video | un: falcogrice
[ on the feed and fixing the device's angle from his lap to hold just a half an arm's length in front of him is a young boy, definitely no more than twelve, with expressive, too-tender doe eyes and a certain amount of calm as he preps to speak. he's also incredibly tiny for the furs draped over his shoulders, now falling into a slant as he brings a hand up to give a little wave. for the most part, he tries for a smile, but the only thing his lips really feel like doing is subtly curving in one direction before he can't bring them to go all the way. the sorry excuse for a smile gets masked by pressing his lips quickly together in an awkward rush. talking to a camera to record these things is always weirder than text, or speaking to people in person. ]
Um, Hi. I'm Falco, and I woke up a few days ago. It's nice to meet everyone. I have a few questions? Not about The Trench, I think I'm all caught up with what's happening. [ at least close to what everyone else seems to know, by asking around, network snooping— it's no wonder that he's spent a few days just to let the information ruminate in his head and settle in. by staring at the ceiling.
either way, he clears his throat! ]
I know some Sleepers might have been in Deerington— but does anyone remember being to other places that aren't your home? Like, different worlds. Specifically South Sister, or California. Or the year 854, if that's familiar? The second thing is . . .
[ falco doesn't say anything and instead, signs: anyone understand? ]
Just curious. [ since if everyone can understand languages . . . ] And, for last. I'm looking for priests that don't use blood for their rituals. For, ah— Exorcism rituals. [ and after an inhale as if he was about to say something more, like an explanation, he shuts up and holds his breath. instead, he starts to scribble something down on spare notebook paper, ] —I can't talk about it if everyone is listening, but if someone can help— [ and then holds up the paper, showing what he's drawn: two "S" marks, put back to back. ] I'll let you know.
[ he supposes that's it, and nods— or more like bows his head. he's beyond polite and respectable as he says: ]
Thank you for watching, and stay safe.
Um, Hi. I'm Falco, and I woke up a few days ago. It's nice to meet everyone. I have a few questions? Not about The Trench, I think I'm all caught up with what's happening. [ at least close to what everyone else seems to know, by asking around, network snooping— it's no wonder that he's spent a few days just to let the information ruminate in his head and settle in. by staring at the ceiling.
either way, he clears his throat! ]
I know some Sleepers might have been in Deerington— but does anyone remember being to other places that aren't your home? Like, different worlds. Specifically South Sister, or California. Or the year 854, if that's familiar? The second thing is . . .
[ falco doesn't say anything and instead, signs: anyone understand? ]
Just curious. [ since if everyone can understand languages . . . ] And, for last. I'm looking for priests that don't use blood for their rituals. For, ah— Exorcism rituals. [ and after an inhale as if he was about to say something more, like an explanation, he shuts up and holds his breath. instead, he starts to scribble something down on spare notebook paper, ] —I can't talk about it if everyone is listening, but if someone can help— [ and then holds up the paper, showing what he's drawn: two "S" marks, put back to back. ] I'll let you know.
[ he supposes that's it, and nods— or more like bows his head. he's beyond polite and respectable as he says: ]
Thank you for watching, and stay safe.

no subject
And though Peter is no exorcist himself, has no skills at all on his own that could be useful, maybe he can at least offer some sort of companionship for whatever this young boy is going through. He... tries to relax a bit, tries to stop skirting past what he just admitted. )
Sometimes— not as much as it used to. John's been helping me a lot. He's good at uh... keeping this thing in line. ( ...aka Paimon gets put in timeout when he needs to be. And the exorcist has a wealth of spells that can be used to tame a savage Hell king when he gets fitful. )
And my girlfriend, she's.. a witch? She can help with things like that too. Like, if you ever need a little help keeping calm, she can make calming draughts? They're great for that kind of thing.
( Peter nods, offers another soft smile. )
We'll help you.
no subject
Thank you . . . Thank you, Mister Peter. [ for the support, for the possible help from others that he could seek, and for being one person he’s sure to continue seeking for anything, enough that he feels the need to thank him twice. that, and look even rosier than usual when his interest in romance (and perhaps a lighter topic) wasn’t at all scarce. ] You have a girlfriend?
[ with a small crack in his voice, a certain tone of wow, that’s so neat or on par with i want to be like you one day. of course, at his age, you’d expect a boy to be curious of intimacy, even though he’s only really scratched the surface of interest himself. like, handholding sounds like a ride that would shoot his heart into the sky. he hasn’t had the time or maturity to parse out the rest, but he knew that he wanted to get married. one day. in six years.
(he’s counting) ]
no subject
It makes his heart ache in a good way, and a sad one, and Peter smiles gently back for a moment. Awkward, shy— he doesn't actually say anything verbal in response, but it's there. He's so glad to help at all, if he really has. This boy...he can't be any older than Charlie was.
Then the shift to something else, and Peter finds himself surprised by it in another way. He's not used to this, either. The smile, immediately, turns a little dopey. )
Yeah— I uh. Her name's Luna. ( Some of that perpetual gloom flickers away a little as he says it, a soft glow that makes the dark browns of his eyes a little brighter. )
She's the sweetest. The sweetest person I've ever met. She'd help you with anything.
( ....He does have to gush a little. Don't mind him. )
no subject
You met her here, or—?
[ he’s loosening up, and the interest he has on the topic is clear as glass— not on Luna, specifically, but, you know. he’ll get there, too, one day. ]
no subject
We met in a place before this one — you'll probably hear people talking about it a lot. It was called Deerington? It uh... it was pretty wild there, and she helped me — we helped each other. And we decided to come to this place together. ( Peter lets himself ease into the topic, even though the tips of his ears go a bit red..... He's still very inexperienced with the matters of relationships, much less talking about them out loud. Though it is clear that Falco's very curious about it, and after a moment, Peter smiles again. )
Do you have someone like that?
no subject
falco’s chest gives a little visible puff. ]
Well, um, [ right before he thought he’d die, ] I told her I wanted us to get married one day and she didn’t say no.
[ in fact, they got even closer. it’s only a matter of time before he can hold her hand . . . !
as you can see, falco goes hard on the romance. ]
Her name’s Gabi.
no subject
Dude, that's awesome.
( Of course he's going to encourage this innocent-and-yet-very-serious romantic endeavour! This kid's so cute and earnest that Peter almost can't stand it. )
What's she like?
no subject
Okay, just— don’t tell anyone else. [ this is exposure, peter! the enthusiasm is too sincere! ] She’s really passionate about the things she does. Maybe a little too much, sometimes. [ it’s also her greatest weakness— but she’s learned. she’s gotten better. ] She can get carried away easy— but she’s more determined than anyone else I know, and she owns up to her mistakes. A-and, she’s caring, too. A lot.
[ he’s about to open his mouth to continue, but holds back when he realizes he’s probably said enough already.
promptly after, he finds a place for his beet red face in his hands. ]
no subject
And he's listening, the way his parents never had: genuinely interested, not out of some quiet obligation. The way his smile widens a little isn't meant teasingly; there's something almost fond to it — this is a completely new experience for him, listening to a younger person gush about first loves, and Peter actually getting to be there for such a thing. )
Dude... she sounds so cool? I'm happy for you. ( Of course, seconds after he says that, there's an odd little pang inside him, because talking about someone who isn't here, who lives back in one's homeworld, is... strange and hard and he's sure Falco misses her terribly. )
Do you have any pictures of her or anything like that....?
no subject
because, look? peter gets it. ]
I did— I got one last Christmas, in picture frames. [ despite being raptured to not one horror island, but two before trench, that may have been one of the best things he’s gotten out of it. ] If I ever get it back one day, I’ll show you.
no subject
But it was there, a little flicker of it. A hope that maybe the younger boy showed up here with photos of his loved ones already with him, the way a lot of people seem to. Back in Deerington, it happened like that, too. Peter's still not sure if it's supposed to be a kindness or a cruelty. )
Oh. ( His brows knit, something apologetic seeping through there. He's sorry that they're not already with Falco here, but.... )
There's a really good chance you will. Things like photos... they seem to show up a lot. ( Peter offers a little smile, a dared dose of hope. )
no subject
I’ll let you know, Mister Peter.
[ that last part made it all the more frightening to consider, causing falco’s brows to knit with concern. ]