50

[perfectsymmetry]

[Smile, Mayfield, you're on camera!

Crowe's out and about on town with a spiffy new Canon camera that he bought with some of his savings as a paper boy. After learning that Seychelles was droned now - one of the friends he's had in Mayfield the longest, and his partner in crime in the blitzball team - and that it was looking permanent, he decided to pass on practice today to try teach himself how to use this thing. He's used to digital cameras and cell phones from 2010, not these old things. It's got a bit of a learning curve, but he thinks he's getting the hang of it. As long as he keeps his fingers out of the way of the lens, that is. He's mostly in the park, but he can be found all over town taking photos of people and places that look interesting. He'll definitely stop any of his friends and ask if he can snap a shot of you, as well as any willing volunteers. Strike a pose for him?

Later in the day, despite the on-coming cold of winter, Crowe's still hanging out at the park. His schoolbag is full of books and papers, but he's currently writing in what looks to be a journal or ledger. He often stops, looking lost in thought, or as if he's trying to remember something. He'll shake his head to clear and get back to work. Care to interrupt?]

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Hi, Crowe.

[His smile is slightly bashful. Well, that solved that problem.]

Are you trying to write a story?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, I wish. I'm actually trying to write a log of things that happen in Mayfield. I figure, if I ever leave, o-or.... something, I can at least leave behind what I had learned in all my time here. So many people work on things and get droned, people will start to forget what happened here in the past... with this, I'll have some clues.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . That's a good idea. I know people keep notes about the special things that the town does, but I don't think anyone's ever kept notes on what other people have done.

What kinds of things do you remember?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

So much has happened since I got here. Not just what the town does, but... like how people come and go, sometimes remembering Mayfield and sometimes not. Or things like the Major General's plans, or when some of us were affected by that girl Rue, or how Mr. Saeba tried building bunkers...

Or things about the people who seem to be gone for good. Like, Mr. Crane, Jecht, Margot...

[He sighs. There was a lot of people he missed.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[There is a weighted silence for a few moments as Lucas's eyes flicker downward. Margot . . . Mr. Netherlands. So many . . . ]

. . . So many people come and go all the time. I'm always afraid I'll begin to forget.

I tried to make drawings of everyone I knew before. I thought, maybe, it would be nice if we could get a picture of everyone who ever came.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I lack in art skills, so this is my next best option. Smile, Lucas.

[He grins, and snaps a quick photo of you.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

H-Huh -- Ahh!

[Lucas's reaction is perhaps a little extreme, as he leaps back so fast he trips over himself to land on his behind. A glowing bubble of PSI pops up momentarily as well -- Though it's dispelled after conscious thought strikes him. Crowe would never attack him.]

W-What . . . What was that?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[That even takes Crowe by surprise.]

O-oh! Um. Sorry? I didn't mean to startle you. It's just a camera. [He holds it up, looking a bit sheepish.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . What's that? And what was that light?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, a camera? It takes photographs. The flash was that light, it helps them look better.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Photographs . . . ? The pictures in the houses. That's the machine that makes them?

[And the long-standing mystery is finally solved. Lucas looks slightly awed as he draws closer to Crowe again.]

Sorry about that. The light . . . It was a lot like a pretty bad PSI attack. So how do you get the pictures out from there?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, really.

There's film inside. Once the roll is full, I'll get it developed into the photographs.

[He flicks a button on the camera.] So can I take another one of you? Flash-free this time.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

U-Um. OK. Nothing bad can happen, right? And I can see them later . . . ?

[Lucas is a little embarrassed at the thought of seeing himself in another one of those super-realistic pictures. He stands awkwardly in place.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

It's perfectly safe, I promise. And of course! I'll be sure to make extra copies.

Ok, now this time you better smile. [He holds up the camera, and takes it without the flash.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas manages a shy uptilt of the corner of his mouth this time, though his expression is still mostly one of surprise.]

. . . Did it work? I didn't see anything that time.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I turned the flash off. It'll be a bit dark, but it should still be good.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

And they'll turn out just like the pictures in the houses? Do you know how it works, Crowe?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, you take the film inside and get it developed onto paper like that. It involves... chemicals and thing. Honestly, where I come from, this method of photography is dying out. Everything's done with computers now...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He's not even going to ask what those are.]

Is it really? It seems so advanced to me already . . . Pictures so accurate are really impressive.

. . . Can I make one of you, Crowe?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Sure. Here... just look through the viewfinder here, and then click this button, alright?


[He'll hand it over and step back for you to give it a try.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas fumbles with it for a little while, letting out small 'oh's and 'ah's for a few moments before readying himself.]

OK! I'm . . . going to press it now!

[click]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[You're going to end up with Crowe chuckling.

He nods.] Nice work. Thanks! The roll should almost be full now, so tomorrow I can get these developed.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Is it alright if I come by tomorrow once they're . . . out of the camera?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Sure, no problem. Maybe you can help me sort them all out, too?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I can do that! How many pictures have you taken so far, Crowe?