Lester Papadopoulos (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lesterzeppelin) wrote2018-01-27 03:39 pm
lesterzeppelin) wrote2018-01-27 03:39 pm
mask or menace | inbox
text | voice | video | action
text | voice | video | action
Yeah?
I've been blaming Woden this whole time.
I've been blaming Woden this whole time.
Always.
It's your home toodork.
I'll see you in a bit then.
It's your home too
I'll see you in a bit then.
[I'm doing this here instead of fanport, yolo
So Quatre was pretty busy preparing to be in space and all, which is why he didn't end up dropping by whatever that convention was (and honestly, it seemed a little strange...). He can at least make it up to his friends by sending them some nice pictures.
Lester gets an image file with a photo taken from the ship's computer: a shot of the sun like one big lensflare shining in outer space, the earth off to the side. It's bright enough that the camera can't pick out the rest of the stars in the sky. Quatre's obviously the one who named the file.]
attached: long time no see.jpeg
So Quatre was pretty busy preparing to be in space and all, which is why he didn't end up dropping by whatever that convention was (and honestly, it seemed a little strange...). He can at least make it up to his friends by sending them some nice pictures.
Lester gets an image file with a photo taken from the ship's computer: a shot of the sun like one big lensflare shining in outer space, the earth off to the side. It's bright enough that the camera can't pick out the rest of the stars in the sky. Quatre's obviously the one who named the file.]
attached: long time no see.jpeg
[ Once he hears that knock, he opens the door and rushes right into her arms. Heartbeat, three weeks - all of it was way too long.
Forget the rest of the universe, and forget what home physically is. This, right here, is where his heart lives.
Quietly: ] Welcome home.
Forget the rest of the universe, and forget what home physically is. This, right here, is where his heart lives.
Quietly: ] Welcome home.
[ She'd been bracing herself for this moment — steeling herself against the emotion — but it overwhelms her anyway, breaking past all her walls the second he comes into her arms. Ah, fuck it. She squeezes Lester tight against herself, letting herself feel that welcome home in her bones.
Her voice is quiet, but that doesn't hide the way it wavers ever so slightly with emotion: ]
Hey, you.
Her voice is quiet, but that doesn't hide the way it wavers ever so slightly with emotion: ]
Hey, you.
[ For someone who normally eschews hospitality, Andy feels warm, and safe, and like all the bits and pieces of her that he had missed dearly for the past three weeks. Prior to arriving in this world, he wouldn't have thought too hard about the mortals he missed.
(Sometimes, even now, he still thinks about those he left behind in California.) ]
You hungry? [ He rests his head on her shoulder, mostly 'cause he can. ] I might've gone overboard with dinner.
(Sometimes, even now, he still thinks about those he left behind in California.) ]
You hungry? [ He rests his head on her shoulder, mostly 'cause he can. ] I might've gone overboard with dinner.
[ It's funny how something so commonplace, thanks to technology, feels so close and yet so far. Lester opens up the picture, not sure what to expect, but then he sees the sun and he can feel his heart breaking.
He didn't mean to abandon it! He woke up at the crack of dawn every morning, just to keep it going! And - and when he sees the file name, he can't help cracking up. ]
LOL it sure has been forever. ;)
Thank you!!!
[ He didn't expect to embark on a rollercoaster regarding the sun, but he supposes, that's where he is right now. ]
How's your journey going so far?
He didn't mean to abandon it! He woke up at the crack of dawn every morning, just to keep it going! And - and when he sees the file name, he can't help cracking up. ]
LOL it sure has been forever. ;)
Thank you!!!
[ He didn't expect to embark on a rollercoaster regarding the sun, but he supposes, that's where he is right now. ]
How's your journey going so far?
[For once, Quatre's far enough away that he can't pick up on Lester's emotions. Not that his abilities are functioning properly anyway, this far away from the Porter. That's part of the reason he's keeping to texts instead of the videos he usually prefers; it's much easier to hide how unsettled he's feeling over text.
Well, that and the fact that there's a fairly noticeable time lag due to the distance between the ship and the Earth. Quatre doesn't get Lester's reply for a few minutes after he sends it, and it takes another few minutes for Quatre's reply to reach him.]
Everything's quiet. [ha ha ha, he can't help himself.] Jacob convinced everyone to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. We're officially further into space than I've ever been in my universe. How are things on the planet?
Well, that and the fact that there's a fairly noticeable time lag due to the distance between the ship and the Earth. Quatre doesn't get Lester's reply for a few minutes after he sends it, and it takes another few minutes for Quatre's reply to reach him.]
Everything's quiet. [ha ha ha, he can't help himself.] Jacob convinced everyone to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. We're officially further into space than I've ever been in my universe. How are things on the planet?
[ Even if she'd been too dead to feel their separation, some part of her still feels a deep relief to be here with him, to come back and find that Lester is right where she left him, safe and sound. She'd probably eat burnt toast if he offered it to her right now and said he'd made it. ]
Sure. I could eat. [ She says that, but she doesn't let go yet or move to step any further inside. She's not ready to let go. ] Just... Give me one more minute.
[ One more minute to hold him. ]
Sure. I could eat. [ She says that, but she doesn't let go yet or move to step any further inside. She's not ready to let go. ] Just... Give me one more minute.
[ One more minute to hold him. ]
lol that sounds like Jacob. He's all about team bonding, or at least he is when it comes to Aegis Force stuff.
[ But the idea of them watching a movie is awfully nice. They're going to be in each other's company for a while, so they might as well try to befriend each other (or at the very least, be civil with each other).
He wishes he could grant them safe passage, but that's not a power of his anymore. ]
The planet's calmer than I expected, given that I expected some earth-side distraction while you were all gone, but don't worry. :) It's in good hands.
[ But the idea of them watching a movie is awfully nice. They're going to be in each other's company for a while, so they might as well try to befriend each other (or at the very least, be civil with each other).
He wishes he could grant them safe passage, but that's not a power of his anymore. ]
The planet's calmer than I expected, given that I expected some earth-side distraction while you were all gone, but don't worry. :) It's in good hands.
Yeah. Yeah, of course. [ He doesn't argue, let alone make any motion to move as he holds on, moving his hands up and resting them squarely in the middle of her back. It's like his fingertips want to hold onto her - just to make sure she's here, she's real, she's not a figment of his imagination.
Apollo had once loved affection, giving it out as freely as his songs and blessing. Lester... well, he still loves them, but he is a lot less good at determining at how long he should stay like this.
So, this once, he decides to let her choose when she wants to let go. He feels like he could stay like this for a long, long time. ]
Apollo had once loved affection, giving it out as freely as his songs and blessing. Lester... well, he still loves them, but he is a lot less good at determining at how long he should stay like this.
So, this once, he decides to let her choose when she wants to let go. He feels like he could stay like this for a long, long time. ]
[ She doesn't feel entirely real herself just yet. It's strange, being back. She'd been so very sure that it was over. And now she still feels half like a ghost, wandering on a plane she doesn't belong in. But his embrace helps — it grounds her a little with its familiarity. She's reluctant to let go. It's hard, when she finally pulls back. Harder than it should be.
Damn. She's really let herself get attached here, hasn't she? Despite all better reason.
Andy clears her throat as she turns away. ]
...You said something about dinner?
Damn. She's really let herself get attached here, hasn't she? Despite all better reason.
Andy clears her throat as she turns away. ]
...You said something about dinner?
I think it's a great idea! But it was kind of a strange movie. I suppose it was admirable of them to try. [At Kubrick: nice attempt?] ...Did he have you watch a movie for Aegis Force?
I'm glad. I honestly expected something to happen too-- it seems like the time for it, right? (Not that you aren't very capable of defending it, of course; there are just a lot of big names up here, and it would be a PR blow.) Maybe you've intimidated them already?
I'm glad. I honestly expected something to happen too-- it seems like the time for it, right? (Not that you aren't very capable of defending it, of course; there are just a lot of big names up here, and it would be a PR blow.) Maybe you've intimidated them already?
Gods no. Don't give him the idea, either 😤
idt my heart would be able to take whatever he or Williams would choose
[ He's exaggerating. . . . Mostly. ]
Exactly, which makes the /lack/ of an attack all the more worrying.
That said, I probably jinxed it. I doubt Lester Papadopoulos could intimidate anyone, lol, but it's a nice thought.
Apollo, on the other hand . . . well, he would've struck fear into a whole army.
idt my heart would be able to take whatever he or Williams would choose
[ He's exaggerating. . . . Mostly. ]
Exactly, which makes the /lack/ of an attack all the more worrying.
That said, I probably jinxed it. I doubt Lester Papadopoulos could intimidate anyone, lol, but it's a nice thought.
Apollo, on the other hand . . . well, he would've struck fear into a whole army.
[ When she pulls back, Apollo resists the urge to cling even tighter. She's here, she's real, she's going to be here for a while. Logically, he knows this. Emotionally, he - he's going to need some time.
(He can feel this, deep down.)
But he pays his heart zero mind as he nods, forcing a hum as he steps aside to let her in. ] Uh-huh. A proper dinner too, none of that fast food crap that occasionally passes for food.
[ The scent of mirepoux wafts through the air as Lester turns towards their kitchen and rushes to grab a couple of bowls. He's made a whole pot of Fassolatha, a tray of traditional stuffed tomatoes with meat and rice, and a piping hot spinach pie.
Gods like Apollo were supposed to look forward, to embrace the new world and ever-changing civilization, but gods-turned-mortals are awfully homesick for the motherland. Or, more bitterly, he thinks he was homesick for his sisters. ]
(He can feel this, deep down.)
But he pays his heart zero mind as he nods, forcing a hum as he steps aside to let her in. ] Uh-huh. A proper dinner too, none of that fast food crap that occasionally passes for food.
[ The scent of mirepoux wafts through the air as Lester turns towards their kitchen and rushes to grab a couple of bowls. He's made a whole pot of Fassolatha, a tray of traditional stuffed tomatoes with meat and rice, and a piping hot spinach pie.
Gods like Apollo were supposed to look forward, to embrace the new world and ever-changing civilization, but gods-turned-mortals are awfully homesick for the motherland. Or, more bitterly, he thinks he was homesick for his sisters. ]
[ When she walks into the kitchen, it smells amazing. And familiar. She'd spent a lot of time in Greece, both in the ancient times and in the new, and the scent brings back dusty memories of Pyanopsia. Fitting. She probably owes a lot of thanks, and not least of all to Apollo. For welcoming her home, first of all. And accepting her to begin with. ]
You didn't have to go out of your way. [ She says that instead of the thanks she owes, because gratitude is difficult and those words have become rusty from disuse. ] Next time, I'll cook. Make you something from the old world, if you're feeling nostalgic.
You didn't have to go out of your way. [ She says that instead of the thanks she owes, because gratitude is difficult and those words have become rusty from disuse. ] Next time, I'll cook. Make you something from the old world, if you're feeling nostalgic.
I know. [ His voice is fond as he scoops that Fassolatha into two bowls, one for each of them. From experience, he also knows just how hard two words can be. Gods never thanked other people - not themselves, not other mortals, and especially not demigods.
It's funny; Lester has an easier time expressing love and affection than even the great Apollo ever would. ]
Only if you want to. [ He slides a bowl her way, gently, ] It's weird. I never really felt like eating this kind of food when I was Apollo, but now I'm craving it all the time.
It's funny; Lester has an easier time expressing love and affection than even the great Apollo ever would. ]
Only if you want to. [ He slides a bowl her way, gently, ] It's weird. I never really felt like eating this kind of food when I was Apollo, but now I'm craving it all the time.
[ She leans up against the counter, reaching out to accept the bowl with a little nod of acknowledgement. It's warm to the touch — and it smells nice. Homey. Filling her senses and comforting some tired part of her, deep down inside. All before she's even had a mouthful of the stuff. ]
I can't remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal before the Porter brought me here. Now I've had more in the past few months than I've had in decades. [ There's a faint, wry twist of her mouth. Fleeting. She pauses before going on: ] What'd you do while I was gone? [ As if it were a vacation or something. A trip she'd returned from. ] Anything interesting?
I can't remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal before the Porter brought me here. Now I've had more in the past few months than I've had in decades. [ There's a faint, wry twist of her mouth. Fleeting. She pauses before going on: ] What'd you do while I was gone? [ As if it were a vacation or something. A trip she'd returned from. ] Anything interesting?
Given the circumstances, with everyone so afraid of what imPorts can do in this world... maybe it's better to have Lester Papadopoulos than Apollo right now. We could use a little less fear.
(You're still very capable of defending the planet if it needs it either way.)
(You're still very capable of defending the planet if it needs it either way.)
[ Apollo is half-tempted to blame his cravings for the old, returning that smile as he digs into his meal. As a former god, he doesn't think about blessing it and/or thanking them - he was once seated on a throne, and those same gods haven't been listening to him now. (So why should he bother?) ]
Oh, uh - [ he actually pauses, thinking back to the weeks without her. First, he had visited M to get the truth, and that visit had been weird. Enlightening, but weird. ] Nothing too exciting. I got invited to Kylo Ren's birthday party tomorrow at the aquarium. Which is weird, since I don't even know the guy, but an invite's an invite.
[ He shrugs, struggling to come up with stuff - because his life pretty much feels like it's full only when Andy's around, ] Besides that, the summer students had their big recital, Florida is stupidly hot and humid, and... I don't know? Will and I kept having family dinners?
Oh, uh - [ he actually pauses, thinking back to the weeks without her. First, he had visited M to get the truth, and that visit had been weird. Enlightening, but weird. ] Nothing too exciting. I got invited to Kylo Ren's birthday party tomorrow at the aquarium. Which is weird, since I don't even know the guy, but an invite's an invite.
[ He shrugs, struggling to come up with stuff - because his life pretty much feels like it's full only when Andy's around, ] Besides that, the summer students had their big recital, Florida is stupidly hot and humid, and... I don't know? Will and I kept having family dinners?
[ He pauses, longer than usual - this world needs a Lester? The gangly guy who can't even control his acne? It feels laughable. Apollo doesn't like his reflection, let alone the lack of powers he has in his arsenal.
(Sure, the audiokinesis helps. It's still only a small, tiny fraction. A piece of him, struggling to find the rest of his missing potential.) ]
Thanks, I think.
I miss who I used to be. Saying otherwise would be lying, and that goes against who I am.
At the same time, I'm glad for your vote of confidence in me.
(Sure, the audiokinesis helps. It's still only a small, tiny fraction. A piece of him, struggling to find the rest of his missing potential.) ]
Thanks, I think.
I miss who I used to be. Saying otherwise would be lying, and that goes against who I am.
At the same time, I'm glad for your vote of confidence in me.
I think you can miss who you were and still be needed as you are.
[But maybe that's too easy for him to say when he's not the one struggling with it. He follows it up with something more lighthearted as an out.]
You were pretty popular at that imPort conference, after all! I saw some of your pictures before I left.
[fanport. he still doesn't quite get what fanport is.]
[But maybe that's too easy for him to say when he's not the one struggling with it. He follows it up with something more lighthearted as an out.]
You were pretty popular at that imPort conference, after all! I saw some of your pictures before I left.
[fanport. he still doesn't quite get what fanport is.]
[ Andy doesn't seem to use the names of gods for much besides swearing these days anyway — so no grace or blessing on her end either. But the food is good. Warm. Imbued with that special something, that cooked-with-love quality. ]
Must be nice, being so damn popular you get invited to random people's birthday parties. [ It's wry, but not unkind. A little amused maybe. She welcomes this more than she thought she would — just shooting the shit with him, talking about normal stuff instead of whatever fuckery she's just been through. ] How's Will? Still making you proud, huh?
Must be nice, being so damn popular you get invited to random people's birthday parties. [ It's wry, but not unkind. A little amused maybe. She welcomes this more than she thought she would — just shooting the shit with him, talking about normal stuff instead of whatever fuckery she's just been through. ] How's Will? Still making you proud, huh?
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