dear_mun | homeless FOREVER what am i even doing

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homeless FOREVER what am i even doing

[ An Asian teen in a wheelchair comes rolling in from... somewhere. He opens his mouth and, well, this comes out ever so slowly: ]

Nnnn--

Nnnnot. Sssso. [ Deep breath. ] Ez-eeee.

[ SIGH. Okay, that's it. He pulls out a cell phone (with a little fumbling) and types out what he's trying to say. ]

Not so easy to "voice test" someone for whom talking is a series of trials and tribulations, is it? Of course, we could always use an alternate method of communication, but you and I both know that's quite the risk. Tempting, though. Very tempting.

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[Cass gives him a soft, bright smile.]

I - couldn't talk. For...a long time.

[And her smile turns apologetic.]

Still, um. Can't read much.

[ Timmy smiles back. He opens his mouth, for a second, then shakes his head. Better explain this the easy way. ]

I can read but saying the words is another story. Still, isn't it a pain?

[Her brow furrows, and she studies the words for a bit before she gets the gist. Then she's nodding earnestly.]

It can be - so frustrating.

[A faint frown] Especially when people don't...understand.

[ He's nodding right along with her. ]

The worst part is that, most of the time, they don't even try.

[ Shakes his head. ]

[She doesn't have to read the text, this time, she never even glances at it; she can see the response in his movements.]

And we - try so hard for them.

[ He lets out the heaviest of sighs. ]

Eee-ex-- exactly.

Edited (wow wrong icon whoops) 2012-12-06 21:36 (UTC)

[She sighs, too - and then her eyes widen.]

Oh! Um.

[She holds out a small, rough hand.]

I'm Cass.

[ He takes it and shakes even though his grip is... terrible. At best. ]

T- Tuh. Timmy.

[ But at least he's got a nice smile. ]

[Cass doesn't mind, beaming at the sight of his smile.]

Nice name.

[Her head dips, a bit.]

It's - my brother's, too.

Thhhh- ank- suh. [ he's not really sure what to say! because compliments aren't exactly a thing he's used to. ] Yours, too.

Whhh- wha-[ ARGH. Okay, he's pulling out the phone again. In a minute, he shows her what he's typed: ] What is your brother like?

[That reminds her of Steph, which pretty much means she's permanently endeared.

The smile fades into concentration as she scrutinises the words. Eventually, though, it's back - fond and warm.]

He's...quiet. Um, serious. But - kind. Inside.

[ He lets loose a very loud guffaw. Probably a little too loud. After some quick typing... ] Sounds just like James! But don't tell him I said that.

[ Then he frowns and adds something else. ] By the way... sorry I have to talk like this. If I need to explain something, let me know.

[Cass chuckles, too, after she parses the words. And then she shakes her head.]

It's - okay.

[A soft smile.] We...can help each other.

[She pauses, then, considering.] And I, um. Have - my own way of... [She's not sure how to say it.]

[ Timmy beams at her. It's his way of saying, "Yeah!". ]

[ He chews on his lip a little, trying to get the rest of it, and failing. ] What do you mean?

I can...see. A little. Of what you say.

My - um, first language. Was...movement.

Yyy- You-

[ Okay, he can turn into any animal he touches, sure. But he's still going to need a moment to let this sink in. With wide eyes, he says: ] Rrr- really?

Edited 2012-12-06 22:48 (UTC)

[Her smile is wry as she nods.] Yes. I - was never taught...words. Just...actions.

[ He's not sure he should be asking this, but... ] Why?

[Her gaze drops, for a moment.]

Wanted me - to be able to...fight better. Than anyone else.

[ Even if he could speak, he wouldn't know what to say. Wow, way to make his life seem awesome by comparison, Cass. ]

That's terrible.

A vocabulary of the highest caliber, and yet, I don't have any better words for it.

[She can see his sympathy, and she appreciates it, but she shakes her head.]

It's...okay. I - got out. Found...a better family.

[ It's a little awkward, but his smile is genuine. ]

A happy ending.

Timmy!

( From one wheelchair'd teen to another, Collette waves and can't quite hide how happy she is to see someone she -- frankly -- never thought she would again. )

You're actually here!

[ ASDFGHJKL. Enjoy some horrifyingly uncoordinated waving, Collette! ]

Wh- Whuh- [ Swallows. Ugh, words. ] Why wouldn't I be?

( She is so happy Timmy you have no idea. )

That's what I kept saying! And yet all you were seeing for the longest time from the Animorph side of things were Marco, Ax, and sometimes Tobias. But look! Auxiliaries represent!

( Exaggerated double thumbs up? Oh yes. )

You would not believe the stuff I've been up to. What's taken you so long?

[ He lets loose what can only be described as a loud squeal of amusement. As he types, he screws his face up into an appropriately (semi-exaggerated) expression of disgust. ]

A truly terrible fate, my friend. We are so much cooler than them. Besides, you know it takes me a while to travel. [ A joke, yes. ]

What "unbelievable" stuff have you been up to?

Oh, traveling worlds, living around super-heroes, turning into flying ponies, fighting off xenomorphs that was the scariest thing next to facing a line of fifty hungry Taxxons, time travel, getting stuck in a Virtual Reality simulator running off memories...

It's been so awesome! I wish you guys were in any of those places. You'd - okay so they're not really us friendly, but... you'd love it. I'm pretty sure.

[ He just stares at her for a moment. Sure, their lives have been turned completely upside down, but still -- there has to be some limit to how much he can believe! Besides, this is Collette, after all.

So he texts her one word. Just one: ]

Really?

Timmy!

( She knows it's a fair call to make, though she pulls a face at him for pointing it out. )

I'm not lying, or even stretching the truth. I don't have to! Tell me, what can I do to prove it to you?

[Aw man. It's always the ones in the wheelchairs, isn't it?]

[Well, granted, the wheelchair guys are also the ones that have the hardest time getting outside, especially on a snow day. That alone is enough to feel a bit bad for any one of them. But the talking thing, that doesn't help either.]

[Which is why Jack finds himself stopping by, if only to offer a smile and a word in passing. It's almost habitual, really.]

Hey, I don't know, that didn't sound half bad!

Besides, I thought the whole 'voice testing' thing meant something...else? Like, you know, without needing the actual voice part? Or something. [wow that came out a lot less eloquent than he'd been shooting for OH WELL let's pass that off with a casual shrug] I'd say it's sure no reason to count you out, either way.

Th-hhh-- uhh--

[ Timmy gives Jack an anxious smile. Hopefully, it's clear that he's trying to say "thank you"? He can never tell, really, whether people can get it. At least people outside the hospital.

He holds up a finger, to signal that he needs a moment, and clumsily types out a message: ]

Thank you!!!

I guess you're right -- Jake told us something similar -- but it can be hard to remember, sometimes, when people are always forgetting about you. Well. Almost always.

[ Yeah. He had to sneak in a little alliteration there because he's a big nerd like that. ]

[oh Timmy u nerd u. Jack waits patiently enough, first for the attempt at saying the words and then for the typing instead, but his own smile doesn't lessen any, at least]

[when the latter's done, Jack rocks back on his heels slightly and arches an eyebrow]

Forgetting about you, huh? That's weird. You seem like a pretty memorable guy to me. And hey, look on the bright side. For every time you do talk, you're always gonna be heard, right?

[brb casually leaping up and perching on top of his staff to crouch and peer down at you somehow without toppling over HE'S AN ANTSY GUY OKAY WHAT IS STAYING STILL]

This Jake guy sounds like he's on the right track, at least. Good on him. Friend of yours?

Hey man, not all of us have the ten dollar vocabulary mastered.

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homeless FOREVER what am i even doing

being awesome

sudshiufd thank you!

<333

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you're finally giving me hope that's what

what no i hate you and i'm going to crush all your dreams

But my dream was to have other auxiliary players B)

oh shi--

just happy you did end up journaling him and tossing him out here <3

AND IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! ...not that I mind. <3

oh good instead we can lounge around content in our sassy fantasticness

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sorry this is slow but, squee, Jack!

np, np, glad to please! :D; oh and also you can punch me if you'd rather not have spoilers |Db

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