001 [Video]

[ex_julianhe]

[There’s a crackling buzz of white noise and the screen burns white. The microphone picks up the sound of someone cursing, and the device is given a quick, forceful shake. The screen flickers and comes into focus, displaying a close-up of a pale face decorated with piercing blue eyes and an extremely irritated expression.]
Is this thing working?

Comments

[Video]

[southernreaper]

Julian! Julian where the hell are ya? I'll come git ya.

[Video]

[ex_julianhe]

Kevin? [His face breaks into a grin] Damn, man, is that really you? It's been...geez, too long.

I'm outside that diamond thing. Wait, hold that thought, I think I can... [Sends a picture message with the street he's on] Did you get that?

[Video]

[southernreaper]

Too long? We was jus' in California, after dealin' with the Kingmaker. Leastways that's the last time I saw ya.

I know where ya's at, I ain't far from there. On my way.

Re: [Video]

[ex_julianhe]

Kingmaker?! You're kidding. That was... [Way too long ago. Back when everything was normal. God, that's a head trip. He's gonna have to be careful] That was a while back.

Okay, I'll see you in a few.

[Video] - [Action]

[southernreaper]

I'm comin'.

[Kevin comes walking around the corner. His hands have a couple of grocery sacks in them, full of food - actual food, not like teenage junk. Though there's some of that too.]

Knew ya jus' couldn't stay away, Hellion. Gotta have someone t'keep an eye on ya huh?

[Griiiiiiiiiiiin]

[Action]

[ex_julianhe]

[Will be putting the NV thing away in his pocket now and grinning back. Hey you look...exactly the same. Like no time has passed. Which for you it hasn't. Yeah, still weird. But grinning!]

Tuh. Whatever. Seem to recall it was the other way around, Kev. [Seriously though] That Xavier guy told me you'd been here a while. You good?

Re: [Action]

[southernreaper]

[However, Julian looks different. But sounds the same. Kevin, however, is simply going to accept. Right now, he's too glad to have Julian here to be worried about it.]

Got here back on the 12th. [A shrug.] Managed t'get a job an' am movin' out soon. C'mon, I got dinner. Ain't no reason t'be standin' out 'round here.

Re: [Action]

[ex_julianhe]

Got a job? [That seems...settled. Julian follows him] What kind of job? And where are you living, at these apartments they told me about?

Re: [Action]

[southernreaper]

Workin' at the transit authority garage. Jus' workin' as a gofer fer now. [A shrug.]

Yeah, fer now. Tryin' t'find a place that ain't them though. doctor Xavier done said I c'n come stay wit' him, but I ain't gonna. Want someplace... quieter. [Lonelier.]

Re: [Action]

[ex_julianhe]

I talked to that Xavier guy. Says he's related to the Professor, but he was never at the school when I was. [Shrugs]

You don't want to be with the other mutants? [But of course you left after M-Day. He nods quietly.] They say this place ain't all friendly, Kev. Probably shouldn't be alone.

Re: [Action]

[southernreaper]

I don't 'member him from the school neither.

[Kevin lets them into the stupid towers and gets in the elevator.]

Ain't many mutants here, Julian, or, are a lot. Near as I c'n figure, jus' 'bout everyone here is a mutant o' some sort. E'en ran inta a guy t'other night that had a bow like Moonstar's.

[Another shrug.]

I ain't ran inta anyone who ain't been friendly. After dark it ain't pretty, but since when do we need it that way?

Re: [Action]

[ex_julianhe]

Honestly? I'd think it was weird as hell if everyone was friendly all the time. [Not that it isn't weird anyway - different dimension and all that - but still. He follows Kevin in, looking around]

All right, fill me in. Where do you wanna go that's not here?

Re: [Action]

[southernreaper]

[Kevin lets him in to the apartment and goes immediately to the immaculate kitchen. The rest of the place could probably use cleaned, but the kitchen is spotless.]

Right after I got here there was an ad fer this apartment that was above some sorta shop an' had ghosts or somethin'. Figured I'd see if'n it was still available. [He begins getting things ready to cook.] If not, then I'll find some place else. Why? Ya thinkin' o' movin' in that one buildin'?

Re: [Action]

[ex_julianhe]

[Julian looks around, slightly uncomfortable because this is new and he hasn't exactly relaxed yet. When Kevin starts to cook he moves to the window, looking out and trying to get used to the City]

...I...don't know, I hadn't thought about it. You haven't been--

[Breaks off and turns to look at him, frowning a bit] You're working. Living, looking to move. And, like, not trying to get home?

Re: [Action]

[southernreaper]

[Kevin stops what he is doing and finally turns to look at Julian. He puts the knife down very carefully.]

Julian, ya think I'm not? No, I ain't runnin' in there an' tryin' t'git all in people's faces about everythin' an' demandin' they git me home. Bu' ya learn a lot by watchin', by listenin', by keepin' ya head down. Don't no one notice me, if'n I'm careful. An' that means they don't watch what they say. Meanin' I c'n find all sorts o' thin's out. May take longer, bu' it'll be worth it in the end.

Re: [Action]

[ex_julianhe]

[Julian looks at him and nods. At least he can understand that method, even though the quiet game isn't exactly his default]

Okay. I just, I wondered, because... [Because at home, you're gone.] ...because everyone here seems pretty used to being here and I'm wondering why that is.

What've you found out?