calloperators (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
calloperators) wrote2019-01-14 05:25 pm
calloperators) wrote2019-01-14 05:25 pm
TEST DRIVE
> Hello, you have reached the 1-800-HOTLINE Test Drive. We are currently unable to take your call. Whilst we put you on hold, feel free to play around for a while...
Waking up
Go downstairs, to the lobby. Meet the others. Don't get attached, and don't mention this call.
The AC is busted and in this hot summer, you probably won't want to stay in your room forever.
Of course, there's much more around here than just the motel. Stepping out and hitting the town will give you plenty to do. There's stores aplenty, but that's nothing to say of the good residents of the stores; your friendly neighborhood bodega cats. They're content to laze around the aisles, though the more playful sorts may swat at your wayward accessories as you pass by.
Don't mind that they seem to disappear - and reappear - with a blink. That's just something cats can do.
Of course you are! There's plenty of places to eat here, but why go to some no-name joint when you can go to McDonalds? They've got burgers, they've got fries, they've got McPizza, and they even have a playplace! ...Though you're probably too old for the ball pit.
Regardless of what you order, if you even order, the cashier presses a small toy into the palm of your hand. Don't you feel a pair of tiny eyes on you?
For fuck's sake, someone only went and killed a guy in the McDonald's parking lot. Maybe his head is smashed in under that chicken mask, or maybe you'll want to check? You could do the right thing and work out who did this, or you could make off with his baseball bat. The choice is yours.
What good's a city that goes to sleep? When the sun goes down, the lights go up. The city becomes aglow with every colour of the neon rainbow, with bowling alleys, nightclubs, karaoke bars, arcades and soon-to-be-extinct roller discos competing for your attention until the sun comes up. You're here, there's no curfew, it's time to make the most of it.
Have something else in mind? Go wild, and party like it's 1989.
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[Venkman settles back a safe distance from the chaos and idly plays with the worm on a string while watching Pyro go HAM.
Sadly, he's not a safe distance from the stench, and he pulls his shirt up to cover his mouth and nose, coughing at the fumes. Idly, Venkman wonders if this fire will spread, and he'll be responsible for a forest fire or something. Just adding onto the list of stupid shit he'll have done, today.
Pyro settles down on the ground, and doesn't get back up. After a minute, Venkman walks over and sits down beside them [a few feet away], still coughing occasionally.]
Enjoying yourself?
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[They nod vigorously, rocking back and forth and humming to themselves. Finally--a fire worth really appreciating. The fire is good, which means they're happy!
...Hm. They're forgetting something. Demo told them that they should remember to say something to matter what. They pause in their rocking, trying to comb through their brain.]
Thhmmk yuu.
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[It took a whole lot of grief to get here, but Venkman's smile is entirely genuine for once.]
You're welcome, kid. Here-
[He hands them back the worm-on-a-string.]
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It's almost as if they've forgotten someone died today. And they definitely did, like, the minute the corpse left their view. But today was good because they got to do a lot of fun things with their new friend (?) and set things on fire! That's always fun.
They still wish the team could be here now, though.
...If Venkman wants, he can probably leave. They'll be sitting here for a while.]
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And, ok, he's not totally keen on walking to the motel alone in the dark immediately after finding a dead body. Or leaving Pyro alone here to do god-knows-what.
So he'll stay, for now. And maybe the silence isn't exactly companionable, but it's not awkward, either. It's just... silence. Quiet except for the crackling of flames and the sound of Pyro's hands moving as they fiddle with the worm.]
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It takes a while for the fire to subside, and for a moment it looks as if it might engulf the entire lot. The flames burn lower and lower until whatever trash is left is reduced to foul-smelling cinders. After a brief pause, Pyro scoots themselves forward and run a hand through the ashes, scattering embers against the night sky. A soft buzzing sound can be heard as the neon lights that decorate the city begin to glow to life.
They dig through the trash for a little longer before pulling out what looks to be a half-melted Transformer figurine, unrecognizable from the flames. After inspecting it for a moment, they dust it off and hold it out for Venkman.]
Frr yuu.
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The gift of the figurine is unexpected. Venkman accepts it and turns it around in his hands, feeling the texture of still-warm, warped plastic. He looks up and meets their eyes as best as he can.]
Thanks, kid.
[His voice is quieter than usual, but it looks like he means it.
Like this, it's almost possible for Venkman to forget that he should be scared of them. And, well, that he is scared of them.
He finally stands and stretches, wincing at the twinge of pain in his back as he does so.]
You wanna go back to the motel, or dig around the trash some more?
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They tap a finger against their mask filter before nodding.]
Mhhthl.
[It's been a long day, they can admit that! As much as they'd love to stay up all night and keep setting fire to more trash, Medic said it's important to get a good night's sleep, so that they can get up refreshed and ready to burn more things! In one hand, they twirl the worm between their fingers, and in the other, they keep clicking a plastic lighter. Feels comfy.
At least Venkman can be comforted (???) by the fact that he definitely won't be jumped at night with this person accompanying him.]
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Alright, let's get outta this dump.
[He tucks the Transformers figurine in his pocket, right beside some of the extra worms on strings he bought for future Pyro distractions.
Time to head home. Or "home", in this case. Idly, Venkman wonders how Pyro would react to the Firehouse, even if it's only a Firehouse in name these days.]
this thread is extremely long and i apologize to anyone who has to read this later. oh wait thats me
They feel something deep in their chest that they can't exactly describe. Like having someone extinguish a fire in front of them, but also...thinking about how bright and good that fire was?
They don't really like it. They try to soothe themselves by flicking their lighter on and off, but it doesn't help that much. As they walk, the clicking becomes faster and more frequent.
When they reach the motel, Venkman can hear Pyro wheezing--short, staccato breaths tinged with mild panic. They come to a stop in the parking lot, watching as Venkman continues to walk. The lighter has run out of fuel, at this point, but they don't seem to have noticed as they keep flicking it on and off.]
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Venkman never really paid close attention to the night sky, personally. All three of his partners, however, could be counted on to crowd around Egon's telescope during an eclipse. No matter how hard it was to pick out the stars in the city, Winston's eyes were always sharp enough to point them out, and Ray could recite the history behind any constallation. Over the years, Venkman had picked up a bit of astronomy from Ray and Winston, and a concerning amount of astrology from Egon.
With all that said, Venkman doesn't give the sky much more than a cursory glance. He can't let himself think too hard about missing them. Not right now. Not yet. Later, in his room, alone, when he's not watching over Pyro-
Wait, Pyro.
Venkman's almost to the front door when he glances behind him and realizes Pyro has stopped. He jogs up, careful to keep a bit of distance between himself and them.]
Hey, uh. You alright?
[The sound of their wheezing is getting really worrisome. Venkman frowns, chewing his bottom lip nervously as he tries to figure out what to do. It's hard to tell with Pyro's mask, but his semi-buried Psychologist Instincts are telling him something's wrong, that they're panicking about... something.]
Can you breathe for me? Slowly, in and out, alright? Breathe in... breathe out. Ok?
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Why does it feel bad when they think about them? This has never happened before--well, actually, it happened once when they went into business, but mostly they were sad about not being able to burn things. Right? They try to think about burning something as they continue to breathe. They were never good at processing emotions, but that's not gonna stop them from trying to stay not sad.
It's only now that they realize that the lighter no longer has fuel. They let it clatter onto the asphalt and dig through their pockets for another one. Fire always helps them feel better. They manage to fish out a new one and immediately flick it on, breathing heavy as they stare at the tiny flame.
That's better. They let out what sounds to be a relieved sigh before tilting theit head back to stare up at the sky. At least it wasn't as bad as the first time they visited Medic's office. They look back down at Venkman, still wheezing quietly as they flick off the plastic lighter.
And then they take a tentative step forward and haltingly hold their arms out? And. Just. Stand like that. Looking at him. Almost as if they're asking for a...hug?]
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[It occurs to Venkman, not for the first time, that he's a little bit in over his head. ... And that he actually still doesn't know their name.
He nods approvingly when they pull out the new lighter- look, whatever works at this point. If staring at fire keeps them from going ballistic and chopping him up, sure, stare to your heart's content.
... Oh.
Well. Venkman's not stupid enough to refuse a hug from Pyro.]
C'mere, kid. Bring it in.
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After holding it for a few seconds, they pull away. After staring at him for a moment, they pat him on the shoulder and incline their head ever so slightly towards him, as if in a silent thanks. Dropping their arm at their side, they start slowly walking to their room. They take out the key in their pocket and unlock the door. They push it open a little before glancing back at Venkman. Watching him. Waiting for him to go back into his room safely.
If...Venkman looks closely past the door, he might see a neat pile of warped and mangled looking plastic toys right on top of the immaculate, untouched bed. A few of these toys have had their eyes removed.
Don't think too much about it.]
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When Pyro lets go, Venkman wonders why he kind of wishes they'd hug him again.
Venkman digs out his own key as he walks over to his own door, glancing back to meet[?] Pyro's eyes again- and, uh, well. That's a room full of nightmares, and he ain't going in there unless you paid him. And gave him a proton pack, PKE Meter, and at least one of his teammates.
Still, he manages a sort of strained grin.]
Good night.