perfectsymmetry

[Action 1: Coming across a droned Kay Faraday while on his paper route was startling to Crowe. It practically gave him chills. Immediately excusing himself from her, he made his way over to her house. There would be an easy way to tell if it was permanent, and that would be her belongings. One look through the living room window would confirm the worst - her big flat screen TV was gone.

Just to make sure, the young thief quickly snuck his way around the back and up to Kay's room while she was still out. Sure enough, her Little Thief computer was gone too. Heartbroken, Crowe collects his former friend's notes she had on their investigative work, and slipped back out, hopefully unnoticed by her housemates.]

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[Phone call filtered from drones/NPCs. Crowe sounds distracted.]

Ah. Everyone might here the drones whispering about the bowling alley. O-Or I think for some, maybe the hotel or a camping trip? Last year it was Makeout Point... A-Anyway, sometime soon we're all going to be stuck somewhere for a few hours. Nothing bad should happen if it's like last time, but you never know what Mayfield will do. Last year we all were, um, paired up in cars for several hours. Ah, the teens I mean. The adults were in the hotel and the kids were at camp, I believe. So. Um. Just to warn you all.

Uh, also, if anyone knows Kay Faraday, she... she's gone now. For good. I thought I'd just. Let people know.

[There's a moment of silence before he hangs up.]

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[Action 2: Oh look, a package for Crowe! Standing at the mailbox, Crowe opens it up, wondering what he has left for the town to send him. Inside is a small, well-worn soccer ball, obviously meant for young child. He gives it a fond smile, turning it over in his hands. His first name is scrawled on it in childish handwriting.]

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[Action 3: Later, Crowe can be found at the diner, sitting in a corner booth by himself with a milkshake. What else would his old BFF do in this situation by cure it with ice cream?

It doesn't seem to be working though. He's barely touched it, opting to sit there with his headphones in, drowning the world out.]

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Yeah. All her things are gone. I-I had to be sure.

[ Another confirmation of sorts, for her. ] Had she been here long?

Y-Yeah, about as long as I have.

And no one knows how long is "long enough". [ Ilsa sighs. ] There's still much we need to know, to get everyone out.

I'm hopeful enough that we can get those who can't go home to other refuges, but that's icing. [ She pats his hand. ] But that is another task for later.

I-I was friends with Kay longer than all but one of my friends from back home. Three times as long, now. I-I'd say I've been here "long enough", then.

Some people have said that, yeah. A-As much as I'd like to go home, at this point, I'll take almost anywhere that isn't Mayfield.

[ Ilsa files away the tidbit about his friends at home for later. ] Hon, I would have said anyone here long enough to deal with one day had been here too long.

Truth be told, I'd offer sanctuary for anyone that could deal with Atlanta. [ She thinks a bit, smiling. ] At least a couple of anyones, and more than that, I have to prevail on friends to help with crash space.

[ She turns her focus back on him. ] Tell me, Calleo Crowe - when we get out, what are your plans?

[He thinks for a moment, absently fiddling with the straw in his milkshake.]

Just be with my family and friends for awhile. I miss them like crazy. Go back to school... Do normal things I never got a chance to. You know, I-I never really got to do those things for long before I got to Mayfield. We had only been settled for a few months. School, sports, prom... I-If I have to give Mayfield credit for anything, I guess it would be getting to do things like that.

Practice for the real world, when you get home?

[ She's managed to order a glass of tea, and watches him over the rim as she sips. ]

Ha, maybe... I-I really need to get back. I want to get back to a normal life. I want to be Calleo Crowe again.

That's something to hold on to, hon. Not just getting home, but keeping your sense of self intact.

That gets really difficult sometimes, knowing how easily mess with our minds. How we can be droned o-or... after everthing that's gone on here in my time, I really thought after Fourth of July that I-I was starting to go mad. And then the people you count on get droned, who are gone for good or come back without remembering you... You really start to feel like... I-I don't even know.

[ She looks at him thoughtfully. ] Do you keep a journal?

Yeah, I do. I keep a record of all the things that happen in this town. Um, it's in my top left desk drawer, i-if you ever see that I'm permanently droned.

[ Ilsa puts her hand over his. ] I am leaving copies of my journals in a couple of places, just in case. But my main one is tucked in with the cookbooks in the kitchen.

Alright. Thanks. I-I've got Kay's notes now, a-and Mr. Germany's... Oh, have some of Norway's photos that I really...should give back to him...

You sure about that? Would he remember them?

Y-Yeah. I should. They're his, whether he remembers them or not.

[ She says nothing, but lightly holds his hand a moment. ]

Ah, thanks, Ilsa. Y-You're really nice, you know? Always lending an ear. I-I owe you.

We are all in this together, hon. [ Releasing his hand, she makes a conversational right turn without signalling. ] So, school is starting soon, do you have any plans concerning the autumn? I mean, footy season runs about the same time as baseball season, doesn't it?

Oh. Uh. [Crowe scratches the back of his head, thinking.] Mayfield isn't much for soccer, sadly, which is a fall sport... I'm not really interested in American football, so I think I may try tennis. I've met some schoolmates who've convinced me into trying.

Right, basketball might mess with your soccer reactions. [ She never played team sports, but the theory sounds good to her. ] Keeping active in mind and body can help the mood levels.

[ Getting up to leave, she pats his hand again. ] And don't be afraid to find me if you need to talk.

[ As she leaves, she pays for his milkshake as well as her tea. ]

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