Ned § Video 01 § Day 57

[nedofpies]

[ The video feed switches on upon Ned's determined face. It's his first video communication; he hasn't been using the network much, but this is an important community matter. ]

Does anyone know who is responsible for these? [ Ned waves a copy of that mysterious flyer which has popped up around town so suddenly. He turns the camera back to his own face, talking directly to his fellow captives. ]

Whoever it is, it seems to me like they are trying to sow the seeds of doubt and turn us on one another. Make us so suspicious of one another so we can't work together. Which makes me think it might have come from the people who are keeping us here. And it makes me think that we're starting to worry them. [ There is an edge of anger to his voice, beneath the surface, if you listen closely enough. ]

But I think they're underestimating us. Gossip? Really? [ He half-laughs and shakes his head in amused disbelief. ] We're all grown-ups here. We aren't going to be- to be manipulated by some anonymous bullies. [ The spite in the way he delivers that last word makes it sound as if he's had some experience with bullies. ] We just need to trust one another, and not let this nonsense come between us. Part of that is... coming clean.

So. Me first. [ Ned swallows, takes a moment to collect his courage. It's a big thing to confess, even if plenty of people already know about it. For all his big talk, honesty is against Ned's very nature. But this isn't exactly a normal place, and at this point, owning up is just a part of damage control. ]

...It's true. I brought someone back to life. [ He exhales, half in relief. It's done, now. No going back. ] It's not like that was a secret. It happened in broad daylight and there were like, a dozen witnesses, so this- [ He brandishes the paper again ] is not exactly an exposé, is it? As for being 'mint-in-the-box', well, I don't even know what that means, so I can't say if I am one way or another.

Comments

[nedofpies]

[ Ned is just gonna stare open-mouthed for a few seconds, hope she doesn't mind. Though he's gradually getting used to the idea that plenty of people here have secrets and oddities like himself, he hadn't been expecting an immediate demonstration. Her power in particular seems like it might have some affinities with his; her body is one that can be dangerous ]

That... looks like it could cause a lot of problems for you. [ Now he's the one working with understatement ]

[charring]

Just a few. [Which is clearly an understatement. And she doesn't mind the staring, honestly. As long as it's harmless staring.]


Like I said, I understand.

[nedofpies]

Do... you mind if I ask you a question? It's okay if the answer is no. [ Ned's had people interrogating him almost nonstop since yesterday, so he doesn't want to pester her, if she's not in a sharing kind of mood ]

[charring]

Ask away. [She's learning to not mind so there might be some caution when she speaks. But Charlie thinks it'd be in her best interest to get along with the people she's trapped with. Hopefully, this doesn't bite her in the ass any time soon.]

[nedofpies]

Were you born like that, and could you always...? [ He makes a vague hand gesture meant to indicate fire. As a show of good faith, and because he doesn't really have anything to lose by saying it, he says: ] Mine didn't start until I was nine.

[charring]

Rumor has it. [there's a one shouldered shrug from Charlie.] I've been starting fires with a thought since I can remember so, it's possible.

[nedofpies]

[ Ned nods. Perhaps that would explain the not going to school, he thinks. ]

Well, I appreciate your trust in me. Obviously, I won't tell anyone about it. Might not seem it from that message, but I'm pretty good at keeping secrets.

[charring]

I trust you. You don't seem the type to run around, just spouting things off about others.

[She likes this guy. He's kind of cool.]

Can I ask you a question now?

[nedofpies]

Of course.

[ He's hardly going to say no, is he? That would be quite hypocritical of him. Besides, he doesn't mind, as much, discussing his power with someone else who has a burden of her own to bear ]

[charring]

[They can bond over this. Or...are bonding. Awful abilities unite and all that.]

Do you use your ability for anything? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. That's probably an incredibly intrusive question.

[nedofpies]

No, it's not. [ Ned was expecting worse, honestly. ] Most of the time I try not to use it on people, or animals. [ Then he smiles a small, lopsided smile, and adds: ] But I use it all the time when I'm baking. I can make strawberries that have been rotting for weeks fresh as if they are still on the vine.

[charring]

Seriously? That is pretty awesome.

[Next time she has a banana that went bad too soon, she's seeking Ned out.]

And useful. I bet it saves on groceries.

[nedofpies]

It does, yes. Helps me to salvage things that other people would just waste.