savetheearth | 3rd Song // Video (Webcam) // forward-dated to about 2am on the 14th

[Sam doesn't look very good. Actually, he looks downright exhausted. He's sitting in his room with a desk lamp giving just enough light to make the video clear and is propping up his chin with his hand. He clearly hasn't slept all night, between his bloodshot eyes and the dark circles underneath them. It could be that he's been visited by that "ghost" that seems to be following people around...

But if it is, he's not going to say anything. That's not how he rolls. Of course, after staying up for this long he's frankly bored, so he's turning to the Network for entertainment.

He speaks in a slightly hushed tone, probably trying to avoid waking up his mother.]

Hey, so. I've mentioned this to a few people, but I haven't really shown it off yet. Thought it might interest you guys. It's good for a laugh anyway.

[He holds up to the camera a wooden cup-and-ball sort of toy. The ball is painted purple, and it looks a little worn.]

This is a kendama. It's a toy that's popular in Japan. My grandfather got this for me as a kid--said it would be good for me to learn concentration. [He snorts and shakes his head.] I guess I was too energetic for his tastes.

I've never been very good at it. I mean, I can catch the ball in one of the cups...sometimes. Maybe one out of ten tries. But the pin here? [He lifts the ball up to show a wooden pin at the top.] I've never been able to catch the ball here in my LIFE.

But...

[He stands up and moves far enough back from the camera so that his movements can be seen. To warm up, he first drops the ball and then catches it in one of the bigger cups. He does this a few times and succeeds every time, before switching to alternating the ball between the two cups on the side. After a few rounds of that, he tosses the ball up in the air--and catches it on the pin. He bends down to look at the camera and points at the ball with a look of disbelief.]

Isn't that strange? But this gets better...

[He straightens back up again, then starts to juggle the ball between the big cup on the side and the smaller cup on the bottom, humming a song softly to himself as he does. He keeps it up for about two minutes, never losing the beat or missing the ball. At that point he seems to get bored, so he tosses the toy up in the air, catches it by the handle, and once again catches the ball on the pin. He walks back over to his computer chair, points at the ball on the pin with a look of amusement, and then sets the toy aside.]

I think I'm in the running for "most impressive unimpressive Extra ever." Maybe I should start training to be certified. I bet my grandfather would be pleased.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Exactly!

[ She grins, laughing a little. ]

I bet you'll find a use for it someday.

Well, I hope so! I guess I'll keep an eye out for something useful.

It's been a little while since we've talked. How have you been?

I've been good, thank you! How are you?

[ You look a little tired, my friend. Though it'd be rude to say that... ]

Oh...fine! [A little white lie doesn't hurt, right?] Can't complain. It's a relief to have school finishing up, huh?

Ah, yeah... it'll be nice to be off for the summer.

[ She her smile quiets a little. ]

You're really okay? You promise?

[ Promises are sacred, bro. ]

Um...[He hesitates. He's honestly not used to people asking him if he's okay--normally he's much better at hiding his emotions. The lack of sleep must really be getting to him...]

I will be. I just can't sleep tonight.

Bad dreams?

[ It's okay, Sam. Colette hasn't slept in days. Maybe there's some kind of insomnia disease going around. ]

Sort of. I've felt like I've been followed all night. The first time I tried to sleep, I heard howling...and the second time I had some sort of weird vision, or nightmare, or something. So I gave up for tonight. [Shrug! No big deal!]

Oh no... so that's been happening to you too?

'You too'? You mean...you had the same thing happen?

Not exactly. But a lot of my friends -- they've been saying similar things. Hearing things and feeling watched. Being unable to sleep because of it.

Ah, right...the 'hauntings'? I remember people talking about that before. I guess that is what this is.

Yeah. With it happening to so many people, it can't be a coincidence.

Yeah. I doubt it. I'd think it was some sort of Extra if it was just me, but obviously there's too many people for it to be that.

I wonder if it's related to those attacks?

I don't know. It could be.

I just really hope everyone manages to stay safe. You too, okay? You can call me if you ever need anything.

[chuckle] Oh, that's right...you said something like that when we first met. Thank you!

But I think I'll be okay. It's tiring, but...I'll just rest in the morning.

Just making sure you don't forget! There's no need to keep everything to yourself.

[ Pot, kettle. Oh well. Her problems aren't important! ]

Rest when you can. Something like hot tea may help.

Ha, okay, okay. I'll try to keep that in mind. [But he probably still will keep everything to himself because his problems are unimportant! What a pair!]

Hot tea is a good idea. I think we still have some genmaicha around here somewhere...

That sounds like a good choice to me!

[He grins and gives her a thumbs-up.]

It's too bad it's so late. I'd invite you over for a cup if I could.

Some other time! I'd be happy to have a cup of tea with you.

Yeah? Maybe we should plan on it! We can say it's to celebrate summer break.

Sounds like fun! Count me in.

Great! Is there somewhere you would like to meet? Or would you just like to come over to my place?

Whichever is more convenient for you! But you have to promise to show me that trick in person.

video;

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