ataraxion | 001 First kill; video

Say 'hello', Lamby. [ Yes, this is a grown man in your video feed with a tiny flannel sheep. Dexter holds it up to the camera, looking at it wistfully as he does. He would. It'd his son's favourite. ] Baaa.

[ And that's quite enough of that. The man's eyes lift up, and then he retreats enough that Dexter is entirely visible on the sceen from the chest up, wearing a frankly garish printed shirt and a bright smile. The smile is fake. All of this is fake. A normal person responding to a normal situation, not Dexter with what Dexter knows about this place. Dexter who's stuck between wanting to go home to his son and... Other Things. Dexter Divided. ]

I mean I know this is Florida and anything can happen, but aren't space theme park rides a little passe? Don't get me wrong, I think Space Mountain is as cool as the next person, but that's a roller coaster. I've had to walk everywhere since I got here. Everything's broken, the food is lousy, sleeping arrangements are cramped - and I live in Miami; I know cramped!

[ And while we're on the topic of theme parks... ]

I urge you to reconsider opening this theme park, Mr. Hammond. It's just not safe. Wait-- [ He cocks his head to one side, as though listening. ] What's that sound? [ The table jumps, jumps, as though something heavy is making it rattle. Suddenly his own hand leaps out at him, a tiny, homicidal flannel sheep taking him by the throat and knocking him out of his chair as he gives a very fake yell. ] Argh!

[ Oh no, he's back. Too much time playing with small children, he can't help himself. ]

Just kidding. But seriously, I'd like to go home now, please. I know, I know, everyone must say that, right?

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[Michelle giggles. She's enjoying your show, Mr. Dexter, sir. But she quickly stops giggling and sighs wistfully, and somewhat wearily.]

Oh, I'd like to go home too. I can't stay long. [She discusses this as if they're just paying a visit; lighthearted for someone who also wants to go home.]

[Oh, that lamb is adorable. And that shirt so bright. But that lamb toy is adorable. And looks so soft. She finds herself smiling at this man, even if she has no idea what he's rambling about. Pop culture references are lost on her. But still, he seems nice enough.]

I don't think there's a way home, at least not yet. I've tried exploring, just a little. [Her eyebrows knot together as she frowns deeply.]

I think we might be trapped, really stuck here.

[And since the little lamb was what originally caught her interest, she decides to just go right back to that.]

I like your doll, though. It matches your shirt perfectly.

I have to get back before I miss another bedtime. [ A smile, and Dexter sits back, idling as he plays with Lamby's ears. ] What about you?

That FAQ that I read said the same thing. 'Don't bother asking, there's no way back home.' [ He seems a little distant as he peers at the baby blanket, but to be quite honest if you smelled it right now you wouldn't think it was cute. Oddly it's not a smell Dexter minds. It reminds him of his son. ] It does? [ He checks Lamby out against his chest, and sure enough-- ] Look at that. He's right at home.

My sisters and I are on a rescue mission to save a friend. We promised to save her no matter what the cost.

[She glances down briefly and sighs. Michelle is worried about them but doesn't say it.]

[ A rescue mission. Bedtime with Harrison. They sound a lot better than Dexter's real reason why he wants to get back. What is he going to do about Debra? ]

I'm not sure I entirely understand the explanation yet, but it said something about time being frozen? [ Pause. ] Although most of this still sounds crazy to me.

[ But his brother is alive and either he's crazy, dead or all of this is true. Not exactly the sort of options he was hoping for. ]

[She smiles a little, nodding.]

Is it yours, or did you find it? [Maybe he's just holding it for someone.]

And I don't like to just believe everything I read or hear. So I want to find out for myself that we're really trapped. But the FAQ is very nice to have. Just in case. [Because nope, can't offend whoever put a lot of work into that.]

Even so. I can't leave them behind. [She shakes her head. Even if time would stand still for them and the mission wouldn't start without her, she just didn't want to leave her sisters. Or their famous author friend they had safeguarded for a year.]

Trust me, I understand. It's difficult to leave anyone behind.

[ Say something, Dexter. This is where all your practice acting like a human being all these years is supposed to come in useful. Make a connection.

I can't, I don't know how. ]

At least we're all in this together.

My son's. [ Another wistful look. ] I'm not sure why it was in there with my clothes, but I'm glad it was.

[ His eyes flick back up again. ]

I can understand that. The facts you discover for yourself are always so much more rewarding.

I'm glad it was too. [She's got some belongings of people that she loves, so she can relate to that.]

Your son might be here. I thought I was here all alone, but my sister ended up being here too. So if he is, you'll have a good gift for him.

[She opens her mouth like she's going to say more, but then changes her mind and clamps her jaw shut. The only thing she really has to say about finding things out for herself is negative, and she doesn't want to go there.]

[Michelle smiles - a soft, sincere smile of an optimist.]

That's true. The world is made to help people find each other; we'll find our loved ones soon.

Hate to say it, but.

You and everyone else.

I think I deserved that one. Do you mind me asking what you're in a hurry to get back to?

[ There's some fun on the ship. Cid's eyes are bright with curiousity, though he'll never admit he liked a baby toy. He's much bigger than that. ]

I can't go home, either.

Milkshakes.

Real, homemade, non-sketchy chocolate peanut-butter milkshakes.

Oh and my parents I guess.

But mostly the milkshakes.

Harrison's just a toddler. I hate to think of him out there somewhere alone, and I just haven't found him yet.

[ Dexter is actually spooked by that thought. Can spooky alien spaceships and/or Florida theme parks do that? Okay, Florida theme parks can easily abduct and lose children, not a good example.

For a moment Dexter looks actually shocked, and then he shakes his head. ]

I hope you're wrong.

[ There's other reasons for that. Reasons like Dexter needing the freedom to do what is necessary to get home. Reasons like Brian. ]

[ A-. She looked like she actually believed you, but it's going to take something less cliche than that to make the grade here.

Dexter smiles back. He's gotten quite good at that. Warm and friendly and genuine. ]

I really hope you're right. What did you say your name was?

I believe you. I've been here two days and I already miss convenience food. Mostly the food; I'd even put up with the inconvenience, and half my order being wrong. Can't imagine what it would be like after months of it.

[ Now food, food is a topic that he can genuinely respond to, and with much gusto. Food is Dexter's second love, and so the lack of delicious delicacies is space's greatest let down yet. Where's the freeze dried marshmallows? If the space race's greatest invention was Lucky Charms, why are there no Lucky Charms in space?

Really, it's not that hard. ]

I suppose a medianoche is out of the question?

I'm Michelle Cheung. And you are...?

Edited 2012-11-10 09:19 (UTC)

[ Oh god, it's all true. There's a child here, and Harrison might be here too, and foolish Dexter had fallen at the first fatherly hurdle, actually looking for his son after arriving in a strange place. He'd been a little distracted by his dead older brother.

Is that guilt? Fear? What if he's still down there? ]

None of us can go home. [ Daddy Dexter, an unfathomable urge of protectiveness that he can't deny, and his voice has adopted an odd lilt, as though he's talking to his own son--his own son who is a little younger. ] Hey. What's your name? You're not alone, here, are you?

Dexter Morgan. I arrived just the other day, but you can probably already tell.

Me too! [She's obviously very excited to meet you.] It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan.

It's nice to meet you too. I can imagine better circumstances.

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