video;

[entrapments]

[ the feed begins in audio, and on the opposite end of the communicator, hayley chews on her bottom lip. the pause only lengthens after she clears her throat, and discovers that she's managed to find the video function. the lens remains pointed at her knee for one beat, then another- before the image is righted, and she turns an apologetic smile to the feed. ]

Sorry. I'm not really used to the. You know, [ cue the demonstrative finger wiggles ] future stuff yet.

[ a small crease appears in her brow, but softens as soon as the communicator is set on the table, so she can settle down to look into the feed directly. her shoulders hunch, and she plays with her fingers anxiously as she begins again. ]

Anyway um, so I know I should be really freaked out about the dimension hopping spaceship thing, and the mutiny thing, and I will be. Once it like, processes. And I don't mean to sound super insensitive or anything? But um, I don't suppose anybody's managed to find like, some books or anything just hanging around, have they?

I'm pretty desperate for anything at this point, especially since it's only a matter of time before we get back into the jell-o baths, you know? And I know that all you super cool space heroes are like, up to your eyeballs in shenanigans, but there's just not a whole lot of stuff for- kids around here.

The whole, no tv, no internet, no ipods thing is kindof like, [ a sheepish laugh ] hell on earth for a teenager. Or. Not earth. Since we're in. Space now.

Comments

video;

[heltersskelter]

[he considers this for a long moment before flicking on the feed.]

I'm starting to think they don't have books in the future. Not, you know, paperbacks.

video;

[entrapments]

Lies.

Filthy awful lies.

video;

[cons]

Hell on earth for twenty-somethings too.

[that awkward moment when some random girl on the network reminds her of her little sister. ohboy.]

You'd think they would have some kind of entertainment on a ship this big. Guess it's not really a cruise liner in space like I was pretending it was all this time.

video;

[heltersskelter]

It's probably all on e-books or whatever.

video;

[entrapments]

[ hey she'll take what she can get in a sympathetic audience. ]

Well there's gotta be something, right?
I mean what's the point of the future without super advanced, you know, play, stuff. All this science and advancement's gotta mean a little more free time, doesn't it?

video;

[entrapments]

No don't say it- [ her hands lift, and she couples the covering of her face with a dramatic roll away from the feed. ]

Oh god that's like, a crime against nature.

voice;

[jilt]

Craving knowledge?

[audio]

[testgasm]

Ooh! You should got to the media library. Loads of stuff in there. Books...if you--if you like books.

permavideo;

[entrapments]

Guess I came off pretty desperate there, huh?

permavideo;

[entrapments]

[ a momentary pause- ]

Okay like, really books or that kindle stuff? Not that beggars can be choosers I guess but.

[jilt]

There's no harm in wishing for more information. It's admirable, in fact.

[ come young protege irene is already pleased with you. ]

text -> audio

[maleit]

you don't really have

[ It starts off, before his voice sheepishly starts on the feed. ]

You don't HAVE to look.

permavoice

[testgasm]

Well it's...all electronic. We are in space.

[Because that...makes sense...]

text;

[puppydogeyes]

There's tv.
But it's shit, from what I've seen.

[entrapments]

I take it that means you've found some stuff of your own?

[ /runs to! ]

[entrapments]

I guess so. But I mean, other people got stuff from back home.
Like- one of my school books came with me? But it's not exactly prime leisure material or anything.

permavideo;

[entrapments]

[ oh, oh.
there's just the smallest flicker of surprise on her face for that. wow yoite, that's quite the step. not that she's going to call you on it. yet. ]

I know I don't have to.
I want to.

permavideo;

[entrapments]

Man, really?

[ she sinks back into her chair in a slouch. ]

So- what've you been doing?

voice;

[maleit]

For me or because you want more books to read?

I hope it's more latter than former.

[entrapments]

You really don't want me to like you, huh?

[maleit]

No.

[ He inhales sharply, and there's a long pause. ]

Yes. No. It's complicated.

[entrapments]

Then how about- how about neither one of us try to force it one way or the other. Then if I like you, I'll just like you. And if I don't, then I don't.

Then it won't be your fault either way.

[maleit]

No -- No, that's not what I meant --

[ He takes in a hard breath again and shakes his head, not visible on the audio feed. ]

I never expected -- I never thought it would be a problem.

private;

[entrapments]

[ somehow, she gets that impression even without the visual. the filter slots into place beat later. it's less for herself, and more- well. yoite has always struck her as a private person. ]

What? That you might be liked?

private;

[maleit]

[ He doesn't even sound EMBARRASSED by it, is the tragic part of it, or insulted or anything. He just sounds distressed by this whole situation, like an unknown variable has just been introduced. ]

Yes.