accidental video; snow

[fuckingtragedy]

The feed begins with the accidental brush of a hand scratching the back of Simon's head. It's difficult to make out the surroundings for a moment. The room is dimly-lit, illuminated only by the insipid glow of a phone screen, but as Simon's eyes adjust, so does the quality of the feed.

Simon's clearly been camped here for a while. He's stretched out on a dorm common room couch, piled under a blanket and three pillows too many, because no matter how one is perched upon a couch, it's hard to get comfortable with giant wings to contend with. The floor in front of the sofa is littered with crisp wrappers and pop cans, and the only evidence that he's left his steadfast vigil at any point recently is the condensation clinging to the side of the bottle in his hand. The phone's been playing music -- 90's pop-punk that may sound vaguely familiar to some feed viewers -- but a low battery notification has been flashing intermittently and Simon seems unwilling to rectify the issue.

Don't speak, I know just what you're saying. So please stop expla--

Your battery is at 3%. Please connect a charger or enable battery-saving mode.

"No, sorry. None of that. We're going down together."

Simon sighs and lets the phone play itself dead, then fumbles for the remote and switches on the TV. After a few minutes of listless scrolling, he settles on a cartoon. Mouse and cat playing cat-and-mouse, and cartoon violence is usually hilarious, but--

It's muted. Or at the very least, the volume is too low to make out, and closed captioning rarely does the sound effects any justice. It's meant to be funny. Simon isn't laughing.

He finishes off the bottle. Adds it to the army of fallen soldiers on the floor. The feed cuts out again shortly after he unceremoniously shoves a pillow over his head.

Comments

[flammablepitch]

[Well shit, but at least it isn't Morrisey. This would be a lost cause if it was.]

Snow, what are you doing?

audio

[fuckingtragedy]

[There's absolutely no evidence that he hasn't been enjoying some Morrissey.

But he sounds momentarily confused regarding why Baz is in his head, until he quickly pieces together that his pathetic wallowing has apparently gone to the network. Internal groaning.]

Sleeping, mostly. [He's trying very hard to sound chipper. At best, it comes off tired with a faint smile.] What are you doing?

Re: audio

[flammablepitch]

While listening to 'No Doubt'? What's going on?

[fuckingtragedy]

[Siiiiigh.]

Nothing is going on, mother. I'm just-- tired.

[flammablepitch]

Yeah right. Simon, talk to me.

[fuckingtragedy]

I'm not sure what you'd like me to say, Baz. I don't know if this is the nightmare or just another-- you know. But I can't be arsed to drag myself out of the dorm to find out, either.

I'll manage either way. I have before, and I'll probably have to again. It's fine.

[flammablepitch]

I'm coming to get you.

[fuckingtragedy]

Is that wise? If this is the nightmare?

[flammablepitch]

Then come to me. I'm not letting you deal with this by yourself.

[fuckingtragedy]

[There's an inordinately long pause before Simon answers.]

I'll be a moment. Where are you, anyway?

[flammablepitch]

The library.

[action]

[fuckingtragedy]

[It takes a short eternity for Simon to actually collect himself. Nothing is simple. Not dragging himself off the couch, not forcing himself into the cleaning stall (which he's equally disappointed and grateful is not a shower), not pulling together a halfway-respectable outfit, and especially not walking -- let alone flying -- to the library to meet Baz.

Merlin and Morgana, why is Baz even here? It's probably good for Simon to get out of the dorm, whether this is a nightmare or no, but the energy doesn't seem to be returning to him quickly. Maybe one fed into the other. Or maybe he's using the nightmare as an excuse.

But he smells good, and he looks clean, and that's a good deal more than Baz ever got when Simon fell into these spells back home. Maybe something can be said for that. Or maybe, at this point, he just feels unworthy of standing next to Baz in public if he can't look at least partially put-together.]

So. [Simon says as he slips into a chair across the desk from Baz's seat.] This is a library. Haven't seen one of these since I spent Christmas at your house.

Re: [action]

[flammablepitch]

[Baz doesn't care if Simon smells good or looks good. He just wants Simon to be alright - which is why when he takes a seat across from him, Baz stands and walks over to wrap his arms around him tightly, kissing his neck lightly.]

Last time you tried to seduce me, and there was a suggestion of Wellbeloved seduce vampires.

Voice: un.The.Otter

[of_bokthersa]

Is this typical of your world?

[fuckingtragedy]

Is what, exactly?

[of_bokthersa]

What you're doing.

[fuckingtragedy]

I suppose that depends on who you ask. For me? Yes.

[of_bokthersa]

Why is this normal for you?

[fuckingtragedy]

[Simon laughs, a little awkwardly.]

Bit of a loaded question, that. Uh, because my brain doesn't function properly, I've been told.

[of_bokthersa]

Do any of our brains function properly?

[fuckingtragedy]

Probably not! But I think some people try to make a good show of it.

And in any case, what counts is just... getting a handle on it. I mostly do.

[of_bokthersa]

Then I'd say you're doing fairly well if you mostly have a handle on it.

[fuckingtragedy]

I like to think so!

And what about you?

[of_bokthersa]

As for myself, I'm a complete mess, but I wear it well.

[fuckingtragedy]

So you're also just making a good show of it?