02 » video

[lesterzeppelin]

[ The feed opens up on Lester, giving the camera a quick two-fingered wave and a bright, too-forced smile. He's standing behind the counter of his music store, as evidenced by the rows of guitars behind him. Business as usual, right? Well, it would be if he didn't look exhausted, with bags under his eyes that most certainly weren't there a month ago. ]

Hey, guys. Been a while. [ Both since he's posted on the network and... well, been here. ] First, it's getting close to the holidays, so I wanted to remind everyone that my kids are putting on a winter recital. December 8th, Heropa Performing Arts Center, 7 PM, and well - free tickets for any imPort that shows up. If you're free, you should totally come. They've been working really hard on it!

Second... [ he pauses, knowing what he's about to say is entirely uncharacteristic of him, ] Sorry if I worried anyone for being gone so long. But hey, I'm back, better than ever, and I've got more than a few new haikus and songs up my sleeve.

If anything, I think I've gotta worry more about this rotation of holiday music on the radio. [ lies and slander. He's Living for them all. ] Has it been annoying anyone else, or are any of you the lucky souls who just happen to listen to carols all year long?

Comments

[cannotrest]

A hostage situation. People got taken over and controlled with Scarabs in an attempt to take over the moon.

[lesterzeppelin]

[ If it's not one thing, it's another... and not for the first time, Apollo feels like he's been thrown into the deep end.

He takes a breath, pinching the bridge of his nose, and standing taller: ]

One, who was trying to take over the moon, and two, did we suffer any casualties?

[cannotrest]

[Ah, she's seen that before - albeit in the Marines, not necessarily on him. Ashley approves.]

The Negotiator, who, as far as I'm aware, was the only casualty. There were definitely injuries, though.

1/2

[lesterzeppelin]

[ Negotiator... like the aquarium guy Negotiator? Lester's frown worsens as he takes a moment to Schmoogle this guy and Oh.

Oh boy. ]

2/2

[lesterzeppelin]

Yeah, well... [ he sighs again, ] You try to take over the moon, you deserve to swim with the fishes.

[ The moon belongs to his darling little sister and the other gods she shares it with, not the alien dude who clearly didn't enjoy working at said aquarium!! ]

I can look at the injured, if they still need a doctor.

[cannotrest]

[Ashley nods in agreement. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person in this mess.]

I think everyone's okay by now, though it probably wouldn't hurt to check in with the clinics.

[lesterzeppelin]

Sure. Chilton's in Maurtia Falls, and then Iris's in De Chima, right?

[ Of course, there are others, and Lester's not going to mention he has an outstanding order at Iris's, but those seemed most likely as first locations. ]

[cannotrest]

Yeah, those two are a good start. [Highly Import used clinics.]

[lesterzeppelin]

Got it. I'll check up on them now, and report back when I'm done.

[ he pauses, ]

Have you and Boss been taking care of yourselves? Like, mentally?

[cannotrest]

[The question catches her by surprise, but she smiles a moment later, touched by the concern.]

Yeah, we're good. [And if they weren't, well, Jacob's wellbeing is not Ashley's to tell, especially not to his subordinate.] Thanks for checking in.

[lesterzeppelin]

[ he hesitates, because of course she wouldn't say so on a public forum, but... for now, it works. ]

Of course. [ his expression softens. ] It's the least I could do.