accidental video; open

[flared]

[The sound of clattering begins at the start of the feed and after a bit of static and frantic chirping in the background there's a grunt and a thump when Axel suddenly hits the ground.

He's gotten a bit dizzy and disoriented thanks to how cold his body has gotten, so it's so surprise he's found himself more or less sitting and slumped up against a tree somewhere in the dome. Having dropped his SFC somewhere on the pavement, he can't get up and reach it right away, so it's up to three frantic chocobo chicks to alert anyone nearby.

All together now they flock to the communicator and peck and bat their little wings.

Halp.]

Comments

[flared]

[Isa will still persist. PEEP PEEP CHEEP WARK. Even gonna nom nom on your hair.]

It's not like I did it on purpose.

[With that he struggles to stand up, using the tree for balance.]

[croceamors]

[Ugh, fine, have some of it you dumb bird. Saix will just kick at Axel's knees next to try and get him to the ground again.]

It's been three days. You need to be willingly obtuse to not notice what is going on and what is required by now.

[Saix, on the other hand, is just being stubborn, idly rubbing at one of his arms without thinking about it.]

[flared]

[Get away from mommyyyyyyy.

Axel sees that leg coming straight for him again and this time holds his arm up to block. Fortunately it's his good arm, so it doesn't hurt so much.]

I'm not about to hole myself up in my apartment and ignore doing important things for a week just because of this dumb curse, all right?

[croceamors]

[Mommy and Daddy are arguing again, Isa, just shoosh.]

[Also, nudge nudge nudge with that boot.]

I wasn't implying that. [Although it's what Saix has been doing.] Afraid of touching others, Axel?

[flared]

[And meanwhile both Sunset and Popcorn jump around, pecking and warking just as well. MOMMY AND OTHER DADDY ARE ARGUING WEH.]

Hardly.

[A scoff and he tries to shove that foot away.]

That's better suited for your personality.

[croceamors]

[Saix lets him. It's not like there's much else to do to Axel anyway.]

Yet I'm not the one freezing to death. [Just to a fever, soon enough.]

I'd think with your weaknesses, you would have watched out for this better. It seems like you're slipping.

[flared]

You might eventually.

[Plus, you're awfully good at hiding your pain, so for all he knows, you could be freezing to death right now. With his leg out of the way, Axel stands up, slightly hunched over, however.]

Funny you should say that, 'cause I was actually on my way to prepare things to make this curse a little more bearable.

[croceamors]

Really.

[flared]

Really.

And you're not gonna be invited.

[The chocobos flap their wings excitedly then excitedly jump up and around at Axel's feet.]

[croceamors]

I fail to see your point.

[He's used to not being invited, Axel, try harder.]

[flared]

[Petting all the chicks on the head]

I'm gonna throw a sleepover.

[croceamors]

That would have been a wise decision before you collapsed.

Why are you telling me this?

[flared]

Just to prove a point that I've got no problems with physical contact. Or preparing things.

[Shrug. Come on, man. It's not his fault a little shivering interrupted his plans.]

[croceamors]

If you say so.

[He starts to turn around, having a home and a dog to get back to, before pausing.]

It's coming up, isn't it?

[flared]

[He's getting ready to walk in the opposite direction himself when that catches him off guard. Glancing over his shoulder]

Huh?

[croceamors]

According to this World, it's the third of July, isn't it?

[Said as coolly and matter of factly as everything else that comes out of his mouth, as if it doesn't matter.]

[flared]

Yeah?

[What are you getting at? -Oh. Wait.]

[croceamors]

So it should be coming up.

[He knows you know what he's talking about, Axel. You can't play dumb with him.]

[flared]

[He looks away abruptly.]

So?

[croceamors]

Just something that came to mind.

Happy early Birthday, Lea.

[Then he starts to leave- walking and not opening a Portal, just to make Axel listen to the sound of his footsteps.]

[flared]

[He goes wide-eyed at that and glances back only to see Saix walking away. Ok, officially confused.

Because why would you just bring something like this up out of the blue?

And why greet me?

While using that name?

Axel turns around completely to call out in response.]

I told you not to call me that!

[croceamors]

[A pause, and just the slightest turn of his head.]

Did you? I couldn't recall.

[He's not even bothering to try a believable lie, even with that apathetic tone of his.]

[flared]

[Hands on his hips, he bites his lip, irritated]

Yeah, I'm so sure you don't.

I'm not telling you again.

[croceamors]

[He finally turns his whole body to look back at Axel completely.]

And if I decide to do so anyway?

[flared]

[He frowns... then with a snarky grin,]

That'll just have to be a secret.