001 ✗ video + action.

[soldiernoclass]

Oh, hey - I bet it's working, this time!

[ To the technologically impaired, these terminals are a little daunting - who knew you had to take your gloves off to work a touchscreen? Not to mention the thought of hooking up to some nebulous and well-populated network. He may or may not have spent the last ten to fifteen minutes talking to nobody, slowly realizing he was talking to nobody, and then trying again to figure out how to get to the Help tab.

Anyway, it's definitely broadcasting, now. Maybe. Probably. He's not trying again if it isn't. (He might.) ]

Am I really talking to all the other, uh, visitors out there? I guess that's pretty handy. Though... It feels like I've been doing a lot of talking, lately, and not a whole lot of actually getting to know the people I'm stuck with. [ Which more or less translates out of polite doublespeak to: he's tired himself out trying to figure this place out one way, how about FAQ round #2? ] So I thought, why not just ask? A little old-fashioned, I admit, but... I've got nothing to lose.

[ He shrugs, smiling thinly. ] So tell me about yourselves, okay? Or your 'worlds,' or whatever. And just 'cause it's no fair if I don't start, I'm Zack. I used to wanna travel, when I was a little younger. [ A pause, and a little more genuine humor leaks into that smile. ] I guess I sure got my wish, huh?



[ There's only so much aimlessly (but alertly) wandering around a foreign city a guy can do, so Zack's taking a break from that to ...aimlessly wander around the common floor of building #1 (having significantly more luck with the video games than with the terminals) and along the walkways between buildings (for the view, naturally).

He's not in great shape - it's actually a lot harder to remember to maintain contact with total strangers than he would've expected it to be - but he isn't exactly falling on his face, either (not that he'll be turning down any free hugs, regardless). And, of course, anybody who crosses his path - and doesn't make themselves too busy for him to accost, post haste - will most likely be finding themselves in a conversation. However one-sided. (He's not picky.) ]

Comments

visual

[upholsteredvelvet]

[He wasn't going to respond to this; he was only half paying attention to the man's nattering on as he did other things to begin with. But after that last bit, Waver does reply, looking slightly amused.]

I wanted to travel, too.

visual

[soldiernoclass]

So? Did you?

[ Honest curiosity is his main gear, today, ulterior motive or not. ]

[upholsteredvelvet]

A little. Mandatory Hug Country wasn't on my list of destinations, but it's not terrible.

[He shrugs, because while he may not be all that fond of the place, it's still better than London.]

[soldiernoclass]

I doubt it was on anybody's. Though I can definitely see the appeal.

[upholsteredvelvet]

It's better than what I've left behind, so I can't complain too much.

[soldiernoclass]

Yeah? That makes two of us, then. And there're probably plenty more. There are worse things to be forced to do than hug.

[upholsteredvelvet]

It seems like a common trend from what I've seen. I wonder if it's intentional, or disturbingly circumstantial.

[soldiernoclass]

What, you mean like they specifically looked for people who might've needed a hug?

[upholsteredvelvet]

Or they were looking for people who wouldn't feel that going home is all that urgent.

[He, for one, does not need any hugs. Nope. Absolutely not, why would you suggest such a thing?]

[soldiernoclass]

[ But hugs are good for you, Waverrrr. Everybody needs hugs ]

In this case, I guess that's pretty considerate of them.

[upholsteredvelvet]

[WAVER REJECTS THIS NOTION!!!!]

I don't know as I'd call it considerate... we were still abducted without consent. If their target demographic is people who wouldn't mind coming here, they could at least extend the courtesy of asking.

[soldiernoclass]

[ There is no rejection only hugs!! BEAR HUGS. ]

Considering their situation, here, I'm willing to forgive the theatrics. Though it'd be nice if they'd let the people who don't want any part of this go on home.

[upholsteredvelvet]

[NO THOSE ARE THE WORST KIND.]

I agree with you on that, especially since it seems they can and do send people home intentionally.

[soldiernoclass]

[ NO THOSE ARE THE BEST KIND. Clearly Waver requires more of them ]

Well, has anybody brought it up to them? Maybe if the people who need to get out of here the most all got together, and put up a reasonable front, they'd listen.

[upholsteredvelvet]

[Try it and he'll sock you one, Zack! It will feel like getting hit with a ball of cotton candy; all fluffed up with very little substance.]

Perhaps. I'm not terribly invested, so I'm not going to bother. I have other obligations.

[soldiernoclass]

[ Zack is willing to take those odds. ]

Oh yeah? Like what?

[upholsteredvelvet]

[It will be so sad.]

I have to take care of someone, so... I can't just leave and let her down.

[soldiernoclass]

[ But funny-sad, right. ]

Oh really? [ Frankly, sir, that's adorable. ] I'll wish you and your girlfriend all the best, then.

[upholsteredvelvet]

[Yes, exactly!]


Sh-She's not my girlfriend! She's probably not even older than eight!

[Suddenly there is a lot of flustered flailing going on here...]

[soldiernoclass]

[ el oh el ]

All right, all right. My bad. More like your little sister, then, huh?

[upholsteredvelvet]

I don't have siblings, so I wouldn't know if that's an accurate comparison.

[soldiernoclass]

Well, me neither. But when somebody's that important to you, they're like family, aren't they?

[upholsteredvelvet]

Again, I don't have enough experience to make such a comparison.

[It's always just been him and books. But he can't read Imp, so she's not like books, alas!]

[soldiernoclass]

You don't need experience to know that. It's different for everybody; it's just something you have to figure out for yourself.

[upholsteredvelvet]

Then my figure it out button must be broken.

[He can be tsun about this all day if he has to!]