lesterzeppelin | mask or menace

[ 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?

[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?

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.

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?

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.

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.)

[ 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.

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.]

[ That is unexpectedly profound - just like Quatre. Lester's going to have to write that on his bedroom wall later. ]

Oh yeah, at Fanport. :)
It was a fun weekend. Wish you could've been there, tbh.
The cosplayers were scarily accurate, and the art! Those were some dedicated and talented fans. idg how they love Lester so much, but they sure loved posing for selfies with me.

[ he could go on forever, but the main takeaway... ]

It reminded me of the festivals they used to have in Greece
the ones honoring me and my siblings, i mean.
so it was nice. weird, but nice.

[This all just seems to emphasize what Quatre's been saying: there are clearly some people who need Lester, even if it's just for their... well, whatever the point of Fanport was. Some sort of holiday thing, apparently. He still doesn't really get it, but the important part is: they love Lester! Even if the entire thing feels weird and a little uncomfortable? Quatre's used to being a public figure, but only in the sense that his name is recognized, not like he has fans.]

It sounds like you made a lot of people happy. I'm sorry I missed it. [not really.

...] Cosplayers are when people dress up like specific imPorts, right?

It’s okay! I bought plenty of stuff to show you when you get home 🎉🙌🏻

In this case, yeah, but not always.
Apparently the term also applies to the nerds who dress up like superheroes and comic book characters.

Really? I'll look forward to it! 😊

[(he's learning so much about emojis here, this is all Lester's fault)

Anyway, it takes him a second to realize that Lester means fictional superheroes, in addition to the real life ones running around.]

That sounds like a lot of work, isn't it? They must be really dedicated if they're dressing up like comic book heroes.

Exactly! Those characters mean the world to them.
Which is weird when you then realize hey, they're equally as invested in US. Different can of worms, same horrifying idea.

[ Because again, who the hell decides to invoke Lester in their every day life? He's a mess at the best of times. ]

[Dressing up in general does seem like a pretty extreme show of admiration, but... well, Quatre knows a few too many people named after inspiration figures not to understand the urge.]

I guess it's a sign that we're making a difference in their lives, however it may be. [Whether he thinks they deserve it or not.] It's a little strange, but maybe it's the fate of anyone who tries to change history, or stand up to protect people. Everyone needs a source of hope, right?

[Quatre they're cosplayers.]

Edited 2018-10-17 02:23 (UTC)

Yeah. That's why people are immortalized in stories that long outlive them. Thousands of years down the line, we're still talking about them because they mean SOMETHING to us.

That said, I'd prefer to immortalize someone with a good ballad.
Easier to memorize, and less effort for all parties involved.

Maybe the effort is part of the point. That way you prove that you really mean it.

Not that you wouldn't mean it with a ballad. That's still very meaningful too.

It is VERY meaningful, Quatre.
I'll have you know, you're getting one when you return from space.
It'll immortalize you and your companions forever ;)

Haha, that's very sweet! But you might want to wait to see what happens before we go immortalizing any of it. [in other words: complicated feelings about being recognized for smashing up outer space some more, ho!] I can't promise what we'll find.

Yeah, but the fact that you're out there is impressive enough.

Myth immortalized Icarus but it also immortalized Perseus.
Point being: you'll be fine. You've got a god on your side. ☀

[Both Icarus and Perseus, huh. He can't help but smile at that. Either succeed or fail trying. It's a very familiar feeling.]

Thanks Lester. We'll do our best up here if you do your best on the planet.

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