Video: 003 Re-awakening

[did_i_say_percy]

[When the video switches on, Armand appears dressed, his shirt collar and shoulders are visible, and leaning with his back against a wall inside the Ship.]

I cannot say I'm surprised to be here.

Do any of the people I knew remember me? It's Armand. [He lifts a hand into view and waves, fingers waggling.] Uh, St. Just [pronounced san jyoost], if you don't know me.

What's the weather like? If it's not freezing, I don't mind walking a reasonable distance. Unless the wildlife has gotten faster. [He doesn't seem too certain about that last, but he knows that not everyone out on their own gets eaten.]

At the moment, I'm by the pods still, but I don't plan on staying here. This Ship makes me feel uneasy.

Is there anything else I should know before leaving here?

Comments

[professorwolf]

[Lyall glances over at him with some surprise.]

I wasn't-- or at least, I didn't mean to. I merely meant to say that none of us caused or participated in any riots, that I am aware of. And, while I approve of dissent in the proper channels, destruction of property and endangering of lives really should not be a tolerated method of expression opinion.

[He's of two minds on the execution. As a werewolf, he tends to veer on the side of violent justice, but as an investigator in his own right, he does wish he knew more about how they had come to be charged.]

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand bites his lip. He doesn't want Lyall mad at him.]

Maybe they were bad eggs, the kind of people who like to cause trouble. But don't you think causing violence isn't most people's first choice? I barely knew how things were run before when there were less natives, and people mostly left one another alone except the Outer Authorities. [Who so far as Armand knew were considered a necessary evil at best before if not outright enemies.]

And now they're allies of the government?

[He shuts up then. Armand knows he has to think things through, and he's not any good at making decisions. He just doesn't know enough.]

I suppose this all too much to worry about today. I need a place to live and a job and-- [Deep breath. He needs his long dead mother to cry on, or at least his sister. So blink, and lots more deep breaths.]

[professorwolf]

[More puzzled than anything else by Armand's, to him, sudden and very direct interest, Lyall tilts his head as they walk, and offers:]

We get by as we can. On the whole, we are on decent terms with the local government, though, yes. This isn't a distant Outer Authority who swoops in now and then to wreak havoc. It is a city like any other, and it must function as one, which means it requires a government.

[Lyall slows to a stop, now that they're at the bottom of the mountain path. The Old City is just beyond them, and a hard-packed road crosses in front of them.]

We'll find you a place, most likely with Miss Potts. Then we can see about explaining everything properly.

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand keeps his chin down.] My apologies, Professor Lyall. I think some things remind me too much of home.

Thank you for telling me these things. I'd rather find out early than be surprised later. [His urge to cry isn't quite past, so he doesn't dare life his head.] I know I can trust you to be honest with me.

From here, is it a long ride to see Miss Potts?

[professorwolf]

[That, he can understand, and he nods sympathetically.]

No apologies needed, pup. You've been gone a long time, and there's quite a bit to take in, here. It will take some time, I imagine.

[He climbs onto the motorbike and pats the seat behind him, where there's room for a second body.]

An hour, maybe a bit more. I can take it slowly, if you would like, since it's your first ride.

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand gives a tiny nod as well, and finally looks up enough to examine the motorbike again.]

I only wish you'd go slow enough that I don't fall off or get sea sick. [Then he climbs into the spot provided and tries to figure out what to do with his hands.] Should I hold onto you?

[professorwolf]

I dare say you should.

[Lyall sounds a bit amused, and he looks over his shoulder with a smile at Armand.]

I would hate to lose you halfway there.

[Not in the least because he's pretty sure Armand is a bit more breakable than he is. It might be a bit awkward, but he'll make do. Armand, he's sure, won't likely mind as much.]

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand doesn't mind. He just didn't want to interfere with driving the motorbike. He isn't sure how it's done.]

I don't want to get lost either.

[And he closes his eyes and leans his head against Lyall's back. Time for sight-seeing later in the trip. He doesn't think this will be as fun as flying in Wing had been.]

Don't mind me. I will try to be a little burr on your back.

[professorwolf]

[It might be, depending on Armand's definition of "fun".]

Arms around my waist, and then we'll be off. I won't let you fall.

[Once he's fairly sure the pup is going to stay put, he puts the bike back into gear. It doesn't quite roar to life, but it definitely sputters and growls its way there. Then he kicks up the stand and starts off-- slowly, at first, to let Armand get used to the sensation. Heaven knows it took him long enough to feel comfortable with it.]

[did_i_say_percy]

[Armand wraps his arms around as directed, and forgets to breathe while the little vehicle starts up and moves. After a time, he thinks it isn't too much worse than a horse or a wagon on a bumpy road. The seat was slightly more comfortable.]

I think I can manage now! [He shouts, head to one side so as not to be directly into Lyall's ear, but afraid that he wouldn't be heard otherwise. Now he can open his eyes and see some of the scenery as it goes by.]

[professorwolf]

[Lyall winces a little, anyhow. Werewolf hearing is more acute than human hearing, and while he's mostly used to the noise of the bike-- he's strongly considered asking Kaidan to tinker with it to quiet it down, but he hasn't gotten around to it-- but the shout isn't something he was expecting. Still, he glances back briefly with a little smile.]

Good! Would you like me to keep on as I am, or would you like to try a little faster? It might smooth out a little, if we travel faster.

[did_i_say_percy]

[From Lyall's tone Armand tries to match his volume.] I can go faster. [He was worried a little about the wind, but right now it was cooling, if loud.]