21 shots fired.

[blue_satin_pjs]

[voice post]

Just so y'all know, I turnin' off the Network now. You can get me again after midnight tomorrow. This curse ain't for no one like me who gotta be in control--

Like I say.

[Pause.]

...It ain't turnin' off.

Comments

[ohrosalita]

I'd recommend duct tape, but somebody told me it can rip your skin off if you leave it on too long.

[blue_satin_pjs]

Ain't puttin' duct tape on me to stop me talkin' anyway. It's a matter of pride, you feel me? But maybe spillin' all my thoughts be even more shameful than hidin' somewhere with tape on my mouth--

--I don't know.

[ohrosalita]

I don't think either are all that shameful. At least today's proof you don't all live up to the seven second stereotype.

Except maybe Emmett.

[blue_satin_pjs]

In fairness to Emmett now, he ain't got any for a while, and I did. Not that you need to hear that--maybe I better think about TV or puppies or something instead--

[ohrosalita]

In fairness to Emmett, he's not a whole lot less candid uncursed. It's part of why I like him.

Or TV about puppies. Clifford the big red dog?

[blue_satin_pjs]

True dat. He got heart, for sure.

...Don't think I get that channel.

[ohrosalita]

He reminds me of a friend back home, only Hal mimes during his drag routines.

Seriously? It's not just a cartoon, it's classic american literature; the moving story of a 25 foot puppy.

[blue_satin_pjs]

I don't know no one like him back home, really. Boys gotta tough up some to get by where I from. The streets, I mean. Maybe that be one of the things I like about this place, gettin' to see more innocent--

Oh yeah, that book! I seen that, yo.

[ohrosalita]

I've lived a lot of places, but it helps to be tough just about anywhere. Even the streets of Cape Canaveral can get ugly. After dark, anyhow. I just think there's a difference between tough and hard.

Well there goes that christmas gift idea.

[blue_satin_pjs]

Oh I know. I can be tough without bein' hard, no problem. But it ain't so easy for everyone, 'specially where I from.

[ohrosalita]

Baltimore?

[blue_satin_pjs]

The parts of Baltimore I from, anyway. No doubt there be different places there, but I ain't seen them.

Funny thing about this City, I been seein' more of the places like that. Talkin' to people who'da looked the other way and pretended like I don't exist back home. Who I'd never think of callin' friend not just 'cause it be dangerous havin' friends but 'cause they view of the world too different.

Maybe it's 'cause here everyone be different.

--I didn't mean to go on at you like that, Rose.

[ohrosalita]

It's alright. If there's something you don't want to talk about, I figure the curse'll at least let you say so, and then I'll change the subject. Okay?

You told me the first time we spoke how you didn't intend to make any friends here. I think I said how this place was different then, too. Not for everybody - some of the people... beings... things here are too set in their old ways to change, I guess, or maybe they're just not capable of it. But some people? It's like they've only been waiting to be given a chance.

We're good at adapting. It seems like one of the biggest advantages humans've got.

[blue_satin_pjs]

Sounds fair.

I don't wanna change too much. Don't think I could. But there something about havin' friends--even if I still gonna be careful 'bout it--that ain't so bad.

[ohrosalita]

And Zev, too. He's cute. I like the skullcap.

[blue_satin_pjs]

He real pretty, ain't he? Don't mind that at all.