ataraxion | [ first → video ]

[ Hello, have your new 010 » 111 pop up on the network. The video turns on to show someone obviously in their room. He's sitting on the bed and he has the comm resting in his hands on his lap, it's facing him -- even if it's a little off center. His fingers run over the buttons on the device and he clears his throat, ready to speak at the indication that the video is recording.

And yet, the video is upside down. ]

Just a friendly reminder to whoever is in charge that, if you are in fact going to abduct someone from their work and home into outer space -- you might want to reconsider picking a blind man. For one, stars? Completely wasted on me.

[ A slight quirk of his lips up at that. ]

And to... any friendly listeners out there, a brief rundown of this place from someone who isn't a native would be exceptional. I'm sure there's a welcome sign around here but, well, [ He tilts his head just a bit and shrugs lightly. ]

I think that covers it. Nice to meet you, I'm sure you're all very pretty.

[ And then he grins and hangs up. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Isaac doesn't cry. Not that he can't, but he's pretty much done all his crying the night his dad died, and that was that. But he gets quiet, like Mr. Lahey taught him to be, and because with the werewolf hearing every single sound is sharp and his heartbeat's deafening at this distance.

Camden never came back. Erica and Boyd might never come back, either.

He just wishes someone would stay, sometimes.

Isaac starts nodding, until he remembers Auggie is blind, so he coughs a little wetly. He can read between the lines, thank whatever damage taught him that. ]

Thanks. I won't tell.

[ Burying his brother in space - imagine that. ]

[ ~~THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SAY JOAN UP THERE~~ He just nods and sits back a little. ]

You've been waiting to tell someone your story, haven't you?

[~~It's cool, I didn't even notice!~~ He's clearing his throat, okay, he's not sad at all.]

Everyone else either wants to call him a hero or not talk about it at all.

[Like that ever helps anyone.]

So you picked the blind guy. Huh.

[ He sighs a little. ]

They gave me a medal. It's a trend, I see.

You wouldn't judge. I think.

[ He didn't pick you because you're blind - if he was aiming for something completely self-serving he'd tell Scott, who is mentally challenged and blind.

He just... felt like you wouldn't judge. ]

Was it a nice medal?

[ A smile. He wouldn't, it's true. This happens a lot, people need to get something off their chest. They bottle it up and bottle it up and bottle it up and sometimes they meet Auggie and it just comes out. Happened with Annie too. ]

It was really shiny. [ A beat. ] Well, so I was told.

[ Maybe one day Auggie can do the same thing to Derek, and then— well, Derek wouldn't feel less guilty, but at least he wouldn't be so pent-up with non-emotions all the time.

Maybe.]

I bet it was.

[ A beat. ]

Haha. Aha— [ It's not funny but you know those moments when you just want to laugh? This is one of those. ]

[ Or, he'll just continue to be Derek. It's kind of a 50-50 chance there.

Well, Auggie is amused by the reaction. The laugh kind of confirms what he was thinking, that the guy had some pent up stories and from what he gathers (just got here, troublesome life back home, surprised by a nice person), Isaac needed to let it out. He's kind of relieved it was just to Auggie and not like... an asshole. ]

Are you alright now?

[ He feels good, and then he feels bad, and then he feels sheepish because maybe Derek would have wanted to have this kind of moment with his own pack instead of them having it with everyone who isn't him. Maybe he's overanalyzing. Maybe Derek really just needs them for the strength that comes in having a pack.

Maybe Derek— Maybe—

They need to talk more.

Isaac's laughter peters out, and there's a barely audible sound from him that probably sounds the way a dog would whine when it's happy. (It's good that you can't see his eyes being a little yellow at the edges.)]

I don't feel as bad, does that count?

[ You probably should, bro. He's wondering just slightly how many friends Isaac has here and what his relationship is with them when he ended up coming to a stranger to talk to.

Though he does realize that sometimes strangers just seem easier to deal with. ]

That's mostly up to you. I think it does, at least.

[ Also that is an interesting reaction there, that whine but he won't comment. ]

[His friends either: eloped to find better chances of survival, are not-dating the girl whose family has a hatred for werewolves that borders manic, in love with the girl whose boyfriend is directly responsible for the death of dad, and/or was drowned in the pool of his childhood home.

Getting adopted by the local werewolf contingent just adds a shine to all of it, really. But they're his.]

Then I think it counts. It feels nice.

[ dude your life sucks ]

That's what matters then. I'm happy for you.

[No, that would be Derek. We just pad his misery.

And if Isaac were a real dog he'd be closing his eyes and asking for a scratch behind the ears.]

I'm happy for me, too.

[ of course, of course ]

Keep this up and outer space might be good for you.

I hope so, man. You take care though, yeah?

Most certainly. You too, Isaac.

[ you probably need to more than him, honestly ]

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