[006. video]

[ceiling_cat]

[Hanekoma's grinning as casually as ever, but he looks a little flushed, and are those dark circles under his eyes?

That's definitely a drippy-looking nose. Maybe he shouldn't have been running around in short sleeves and sandals after all.]

Heyyyy! Had fun with your party?

I was just wonderin' if anybody out there's got tea leaves they're willin' ta trade. I prefer green, but I'll take black or herbal if that's what you've got.

[Thoughtful.] I can trade ya fresh eggs, meat, or --

[He turns the camera to display a half-finished tempera mural in black and white covering one wall of his room -- it's a boldly outlined forest of graffiti-style skyscrapers seen from above, dwindling down to tiny streets under a brilliant sky.] --we can work out a trade for some wall art.

[He pauses to stifle a hacking cough.] Speak up quick, just in case goin' out gets tricky again in a day or two!

Comments

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

Exactly.

[Joshua spends a moment looking over the file, concentrating on committing the words on the screen to memory.]

It's a little surprising how much the Animus' abilities sound like a Composer's.

But they're also looking for a way out. I wonder if we could offer them a way?

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? I'd love ta figure out exactly how that works.

[He tilts his head thoughtfully.] Ya know... this place is breakin' so many rules it's a wonder nobody's descended on it already with a cleanup crew.

I could promise ta get them out by kickin' the info up the ladder if I get out with my memory intact.

[Video | Private]

[fruitcup]

It's a wonder no one has attempted a coup, either, though I'm not sure if that's for lack of trying or just because no one has been powerful enough to attempt to take control. And knowing the nature of this place, I'm not entirely sure that anyone could come in from the outside to clean this place up anyway.

That's a reasonable offer. If only they'll trust us enough to accept it.

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

You got any ideas for backup if they don't take that one?

[He shrugs.] The way they limit everybody but the Animus around here, I'd be surprised if a coup was even possible for the powerful.

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

If they aren't going to give us a way out, the least they could do is restore some of our missing abilities so that we could look ourselves.

[A little smirk behind his fingers, though.]

Now that's a survival tactic if I've ever seen one. I wonder if they're really that afraid of some of us?

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Maybe they're just the paranoid sort.

I wouldn't mind bargainin' for some of our proper abilities back, though. It'd make things simpler.

[Video | Private]

[fruitcup]

Once bitten, twice shy?

I wonder if there's a way we could work that into our current bargain.

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Their paranoia, or our powers? I'd rather focus on us gettin' out, myself.

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

Either one, really. But our powers are more likely to go over well. And there's nothing wrong in having a back-up plan.

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

I can agree with that.

[He pauses, coughing into his sleeve, then glances back up at Joshua.] Plan A, bargain for us gettin' out, plan B, bargain for doin' our best to find a way out for them and us in return for gettin' some power back?

[Video | Private]

[fruitcup]

Sounds like a good set of plans to me.

[That cough gets a raised eyebrow, though.] Sure you don't want to take the day off?

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Well, I wasn't plannin' on headin' out now. Give it a few days an' I'll be back in shape.

[Video | Private]

[fruitcup]

I meant from everything else.

[Not that he's offering to do any of it, though.]

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Rhyme's makin' dinner.

[He notices that, Josh. Not that it's surprising.]

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

Oh, good. At least it won't be someone likely to poison us by mistake.

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Aw, Neku could probably handle roastin' fish.

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

Oh, that's what we're having? Are you sure she's up for that task considering how she looks at the rabbits?

[Surely you aren't that cruel, Sanae.]

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

That's why it's fish an' not bunnies.

[C'mon, Josh, it's not like she's never had roasted fish before. He's not making her gut them or anything.]

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

Up until she sees how big their eyes are.

[Nope, he's not poking fun at all.]

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Hey, if she has trouble, you can lend a hand. Right?

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[fruitcup]

Only if you're willing to help me find a shirt that won't reek of fish.

[Video | Private]

[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

I can point ya in the direction of the laundry soap.

[Video | Private]

[fruitcup]

Or, Neku could help her.

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[greatcuppajoe.livejournal.com]

Think he'd manage it without losin' a finger?

[Video | Private]

[leggierissimo]

He's a smart boy, he'll figure it out.