aterat | [Unintentional Video]

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[Unintentional Video]

[The feed opens to the rather confusing sight of a hand being pressed on the screen. Poking and prodding it curiously, while childish mumbling was heard. There’s more static interference, sometimes jumping across it. It wasn’t Mono’s fault, of course, it just happened when he was around things that broadcasted.]

I don’t like this. [Although, Mono hadn’t been fond of the tellphones to begin with either.] Why’d they gotta go and make it like a little tv… [There’s a frown in his smaller voice, before he tapped on it again.] I dunno... but I don't think it's the same.

[Kid probably doesn’t really realize he’s broadcasting on the network. They don’t have phones like this where he’s from. At least before the whole 'voice' function made more sense. Someone might want to teach him a little more about them, or at least let him know he was sharing the video.]

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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!

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[Unintentional Video]

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