✞ || FIFTEEN || [video] - Backdated to an hour post-sunset

[unetrustworthy]

[The sound of sporadic fireworks can be heard in the background as Midii's face appears, hands tightly covering her ears.  The poor girl's eyes are red, voice quivering when she speaks.  She appears to be huddled beneath an outdoor table, knees pulled up to her chest.]

I thought your American Independence Day was not until tomorrow, yet people have been setting these fireworks off since--

[Another explosion in the sky, loud enough to cause her to visibly jump, letting out a small yelp.  She looks close to tears.]

Is there some place I can go where I will not hear them?

Comments

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

You are a very kind person to keep offering to help someone you do not know.

[hacktivist]

Heh. Good.

[assessing for a proper response, fumbling, manages]

Midii... You are very brave.

[unetrustworthy]

I do not feel very brave right now.

Re: [video]

[electromexican]

Most of us are in the same situation, right? It'd be better to help each other out I think.

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

Not everybody has the same opinion.

Re: [video]

[electromexican]

[He gives her a bit of a frown.] Yeah, I got that feeling from someone else.

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

Who?

Re: [video]

[electromexican]

Just a couple of people I've talked to say a couple of people don't like help from others and all that.

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

If it was something I knew I could handle myself, I would agree. However, I also know better than to turn down help when I do need it.

[action!]

[batmantled]

[ It's not as if uptown is exactly bereft of coffee shops at the best of times, but given the detail in the image behind Midii it's not hard to find her. He lets go of the line and drops down in a easy arc to the opposite side of the table, before giving her what's hopefully a friendly wave. ]

Somebody order a large with anchovies?

[action!]

[unetrustworthy]

[Midii wasn't normally much for humor to begin with, but combine that with everything she'd already been through that day...and sorry, Batman, you're just going to get a blank, confused stare]

...huh?

[action!]

[batmantled]

It's a joke. And not even a good one.

[ He'll offer her a hand, hoping to coax her out from under the table. It's a start, anyway. ]

I brought the bike if you want a ride.

[action!]

[unetrustworthy]

[She gives a hesitant nod, reaching for his hand and allowing him to pull her out from underneath the table]

[...until another firework goes off, that is, and she's on the floor again, crouched with her hands over her ears]

Re: [video]

[electromexican]

Sounds like any other person. Everyone's different, you know?

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

It would be boring if everyone was the same.

voice;

[futurebatwoman]

Sounds pretty doable. [ beat. this is definitely not the right time to bring up why Midii's wandering around after dark, that'll have to be saved for a later time. ]

Anything else we need while I'm there?

Re: voice;

[unetrustworthy]

[The irony is that, for once, Midii would have been home early...if it hadn't been for the fireworks rooting her to the spot]

I can not think of anything.

encrypted

[hacktivist]

Midii.

I cannot remember a time I was not afraid.

encrypted

[unetrustworthy]

...really?

encrypted

[hacktivist]

Yes.

Real courage is resisting the collapse--it is ongoing, and it is not shameful to feel pain.

I believe it worthwhile as a trade, to exist, and know people like you, and Max.

encrypted

[unetrustworthy]

[As one to take words literally, she winces when he mentions resisting the "collapse"...considering collapsing was essentially just what she had done. Onto the ground.]

What is it you are afraid of?

[video]

[electromexican]

Definitely.

Good luck with getting outta here without, you know, more explosions. Hopefully you can find the headphones too, they really help!

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

I will.

And, again, thank you for offering.

Re: [video]

[electromexican]

No problem. See ya 'round. After the fireworks, of course.

Re: [video]

[unetrustworthy]

[A nod, and she quietly turns off the feed to wait for Batman]