021. Friends; Home Video
Title: Home Video
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters: Amelia Banks
Prompt: 021. Friends
Word Count: ~400
Rating: G.
Summary: Amelia sends her first video mail home to her brothers.
Notes: LDT. This is a sequel to Last Day (Beginnings) or it can be read independently. I could make all these excuses like I've just moved house and I'm starting uni this year and I've been so busy with real life but apart from those I'd have to say that I've had the worst case of writers block ever! It sucks.
*
The camera switched on. There a woman sat, obviously nervous due to her constantly moving fingers. They sat in her lap with her legs pulled together and back straight. Her eyes were directed right down the barrel of the camera as if she could see right through it and into your soul.
But she was still detached. She wore no smile or expression at all other than blankness - a cool, calculated look that made you think that she had practiced many times how she would appear and what she would say.
“This is a video for my brothers, Todd and Wayne,” She started. She paused to clear her throat and a part of her sombre exterior faltered in that moment. “I’ve been gone for a week now and I just wanted to let you both know that I’m okay over here.”
She was becoming more uncomfortable as the time went on, though if she showed it on the film, no one would notice. She was a trained soldier after all. She kept her emotions to herself to only come out if in private.
“I’m fitting in pretty well. I’ve made a few new friends but who knows... who knows how long they will last in this place. It’s pretty intense. Who knows how long any of us will last.
“But the main point of this message is for me to know how both of you are. I know, Wayne, that you are leaving soon for your next tour but if you could just give me a shout, I would really appreciate it. It becomes tiresome to always be wondering what you are up to. So I’ve decided to rescind my decision to not receive mail and this is my message to let you know.”
She sighed. Her eyes looked tired now and her back wasn’t as straight as it was only minutes before. She looked resigned to something, though what exactly it was, even she didn’t know.
She said her goodbyes, quick and precise, and hesitated before finishing. She continued from there as if her last thought wasn’t on her script.
“Oh, don’t tell our father that I’m doing this, kay?” She offered a small hint of a sad smile. “Thanks, little brothers.”
The streaming ended with the click of the little red button. And as she leant back in her chair she felt a tear fall down her cheek.
“I miss you.”
*