video 01 | Aortic Aneurysm

[clussy]

(You know who is not going to react to this situation decently no matter how many times it's explained to him? Eddie. You know who doesn't have a good game face against fear? Also Eddie. He's alone, he needs an adult, and he's pretty sure they don't restock on inhalers here. He knew he didn't need it, not technically, but he also knew that his lungs were contracting at a rate that lead to hyperventilating and as far as he was concerned, that was exactly what an asthma attack was all about. He was having an asthma attack. Maybe. His body was thinking about it.

By the way, he's definitely just been staring at the video for a couple of silent seconds, his jaw working back and forth as he just tried to remind himself that he was actually capable of breathing. This kid......)

My mom's going to fucking kill me.

(The words are whispered under his breath and he would think twice about swearing if he realized how many adults might be watching this video. He was enough of a loser that he could get the whole communication device thing, really, that was fine. But he wasn't quite able to wrap his mind around the full extent of it all.

After a second, he decides fuck it. He needs his inhaler. It goes up, he gives it a few shakes, and takes a deep, deep breath in with it. Holds. Holds.

Then his whole body deflates, his eyes rolling up. He closes his eyes and thinks about how he would talk to the police in Derry. Ha. If that wasn't the biggest fucking joke ever. When he speaks next, his voice is pitched higher than before, that typical 'I'm trying super hard to be polite and endearing' voice that he uses to call his mom 'mommy' when he's real apologetic. He's not even trying to be a suck up. The kid's just scared.)

Um. My name's Eddie Kaspbrak. I'm Sonia Kaspbrak's son and I definitely need to be home for dinner which is like, in an hour. So if anyone can help...I would really appreciate it.

.....God, I really hope this isn't that creep who was taking all those kids.

Comments

[squadgoals]

It might take a little bit for me to get things together, but I think you'll be impressed.

[That she managed to concoct something that smelled great and still tasted like a grassy nutrient block.]

[inconsequence]

Why, Ms. Guru, I had no idea you were such an established cook.

[squadgoals]

Only if scrambled eggs and toast are considered haute cuisine, Novice Chara.

I'd consider this more to do with science. But you'll have to wait to hear more.

[inconsequence]

You might be surprised. I would consider that a notable improvement.

[...over their diet of nothing more than cocoa puffs.]

[squadgoals]

The second I get my hands on eggs, bread, or both, you know what you're getting subjected to.

[A hearty breakfast, apparently.]

[inconsequence]

You may want to consider rephrasing. From the outside observer, it looks as though you might be planning to eat me.

[squadgoals]

What? Of course not.

Not until we've found some ketchup, at least.

[inconsequence]

I shall have to report this cannibalistic desire to the authorities.




Guru Shepard, we have a cannibal on the loose.

[squadgoals]

[The timing was the last straw. Somewhere from within the sadcat flat, there's a genuine, albeit brief burst of laughter.]

Oh no.

We are taking this matter very seriously.

[inconsequence]

[Score.]

Perhaps I ought to succumb to my fate. There are worse ways to go out.

[They would know! They've been eaten before, after all.]

[squadgoals]

When you're eaten, there's only one way you go out, and I've heard it's pretty

[NO SWEAR WORDS]

bad.

[inconsequence]

[They've probably heard worse.]

Oh, I know. Do you think I've not been eaten before?

It's a terribly crappy way to go.

[squadgoals]

Are you saying you've been pre-tenderized?

[inconsequence]

In another life, certainly. It's very painful. I wouldn't recommend it.

[squadgoals]

[There wasn't any point in asking if they were okay. If they wanted to talk about it. They weren't—and they didn't. Not right now. Humorous deflection when the event had long passed—wasn't that what she did, too?

It was, in its own way, a kind of coping.]

I'll have to take your word for it. Maybe I'll hold off for now. Keep you around for emergency rations.

[inconsequence]

Oh, I suppose. If you insist.

[They've surely clogged up this channel enough with their assorted garbage, have they not?]

[squadgoals]

In the meantime, I'll have to keep you healthy. Or fatten you up? I don't know. I'm new at this.

Dinner at 19:00, in any case. :)

[inconsequence]

Yes, Guru.