Room 039 [Video]

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[The video flips on to the bright lights of a doctor's examination room--or rather a garbage can in the corner of one. It contains the remains of Henry's foot cast. The camera stays on the signature-smothered wrappings for some time as he speaks.]}

This...is a PSA. I'm sure some of you have noticed how...weird...you or your friends may have been acting lately over the weekends. I don't mean where you suddenly lose a few days and remember something about flying school buses and the Koolaid man. I mean suddenly becoming a different person or saying things you don't mean to say or in my case...jumping off of rooftops.

This could happen to you.

_{[He flips the camera around, showing his usual tired, not-very-shaven face. The clinic ceiling lights blare behind him.]}

And so...I think we should develop some kind of...I don't know. A buddy system? If you suddenly find yourself having strange ideas or--hell--any ideas at all, ask a buddy. Or ask two buddies in case they've got the same problem you do. Create a whole network of buddies.

I'll be your buddy. So, uh...yeah. That's all.

Comments

[no_ufo_ending]

Er...

_{[Henry stalls again. She seems nice. But he generally liked to prepare himself for social interaction. An idea comes to him suddenly and he pulls out his own gear, quickly thumbing a reply.]}

Sure!

[ladywithnovoice]

[For a second, she's a little unsure, that maybe she's being too pushy. It's been a long time since she's socialized in person. When he pulls out his Gear, however, she relaxes and smiles slightly again.]

[Her fingers seem a bit more at ease on the keys. She's had a couple years of practice.]

Lead the way.

[no_ufo_ending]

<sub>[And lead the way he does! Slakoffee isn't very far away. It's a nice little out-of-the-way shop and every table and booth inside seems to be a dim, private corner whether or not it's actually in the corner. The menu isn't overly large but when your mascot is a huge sloth, you don't expect your customers to be terribly adventurous either.]

[He motions for her to order first. He's trying to decide of he wants his usual or not just yet.]</sub>

[ladywithnovoice]

[Fortunately, Red isn't a hard to please person. She takes a small glance over the little menu, and goes with a simple espresso. It takes a little gesturing, but she's had more than a year to practice now. As its rung up, she glances over to Henry.]

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[After a short session of worrying about being judged, Henry places his order which contains enough shots of espresso to kill someone who hasn't had to deal with art student schedules before. Once his drink is in hand, he shoots her another text.]}

They get me here. I can show you my favorite spot.

[ladywithnovoice]

[As someone vaguely connected to the art student life that is hell, Red doesn't judge. True love is finding a boyfriend who supplies you with worrying amounts of caffeine when you're on a creative roll and want to spite sleep.]

[Cradling her own drink in one hand, she checks the text with her free one before nodding to him encouragingly.]

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[Soon, they are tucked away in a corner with a small window that faces a Pokemon grooming parlor across the street. Someone drying off a shiny Growlithe is visible from where they sit. Henry's gotten a lot of great photos from this spot.]}

How long have you been in Goldenrod?

[ladywithnovoice]

[Sipping at her drink, Red thinks over the dates a bit before reaching over to tap out an answer with one hand.]

Only a few weeks or so. I might head back to Cianwood when summer hits.

[no_ufo_ending]

The beach here is incredible in summer. At least stay long enough to see that.

_{[Henry offers this with a small smile. Their beach days were some of his favorites. And this year Flotsam would probably be big enough to ride!]}

[ladywithnovoice]

[Ducking her head, Red gives a small shy smile back.]

That sounds like a glowing recommendation.

[no_ufo_ending]

It's--

_{[Henry nearly forgets himself in his excitement.]}

It's become a sort of tradition with my friends and I to have a big beach party. I think it's the only time I like being outside.

[ladywithnovoice]

Who are your friends?

[A thoughtful look crosses her face. It'd be nice to have an easy way to just see a lot of people all at once...]