(no subject)

[divasterous]

WHAT Just a post
WHERE Anywhere
WHEN Day 128

[All the time nonsense seems to have ticked to a close . . . mostly. Some of you might still be experiencing some lingering effects. Or you might just find that groceries and lunch materials are a little odd . . . like juice boxes instead of booze, tiny finger-sized servings of pasta, or just baby versions of carrots or other vegetables.]

[Of course, if you still have Things to do, then by all means.]

Comments

[aintrunning]

[scanning the local job ads with non-heavenly-grounds coffee in hand]

What kind of job is snake walker? There really that many of 'em here?





[eh, takes the tab at the end of the flyer, why not]

[willnotwatch]

[totally also checking out the job board and not just stalking you.]

[aintrunning]

[sssure, taking a sip of his coffee and not looking over]

Keep it brief, cuz. I don't have all day to explain hip-hop to a "third world" prince.

[willnotwatch]

Thank you for watching after Shuri.

I know what hip-hop is.

[aintrunning]

No, you don't.

And I was waiting to decide what to do. She got lucky.

[willnotwatch]

Believe me, I know what hip-hop is.

[aintrunning]

[sharply turning to him and looking him dead in the eye. after a beat:]

Wiz Khalifa.

[willnotwatch]

[still staring at the board.]

Cameron Jibril Thomaz. Named by his grandfather for his talents. I listen to Shuri, sometimes.

[aintrunning]

What do you want.

[willnotwatch]

...

[still not looking over] I'm not trying to get in your way. You must be aware that I'm unable to leave, same as you.

[aintrunning]

Yeah. I'm starting to get that. So, don't test me unless you want a war zone with all the causalities included.

[willnotwatch]

[are... you... threatening me. he finally glances at Erik. what.]

We don't need to fight.

[aintrunning]

[raising his eyebrows, you're catching on cuz]

No. We don't.

[willnotwatch]

[focusing back on the very interesting job ads.]





I won't abandon you.

[aintrunning]

[laughs, sipping some coffee as he looks at the board]

I'm not your problem anymore, man.

[willnotwatch]

I don't think you understand my meaning.

[aintrunning]

Oh, I know what you're thinking. You wanted to keep me alive, and I've been on the outside looking in for long enough to know how it feels.

[shaking his head]

Naw, we're not family. This is personal, but we're not.

[willnotwatch]

[yeah, he sounds desperate. good job, kitten.]

Why not?

1/2

[aintrunning]

Because tin can is working on a way to undo all that mess you got mixed up in. [gesturing a circle with his coffee hand] If he can bring one Wakandan prince back, what's so hard about bringing back another?

[aintrunning]

I get cut off from our ancestors and brought here, to find out what happened in Wakanda. Seems like they decided you took a wrong step, and now I'm here to balance everything out.

My time is not over, cuz; It's just starting.

[willnotwatch]

...

[you know what





maybe this time I will leave bye]

[aintrunning]

[tiny peace salute from his hand with coffee, cool story]

[morethanyou]

[walking along—

OH, IT'S YOU.



...just keeps walking on by, after a brief and fraught hesitation]

[aintrunning]

[sees that but thoughtfully nodding his head without a call out, this is fine]

[morethanyou]

[yes cousin we all know your idea of "fine" is an outlier and should not have been counted]

[aintrunning]

[i'm grumpy, time to make someone else miserable]

Hey, princess.

[morethanyou]

[well i mean like. he succeeds immediately, congrats.]

Hey, warmonger.

[aintrunning]

Your people were backing me too, remember that.

So, this teenage thing temporary? Or you going to change back to some kid running around without shoes again soon?

[morethanyou]

...

I'm not doing this with you.

[starts to walk away]

[aintrunning]

Aight. I'll catch you later, cuz.

[morethanyou]

[or! we could never talk again!! how about that!!!

but instead of engaging to say that she just leaves.]