[network] Day 045 Evening; Audio; @dreamsnhonor; Embrace Your Dreams!!

[heroproceeding]

[ It's curfew. He's shut in. And he's got a lot he's been turning over in his head since that fateful night. A lot that started off with frustration at himself. But sitting on feelings like that's never done anything for him in the past. It won't now. So, he takes a page from one of his old books. And perhaps a page from his late friend's.

It takes him a while to decide on how to approach this. It isn't the first time he's tried to bring up morale despite trying circumstances. But the difference here? He's no First Class well known SOLDIER. He's not talking to a batch of starry-eyed cadets. He's got a few friends here- both from home and from elsewhere -but so many people are still strangers to him.

But even so, they all have something in common. They all have suffered. And they all have a lot they could lose- if they haven't lost a lot already. So, when he finally starts, he tries to keep his tone solid. If there's a sense of authority ringing in his words, there's at least an equal amount of empathy, too. This isn't a demand but a beckoning of something more. Something understanding through the sorrow and the fear. And the frustrations that may come of that. ]

Hey... [ The first word lands softly and he clears his throat. ]

So, I know it hasn't been easy lately. There's been a lot going on. And I'm not going to pretend things are just going to suddenly be okay any time soon. [ There's a creak in the background as he shifts his posture. The next part's not so easy to address, but. It's true and he's not going to act like it isn't. ]

Some of us have lost friends. Even -family. And when that happens, well. It's... It's easy to blame yourself. Easy to lose hope. Or want to give up. And I wouldn't blame you if you did at some point. But as long as you're able to get back up on your feet, that's what I think really matters. [ Another pause. He stands there on the other side of the tablet closing his eyes. Opening them and leaving out a short hum. ]

I don't know what'll help you. Maybe it's some kind of dream. Maybe it's not. I'm not going to ask if you don't want to share. But whatever it is, if it's something that will get you back up, you hold onto that. Whatever reason you have, embrace it.

We're gonna make it out of this, you hear me?

( ooc: GROSS SHOUNEN POST. I'M NOT SORRY. Tell him your dreeeeams, guys. Or mock him. Or roll your eyes at him. Whatever your preference. /thrown off cliff )

Comments

[heroproceeding]

[ YEAH, REALLY. ARE YOU JUDGING HIM, KID? ARE YOU?

All the same, he pauses at that text. 'cause ouch. It's been days now, but it still hurts talking about Tadashi. And it's worse when it comes from Hiro. But still. Trying to move forward means trying to talk about these things casually. Text also helps avoid the awkward changes in tone. ]

I remember you mentioned that place before. what kind of stuff were you shooting for? [ Not giving up on him goes without saying... Especially after what just happened. ]

[baymaxing]

[MAYBE. A little. But not really, because it just reminds him of Tadashi and his encouragement. Even if Zack hasn't outright mentioned the other or quite imitated via hauling him over his shoulders upside down talking about finding new angles.]

robotics, mostly. as the major anyway. hadn't thought much yet beyond that so far. was just starting back to class when I woke up here and all.

[heroproceeding]

[ Yeah, no, he'll say the outright mentions for a time when the wound's less fresh. It's... just a little easier that way. As it is, he'll curiously tilt his head at that. ]

gotcha. so planning on going back to that when you get home. that's not a bad idea. besides sometimes it's easier to just go with it and figure it out on the way. at least that's how it was for me.

[ Just a lot more... awful and tragic than he had liked. ]

[baymaxing]

pretty much. I know I'm good with bots. Just a matter of figuring that in how to help people. That and getting through the classes. For once, this might actually be something of a challenge for me. Unlike school.

[Because school was kind of a joke to Hiro. Who figured and pretty much did already know the lessons, for the most part. It's why he didn't immediately jump to go to college after he graduated high school at thirteen. Even now, talking about SFIT brings back memories of his new friends, of Tadashi. But it's a little easier without outright mentioning his brother at least. Sort of.]

[heroproceeding]

heh. yeah from what I hear classes like that are no laughing matter. not really something I'd ever do but. if you think you got what it takes and it's what you wanna do I'd say why not.

[ In a way, it's slightly embarrassing to hear a fourteen year old talking about how much of a breeze school had been when Zack, himself... Well, he hadn't been clueless by any means. But it hadn't really appealed to him and when he did apply himself, his grades had still left something to be desired at times. But at the end of the day, it's also because of that... He smiles a bit at his tablet despite himself. ] you sure are something kid.

[ Not to feed the ego, but... Color him a bit impressed all the same. ]

[baymaxing]

well, it was either that or get more serious about my bot-fighting. and the moment I saw that lab it wasn't really a choice. I had to get in and go there. I mean, I've managed doing my projects and stuff from the garage or my bedroom before, but the stuff they have access to there is amazing!

[And that is not even going into the actual classes, which he barely got to start before being pulled in here. It's actually forcing effort on his part, something he hasn't really had to struggle with so much at school prior. Even though text may not quite convey as much of Hiro's enthusiasm, it's probably still obvious he's excited, even if his acceptance was at a cost.]

Tadashi always said I should do something with this big brain of mine. now I am. or, trying to.

[heroproceeding]

hey I don't see why not. think it'd make Tadashi--

[ But he stops right there before he sends that text. Erases it. Tries to write it again. Rewrites it once more. ...Leans against the wall with a sigh. Hiro's talking openly about Tadashi which means it should be fine to talk him. And it's at least easier typing things than actually talking. But it's still Hiro...

Finally, he taps out... ] don't see why you shouldn't. helping people's a good enough reason to use it I think. just hope it doesn't get too big in the process. [ That a gentle prod at the potential for an ego he's come around to recognize? Maybe... ]

[baymaxing]

haha. pretty sure aunt cass and the rest wouldn't let that happen. besides, it's not like we're being literal here. the neurons in the brain are only a hundredth of a millimeter long. it's not the size that matters, it's the complexity of the network of them and how you use that.

if i have something of an ego, it's not like there isn't reason.

[Hey, Hiro's smart. He knows it. And that cockiness is likely in response to the bullying growing up in some ways.]

[heroproceeding]

[ Hiro's words mostly make Zack blink and he has to read the text over again. But what he definitely doesn't miss is the slick certainty. In some ways, it reminds him of himself. At least before Norfinbury had taken away... ]

maybe not but you better watch it. keep it up and you won't be able to get your head through the doors around here. and that'd be a real problem.

[baymaxing]

[In spite of everything, even with Hiro's own moments of doubt and questioning himself, he knows he's good at what he does. It's why he's gone through his education with multiple schools wanting to take him. As much as Aunt Cass tried to hide that from him, he knew.]

i'd be more worried about mochi if he keeps getting as spoiled. my head is just fine.

[heroproceeding]

true. he's already a lot to lug around as is. he makes good company at least. you know. when he's not trying to eat your rations out of your hands.

[ He's all too happy he's on text at the moment. Mochi just makes him think of... Yeah. It's easier to joke around when your tone can't betray you like this. ]

[baymaxing]

how do you think he got so fat? stealing snacks from us. and the cafe. whenever he meows customers give him some of their lunch. at least we know he isn't starving.

[It is pretty close to mention of Tadashi. But even so, Mochi is the only thing left from home for some familiarity for Hiro in all this. He's been around as long as Hiro can recall. And text is usually his default, or voice otherwise, makes it easier to consider a response and not get as emotional over the network at least.]

[heroproceeding]

well yeah. he's definitely not starving. that's for sure.

doesn't change the fact that you almost didn't make it through that one tight squeeze earlier.

[ Of course, he'll leave out the fact that he had to go around it entirely. But that's because he's a six foot three ex-SOLDIER! ]

[baymaxing]

anything that's a tight squeeze for me must mean the rest of you have it almost impossible to fit in. i seem to recall you had even more trouble with that. more than once.

[Because the rest of you are all clearly just freaking giants. And Hiro is still growing, dammit. He's not about to ignore that opportunity for poking fun right back.]