video | un: falcogrice

[grice]

[ 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.

Comments

[grice]

[ oh, boy, does he. they were really good friends, he thinks, and they’ve been through a lot, and while they haven’t touched up on relationship status— it was more a given than anything else.

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.

[possessum]

( Oh— that's— cute. Peter's smile breaches "grin" territory again, mouth widening into something that feels more genuine than carefully guarded hints at smiles. )

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?

[grice]

[ the one thing falco would have an entire essay written about who is gabi and why do you like her— oh, he wished he still had that picture of her (that he’ll be getting back, come their future endeavors). ]

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. ]

[possessum]

Oh, don't worry— totally just between us, ( Peter promises. There might be a few years between them — enough that Falco's on the "entering" and Peter's on the "leaving" sides of teenagehood, placing them at two opposite ends of a spectrum — but he hasn't forgotten what it's like to be younger and nervous in a particular way, about such matters. First real crushes — where it starts feeling serious...

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....?

[grice]

[ you know what’s the best thing after gushing about someone, something? when you’re returned with generous ears. it makes falco a little less embarrassed that he is gushing, but enthused that he has someone to share it with in the first place. gabi’s all over the place when he talks about her, it’s absolutely the best way to raise his spirits.

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.

[possessum]

( "Hope" isn't a word that's too common in Peter's vocabulary — even before all of... this happened. He's a pessimist...

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. )

[grice]

[ despite so many things that happened, falco could find his hope tucked and lively as much as his will to stay alive was beating. those pictures were an extra light that’d remind him of that every day past the ones always flashing in his head. ]

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. ]