01 | [Video]

[seekingmyfortune]

[The video opens with a myriad of dizzying images: a few quick, blurry shakes that indicate the owner of the TAB has no idea how to turn it on, a couple of glimpses at the ground as they spin the device to try and find a button, a palm as it strikes down on the screen.

Clearly someone isn't used to such technology. They even mutter a:]

Jesus, how does this thing--?

[Sam jumps a little as he turns the TAB to face him, only to see that it's already recording. And what a sight he is to behold, with dirt on his clothes and blood on his nose and down his left arm. He looks like he could go for a nice hot bath, or like he's just come out of a jungle.]

Holy shit, okay. Okay, uh--hey.

[That's what you're supposed to say, right? Sam gives a small little uncommitted half wave with his free hand, like he's not exactly sure if that's what he should do.]

I'm not sure if anyone is actually on the other end of this, but if there are others out there, I could use a little help. I mean I realize I'm not exactly in Kansas anymore, but space? A whole other planet? Come on, somebody's gotta be busting my balls here, right? At least buy a guy a drink and let him have a cigarette first before you throw that at him.

[He pauses as if expecting some kind of laugh track or other response, but then continues shortly after.]

Also, I--[He shifts uncomfortably, considering what he should say.  It takes him a little longer than before to speak again, but once he does, he looks directly at the camera.] I'm looking for my brother.  He's about this tall, he's got bro--oh, shit!

[Which is the last curse everyone hears as he accidentally loses his grip on his TAB and it tumbles to the floor and turns off. He'll get the hang of this eventually.]

Comments

[seekingmyfortune]

[This is weird, this is so weird. Sam spends the twenty minutes it takes for Nate to arrive pacing and fidgeting in his spot. He holds a lit cigarette from the pack Flynn gave him between his fingers, but when he hears a familiar voice call his name, he looks up.]

Holy shit.

[He strides over to him, tossing the cigarette on the ground, concern all over his face as he reaches him. As soon as he's in front of him, he reaches out with both hands on the eighteen year old's shoulders, grabbing them as if trying to make sure he's not hallucinating.]

Jesus, you weren't kidding were you? You sure you're all right? [The device catches his eye, and he reaches out.] What's this? They give that to you?

[IS THAT DEVICE WHAT TURNED MY LITTLE BROTHER INTO A KID AGAIN]

augh sorry

[ascendit]

[Nate reaches up to Sam's arms, the solid touch confirming that this is really happening; this grownass adult is his (now much) older brother.]

Yeah, I'm good, I'm fine -

[He catches his device and holds it up - it's something to be careful with, not blamed or ripped off him.]

I got it in that other world, it's... protection, kind of like a weapon, and when it's actually working, travel. I'll explain later. [Big topic, and there are more important things right now.]

Never mind me, are you okay? What happened to you? [A gesture at the dirt and the blood.]

no problem!

[seekingmyfortune]

[When Nate intercepts him, Sam lets his hands drop, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he looks at the device again. He gets the picture though, and won't try touching it again, but that doesn't mean he's not cautious of it.]

A weapon? [It's the one adjective that sticks out because weapons aren't necessarily good things to have in your possession. Before he can pry, Nate points out his own injuries and he blinks as if remembering them.]

What--? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I--[How to put this...] --got into a fight with an asshole. Bullet just grazed my shoulder.

[He looks him over again, taking him in. It's been a long time since he's seen his brother this young.]

You said you've been here for over a year?

[ascendit]

Oh, geeze, let's get you cleaned up somewhere.

[Though he starts heading off in the vague direction of the EN-Line, he can't take his eyes off of Sam.]

Over a year here, just over a year before that -

[Nate abruptly throws his arms around Sam. It's further up than he remembers having to reach, yet not quite as far as he expected from looking at him (he forgets he's growing).]

You were in jail in Cartagena when this whole thing started. It's been ages.

[For all that he keeps telling people he can take care of himself and straight up didn't mention Sam in Balamb A Thief's End not having existed at the time, he's missed his big brother. So what if he's bigger than he remembered?]

[seekingmyfortune]

[Sam follows, but same minds think a like; he can't keep his eyes off of him either. He's content to listen to him as his brain plays catch up with what he's seeing and hearing, but he stops when Nate suddenly hugs him, taking a few steps back to adjust his weight.]

Hey, hey, hey, easy there, Nathan.

[He can't help but chuckle as he wraps his arms around him to reciprocate the gesture. It feels weird. He's shorter, thinner, far less muscle than he's used to seeing or feeling on him, but he hugs him tight nonetheless.]

All right, just--just take an easy.

[He slowly pulls away, but leaves his hands on his shoulders, looking him over again.]

Jesus...Cartagena? [That was a long time ago.] So, what, you've just been universe hopping since then?

omg @ me, feel free to ignore!

[ascendit]

Just two, and not on purpose, even though I was trying to. [He does not tell many people this part, but it involves Sam, sort of:] I was actually trying to get back to our world when I ended up here. I was gonna spring you out of jail and get you over to the other world, because that lady and her guys in suits were weird, and I was picking up some cool stuff at Garden. [He smiles at the thought of his old sketch of a plan.] I thought you could learn it too, and then we'd be the Drake brothers, taking on the worlds...

[He deflates a little.] But magic and tech aren't that reliable, so I got stuck here instead.