re_alignment | [Video][A friend lost and a strange light Shining]

[McCrane is on a late patrol, in the junk-yard at night. With the horrors of the Glyphless catastrophe over and all of the paperwork filed, he has been searching for two things: One, the materials to build a soccer-goal, and two...]

Has anyone seen Gunmax?

[He's worried. He's always worried, of course, but now he looks more worried than usual. He turns, and for a moment the camera catches a small ball of light hovering over a silver-wrapped box with a gold bow. Curious, McCrane approaches, and the light moves out of the video, as does the box.]

I am also wondering about Barricade, as he has been gone for several weeks now. I don't know if keeping track of the populace is part of our Law Enforcement duties, but...it should be done. [McCrane reaches down, and suddenly the silver box pops back into view while he holds it. It's still remarkably well-lit for this time of night, but that may be because there's that small ball of light, shining on it again.]

And now it looks like I'll have to add Whirl onto the list, too. [He fingers the nametag, turning it toward the camera. Today was strange enough, but it looked as if it was going to get stranger.]

Is anyone else encountering unusual lights?

[It reminded him of Drill Boy's mythical fairy.]

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Heh. How much have you been paying attention, McCrane?

[It really can't be helped. It earns a little smile when his hand is squeezed. That covers about how he feels right now, feeling lost but feeling found at the same time.

It's not the first time he's felt a bit like this.]

When we get back... what do you think? Toudou and Deckerd... are they gonna be missing? Gone for good?

[Not return at the same time. Yeah, it's crossed his mind, but.

He squeezes McCrane's hand a little more tightly. Damn it.]

[McCrane can't blush, but he can go silent for a moment.]

I have been paying...enough attention, Gunmax.

[His fingers wrap into Gunmax's, feeling more anchored by the connection...something he needs, when considering home.]

No.

[He says it with certainty, wanting to believe.]

They will be waiting for us.

We will just have to work hard to make sure we remember.

I see. I'll remember that.

[He debates teasing McCrane, but he tsks to himself and refrains; no, best if he just quietly accept it. On the other hand, the fact that he's caught McCrane's attention...

It's flattering. But he also highly respects him.]

Mm. You sound so sure of yourself.

I guess I'll have to borrow some of that confidence.

Do you want me to stop?

[He doesn't want Gunmax to feel uncomfortable with his attention, but Gunmax doesn't seem like he is. Still, the offer is open...]

Someone has to be, with Deckerd gone.

For us. For Yuuta. For our friends.

For...each other. [He glances over.]

You always seem so confident, Gunmax.

[Until lately.]

Hm? No. It's just different. You're usually not so forward. I kinda like it.

[Maybe that's just another difference between McCrane and Deckerd; the latter was, more or less, raised by a child. He never really made those kinds of connections.

They all come from fairly different backgrounds. Growing up differently.]

Well, I can be a good fibber when I want to be.

Suppose it's been harder, for plenty of reasons.

Only in areas I'm familiar with.

[Such as weaponry. He doesn't really know what to say about the fact that Gunmax likes it, though, so he stays quiet, and simply cherishes the words.]

Maybe...

...the fact that its been so hard means that we're learning more what humans face every day.

You don't have to lie about it, though. [Since he caught that 'good fibber' comment.] Or hide.

[Video][A friend lost and a strange light Shining]

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