tushanshu | 003 ◉ video

Current Location: EA-3B

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003 ◉ video

[ Hi Turtletopia, meet Kyle. He’s wearing a sleeveless deep green shirt, with the words YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A STUBBORN JERK TO WORK HERE, BUT IT HELPS beneath the Lantern insignia. He’s leaning back in the chair, looking a lot more cheerful than he’s been over the past month. As always, he’s wearing his ring on his right hand. He’s broadcasting from an Earth Sector suite, quite utilitarian save for several maps and diagrams of flora and fauna that have been pinned to the walls, all of which are extremely detailed, a few of which are not finished.

He gives the screen a small wave and begins to speak, his tone even, matter-of-fact, self-assured. It’s not overbearing, but distinctly that of someone who, when he speaks, is used to being listened to, and obeyed. ]

Astrid Farnsworth is missing. [ A text document with her photograph and physical description is attached. There is a very brief clench of his jaw before he starts speaking again. ] If she owed you any debts, made any promises, let me know. Anyone who wants to pick up where she left off with the bakery in Water Sector now, it’s all yours.

[ Moving on. ]

Secondly, for those of you who need equipment, and don’t have the money or means to acquire it [ Constructs of a feather duster, an M16 rifle, and what looks like a portable electricity generator appear and disappear in quick succession. ] I can make pretty much anything, it’s all solid and it works just like ordinary stuff. [ Wryly: ] My sewing machines have been making your clothes for quite a while. [ Beat. ] If it’s new, don’t worry, I’m a quick learner. Size, complexity, not a problem. [ Another pause. ] It’s not permanent, just a stopgap measure if you’re in a tight spot and need a hand. Or five. [ On cue, five hands appear, wave merrily, and disappear. ]

Thirdly, if you have scanners, I’d like to know what you discovered when you tried to use them on the barrier. If you haven’t tried yet, I’d be happy to offer a lift so that we can make an attempt. To our magic users, this extends to you too. By magic, I don’t mean technology so advanced it can be misconstrued as magic, I mean [ emphasizes each word: ] actual proper magic. [ He frowns a little. ] Actually, I’d be interested to know what all of you feel specifically when you are around the barrier or trying to get through it. And just a word of advice, don’t try to fly through it. It’s pretty painful and the water’s cold. [ :/ ]

That’s all.

[ A pause. ]

Right. For those of you who’re new here. Hi. Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern Corps. Y’know. [ Self-deprecating smile. ] If you need a book moved from a tall shelf or something, the Lighthouse is at EA-3B.

[ A small two-finger salute, and signing off. ]

[30% ENCRYPTED | PEPPER POTTS]

[ This is solely because he doesn’t feel like pinging her publicly on the network. ]

Does your welcome brochure have a list of all available Foreigner-run clinics, with a list of personnel and available equipment?

[100% ENCRYPTED | FILTER: DICK GRAYSON, TIM DRAKE, DAMIAN WAYNE]

Hey. Got a favour to ask of you guys.

[100% ENCRYPTED | DAMIAN WAYNE]

[ The cheer is gone. This is Serious Business. ]

Let me know if there’s any chatter on this post, regarding that topic we discussed. I’ll be at the clinic today.

[ And another pause, as he considers what else to say. ]

I’ll see you soon, all right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Guy.

[It's a little chiding. It's not really why can't you just get along, because he knows, he knows better than anyone why that's the case. It's just him being exasperated at a world that doesn't listen to him, and right now, that frustration is being vented at one of the few people who won't judge him for it.]

Any progress on that bar name? Logo?

[I feel useless.]

[The difference is Guy listens. Mostly. And tries to understand a good portion of the time. There are limits, though, and this is one of them. He's not about to play nice with somebody just 'cause he oughta.]

Siddown.

[It's what he says instead of giving an answer.]

[Welp. That's the Listen To Me voice. Kyle pulls over a chair, and rocks it on two legs, raising a questioning eyebrow.]

[Guy twiddles a pen, leans back in his own chair, raises an eyebrow right back.]

I kinda figured you'd be thinking about the logo.

[He kinda didn't. He kinda figured Kyle'd be pent up in his own mind, like he gets. But he kinda wants him out of there, for a little while.]

[Worried about you.]

[A tilt of the shoulders, a small smile. Sorry. A slight twitch of his fingers: I get restless.]

What'd you want on it? I figured something cool. [Snaps his fingers.] A shark. We could put a shark on it.

Just one?

[Like, at least ten sharks. His brows knit together. So do something.]

[Right hand flexes. I'm trying.]

Dunno, how many are we talking about?

I don't know. Gimme a bunch of sketches and I'll figure out which one looks best.

Some without sharks, if you want.

[This is. Pretty straightforward.]

[He grins widely, and with a flick of his wrist a notebook comes soaring out from under... stuff, and he flips it open excitedly, only for his face to fall when he realises which notebook it is.

They haven't talked about it. Kyle kept wanting to summon the courage to do so. He doesn't... really know what to do now because his emotions (guilt, shame, fear) are written all over him. This is like sounding a siren next to Guy's ear. There'll be a reaction and he honestly doesn't want to cause more pain.]

[His eyes narrow, almost imperceptibly. Like hell that's gonna fly. No more hiding.]

[He just holds his hand out. Not even expectantly. Kyle knows he's not gonna let this go - he'll be quieter about it this time than last time, but drop it? No way.]

[Not imperceptible to Kyle. He was going to hand it over even without Guy asking.

Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.]

[He flips through it, jaw clicking tight in response to every turned page. A slow blink, once he gets to the end, and a slight shake of his head.]

[And then he hands it back. Once was enough. He'll remember what's in there. Now he fixes Kyle with a sharp look. Talk to me.]

[He's not sure what he expected. Disappointment. Judgement. Anger.

He sees none of it, and... he lowers his head, focuses on the sound of his heart pounding in his ears. Let me pull myself together.]

Apparently I get through it.

[It's not an answer. He's stalling, trying to find the right words.]

[There's anger, sure. But it's pushed down - something he does for Kyle and Kyle only, and only for a while, only because he remembers fractures and the look on Soranik's face. Which wouldn't matter, except for the fact that she was Doctor Natu right then.]

[So there's a ticking at the back of his head, and when it ticks down he'll be furious. But for now, he watches, he waits.]

Yeah? Good to hear.

[Terse. Demanding, in as gentle a way as he can manage, which really - isn't.]

[He twiddles his thumbs. When Guy gives him such an ultimatum it's a countdown to another fight. Kyle bends, as he always does. He's not in the mood for another set of broken bones, another round of apologies that he only means on the surface.]

I don't know what to do about it except ask people to be patient with me.

[I don't know how to ask you to help me.]

Right. Right. 'Cause you know so many patient people.

[Right. He's thinking. Words that don't mean much take up space while he thinks, like they so often do - and in the end he leans back in his chair again, eyes narrowed at the ceiling. Balanced on two legs, sometimes one as he shifts his weight.]

Gotta keep moving, Kyle. Keep yourself busy.

[It's all he's got. Push. Doesn't have to be against; it can be alongside. Shoulder to shoulder, carrying a wounded man.]

[He rolls his shoulders, rubs his forehead. I know I have to.]

There's nothing to do. We - at home, I wouldn't be benched, I'd be out there, doing some good. [I'd be pushed to be my best.] Right now, it's just... waiting for something to happen.

[He rocks back and forth on the chair. He hates the waiting.]

Yeah.

[He's not about to argue this. It's bull, and he hates it, and at least if they were both at home they'd know what was happening. More or less. Or could beat it out of somebody.]

[Folding his arms, he shrugs.]

You and me, we're used to big sweeping gestures. [A smirk.] Bold strokes.

I am. [Fingerpoint.] You take the small ones sometimes. [He knows who's been leaving extra pencils around the apartment, ok? Normally he wouldn't bring it up, but... he needs to reinforce that he's grateful. For the little things. That's what it's all in the service of, because the little things matter too and nobody knows that better than Guy.]

Who, me?

[Not Guy Gardner. But he doesn't quite look at Kyle because - well, if anybody's gonna know . . .]

[It's a lie that slides into a joke, and he smirks sideways, sly.]

Couldn't be.

[nope.gif

He knows you too well, he smiles a little sheepishly, and then turns sombre again. That notebook's still there, between them. Like a knife through his heart.]

I know what your worst fear is.

[He doesn't say I saw it when I was in there, or I don't have the right to know. He doesn't need to. It's written into the tightness in his shoulders, the purse of the lips, the tap-tapping of his foot on the floor.]

[. . . Okay. Now there's a little anger. A subtle change in the tension of his jaw, a push back of his shoulders.]

[He lets all four legs of the chair hit the floor.]

Then you know it ain't a threat to me.

[I don't bow to cowards.]

[A small shudder goes through him at the sound.That's not what's bothering me.]

I don't have a right to know something like that.

[You didn't trust me with it explicitly.]

[Another shrug. Tense.]

Too damn bad, huh? What're you gonna do? Wipe it away?

[Angry. He doesn't have a right, no. But might as well rail against a mountain or a brick wall.]

[Which, honestly, maybe he will. And hope Sinestro shows up here so he can stomp him down and throw him right back into the ocean.]

[Except this... Kyle closes off, withdraws, protecting himself. The volcano could blow any minute and he has to survive, weather it through. Wondering if this is it, this is the end.

He knows that anger too well: he fears it.]

003 ◉ video

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