dear_mun | on sudden but inevitable departures and new beginnings

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on sudden but inevitable departures and new beginnings

Sure took you long enough to let me have my say. It's only been... what, nearly two weeks now? Where'd you ever get a reputation for timeliness, anyway? I sure don't see it.

Anyway, what've I got to say about it? Two words: About time. C'mon. The place was cramped, the food was lousy, and that stupid giant bird always kept harassing me. I hated it from day one, and you only kept me there because you're a jerk. If you're sorry I left, that just makes one of us. Besides, it's not like I'm not getting to hang out with Dean anyway and finish things up.

What? Well, yeah, I'm gonna miss Tim. Dick too, I guess, even if he never did get it. Arthas? Well, of course I'll miss him too, hopefully his plan succeeds and he'll be able to get off soon. And yeah, I wouldn't have minded getting Viserys some help with getting his kingdom back before I left. Yes, Perry too. And... maybe Bourne. Maybe. Wait, what? Claire? Hoffman? Dallas?

Okay. Okay. I get it. I made friends. But c'mon, it was bound to happen no matter what. I mean, seriously? Me? A warden? Even if I am graduating, I'm never gonna buy the Admiral's anything but a sadistic ass who needs a good boot in his smug prick face. Besides, I'm still me. I'd rather be a hunter than a warden any day. Give me a chance to stretch my legs and enjoy my freedom for a little while, I sure as hell earned it.

And no, I'm not gonna miss Arthur. You put him up on that list and I will end you.

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[ just. glaring. tiny 14-year-old Rachel who just finished dealing with you. ]

Who'd you manage to trick into freeing you?

Edited 2012-02-09 21:23 (UTC)

Sounds like a lot of people you're going to miss. Where do you go when you leave where you're at?

Callin' me a friend now, eh? Gotta say, I needed the laugh.

Settle on a plan yet?

[The glare that flickers across his face is instinctive and visceral. The last time he saw you, you were older than him and way off the reservation. Oh, yeah, and you kinda killed him, too.]

The same guy who made you two years younger. That's a neat trick, where do I get in line for that?

We're still workin' that one out. The typist's gotten together with some friends, it might be somewhere new. Sure beats another prison ship.

That's the typist, not me. As far as I'm concerned you're still a prick who needs a shower.

[He got to take your book with him, Dally. Wasn't that generous? 8D]

We're battin' one around - this idiot and some friends, I mean. Tryin' to decide where to settle and if we're gonna make something new. Apparently I wasn't supposed to spill the beans until plans were a little more concrete.

Though, just between us, it's startin' to look a lot more like when and not if.

I can imagine! Really, prison's a little -- confining.

[ If this privately amuses her, because it's not the only way to be confined, just more obvious about it. ]

Hey, good luck to them and their friends! It's bound to be exciting. At least by comparison? Then again prison ships might be some kind of exciting. You're more of an expert than I am when it comes to that.

Yeah. Kinda. I'd say the worst part about prison's never getting to leave, but that's kinda the only thing about it.

[ If he were being honest, even the Barge hadn't been as bad as the island. He's unwilling become well versed in the various types of confinement. All the more reason why he's excited now. ]

I guess if going stir crazy and getting randomly turned into different ages is your thing, you might wanna check it out. You'd probably hate it though. Rachel and Cassie dropped in and neither stuck around long. And Jake didn't even bother staying at all, the lazy bastard.

[ She waves a hand in front of her PFFFT ]

No thanks, I don't do confined well. I like helping people, believe me, but reform?

[ She shrugs. ]

Unless you can do that while skiing, I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of thing. Now, adventures? Excitement? Getting out and doing stuff? I'm all for that!

Why do I get the feeling you're going to be causing some mayhem in the near future?

[He looks mildly amused. For a backup Animorph, she's not half bad.]

It's not even about helping people, that's just the party line. You can ask Dean if you want, he got a job on the other side of the fence and he knows the score.

[A frown flickers across his face. It's still weird, being able to count on someone who isn't him. He's come a long way from who he used to be.]

There ain't a lot of skiing on a prison ship, I can tell you that much. Now, this new place they're talking about, apparently there's a whole world there that's frozen over. Well, world or continent, it's kinda a little unclear which. Apparently they wanna do something a little more open that most places on the market.

... though I'm really more of a beach kinda guy, if I'm gettin' any choice in the matter.

Who, me? That's crazy talk. Stop talking crazy.

Yes you. And crazy? Me? Never.

Just gotta ask, Dave. Is it my kinda chaos?

Warm, tropical beaches, or any kind of beach? I love the sandy ones, and the rocky ones, like up the northern coast of California. You really hear the waves crash when they come in on those beaches! Especially near any of the cliffs.

[ You can also see people hang-gliding, which is pretty cool. ]

Only a little? Are we talking about open world, or open universe? Or universes. The plural's pretty amazing.

Depends, dude. Depends.

How do you feel about aliens?

Aliens?

Eeh. Not usually my thing but if we're fightin' em and I have the means to fight em and actually stand a chance? Then yeah. I'm cool with aliens.

Met one recently who was pretty cool.

More the warm and tropical beaches, with white sand and clear water. I spent a couple years in Florida when I was younger, it was pretty awesome. Never really been further up in California, though. I was only kinda in town for a few weeks when... you know. Everything happened.

[ Hang gliding would be a lot more awesome to think about if he couldn't turn into an eagle. But after flying under your own power, hang gliding seems pretty tame by comparison.]

Well... I guess a lot, when you put it that way. Try multiple worlds. It's like... one city, all postapocalyptic and shit, but you can leave it, and there's these portals that lead to places that could be other worlds, or other continents on the same world. It's not really clear which, and finding out what they are is apparently gonna be a big deal. Me, I'm just glad I'm gonna be able to morph eagle and have some actual sky to fly around in.

[ She nods. Around this place, she actually can know -- what he told her the last time. ]

Florida. I always wondered what it was like down there.

[ Perfect place for a crocodile morph, really. She grins. ]

I can imagine. Pretty well, actually! It's like -- but not like -- one of the places where I am. No post apocalypse and the windows aren't portals, really, and there's a whole company running explorations, so the similarities are only in the basic summaries. I know what you mean about the sky to fly in.

[ She stretches her arms up above her head, letting her head fall back a bit as her chair supports her back, all looking upward. ]

Flying is the coolest thing ever. Hands down, beaks on, wings out, the coolest. Especially in new places. There's so much to see from up there, you know?

You don't.

What do you mean, two years younger?

[ pause, assessing glower ]

When did you get two years older?

When I got two years older.

[ oh look, he's staring right back with a flicker of that asshole smirk you knew so well. ]

This isn't a trick, is it? [ It's not a question. ] You really are two years younger.

So you're from... [ and you can almost see the wheels turning as he does the math in his head. When he figures it out, he's much less amused. The smirk dies instantly. ]

... you're from around when it happened. Or right after.

Edited 2012-02-10 07:23 (UTC)

Wow, we've got a real genius here.

[ god she hates that smirk so much she's actually barely restraining herself from morphing. skipping past the age thing because it's not important. ]

How did you get off?

Wouldn't you like to know?

[ and if it was anyone else, he might hesitate before sinking the barb in. But it's not, so he doesn't. ]

You know how I got off. Because Jake's not the only one who's had the dreams, is he? Dreams of a big red eye, dreams you barely remember in the morning? Dreams you don't even know if they mean something yet?

Oh, they mean something.

Yup. Some aliens from my world, a few from other worlds too. Apparently people wanna see 'em.

Maybe you'll be happier about the werewolves and the vampires. Apparently there's gonna be a place just for them too. You're not gonna get me there, though - when anywhere's called the 'World of Eternal Night', that's a big red flag to stay the fuck away.

Yeah? Anyone I know?

[ He's gotta stop hanging around you, Collette. You're too decent and it's too easy to have a conversation with you. It's doin' serious damage to his villain cred. ]

Not gonna lie, it was pretty awesome. I got to go scuba diving, once. I always wanted to go back, especially after getting morphing.

[ Perfect place for a croc, yeah. An orca morph? Not so much. He'd have to get a dolphin at some point. ]

That sounds kinda cool, though. I mean, I dig having room to stretch my legs and all, but I kinda need electricity. Running water. And TV. Apparently we'll get all that once we 'work for it', but it sounds like a lot of hassle. You work for that company you're at?

[ He bites his lip, expression thoughtful. Working for anyone's not really his style. But it's hard to argue with free electricity.]

Yeah. I know. My first morph was a golden eagle. That first time, that was... that was like the ultimate rush. You can see everything, it makes you feel like you're deaf and blind just thinking about it. And the way you can catch the updrafts and just go straight up, high as you want...

[Despite himself, he smiles at the memory. Back when it'd all seemed like it could work out.]

Hey, a new start is a good thing, right? At least you'll get a chance to get out there and do something with what you've picked up. I'm glad to hear you've got some plans going. You deserve it.

Although, I still think you'll have some people that'll miss you. As much as we like to deny it, you can't help but get attached.

Dave...

How do you get 'me being cool with aliens' to me 'liking werewolves and vampires'?

Look, my mun might like em but that doesn't mean I would.

Uh. Don't think so. Unless you know a fuzzy cat eared alien named Ratchet.

[ Pfft why would she stop? ]

Scuba diving? I'm so envious! That's one of the things I'd always thought would be a blast, especially where the water's pretty clear.

[ Honestly, anywhere not directly off the California coast. Kelp isn't as fun as, say, getting to Hawaii and the coral reefs. Though California does have migrating whales and great whites. ]

I do... that or I was going to have to sit around and make faces at everyone and not have the chance to head through to the other worlds. Officially, at least. Unofficially it's been a blast. Officially I'm a liability and "not to be taken out to the windows until such a time as my window re-opens."

[ She rolls her eyes, like that is enough to deal with the reason why she's considered a liability. ]

See, the spotless flight record lady doesn't even want me along for a ride without a chair, because something might happen. Then she'd feel guilty for killing the paraplegic.

[ She laughs. ]

Not that they have any idea that everything flying around there isn't strictly native. It's not very satisfying sticking your toungue out as a bird [ she confesses with a smaller grin ] but it's still satisfying. Along with going "neener neener" when no one but your daemon can hear you.

[ everything about this is pretty much terrible. ]

How did you - you know what, I don't care.

You don't deserve freedom. You're a murderer and traitor, even if you couldn't get away with it because we beat you.

[ there's a dark amusement flickering across his face now. ]

Yeah? Well, guess what, I'm free now. I served my time. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it.

Oh, and now I'm a murderer? Get real, Rachel. How many people have you killed? Way more than me.

[ Because Marco would never let him hear the end of it if he ever found out? ]

Yeah. It was. Wish I'd gotten to do it more. I kinda... didn't know what the hell I was doing, that one time. I got my foot stuck in some coral and had to leave the flipper behind.

[ Oh, he knows all about the migrating whales. Well, one in particular. He doesn't know about the great whites, though, and - is probably happier not knowing. The thought of fighting Rachel or Marco in great white morph is not a comforting one. [

Sounds like it's kind of a hassle. I guess it's worth it though, I mean, job security and all. And you've got people looking out for you. I've just got the guy who got me off that ship, and maybe his brother. They're both kinda pains in the ass sometimes, but they probably say the same thing about me.

[ She's got an infectious energy that makes it hard not to smile for her. Clearly, she's having a blast at this place. ]

Gotta love bureaucrats, huh? I'm glad as hell I left that type behind on the ship. Can't stand people telling me what I can and can't do, you know? Especially when you're more capable than they are.

[He listens attentively but all his attention's diverted - instantly - the moment she says the word 'daemon'.]

... wait. Wait, wait, wait. Wait. You have a daemon? Can't be. You're from the same world as me, right?

You kinda seem the type, dude, that's all I'm saying.

I mean, you wear black, you're obsessed with death, your hobby is killing shit and you've got a scythe fetish.

Hey, I'm not implying anything here, I'm just presenting all the facts. You make up your own mind.

Cat-eared alien? You're sure it's a real alien and not just a catgirl, right?

Being goth and looking good in black is not the same thing. [Besides, David wears black as well.]

It's not a hobby, kid. I went to war. Kinda different. Vampires, werewolves, monsters? Knda something I categorize as 'freaky shit.'

And nah. He looks like this.

Edited 2012-02-11 05:54 (UTC)

[ Like Marco ever wants to let him hear the end of anything. Or Rachel, for that matter. She grins, then laughs a little. ]

Oh no! Poor flipper. Did you ever get to go back for it?

[ Pfft, Marco and Rachel angry are just cuddlebugs! Who wouldn't want them coming at you in a terrifyingly effective predator morph???? ]

There's something to be said in having people around who're looking out for you, for sure. Sounds like you're fond of your pains.

[ More of a grin at that -- then a bigger one when he's distracted by her comment on daemons. ]

Right. But we all have daemons -- [ she pokes at him ] -- just not outside and visible like they are where I'm at. I haven't mentioned that though.

[ Looking vaguely sheepish. ]

It's kind of a blur, but when you first come to that place? When you step through the window, however you do it, your daemon's separated out from you. It hurts a whole bunch, but I didn't notice that so much on top of the rest. Flash was worth the pain, no matter how intense.

[ She wonders if she can show him Flash, and thinks on him, imagining him in her mind's eye. Not too long after, an American kestrel's poking his head out from the hair over her shoulders, peering up at David before hopping forward and flapping his wings, taking off in a tight circle around them both. Not too far, and not too high -- it's scary for them both when he tests the limits with Collette. ]

Well, duh. I oughta know that. [The irony is not lost on him.]

Hey. Don't pull that 'grizzled war vet' on me either. I've been to war too. [Granted, for all of a week, but still.]

... Huh. He kinda looks like the love child of Rinzler and a Pikachu.

[ Marco he can tolerate, provided he's in small enough doses. Rachel? Uh...]

I didn't. They wouldn't let me back down. The guy my dad brought along went back under for it.

[ And you can tell by the way he rolls his eyes he's sure he could have gotten it himself, if they'd let him try. ]

... Yeah. I guess I am. They're all right. You'd probably like them. Jake... probably wouldn't. They're not really the 'fall in and salute the general' type.

[ It's weird, saying it out loud. It's not like it was something he planned on. He still likes to think of himself as someone who can do it all on his own. ]

So you're saying I have a daemon too? That's not the way Will told me it worked at all. [ he folds his arms, frowning. ] He told me a little bit about it.

[ Will or no Will, though, it's hard to deny what's right in front of you. And yes, he's a little spooked. Kirjava was creepy enough, despite being friendly. Someone from his world having a daemon, well... that's a new standard for weirdness. He turns his head to watch the kestrel's flight, his eyes wide, expression stunned.]

.. can he talk? Will's daemon could.

Heh. Yeah, I guess you're kinda right. I wish I'd gotten the chance to at least tell some of 'em I was leaving. Maybe I'll run into 'em again one day. I hope so.

I guess it's a good thing, but man, there's some stuff I'm really not looking forward to. Like the whole post-apocalyptic city thing. I mean, call me superficial, but I like electricity and hot water, you know? Then there's all the things that're gonna be there - I know you're used to zombies and shit, but I'm not. They don't sound like something I'd wanna get used to either.

[Scuse' him. He's gotta laugh at that last joke a moment.]

I totally get to pull the 'war vet' card on you, David. I know how long your stint in your canon was.

The only redeeming factor is that you got the coolest of all cats under your belt.

That's it.

What else d'ya have? Oh right. Free Willy. [And Algernon.]

Edited 2012-02-11 17:29 (UTC)

Maybe I'll get to meet them one day. You never know!

[ The universe is filled with infinite possibilities, after all. Though with her attention coming back around to daemons, her eyes leaving Flash as he dives down into a flapping, windy landing in her lap (he's such a small falcon, she smiles. ]

I've only met one person so far who doesn't have a daemon. [ She's a soulless demon but Collette doesn't actually... know that yet. ] Well, who hasn't lost theirs. I get the feeling from how they talk about these guys that it's your soul. As long as you've got one of those, then yeah.

[ She runs her fingers over the feathers on Flash's head, then digs in a little, scratching at theoretical feather caps. ]

You do!

[ Flash is enjoying the attention, feathers fluffing out as he steadies himself on one of her legs. ]

I can talk. [ He sounds amused. ] It's more if I choose to or not.

Always a chance you'll see them. And I'm sure they'll know how you felt. People are funny like that. They understand things when you think they're asleep.

Hey, just because I lived with it doesn't mean I liked it. Zombies and monsters aren't exactly what I signed up for, you know? Can't say I'd be crazy about a post-apocalyptic city, either. Sure your mun wants to put you in a place like that?

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on sudden but inevitable departures and new beginnings

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