video • un: el rey

[shabby]

[ The video opens on a man's face, a little too close up for a few seconds. Then he pulls the arm with the communicator back, lengthening the shot and showing vegetation behind him. He's in the atrium, currently sitting on a low hanging tree branch. ]

Hello, alien-abducted internet peoples.

[ He says it cheerfully, with a smile and a wave. For a man who comes from a world without shit like this, he's unperturbed. Possibly because he thinks it's a drug-induced hallucination. ]

How are you today? [ He gestures off to the side. ] This is crazy, no? Outer space and shit. It's like a movie.

[ The image shakes a little as he starts digging through his pants pocket. Eventually, he pulls out a joint and, remembering that he's in the middle of talking to people, asks; ]

Hey, does anybody have a lighter?

Comments

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri seems to have realized that as well, not even bothering to try and steer the conversation back to its original topic.]

You decided you like me because I floss?

[He's, admittedly, sort of amused in that 'this is so surreal and I have no idea what to do about it' way.]

[shabby]

Sure. Why not? A guy that understands the importance of flossing can't be too bad.

[ There's a pause as he frowns at the communicator. ]

Can he?

[yokunaru]

[SURE...why not. He's just going to go along with this, because really, what else can he do at this point?]

I...I guess not.

[Clearing this throat.]

Um, if you still wanted that lighter, I'll check the shopping center for you.

[shabby]

What? [ What lighter? Then he remembers. Oh right. ] Yeah. See, I knew you were a good guy.

[ A beat. ]

You want a mango for your trouble?

[yokunaru]

[Remembering just how Vaas had reacted the first time--]

...sure. If you really want to give me one. Just tell me what room you've been assigned to so I know where to drop the lighter off.

[shabby]

Just bring it to this park. I'll be here. It's nice. Even if the sky isn't right.

[ It reminds him of home. ]

I'm Vaas. Who're you?

[yokunaru]

[Before he can wonder too much about what he's gotten himself into--]

Yuuri Katsuki. I'll find you in the park once I have it.

[shabby]

Okay. I'll see you when you get here, Yuuri Katsuki.

[ And weirdly, he actually pronounces it properly. It helps to have Japanese pirates in his pirate gang. ]

Action

[yokunaru]

[Surprisingly, it doesn't take too long for him to locate a lighter. Once it's tucked into his pocket, Yuuri heads for the atrium, keeping an eye out for the man.]

...Vaas? [He pauses in front of him uncertainly.]

[shabby]

[ The problem with Vaas is that his mind is rarely still and it's been long enough since he asked about the lighter that he's forgotten about it. Which is why, when he hears his name, he sits up fast from where he's now lounging in the grass. ]

Yes? That's me. [ He eyes Yuuri warily. ] You are not a little green man. [ Observant, this one. ] That makes you human, no?

[yokunaru]

Well, yes. [It's such an unexpected response that Yuuri can only smile at him for it.] Was I supposed to be green?

Oh, here's your lighter. I hope that works for you.

[Yuuri pulls the lighter out of his pocket and offers it to him.]

[shabby]

Only if you're an alien.

[ Which Vaas has still not seen. This alien abduction is really lacking the alien portion of the experience. ]

Thank you. [ Taking the lighter, he flicks it on. And unlike the shit he's got on Rook, this one works. Vaas reaches down and picks up the aforementioned mango. It's ripe and ready to be eaten. He offers it in one hand. ] Here is your mango.

[yokunaru]

No, just human. [The last time he checked, anyway.]

Oh, thanks. [Wow he wasn't kidding about the mango after all. Yuuri takes the offered fruit, letting it sit in his own hand for a moment.] Did you just show up with a bunch of these on you?

[shabby]

[ Vaas is always serious about mangoes. ]

No. Just that one. And some other stuff. [ He frowns. ] Not fruit, though. It's really a shame. The fruit's great on my island. Here, I don't know.

[ He lifts his eyebrows. ]

Have you tried any here?

[yokunaru]

[What a special mango it is, then.]

I've tried some. They have a few I'm familiar with, like grapes and bananas, but some others that look like they're from alien planets.

[Yuuri pauses, then smiles wryly.] We are in space, so I guess that isn't too far off the mark.

[shabby]

[ Vaas nods. He's not entirely sold on space fruit, but since that's all he's got, he has to make peace with it somehow. ]

Maybe we will see these planets, no? Get to pick our own fruit.

[ That would be nice. He doesn't' want to be trapped in a ship forever. ]

[yokunaru]

[It's like someone flipped a switch, making Yuuri light up. Suddenly, his hesitation's disappeared for the time being.]

That's what I'm hoping. I've heard we're allowed to visit the other planets when we pass them, but I don't know how long it'll be until we reach the next one. It'd be amazing to see another planet up close like that, wouldn't it?