video; comfortably awkward

[restingstitchface]

[Crane sits at bench in the park. The summer heat makes him look uncomfortable in his tweed suit that's one size too small, and his hair looks like he's spent the night sleeping in his office. One leg rests over the other - and he looks twenty years too young.]

I'm having something of an existential crisis.

[He scratches a fingernail against the underside of his chin. Tension drips off him like sweat but he keeps going.]

Actually, a large crisis.

[He takes a moment to steady himself; straightens his spine and clasps hands.]

When my doctoral advisor said we all become our own "tough acts to follow", I never thought he meant it literally. Needless to say, my transition from graduate school into a brave new world has me at a loss. My intention isn't to sit around whining about it, but -

[For the first time in minutes, he sighs morosely.]

Somebody, please, throw me a line.

Comments

( video )

[hairswirls]

( if there was one thing kirie knew well about was crisis-

actual ones though, not existential. the kind that meant life or death.

still she does try. )

Oh well um....I guess it depend on what you plan on doing right? Have you been here long?

[restingstitchface]

[Crane bites his lip for a moment in consideration.]

Just a few days. I don't see blood weeping down the wall yet, but...

[Being here isn't the problem. The issue is what he found on his arrival.]

[pickledturncoat]

Seems like a valid thing to sit around whining about if you ask me.

[In his case, transitioning from Imperial Academy cadet to... here, wherever this place is.]

It's not as if we had much choice in the matter after all.

[restingstitchface]

[He begins scratching the back of his neck with his fingers.]

That's for sure. And from what I'm hearing there's nothing we can do about it?

[pickledturncoat]

So they tell me. Not that I can pretend to understand what they're even talking about most of the time.

[restingstitchface]

Oh, well, try not to worry about it. You're hardly the only one lost around here.

[He doesn't include himself in that, though he doesn't say it.]

[pickledturncoat]

Apparently not, no. It all seems quite widespread and possibly contagious.

[restingstitchface]

Contagious? And people are just walking around so haphazardly?

[pickledturncoat]

It doesn't seem like the sort of thing that would be contagious though, does it? I've heard of some pretty strange space diseases, but this hardly falls into the same category.

[restingstitchface]

[Space diseases.]

Well, it seems like a mental disorder more than anything. Collective obsessional behavior transmitted through illusion as a result of rumor and fear. The real strange thing is it appears to be pathological.

It's fascinating, really.

[pickledturncoat]

You think this is an illusion?

[restingstitchface]

Not literally? I just don't think it's pathological.

[pickledturncoat]

[He snorts.] Maybe there's something in the water.

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps. That or the Porter. I hear it's not the most stable of things.

video;

[itistolaugh]

Look I know I didn't make the best first impression, but you really really really need to see this house. It's a freakin' mansion! With libraries! That's plural. I'm serious. Also there are so many birds and it's freaking me out and I don't know how to get rid of them please help.

[restingstitchface]

[Birds? Well, that's a big fucking nope.

He wrinkles his nose and goes to all the trouble of being nicely reasonable.]

Send photographs?

[itistolaugh]

[ He wants photos? Oh he'll get photos. Selfies, specifically, of her blowing kisses and winking and generally being flirty and adorable. Heyyyyy ;) ;) ;) ]

[restingstitchface]

I...

[He blinks at her for a second while he processes how he's feeling; tired or frustrated? A short time after, his hand runs through his air.]

Of the library. Not you. Please.

[itistolaugh]

[ She sends another photo of herself vamping, with full bookshelves visible over her shoulder. ]

[restingstitchface]

Nice. Reminds me of home.

[#libraryporn fan, right here.]

[itistolaugh]

Hey, also, do you know what kind of dog this is?

[ She turns the camera on Lou, sitting at her feet. He lazily snaps at a crow that swoops over his head. ]

[restingstitchface]

[He looks it over, trying not to raise his nose at the imagined stink.]

Looks like a hyena.

[itistolaugh]

Okay, except, no? It can't actually be a hyena. That would be crazy. Nobody keeps hyenas in a house.

[ The definitely a real hyena perks up at his voice and starts trying to mouth at the camera. ]

Look, he knows you! Is that your daddy, li'l guy? Do you miss daddy?

[restingstitchface]

[Crane smiles a little to himself but shakes his head; he doesn't seem convinced. There was no way he would play house with such an animal unless it was necessary.]

You know, I'm sure they've got alternative accommodations for animals like that.

[They're called zoos.]

[itistolaugh]

Ya mean like the big cage in the creepy basement?