62

[perfectsymmetry]

[Norway had been droned for awhile now, and Crowe was fearing the worst. It wouldn't be the first time he'd been sent home, only to return *younger* than before. But today Crowe decided to try and confirm his suspicions. He skips school, and heads over to Norway's home, and climbs up the nearby tree to his bedroom window and sneaks in. He figures there's a better chance of the family being away at school and work in the morning, but he's confident in his skills that he's sure he'll go unnoticed.

He searches around for Norway's regains - that weird club, those strange clothes. But he finds nothing. His items have been sent home with him. What he does fine, though, is some of the things Crowe's given to him in his time here - the pocket watch, the necklace with the hand-made pendants, the calling cards from his Halloween escapades, photos. He scoops them all up into a shoe box, and vacates the house as silently as he entered.]


[Today Crowe can be found in two places:

A) If for some reason you're not at school or work early this afternoon, and hang around the closest thing Mayfield has to a foresty area, you'll come across Crowe sitting at the edge of Makeout Point, looking morose as he watches the town below. Next to him is a small box that he considered throwing over the peak in an effort to forget all the people Mayfield continues to bring into his life, only to take them away again. In the end he doesn't have the guts to do it, and sits there for a long time stewing in his own teenage angst. This is what he gets for being too attached to the people here, isn't it?

B) Later in the afternoon, Crowe returns home. All over the lawn of 1247 Williams is what looks like a makeshift obstacle course. Tires, some stolen road cones, wood shop sawhorses and various bits from his garage are placed carefully around the yard. Despite the cold weather, he's out there in his gym clothes, repeatedly running his course over and over again. Crowe's not good at many things, but being agile and fast is something he does very well. He leaps over things, over the sawhorses, hops in and out of the tires with great precision. Occasionally he trips up, cursing in Italian as he does, but for the most part does very well. He'll rearrange stuff to keep things interesting, and keeps at this project well into the night, despite looking exhausted and unhappy with his progress. Feel free to watch/question/join in, etc.!]

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas nods. . . . He feels a little silly with Crowe watching, but it's not like he can ask him to turn away. Walking towards the beginning area, Lucas pauses awkwardly for another moment or two before breaking out into a run. Slowly, at first, then speeding up as he gets less self-conscious.

Lucas is surprisingly decent. He's small, of course, which makes it easier to squeeze around the cones and through the tires, but he's also faster than would be expected. A quarter through, he smashes into a sawhorse instead of jumping over it and naturally falls forward . . . rolling into a somersault and getting up again with minimal wasted time. He does hop in place a little as he heals himself, though.

The rest of the course is completed without much trouble; it wasn't too long after all.]

T-That wasn't very good, huh. I've been really lazy for a year.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He manages a tired smile.]

I thought that was pretty good, actually, once you started going.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Do you really think so?

[He takes a few moments to catch his breath before slowly walking over to where Crowe is.]

All of this kind of thing . . . I think you have the right idea.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

The training? It's just what I'm used to doing back home... not to mention you need to do something in this town to break the monotony, to keep your mind off things...[He takes a drink from his bottle, looking distant. Like part of Crowe just is off in space somewhere.]

I wish there was room in this town to set up more things like this.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

You do all of this at home, too? That's pretty inspiring. But I guess . . . what I meant was, it can't hurt to be faster and stronger whenever we meet the hazmats next.

[Lucas, though a little winded, is better at reading into emotion than most. Not that this would be necessary for Crowe's current state, but. He examines his friend's face closely as he talks.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, I don't know if it's inspiring if you knew why. [he bites his lip a moment, thinking.] ...My parents are criminals. Thieves. And I was training to be like them. But... I don't want to do that anymore. So for now, I'll use what I know to try and keep myself and others safe. E-Even if I don't know a whole lot, really...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Examination of Crowe's emotional state is forgotten for the moment. Lucas blinks at him for a bit before smiling.]

. . . I think it still is. To be able to work hard at something, that's always admirable, to a point. What you want to do is up to you, of course, so even if you don't want to be a thief . . .

[The point seems to have been missed. Lucas's only idea of a thief comes from Duster, and of course, Kay. Lyn is a thief, too, but he's pretty nice.]

And definitely, your goal is even better now, so.

Is that what you were worried about when you set this up?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, not really, I guess. I mean, it's good to keep your skills sharp, and I just need to... do something different. The rec center is nice, but I've been cooped up all winter...

1/2

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Well. If you're not worried about it, then I don't mind saying . . . Actually, having that kind of training . . .

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It's really cool! I always thought you were impressive, but this is really something! I mean, thinking about it . . . I should have guessed earlier! I always thought you were really fast and strong.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[There's a sheepish smile at that.] There's people here a hundred times better than me. I don't know how impressive it is, but thanks.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It is . . . And you're right about keeping up with your skills, too. I haven't swung a stick in the longest time.

Maybe you could try setting something up in the mountain? Or somewhere in the park?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Maybe. I hate to take up room on other people, though. The park is always so busy... Mayfield isn't very spacious.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . Well. We don't live very close by, but you can use my yard, if you ever need it.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll see if I can dig up more stuff... having two courses could be good.

[He looked over the yard again. Ash did need room for all his pets, so this stuff couldn't stay there forever.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas follows his gaze for a few seconds before continuing softly.]

You're always welcome to use whatever you need . . .

Um. Crowe? Can I ask you something?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Mm? Of course.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It's kind of a long question. I hope you don't mind.

I have a friend -- at home -- who's good and kind and cheerful. And then . . . I haven't said much about my life, but a lot of things started to go wrong, so from then . . . every time I saw him -- or her -- this person became . . . more and more sad. More and more angry. Less hopeful . . . less happy. And I try to be as cheerful as I can around her, but I don't think that helps at all. And then once, I said that I wasn't very hopeful anymore, either, and now I feel like that was a stupid thing to say, because . . . nothing good comes out of saying that kind of thing. The more I see her, the more afraid I am that I won't be able to help her.

It's been a long time, but I still worry about her. Do you think there's anything I can do?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe thinks on that a moment, taking it to heart, of course. He turns to Lucas with a small smile.]

The best thing you can do is continue being supportive, I guess, and be there when they need you.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas seems embarrassed now, as well he should be.]

Right. . . . I'll do that.

Crowe? If you ever want to talk about anything . . . I'd be glad to listen, OK?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I-I'll be okay, promise. Ah, I just need to learn to toughen up, I think... I know the things Mayfield does, I just need to push past it.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas nods a little.]

Sometimes . . . if you can't push past things yourself, that's alright. You don't always have to bear it alone all the time.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[A nod.] I-It's just usual Mayfield stuff anyway, stuff I should expect to happen...Happens all the time, right? People getting droned...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[A headshake, now.]

That doesn't mean it gets any easier. It doesn't. It . . . shouldn't. Losing each person is different. And it hurts different, too.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-It'll happen to everyone, eventually. I really need to just... n-not get so attached.