Network video

[madginger]

[ Max looks pretty annoyed as she turns on the video and stares into the screen, and when she starts talking, there's a firmness about her every word. Things were scary enough before, reminding her a little too much of home, but Robin in the hospital has slammed the situation in her face, painfully. ]

That's it. If none of you are going to use the offers for safer travel that have been made for you, at least take a buddy with you. It's, seriously, time to pair up for a buddy system.

If you don't? You're just stupid.

Hawkins people, this especially means you. You're all my buddies, now. You go somewhere, you call me. I go somewhere, I'll call you.

Got it?

Comments

audio; private

[cactusy]

[Oh hey, it's the kid that Billy said she should... check in on? Maybe? He had at least sort of implied it, she feels.]

You're pretty freaked out, huh.

[#nailedit]

perma private

[madginger]

[ Max sounds taken aback. ]

No, not at all. Why would I be freaked out? [ Dripping defensive sarcasm. ]

It's not like we're already dealing with a serial killer back home. Now one of my friends is in the hospital.

perma private

[cactusy]

[Tragically, that was an attempt at commiseration.

And so is this.]

Okay, well, who are you worried about the most? I'll keep a particularly close eye on them. Billy, Robin--?

[madginger]

[ She's trying, but she's just on edge, sorry Shaw. ]

All of them. They're my friends, and they've been through enough.

If I have to pick, Billy because he's my brother. But...all of them.

[cactusy]

He is? He didn't mention that.

[madginger]

Well, Billy Hargrove is.

Don't know if he's ready to admit it to other people. We had a long time coming to terms with being siblings.

[cactusy]

Mmm. Should I not mention that you spilled the beans?

[madginger]

Nah, it's okay. I can handle him if he gets mad about it.

Since you asked, anyone you're worried about in all of this?

[cactusy]

The kids. Noncombatants. Donnie. I dunno, I don't have a crew here.

[In a tone as dry as Max's had been, though more sedate and less sarcastic:]

I'm not exactly skilled at making friends.

[madginger]

Donnie's one of my friends, too, so I'll be sure to buddy up with him if he needs it.

Here, I don't think you have to be good at making friends to make them, or to be a part of...this. Whatever we are. We are all here together, after all.

Look, if you need a buddy, too, then, you can call on me.

[cactusy]

How... old are you?

[madginger]

Sixteen.

What does that have to do with it?

[cactusy]

Adults who use kids as shields are assholes. Even when those kids are sixteen.

[madginger]

I'm offering to help, not be a shield.

Anyone tries that with me? They're getting smacked with a baseball bat, or punched.

[cactusy]

[Shaw pauses. Okay, she officially likes this one.]

Okay. I can't promise you're gonna be my go-to, but if you want to jump into the fray, I won't stop you.

[madginger]

I appreciate that.

You definitely don't have to call on me, but staying out of my way is wise.

[cactusy]

I like your style, Mayfield.

[madginger]

[ That gets a laugh out of Max. ]

I like yours, too. You seem cool for an adult.

[cactusy]

You seem cool for a kid.

[And given that she doesn't much like kids, that's a high compliment, even if it's delivered dryly.]

I'm gonna help make sure your friend stays safe, and I'm gonna try to find whoever gets their kicks by strangling teenage girls.

[madginger]

[ Max laughs at the return. There aren't a lot of adults she would call cool, after all, so fair. ]

[ She's far more serious when Shaw mentions finding the person that harmed Robin. ]

Please do. I don't want her in danger again. I'm scared he'll come back for her, to...finish the job.