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

[wordsgate]

[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.

Comments

[espigeonage]

I'd say Aaron Strider, I know he's creepy but I trust him. He doesn't really seem inclined tho.

Someone around steps up - no pun intended, I can't think of a synonym rn - or there ends up someone new. I hope it does happen. We might need someone with a level head.

[wordsgate]

Yeah. A level head would be good. Someone that doesn't have so much of an ego that they won't listen to suggestions, but someone that's assertive enough that they can take charge when they have to.

Honestly, I'd be fine with Strider being the one that becomes a leader, from what little I know about him.

[espigeonage]

Exactly! And of course someone people will still listen to, and all those other things.

Well I know a little more, he's sort of my boss! He's great, honestly. Kind of intense in person, that takes some getting used to. Not all that friendly either. Still.

...actually, it's kind of weird. I felt like I could trust him almost right away. That's not usually how it works.

[wordsgate]

Oh, is he? Do you work at the clinic?

Personally I prefer friendly leaders, but I'll take what I can get. Trust is more important than someone being friendly, in the end of the day.

[espigeonage]

Yup. Mostly I clean and help with stocking and organization, honestly, the only doctoring I even know is the first aid he taught me.

He can be kind and he's got a sense of humor, he's just... reserved, I guess. And he's friendlier than the Captain. Not that that's saying much.

[wordsgate]

I see. I've known a few people like that. He sounds like a pretty cool guy!

[espigeonage]

I respect him. ...yeah, I know, *me*, right? Just don't let on that I'm apparently in his fanclub, that'd get awkward.

[Jules respects plenty of people, he's just mostly more casual and less aware of it. Mister Strider is the one person whose respect and approval he really craves.]

[wordsgate]

haha, your secret is safe with me!

[espigeonage]

That's what I like to hear, lol!

[wordsgate]

[At first, Sam was just going to leave the conversation there--and he does for a while, drifting off for a short nap--but there's been something on his mind for a while, and well, Jules' is already talking to him, so...]

Speaking of secrets, can I ask you for some advice?

[espigeonage]

[There's not much of a pause on Julien's part, since he segued to browsing Facebook.]

Sure. What's up?

[wordsgate]

Let's say there's two people in the Numbers Club that see each other in their visions. And let's say that one of them can tell that the person whose eyes they see through in their visions is in love with the other person's...double? Something like that? If that person started to maybe be attracted to the other person...would you think that their feelings are genuine, or just caused by the visions?

[espigeonage]

Not beating around the bush, huh. Okay.

Hard to say, honestly. What is attraction? That first blush can feel a lot like love, and anything can set it off. Maybe it's like falling for an actress because of a role she played. Bad idea to treat her too much like the character, if you actually meet.

You don't have to be anything because your other self is. You don't have to reject things about him either. It would be a bad idea to go from "our other selves are meant to be" to "we are meant to be" without testing this we yourself, though.

aah, I'm just rambling. I can't really think of a really good thing to say? Just, it might be better to go slow about it if you do anything.

[wordsgate]

ha ha I've never been slow when it comes to starting a relationship. when I like a girl I just want to date her right away!

but you're probably right. this is a special case. I wouldn't want to hurt her.

[espigeonage]

lol I'll flirt with anyone but these days there's usually some back and forth before it gets to dating.

Yeah. Well, I guess just try and keep her and her other self separate. And you and yours. Doesn't mean don't date her, just... idk, be careful.

[wordsgate]

Yeah, I'm trying to. It's not that hard, from what little I've seen I don't think we're much like our counterparts. The other her seems so cold!

[espigeonage]

Well, that's good, I guess. This would all be even creepier if the other-people were all just like us. Harder to keep straight anyway.

Good luck man.

[wordsgate]

Thanks. I really appreciate you listening to me.

[espigeonage]

Hey, no problem.