Network | Video

[wearingthestars]

I'm working on cleaning up/clearing out more of the hospital. I was wondering if anyone either wanted to lend a hand, or if there was any um...I dunno, 'features' you'd like to see here? Stuff to make it more comfortable? Needs that aren't being addressed?

Private Message for Tony
How are you with locks?
[He turns the camera to point at a complicated looking lock located somewhere in the hospital, and then back at himself with a pointed frown.]

Private Message for Tommy
You literally have super speed, why are your clothes all over the floor?

Private Message for Soldier
Super important question- Coffee? Tea? Or Hot Chocolate? Which is the correct choice?
[Billy tries to maintain a very serious expression. He is not succeeding.]

Comments

[wearingthestars]

Yeah, so are you, 'cause I'm not going to shut up about it. [Billy flashes a teasing grin.]

Look who's growing as a person. No holes, I'm proud.

[sinistral]

I'll tune you out. [As if he could.]

A hole would only be practical for an indoor fire. Mine is outside.

[wearingthestars]

Oh, you doubt my powers? [Billy waggles his fingers like he's going to cast some fiendish spell of annoyance or something and laughs.]

Fire practicality is one of the foremost deciding factors in choosing a home, as we all know.

[sinistral]

I know my resistance.

It's not permanent. [A camp more than anything else, with a makeshift firepit outside. But it's sheltered from the weather, and rocks warmed by the fire can make it cozy enough inside.] It's warmest at the back, you should sit there.

[wearingthestars]

I know. ~ [It never is with Soldier. Which is a shame sometimes, since Billy thinks it could be fun to help 'home-ify' a space if the man ever decided to stick somewhere more long term eventually.] Yeah? [Normally he does the dance of trying to get Soldier to prioritize himself, but he must be colder than he's admitting, because he agrees without protest for once, moving through to the back.] This is kind nice actually. Rustic cozy.

[sinistral]

[Maybe someday he'll be convinced that it's not a bad thing to settle, that he can allow himself to have a place just for himself. But such a step still doesn't feel right; as hard as his nomadic life is, it's also easier.]

Yeah. [He still has Billy's drink, which is warm enough. And the back of the shelter has the Soldier's bedding, including a warm wool blanket. Billy hopefully knows he can help himself to it.] It meets with your approval then?

[wearingthestars]

[Even this feels a little more...comfortable than the sets he'd been in when Billy first met him. So Billy feels confident Soldier might warm to something a little more steady one day. Maybe.

He smiles bashfully and nods, eying the blanket and taking it up after a glance to Soldier to make sure it was all right.]

Approval granted. You want under here too?

[sinistral]

[Maybe eventually.

For now, he nods his permission for Billy to wrap himself up in the blanket. Meanwhile he shoves seven large, flat rocks near the base of the firepit and gets a blaze going in the wood up top.]

I don't remember where I learned this. [Doesn't fully want to remember.] When the rocks get warm, we'll put them by your feet. The heat radiates up and the blanket will trap it.

[wearingthestars]

[If he's honest, Billy's half been expecting Soldier to be sleeping out here with nothing, so he's glad to get to field test the blanket (in a manner of speaking), and gain some assurance that he isn't going to freeze to death one of these days.

He watches Soldier in quiet fascination, expression turning momentarily sad at what remains unsaid, but tactfully not acknowledging it.]

That's so smart. You know, you could probably write a hell of a survival guide for everyone.

[sinistral]

[The stash of camping gear the Soldier calls his belongings has grown by very little, but each piece is useful if a little worn. Billy is welcome to use almost anything available in the small space.]

No I couldn't. [Most people seemed too tied to their creature comforts; the Soldier's existence lacked in far too many aspects.] You wouldn't want to stay out here in the long term. Not in the winter.

[wearingthestars]

[Billy's added to some of it himself, though he still has trouble getting Soldier to tell him what he needs.]

Probably not. [He laughs softly, though he still thinks Soldier could offer a lot to others.] I'd be way too pathetic about the cold. But I do kind of see the appeal.

[sinistral]

[He doesn't need anything, he's a strong independent assassin, blah blah blah, etc., etc.]

I'm used to this weather. And I prefer staying away from people. Most others don't want that. [Or not for the same reasons anyway, the reasons that have him picking up and moving every week or so.]

[wearingthestars]

[Dummy. <3]

Heh. [Billy smiles fondly.] Well, I'm still glad you put up with me then.

[sinistral]

[B|]

You're different. [He pulls on gloves to snag two of those warm rocks, placing them near Billy's feet.] Better?

[wearingthestars]

So are you. [Billy easily returns the compliment, and he means it. He wiggles his toes inside his boots and gives a relaxed smile as the warmth spreads through him.] That's nice.

[sinistral]

Crazy. [But this is actually nice. Warm, and warm with Billy sitting close. It's a nice little shelter in that regard.]

What brought you out here in weather you don't like?

[wearingthestars]

Absolutely cuckoo. [He doesn't argue but smiles pointedly.]

You're worth it. And I dunno...I was feeling a little lonely?

[sinistral]

Did something happen? [Does he need to go beat the Agrii someone up?] Or did it just creep up on you?

[wearingthestars]

[Billy shakes his head quickly to reassure him.] Nothing happened. Just...crept up, yeah. I guess I was thinking a bit about how long I've been here? And...I dunno, it's stupid. But I always feel better around you, so...

[sinistral]

It's not stupid. [He gets it, kind of.] If it's something that bothers you, it can't be stupid. I'll try to help you feel less lonely.

[wearingthestars]

You're all ready helping.