10° VIDEO

[faceofthe4]

[There's a pause before Johnny's face appears on the screen, bent over to press the buttons. Once he confirms that the screen is on, he straightens and makes sure he's in frame, wearing very basic clothes.]

Aw, Reed. You shouldn't have! It's a little small, but I admit, I like what you've done with the place.

[He waits a beat, as if Reed might actually respond.]

There are two obvious possibilities for why I'm here. One, the Emperor is a crazed fan who abducted me to find out if The Torch is really as hot as they say he is – I am, by the way – or, two, I'm actually dead, they're lying to me, and I have a motorcycle and a pile of women waiting for me somewhere.

[A split-second pause.] I'll tell you what. If it's the first option? You can come find me. If it's the second, let me know and I'll come find you. Until then? This Fire Sector is like home, sweet home.

Johnny out.

Comments

action;

[faceofthe4]

Of course not.

[He returns her mischievous smile, looking at her suggestions and easily dismissing the first two. Johnny loves heat in all forms and her third suggestion is extremely tempting.]

What are you getting?

action;

[trifurcate]

This one. Best parts of the second and third, in my opinion.

[She points to the dish. Spicy poultry dish with a mix of vegetables. Vegetables, at least, are easier to come by than meat.]

They have anything like these foods back home?

action;

[faceofthe4]

[Johnny looks at her choice and gives her a smile, decided to stick with his meat-centric spicy dish for now. His smile widens at her question. It's one thing to think of others living in a world like his but with different people. It's another thing to think of a completely different world.]

Close enough. Different meats usually and American restaurants tend to have more of a theme than the places I've seen here so far, but it's not far off. What about you?

action;

[trifurcate]

Similar in some ways. The food tends to be more hearty and savory, and there's a great deal more fruit and nuts to be had, all fresh in the marketplace.

[Smiling, she leans back, pushing her menu to one side.]

Though really when I think about the differences between here and there, it's just the quantity of everything that's the most different I think. It's still an adjustment to be in a place where so many things aren't plentiful, that resources are scarce.

action;

[faceofthe4]

[Johnny unconsciously mirrors her posture, leaning back and throwing an arm around the edge of the back of his chair to be as nonchalant as possible.]

I used to read about rations in history books as a kid and I could never really understand what it was like, but I never wanted to. I don't like being hungry.

action;

[trifurcate]

Same here. Never understood it, never wanted to.

[Speaking of which, the waitress returns to take orders. Bryn gives hers, calling it her "usual" which indicates how often she's there, then looks to Johnny.]

I'm hoping it gets resolved quickly.

action;

[faceofthe4]

[Johnny orders the spicy dish Bryn suggested, giving the waitress the same charming grin he gives most people upon introduction as he does. He gives her a grinning thanks, meeting her eyes until she turns to walk away. Then his attention is back to the woman across from him and the exaggerated smile fades from his lips for something more sincere again.]

In the meantime, I guess we'll just have to make do.

action;

[trifurcate]

I guess so.

[And for the evening, they make do with delicious local cuisine, the contents of Bryn's flask, and each other for company.]