[video - day 33]

[rigging]

[ The video starts off with Jesse rubbing at his face with the hand not attached to a communicator. He looks sort of worn down, but at least he's not covered in blood! That's nice. When he's finished with that, he wrinkles his nose. ]

So, that whole escape thing was a bad idea. I hope nobody, uh... died. [ Wow, sensitive. ] I'm okay, for anybody who was wondering, which you probably weren't, cause I know maybe three or four of you, but. I got a question, anyway:

Anybody got any cigarettes? Or, y'know... food, that you ain't eating, but cigarettes're more important.

Comments

[ Video ]

[hark_and_hush]

I don't think anyone died.

[ She'd smelled so much blood, but everyone had seemed to come back, even if they were all quite a bit worse for wear. ]

I can't help you with the cigarettes, but food I can do. I just made some food last night and I've got leftovers.

[video]

[rigging]

[ He grins. ] Ain't you an angel. What'd you make, huh? [ A beat. ] Usually don't take food from strangers, and I don't think we've met, either, so - name's Jesse.

[video]

[hark_and_hush]

Ruby. Nice to meet you.

It's a stew. I found some roots that I know are edible and I had some meat in the freezer. My Granny could do better, but it's not bad.

[ Just don't ask what kind of meat it is. ]

[rigging]

Ruby. Pretty jewel, pretty name. [ Pretty girl, but Jesse thinks his idle flirting sort of implies that. ] Huh. Long as it ain't human, I'll eat just about anything, I ain't picky, 'specially when all we got here is yogurt, and m'pretty sure that ain't what it started as.

[hark_and_hush]

[ She appreciates a little friendly flirting. She does, but she's holding back a little. After Billy...

She starts at the mention of humans. ]

No human-eating here. Just a rabbit I caught. At least the people who lived here left a fully-stocked spice rack.

[video; private]

[afallenstar]

[ Hey look, it's the person who made sure you weren't one of the dead! Complete with a stupid sheepish smile and a kind of hesitant wave as she switches on her feed. ]

Don't think I can help with the cigarettes but we've got food round here that no one is using. How are you feeling? Everything...alright?

[video; private foreva]

[rigging]

[ Oh hey, it's an angel! Cute. Jesse settles in the chair he's lurking in. ]

Mm, yeah. Little tired, but I figure that ain't so bad when I could be ripped t'shreds. Thanks, again. I owe you a favor, maybe two. Whattabout you, you rested?

[afallenstar]

Just keep it quiet and you won't owe me anything. Wouldn't want everyone flocking to me for every bruise, cut and headache, would I?

[ See, joking! Joking means things are fine, and totally not weird, right?

...Truth be told she doesn't really know how to act around people who know about her now. She's had a good run of being human, and aside from Sharon the last person that she told had been in 25 A.D. so it's easy to see why she's unsure now. ]

Yeah, just had to recharge the batteries I guess. Don't really do this stuff any more, kind of takes it out of you.

[rigging]

[ Totally not weird! Jesse's not exactly unused to supernatural things, which makes it easier for him to accept that Anna's an angel. He's mostly just interested in what she does, because he's always had a conflicting opinion of divine things in general. ] 'Course. But that ain't gonna cut it, I owe you. Alright? Y'don't save a guy's life and then get away with it. [ He's teasing! ]

... Gotta say, I wouldn't've believed it if y'hadn't healed me right in front of my face. Why don't y'do it anymore? There like - some interference, here? Like blockin' an angel radio kind of thing?

[afallenstar]

It's, a stupidly long story. It's uh- the politics, it's not really how you guys imagine us, to be honest.

[ And she really, really doesn't want to shatter anyone's illusions about religion, so she falls silent for a moment, then just shrugs and smiles again. Subject change! And a super subtle one at that. ]

You really shouldn't smoke though.

[Video; Private]

[could_be_dangerous]

I happened to note several empty cartons in the home of a psychopathic pack rat. Expect there aren't any left anywhere else, either.

[Video; Private]

[rigging]

[ A private video from someone Jesse doesn't know! Wrinkling his nose, Jesse peers down at the face on the communicator. ]

Psychopathic pack rat, huh? This place is really gonna make me go cold turkey? Fuckin' rude.

[Video; Private]

[could_be_dangerous]

Mm. Numbskull who goes by the equally idiotic name Party Poison. I suggest you refrain from engaging. As I said. Psychopath. Attempted murderer. Can barely string two coherent sentences together, besides.

[Video; Private]

[rigging]

Oh fuck, that guy? Yeah, no, I ain't gonna get into it with him, he already pulled a knife on me, I ain't eager for round two. [ He scowls. ] Weird seeing that face being a crazy son of a bitch. Whatever, I can find cigs somewhere else.

[Video; Private]

[could_be_dangerous]

And he may well've smoked all the cigarettes. It's really quite tragic; they're completely wasted on him -- but then, so is oxygen.

Might be some nicotine patches in one of the shops. Not ideal, but serviceable.

[audio]

[gloryisbullshit]

Whether or not a guy would have smokes is strictly a question of what exactly you got that'd make him wanna part with'm.

[audio]

[rigging]

[ EW IT'S YOU. ] Hmmm, how about a big 'fuck you', does that work? Wouldja trade for that?

[gloryisbullshit]

Tsk! And here I thoughtchu was a good dog. I don't figure Galen'd be too happy with that trade.

[rigging]

Ha ha. Haaa, you're hilarious. [ He's... wary, even more so now. ] I ain't touching you with a ten foot pole. I seen you, I smelled you. Gross.

[gloryisbullshit]

Oh shit, what a burn! I'm stingin, Jesse J. Whatever, I wasn't keen on sharing anyway--fuck knows it's hard enough to find a damn smoke for myself without worryin about the fuckin commune.

[preytosociety]

[Hello there, perfect opportunity. Lydia smiles her most dazzling smile and carefully adjusts her hair.] I have about five here that you can have. Free of charge, of course.

[rigging]

[ SQUINTS. ] ... Yeah, you sure 'bout that? Free of charge? [ Nothing's ever free. ]

[preytosociety]

[And then the smile gets a bit of an edge to it. Or maybe it's just a trick of the light.] I'm entirely sure. In fact, you'd be doing me a favour by taking them off my hands. I don't smoke. It's better if they go to someone that deserves them.

[rigging]

[ Hoo boy. SQUINTS. ] Miss, I ain't getting into the middle of whatever crap you're pulling. I dunno what it is, but it's something, and if I find out those cigs belong t'like, the big green dude, I'm gonna tell him it was you.

[preytosociety]

[Jesse, you've just made a huge mistake. Dazzling!Lydia is very quickly replaced with Scary!Lydia, all because you saw straight through her expertly crafted ruse. He's quick. Which means he's too smart to use. Her voice is suddenly cold as ice.]

Dr. Banner doesn't smoke. Nor does his alter ego. He knows better. And since you apparently do not, I figured I'd assist you in slowly killing yourself. Is that better for you? Do you prefer that explanation?