[video .009] -- accidental video

[arlen_lowell]

[the communicator is thrown haphazardly onto the bed, and the feed is at an angle and shows Arlen drawing, his features pulled into a look of intense concentration. On the large sketchpad in front of him is a mostly finished charcoal drawing of a little girl, smiling happily with the clear representation of sunlight in her hair even in simple black

Comments

[catchesgrenades]

action.

[ Rikku doesn't even say anything over the communicator, instead just rushes over to Arlen's place. She stands at the door for a second, before slowly opening it, peeking her head in. ]

Arlen? It's just Rikku. [ Before even waiting for him to answer she slipped through the door and strode right over to where he was, plopping down on the floor next to him. She wasn't going to ask anything, until he wanted to talk. ]

[arlen_lowell]

[Arlen is startled beyond all reason at her sudden intrusion and sits up straight, quickly wiping at the tears on his face. He looks a little embarrassed, honestly. It's been probably ten years since he's been embarrassed]

Oh... hey, Rikku.

[he wants to force a smile, but he can't, and he just looks at her instead, eyes still damp]

What do you need?

[catchesgrenades]

[ She notices his actions and felt like it was safe to assume he didnt mean to activate the communicator, so she just gives him a huge cheeky grin.]

I don't need anything. Just had a hunch my bestie might want a friend.

[arlen_lowell]

[Arlen smiles a little at that and nods, giving a weak, halfhearted chuckle]

You must have psychic powers or something, you know that?

[arlen_lowell]

[his head shoots up and he sees that the device is on. How embarrassing, oh my god. He snatches it up, hoping that if he ignores the tears on his cheeks, they'll disappear]

Oh hey Loki what's up man?

[he says it all in one breath]

[arlen_lowell]

[Arlen nods a little too vigorously]

Sure, sure, fine. Just thinking about gas prices, that's all. Always gets me a little teary.

[he gives him a big shit-eating grin, though it's not at all convincing]

[arlen_lowell]

[Arlen glances at the communicator and notices it's recording but gives no fucks]

Sure, sounds good. Where?

[arlen_lowell]

A little nostalgia, huh? Sounds good to me.

[he discreetly wipes his eyes with his sleeve and grabs a jacket from the bed]

I'll be there in a few minutes.

[motherofgodbro]

[Video]

[Heather looks a bit scared as the feed starts, concern and fear evident in her large eyes]

Arlen? Are you okay?

[Her voice is slightly motherly, but at the same time similar to that of a little girl worried about her daddy]

What happened, man?

[arlen_lowell]

[he hears her voice and jumps slightly, and then his eyes flick over to the communicator. Shit, he left it recording. For a moment he's embarrassed and then he shrugs as casually as he can, trying to be discreet about wiping his eyes with the back of his hand]

Sure, I'm fine, Heather. It's okay. Nothing happened. Just thinking about shit, that's all.

[motherofgodbro]

[Her eyes reveal nothing but a deep knowing and she smiles softly at him]

Okay. Sorry , I guess I'm just being paranoid.

[She can tell he's lying but knows from experience that when you're this upset and still trying to hide it, you really don't want to talk about it]

I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the park with me.

[She smiles cheerily. She wants to try and cheer him up but knows she can't let on to the fact that she's doing it]

[arlen_lowell]

[Arlen nods, smiling just faintly, though his eyes are still wet]

Sure, that sounds good. Want me to come and pick you up?