18

[perfectsymmetry]

[It's a beautiful Monday morning in spring! And aren't you thrilled that for the first time in several days that your newspapers are delivered on time? They're actually delivered early enough that they're there before you wake up. How wonderful!

After finishing his route, Crowe cheerfully skips off to school. I mean, he hasn't been there in several days, hopefully he can catch up, right? And all for that silly combat training he's been doing with Coach Jecht. But he's in such a great mood this morning he barely noticed his screaming muscles or bruised joints. Golly, sure hope the teachers aren't mad! Especially since it's getting so close to the end of the year! Maybe he'll ask coach if he can take a break so he's ready for finals.

... it's when he gets to the entrance of the school that the droning wears off, and Crowe suddenly stops as he realizes what's going on. He sort of stares in horror at nothing in particular. Good lord, that was scary. And it only lasted a few hours. Not wanting to tempt fate further, he goes off to class.

Something's different about Crowe lately though. He's quiet, and there's not as many smiles offered to one and all, as usual. He's still polite as ever, and pays attention in class, even trying to get notes for what he missed over the last few days from classmates and teachers. Most notably however, is that it looks like someone's been kicking the crap out of him lately. Mostly because someone HAS been - Crowe had been skipping school and his paper route to do some martial arts training with his blitzball coach. While athletic, Crowe couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, and Jecht has been absolutely merciless on the boy. He's doing his best to not show how sore he is though. And as the school week progresses, he'll grow more quiet, more exhausted, but there will never be one word of complaint from him. Not one ill word.

Luckily for him, he's been too distracted and completely missed Mother's Day, and even the new face in his home.]

[A quick call, unfiltered.]

Please excuse my negligence the last few days regarding the paper delivery. It won't happen again.

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

But the paper's been delivered every day, Mr. Crowe . . . Before I wake up, even.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He thinks on that a moment.] ...Ah. They probably just... well nevermind. It doesn't matter. Lucas, how have you been? I've been so distracted, it's rude of me not to... Um. I was wondering if you were alright, after Westport. I was worried.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Huh? You don't need to worry, Mr. Crowe. Everyone who's been to Westport came out fine, right?

[An evasive answer to avoid saying that he hasn't been feeling well at all in the last day or so.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Oh, right, I know that, but... that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult. I heard the radio call and... I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That's right . . . It was the second day, wasn't it? It seems like everything was so long ago now. Flora, Kororo and I were rescued by Mr. England and Mr. Ryo.

I made it alright, but Flora . . .

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah. Um. Well you're both alright now, yeah? I don't mean to make you dwell on it. But... I'd like to know a little bit about anything there that might have happened. In case anything might happen over here in Mayfield.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . .
. . .
. . .

The hazmat men began to appear the day after the road closed. There were more and more of them as the days passed, and they became faster, stronger, and smarter. They filled the air with toxic smog so that by the end, it was nearly impossible to breathe when you were outside. For some reason, the poison couldn't come into the houses . . . We slept in them at night. There were beds and clothes, but all the food and water was spoiled. If it weren't for Kororo, there wouldn't have been anything to drink at all. After a few days, I guess the milkman started to appear outside. I didn't see him, but that's how Flora died and Miss Margot died . . . I ate the poison, too, but I was able to heal myself.

By the end, we were all nearly about to die. We couldn't have made it another day.

. . .

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

...........

Oh god, Lucas. I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I didn't... A-are you sure you're alright then? _{Do you need anything?}

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . [He had almost sounded as if he were in a trance when he'd recounted his experience. Lucas shook himself out of it with a sigh.]

That's about it . . . No. I'm fine . . . People need to know what happened there. And about everything we found, too.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[That was a bit unnerving.]

Alright. Good. We couldn't do anything on this side... I tried to see if I could get a radio to make contact, but... I'm just glad you're back in one piece. That everyone came... back here okay. [For a split second he almost say "came home". He had to stop himself.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . I am, too. Thanks for trying, Mr. Crowe . . . There really wasn't much anyone could do from here, but it helped just knowing there were people waiting for us.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

If... if any of that stuff makes it way over here, we need to be ready. I doubt that Mayfield would show us all that, and open it up without it being... a sign? A warning? I... I don't even know, but we need to be prepared. I hadn't heard as much so what you've told me has been a great help. Thank you.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I don't know . . . Even though it was a terrible thing to go through, at the end . . . it felt like it was something being shown to us to help us.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

...Perhaps. I'm hoping it's not some kind of warning, honestly.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Me, too. I just don't think they would care enough to warn us of anything . . .

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

[Margot's noted the difference in Crowe, but says nothing on it. Since Nadia being droned and Westport, she's changed herself and it's not her place to comment on it.

What she will do, though, is be there if he needs her.

When she can, she tries to catch him after school so that they can walk home together. Today isn't any different and she's trying to flag him down.]

Hey, Crowe! Wait up!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He'll stop for her. She even gets a slight smile.] Hello Margot. How've you been?

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

[She shrugs, returning his smile with a fleeting one of her own.] Better. Could be worse, I guess.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Same here, I suppose. Ah, sorry I'm not heading the usual way home today, I have to go to Coach Jecht's house for training. [He looks less than thrilled about this.] But… I definitely learned my lesson about skipping school. Don't ever do that for too long, okay?

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Crowe... What the fuck is he doing to you?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles nervously.] Kicking my arse, mostly. I had skipped school and my job to get training in order, and found myself droned into getting the paper route done and go to school this morning. [He sighs.] It wore off just as I was getting there, but it was scary enough. I'll... just have to manage my schedule a bit better.

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

What a fucking jerk. [She makes a derisive noise, then adds, just more than a little hopefully and a touch sly:] If you got tired of it, I could set him on fire for you...

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Another chuckle.] No, no, that's a bad idea. I've seen him punch a girl. He won't hold back!

It-it's alright. I mean, if I didn't want to do it, I'd walk away. But... I have to stick with this.

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

You realize that doesn't scare me right? [Grinning.]

When you're done, do you at least want to go to the malt shop for dinner or something?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I didn't think so. [He smiles.] That sounds like a good idea. Shall I meet you there?

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Sure. I've got a bunch of homework and some other stuff I need to work on. 'Round six?

continue/action/drop?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Right. I should be done by then. _{I hope.} I'll see you there!

good with just action logging it here if you want to timewarp? whatever you feel like!

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

See you!

Continue tomorrow then as I am going home now! :(

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He'll be there, punctual as always, looking really tired, doing his best to give her a smile as he approaches.] Hey there. Homework go alright?

sounds good to me! o/

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Didn't take me long. Way too easy, this stuff. [She shrugs, looking a little rumpled herself.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He gives a tired smile.] We both look like we could use a holiday. The end of the school year's coming up, at least. I'll be glad for that.

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I keep hearing the drones talking about it. I'm kind of looking forward to not having all of that homework to do for a little while.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Any summer plans, then? As much as travel would be nice, we don't have many options... maybe we can camp out in the park, or something? Better than nothing, I suppose.

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

I didn't have anything planned. You know, just doing what I usually do, I guess.

I do really like the idea of camping, though.

Crowe why u friends wit all the ladies. lawl.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Me too! We should do it. I'm sure we could convince a lot of people into it. Kay, Seychelles, Becca... maybe Massimo, Junpei or Touma. We'll have to ask around!

boy you such a playa

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Y-yeah...

[MORE SOCIAL SITUATIONS WITH PEOPLE SHE DOESN'T KNOW. Which, actually, she is looking forward to, but still.]

I could see if maybe Ed or someone else would be into it.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ed? Don't think I know him. Sure, invite more people, and we'll get some tents and the like. I'll ask around!

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

He's pretty cool, I guess. You might like him.

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

[Since his new job, he's been a little busy with his own issues but is still very concerned for Crowe and it shows in his voice over the phone.]

I understand the need to take a little time for yourself. I thank you for informing me why my paper has not been delivered though I am more concerned for your well being. After....recent events, you had the need to take care of yourself first.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

...thank you, sir. I'm trying. I've been training harder than ever so that the next time something happens, I'll be prepared.

[He says it somewhat quietly, but there's a bit more confidence to it than usual. Just a bit.]

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

[Noting the subtle confidence, he felt a lot more pride.]

Then you are on the right path and you will do well. Oh, did I tell you then news? I am doctor now.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

...I hope so, sir.

Really? Congratulations! [He chuckles.] What don't you do, Mr. Crane?

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

[He tries not to laugh over the phone and sighs.]

Many things, I fear. I cannot type or use the switchboard. I cannot operate a stick shift or use the oven without burning something beyond recognition. In essence, I am a terrible cook, an even worse driver and an even worse typist and those are supposed to be important skills.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Another chuckle.] Well compared to what you can do, they seem pretty minor. Not that I can cook or drive either. And from my time period, pretty much anyone can type fast thanks to having computers, so that's not really anything special either.

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. It does prove the point that there are some things that I still need to learn and I am willing to try them though I am excellent with a grill since that is what I can do best in cooking. I've used it more than the stove.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Well I'm sure there's a lot of people here who could help you with it, if you wanted. I should probably learn myself, sometime. Same with driving. I was supposed to be taking driver's ed courses at school, before I got here...

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

I am confident that I will learn though with my profession now, that time will come in small bursts. I am learning and part of the fun are the mistakes along the way.

ffft Crane always cheers Crowe up with his SHEER AWESOMENESS

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

That's a good way of looking at it, sir. Good luck at the new job!

Aww thank you!

[passes-out.livejournal.com]

Thank you and keep your chin up. It's a new day tomorrow and you will be fine.