gotanysparechange | 001 [Video]

001 [Video]

So, hey there everyone. My name's Change. Thought I do my own little introduction than leave it to everyone's favorite pain in the ass. I don't know most of you and most of you don't know me, but here's hoping we can all change that soon eh?

I'll be your tailor for the remainder of your stay here. If you need anything patched up, or just want a new look I'm the guy to come to. I might not look like it, but I'm pretty good with a needle.

That's it folks. Good to meet all of you.

[He almost closes the journal before whipping it back open again.]

Oh right, would anyone mind telling me who went through my things and took my stuff? And who nailed my penny collection to my ceiling?

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There's a voice I haven't heard in forever.

Aye. S'good to have you back, brother. I been on the dogs case about it, the others too, but he wouldn't fockin' budge.

[And Joe didn't know where Change was. The threats of things being made worse stalled any rescue attempts as well.]

M'sorry, Change.

I figured you guys would have raised some hell. Just glad none of you ended up down there with me.

[The joking tone fades, becoming more genuine.]

It's alright Joe. I knew what I was getting into and I don't regret it for a second.

[And then the smile is right back.]

But hey, if you want to make it up to me I wouldn't mind getting some real food. And a hammer, gotta get my collection off the damn ceiling.

Kitchen is still where it always was, Change. Get yer ass down here.

[So he can hug you like a man. At the mention of the pennies on the ceiling, Joe snickers.]

Now who would be doin' a crazy thing like that?

Give me a second, I've got to get used to walking again.

[He says it like a joke but it's kind of true.]

Yeah, boggles the mind doesn't it?

I can get the wheelbarrow and drive ye around if walkin' is too much for you.

[He's half joking, half serious.]

Hey, don't be lookin' at me. I ain't got nothin' to do with any redecoratin' done to yer room.

I said I'm weak, not a paraplegic. Wouldn't trust you rolling me around anyway.

[Weak as he is, it still won't take him too long to get to the kitchen.]

Who said I was? That your guilty conscience speaking up?

C'mon Change. Live a little. It'll be an adventure.

[Joe's good mood isn't going anywhere. He's just too happy to see Change back.]

Me? Pfah! Y'know I'm the shortass of the staff gents now that whatsisface is gone. I couldn't reach yer ceilin' if I tried.

I've had too much adventure way too much adventure.

[The mood is infectious. Change can't help but smile and his grin is big as ever when he hobbles into the kitchen.]

Hell you're all tiny to me.

Oh yeah, let Dos hear that y'say that. I suppose the blockhead will be wantin' to see ya as well.

[The sight of Change makes Joe grin just a much as Change. He wastes no time in moving toward him, arms out for the brohug of the century.]

S'fockin' good to see you again, brother.

As long as he doesn't hug me. I don't think my body is ready for that.

[While just as tall, he's much smaller than he used to be after being held prisoner for so long.

He throws his arms around Joe and gives the man the biggest bear hug he can muster.]

It's good to see you too buddy, all of you.

[Joe lets him go and steps back, still grinning like a fiend. He knew he'd missed having Change around, but it only hits him just how much now that he's got him back. The penny collection bolted to the ceiling was of course, a prank of Joe's. A welcome home joke for when the big guy returned, half set into motion by Joe's need to comfort himself that he would see Change again. It was something to look forward to.

Moving to the kitchen bench, Joe motions for Change to take a seat.]

What're you feelin' like, Change? I'll make ya anything you want.

[The serious talk can come after. Food first.]

[Change all but flops into a seat. His stomach growls in anticipation of some real food, not the slop that Duran forced him to eat during his imprisonment. He's missed Joe's cooking almost as much as he missed the cook himself.]

Honestly I would love some steak but I don't think my stomach could handle that right now.

[It'll take him some time to get used to real food again.]

So, chicken I guess?

[Joe nods.]

Aye, I'll keep it simple.

[And he gets to work.]

Come bug me at meal times and I'll set somethin' aside for you. Ease you back into eatin' this perfection I make each day.

[Change earns a small smile before Joe looks back to what he's doing.]

There'll be a few others lurkin' around the kitchen these days. I'm still the boss down here but we've got a few that like to cook hangin' around. Not a bad bunch.

Still delusional huh? That's good to know.

[He smiles back at Joe. It's good to be goofing off with his friends again.]

All the ones I met have been an okay bunch. Too bad I never got to meet them when I got here.

[Change grows silent for a moment. Something has been bugging him for awhile now.]

Joe, how long was I down there?

[Joe stops, expression clouding.]

...Start of April is when everythin' happened. With.. y'know. You and her and everythin' else.

[He can't talk about it. None of them can. No matter how he wants to, Joe knows what will come if he does.]

A few days after that this lot arrived. No warnin'. No sleep. Just a whole mass of people in the barracks and an order to go collect 'em. They had no fockin' idea what was goin' on.

[Joe sighs.]

We're in August now, lad. August of the followin' year from when you got locked up.

[Change just sits still for a moment soaking it all in. He spent a year in that maze being tortured for what he did, but thinking back on it he still doesn't regret his actions nor will he ever.]

A year...

I missed my birthday.

[That's all he can think to say about that.]

So, you guys still haven't seen anything of E-

[Before he even finishes the sentence his body goes rigid and he screams in agony as pain sears through ever inch of his body. It lasts for only a few seconds, but it's enough to take his breath away and cause him to slump forward.]

Edited 2012-08-12 07:26 (UTC)

Don't say it! Don't say it!

[He's too late. The electricution comes as a surprise even the him. Joe only knows that 'her' and all that happened before guests arrived is strictly not for talking about.]

Change! Are you-- What the fockin' shit was that!?

[Change pants heavily as the pain begins to fade. His nails are dug into the table without him even knowing it. Slowly he begins rise and holds his head in his hand. He hadn't been thinking. He just let it slip out.]

Guess that's what he meant by short leash.

[His voice is shaky as his body still aches from the sudden shock.]

It was just like those damn chains. I thought I was free of this shit.

We can't talk about her, Change.

[Much as it pains him to say. Joe hates not being able to fill his friend in on that side of the story.]

But to answer yer question. No. Nothin'.

Yeah, I just wasn't thinking.

[He looks at Joe, then sighs and nods his head. It's not the answer he wants to hear but it's the one he's expecting.]

Should have known as much.

Either she really made it, or she's fockin' good at hidin'.

[Joe refuses to even consider she might be gone.]

Good, that's good then.

[That is good right? Change doesn't even know. All he knows is that he misses her so much.]

So uh, how about that chicken?

[Joe nods and reaches out to ruffle Change's hair.]

She'll be alright, Change. That girl ain't one to fall apart. Not with you at her back.

[He flashes his friend a small, encouraging smile and looks back to the food he's prepping.]

Hold yer damn horses, aye? It's comin'.

[He only smiles before looking down at the table. His feelings are conflicted about all this and he can't even talk about it with any of his friends.]

Hey you try living off slop for a year and see how impatient you are about getting some real food.

[Better to keep his mind off that topic instead of dwell on it for too long.]

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