VIDEO.

[centurybaby]

[ The feed cuts on in the middle of a conversation. It's pointing upwards at a completely unimpressed teenage Jenny, who has a cigarette dangling out of her mouth. ]

--even think about it.

[ In typical teenage fashion, Jenny just rolls her eyes. ]

I told you, you can date when I'm dead. [ Someone's leather gloved hand casually reaches up and plucks the cigarette out of her mouth and-- ] ...Are you recording.

[ She makes a face when he takes her cigarette. Dryly, with a tinge of annoyance: ] Say cheese, Dad.

Someone explain to my old man that I'm a big girl now, please and fucking thanks.

Comments

[centurybaby]

Cute.

[cuckoos]

[ vague smiles all around, but just Celeste talks: ]

Not the word we usually get.

[centurybaby]

I'm unusual like that.

[cuckoos]

Mm. We like unusual. Otherwise it's just terribly boring.

[centurybaby]

So glad to fucking entertain you.

Who did you say you all are again.

[cuckoos]

We appreciate it.

[ Even if it's sarcastic. You get your kicks where you find 'em. And back to all three now: ]

We're the Cuckoos. Would you like us to bother with individual names or no?

[centurybaby]

[ you can hear her shrug in her voice. ]

Sure. Why the hell not.

[cuckoos]

Mindee, Phoebe, and Celeste. [ with handy dandy shots of each in turn. ...not that you can really tell the difference because. yeah. well. then in a chorus of good manners: ] Nice to meet you.

[centurybaby]

Real fucking pleasure.

[ a beat. then, because she's attentive like that: ]

So. What's your deal with Q?

[cuckoos]

Quire?

[ tandem hair flip and sniff ]

He had a crush on our sister to the point of grave robbing. Doesn't really understand the concept of no meaning no.

[ beat, then a shrug because technicalities ]

Or ew meaning ew. He's a slug.

[centurybaby]

[ jenny makes a little noncommittal noise-- huh. ]

So, your sister's the deal girl.

[cuckoos]

Oh, so he's talked about Sophie?

[ They shake their heads and Phoebe sighs to herself: ] Figures.

[ Mindee: ] Pathetic, really.

[ back to tandem! ]

Did he mention it was his fault?

[centurybaby]

No.

[ a beat. ]

But being bitches about it isn't gonna bring her back. Or is this just your fucking default?

[cuckoos]

Mm... Default. We'd apologize but. It really wouldn't mean much. [ Another group shrug. ]

[centurybaby]

[ an exhale. ]

Whatever. He's not really all that fucking bad.

[cuckoos]

You obviously don't know him very well.

[centurybaby]

I know him well enough.

[cuckoos]

[ humming thoughtfully ]

If you say so. Eventually he'll turn out though. He always does.

[ Celeste: ] Can't help it, really.

[ Phoebe: ] Not with that ego.

[centurybaby]

Guess we'll fucking see.

[cuckoos]

Suppose so.

[ they've been so weirdly nonchalant this whoooooooole conversation

like talking about the weather

no biggie ]

Any luck with your father yet?

[centurybaby]

Nope. Probably won't get any either. So it's a good thing I don't ever ask for permission.

[cuckoos]

Does save you the hassle. Hmm.

Good choice.

[futureleader]

It's not like you guys don't make mistakes either.

Right Phoebe? Or do the three of you conveniently forget your touch with the Phoenix? I didn't completely fall out after my touch with the Phoenix... I was awake then still.

[cuckoos]

[ rolling their eyes tbqh ]

Please. Who doesn't get a little off-balance when possessed by a cosmic force of infinite power.

[futureleader]

Everyone has their own form of a skeleton in the closet.

[Encrypted]

Stop airing out my dirty laundry and I won't throw yours for everyone to see either. You're not the perfect cut fit diamonds that you think you are.