ataraxion | 001 ↓ [video]

[Larry is sitting cross-legged on his bed in his cabin, looking pretty bored. He tries to put on a grin that ends up looking more sheepish and clueless than anything, and takes one more moment of valuable transmission time to glance up at the ceiling, presumably in thought. Then he sighs, and faces his device. At least he is no longer panicking the way he was during his first few days on the ship.]

Um...hi, I guess. I'm Larry Butz, and one day I woke up in a tube with weird gunk that took forever to get out of my hair. Gum is worse, though.

[A pause. He wonders what else he should say.]

Thought I'd introduce myself since we'll be on this ship for a while. In space and all that.

...

By the way, I got a couple of questions. First, are there any art materials on board? I'm kinda bored. [As if that wasn't obvious from the fact that he has decided to lie back down, his eyes half-closing in a dazed expression.] And second, are the numbers on our arms supposed to mean something, or did we all get random ones while we were asleep?

[Because his reminds him of something. Something more than just an age, or a birthday, or any sort of date.]

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[Larry gives a yelp.]

But then that would mean three of me on this ship!

...Mr. Butz.

[That snaps him out of it.]

Don't "mister" me, Edgey! We're friends! Including my past, present and future selves!

First, I acknowledge that we did have comparatively amicable relations when we were children, but I've not so much as spoken to you in over a decade. Second, stop speaking so foolishly; there is only one of you.

...

A-are you saying we're not friends anymore?

[He knows he should say yes, that's right, because he doesn't have time for sentiment or for friends. He knows that is the sort of thing he should say for his own dignity and for the protection of his former friends, because as he well knows it is dangerous to be associated with him. But -

He comes up with the best response he can think of.]

A foolish question. I'll not waste my time discussing such matters as those.

[There is a small, choked up sound on the other end.]

Then that's a yes! You think it's not worth talking about! After all I -

[He catches himself, though, before he completes that sentence and gets into dangerous territory.]

...I'm saying - [He scowls.] I'm saying that it's idiotic to talk about matters like "friendship." That is all. And I'm saying, too, that one cannot even talk of "friends" when one doesn't even know the other person, which I do not, as the intervening span of time is enough to essentially render us different people.

[Larry grits his teeth and is on the verge of punching the nearest pillow to vent his...well, whatever he felt at this moment, because he couldn't quite describe it. Was it frustration, knowing that Edgeworth did not know what Larry would do for him in the future? Was it sadness, because his other childhood friend was essentially disowning him? Or was it anger, because Edgeworth was just throwing it aside so casually?

Or a combination of all or some of the above?]

I...

You know me! You remembered that I used to dare you as a kid! I believe you're a good guy, and I...

[His voice rises, getting slightly louder.]

Even if you were gone for years, I still consider you as a friend! Edgey, what's going on? You weren't like this when I met you for the first time in fifteen years!

Edited 2012-11-02 15:18 (UTC)

A good guy? How can you even know that?

[It's completely and utterly idiotic. Completely. He tells himself that he cares nothing for friendship, and nothing for any of it - and he reminds himself that von Karma might well be watching. And how would he react to a show of sentiment?]

You're swayed by nostalgia, and that is foolish indeed.

[The muffled thump in the room is Larry finally giving in and punching something soft, accompanied by a grunt.]

I know, because I'm supposed to meet you again in the future! I see you again fifteen years after fourth grade, and I know!

And you know what? I was right!

[He clenches his teeth.]

I know nothing of that. [But that sounds weak, so he hits upon something better - ] Besides, perhaps my future self is simply more skilled at duplicity.

[Larry shakes his head vigorously before realizing he can't be seen doing it.]

No! [He slams the pillow again, but with less force than before. Then he tones down his voice to something softer, meeker, almost beseeching.] No matter what time you're from - the past, the present, or the future - you're still the same old Edgey. I don't need evidence shoved in my face to believe that.

You can act all different and high and mighty, but I know you're still the same under all that!

I -

[Frustration rises up in him.]

Stop speaking like a sentimental fool!

I'd rather be a sentimental fool than a friend who ditches other friends!

I'm not - I hardly even know you!

[A pause. It's as if Larry had been shot through the heart.]

The first time I heard about you again, I h -

[- elped save your life. Larry quickly claps his hands over his mouth before the rest of that sentence comes out.]

I...it's not too late to catch up, then! Better late than never!

It's...

[He clenches his jaw.]

This isn't the place for that.

Oh yeah? Then what is? I'm not gonna ignore you just because you haven't gotten to the point where you see me again back home!

I'm not like that!

And why not?

Because...because I don't see why I should.

I'm your friend. I would never, ever do that, the way everyone left Nick behind that day to point fingers at him.

[His voice is pleading again, almost passionate, as if he was giving a very important speech.]

...What sort of a sentimental fool would be swayed by a speech like that?

Nick.

And me.

[voice]

jurisimpudent - 2012-11-03 04:17 (UTC) - Expand

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