01 ♥ Video

[matadorable]

[It's hard to type with little stone fingers, so he's trying to use the voice function for the first time.

Too bad he accidentally activates the video option instead. And also makes this public. Oops.

The communicator shakes, and though the image isn't entirely clear, anyone watching can see couple of dark sockets with glowing pupils and what appears to be a skull with ornate carvings and distinctive hair. Sunlight spills through what seem to be leaves in the background, and it's obvious the person on the screen is crouched down somewhere, trying to hide. He's not looking directly into the camera.]

Hey. Joaquin. It's me, Manolo. So, uhhh...[How do you even put this.]

Funny story! You know how I said my powers were music-based? That's actually half of what I can do. I can also do something else. I think it keeps me from dying, which as far as powers go? Not a bad one, if I do say so myself! [Because he's already dead in this form, but like hell he's going to say that, hah hah hahhh.....

Maybe if he sounds upbeat enough he can bullshit his way through this.]

The only downside is that people shouldn't see me. Don't ask why, it's just...a power thing, you know? So maybe you could come down here with, like, a...sheet? Just toss it in my general direction, and we'll be good to go. Everyone will think I am dressed as a ghost. Perfect disguise, yes?

[He is grinning really hard and hoping all this optimism and false confidence will be enough. But then he notices something and now he's looking at the communicator like it just ran him through with a sword.]

Oh no...

[Oh yes. And now everyone can see exactly what this power actually is. Good job, Manny!]

Comments

[medalsome]

Manolo?

[He turns toward the sound of his friend's voice and steps closer to the bush, then stops when he finally sees Manolo through the shadows. A feeling of absolute futility cascaded through him and he has to collect himself for a moment before he could move or speak again.]

Ma... You...

[Talking still proves too difficult so he just tosses the sheet over and turns away.]

[matadorable]

[He may not have a literal heart anymore, but he can still feel a piece of his soul breaking when he sees Joaquin making that face at him. Worst of all, he's the direct cause of it. He can barely meet his gaze, and he's grateful when the folded sheet lands near his knees. With a quiet thank you, he begins to unfold it. His hands are glad to have something to do.]

I'm...sorry, Joaquin. Please believe me, this wasn't how I wanted to tell you.

[medalsome]

[Again, he wants to speak but no words can seem to form. He works his jaw, fighting against a burning sensation behind his eyes.

Being here really hadn't changed anything.

He needed some alone time but for now he was needed. Manolo needed him. That thought alone gave him a little strength.]

Let's get home. I'll... figure out what to do...

[matadorable]

...Thanks. [He'll let Joaquin call the shots today. It's not like Manolo is in any position to lead them anywhere.

By now, he's unfolded the sheet, but he can't help but ask:]

Wait, how am I gonna go anywhere if I can't see? We could cut holes, but my eyes are all...

[He waves a bony hand in from his face. Sheet plan was not as fool proof as initially thought!]

[medalsome]

[A nod. That's the only "you're welcome" he can manage.]

Er... [Damn, he hadn't thought of that. Biting his bottom lip and tapping his toe Joaquin thought fast.]

Look, I'll... [A growl of frustration then he holds out a hand, still looking away.] Just... take my hand through the sheet and I'll lead you.

[matadorable]

...Okay.

[The last thing he wants is to be led around like some kind of child, but there isn't much choice at this point. Manolo sighs and throws the sheet over himself. Once that's been adjusted, he gropes around for Joaquin's hand.]

[medalsome]

[It's the only option Joaquin sees. If Manolo's worried his skeletal form is somewhat of a problem then what would people think about his eyes? Joaquin kept his eyepatch on for a reason other than just to stave off visions of the undead. All he wants right now is to get home and calmly sit down and think of a solution.]

Let's go. [He grips Manolo's hand and they begin their walk back to a less crowded street side to grab a cab.

The run around had felt like an eternity, time swelling as Joaquin worried himself sick over his friend while he rushed to find some sort of blanket before nearly getting lost just returning to the block with the hospital. But now it also seemed to slow to a crawl, the two of them getting some very, very odd looks from the cab driver after they had settled in and set off for the porter. Not to mention the awkward silence that hung between himself and Manolo. Joaquin would have felt embarrassed by the stares they got if not for that hard, cool grip reminding him of the circumstances. As it was, his face remained a grim scowl, keeping pretty much anyone from asking questions during the taxi ride or when they were making their trek back home from the porter.]


[[OOC: Changed some stuff: sheet > throw blanket, starts in Heropa > actually in Maurtia Falls, etc.]]

bless you Cager, sorry again for my fail

[matadorable]

[Manolo has suffered through a lot of indignities during his life, but this has to take the cake. For his part, he's just wearing a flat expression behind the blanket, silently counting down the minutes until he can hole himself away in his room for awhile. He doubts Joaquin wants to look at him like this, and, quite frankly, Manolo is kind of tired of being looked at.

Thankfully, they eventually make it home without any mishap, but Manolo is still bummed that what was supposed to be a fun day of talking about volunteer opportunities at the Maurtia Falls Pediatric Hospital had turned into...well, this mess.

Once they step through the doorway, though, he doesn't bother taking the blanket off.]

Thank you for...the blanket, coming to find me, everything. I don't know what I would have done if I'd been up there alone. [Probably something stupid.]

lol we good, we good

[medalsome]

[Joaquin is quite alright with silence until they get home. It was somewhat stifling once they did reach their house, but Manolo willingly broke the ice first.]

... Knowing you, probably would have also found some stairs to trip down just to top it all off. [It was a little harsh maybe, but true.

Joaquin rubs at his face with his hands, glad Manolo is keeping the blanket on for his sake at least. If he had to see him like that forever...]

How did you even get like this, Manolo? What did you do?

<3!

[matadorable]

[He can't even defend himself against the stairs comment, nor can blame the accusatory edge in Joaquin's voice.]

I'm not...totally sure. I went to talk to the people at the hospital like we'd planned and didn't do anything else, I swear it.

<33!!

[medalsome]

[Really? Joaquin sighs.]

Then I... I don't know what to do or what to say. How to help you or if... [and his voice just gets smaller and smaller] ... or if you're stuck like this...

[For perhaps the fifth or sixth time since getting here Joaquin feels like a child that just wants to cry. But he can't, he can't! He has to suck it up, be strong, be a man. He has to be there for Manolo and Manolo needs him more than ever!]

[matadorable]

Stuck like this? Of course I'm not stuck like this. [He waves a hand as if that's the least of his worries, although the gesture is obscured by that stupid blanket. He doesn't like the way Joaquin is starting to sound right now, and he's desperate to fix things.

In actuality, he has no clue if he's stuck like this, but he is going to act optimistic for the both of them!]

[medalsome]

[Frustration was rising again but Joaquin held it in. He took a deep breath.]

This isn't a game, Manolo. We have to figure out how to get you back to being you rather than... [a slightly wild gesture] this!

Manolo. [He reaches out and grasps Manolo's stone shoulders, trying whatever he can to get his point as clearly across as possible.] I don't want to feel like I should avoid you just to hold on to whatever is left of my sanity!

[matadorable]

[That wipes the smile clean off his face. "Get back to being you". Does Joaquin not realize...that this is him?

No, he probably does on some level, and that's the problem. With only Joaquin's voice to focus on, he can sense the tension in his words, like a taut bowstring ready to fire at a moment's notice. And Manolo is just pulling on that string, making it tighter and tighter still...

When he feels Joaquin grab onto his shoulder, he pulls the blanket around himself, and he answers in a quiet voice.

...I don't want you to feel like that, either.

[medalsome]

[Joaquin feels some relief at that statement and releases him.] Good! I'm glad we're on the same page here.

[He starts pacing around the living area, unable to quite stand still.]

Alright... Okay, so, you should be able to change back but how do we get that to happen...

[matadorable]

I'm sure there's a way, we just don't know it yet. [He has a feeling the mounting pressure to fix this isn't going to help matters, though.] I kinda had help the last time I changed back, but that's not possible here.

[medalsome]

I'm sure some others change their bodies... Sometimes. [Surely Manolo wasn't the only one...]

[Joaquin stops and glances around, still jumpy.]

Hey! Can you still do the guitar thing?

[matadorable]

[Even if other people can change, that doesn't necessarily mean their powers work the same way. But Manolo keeps that thought to himself. Instead, he rubs his chin from underneath the blanket.]

I'm not sure. I haven't tried. Why do you ask?

[medalsome]

Well, I was thinking, maybe it works the same way? But if you're still not even sure how that worked...

[They were stuck back at square one. Joaquin bites hit bottom lip.]

... You really think you can change back?

[matadorable]

I think it has to do with my feelings. The guitar trick is easier because I'm always wanting to play something, but this...

[He doesn't quite know how he feels about it, which might be the issue.]

Yes, Joaquin, I can change back. [He's emphatic, but he uses a gentle tone with his friend.] Nothing happened to me, I just got a little worked up over something, that's all.

[medalsome]

... Makes sense. [Manolo really was a musician at heart. How did anyone ever think he should be anything else?

Well thank god it wasn't the same for Joaquin. He'd be exploding from changes every other day with how worked up he was getting lately.]

I just wish... [He runs fingers through his hair and grits his teeth.] Why is everything so... vague!

[matadorable]

The Porter must have a really cruel sense of humor. I keep reminding myself things could be worse, but...I know that isn't much consolation.

[medalsome]

Tell me about it....

[Feeling defeated, Joaquin threw his arms up for a moment then slumped down on their couch. There wasn't anything he could do, was there?]

Just... take off the blanket, Manolo. Do whatever you want.

[matadorable]

[Joaquin's stricken expression from earlier is still fresh in Manolo's mind. As he adjusts the blanket to where it's more like a hood than something you toss over an ugly piece of furniture, he carefully keeps his back toward his friend.]

I'll just...go to my room for awhile.

[medalsome]

Do whatever you want. It's your house.

[Joaquin probably needed to be the one to leave. Go on a walk or something. He was getting so tired of all this.]