005; video

[vanto]

[ Sitting on a comfortable armchair is Eli, unlike previous video entries there is no nervous fidgeting, no sign of discomfort. Instead, he is sporting a fabulous beard and looking weary as people who wake in their near forties after being in their late twenties might. After a moment he adjusts his position on the chair, when his speaks his accent is more pronounced than usual.]

So, would anyone of ya'll like to explain why this is happening? I much prefer having been turned into a horse back in December.

[Eli readjusts his position and an audible crack is heard:]

Well. Fuck. My back has never done that before.

Comments

[Video]

[pale_blue_arrow]

Sorry to interrupt, I'm new: a horse?

[What.]

[Video]

[vanto]

Welcome, not sure this is a great time for arriving but, well. Yeah, a horse with eight legs, an octohorse.

It was an experience courtesy of powers getting out of control.

[Video]

[pale_blue_arrow]

Yeah, well, my timing's always been crap even back home. No surprise it's the same here.

More importantly, 'm still not getting how powers going out of whack equals an octohorse.

[vanto]

Sorry to hear that, but if it is any consolation the crap timing tends to be the correct timing.

You've not met Woden yet, have you? He's a God who can make things.

[pale_blue_arrow]

Fair enough. [It's also been the worst possible timing for him, but he can concede that it'd go both ways.]

No, I haven't. Sounds like an interesting power set, but, ah. Somehow that's not making the octohorse thing less strange.

[vanto]

It's never going to be anything but strange, interesting and informative but strange. Little habits stick with you, a week after that I was still craving grass and apples.

Though, now that I think on it, it is not the weirdest thing that has happened here. It's not even in the top twenty.

[pale_blue_arrow]

I know in my Advanced English Lit. class we discussed everyone's idea of status quo being different, but that's one helleva high bar for weird. Guess I can't really do much but roll with the punches, though. So. What're we supposed to do when the world tilts sideways like this, just wait for it to sort itself out?

[He's a doer by nature. He doesn't like the idea of not being able to find a solution for this.]

Video

[craftpunk]

Well, I agree. The horse was better.

Video

[vanto]

Good thing I was young then, my back isn't up to carrying you anymore.

Video

[craftpunk]

Oh no. Come on, you're not that old now, are you?

Video

[vanto]

I'm pushing forty but apparently a life of being a soldier takes a toll on your body. Shocking, who knew.

Video

[craftpunk]

What, does it add an extra ten years? Lucky me, I'll never reach that age.

Video

[vanto]

Thereabout.

I should be entering my golden years soon. Be married with kids, that whole picket fence thing you got going.


Aren't you pissed off about that?

Video

[pickledturncoat]

[Of all the weird confusing things that have happened today, this is probably the weirdest.]

Vanto? What the frack happened to you?

[Sinjir on the other hand, looks about a dozen years younger; circa the time they were in the academy together.]

[vanto]

What happened to me? What happened to you? You look twelve, Sin.

[pickledturncoat]

Twelve? [How insulting.] I'm eighteen. I just... don't know what I'm doing here. We were at the Royal yesterday. What's going on?

[vanto]

So, eighteen in body and mentally ten. [Eli grins.] Look, can you meet me? I'll explain everything but you've been here for a few months.

And normally you're older than me.

[pickledturncoat]

[That is so not funny. 8[]

While you on the other hand are what... fifty?

What? I am not. You're a year older than I am!

...usually.

[vanto]

[Eli snorts.]

I'm almost forty and don't let my cracking back suggest that I'm anything but fit.

Usually, yeah, but since you came here a lot has happened. [Eli sobers up a little, smile fading.] So yeah, you're normally older than me.

If it helps, you aged very well.

Video »

[eloquentness]

I hate that I’m even asking this but... why would you have preferred the horse?

[ he kept his memories and his experience and okay, maybe he’s hotter with the beard... ]

Video »

[vanto]

I know it sounds weird but for one thing I didn't have any back aches. It is very freeing when you're just [he gestures vaguely] mostly instinct and guided by someone. Back when I was in the Navy, my commanding officer took a very close interest in my career and training me. I wouldn't change it for anything but he was manipulative in many ways and yet I'm fond of it.

I suppose this reminded me of those times.

[Apparently, older Eli understand a lot more why he enjoyed his stint as a horse.]

There are obvious downsides, I wouldn't want to be a horse permanently but it wasn't the most awful situation I've been in.

Video »

[eloquentness]

Oh. [ any witty banter about preferring the wild life and some fairy tale with friendship and magic goes out the window completely. Iris's expression softens, nodding as she sees his point. ] Well, if you ask me - I kind of think the beard's a major upgrade.

[ #shallow. ]

Plus, I hear they make meds for back pain these days.

Video »

[vanto]

[Eli looks taken aback by the compliment, then he throws his head back and laughs.] You think? [He rubs his beard.] I should consider keeping it then, even if it makes me feel older.

Do they? [he's teasing.] Must have slipped my ancient mind.

Video »

[eloquentness]

You say older, I say incredibly distinguished. [ Also, if she’s honest, beards are apparently very much her type. ] But don’t let my opinion keep you from shaving it all off.

Okay, grandpa. [ teasing right back! ] Drop by the clinic later – or you know what, you tell me where you are, and I’ll bring some by later. Just in case.

Video »

[vanto]

Honestly? I just feel scruffy but you're the beard expert.

Don't worry, I'll come by later. My old bones need a walk and everything, or I might never get up again, and that would be tragic.

Are you working late?