video | un: Ventus

[salvagedlight]

[When the feed turns on, it's very clear Ven's in his room in the dorms, seated at his desk. It looks like just the other two-person rooms, with the basic furniture and everything. There's two differences, though: very unlike normal, someone's gone and stuck those glow-in-the-dark stars over the portion of the wall that's visible and even onto the bit of ceiling that can also be seen, and a small telescope of the old fashioned brass spyglass type is laying on the desk behind him. Ven himself gives the camera a wave and a smile, looking for all intents and purposes like a completely normal, cheerful, sixteen-year-old boy with abnormally fluffy blond hair.]

Hey there, everyone - I'm Ventus, but call me Ven, I usually go by that most of the time. If you know Aqua, she might've mentioned me; we're students together. Or we were, until she wasn't an apprentice anymore, but we still live together and train together. She's one of my best friends.

[There's another smile, a happy one, but those with sharp eyes might notice a hint of wistfulness in it. Ven is Not Good at concealing his emotions, and the lack of the third member of their trio is something that brings him down.]

Aqua explained what she knew about this place, but I got a message on this phone and I had another question, and neither of us really know a lot about this world so I'd thought I'd ask everyone. Has anyone heard of "dualiseats?" [There's a brief glance down at something off-screen, like he's checking something, before he nods and looks back at the camera.] Yeah, that's it - "dualiseats." There's a message about going to work for them tomorrow, but I've never really had a job before, so I don't know what's going on. And I didn't sign up for this, so can you just... have jobs here? Like the guys in charge just decide you need one, or something like that?

I mean, I don't mind having a job, I just don't know how you get one. But I need to pay Aqua back what she lent me.

[A moment's pause, then a small shrug and another smile.] Anyway, uh, I guess that's it. If anyone's got any answers for my questions, thanks in advance!

Comments

[salvagedlight]

[He'd not be thrilled with that "kid" bit, but since she didn't say it, Ven's got no reason to object.]

Maybe? I guess? I mean, I can get around really quick, so that might be why they gave it to me.

[He shrugs, then flashes another grin.]

At least it means I get to explore. I always like seeing new places.

[merged]

[ He seems so positive in spite the situation; she's not sure whether or not she envies him or pities him. She really has no room to judge, though. ]

I guess that's one way to look at it. [ The best way, really. Better than drowning in your own pessimism. ]

I hope you're good with navigation. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten lost just getting to and from work. One week a shortcut goes where it's meant to, next day I end up six streets away. [ It's all very difficult. It's like the city itself is a living entity. ]

[salvagedlight]

[He's been through a lot, though it doesn't show. He's just, more or less, done with letting it decide what he's going to do. And if he can't be at home right now, well, he's going to find something to make being here worthwhile. Not to mention getting to meet all these new and interesting people.]

I noticed that - the way this place changes. I haven't been able to see if there's a pattern to anything yet, but if there is, maybe I can find it.

[His grin has calmed down into a more thoughtful, serious expression; not somber, but definitely thinking things through and making decisions. Whatever else he is, Ven isn't stupid.]

Aqua's been trying to explore and hasn't had a lot of luck, either. But if they want me to take food and things around the city, they'll have to give me some kind of directions, right?

[merged]

[ She blinks in surprise. Huh, she never thought to look for a pattern. ]

I'd hope so. They'd be dicks not to, honestly. [ It'd be kind of like setting him up for failure, after all. ]

So, how long have you known Aqua?

[salvagedlight]

As long as I can remember. We've, ah, been through a lot together.

[Understatement, that, and it's obvious. But he doesn't get more specific because it's not entirely his story to tell.]

[There is one thing, though...]

What's a "dick?"

[merged]

[ As long as he can remember? The idea of a bunch of kids training to be protectors for people and worlds still sounds a bit too fantastic to her, though it isn't as if she doesn't believe it's possible——especially now. She wonders if he's as talented as Aqua is.

His question fumbles her, though. ]

You're... joking, right? [ He looks more than old enough to know what a dick is——unless that's not really a term used in his world. ]

[salvagedlight]

[Oh if only she knew.]

[Ven's expression is just... politely confused, not angry or annoyed or anything. Clearly, whatever she's talking about, he really has no clue.]

No? I've never heard that before.

[merged]

[ She doesn't mean to smile, a laugh in her throat, but she does, a little surprised. She has no idea how to explain it. ]

Dick is... it's a slang word for penis. It's also an insult. If someone's a dick, or acting like a dick, it means they're being stupid or shitty.

[salvagedlight]

[And when she hits "penis," all the color starts to drain out of Ven's face and his mouth drops open a little from shock. Well, he obviously knows what that word means.]

What? Why would- people say that? That's-

[HELLO EMBARASMENT.]

[merged]

[ She snorts under her breath. All right, that's kind of adorable. ]

Vulgar, maybe? That's kind of the point. God, I still can't believe you've never heard that before. [ Now she can't help but wonder what else he doesn't know. ] Tell me you've heard people get called assholes before?

[ Sorry, Ven. ]

I love you XD

[salvagedlight]

No! [He's never heard any of this before - vulgarity, swear words, whatever you want to call it. For all that he's been through, and he's been through a lot, in some ways Ven is still very... innocent.] I've never heard that!

That's- why would anyone call someone that? That's so hurtful.

❤

[merged]

What do you call someone who doesn't consider anyone else's feelings and does what they want? Who uses others? For me, that's a dick. An asshole. A motherfucker. Those people should be called out and, if a little name calling hurts their feelings, maybe it'll make them reconsider their dickish behavior.

But, honestly, if someone's a dick they probably won't care if you call them one. I say that because I am sometimes a dick.

❤

[salvagedlight]

[At each of those words, Ven gets redder and redder in more embarrassment. Sharon you're gonna kill the poor kid.]

I don't want to hear anything else, thanks!

[merged]

[ She raises a single hand as if to say: all right, all right. A part of her wants to continue to educate him on various horrible things to say to people but she refrains. He seems so flustered! ]

I gotta ask: how old are you?

[salvagedlight]

[He is so very flustered. And he's also desperately hoping that somehow, somewhere, Eraqus does not hear about this, if he still can.]

Sixteen, I think.

[merged]

You think? [ She doesn't really mean to ask but it slips out. It's likely personal, whoops. Probably goes right along with that 'as long as he can remember' bit. ]

[salvagedlight]

[It is personal, but he doesn't really mind answering this.]

Yeah, I can't remember when I was born.

[Technically, no one could remember when they were born. But he probably means something different than that obvious factoid.]

[merged]

That sucks. [ She gets it, though. ] I'm... missing some memories myself. Some things you don't need to remember as long as you and the people you care about know who you are.

[ Surprisingly empathetic of her. She's not as much of a dick as she likes to say she is. ]

[salvagedlight]

[See, Sharon? He knew you were better than you let on.]

[Ven smiles at those words, because yeah, he knows exactly what she means.]

That's it exactly. If I don't remember things, it's fine. I've got my friends and we have things figured out, more or less. And I get to meet new people, too, which is a lot of fun most of the time.

[merged]

[ Heather smiles in turn, unbidden. He seems so genuinely optimistic like some hero from a kids show. It's impressive, almost endearing. ]

Some people can take some time to come to that realization. [ It'd taken years for her and, now, she's having to do it all over again. ] And it can be easy to forget, too, when things get tough.

[ The world might need more people like Ven in it. ]

[salvagedlight]

[There's been a lot in his life that he's not throwing at other people, because there's no point in doing so, but he's come to the conclusion that "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" is more or less the right way of doing things. There's also a level of him believing that if he's positive, more people are willing to also be positive, but it's not a science. He's just noticed that it's easier to feel good about things when someone else around you also does.]

When things get tough is when you need to remember it. Things might go wrong... [He pauses for a moment, his smile fading somewhat as he thinks about something.] You might have to do something hard, something you might not want to do. Something that scares you. But if it helps... you gotta do it.

[merged]

[ Heather gets the sense he's seen some things, beyond what someone his age should see (not that she can talk much all things considered). It makes her feel a touch of sadness; nobody seems to get through life unscathed, even those that seem to deserve it. ]

Fear can... make people do things they normally wouldn't but you're right. [ She's often ruled by fear. Fear and vengeance and love, a wicked combination that drives her to do whatever it takes for family, even if it means doing the wrong thing. ] I'll have to try and remember that.

[salvagedlight]

[Ven can't hide his feelings to save his life so she's absolutely right, but he's not gonna dump it on her without provocation and a very good reason. Just having a chat isn't one.]

It can be really hard to not act on instinct if you're afraid and you have to make a sudden decision. [Oh god he knows all about that, it's one of the things that he's still kind of ashamed about.] But if you can remember that hope, it can give you something to hold on to so you can stand up to the fear. It won't be perfect, but at least you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[merged]

[ Her expression is thoughtful for a good long moment and then her eyes light up and she nods. ]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right. [ Because she... almost forgot what her own light at the of the end of the tunnel was. ]

Hey, thanks.

[salvagedlight]

I don't know what I did, but if it helped, you're welcome.

[She gets an easy smile in return; it seems to be one of his default expressions, one that fits his face well.]

You know, you never told me your name.

[Just a lot of words he did not want to hear, thank you.]