Video. Happy Late Birthday, bud.

[throwsdown]

Who: Takeshi and you!
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Goldstone, if you need him for whatever reason! Also the gym on the iskaulit.
When: October 5th

[Takeshi's had a bit of a rough time, knowing one of his crew is gone - hopefully not gone gone, but still gone, and that's too much for him to want to think about. Mr. Okita, he shouldn't have gotten killed. Takeshi feels an insurmountable guilt, because he's the captain, and he should have gotten out there and picked up his friend. His teammate. Even still... Mon-El's awake now. Good things are happening again. They've set out, and now all he can really do is wait and see what happens next.

... But it's October, he realizes belatedly. He had not been keeping track, and so he addresses the fleet with a little smile.]

... I turned nine years old on October 1st.

I couldn't remember my birthday when I first came to space -- that was when I was five. But they said I could have a new day... The month I showed up there, that was my new birthday. I guess I... kinda lost track! But I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be another year older with everyone else.

What kinda' birthdays do you guys have?

Do you remember any really nice ones? I had a pool party, once...! On the Tranquility.

[It was one of the best days of his life.]

If you don't have one, we can figure out one for you. Okay?

[A LIL' DASH OF ACTION]

[If you need him elsewhere, he's also in the gym aboard the Iskaulit, today. Working out, actually! He's currently giving the punching bag in there his all, throwing some hard right hooks and leaping kicks. In fact, he gets a bit too into it and accidentally kicks the whole thing right off the hanger -- it goes sailing across the room into the wall, with Takeshi slapping his hands on the sides of his head and 'WAHHH'ing in dismay.



... Just a normal week aboard the drifting fleet.

Now, where's someone he can train more with? He's getting stronger by the year!]

Comments

video

[throwsdown]

What? [He blinks at the feed, unsure.] Did I say something real stupid just now?

video

[moseyin]

No. [Just. Really pissed these people grabbed a kid. Like obviously he knew he was a kid before, but just hearing it is.

...anyway.] Happy Birthday, runt.

video

[throwsdown]

[Awww, shucks. He looks a bit bashful, but thankful nonetheless.]

Thanks!

... What's a runt?

video

[moseyin]

Somebody who looks smaller than they're supposed to be. [Y'know like Cloud himself] Since you definitely don't look nine.

video

[throwsdown]

[A-AWW, HIS MOST SELF-CONSCIOUS FEATURE....!!

He reddens a bit, sheepish.]

I -- I just need a little more time...

video

[moseyin]

[hhhhhHHHH]

Look...what's your name? [...again? Did he get his name before? Wow he feels like a jerk] -Takeshi. Right. Look, Takeshi, I'm a runt too. Bein' small doesn't make you weak or nothin'.

video

[throwsdown]

... I guess so....

[He holds his fists up, as if determined to succeed. At not being a runt in spirit, maybe.]

I just don't wanna let anyone down...!!

video

[moseyin]

That 'anyone' include yourself? Cuz when you work yourself to collapse, you're definitely letting yourself down.

video

[throwsdown]

[He looks down, flustered.

Now look what you've gone and done, he's all self-conscious and quiet.]

... Y... yeah...

video

[moseyin]

video

[moseyin]

[S-SIIGGHHH...]

What d'you want for your birthday? Something cool, somethin' that tastes good?

video

[throwsdown]

Wellll.... I like people's company! That's always a good present.

Drawing with friends, and stuff like that...

video

[moseyin]

[Drawing with friends...maybe a sketchpad? Crayons or something? The half-abandoned waystation must have something like that he can borrow (steal).] Alright, sit tight for a minute.

video

[throwsdown]

[He gives a little salute, tickled.]

Sir, yessir!

[HE WILL NOT BUDGE A GODDAMN INCH]

>>action

[moseyin]

[Well like, budge a little bit, it's not like he's going to be ten minutes.

A couple hours later Cloud just lets himself onto the Goldstone, a shopping bag slung over his shoulder as he goes on the prowl for that runt. ...wow he really hopes Takeshi is on his ship or he's gonna seem like an idiot when he calls]

>>action

[throwsdown]

[No, dude, he hasn't budged even a little bit. He's nodding off, sitting on his stomach on the floor of the captain's room -- but he's at least been drawing and whatnot in the meantime of waiting. When he hears footfalls his sideways-drifting head perks up and he sits up more properly as Cloud comes into view in the doorway. He's totally not rubbing his eyes like he's half-asleep, no sir!!]

HI, MR. CLOUD!

[OVERZEALOUS MUCH]

Welcome aboard the ship...!

[moseyin]

[Oh my god, what the fuck, that's so cute, sit down]

Volume down, kid. [Holds out bag. BUT LIKE, IN A COOL WAY or something............] Here. [It's not much; a nondescript sketchpad of blank paper and a 16-count box of crayons, but it's all he could find over at the waystation. They've kind of got shit selection.]

[throwsdown]

Sorry...!

[He sits cross-legged, reaching out for the gift with wide eyes.]

Oh, thank you, though! I'll just borrow a few of your sheets, and you can have it right back!

D'you wanna sketch with me?

[He just assumes this isn't a gift and you're just coming to draw as anticipated, okay.]

[moseyin]

[k i d]

It...no, that's. That's yours, kid, you keep it. It's a present.

[throwsdown]

[cloud you get a VERY VIBRANT AND EXCITED BOY!!!!]

Whoa, you got me two whole presents; some drawing stuff, and your company!

Thanks so much, Mr. Cloud...! These're the best gifts.

[moseyin]

[OH GOD STOP....

Even Cloud can't manage not to smile in the face of that much sunshine, though he also is wondering just how shitty this kid's life must've been that getting a crappy little sketchbook and crayons is enough to get a response like this.]

Okay well, get ready to reconsider that when you see how shhhh, uh bad I am at drawing. [Sits down and holds out a hand for a piece of paper.]

[throwsdown]

[It was super shitty. But let's not worry about that!

Takeshi prefers to think about the nice things. Like drawing.

He laughs, good-natured.]

I know the word 'shit'! I'm around adults all day long, y'know.

But I bet you're not as bad as you think.

[moseyin]

[Oh, well, if he already knows it,] Prepare to be disappointed. Gimme red.

[throwsdown]

[He hands over red with a little curl to his lips, humored.]

Here you go! You picked the best color; I like red the most.

[moseyin]

[Yeah Cloud is just gonna outline a truly sad rendition of a red cat-dog-thing with a wiggly flame at the end of its tail.] How come, cuz it's tough?