84

[perfectsymmetry]

[ACTION: Are you new in town? Wandering around looking lost? Staring and gawking at the drones and identical houses with a growing look of dread across your face?

If so, a tall teenager will shyly approach you. He's carrying a newspaper bag, but instead of the daily news, there are pamphlets poking out. He has a quiet voice and a light Irish accent.]

Ah, um, excuse me. Couldn't help but notice that you, um, seem to be feeling your out of place. I can explain, if you's like.

--

[PHONE:]

Um.

N-No one's seriously considering the position of police chief, right? It's so suspicious... what if you get droned into the role, like Grad-- er, Evan Olney probably was?

Comments

[volcanoes]

[Iceland takes it.]

Thanks. I can figure things out, but Da--Denmark's kind of an idiot.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Denmark? Ah, so another nation... S-Someday I think you'll a-all be here.

Well, it's pretty easy, I-I'm sure you'll both have no problem figuring it out...

[volcanoes]

...He's pretty dumb.

[Iceland is biased though.]

All my brothers are here now, though.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, yeah, a-all the northern European nations, right? I-It must be good to have your family here to keep you company.

[volcanoes]

Yeah. Well, the colonies and dependencies aren't here...

Actually I don't think Norway knows much about Mayfield yet either.

[Maybe he should sit them both down.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. Because he... [Forget that thought. Just have yet another pamphlet.]

[volcanoes]

[Oh, whoops, he wasn't really thinking when he said that. He takes the pamphlet, though.] Thanks.

[This is awkward he needs a new topic.] What's out of date in these?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah. It hasn't mentioned the most recent developments with Jane Smith and Grady.

[volcanoes]

I guess I can just tell them that...

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-I'll have to see if Dist needs help getting the new information together to get these updated. H-He's the one who writes these.

[So.

Awkward silence time.]

[volcanoes]

[Looking down at his feet and then at the pamphlets.]

Thanks.

[After another pause, looking up at Crowe. Actually at his face, and not his shoulder.]

Sorry for hanging up on you before.

[And now he is going to walk away.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

O-Oh. Um.

[He'll just watch him walk away, looking still a little flustered and sad.]

Ah, thanks. I-I'm sorry I said...

[volcanoes]

[He glances back and slows a bit.]

I-it's not your fault.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

B-But I embarrassed you and... a-a lot of people over the phone. To the whole town. A-And I'm sorry for that.

[volcanoes]

[He's stopped again.]

It wasn't your fault.

...But you shouldn't expect anything from Norway. It'd be better for you that way.

[It's just a statement of a fact, really. He has no particular grudge against Crowe, he doesn't want the guy to hold out hope that probably won't go anywhere.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe blinks at that statement wide-eyed for a moment, then his face just falls. He knows this, he really does. It's just not fun hearing it.

Weakly:] I know.

[volcanoes]

Okay. Good.

[There's another pause, and then he turns around and walks back over.]

Let's try again. [He holds his hand out for a handshake.] I'm Iceland.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Have another few blinks, before he returns the handshake.] Crowe. Calleo Crowe.

[volcanoes]

It's nice to meet you. [He seems weirdly serious about this.]

Okay, it's fine now.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Um, likewise. [He manages a weak smile.] Ha, I hope so...