Sprace: Nero

[perfectpower]

Comments

[perfectdistance]

[ Taking Brad's hand and pulling himself up that way. ]

Couple laps should be fine.

[perfectpower]

Yeah, we should be fine-

[Except I rolled a 5 and then a 4 and so they're going down again.]

[perfectdistance]

Brad--

[Down they go-]

[perfectpower]

...okay, this is harder than it looks.

[perfectdistance]

We're gonna have so many bruises.

[perfectpower]

It's fine, we can vouch for each other.

[Lol. Lmao.]

[perfectdistance]

Sure.

And I'll tell 'em that you suck at rollerskating.

[perfectpower]

Nooooo, they can't know I'm uncool too! Think of the tinies, they'll tease me!

[perfectdistance]

Maybe you deserve it?

[perfectpower]

Well if I have to look uncool, you can join me in uncoolness.

[perfectdistance]

I don't care as much as you do.

[perfectpower]

C'moooon, I bet there's tiny you don't wanna disappoint. What about the rockstar?

[perfectdistance]

Doubt he thinks I'm cool.

[perfectpower]

Not even you? I know he thinks I'm uncool but I thought he got along with you.

[perfectdistance]

I can get along with kids without them thinkin' I'm cool.

Week 5, Monday

[perfectpower]

[At some point in the day, Bradley wanders over to Nero's pod. Standing next to it, he places a hand on the glass, right over Nero's heart.]

You look so peaceful...it's like you're just takin' a nap or somethin'.

Sorry, I got caught after all. But a lot of stuff happened over the weekend, and I ended up not dyin'. I still don't quite get it, but it's alright. You didn't wanna see me so soon anyway, right?

[His smile falters a little there.]

They say that everyone on your side is workin' hard on comin' back. I hope that's true. I wanna see you again. The way things happened...it wasn't right.

I still have that ring. I wanna give it to you, if you come back.

[His words are met by silence.

He lingers for a while, watching Nero's face, before wandering off.]

Week 5, Tuesday

[perfectpower]

[Compared to yesterday, he looks much colder. He's shivering, even though he's wearing layers.]

Fucking weather...it was boiling hot yesterday, and it's freezing cold today. It's probably better in there, I bet you wouldn't feel the temperature at all.

[He sighs, and then he smiles.]

There was a party yesterday. It was kinda nice. Nobody gave me shit about what happened. Maybe they all forgave me already, that'd be nice. I mean, I could handle it if they didn't forgive me, but it's nice to not worry about that so much.

There was an otter around today too. I tried to get it out of the lazy river, but we both fell in anyway. I might sound crazy, but it felt like the thing was as smart as a person. Maybe it was someone who was cursed, but nobody's come forward and said anythin' yet.

...I sent you a letter too. I hope you get it. I couldn't fit everything I wanted to say into it, but just passing on a message for sure helps.

[It makes him feel better, at least, which does indeed help.

He lingers for a while longer before wandering off.]

Week 5, Friday

[perfectpower]

[After missing a couple days, Bradley comes in looking dejected and sits down right next to the pod.]

I got your letter, I think. Message received, I'll do my best not to end up there. I expect a hefty reward for keepin' to it when you come back.

[He falls silent for a while, and his voice is quiet as he speaks again:]

...someone I care about died last night. Take care of her on your side, okay? I'm sure she'll drive you up a wall, but she has a good heart.

I shouldn't say it like that though, Owner wasn't a bad guy. I was just closer to that Wild Card than I was to him. So take care of both of them, okay? I dunno if you need to eat on that side, but I bet they'd appreciate a meal.

[He'll sit there silently for a long, long time, head resting on the side of Nero's pod.]

Week 5, Saturday

[perfectpower]

[When he comes by Nero's pod after the trial, he doesn't say anything this time. He just sits down by it, rests his head against it, and stays there for a long, long time.]

Week 5, Sunday

[perfectpower]

[Plopping down by the pod as usual! But this time he doesn't look as sad. Instead, he's just resting his back against the pod as he talks.]

I saw the info about the new planet. It looks like it's covered in water? That might be interesting. I didn't really do much last week, so I'll have to go planetside and do something this upcoming week. Maybe I can find a souvenir to give you when you return.

Thinkin' about the water makes me think about the City of Rain. You had a restaurant there, right? We should go back, when we get home. I know someone else probably runs it now, but it'd be nice to see where you spent that part of your life. It doesn't have to be anythin' big or grand, even the small boring stuff feels important.

[He pauses, and he smiles.]

That's what I remember the most now anyway. The small moments in the kitchen or around the campfire at the base. Fuck, we were so young then. You looked so much happier too...

[...]

...I wanna make you look happy like that again. I know your problems are your own and there's not much I can do about 'em, but if I can do anythin' to make you smile, that'd make things a little better. I'll be a little less selfish, and maybe we can build a life together again.

Just...please come back. So we can try.

Week 6, Monday

[perfectpower]

[He's coming over to the pod to chat with Nero like usual. Except, as soon as he sees Nero, he starts horfing up rose petals all over the pod. Then he spends 20 minutes cleaning up the petals in a panic before hurrying away.]

Week 6, Tuesday

[perfectpower]

[This time he manages to not cough up flowers all over Nero's pod, so that's an improvement.]

Hey. Viktor came back recently. He seems alright, so I guess that means the rest of you will be alright too? I just wonder why everyone couldn't come along with him.

...I was kinda hopin' to see you again, but I guess I'll have to wait longer.

[He spends the rest of his time there sitting in silence.]

Week 6, Wednesday

[perfectpower]

[After the mini-event, Bradley will just flop down by Nero's pod.]

I didn't do any work again today. I know, I got that threat last week, but a lotta people did and we wanted to see what would happen if we didn't do work again. I guess I'll find out on Friday what's gonna happen.

I know it's risky, but I ain't afraid, ya know? I've never been afraid of a little danger. It's harder, without you here too, but I can manage it.

If I end up on your side of things...well, I'll just say sorry and you'll forgive me, right?

[He seems proud of himself for his disobedience regardless.]

Week 6, Friday

[perfectpower]

[He looks a bit stunned as he comes in today. Instead of sitting by Nero's pod, he just stands there, looking at Nero's face.]

...nobody died last night. We did it, we kept everyone safe.

[He reaches out and places his hand on the glass, right over Nero's heart.]

Things are changing, so...maybe it'll be time to see you guys again soon?

[He can only hope. He has a lot to say to Nero.]

Week 6, Saturday

[perfectpower]

[After everyone has said their hellos and given well-wishes, Bradley takes Nero's hand and nods his head towards the door out of the stasis bay. Time to go talk in private.]