joint post with substitutable. Vegas early morning.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt Abbot adjusts the camera on his laptop. He's still in his Vegas hotel room--funny, since a lot of the group has gotten home?

But right now, Matt is in his room with his hoodie zipped up all the way (Matt it's hot, stop). His hair is ruffled and it looks like he's had trouble sleeping, but--

Behind him another another boy is sitting up, rubbing sleep out of his eyes in confusion. He is wearing Matt's pajamas. Please do not ask.]

Good morning, Vegas and good nearly afternoon, Locke City. I have once again implemented a dastardly scheme. Since my last hostage got away from me, I have taken a new one. Except this time it is a Vegas native. I believe he was trying to hero at me or something, but I turned the tables on him and now he is my captive.

I will be returning with him to Locke eventually. In the mean time, I will try to continue more evildoing.

[The video cuts out. Matt knows he's going over the top. People might yell at him becuase Serious Things happened. But fuck it. He needs the amusement and maybe a few people will play along.

Then he switches to text.]

Got out of the hospital yesterday. No permanent damages, just some bruises and a few cracked ribs. Should be home by the beginning of July.

And I'm sorry. I should've had a better eye on things. I hope everybody's okay.

[Replies will also be coming from substitutable! Who has just reapped in with a new reincarnation and has no idea he was being recorded.]

Comments

action;

[substitutable]

[The kid is talking. That's a person, right? It's oddly blobby, like they're wearing something or they're not exactly human, but it sounds human and he seems human but seriously what's going on? He blinks slowly as his mind clears, taking a moment to realize that's a human in a hoodie, and then -- who is that? What is going on? The room is huge...?

... ... ...

... Ah. That's right.]

What are you doing?

action;

[pheromonecoffee]

Talking, good morning. You have really good timing.

[substitutable]

[He yawns.]

Mmmm. Talking? What about...?

[pheromonecoffee]

Stuff. Things. You called your mom, right? She doesn't think you're dead?

[substitutable]

I texted her last night but I just woke up. The only way I'll be dead is if I have more than two missed calls or texts from her because I shut the phone off last night.

[He's so sleepy... he kind of falls back in bed.]

[pheromonecoffee]

Do you need a charger?

[substitutable]

I might. Only a bit though.

[He'll lift his phone to check. It seems to be safe because he just rolls over and swings his feet over the side of the bed, yawning again.]

Talking. On the uhh... that thing. The Number thing.

[pheromonecoffee]

The network, yeah. [He unplugs his charger from the wall and tosses it to him.]

[substitutable]

[He catches it, plugging it into a closer outlet. He starts pressing buttons on his phone, punching in the number he finds he hasn't forgotten. Probably never will, he's assuming.]

How're you feeling?

[pheromonecoffee]

My neck still hurts, I'm exhausted and I can't stop thinking of how I could've done things differently.

As good as can be expected.

[substitutable]

Sounds about right. You need to heal yourself anymore?

[pheromonecoffee]

It should heal on its own before we leave.

[substitutable]

All right. Just make sure you do, it's a long drive. Did the shower have any of the hotel shampoo and stuff left?

[pheromonecoffee]

If not, I can call for more.

[substitutable]

I'll check first. [ :|b ]

When we're ready we can go get you food. You're probably at least a little hungry right?

[pheromonecoffee]

I am always hungry.

[substitutable]

Cool. I'll make the shower quick. Anything in particular you want to eat?

[pheromonecoffee]

Surprise me. [He'll talk to people while hostage is showering.]

[substitutable]

[He makes sure the camera isn't recording so Matt can keep his public image! But as he passes by on the way to the bathroom he reaches over and ruffles his hair again, mindful not to jostle his head too much out of concern for his bruised throat.]

I'll take you to my favorite. My cousins agree so you have multiple votes for it.

[pheromonecoffee]

[He gives him a look.]

Really? Really, you have to start that already?

[substitutable]

[He pauses. Blinks.]

What?

[pheromonecoffee]

[He flattens his hair indignantly. His friends can see him jfc he has to fix it before he turns the camera back on.

He's only acting like a seven year old a little bit.]

[substitutable]

[.... Ffffffff he laughs quietly to himself before going to shower. There's enough shampoo so he'll be out in a few minutes, using a spare towel. Still with the pajamas because whups he forgot his own clothes on the other side of the bed he was using and he's not gonna cross the room with only a towel when someone's got a camera and he's only known the someone for like twelve hours.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[Good go away. Matt's back in the bed when Shintaro gets out.

Sleep is his second love.

Sleep and food.]

[substitutable]

[... He's a cute kid. In the way Shin keeps comparing him to his cousins. He'll make sure Matt's blanketed and mess up his hair again (deal) and let him sleep, turning on the history channel again at a low volume until Matt wakes back up, or until later when Shintaro will gently nudge him awake to tell him he should get dressed so they make it on time before the breakfast place closes.]