aterat | [Unintentional Video]

[ Arkady smiles and then does her best to wave at the video, it just ends up shaking around. ] Yours is staticky! Maybe you should ask them to fix it?

[An audible gasp is heard from the other end of the feed, he recognized the voice but he clearly hadn't expected to hear it. Hands leaving the screen and a familiar paper-bag with eye-holes coming into view through the weird static.] Arkady? Oh, hello. I didn't know you could see this.

[He tilted his head, tapping the screen one more time before he nodded.] Do you think they could? I dunno why it does that, the last phone was staticky when I talked too.

[ She laughs very lightly and waves more enthusiastically ] Hello! I guess it was an accidental recording?

If they made it they should be able to. Maybe. Unless they didn't make it.

I was just messing with it but I guess I did a thing! [He wasn't too sure, but he must have because now he was talking to someone! At least it was someone he liked.]

If they didn’t make them, then who could’ve? Kinda weird that they just happened... I didn’t think I broke it. Do other people need to get theirs fixed sometimes?

Rude thing for it to do! [ Though she seems kinda amused by it. ]

Good question. Maybe they made themselves. [ Makes as much sense as anything to her. Then again things make weird sense to her. ] I've never had to fix mine but I don't do much with it. It seems like they'd be easy to break.

Yeah, very rude! What if it happens to someone didn’t wanna be seen? [Like him! What if he didn’t have his bag on when he started messing around with it? He didn’t always wear the darn things when he was alone.]

I didn’t think I broke it, but maybe I did. I don’t know how this stuff works, and I’ve broken things before…? [That, Mono thought to himself, would not be a tragedy where the phone was concerned. The only ones weren’t great but at least they didn’t have screens.]

Then I guess that person would just have to hide real fast. Or maybe just pretend it didn't happen and hope people followed. People follow a lot of what others say as truth. [ So who knows, maybe it'd work? ]

We've all broken things, sweets. Some of us bigger things than others. I broke my world once. [ Opps. Now why admit that? ] I don't think you broke it.

I guess if they're really fast, or really good at convincing someone.

[He tapped the side of the bag lightly. Mono knew he wanted to be a lot more careful with the phone now... He did not want to accidentally use it again. He wasn't sure if he ever wanted to use the video function again.]

You did? [He asked, his voice small and just a little curious. At least until he continued talking... He really wanted to stop talking!] I might've, though! I broke a lot of TVs back in my world; they blew up when I used my power to travel with them sometimes.

Some people are really good at convincing people what they say is the truth. Or they have ways to make sure they convince them.

[ Like people she knew back home. Or maybe herself sometimes. Now and then. ]

I did and a lot of people died. We didn't mean to break everything but we did mean to hurt people. [ She frowns and then looks pretty confused on why she'd ever say that. Quickly focus the conversation on him. ] Do people get hurt when the TVs break?

Were they people who wanted to hurt you, too? [Because that seemed like a fairly important detail to Mono. He'd hurt people himself, after all... People who wanted to hurt him or his friend.

He'd... Well, Mono was pretty sure a few of them weren't alive anymore. Other's he wasn't sure if they were alive to begin with.

But the subject of the tv gets a little shake of his head.] Not really, not many people left... But if the faceless people are around, they get really mad when their TV breaks.

Yes. They wanted to use us and the powers we have. [ She hangs her head and doesn't look back up. ] But we were tired of being used. [ So they decided not to be anymore. It just went a little south. ]

What happened to all the people?

People shouldn’t do that, they shouldn’t hurt and use people and not expect us to get mad at them! [Mono responded, tone just a little more serious than before.] If no one else is gonna help, then sometimes you gotta help yourself, right? I didn’t wanna get hurt in my world, or for Six to hurt… So sometimes I had to do bad stuff too.

[He shrugged a little at the question.]

A lot of them disappear into the tv eventually, after their faces are gone. [And then… he thinks they become part of the thing inside, but he’s not sure.] Some people just kinda have accidents I think… [His face scrunched up,] and I think a lot of people just went away before the tv could get them? There were a bunch of papers about a place called The Maw, and this boat kept coming and people kept getting on it.

No one ever came back, so maybe it was a better place than the city was?

I've seen people do bad stuff, sweets, protecting people isn't bad stuff.

[ She bunches her eyebrows up and looks a little disturbed by his description. ] Like the TV eats their faces? [ She shook her head. ] I dunno. A maw is jaws of a big animal. That sounds bad. [ There was no way she'd trust a place called the Maw, that just sounded sinister. ]

Really? Even if it means the people you're protecting your friends from might not be okay after?

[Not that he regretted it, both he and Six survived a lot because of the decisions they'd made. Still, sometimes he wondered if he should have done something different... Sometimes he wasn't sure if he remembered it right, either.

Mono nodded quickly to the question.] They do! Or... Maybe they just kinda suck it off when they get too close. Bad stuff is in the tv, a big... gross thing, with lots of eyes... And a scary tall man.

[The kid gasped a little, he hadn't known that was what a maw was!] Really? So it might be a big scary thing too? ... We thought maybe we should try to get there, to get away from the city.

I dunno, I kinda think it's a bit neat. [ Aerith offers a gentle smile and a little shrug to the camera ] It's nice to be able to see someone's expression sometimes. Why do you not like it?

[Moving his hands away from the screen a bit, he peered into the camera in surprise. People definitely were seeing his video, but he had to ask one thing with all the bluntness of a child...]

But you still can't see my face... right? [He poked the paper bag on his head for emphasis.

Mono was kind of quiet for a moment, he didn't really want to answer why he didn't like it because it was one of those things he realized people might think was weird. But instead of a fib, all the came out was...] Because things with tv screens are bad! There wasn't anything like tvs here before and that was good, but now they might be dangerous. Monsters come out of tvs, or they turn you into monsters!

[A deep breath, then a small sound.] Why'd I say all that?

Hmmm [ She tabs her chin thoughtfully and frowns. ] True. I still can't see your face. Have you thought about showing it some? I'm pretty curious.

[ And she feels kind of bad he feels the need to hide his face like that. ] Oh dear, I think I can understand why you wouldn't like them very much then. How do tvs turn you into monsters?

[He opened his mouth to say no, and that was when it happened again.] Yeah, it gets really stuffy in here sometimes! And it gets soggy in the rain… but I dunno if it’s a good idea. I… I like people here, and I don’t want them to see what other people saw and get mad at me.

[He shrugged his shoulders, opening his mouth to say ‘they just do…’] People watch too much, and then they stop being people after a while. They just get stuck watching and watching till nothings left. First, they lose their faces, then the rest of them. When they can’t watch they get mean, and they attack if they see you creeping around.

[Mono was scrunching his face up under the bag, he didn’t like this at all. The static flickered a bit, and he shook his head.]

I bet it gets stuffy! Soggy isn't good either, you could end up getting sick like that. [ She scrunches her face up in confusion. ] Why would anyone get mad at you for what they saw when you take the bag off?

[ Her frown deepens. ] They...lose their faces...? [ Well that's terrifying... ] I don't think anything like that will happen here. At least I hope not.

[A hum to the tune of 'i don't know' is heard reluctantly.] People just get really mad and try to get me if they see me, like I did something wrong. Sometimes I think it's better if they can't see my face, so I hide it. I dunno what's wrong with my face that they get so mad , and I don't know what I did wrong, but it's gotta be something.

[He wanted to fix things, he really did. Mono thought it had something to do with the TVs, thought if he could get to the signal tower maybe... But he's not sure anymore.

Mono can hear the frown in her voice, and he felt bad. Why did he have to say that to begin with?? He didn't want people to know how weird his world was!] Yeah... I know it sounds weird, I didn't mean to say it! I don't know why I did.

[A tiny frown creeps into his voice as he continued speaking again, he really hates this. He's not trying to say the things he's saying!] How do we know for sure? There haven't been anything like TVs here before, and now our phone things have tiny ones!

That sounds like it has to be tough and almost unfair. It seems stupid to get so mad at a kid that has no idea what he could have done. Kids can't always help things about them. [ She'd know. People weren't exactly nice to her all the time when she was a kid. ]

It doesn't sound weird really, I've seen faceless monsters before. There's something really creepy about them. [ She shakes her head and then just sighs. ] I'm sorry you had to experience things like that. [ Nobody really should. She frowns deeply at that and then looks down. ]

I guess...we don't really know for sure. I was just trying to sound positive. [ She blinks. That should probably not be something she just admits to. ]

It feels really unfair... And no one ever tells me why. And you're right. I can't help it, I'm just- I'm just me! I don't even know a lot of things; I keep trying to learn but I've got no one to ask stuff.

[Mono responded, a little of that anger bleeding into his small tone. How would they all feel if he got mad at them for their faces? Well... Alright, maybe a lot of people didn't have faces anymore, but that wasn't his fault... right? That was the thin man and the other thing!]

You have? [Mono looked up at the screen quickly, a little alarmed and a little relieved that maybe he didn't sound as weird as he thought.] it's really creepy, I don't know how they even know I'm there if they can't see me.

Um... It's okay, I just... I'm scared. [He responded to her admitting she'd been trying to sound positive. Maybe trying to sound positive was a good thing, but he was still scared and he guessed he'd kind of sounded mean about it. He didn't mean to be mean to someone who was nice to him.] I'm sorry for not being positive.

I'm sorry, that sounds really horrible. It's hard when there's nobody to ask and nobody to turn to. That's not your fault. I'm sure nothing is your fault, not if you don't even know anything about it all. [ She sounds sympathetic and she means everything she says. She feels for him and it feels horrible that she can't offer him more. ]

I have. I think I dunno, they sense things maybe? They sense more than we can understand. [ She frowns and gives him a small gentle smile. ]

I know. It's okay to be scared sometimes, everyone is. Nothing for you to apologize for.

It was, but this place is better even if it makes me feel like I’m really weird sometimes. I wish my friend got to be here too though. [He responded sadly.] I just don’t want this place to be like there, so I wanna be careful till I know it won’t.

[Sense more than they could understand, huh…] I guess that makes sense? If you can’t see things maybe you make up for it in other ways.

[Mono hummed a little,] Then you don’t gotta be sorry, either.

… Are you scared sometimes, too?

I don't think you're weird, if that means anything. And you never know, maybe your friend will show up. [ She smiles. ] I understand and there's nothing wrong with being careful. You've got a lot of help here though, so even if something like your home happens here you won't be alone.

[ she falls silent for a second as she remembers everything that happened in her life and more recently and then nods solemnly. ]

Very. I got taken back to the place that did bad things to my mom and me when I was younger and I was very scared there. I couldn't let anyone see, but it was definitely scary.

Yeah... I don't think I'm used to having so many people that wanna help. [He was quiet for a moment, it made him feel kind of good that someone didn't think he was weird. Even if he was pretty sure he still was for a few reasons, at least she seemed to get it?

Part of him was a little nervous still, but another small part of him was kind of curious if she was right.] Do you think... Do you think if I wanted to see if the thing people didn't like back home made me not liked here... That you could help me?

[Mono fell silent as she explained, and felt really bad that someone as nice as Aerith had bad things happen to her and her mom...] I'm sorry... It's really hard when you gotta look brave and you don't feel like it.

I...understand. I'm not really used to having friends. [ At least not really. This is the first time she's ever really had so many friends and allies.

She gives him a bright smile and nods enthusiastically. ] Of course! Anything you'd like to do I'll be here to help you out.

[ Her smile wavers for a second. Here's where she'd usually insist it wasn't that hard and she made it work, but she can't. ] Sometimes I wish I didn't have to, but they need it more than I do.

It's weird, but nice... right? [Mono was definitely warming up, even if he might not have realized how difficult this whole 'total honesty pollen' was for other people who don't like to talk about things.] I like that we're friends...

[He fidgeted a little, second guessing the idea for a moment.

But Aerith was nice, and the way she'd explained things made him feel a little more secure. Then... Then I wanna try taking my mask off, and if you don't like it, you gotta tell me, okay?

[Mono nodded,] It's like if you don't act brave, maybe no one else will. Maybe it'll be too hard if everyone's scared... I think you gotta be really strong to do that, Aerith.

Very nice. I'm happy to have all the friends I've made, especially you! [ She smiles warmly and nods her head. ]

I bet there won't be anything to dislike under there at all.

[ She falls silent and nods while looking down. ] I feel like if I don't act brave then people will worry and they won't be able to do all the things we have to do. [ She shrugs though. ] I don't always feel very strong, but I think you're right and thank you.

[Well, now didn't that just make the kid feel good? He smiled under the mask before he considered the idea again. He still wasn't sure, this could all go horribly then she might not like the idea of being his friend... But he did want to know, and Aerith seemed like a good person to trust this with.

He paused though, shaking his head with a little rustle of hair on paper.] I don't know if people ever really feel strong? It's a thing that you just are, or become, maybe?

[Fiddling a little with the phone, he put it down and balanced it on a shelf in front of him so he wouldn't have to keep holding it. Huh... The static actually cleared a little when he wasn't handling it anymore.]

I'm gonna try then... Should we count? Or do you wanna say when?

Maybe a bit of both. Maybe some people are born super strong and some people just get shaped that way because of the things that happen to them. [ She gives a little sheepish shrug. Maybe that's not right, but it's her best theory. ]

Hmmm....lets count down. On three you take it off? So...one....two....and....three!

I guess that kinda makes sense too… [It was as much a possibility as anything else, right? So Mono accepted the theory, if only until a better idea presented itself.]

Okay, counting down, then. [He nodded with a much more serious tone, fingers fussing with the edge of the bag against as he tried to decide if he should just lift it a little at a time or just a ‘rip-off-the-bandaid’ kind of method. Once Aerith was already counting, he decided on the latter because he really didn’t want to lose his nerve.

Then at three, he pushed the bag up and off really fast with an anxious little three! when she said it. Revealing a mess of black hair, a face that was still probably a touch too thin but filling out now that he was eating better, and dark brown eyes.]

Um… [He blinked, not sure what to say now as he watched Aerith very carefully for a reaction.] So... This is my face?

[ She smiled very brightly at his reveal and then gave him a quick pump of her fists and then a thumbs up. ] Hmm...nope nothing that I see that's wrong here. You've got a very cute face! [ Though she definitely felt like she needed to be sending him some more food now. ]

[His eyes widened a little at her excitement. She really didn't think anything was wrong? Was she sure about that?] Really? There's nothing that makes you upset or feel angry at me?

[He would never complain about getting more food. Mono was quite fond of how good everything tasted here. The child had been hoarding what was given to him in the fridge at his apartment to make sure things lasted longer. Just in case people stopped offering...]

[ She shakes her head enthusiastically ] No, of course not! I can't imagine why anyone would get upset seeing you. You look just like the other little boys in the slums. Though I think you could do with a few more good meals!

[Well… Even if he still wasn’t sure about the things the adults in this world said, Aerith seemed very truthful (and today he wasn’t sure if they could lie given he’d tried a few times)… She certainly didn’t look like she was holding anything back.

So maybe he could try going without the bag a little more, just to test it out with other people. At least he knew that if it didn’t go well with everyone, at least there was one person who didn’t mind.

With a curious tilt of his head on the subject of meals he grinned a little more brightly,] Really? I eat really good here though! [At least compared to the pale city, he did.] The food is really fresh and tasty.

What's been your favorite?

[It doesn’t actually take him that long to come up with an answer, even if he did really enjoy a lot of what he’d gotten to try so far.] Apple turnovers! There’s a stall in the market that sells them, they’re really good.

Ohh, excellent choice! Well, maybe I'll bring you over some? Would you like that?

Really? [Mono was not the sort to turn down free food, at least not anymore.] I'd like that a lot! Maybe we could share some?

That sounds even better! I'd love to.

[Yep, he liked the sound of that a lot.]

That’s great, thanks Aerith!

You're more than welcome!

[Mono beamed a little, it was kind of funny to think people might not have seen him smile before. Now that his face wasn’t all covered up.]

Just let me know when you wanna, I can make sure I’m around the building to meet you!

It's not the same, because it's way better now! About time, too.

[Jinx, you've only been here for how long?]

Besides, now everyone can see each other when they're talking. Isn't that pretty cool?

Edited 2021-07-13 03:05 (UTC)

I think we got different ideas of better.

[Mono was not sold on these at all, it’s what came of scary things crawling out of screens to chase him.

The bag covered head tilted, and the static flickered a bit.]

If we wanted to see each other when we talk, couldn’t we just go see them? Wouldn’t that be better than staring at a screen? That’s how things get you.

Wait, that's how what gets you? All we're doing is looking at each other.

Things inside the screens, bad things are in screens!

[Mono wasn't particularly good at explanations yet. They made him anxious, because he'd come to realize that sometimes the things he said didn't make sense to people. It made him feel weird.]

If you forget and you watch for too long, something will start to take you away. Or a man might grab you. I think he works with the eyeball thing.

[Unintentional Video]

video

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

[ video ]

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

no subject

no subject

no subject