Video / Lamplighting

[bigbadrose]

They say you never forget how to ride a bicycle, yeah?

[Rose pans her mirror down from her waaaaay tall bicycle.]

I really hope that's true, because I don't much like my chances of getting back on it if I fall. Wish me luck!

[She sets out, and so far, so good.] Okay, so anyone else get jobs yet and all that? Give me sound my first night out, since I didn't wanna risk my cybud up here.

[Exclusively for her "roommates," there's a pair of cupcakes, one for 12 and Michael respectively. 12's is banana with edible ball-bearings, and Michael's is devil's chocolate with a paperclip. Both have messages.]

Comments

[takeitsleazy]

I know I am.

[his voice is quiet, sullen, a perfect picture of a sulking child who is trying to pretend they're mad so they'll be left alone with their embarrassment]

I got a human starter kit and everything.

[bigbadrose]

[Very very cute.]

[Her only regret is that she's not already there in person, and she's definitely debating ditching work to check on him.]

What's that come with?

[takeitsleazy]

It came with ...

[maybe it's the fact that Hoodie Day is nigh. or maybe he really just has too many feelings. hint: it's the latter. just trying to recall everything in that stupid little box is making him feel like someone is scooping out space below his ribs with one of those serrated melon ballers]

None of it mattered. So ... It all did. That was what it came with.

[understanding. the fact that something doesn't have to mean something to anyone else. just to you]

[bigbadrose]

[Rose nods sagely.]

Paperclips.

You're kind of like Mr. Clippy yourself, yeah?

[takeitsleazy]

[he clears his throat. straightens his bowtie. pushes it all down, even if just for now.

smiles.]

I see you're trying to change the subject. Would you like some help with that?

[bigbadrose]

[She bursts out laughing and has to hold onto her bike very carefully not to fall over again from giggling so hard.]

That's perfect!! I didn't know you knew him!! What is he, some part of... the bad place just to torture grammar nazis???

[takeitsleazy]

No, humans did that one all on their own, but someone in my office had it installed as part of her 9D CAD program. You know. For laughs. It just took me a minute to remember. Heh.

I don't know quite what it is about paper clips. I just... They're so good. Simple.

[he fidgets with the bracelet a moment, and realizes that now he's the only one who knows its story. that doesn't seem fair. he holds his wrist up to the mirror]

Eleanor made me this, yanno. Before I ever had to reboot the neighborhood...

[bigbadrose]

Paperclips are good. Useful for picking locks, or holding things together, or as bracelets.

So how come you still wear it?

[takeitsleazy]

[paperclips are his bananas, Rose. if it were possible he'd invent a paperclip daiquiri]

Because it's the first thing a human ever gave me. I was thinking about something too much - or, well, more like I was pretending to, to stress her out - and instead of getting freaked out, she ... said I needed to not think so much. That I needed to have fun. And she made me this. And then she showed me karaoke.

It really wasn't what I expected. At all. Any of it.

[bigbadrose]

That's humans for you!

Satan would have gotten out of his prison if he just wasn't trying so hard to terrorize us, and cooperated instead!

So do you like karaoke?

[takeitsleazy]

He's got some grudges. And Daddy issues.

[he shrugs]

Karaoke? Yeah, it's great. I told the Doctor, I know all the words to something called "Blaze of Glory". He said he plays the guitar. We were going to find a bar but we ended up making pancakes instead.

[bigbadrose]

Sounds right. Well, if you don't mind a third party, I'll come with you, we can make a day of it.

[takeitsleazy]

I think that sounds like a lot of fun. Wherever we find the karaoke, I hope they have a crane machine, too. I got pretty good at those. I could win you a pointless, vaguely misshapen stuffed toy!

[bigbadrose]

Yeah? You know, no one's ever done that for me before.

[Soft laugh.]

[takeitsleazy]

Really?!

[he finds that surprising]

Not Mickey or ... or the other one, even? The human ones? Well, then, I'll have to do it.

[bigbadrose]

Yeah! Not that I ever asked them to, and I was always broke so there was more important things to spend money on, but mmn! I'd like that. A lot.

good to end here on this one?

[takeitsleazy]

It's a deal. You find me one, I'll win you something.

[he smiles, feeling a bit less weird about this whole thing. just a bit]

Good luck with the giant bike, Rose.

Yup yup!!

[bigbadrose]

Thanks, Michael!