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.

[ziedrich_bearer]

It shouldn't just be a single buddy. You don't know if that Buddy is safe or not. Need more than one.

[madginger]

I'm not going to be that paranoid about it.

I know I can trust my friends, especially anyone from Hawkins.

[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.

video;

[faceguy]

Good luck. I think everyone here has decided they’re final girl material.

[At least he’s home like a good boy (at least for now). You can even see the robot that has taken over his bed in the background.]

[madginger]

I appreciate that.

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

[madginger]

Not you, too.

[ She frowns at the screen. ] At least tell me you're gonna buddy up with Donnie, or something?

[ Deadpan beat. ] What's a final girl?

[faceguy]

Listen, as much as I’d love to drag my nerdiest brother everywhere, he is remarkably good at sneaking out.

[Yes, it is annoying.]

It’s whoever survives to the end of a horror movie. Usually a girl, but the term is gender-neutral.

[madginger]

Fine. Take it from an actual final girl, me, we need buddies.

And he's going on my list of people that need to buddy up or they're getting lectures from me.

[faceguy]

Oooh hoh hoh, I’d pay to see that.

[Get ‘im, Max.]

But yeah yeah, we’re being careful.

[madginger]

How much would you pay?

[ She adores Donnie, so yeah, she would chew him out, but good. The more she cares, sometimes the more intense she gets. ]

[ But Leo's words calm her down. ] Okay, good. This isn't something to mess around with.

[cactusy]

I like your style, Mayfield.