[ Ellie doesn't even get a chance for an immediate greeting. Doing just as she's told, she bursts into fanatics into the phone. ]
Holy shit, you were not kidding about this whole Star Wars thing. Oh my god, fucking Han Solo when he gets like, captured and shit and is drowned in goddamn goopy stuff, I can't even remember what it's called because I was flipping the fuck out!
[ She's talking a mile a minute ]
And, I mean, what a dick he was to Leia! But oh MAN it was still so bad ass.
[ Peter was, like, part way through "hello?" before Ellie starts talking, and then he just like. Listens. But he's grinning because fuCK YES STAR WARS.
Whenever she pauses for breath, Peter quickly cuts in. ]
Dude, when Darth Vader told Luke he was his dad? I flipped my shit.
Agreed to the fucking fullest, man, on all points.
These are quite possibly the best movies I've ever seen. I mean, maybe one of the only ones but I've seen a couple back home. You were not lying, Peter. Those were fucking incredible.
Dude, I know. [ And he absolutely does. Star Wars had been a huge formative influence on his life, and even now, he'd give anything to have a real goddamn lightsaber. ]
Damn, I seriously need to watch those movies again, though. You got anything else on the docket? 'Cause if you need any more suggestions, I've got 'em.
[ You should probably be able to hear Ellie practically bouncing in her seat. She's grinning ear to ear. ]
Fuck yes! Oh man, I totally trust your judgment on movies because wow, that was the most intense movie experience I've ever had.
[ She pauses a moment, shuffling noises following her digging in her backpack. ]
Okay, so I'm gonna trust you with this, Pete. You ready?
I have four issues of Savage Starlight, and it's impossible to find any other issues anywhere. Joel found most of these and they're basically falling apart but you have to read them.
[ Oh man. He pauses, because Ellie loaning her comics sounds like serious goddamn business, and he's kind of. Flattered. Which is why he kind of smiles to himself.
Thank goodness he's not on camera. ]
You sure, man? I don't wanna accidentally screw them up, 'specially if they're rare.
Yeah, I'd rather not die over a comic book. I'll guard 'em with my life, then.
[ A beat, then, ]
Hey, this kid I met the other day -- he's having this movie marathon thing. I basically gave him the list of movies I would've given you, and I think he grabbed at least a couple of 'em. You wanna go?
[ Then, as if to add extra incentive, ] There'll be snacks.
You'd fucking better. Can't have the name Star Lord and be overly irresponsible.
[ She goes silent as Peter brings up the movie marathon, and it takes her a moment to actually respond. ]
Uh...
[ The promise of snacks and movies that Peter likes? Definitely tempting, but she stares at the door she's been behind basically since her arrival and her stomach sinks. There have been a few times she's left... With Joel. But those were short trips to the store and she stayed closely in toe with her friend. ]
You know, that sounds really fucking awesome, but...
[ She can't really finish her sentence. Ever since she's shown up, tons of people have been wanting to spend time with her, to show her around. And all of those people insist this place is safe, but the doubt in her head? It's made her sick enough to think it's best to just leave it alone. ]
[ There's something in her silence, in her tone, that makes him frown, and he wonders if he's said something wrong. Wouldn't be the first time he stuck his foot in his mouth, after all. ]
... Everything okay, kid?
[ He tries to keep his tone light, but an edge of worry seeps in, despite his best efforts. ]
[ She sighs. It's Euphie all over again, but the last thing she wants to do is pussy out and hang up the phone. It's hard, and her brain can't quite provide a full blown answer as to why she's shaking at the idea of leaving the house but... She has an idea. It's winter, it's David, it's all the goddamn fucking insecurities she never had before Joel was practically wasting away in a basement while she searched for food and medicine and ended up captured. ]
[ Ellie grips her hand into a fist, fighting to still herself and she decides it's bullshit to just sit there all clammed up. ]
What's out there...
I've been out of the house maybe three times since I got here. I just.
[ She groans loudly. ]
I'm fucking terrified.
[ There, she said it. And he'd better not fucking judge her. ]
[ ... ah shit. Peter is totally not equipped for this kinda stuff, which is why his stomach sort of drops at those words. He's always been more of an action guy -- give him a problem he can punch, and he's totally on board. But with sticky things like fear and sadness, he's pretty much useless.
He's silent for a long moment, chewing on the inside of his lower lip as he tries to find the right words. ]
Did something happen? [ He asks it carefully, gently. ] What's there to be afraid of?
[ Oooooh man, now this is awkward. Neither of them can see it or realize it, but Ellie makes almost the same exact face as Peter. She bites the inside of her lip hard, and she struggles to even figure out where to start. ]
[ Ellie lowers her arm, pulling up her sleeve to stare at the ghastly, tumor-ridden scar on her arm. All she can think is "Where do I start?. So much has happened since she got bit, it's hard to even break it down, especially to a person who isn't familiar with the infection. ]
Um...
There's a lot of things. Like. More than anyone has been able to comprehend since I got here. It's a long, shitty and drawn-out story and I don't know if you even want to hear it.
Edited (I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT) 2015-05-20 03:22 (UTC)
[ Usually he doesn't pry. Usually he leaves people's past lives and histories buried where they lie -- especially when the person in question seems to act as though their pasts are better off forgotten. And Peter's fine with that -- he learned a long time ago to let them lie.
But sometimes, those memories get dredged up, sometimes something unsettles them to their core, and when that happens, he's willing to lend an ear. He might not be the most eloquent fucker in the galaxy, but he at least listens. ]
We can trade sob stories, if it'll make you feel more comfortable.
[ Ellie can't help but laugh at that last part. Sob stories. She's never even heard of it put that way. Probably because no one really talks about anything back home, and mostly because everyone has generally gone through the same thing. And the laughter is out of pure embarrassment and nerves. ]
Sure.
[ She heavily exhales. Ellie has explained where she came from a few times, but never her personal experiences. Maybe this will work out? Maybe it won't be so bad to tell someone outside of the whole situation. ]
My world? It ended about twenty years ago. An infection broke out that took down a good chunk of the human population that turned normal people into monsters. Government went haywire, towns got blown up...
I was born way after the wreckage and raised in military camps and quarantine zones.
[ The part where she got infected along with her friend? She decides to remain vague, for her's and Joel's sake. ]
Well, I left with Joel at some point to make a trek across the country and... It wasn't exactly easy.
Before I got here, he... Joel got really messed up and I wound up needing to take care of the two of us. I ran into a pack of hunters and wound up, for lack of a better term, getting captured. They were cannibals...
I watched them hack a dead body to pieces to drain the blood and hang up in a meat locker for later.
[ Ellie starts to get sick to her stomach when she begins to picture David. Immediately, she can smell his breath, hear his voice, and she makes a long pause before letting out another shaken sigh. ]
Everyone is out to get you back there. People hunt one another-- Kill and eat one another just to fucking get by and it's almost unnerving that it hasn't happened here yet.
A lot of people have told me that I'll like living a "normal" life and I literally have no idea what the fuck that is. What I just told you? That was normal.
For a while, that's really the only thing he can think. Holy shit. It's like something out of the horror movies he so often references -- the ones that Gramp rented from the video store and let him watch while Mom was busy with her appointments.
His version of growing up hadn't exactly been normal, either, where basic math was replaced with learning how to pick locks, and public speaking was substituted by gaining a mark's confidence. But at least he didn't have to contend with people turning on one another; the Ravagers were a family, in a way. And despite the threats, he didn't have to worry about them actually eating each other. ]
I'm-- damn. I'm really sorry, kid. [ It comes out quietly, roughly; might be a touch awkward, but he means it, at least. ]
You don't need me to tell you that it ain't like that here, though. I know it's weird, but there are some genuinely kind and nice people here. [ And it is weird, even to Peter. Adult that he is, he was absolutely certain that everyone had an ulterior motive for their actions; it's only recently that he started thinking that maybe, just maybe, that's not entirely true. ]
I'm not sayin' you have to trust everyone -- 'cause you'd be dumb if you did, and from what I know, you definitely aren't dumb. But here, at least, you don't have to worry too much about someone tryin' to stab you in the back.
And, hey, I know you haven't known me too long, but if you ever find yourself in trouble, you can give me a call. I'll come running. [ Well. He'll come teleporting, honestly, possibly with something very heavy in tow with which to hit things, but he'll bring that up some other time. ]
[ Yeah, that awkward silence that follows? She's used to it at this point. It's almost sickening that no one can fathom the shit she's been through. If it weren't for Joel being here, she'd feel alone in all this. ]
There's... Really no use in apologizing, dude. I mean, it was my life.
[ She pauses a moment, realizing that she's gathered her knees up to her chest, phone pressed hard against her ear. It's honestly nice to talk to someone about it-- Joel isn't much of a talker when it comes to what they've been through. She listens intently to what Peter has to say. He's probably the fourth or fifth person to confirm this place isn't so bad, that the people aren't entirely dangerous-- Or at least as dangerous as she's used to. ]
[ Ellie smiles briefly at the offer of help. It's not an offer she isn't used to, but the last time she was offered protection it was from the man who damn near raped her and skinned her alive to eat afterwards. But there's a tone in Peter's voice that she doesn't recognize, something gentler in delivery. ]
[ Ellie laughs, and it's nervous. ]
Honestly? You're the first dude besides Joel to... You know, act like you care and it doesn't sound like bullshit.
[ A beat. ]
You'll have your plasma blaster with you if I go, right?
[ He-- feels like that should be a compliment -- "you act like you care, and it doesn't sound like bullshit." He thinks it is, anyway, which is why why a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Peter's childhood? Far from normal. Far from perfect. But he knows he'd never dare compare it to what Ellie just told him. He thought he'd understand, in a way, or at least hoped he would, but this? So beyond anything he could ever imagine.
At her question, he draws an X-shape over his chest, and holds up a hand -- even if she can't see it. ]
I, Peter Jason Quill, hereby swear that I will be far more heavily armed than a normal person would deem necessary for a movie marathon.
Which is to say, that I will be armed at all. Also? Not one, but two blasters. So. [ His shrug is almost audible. ]
[ Ellie lets out the first genuine laugh in this whole conversation. How could she possibly hate this guy? Not even a chance. And it sort of comes to her that she'll never figure out just how dangerous this place is if she hides away like some coward. The sickness is still there, the shaking is still there... But what Peter says has her feeling the most confidence she's felt in a long time. ]
Okay, okay.
[ She pauses as she takes a look around the corner, taking note that Joel isn't currently home at the moment. ]
Ah, man... Alright, you got me. I'll leave the house.
Joel will probably flip his lid, but it's probably best that I just... Leave a note.
[ Ellie gets the text and makes note of it, but she grimaces at the suggestion of "talking things over" with Joel. ]
Uhhhhh... Yeah, maybe.
But I definitely plan on keeping my phone on me. Sort of glad these things make it easier to contact people. But that can be a good thing and a bad thing, haha.
[ She pauses. ]
I guess I'll have to meet up with you somewhere, huh?
[ He runs through options in his head. The Porter would be the most obvious option, but he's not sure how far Ellie would be comfortable with going on her own. And he could understand not wanting to give away where she lives, either, especially considering Peter's still a stranger. ]
What city are you in? If you're in the government housing, I can meet you near there? Like, near the first house. Oh-Oh-One.
[ Yeah, Peter is exactly right with her not being so keen on sharing where she lives. And it's not so much the lack of trust in him at this point so much as it is her not sure how Joel would feel about it. Given what his last profession was here and who they're both connected with? It's best to remain secretive. ]
House 001, government housing. Got it.
Yeah, I can get there alright. I think there's a map on this thing?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Holy shit, you were not kidding about this whole Star Wars thing. Oh my god, fucking Han Solo when he gets like, captured and shit and is drowned in goddamn goopy stuff, I can't even remember what it's called because I was flipping the fuck out!
[ She's talking a mile a minute ]
And, I mean, what a dick he was to Leia! But oh MAN it was still so bad ass.
Also, Leia? What a babe!
Oh my god!
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Whenever she pauses for breath, Peter quickly cuts in. ]
Dude, when Darth Vader told Luke he was his dad? I flipped my shit.
Have you watched the third one yet?
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Yes! Dude, Joel and I plowed through all of them in one night. Minus the newer ones, but yeah.
DARTH VADER, MAN
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These are quite possibly the best movies I've ever seen. I mean, maybe one of the only ones but I've seen a couple back home. You were not lying, Peter. Those were fucking incredible.
Now I wish the force was my goddamn super power.
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Damn, I seriously need to watch those movies again, though. You got anything else on the docket? 'Cause if you need any more suggestions, I've got 'em.
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Fuck yes! Oh man, I totally trust your judgment on movies because wow, that was the most intense movie experience I've ever had.
[ She pauses a moment, shuffling noises following her digging in her backpack. ]
Okay, so I'm gonna trust you with this, Pete. You ready?
I have four issues of Savage Starlight, and it's impossible to find any other issues anywhere. Joel found most of these and they're basically falling apart but you have to read them.
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Thank goodness he's not on camera. ]
You sure, man? I don't wanna accidentally screw them up, 'specially if they're rare.
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[ Ellie trails off, rolling her eyes as she tries to not sound as serious as she probably could or should. ]
I could totally kill you if you ruin them or lose them, so that threat's there.
But. Yeah, I'm definitely sure. I think you'd like them, and it'd be nice to have someone to gush about them with.
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Yeah, I'd rather not die over a comic book. I'll guard 'em with my life, then.
[ A beat, then, ]
Hey, this kid I met the other day -- he's having this movie marathon thing. I basically gave him the list of movies I would've given you, and I think he grabbed at least a couple of 'em. You wanna go?
[ Then, as if to add extra incentive, ] There'll be snacks.
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You'd fucking better. Can't have the name Star Lord and be overly irresponsible.
[ She goes silent as Peter brings up the movie marathon, and it takes her a moment to actually respond. ]
Uh...
[ The promise of snacks and movies that Peter likes? Definitely tempting, but she stares at the door she's been behind basically since her arrival and her stomach sinks. There have been a few times she's left... With Joel. But those were short trips to the store and she stayed closely in toe with her friend. ]
You know, that sounds really fucking awesome, but...
[ She can't really finish her sentence. Ever since she's shown up, tons of people have been wanting to spend time with her, to show her around. And all of those people insist this place is safe, but the doubt in her head? It's made her sick enough to think it's best to just leave it alone. ]
[ But boy, does she really want to. ]
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... Everything okay, kid?
[ He tries to keep his tone light, but an edge of worry seeps in, despite his best efforts. ]
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[ Ellie grips her hand into a fist, fighting to still herself and she decides it's bullshit to just sit there all clammed up. ]
What's out there...
I've been out of the house maybe three times since I got here. I just.
[ She groans loudly. ]
I'm fucking terrified.
[ There, she said it. And he'd better not fucking judge her. ]
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He's silent for a long moment, chewing on the inside of his lower lip as he tries to find the right words. ]
Did something happen? [ He asks it carefully, gently. ] What's there to be afraid of?
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[ Ellie lowers her arm, pulling up her sleeve to stare at the ghastly, tumor-ridden scar on her arm. All she can think is "Where do I start?. So much has happened since she got bit, it's hard to even break it down, especially to a person who isn't familiar with the infection. ]
Um...
There's a lot of things. Like. More than anyone has been able to comprehend since I got here. It's a long, shitty and drawn-out story and I don't know if you even want to hear it.
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If you want, you can tell me about it.
[ Usually he doesn't pry. Usually he leaves people's past lives and histories buried where they lie -- especially when the person in question seems to act as though their pasts are better off forgotten. And Peter's fine with that -- he learned a long time ago to let them lie.
But sometimes, those memories get dredged up, sometimes something unsettles them to their core, and when that happens, he's willing to lend an ear. He might not be the most eloquent fucker in the galaxy, but he at least listens. ]
We can trade sob stories, if it'll make you feel more comfortable.
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[ Ellie can't help but laugh at that last part. Sob stories. She's never even heard of it put that way. Probably because no one really talks about anything back home, and mostly because everyone has generally gone through the same thing. And the laughter is out of pure embarrassment and nerves. ]
Sure.
[ She heavily exhales. Ellie has explained where she came from a few times, but never her personal experiences. Maybe this will work out? Maybe it won't be so bad to tell someone outside of the whole situation. ]
My world? It ended about twenty years ago. An infection broke out that took down a good chunk of the human population that turned normal people into monsters. Government went haywire, towns got blown up...
I was born way after the wreckage and raised in military camps and quarantine zones.
[ The part where she got infected along with her friend? She decides to remain vague, for her's and Joel's sake. ]
Well, I left with Joel at some point to make a trek across the country and... It wasn't exactly easy.
Before I got here, he... Joel got really messed up and I wound up needing to take care of the two of us. I ran into a pack of hunters and wound up, for lack of a better term, getting captured. They were cannibals...
I watched them hack a dead body to pieces to drain the blood and hang up in a meat locker for later.
[ Ellie starts to get sick to her stomach when she begins to picture David. Immediately, she can smell his breath, hear his voice, and she makes a long pause before letting out another shaken sigh. ]
It... It got really bad when I tried to escape.
And...
[ Calm down, Ellie. It's not happening now, it's not. ]
Everyone is out to get you back there. People hunt one another-- Kill and eat one another just to fucking get by and it's almost unnerving that it hasn't happened here yet.
A lot of people have told me that I'll like living a "normal" life and I literally have no idea what the fuck that is. What I just told you? That was normal.
no subject
For a while, that's really the only thing he can think. Holy shit. It's like something out of the horror movies he so often references -- the ones that Gramp rented from the video store and let him watch while Mom was busy with her appointments.
His version of growing up hadn't exactly been normal, either, where basic math was replaced with learning how to pick locks, and public speaking was substituted by gaining a mark's confidence. But at least he didn't have to contend with people turning on one another; the Ravagers were a family, in a way. And despite the threats, he didn't have to worry about them actually eating each other. ]
I'm-- damn. I'm really sorry, kid. [ It comes out quietly, roughly; might be a touch awkward, but he means it, at least. ]
You don't need me to tell you that it ain't like that here, though. I know it's weird, but there are some genuinely kind and nice people here. [ And it is weird, even to Peter. Adult that he is, he was absolutely certain that everyone had an ulterior motive for their actions; it's only recently that he started thinking that maybe, just maybe, that's not entirely true. ]
I'm not sayin' you have to trust everyone -- 'cause you'd be dumb if you did, and from what I know, you definitely aren't dumb. But here, at least, you don't have to worry too much about someone tryin' to stab you in the back.
And, hey, I know you haven't known me too long, but if you ever find yourself in trouble, you can give me a call. I'll come running. [ Well. He'll come teleporting, honestly, possibly with something very heavy in tow with which to hit things, but he'll bring that up some other time. ]
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There's... Really no use in apologizing, dude. I mean, it was my life.
[ She pauses a moment, realizing that she's gathered her knees up to her chest, phone pressed hard against her ear. It's honestly nice to talk to someone about it-- Joel isn't much of a talker when it comes to what they've been through. She listens intently to what Peter has to say. He's probably the fourth or fifth person to confirm this place isn't so bad, that the people aren't entirely dangerous-- Or at least as dangerous as she's used to. ]
[ Ellie smiles briefly at the offer of help. It's not an offer she isn't used to, but the last time she was offered protection it was from the man who damn near raped her and skinned her alive to eat afterwards. But there's a tone in Peter's voice that she doesn't recognize, something gentler in delivery. ]
[ Ellie laughs, and it's nervous. ]
Honestly? You're the first dude besides Joel to... You know, act like you care and it doesn't sound like bullshit.
[ A beat. ]
You'll have your plasma blaster with you if I go, right?
no subject
Peter's childhood? Far from normal. Far from perfect. But he knows he'd never dare compare it to what Ellie just told him. He thought he'd understand, in a way, or at least hoped he would, but this? So beyond anything he could ever imagine.
At her question, he draws an X-shape over his chest, and holds up a hand -- even if she can't see it. ]
I, Peter Jason Quill, hereby swear that I will be far more heavily armed than a normal person would deem necessary for a movie marathon.
Which is to say, that I will be armed at all. Also? Not one, but two blasters. So. [ His shrug is almost audible. ]
I've got your back, Scout. Promise.
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Okay, okay.
[ She pauses as she takes a look around the corner, taking note that Joel isn't currently home at the moment. ]
Ah, man... Alright, you got me. I'll leave the house.
Joel will probably flip his lid, but it's probably best that I just... Leave a note.
Is uh.
Is this thing going on now?
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Any way you can give him a call? I don't want him freaking out.
Oh, here's the address, in case he wants to know where you are.
[ And ping, a text message with the address -- a house in De Chima. ]
I think it's tomorrow night, so you can talk it over, if you need to.
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Uhhhhh... Yeah, maybe.
But I definitely plan on keeping my phone on me. Sort of glad these things make it easier to contact people. But that can be a good thing and a bad thing, haha.
[ She pauses. ]
I guess I'll have to meet up with you somewhere, huh?
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What city are you in? If you're in the government housing, I can meet you near there? Like, near the first house. Oh-Oh-One.
no subject
[ Yeah, Peter is exactly right with her not being so keen on sharing where she lives. And it's not so much the lack of trust in him at this point so much as it is her not sure how Joel would feel about it. Given what his last profession was here and who they're both connected with? It's best to remain secretive. ]
House 001, government housing. Got it.
Yeah, I can get there alright. I think there's a map on this thing?
I'm in Heropa.
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