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005 - Action/Voice
[Today marked a big day for Teddy Altman: He's eighteen today. If he were back in New York, he could vote in elections, own a credit/debit card of his own, and not have to groan over papers and applications that had a little note for people who were under eighteen. He's pretty much an adult now.
He still kind of feels like a young teenager who has no idea what he's doing, though, so he can't help being a little disappointed when he wakes up and doesn't suddenly feel like a man with a plan who knows everything and can do anything.
After gently being coaxed outside by Billy, Teddy decides to do all the things he usually does, seeing how Luceti is sorely lacking in ways to celebrate a milestone year like this. He wanders and chats up store owners, from the bakery to the weapon shop to Seventh Heaven to even the general store. He gets himself a large meal for lunch, as is customary for a guy like him, and orders his favorite just for today. He visits the library and reads up on whatever new comics they have, and that's where he gets lost in thought enough to open his journal and ask a question that's been on his mind since the day began.]
When someone turns eighteen, do they do anything special? It's a pretty big thing for teenagers in America; you can vote and get drafted and pretty much be considered an adult by the law. But does it mean anything in other worlds? Call me curious.
[He goes to the Battledome after that to simulate a basketball game – just to watch this time, not to participate. The 1992 East Regional Final, Duke verses Kentucky, one of the most suspenseful games in history and something that Teddy had watched on YouTube, but certainly not like this. It's no wonder that he's particularly hyped when he walks out. So much so that he takes to the sky as soon as he's outside, deciding that he'd rather take the joyride home rather than plain old walking. He's still a teenager, and he still feels pretty invincible even without that adult knowledge he was expecting, so why not?
Teddy might not feel any different, but it's still a pretty special day.]
He still kind of feels like a young teenager who has no idea what he's doing, though, so he can't help being a little disappointed when he wakes up and doesn't suddenly feel like a man with a plan who knows everything and can do anything.
After gently being coaxed outside by Billy, Teddy decides to do all the things he usually does, seeing how Luceti is sorely lacking in ways to celebrate a milestone year like this. He wanders and chats up store owners, from the bakery to the weapon shop to Seventh Heaven to even the general store. He gets himself a large meal for lunch, as is customary for a guy like him, and orders his favorite just for today. He visits the library and reads up on whatever new comics they have, and that's where he gets lost in thought enough to open his journal and ask a question that's been on his mind since the day began.]
When someone turns eighteen, do they do anything special? It's a pretty big thing for teenagers in America; you can vote and get drafted and pretty much be considered an adult by the law. But does it mean anything in other worlds? Call me curious.
[He goes to the Battledome after that to simulate a basketball game – just to watch this time, not to participate. The 1992 East Regional Final, Duke verses Kentucky, one of the most suspenseful games in history and something that Teddy had watched on YouTube, but certainly not like this. It's no wonder that he's particularly hyped when he walks out. So much so that he takes to the sky as soon as he's outside, deciding that he'd rather take the joyride home rather than plain old walking. He's still a teenager, and he still feels pretty invincible even without that adult knowledge he was expecting, so why not?
Teddy might not feel any different, but it's still a pretty special day.]
[action]
[Once they reach the table, Teddy sets the food they got for themselves down on it, idly hoping that the container they were in kept them warm against the chill of the snowy air. He rubs his hands together a few times as he looks around, taking in all the detail from another angle. It's a lot darker than it was in the game...]
What is this place, anyway?
[action]
[action]
[If
the gameher work in Luceti is anything to go by. Teddy leans back in his seat, opening up his container to reveal the stir fry he ordered just for his birthday, then glances up at her from other the rim.]If the same thing happened to you, where would you go?
[action]
If I was hurt or sick? [Something dark crosses her face in stages.] Until a little while ago, Alex would have helped me, and my parents before that. Now, my apprentices could. I would rather they helped the rest of the village while I rested on my own, though.
[action]
But that's neither here nor there, as Teddy was getting somewhere with his question.]
What about here? If you were hurting in a way that wasn't physical?
... Like right now.
[action]
What answer is there but the truth?]
I'm much more stubborn about that kind of pain. Sharing it is...not something I think I should do while others are also hurting.
[action]
He pushes his food around, then sets it down on the table before reaching out to place his hand on Mia's shoulder, giving it a gentle, supportive squeeze.]
I'm not hurting or anything, Mia. You've listened to me all this time, you helped me when I needed it. It's just the two of us here. You can rely on me, too, if you want.
[action]
It is your birthday. [She says it quietly, like she's trying to soften difficult news.] I would never color it with sadness that way.