[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[snowblindmods]

Welcome to Norfinbury. The time is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R and the date is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R. This network has been provided for your use. Please interact politely with everyone else on this network.

Comments

[mrcreamsicles]

[Something in his posture relaxes in subtle ways at his lack of reaction. He doesn't know if it's politeness or just nonsurprise, but it helps, and it's what he hoped for from a guy who's been here as long as Al.]

They turned this way when everything else did. And yeah, they tint stuff, but I'm used to it.

[armoured]

I wouldn't think you would have much of a need for sunglasses in a place like this.

[Says the boy in full plate armour.]

But they probably keep the wind out of your eyes, huh?

[mrcreamsicles]

Al, did you somehow not get that I wear these constantly? Doesn't matter where I am, doesn't matter what the weather is. I wear my sunglasses indoors at night in dark houses, because that's the point.

[It's ironic, Al. Get with the picture.]

So I can see you now, or is this just a permanent question session about my rad shades?

video; private

[armoured]

[How is that ironic, Davesprite? Gosh.

He hesitates a moment, but he flicks the video on himself since Davesprite has just asked and was good enough to let him see in return. He's obviously a huge metal suit of armour with conical spikes at his shoulders and on his helmet. His helmet is mostly obscured by a pink scarf which covers all of his faceplate and only leaves a slit for glowing eyes to be seen through.]

Would it be a problem if it was? They are pretty cool, maybe I'm jealous?

video; private (I've been counting the thread as private since that one message earlier, jsyk)

[mrcreamsicles]

[What the actual heck. Davesprite's staring would be obvious if not for the, you know, sunglasses, but Al may be able to guess anyway from the sheer moment of silence from him.]

Huh. We can agree my shades are so cool the snow's jealous, but no, changing topics. What's your deal? Full plate armor in winter, scarf around your helmet like that's gonna do any good, and don't think I missed those glowing eyes. Tell me, one weirdo to another. You can ask me what mine is after to make it even.

that makes much more sense haha

[armoured]

[He stiffens visibly, as if both offended and frightened.]

I don't know what you're talking about, I'm not-- I'm not a weirdo, and neither are you.

[mrcreamsicles]

Al, look at me. Look. I'm an orange bird guy with no legs. Did I show you the tail? Let me show you the tail.

[He pans down to his curtain-wrapped tail. Look at it, Al.]

I know weirdos when I see them because I am one. Just spit it out and we'll get it over with now.

[armoured]

[He shakes his head, something intensely disturbed in his voice even as he tries to keep it light. It's probably obvious that Davesprite hasn't just pushed a sensitive button, he's hammered it with both fists.]

Just because you have a tail or you're orange or-- or whatever, it doesn't make you a weirdo, you shouldn't say that about yourself. Who cares what you look like?!

[mrcreamsicles]

[Who cares? Well guess what, that's another sensitive button. His expression stiffens, though he tries to make it look flat and neutral.]

How 'bout we just drop it here?

[It's too complicated to explain succinctly, and he doesn't really want to dive that deeply into his issues about it. Al's obviously freaking out about whatever his own are already. He doesn't need to push it harder.]

[armoured]

Yeah.

[There's a pause, but Al has noticed that shift in expression and he can't help the twinge of guilt.]

Sorry, I just-- you're not a weirdo, you're just a normal kid no matter what you look like.

[He has to believe that, because he has to believe it about himself.]

[mrcreamsicles]

It's complicated, Al.

[Which is as far as he's going with it.]

I'll talk you later.

[He turns the camera off.]

[armoured]

[Well, he messed that up.]

Oh-- uh, right. Sorry. I'll talk to you later.