[alright, this is pretty...unexpected...and sure, being 'felt' might be a weird way to put it, but at any rate there isn't any offense being taken on this end]
[if only because Jack finds himself too busy feeling a sudden and very sharp pang of guilt almost as soon as he gets through reading the text in its entirety]
oh hey kiddo
has been awhile hasnt it? man im sorry theres been a lot of things going on but i still havent touched base in a bit have i? [with one thing leading to another...and what with how he really hasn't been checking the network as often as he should, recently, in favor of a lot of restless wandering and rainy brooding on deck, and man...] something up?
[ omg yes . . . ! relief that he's still around, Enma feels it! ]
no i know it's ok!
[ was that an exclamation mark woah ]
it's really crazy here. and i've been sleeping a lot and not really leaving the rooms at all so sorry i couldn't try and find you before. just a lot of things happening all the time for everyone so i understand.
[ him, included. a lot of things. shutting himself away from everything into a solitary cubical of a room for a while meant not a lot of contact with-- well, anything, really. but it was a coping mechanism, everyone had one!
though that's changing after going back home, no matter how brief that was. ]
it's kind of fuzzy to remember some things here. but i remember you a lot. i don't know if i was just sleeping for a really long time or if i went back home i think i did?
[that sure is an exclamation mark and this sure is an awful lot of text and WHY IS HE GETTING THIS DISTINCT FEELING THAT SOMETHING'S...DIFFERENT.............]
[not to mention that last bit what even--]
[without further delay text abruptly switches over to video, the feed flicking on to a series of shivering and bouncing blurs before solidifying into a (probably by-now familiar) backdrop of cloudy early-morning sky and ocean horizon, wind hissing soft and consistent against speakers]
[well, that, and a voice breaking in mid-mutter]
--oa whoa wait a minute...
[the feed steadies even more, if only so that Jack can peer intently into it with a frown, visible or no.]
Okay, hold on, let's--rewind here, kiddo. You mean, are you saying...you think you went back home?
[an inhale and exhale of astonished breath to taper off that sentence--the very idea of it--]
[ he would have finished his sentence, his train of thought; he had begun to speak with the compass in his hand, looking down but not particularly back at the screen. he remembered Jack, he knew he wasn't able to see the winter spirit during the times they met, and spoke-- it wasn't until he did, in which he-- he double takes with wide eyes. he'll get right back to your question, Jack, honest!
[bro why are you staring at the screen like it just grew another head IS THERE SOMETHING GOING ON WAS IT SOMETHING HE SAID...]
[for his part, the pale guy on the other end of the feed tilts his head slightly, eyebrows coming together quizzically. throws a glance over his shoulder at the sky behind. looks back]
[ oh goodness-- where are his words! where did they go-! when his lips part to say something, he stumbles a bit more, a quiet stutter falling from his lips. woah he doesn't know if it was what he imagined Jack Frost to look like or . . . ! ]
It's--[ he brings the device closer to his own face, red irises wide and compass-like pupils focusing long and hard, as if to take in the sight better. ]
[What? What?? He has no idea where this conversation's gone or why it's ended up here, but Enma's definitely acting as if something really surprising's just happened...]
[The kid goes on to bring the device closer to his face, and Jack accordingly leans back the slightest bit, both eyebrows arching.]
Well yeah, it's--
[...Wait a minute. Wait. The way this guy's peering so intently like this. Almost as if he's looking straight at him--]
[And, as the possibility clicks into place, Jack's own eyes widen, confusion quickly getting overtaken by something more pressing as the impossible hope leaps up. He leans forward again to stare back almost urgently at the screen, as the question forms up somewhere from the back of his throat, almost slightly strangled with the breathlessness.]
[ the question was probably important to Jack-- the urgency and his own reaction. he was sorry for the change of topic so suddenly, and they would get back to that, but--
it was another rare sight to be had, when a normally gloomy kid that only frowns or keeps his expression neutral or sad at best-- have his lips slowly, carefully, quirk up. he's learned how to let that bubble called a "smile" come out more since his "dream". overall, he's learned a lot of things that probably changed him for the better. ]
[for Jack's own part, grins of varying degrees in size and humor are usually about a dime a dozen; just another part of keeping the relatively mellow demeanor he tries to maintain on any given day, whether he's really feeling it or not. but real and genuine smiles, while somewhat more expensive to come by, can also certainly happen on occasion--]
[and there's one happening about now: rising up contagious just as Enma's does, and almost as slowly, a smile slowly spreading onto features and reaching eyes and staying, with an amazed delight that's pretty much impossible to hide.]
[not as acute and intense and all-around wonderful as the one he'd given Jamie had been, maybe--nothing's really ever going to compare to that, probably--but the feeling's still no less novel, and to Jack the occasion is no less incredible--]
Yeah...yeah! You can see me, you've--
[Jack breaks off with a laugh that's as delighted as his smile had been, and for a moment the feed wobbles as he pulls himself to his feet...and leaps right off the crane with an elated whoop probably perfectly audible to speakers. Scenery flashes by the video feed in a whirling blur, for a second or two: pale sky swinging to paler horizon swinging to ocean swinging to incoming deck--swinging upright to horizon again as Jack lands easily on the ground with a barely-audible thump. And when he angles the Compass back up to his face the smile is still right there, hardly dented at all--wider, if anything, as if that could have even been possible.]
Oh, man, d'you know what this means?! This means that you, that you've started--you believe in me! [Every word elated, and accompanied by a collective sway on the other end of the feed as Jack paces about, widely gesturing with his free arm staff and all, clearly barely able to contain his excitement.]
[Because Enma must have started believing in him, somehow...nevermind that the questions of how and why still hang about in the air. Who needs questions right now? What does it matter? Nothing at all, that's what. No, what matters is that he can see him at all, looking right at him and smiling and--]
You've gotta tell me where you are, I mean... [another laugh] Geez, I've needed to visit for ages anyway, and we should talk, we should-- [Never has the Compass and its tiny screen felt more inadequate and unnecessary...]
[ it's more than contagious-- while not as intense as initially ( though that will change when they meet face to face ), Enma still has a smile brightening his bandaged face, nodding with enthusiasm at Jack's animated exclamations. it's the whole display, it's the energy that Jack is passing on to him-- it's hard, difficult to keep a straight expression at a time like that; he didn't even want to feel that other way.
and with his eyes, he tries to follow, keep up as the camera shifts and turns-- it's intense and awaiting until Jack pops into view once more, having Enma shuffle up to his feet, the view of the crammed bunk beds behind him. ]
I'm down here, but-- [ it was pretty stuffy in here, honestly speaking. he's been in here for days now-- in his world time, he's been gone for nearly a month. a change in scenery might-- no, will do him some good. ]
Can I go up?
[ while he's managed to change his gloomy aspect, more or less-- he's still the shyer type. that one timid boy who, deep down is a strong, selfless kid; that, despite the ( now smaller ) insecurities, he wanted a friend here. he only ever ( and had only recently noticed ) had but a few selected friends back in his home world. he would like to have Jack as a friend, very much, in fact-- and while that territory is still fairly new to him ( the reason why he's asking, really ), he just wanted to avoid stepping on as many toes as possible, even though in a situation such as this one, with a person such as this one, there was really nothing to step on. ]
[No toes to tread on here indeed, not in the least--Jack wouldn't have minded even on a normal day, on a day when he hasn't just spontaneously gained a brand new believer-converted-from-non. And so the question only earns another laugh and a bouncing of the feed as he easily leaps up onto a part of the rail circling the deck and balances there. All this energy and nowhere to direct it, for now, but--]
Yeah, of course you can! Even better! Loads better than those rooms, especially if you've been sleeping for awhile, like you said--
[An offhand remark, working absently off a bit of recent memory of the conversation earlier without really thinking about it, but as soon as the words are out he does remember the earlier topic (a pressingly important topic, for certain, even if the more selfish parts of him rank it infinitely below the subject at hand now)...but yes, they'll address that soon enough. They'll address it once they're both on the deck, and face to face...]
[Not to mention a simple room, even as large as they are now, probably wouldn't be enough to contain Jack entirely unscathed at the moment.]
You can come up, and we can talk! I'll be waiting right up here, so, so don't worry-- [be quick as you can] --take your time.
[ this was-- let's not lie, this was exciting. Enma's final expression to the hurried feed is a positive one, a bright one, before he fumbles with the compass enough to slip it in his pocket. there's movement, lots of movement-- the teen forgets to shut it off during the rush, thus Jack probably being greeted with shuffling darkness, the ups and downs of someone in motion.
a series of short tumbles, a heavy thud, and a soft crash all in one suddenly sound, though. ]
Ow--
[ well Jack, you've witnessed one of his infamous little falls, thanks to his very own balance ( and feet ). for a few seconds it all seems to cease, the movement-- but there's no use, how can he not rev right back up? all his shin needs is a quick rub, which comes as the sound of ruffling fabric, before the redhead sets out on a fast-walk.
the walk turns into a jog as he arrives on deck, head and body twisting around sporadically for any sign of the winter spirit. he comes to a stop around the middle of the ship, breathing heavy, but eyes darting, following up the shadow of the tallest crane. he must be up there . . . !
Enma's there, a smile just ready to break free-- it was a nice feeling, the comings of a smile, despite everything that's happened and despite where they were, here and at home ( home being the better change, the reason for his personality tweak ). i pleasant feeling that was a welcomed change compared to the hopelessness and chaos. among the differences is physically, that the video feed probably didn't catch very well at all, is a rather striking visual for one not waiting for it-- and that's the absence of his left arm, the empty sleeve of his jacket sown ( with his own hand, mind you! you can probably tell, with the quality . . . ) up to the shoulder. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
o7!
[alright, this is pretty...unexpected...and sure, being 'felt' might be a weird way to put it, but at any rate there isn't any offense being taken on this end]
[if only because Jack finds himself too busy feeling a sudden and very sharp pang of guilt almost as soon as he gets through reading the text in its entirety]
oh hey kiddo
has been awhile hasnt it? man im sorry
theres been a lot of things going on but i still havent touched base in a bit have i? [with one thing leading to another...and what with how he really hasn't been checking the network as often as he should, recently, in favor of a lot of restless wandering and rainy brooding on deck, and man...]
something up?
[...wait...]
remember some things.. ?
no subject
no i know it's ok!
[ was that an exclamation mark woah ]
it's really crazy here.
and i've been sleeping a lot and not really leaving the rooms at all so
sorry i couldn't try and find you before.
just a lot of things happening all the time
for everyone
so i understand.
[ him, included. a lot of things. shutting himself away from everything into a solitary cubical of a room for a while meant not a lot of contact with-- well, anything, really. but it was a coping mechanism, everyone had one!
though that's changing after going back home, no matter how brief that was. ]
it's kind of fuzzy to remember some things here.
but i remember you a lot.
i don't know if i was just sleeping for a really long time
or if i went back home
i think i did?
text >> video
[what]
[that sure is an exclamation mark and this sure is an awful lot of text and WHY IS HE GETTING THIS DISTINCT FEELING THAT SOMETHING'S...DIFFERENT.............]
[not to mention that last bit what even--]
[without further delay text abruptly switches over to video, the feed flicking on to a series of shivering and bouncing blurs before solidifying into a (probably by-now familiar) backdrop of cloudy early-morning sky and ocean horizon, wind hissing soft and consistent against speakers]
[well, that, and a voice breaking in mid-mutter]
--oa whoa wait a minute...
[the feed steadies even more, if only so that Jack can peer intently into it with a frown, visible or no.]
Okay, hold on, let's--rewind here, kiddo. You mean, are you saying...you think you went back home?
[an inhale and exhale of astonished breath to taper off that sentence--the very idea of it--]
How?
video
[ he would have finished his sentence, his train of thought; he had begun to speak with the compass in his hand, looking down but not particularly back at the screen. he remembered Jack, he knew he wasn't able to see the winter spirit during the times they met, and spoke-- it wasn't until he did, in which he-- he double takes with wide eyes. he'll get right back to your question, Jack, honest!
bc oh man he's totally seeing you isn't he. ]
SCREAMS
[blink]
[bro why are you staring at the screen like it just grew another head IS THERE SOMETHING GOING ON WAS IT SOMETHING HE SAID...]
[for his part, the pale guy on the other end of the feed tilts his head slightly, eyebrows coming together quizzically. throws a glance over his shoulder at the sky behind. looks back]
...Uh. What is it? You okay...?
SQUEALS!!!
It's--[ he brings the device closer to his own face, red irises wide and compass-like pupils focusing long and hard, as if to take in the sight better. ]
It's-- you . . . [ oh my god!!! ]
1/2
[The kid goes on to bring the device closer to his face, and Jack accordingly leans back the slightest bit, both eyebrows arching.]
Well yeah, it's--
[...Wait a minute. Wait. The way this guy's peering so intently like this. Almost as if he's looking straight at him--]
no subject
[The chance that maybe, just maybe...]
Wait. You--can you see me?
no subject
it was another rare sight to be had, when a normally gloomy kid that only frowns or keeps his expression neutral or sad at best-- have his lips slowly, carefully, quirk up. he's learned how to let that bubble called a "smile" come out more since his "dream". overall, he's learned a lot of things that probably changed him for the better. ]
Y-yeah.
no subject
[for Jack's own part, grins of varying degrees in size and humor are usually about a dime a dozen; just another part of keeping the relatively mellow demeanor he tries to maintain on any given day, whether he's really feeling it or not. but real and genuine smiles, while somewhat more expensive to come by, can also certainly happen on occasion--]
[and there's one happening about now: rising up contagious just as Enma's does, and almost as slowly, a smile slowly spreading onto features and reaching eyes and staying, with an amazed delight that's pretty much impossible to hide.]
[not as acute and intense and all-around wonderful as the one he'd given Jamie had been, maybe--nothing's really ever going to compare to that, probably--but the feeling's still no less novel, and to Jack the occasion is no less incredible--]
Yeah...yeah! You can see me, you've--
[Jack breaks off with a laugh that's as delighted as his smile had been, and for a moment the feed wobbles as he pulls himself to his feet...and leaps right off the crane with an elated whoop probably perfectly audible to speakers. Scenery flashes by the video feed in a whirling blur, for a second or two: pale sky swinging to paler horizon swinging to ocean swinging to incoming deck--swinging upright to horizon again as Jack lands easily on the ground with a barely-audible thump. And when he angles the Compass back up to his face the smile is still right there, hardly dented at all--wider, if anything, as if that could have even been possible.]
Oh, man, d'you know what this means?! This means that you, that you've started--you believe in me! [Every word elated, and accompanied by a collective sway on the other end of the feed as Jack paces about, widely gesturing with his free arm staff and all, clearly barely able to contain his excitement.]
[Because Enma must have started believing in him, somehow...nevermind that the questions of how and why still hang about in the air. Who needs questions right now? What does it matter? Nothing at all, that's what. No, what matters is that he can see him at all, looking right at him and smiling and--]
You've gotta tell me where you are, I mean... [another laugh] Geez, I've needed to visit for ages anyway, and we should talk, we should-- [Never has the Compass and its tiny screen felt more inadequate and unnecessary...]
no subject
and with his eyes, he tries to follow, keep up as the camera shifts and turns-- it's intense and awaiting until Jack pops into view once more, having Enma shuffle up to his feet, the view of the crammed bunk beds behind him. ]
I'm down here, but-- [ it was pretty stuffy in here, honestly speaking. he's been in here for days now-- in his world time, he's been gone for nearly a month. a change in scenery might-- no, will do him some good. ]
Can I go up?
[ while he's managed to change his gloomy aspect, more or less-- he's still the shyer type. that one timid boy who, deep down is a strong, selfless kid; that, despite the ( now smaller ) insecurities, he wanted a friend here. he only ever ( and had only recently noticed ) had but a few selected friends back in his home world. he would like to have Jack as a friend, very much, in fact-- and while that territory is still fairly new to him ( the reason why he's asking, really ), he just wanted to avoid stepping on as many toes as possible, even though in a situation such as this one, with a person such as this one, there was really nothing to step on. ]
no subject
Yeah, of course you can! Even better! Loads better than those rooms, especially if you've been sleeping for awhile, like you said--
[An offhand remark, working absently off a bit of recent memory of the conversation earlier without really thinking about it, but as soon as the words are out he does remember the earlier topic (a pressingly important topic, for certain, even if the more selfish parts of him rank it infinitely below the subject at hand now)...but yes, they'll address that soon enough. They'll address it once they're both on the deck, and face to face...]
[Not to mention a simple room, even as large as they are now, probably wouldn't be enough to contain Jack entirely unscathed at the moment.]
You can come up, and we can talk! I'll be waiting right up here, so, so don't worry-- [be quick as you can] --take your time.
no subject
[ this was-- let's not lie, this was exciting. Enma's final expression to the hurried feed is a positive one, a bright one, before he fumbles with the compass enough to slip it in his pocket. there's movement, lots of movement-- the teen forgets to shut it off during the rush, thus Jack probably being greeted with shuffling darkness, the ups and downs of someone in motion.
a series of short tumbles, a heavy thud, and a soft crash all in one suddenly sound, though. ]
Ow--
[ well Jack, you've witnessed one of his infamous little falls, thanks to his very own balance ( and feet ). for a few seconds it all seems to cease, the movement-- but there's no use, how can he not rev right back up? all his shin needs is a quick rub, which comes as the sound of ruffling fabric, before the redhead sets out on a fast-walk.
the walk turns into a jog as he arrives on deck, head and body twisting around sporadically for any sign of the winter spirit. he comes to a stop around the middle of the ship, breathing heavy, but eyes darting, following up the shadow of the tallest crane. he must be up there . . . !
Enma's there, a smile just ready to break free-- it was a nice feeling, the comings of a smile, despite everything that's happened and despite where they were, here and at home ( home being the better change, the reason for his personality tweak ). i pleasant feeling that was a welcomed change compared to the hopelessness and chaos. among the differences is physically, that the video feed probably didn't catch very well at all, is a rather striking visual for one not waiting for it-- and that's the absence of his left arm, the empty sleeve of his jacket sown ( with his own hand, mind you! you can probably tell, with the quality . . . ) up to the shoulder. ]