing back up again.]

And I'm fine! I'm just fine!

[Apollo flinches when Clay lowers his head, at first. He's seen way too many witness breakdowns lately, and he braces himself for the worst!! . . .but no, Clay's just laughing. And eventually, it's that genuine laugh he knows and loves. And once again, it's contagious, but at least not quite as manic as they both were before.]

Hahaha! I know you're fine, I am too!! That's what I've been saying all along.

[He trails off with a chuckle, and for a few moments, just stares somewhat, full of nostalgia.

He really wouldn't mind if this was just a dream, even if it's been nearly pretty much proven otherwise.]

I'm.

I'm really glad to see you, Clay. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

[He trails off with a chuckle as well, wiping at his face to get all the evidence of crying and residual tears off, then looks back at him with a big smile. Just like back then, Apollo pulled him right out of the dark place he'd fallen into. Just like old times.]

I'm really glad, too. I mean, I still don't think you'll like it very much, but...

[But. Apollo being brought here is really the only time he could see his best friend now. He can't go back home, so this is... his last chance here.]

Hey, um. When you get sorted to a ship, tell me which one? I want to really see you.

Ahaha. Oh, I'm sure I'll hate it. But I hate lots of things. . .doesn't mean I won't warm up to it.

[Despite circumstances, at least he's still as blunt as ever. But at least he's admitting to giving it a chance. Mostly because he has no choice.

A pause at Clay' request. Seeing Clay like this is more than anything he could have ever hoped or dreamed for, and quite frankly, it's enough. But he could actually see his bud in the flesh, actually face to face? Just as he thought he had accepted things and moved on, just after he'd properly avenged him.

But saying no now--that would seem weird, right? After he'd said everything was fine. . .

It WILL be fine. . .right?, he tries to reassure himself. He gives something of a half nod.]

Er. . .sure. That's fine! But um, are you sure? You've been through a lot.

[He lets out another chuckle at that, sounding a bit relieved, but also with humored exasperation.]

Pollo, this is going to sound really weird, but I haven't seen you in a year and a half.

[So um, yeah. He's sure. He's very sure. He'd like to see Apollo right now, but well. Him being on the Marsiva, he can't do that.]

A. . .a year and a half?!?!

[He nearly falls backward from the screen. Okay, guess he is really going to have to toss logic out the window in this place!]

I-it definitely hasn't been that long for me! I mean, long enough, but. . .[Aaah AAAAH. He's not sure if he's ready for this, but then again, who is he to deny a dying--er, dead--man's request, especially that of his best friend?]

I really don't get how this place works. . .but. F-fine. Eheh, that's fine. I'll contact you as soon as I'm. . .uh, not here.

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

encrypted;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)