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

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[earnedmystripes]

Ah, if turning into that form's a power, you oughta be able to use it to change back, yeah?

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[matadorable]

I think? [He sure hopes so.] I don't know how, though. I, uh, needed help the last time I changed out of this form.

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[earnedmystripes]

That's okay. We'll figure it out. [yes, we. Hey, it is his job, even if Manolo isn't a kid at Xavier's.] Listen, you wanna take a deep breath and calm down, first.

[Despite all that good cheer, he can tell you're not calm. Mostly because he pulls a similar sort of thing when he's trying to hide being upset.]

Then try to think about how you were feeling or what you were thinking about when you switched, alright?

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[matadorable]

[It's kind of a relief, having someone older to help him through this. Manolo nods, slowly inhaling and letting out a shaky breath. He keeps breathing until he feels the knot of anxiety slowly start to uncoil, and then he sags against the branches behind him.]

...Well, I'd just finished talking with people at the children's hospital -- you know, the one we did the charity thing for?

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[earnedmystripes]

Right. [He keeps his voice even and gentle, smiling lightly at the skeleton man. It would probably have freaked him out a lot a year ago, but you just sort of get used to weird things after awhile in this world. Plus, there was that other skeleton a bit back.]

So, at the children's hospital, what was the last thing that happened before you changed? Do you remember what the changing felt like?

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[matadorable]

[Manolo shifts a little uncomfortably, though it's unclear whether it's because his seating arrangement isn't ideal or if he's just unsure about the question.]

Well, they agreed to let me volunteer. We shook hands, I was on my way out, and then I... [Furrowing his eyebrows in concentration, he tries to recall those crucial moments.] I was wondering to myself whether I'd even be able to do a good job.

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[earnedmystripes]

[:( oh

Kotetsu's familiar with similar feelings, if not always consciously--of wanting to help, but not feeling like it would be enough. There's a flicker of a frown in his features, before he brushes it away.]

...Gotcha. So listen, I want you to imagine what you looked like before, okay? You gotta relax and try to let go of all that stuff you're worrying about and focus on just what it was like to change. And then in your head, try to undo it, like you're pulling your power back into yourself.

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[matadorable]

Alright. [He nods, closing his eyes.] Okay...

[The changing itself, he thinks he remembers. He's changed back before, even if it wasn't his own doing. But it's not just a matter of changing. This power leaves him straddling the line between life and death, which is a tough pill to swallow when he'd honestly been hoping he and Joaquin could put all this behind them for awhile.

--Okay, no, he's supposed to be concentrating on changing back.

He envisions himself, the way he looked back when he was still alive, just this morning.]






...Anything happening yet?

[No, Manolo, you're still a skeleton, and you'd know that if you just opened your eyes.]

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[earnedmystripes]

Not yet, but you'll know when it's happening. You'll be able to feel it. Keep trying, okay? You gotta remember that this power's a part of you; approach it like it was anything else you'd be doing with your body, like running or jumping.

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[matadorable]

[...He cracks an eye open.]

Is that how it is with your powers, señor?

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[earnedmystripes]

Yeah...mine're pretty physical in general. Superstrength and that kinda stuff, y'know? Kinda comes with the territory, I guess.

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[matadorable]

Wow. See, that's the kind of power I think of when someone says "superhero". You must be really good at saving people.

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[earnedmystripes]

[Ahaha...haha...haaa....]

N-no, you got the wrong idea. I'm just, I'm just a teacher, y'know? Not really cut out for a job like that.

[aHEM MOVING ON?!]

Uh. So uh, your power. C'mon, try it again. I know you can do it.

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[matadorable]

[Did he not have those powers before coming here? Or maybe he just didn't like fighting. Of course, helping people didn't always have to involve fighting. Isn't that one reason Manolo wanted to do volunteer work in the first place?

But the guy didn't seem too keen on talking about himself, so he didn't pry for more details.]

Oh! Right, sorry...

[He closes his eye again.] So just...think about how I looked before, and...pull my power in...

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[matadorable]

[He's squeezing his eyes shut now, trying really hard to get this right. It would be great if Joaquin didn't have to see him like this again...

...


...

He isn't changing back, is he. At least, it doesn't feel like it. Manolo cracks an eye open to confirm, and he can't help but look utterly disappointed in himself. This is...really embarrassing, actually.

A sigh.]

I'm sorry. You're trying so hard to help me, but I think I'm just too nervous right now. Maybe I'll do better once I have a chance to play my guitar for a little while. That's...what I normally do when I need to relax.

[earnedmystripes]

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. It takes time, managing your powers. Back when I was a kid, I broke stuff constantly 'cause I didn't have control yet.

If you need to take a break and play your guitar, then that's what we'll do.

[matadorable]

Thank you...for understanding. I'm not sure if I should play my guitar out there, but I'll try again once I do.

[So it sounds like he did have his powers before coming here. Interesting...]

How long did it take for you to to learn to control yours?

[earnedmystripes]

Ah, man...I don't even remember, anymore. A good while, probably.

[He shakes his head.]

That's not the important part, though. There isn't really any kinda timeline for this kinda thing. Stressing out about how long it's taking you is just gonna make it harder, y'know?

[matadorable]

[That's...not too encouraging to hear, even if Manolo understands the wisdom behind refusing to give a timeframe.

But he tries not to let it get him down, and his concerned expression is soon replaced by a cheeky grin.]

Well, hey! If worse comes to worst, I can just pretend to be a Halloween decoration, right?

[earnedmystripes]

[That makes him laugh. He's glad the other guy is starting to relax a little bit; it should make it easier for him to change back eventually.]

Claim it's some kinda promotion at your workplace, people'll eat it up and you'll totally get a raise or something.

[matadorable]

Oh! Or, what if I sat propped at my desk, like...really still, and then went "Boo!" at anyone who got too close?

[earnedmystripes]

[SNORT]

Ohhhh my god, I'd pay so much money to be a fly on the wall for that.

[Because he's secretly 12 and his inner troll greatly appreciates the idea of fucking with people in such a perfectly harmless way.]

[matadorable]

[Hey, what do you know, harmless sass and trolling are A+ in Manolo's book too.]

Right? Plus! I can sing and dance, which makes me the perfect addition to any Halloween party. Maybe I can rent myself out, hah!...Oh, that is not a bad idea, actually...

[earnedmystripes]

...You know, it's actually really not. That kinda thing could be super popular.

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[matadorable]

I will think about it. If not this year, then...next year for sure.