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[agnominal]

[ There's a perplexed looking young man in view of the screen. Anyone familiar with Locus will probably recognize him, but something's definitely different. That tell-tale x-shaped scar? Gone. His hair is shorter, hanging just below his jaw. Moreover, his eyes don't quite hold that thousand-yard-stare to them just yet.

He looks, well. Teenaged.

He's also holding Luna up to view. She's purring heavily, but he appears bewildered by her presence, if anything. ]

Does anyone know whose cat this is? I just...found her here when I woke up.

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[goddamngrenades]

I'm not complaining, man. I ask about shit all the time and you kinda...grunt or glare or squint and I drop it. Our friendship is built on manfully not talking about shit, respecting boundaries, and letting me sit here quietly when the world's too damn loud while I noodle on my guitar.

[ He tugs on Locus'- Sam's hand, pulling himself up and over (slick zero g light moves) to peer down into his face. And maybe set Luna on his chest instead. He is, after all, her person. ]

Only reservation I got is I don't know if you'll be. yanno. Comfortable with me hearing this shit when you're older again since this is gonna be temporary.

[agnominal]

[ Older!Him sounds like a real killjoy. Well. Not so different from now, but maybe a little angrier? That doesn't bode well.

He feels the tug, eyes darting back, just in time to spot the exchange of Luna and carefully cradle her to his chest. A moment later, and he's sinking back to the floor. He doesn't want to risk dropping her, after all. ]

If we're friends, then I don't think I would mind.

[goddamngrenades]

[ Taylor follows him, stretching out on the couch instead. Gravity takes hold with the usual little whumph of air as he settles on the couch cushions. He props his cheek on his hand, watching Locus and Luna for a moment. What the hell happened to this kid?

Well. He'd seen some of it- most of it- in the Legacy. But there's more. ]

Then it's about time I sat and listened, innit?

[agnominal]

It's not all that interesting. It is what it is.

[ He shrugs a little, circling around to sit beside Taylor on the couch, though a small distance away. ]

I'm not very good with making friends. Being invisible might have made things easier. That's all.

[goddamngrenades]

You're introverted. [ He shrugs. ] Wouldn't call you shy but- quiet? Doesn't mean you're all that difficult to talk to.

[agnominal]

Sometimes it's difficult to talk.

[ He shrugs again. ]

Other people usually fill the silence if you let them.

[goddamngrenades]

You're not having a hard time talking to me.

[ Just pointing that out, here. ]

Finding words is a bitch sometimes, I agree. But we're doing fine.

[agnominal]

[ He seems to realize that after a moment, and then? The most hesitant of grins (but still clearly a grin) starts to dawn on his face. ]

I suppose you're right. We must be friends.

[goddamngrenades]

[ holyshit he smiles. It's usually something he has to fight to earn and it's never more than a quirk. A twitch. It's-

Cute on young him.

He shoves that thought far away as he reaches out to pat Locus' shoulder. ]

Told you.

[agnominal]

[ The smile grows wider and, again, his gaze slips away. Back to Luna, who is peacefully snoozing against the crook of his arm. ]

You mentioned someone else. Wash?

[goddamngrenades]

Yeah, but he got hit by this too I think. I'm pretty sure.

[ He scrubs a hand down his face, sighing. ]

I'm just waiting to change my own damn self. That'll be fun.

[agnominal]

You don't sound convinced.

[ Not that he'd be happy with the prospect, even where he is now. No one really wants to revisit their past, not that he can imagine at least. ]

[goddamngrenades]

I was kind of a jackass. I still am a Jackass, just not as much as I used to be.

[ By a long goddamn shot. ]

Self centered asshole kinda guy.

[agnominal]

[ Sam's brow wrinkles. ]

That doesn't sound like you. You seem...nice.

[ He's only been speaking to him for twenty minutes or so, but it still reads that way to him. ]

[goddamngrenades]

It comes from looking back at my younger self, my choices? And cringing.

Lots and lots of cringing.

[ God he was such a jackass. ]

[agnominal]

Well...

[ He thinks about this for a moment, his expression very grave, before he makes eye contact once again. ]

If that does happen, I'll be there. And I'll try to remind you what you're really like.

[goddamngrenades]

...Thanks bud.

[ It's so damn habitual he doesn't even think before closing the distance by listing to the side. Flopping over to lean against Sam. He doesn't have the same bulk to him that Locus does but- he's warm. He's familiar. ]

Seriously. Thanks. I dunno how well that will work but- thanks.

[agnominal]

[ He startles, visibly. But after a moment that stiffness goes a little lax. It's less discomfort than surprise, but it feels...

They're friends. This must be what it's like.

A brief smile dawns on his face before he nods and lifts an arm to let Taylor get more comfortable. ]

It couldn't hurt to try. You got through to me.

[goddamngrenades]

Oh shit, sorry-

[ He starts to pull away before Sam shifts to accommodate and...then he just. Settles. Like it's any other day when he comes to talk to Locus. ]

I guess not. I'm gonna write noes to myself, see if that'll help your case. "Don't be a douchebag, Agent York".

[agnominal]

I thought you said your name was Taylor?

[ There's that confused look again. Was he misremembering? ]

[goddamngrenades]

It is. When I achieved full 'true jackass', I was in a secret military project where we all went by statenames. I was Special Agent New York. Agent York.

[ Project Freelancer. God. He'd bought that shit hook, line, and sinker. ]

[agnominal]

I see. So you fought in the war as well?

[ His interest is piqued. ]

Is that how we know one another?

[goddamngrenades]

Yeup. Ran a squad till I didn't. Signed on for Project Freelancer afterward till that didn't work out. Kept my head down after that.

[ The only way to live. ]

Nah, I didn't meet you till we both got pulled here.

[agnominal]

And where is here, exactly? It looks like a UNSC installation.

[ But he's getting the feeling that may not be the case after all. ]

[goddamngrenades]

Legion World. We're in a different universe. Right now? We're in your habitat. Old you chose this for...some reason. I never asked.

[ He shrugs, not much else to say. ]

My habitat looks like a ranch house in East Texas.