[video] pull point plot - aged-down Newt & Hermann

[driftsintobuffetline]

[His hair still looks like he's just woken up from being passed out on someone else's sofa, but it's shorter, spikier. Instead of his usual perpetual five-o'clock-shadow, Newt now sports a beard with mustache, scruffy, not terribly well-groomed, like he's a college student. This younger version of Newton Geiszler is anywhere from 5-10 years younger by appearances. He's in better shape--if only because a body in its mid-twenties deals with a poor diet of too much caffeine and sugar differently than a body in its mid-thirties--and though his tattoo sleeves are complete, most of the rest of his tattoos have not yet even been conceived.

He holds the phone. Judging from the slight wobble of the camera, his foot is probably jiggling off screen, tapping with uncontained energy. Behind him are chalk-board walls with the remnants of what had once been a drawing/erasing war.]

Hey, so whoever did the rooming assignments? ...Can suck it. Anyone out there looking for a place to stay? --Because I'm about to kick out my roommate and so I've got an extra bedroom--

[The butt of a cane comes into view suddenly, cutting across the feed like it's capable of physically cancelling out the offer. A familiar British growl is audible moments before a much younger-looking Hermann Gottlieb (or is it Miles?) edges into view]

You most certainly do not. Obviously this apartment has been modified to my own specifications. Therefore, if either of us is getting kicked out, it's going to be you.

[He reclaims his cane and stands straighter, sniffing] Best of luck finding anyone else to put up with your awful habits.

Your speci- Just because there's obnoxiously dusty walls doesn't mean you get to call dibs. We've already established: that was MY handwriting.

[With a flip of the wrist, Newt raises his hand at Hermann but does not look at him. Talk to the hand. Then, to the camera:] So please forward any and all applications to Newt Geiszler-- [Pause, then with exaggerated saccharine and a mocking expression:] Hermann, be a dear and go find out what address we're at, hmmmm?

Sod off.

[Hermann looks at the camera, does a double-take and jerks back] You're recording this drivel? Unbelievable-

[He leans in, abruptly snatching the device] I am absolutely not going anywhere.

Like hell I'm living with yo-WHAT THE!!! [The feed ends.]

Comments

video;

[medalsome]

[Oh no. Oh no. They look so young!

.... It's adorable. It probably takes a good five minutes for Joaquin to compose his features before he starts up the video and offers them a grin, albeit a confused one. But they aren't the only ones that seem to have had this strange phenomenon happen to them, so the shock of it has partially faded in light of Joaquin's amusement.]

Well now, you both look different. Smaller than I remember. [Not actually true but their faces are so young and fresh and wow-]

Look at you, Newt! You can grow a decent amount of facial hair if you put your mind to it. And Hermann, charming as ever. [A gentle, fond chuckle.]

But I guess... you two are having some trouble remembering this place. I imagine that means I also happened to be forgotten, hmm?

video

[driftsintobuffetline]

a. Fuck you, of course I can grow a beard.
b. who the hell are you?
c. Hermann is an asshole; don't even joke about him being charming. If anyone in this apartment is charming, it's me.

permavideo

[medalsome]

Now, that's not very polite. [Said with a grin.] I'm Joaquin Mondragon. I see you've already spoken with my pal, Manolo, but don't worry, I don't creep on others' conversations. He and I are from the same time, much like yourself and Hermann are. We've, that is, you and I, have been friends since... wow, since October of last year.

And of course he's charming. Even you must admit to that, whether you want to believe it or not.

[driftsintobuffetline]

He's an arrogant, pretentious--There is not a charming cell in his body! Whatever kind of do-gooder you and Manolo think you are, you can shove off, because I don't need more of this 'you're secretly friends' bullcrap he's trying to feed us.

[medalsome]

Hey, hey, be nice to Manolo! He's a good soul! [And he's serious when he says that, but goes back to being mildly teasing the next moment.]

What, you don't want to hold hands with your friend, Doctor Gottlieb? I'm fairly certain he makes sure you actually nourish yourself every day.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Whatever. Now that he's dropped it, he's not so bad.

Why would I want to hold Hermann's hand? It's probably either really sweaty-gross or covered in chalk dust. And ha ha, I'll have you know I'm fully capable of living on my own and keeping myself fed. Have you looked at him? If anyone's missing meals, it's Mr. Skin&Bones there.

[medalsome]

Not so bad, hah!

You know you want to. [And he grins, but then it turns a little sad.] Well, maybe you should consider taking that up, then. I'm not going to say you should just be friends if you don't want to be, but can you really say you don't care about his well-being?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Considering some of the things he's said to me? No, no I don't. He can walk into the deep end of the Pacific and be eaten by a Kaiju for all I care.

[medalsome]

[And now his brows are drawn down, truly troubled.] I'm sorry to hear that. I hope the two of you can make-up some day, but hey, I guess that's none of my business if you do...

[Was this really how they used to be, before they were boyfriends and best friends, before they were even lab partners? Joaquin can't quite get his head around it. It was kinda funny at first but now it's just... kinda sad.]

[driftsintobuffetline]

I'd prefer to never see him again, but you're right: it's none of your business.

But hey, if you're taking him on a date and you decide you like what you see, keep him. Let me know. I'll pack up the crap in his closet. You can just swing by and pick it up. We both win.

video;

[mathemagier]

Er, yes, you are rather unfamiliar..

[Did this guy actually call him charming?]

permavideo;

[medalsome]

[His smile softens as does his voice.] That's unfortunate. Or maybe it just gives me the pleasure of reintroducing myself to you.

I'm Joaquin Mondragon. It's lovely to meet you again, Doctor.

permavideo;

[mathemagier]

[Is. Is he being flirted with? It really sounds like it]

Yes, hello. You said we were acquainted?

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Laughs because really, who would flirt with YOU]

[mathemagier]

[And Hermann switches from surprisingly mild-tempered to vicious in an instant, flushing an angry red]

Go hang yourself.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Smile fades. There's surprise and a far off look in Newt's eyes before he pulls it together enough to have a empty, hollow laugh and a tight smile.]

Well, that escalated quickly.

[mathemagier]

[Guilt. Guilt that makes him angrier because he doesn't want to feel it. There's no reason he should. Absolutely justified. ..Alright maybe that was a bit harsh, but he's certainly not apologizing]

Yes well, mind your own goddamn business why don't you.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Flips him off]

[mathemagier]

Lovely.

[medalsome]

We have been, since... the Halloween masquerade. [He gives a gentle shrug of his shoulders.]

We had a nice conversation but you refused to dance with me. I have to say, Doctor, I still haven't quite gotten over that.

[mathemagier]

[Struggling to regain his composure here]

..I am sorry. Per-perhaps we should remedy that?

[medalsome]

[And now that it seems Hermann is genuinely interested in that Joaquin is the one to flail. His face blanks for a second to mirror his mind, and then he scrambles to pick up the pieces and jam them together in a way that isn't terrible.]

I, uh...

I would... definitely like that, but are you sure? I mean, [He clears his throat and returns to his flirty tone, though his mind is in a much more serious place now] you hardly know me.

[mathemagier]

[Attempting to shake the exchange from his mind because he has something here and he doesn't want to lose it because of Newton.
he manages a bit of a smile]

You called me 'Doctor'. And please, I'm in desperate need of a change of scenery if you don't mind.

[medalsome]

I did. Would you like me to keep calling you that, Doctor~?

[God, he can't help himself. He adores that face and even though he looks terribly like Miles right now, his voice and words are so very much Hermann that there's no mistake; this is the guy he's crushing on and he's very much NOT dating Newton right now and Newton is very much NOT interested in dating Hermann either so...]

If that's the case, I... tend to keep most evenings free.

[mathemagier]

Well if we're going on a date, I suppose the formality wouldn't be appropriate any longer. My first name will suffice.

Tomorrow evening perhaps?

[He'd really like to go now, but that's too forward]