Log 1

[mayfield_mods]

Who: Everyone (General Log)
What: Make yourself at home.
Where: A new town
When: The first day

Comments

[justdumbluck]

[Oblivious, Firo takes a few more moments to add Czes's name and a little plus sign between the two names. He blows on it a few times, then holds it out so Czes can see it. The paint drips slightly from the angle at which he's holding it, but not enough to ruin the sign.]

What do ya think?

[It's neither neat nor pretty, but it works.]

[cursedtolive]

It's functional! You're surprising good with your hands, Firo, I was worried it might get messed up!

[He says this with affection, he swears.]

[justdumbluck]

[Whatever Czes's intention, Firo doesn't take kindly to that remark. He straightens his posture indignantly.]

Hey! Don't act like you're surprised!

[cursedtolive]

I'm just teasin' you. Come on, it looks fine!

[justdumbluck]

[He shakes his head and goes back to admiring his work. After a moment, he smiles; it's legible and that's all they need.]

You think? Let's hang it up now!

[cursedtolive]

... Sure! Let's go, I found some nails and a hammer to use while I was cleaning.

[He holds them up proudly.]

[justdumbluck]

Nice work!

[He stands up, reaching to ruffle Czes's hair with the hand that isn't holding the sign. He may have managed to get some wet paint on his fingers, so watch out.]

Do you wanna be the one to put it up? You can nail it right to the front door.

[cursedtolive]

[Whoa there Firo, noooo hands on the head. Czes flinches back for a second before, as not to upset Firo too much, he grabs for that hand and places it firmly on his shoulder. This is what you do. Even if it's your left hand because he couldn't tell which one it was in that moment.]

Um, I could try. You sure I'm not too short to do that?

[justdumbluck]

[The message is clear enough, and if Firo thinks about it it is probably tough to tell between a right and a left hand on your head. Better safe than sorry.]

Oh, um... sorry.

[He looks Czes over--the perpetual "kid" is rather shrimpy.]

I dunno, we'll see. If you are, then I can hold you up.

[cursedtolive]

I-it's okay. I know you can't... but it's just automatic now.

And being held up is embarrassing!

[justdumbluck]

Right. I'll be careful.

[Smiling teasingly, he switches gears.]

It'd only be for a little bit!

[cursedtolive]

Only a little bit? You'll never let me live it down!

[foundafamily]

What? No I wouldn't!

[He totally would.]

[cursedtolive]

No way, I don't want my pride damaged, Firo!

[foundafamily]

[Czes is no fun.]

...Fine, I'll put it up. Let's go out front. Can you carry the hammer and nails?

[He means it as if he's asking a favor, not questioning Czes's ability, but it could be taken either way.]

[cursedtolive]

[No he just knows the meaning of eternal shame.]

Sure thing, I can carry it for you! It wouldn't do if you dropped it on yourself now would it?

[foundafamily]

[He pauses midstep to turn and glare at Czes.]

What-? I wouldn't drop it on myself! I was just askin' so you could feel useful!

[cursedtolive]

[He eeps and backs away, though he doesn't look scared at all.]

Well I'm very grateful but I'm useful enough!

[foundafamily]

[He frowns, then spins on his heel to keep going.]

...Just hurry up and follow me.

[cursedtolive]

["Brat" is what Czes thinks in his head. What he says out loud, though, is]

Okay...

[before he goes after Firo and holds out a nail and the hammer to him when they get to the front door.]

[foundafamily]

Thanks.

[He nails the sign onto the door and steps back to look it over. It's only a little crooked.]

...So there we go. It's ours now, I guess.

[He can't imagine himself living in this place; he just wants the real Firo's apartment back.]

[cursedtolive]

... It's weird living in a house huh? You told me once you've lived in one apartment or another all the time. Maiza's been living in one the last few years, too.

[foundafamily]

[He looks down at Czes, nodding. He didn't realize how obvious he was being with his apprehensions.]

...Yeah. Even after bein' in this place so long I never really got used to it...

[It occurs to him that he has no idea in what kinds of conditions Czes has lived.]

What about you?

[cursedtolive]

... I was traveling a lot. I lived more to the west, but I got a letter from Maiza and I decided to visit him.

Now I'm living in New York, so I haven't really settled in anywhere enough to get a weird feeling here.

[foundafamily]

[He nods. He's not much one for traveling, but he knows from people like Claire that it has an appeal. And sometimes it's just a necessity.]

...Well, whatever it is, it's good we have... shelter. And it doesn't look like it'll collapse on us or go up in flames.

[He still shies at the thought of calling it home.]