WEEK 14 - I have been — and always shall be — your friend.

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ONLINE CAPTAIN'S LOG: WEEK (14)

monday (41) survivors You stand with your friends, your family, and your enemies, shoulder to shoulder. The deceased and the living are the same, now, and you've been reunited with the person trapped on the opposite ship. You have four choices. Four options laid before you - five, if you're smart about it. You have the option of staying on the Nuwa, a ship pre-programmed to land somewhere safe, soon, and then it's your's for the taking. You have the option of entering the Nuwa's virtual reality and crafting your own perfect world, but knowing it was a perfect world created by your own hand. Your third option is one of the Cradles, a machine created to bring you bliss, and permit you the dream you've always wanted, without the knowledge it's a virtual reality. Your fourth option lays in front of you, on the bridge of the Nuwa, and it's a tear in the fabric of reality, but you can see your home waiting for you. It looks idyllic, perfect, just the way you'd want it to be. Your fifth option lies in another tear - the tear of a friend. Perhaps their heart is kind enough to take in a stray. The choice is your's to make, and whatever you choose, know that, for the first time in fourteen weeks, it's your choice. taken list profiles private conversations setting rulebook ENTER COMMAND_

Comments

[antietam]

We're staying at my shitty apartment, not the Barns, remember? So you don't have to worry about her. While you're sleeping at least. [ There's a pause. ] That wasn't the Barns, anyway. It was somewhere else. Don't tell Ronan.

[ Oops. Moving on. He scowls. ] No one needs to look after me and he knows that. I'm the one watching out for you. But we can always get a pet if you want something to care for. [ Maybe planning their domestic life? Sorry about that. ]

Yeah, you would. Not that I'm not used to you being an asshole anyway. [ He's quiet for a moment but he stops looking at the portal in favor of looking at Luke. Slowly, he moves to wrap his free arm around Luke's neck, an embrace while their hands are still linked. He's holding him tightly. ] I'm glad you can have that with me. The things you want. This was all worth it since I met you, even if I'm failing all my classes because of the weeks I've missed.

[chiseler]

The one above the church...how much am I gonna hate that by the way? I'm still not convinced I won't light on fire the minute I get near it. [He looks curious then when Adam admits it wasn't the Barns.] If that wasn't the Barns then where was it?

[He rolls his eyes.] Can we maybe get a cat? They seem low-maintenance. Gives me something to do while you're at class and I lose my mind with options. [You'd think he'd be joking but no. Maybe he really does want a cat. Why the hell are they planning this, this is actively the worst.]

Half the reason you like me is because I'm an asshole, admit it. [But he shuts up suddenly when Adam moves, and he doesn't wait long before hooking his chin over Adam's arm/shoulder.] I can't believe you're thinking about school right now. Way to kill the moment, Parrish. [He's teasing, but his free hand comes up to rest on Adam's back and bunch his shirt a little in his fist.] ...I'm going to be happy there. I might not be entirely happy just because I'll miss everything and it'll be weird but I'll be happy. That's more than I've had for a really, really long time. Now do you believe me when I say you gave me my life back?

[antietam]

Ronan's never once been struck by lightning and he's basically a false idol. You'll be fine. The church bells might wake you up on Sunday, but it's kind of peaceful. [ Maybe Luke won't find it peaceful. Whatever, they only have to deal with it for a few more months. ]

... I'd like a cat. [ A lot of consideration went into this. He's more of a dog person but he can kind of imagine Luke with a cat and it's... endearing. ] We'll go get one from an animal shelter once we're settled in.

And you're an asshole who just asked for a cat to play with. [ Just pointing that out. He presses his cheek to Luke's and lets himself relax into the hug. ] I guess. But I haven't given you much more than you've given me. Do you think we're finally equal?

[chiseler]

Basically and actually beaing aren't the same thing, you know. [He pauses to think on that.] Church bells might not be bad...I'll probably grow to hate it if I ever decide to sleep like a real person, but you'll probably sleep right through it won't you?

[He seems pleased.] A small black one. Or a big black one, I don't care. This just comes right back to you bringing home strays but a shelter cat probably needs us more than anything else.

Who says I'm getting a cat just to play with though? Maybe I'll teach him to attack or something. Guard-cat. It's worth trying isn't it? [But he's right. And Adam's always been right, Luke's pretty pathetic and kind of soft. He's content this way and they probably look ridiculous but you know what, fuck it. They survived something brutal, and this is real. This is real happiness and a real good thing that won't get taken from him.] You won't be satisfied until we're actually equal, will you?

[antietam]

How often do you think I can sleep that late on Sundays? [ Late being like 8AM. ] Before you know it, we'll be in an apartment that you like. All I want is somewhere close to school, you can pick the rest.

Am I really bringing home the stray when you already have one in mind? [ He can wait approximately one second before giving his opinion. ] I don't care how old it is, as long as it needs a good home.

[ Yes he's developed a fondness for strays somehow. He snorts at Luke's guard-cat suggestion and pulls back slightly to look at him. ] So that's what you're going to do while I'm in class. [ He seems to accept it because he's rolling his eyes. ] Not yet? [ That's alright. He has plenty of time to work on being equal to Luke. His free hand moves under Luke's chin like he's a cat. ]

You ready?

[chiseler]

Invest in earplugs. [He doesn't mind that though.] We'll apartment-hunt. Maybe I'll get a job. Or I'll just make money magically appear if my powers are still in tact.

And yes you're bringing home the stray and the stray is bringing home another stray, so therefore you're bringing home two strays. I'm just saying...bet a lot of people look for kittens and forgets that older cats need a home, too. [Maybe he's projecting on this metaphorical cat, who knows.] We'll spoil the shit out of it, it'll be fine.

That's exactly what I'm going to do. [With Adam's hand under his chin though Luke's eyes close just a bit and he looks every bit cat-like. There's a short pause...and he moves, pressing a kiss to Adam's forehead before pulling away.] Not yet, but close enough. [Whether that's to them being equal or being ready he doesn't say.] Wanna go find Ronan and get going?

[antietam]

If you can make money magically appear, I think the stray was worth the investment. [ He only likes Luke for his money yeah. He nudges at his side. ] You'd still have to get a job though.

[ Luke isn't obvious at all. Still: ] I think I like older cats better. [ But they will spoil it the same way he will spoil Luke. He smiles when Luke closes his eyes, but the kiss is unexpected and he's flustered enough to let Luke pull away. He stares at Luke for a long moment before nodding, bumping their shoulders together as he leads Luke off on their search for Ronan. ]

Time to go home.