003; video post

[crotcharrow]

[when the video feed blinks on, Tommy is panting. It's quite obvious he's been on a run, the imprinted rings from his goggles still framing his eyes. His hair looks windswept, and he certainly doesn't look happy. As if his life could really get worse right now. There's a light hum in the background, which a keen observer would note was his fingers drumming at high speed on the table. The moment his breathing steadies, he speaks.]

--Anybody seen my brother? Looks pretty much identical to me except he wears dorky clothes, has brown hair and is a idiot.

[he pauses, a brief look of anxiety crossing over his features before he catches himself, clearing his throat.] I just wanna know if I have to save his sorry ass from some kedan gang or the llothi or whatever, because it's his turn to do dishes tonight and I'm not letting him get out of it because he totally missed last night too.

[his finger stop humming as he pauses to drag a hand through his hair, a frown creasing over his features some more.]

Lemme know if you know where he is.

[And the feed cuts out.]

Comments

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

[Victor's got a concerned frown on his face right now. He's worried about how Tommy looks as well as potentially missing Young Avengers.]

I haven't seen him at all but I'll keep my eyes peeled for him. Where was the last place you saw him?

[Video]

[crotcharrow]

[It's been a long few days, Victor.]

In our apartment. It's not like he had plans on going to the mainland again, but I wouldn't be surprised. He's not exactly known for his bright ideas.

[Video]

[alpha_squad_leader]

I'll ask around and see if anyone saw him headed that way.

[Video]

[crotcharrow]

Thanks. I'm sure he just got lost or something, like the idiot he is.

video;

[controlledvariable]

[Aside from briefly making fun of Tommy about fighting Cass, Steph hasn't really talked to Tommy since - everything, but if Billy is missing, she isn't going to worry about things being awkward.

She also has a feeling they aren't going to find Billy]

Do you want me to come over?

Re: video;

[crotcharrow]

[Honestly? With everything that happened lately between them, he wasn't expecting Steph to respond. He wasn't sure where things stood still and even though he'd said that it hadn't been anything on the day, there was no escaping how awkward things were between them.

He hesitates, frowning.]

Sure, if y'want. It's a free turtle. It's not like I'm upset or whatever.

video; encrypted 90%

[controlledvariable]

[Steph frowns, deciding to add an encryption to the message because she doesn't buy that for a second.

It suddenly hits her how young Tommy is, even if she knows he wouldn't appreciate that thought (she wouldn't have, at the same age), and now there's no way she's not coming to check up on him]

You're not a very good liar. Is there anything you'd like me to bring over?

video; encrypted 90%

[crotcharrow]

[he winkles his nose up when she speaks, frowning even more. And yeah. He really wouldn't have appreciated it.

He heaves a sigh because he knows there's no stopping her. He's pretty sure Brandon can't stop her even if he wanted to.]

My brother? So I can smack some sense into him.

video;

[trainwrecked]

... sorry, I have not. But if I catch sight or hear anything about him, I'll let you know.

video;

[crotcharrow]

He's probably just out somewhere and got lost or something. But thanks.

video;

[trainwrecked]

Right. Still.

[Beat.]

He often do that?

[zerotoawesome]

I saw him like a week ago. [Because that's totally helpful.]

Are you guys twins or something?

[crotcharrow]

[Wow, Santo. He doesn't look impressed.]

No. We just look really alike. We've got different parents and everything, which is why I've got the crazy white hair.

[zerotoawesome]

[That won't change probably.]

That's kind of weird.

video;

[storm_warning]

You mean the kid that helped me out during the fire?

[That's about the only person she can think of that's got anything on his appearance.]

Y'know, the one that floats and has weird, glowing magic or something?

video;

[crotcharrow]

Yeah, that's him.

He has a stupid cape too.

video;

[storm_warning]

Sounds like the kid, but I haven't seen him since. You think maybe he got lost on the mainland?

video;

[andaway]

[He tunes in to try to find Billy's heartbeat, but it isn't easy. And he doesn't want to give the guy false hope so it's Clark who replies to this.]

Billy is a strong kid, both of you are. I'm... I'm sure he will be fine.

video;

[crotcharrow]

[He's looking a bit dejected by the time Clark replies.]

It's not his strength I'm worried about. It's his bad habit of making stupid decisions.

...Not that I'm worried or nothing. I just don't want to do his chores.

video;

[andaway]

He's your brother. Admitting you're worried won't make you seem week if that's what you worry about.

[wholenewstory]

[Her faint smile is reassuring.] He's - magic, right? Should be able to...take care of himself.

I'll...keep a look out.

[crotcharrow]

[He gives her a weak one back, obviously still worried.]

Yeah. I hope so.

--Thanks.

Action →

[notahawkingbird]

[ It's late when Kate gets back to the treehouse, two days after she spots Tommy's post on the network about a missing Billy. And while evasion isn't in her nature, it seems like forever ago since their fight at Steph's party.

The original idea was to keep her distance from Tommmy for a couple of days to let everything blow over, but somehow that's managed to turn into a little short of two months. The flurry of events (the hauntings, the fire and the activities since landfall) have somehow caused the days to run away from her. And yes, though Kate is... tired of a fight that she's not even sure makes anymore, it's an awfully awkward position to be in when you consider apologizing for something you're not sure is your fault.

And yet...

She halts at the top-step and angles her head towards Tommy's door.

Teddy vanished and now Billy's gone too. Somehow, it's this thought that nags at her, pulls at her to step tentatively towards the only other person apparently left on the turtle who bore the standard of the Young Avengers. ]

Big girl pants, Katie. Someone's got to wear them.

[ She lifts a fist and raps lightly on the door. ]

[crotcharrow]

[With no sign of Billy turning up, and the idea that he might be stuck on the mainland, Tommy had spent the last few days with Steph, interrogating the kedan that had originally offered them up supplies. They had offered no leads on the situation, and though Steph had assured him that Billy probably hadn't gone to the mainland and got stranded, the thought was still lingering at the back of his mind.

But after no response from Kate too, he's starting to wonder if he's the only one left.

When the knock comes at his door he's just been checking over the console to make sure no posts about Billy had been made, and called back, fully expecting it to be Steph.]

It's open.

[notahawkingbird]

[ There's a part of her that goes lax with relief at the sound of Tommy's voice -- and an equal part that goes oh great before she presses her lips together to push the door open.

She doesn't go all the way in, mostly stands in the threshold and resists the urge to cross her arms over her chest. Keep it casual, Katie she reminds herself mentally. ]

No sign of Billy?