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

video;

[earnedmystripes]

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

video;

[matadorable]

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

video;

[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.

video; 1/2

[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...

video; 1/2

[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.

1/2

[matadorable]

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

[matadorable]

[His expression grows a little more subdued once he realizes what he just said.]

...Well. If I'm still around, anyway. I don't know whether that's something to hope for or not.

[earnedmystripes]

[He pauses, his own expression sobering in turn with Manolo's.]

You don't want to go home? [He chews on his lip, uncertain.] Are things, um...rough, there?

[Like titanworld--which is pretty much his standard for worlds that are difficult to want to go home to.]

[matadorable]

It's...complicated. I don't not want to go home? It's where my loved ones are, and it's a wonderful place. But...that means leaving the Land of the Living, and I've started to realize that maybe I shouldn't be in such a hurry to, you know...be dead again.

[earnedmystripes]

[His face visibly pales a bit, any last vestiges of his good humor from before crumbling into nothing.]

...Oh.

[It's always a strange feeling, running into people who are dead in their worlds. It makes him think about things he doesn't want to be thinking about, for one, and he can't imagine it's easy for them to know that this place is all they've got left.]

I'm sorry. For what it's worth, I hope you can build a good life here.

[matadorable]

[The way Kotetsu's color drains from his face isn't lost on Manolo, and he shifts a little uncomfortably against the bushes. Manolo valiantly tries to keep his own good humor whenever his death comes up, but...he can't exactly expect the same from others, and he gets that.

Still, he appreciates the well wishes, and Manolo offers a smile.]

Thank you very much, señor. If it makes you feel any better, death is...actually not so bad? But it's also taught me to appreciate life a lot more, so...I'm trying my best to do just that.

[earnedmystripes]

It doesn't, but...I mean, I'm not the one who's dead, y'know?

[In other words, he doesn't think it's exactly his place to be telling Manolo how he ought to be feeling about it.]

[matadorable]

This is true. [A pause.] You are a kind man.

[earnedmystripes]

[dkfjlksdfs Kotetsu is simultaneously flattered and embarrassed. He doesn't exactly get a ton of compliments much of the time, so he never really knows what to do with it when he does get one]

Nah--that's just, me not being an asshole.

[matadorable]

You gave some of your time to me when you didn't have to, though.

[earnedmystripes]

[He shrugs, mildly]

Ehh, when you think about it, there's not a whole lot we have to do. Plus, I got to meet a pretty cool guy in the process, yeah?