(Untitled)

[rampant_cruelty]

Here, watchers, we observe the tan-and-white freelancer in his natural habitat... okay, let's stop the commentary here, because this sure as hell ain't natural. What is the case, however, is that York is leaning over a wall, arms folded on top of it. He gives a little tweak at the headset hanging on one ear, blinks, and settles back down

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[random_xtras]

The man was big, coffee and cream skin, close cropped black curls, and bright blue eyes. He appeared rather suddenly with a swish and a slight flash, and leaned against the wall as he replied.

"I've known several beings who were people despite my inability to communicate with them. And that would depend on the situation."

[rampant_cruelty]

"Good thinking," he replies with a grin. "Not at all, though? Not even... y'know, signs?" He waves vaguely. "That's got to be hard."

"Okay, yeah. Any examples?"

[random_xtras]

"Their brains weren't wired for concept communication at all." He put out his hand and sighed with satisfaction as a cup of coffee appeared the same way that he had, then sipped it before saying. "If others weren't depending on me... not far."

[rampant_cruelty]

He makes a face. "That's just weird. How did they even survive as a species?..." A shrug at that. "Suppose if it works for them, but wouldn't like to be one. Hard enough trying to talk to people who're supposed to be able to, sometimes," he says with a bit of a laugh.
"Why not? You're not just there for them."

[random_xtras]

"They do communicate. I just haven't worked out how," he said ruefully, then shrugged himself. "Actually, I am."

[rampant_cruelty]

"Communication, but not concept communication." He looks a little confused at that. "You know them, man. I'll take your word for it. ...And go on. How do you mean?"

[random_xtras]

"It's not that strange. Babies often communicate without concepts," he noted, then looked down at his coffee. "My purpose is to watch over a portion of the multiverse and make sure that it runs properly. I've lived for over a hundred years, and if it weren't for my wife and children and the others who depend on me I would have no problem with dying."

[rampant_cruelty]

"They're still trying to communicate an idea, though, aren't they? 'I need food. I need a hug'. All that." He waves a hand. "We're... probably talking about different things here," he admits.
"In the scale of things, a hundred's still not that much. Come on." He shakes his head slightly. "Heh. Big job, though."

[random_xtras]

He nodded and sipped, then shrugged again. "Long enough to outlive most of my family and make me feel old. And I have help."

[rampant_cruelty]

"Sounds like you need it." He gives a bit of a shrug. "Sometimes life's like that." ...no, he can't make himself do the pep-talk thing.

[random_xtras]

The big guy's mouth twitched at the corner. "It's not that hard, actually. Getting my one year old in the bathtub's more daunting than the watching is most days."

[rampant_cruelty]

"Like that, huh?" He laughs at that one. "Oh, man. I've only got the improbable kids from the future deal going on. I'll come back to you when I've got some experience."

[random_xtras]

"She flies." He shook his head. "Kids from the future... one of my favorite paradoxes."