02 | Video

[skindeep]

Things have been stressful these past few-

[He's lying if he doesn't finish that sentence with the word months, each and every day since his first day. But that wouldn't make anyone feel better, and it's not like there haven't been happy moments too. Those moments just require a little more patience, a little more effort. Which reminds him:]

I've been thinking that it would be nice if we could have a football game, some friendly competition. And a little exercise might do us all a world of good. [He's not calling anyone fat, he swears.] Naturally, it would require a location. And a ball. And most importantly, players. It's been a few years, but I think I could still manage to help anyone who doesn't know how to play but still wants to take part. All that really matters is to have fun.

[Noah feels like he's forgetting something important. Oh yeah.]

For the benefit of my American friends on board, I'm referring to soccer and not your football. To each his own, but I'm not sure I understand the appeal of being at the bottom of a pile of large men.

[He grimaces. Welp, there's a sentence he'll never be able to get back again.]

So! Let me hear your thoughts, Tranquility.

Comments

[deprecate]

[ oh, cillian feels it, an indescribable sensation of something sparking in him. but he's not much fond of people in his head, and he shies away, lashes out with the technopathic equivalent of a punch to the face, an annoyed and almost instinctual surge back in the same direction. ]

What the fuck was that.

[ he's got his hand pressed over his eyes and a headache blooming before he realizes the possible connection to this man who's called himself and snatches up his device again from where he'd let it fall to the bed, repeats that question as a text. ]

video.

[deprecate]

I'm gonna pretend I don't know you, all right.

[deprecate]

This is she.

[ private | 100% encryption ]

[sexting]

[ ha ha haaa more internal screaming ]

We can only hope. What year are you from, by the way

[sexting]

[ the reaction is painful, yes, but there's a bloody-minded triumph in the sharpness of the technopathic blow and the ringing in his ears that follows. Somewhere in the depths of the eleventh floor passenger cabins Cambridge is laughing with a kind of manic insistence as he grips his comms device tightly. Cambridge has always been fond of typing with his mind - the link between his own brain and his personal comms device now so fluid that every Jump wrecks havoc with his senses and every Smiley post sends him reeling with weirdness - but thankfully emotions are less easily parsed. ]

YOU LITTLE SHIT

[ The original thought was somewhere between frustrated admiration and horror, but now the sentiment is translated in to angry little capitals. ]

TELL ME EVERYTHING how can you fucking well do that without recognising 'Cambridge' and 'Oxford'

[ He leaves out 'Chapel Hill' because, quite frankly, there are so many Americans that one can hardly be expected to remember them all, let's face it.. ]

[sexting]

Oh, behave. You're doing that on purpose.

And you're playing then, are you? It's a good thing I'm not emotionally compromised by things like loyalty, isn't it

[thatsaflaregun]

I haven't actually played since Celtic won the Cup, but a distraction's good for something.

[deprecate]

they're unis obviously.

[ he's being disingenuous: cillian knows they're the names this man and his friend go by. he's managed to provoke a response, even if that response is just more fucking questions about shite he doesn't speak on. but he doesn't know how he did it, beyond that he can. computers, data, some of that comes easy from familiarity of use, some of it from instinct, but most of it not so much: hardware has always been his forte. ]

i'm not telling you bollocks til you say what you want from me. stay the fuck out of my head.

video.

[skindeep]

Does this mean no one-man pile?

[Baby, he can change.]

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[tumbleweeds]

Hell yes.

[puppydogeyes]

[Well that explains that, then.]

Don't see many movies. [A shrug, maybe slightly self-conscious about that.] But I can do that. Learn.

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[stimulations]

Not a fan of violence, then?

video;

[skindeep]

My thoughts exactly. Unconscious, against our will. I find it horrifying.

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[skindeep]

I much prefer peace.

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[skindeep]

You raise chickens!

[Noah's surprised, and just a little derailed.]

Are they free range? Have they laid eggs yet?

[ private | 100% encryption ]

[skindeep]

2012. Yourself?

[skindeep]

A good many are total rubbish, but I'm still guilty of seeing my fair share. And I think you'll do more than just learn. You'll excel.

[Let's be real, she has the legs for it.]

[mikelo]

[a shake of his head, he waves before typing.]

Mikelo. It's nice to meet you, Noah.

[skindeep]

It's just like riding a bicycle, you never really forget. And there's quite a few who've never played at all. They could us someone to show them a few pointers.

video;

[stimulations]

As many do. How much of it we get around here, though, is unfortunately rather uncertain.

[puppydogeyes]

[Sometimes dealing with Noah goes so far past awkward for her that she just has to huff a laugh, shake her head slightly.]

Or I could trip over my own feet.

video;

[lacksgrace]

I guess. But it's not the worst thing that could've happened to us.

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[handelaar]

[... blink. That was not the response he was expecting, but he loves talking farming so.]

Jaye gave me some. Five. Live in the gardens with hers, still a couple months until they start layin'. I think.

[Unless they're freaky space chickens, which would figure.]

[skindeep]

In the event of that, I promise I won't laugh.

[jilt]

You did perhaps take the cake here. But I must say I expected more from them.