#4. text & video.

[meatballcommand]

How many here have kids? Hopefully, still back home.

[He goes to turn the text function off, but instead pushes the button for video.

The view is pointed at a wall, where what looks to be a child's drawing has been hung up. The paper is shriveled and thin, probably due to being soaked at some point, but at the very least the image on it is

Comments

[voice]

[cheesymustache]

That's some masterpiece you've got there.

I have some of Erin's art in the letters here--cutest scribbles you will ever see in your lifetime.

[voice]

[meatballcommand]

A regular Picasso. Only one I've got left. The scientists did a real number on the rest of 'em, somewhere between me getting off that plane to Tokyo and me winding up knee-deep in snow in the midst of this crazy place; they all looked soaked to the bone.

You wouldn't mind if I came and took a look at those scribbles, I hope.

[voice]

[cheesymustache]

I'm sorry to hear that, Henry. I hear word the scientists are nice enough to grant some requests. Maybe they could snag you something from home.

Don't mind at all! They're displayed in all their glory for all the visitors of Chateau Swamp to get a look at, each hand-crafted from the finest crayons and scrap paper.

[voice]

[meatballcommand]

Nah. I should be grateful they at least let me keep my suitcase, even if all I could take from it was what I wore for the war - not to mention that mighty fine piece of art up there. If they're gonna be giving anything, it should be to someone with a hell of a lot less than that.

Once I'm finished picking at my nails, I'll go take a look.

[In very slow, very careful English]

[gallantgoggles]

Did your kids make that?

[English]

[meatballcommand]

That they did. Just a little something to tide me over while I waited for the higher-ups to call it quits on the war.

Re: [English]

[gallantgoggles]

A war? Like the one against the D-Reaper?

But it's good that you have it with you. I think a lot of people don't have anything to remind them of home.

[English]

[meatballcommand]

The war I got drafted to happened to be a war against Communism, but war is war.

I don't suppose you have any mementos yourself?

[meatballcommand]

Is that taking a page out of Queen Elizabeth's book?

(1/2)

[meatballcommand]

I meant in the way she was married to her country. You can guess the rest.

[virtualmenace]

You're a father.

[meatballcommand]

Yeah. [-and the word is said with an ounce of pride.]

[virtualmenace]

I should have known.

[meatballcommand]

Not too surprising that you didn't. I've never thought of myself as much of a father figure.

[distantwater]

I have many younger siblings, aru. They are like children to me.

[meatballcommand]

What would you say the difference is?

[distantwater]

I have helped raise them all at one point or another, aru. I suppose there isn't much of one.

[meatballcommand]

That's really something. [He chuckles.] Most brothers and sisters try their best to pick a fight with each other.