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

[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.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

You think that's the answer . . . ?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-I don't know. I don't think that there is an answer.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I think, whatever the answer is . . . anything that means I shouldn't care for people as much can't be right.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He's quiet for a moment, staring out over the yard again. When he turns back to Lucas, he gives his a reassuring pat on the shoulder.]

Right.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He reaches up to try to give Crowe's hand a squeeze.]

It has to be worth it.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-I guess we just have to make the most of our time with people while they're still here...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I think that's what I've decided, at least. It might not work for everyone, but . . . it's what I have to try.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I suppose that's really the best option.

[He unconsciously fiddled with that silly little pendant Norway had given him for Christmas, which was hidden under his shirt. They had said they wouldn't leave each other alone, but of course with Mayfield, that could never be certain. But Crowe was still here, and he had no choice but to continue on. And he wasn't alone yet, after all. He still had friends here.

He stands up, stretching his arms and shoulders.]

I think I'm about ready for another run. Think you can time me?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Sure. I'll cheer you on.

[And Lucas retreats back a few steps to give him room.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Time to push on. Doing things like this kept his mind off Mayfield troubles. He'll stretch a moment, then launch himself into the course, running it again and again.]