[027] looking back on the track, gonna do things my way

[notafuckingnut]

[Well this guy here doesn't look at all like Richie; he's cool, calm, and collected, for one, practically jovial. A guy who's completely in control of whatever situation he finds himself in. Even this one. He grins, easy and charming, like a fox in the henhouse; say hello to the more together of the Gecko brothers, Barge.]

Well I have to hand it to you folks, you're handling this whole "prison in space" thing pretty well considering it's pretty much a glorified fucking death trap. But far be it for me to judge your life choices, right? Those of you who made the choice, anyway; that's your business, and quite frankly I don't care.

But hey, I'm here now, so I might as well make the best of it, right?

So let's start off with the easy stuff. My name's Seth, and I'm not part of your regular crew; looks like I'm here for my brother Richie, for whatever that's worth.

[Which, let's be real here, probably isn't worth much.

He hesitates, purses his lips like he's considering adding something else, but doesn't in the end, just shrugs, laces his fingers behind his head, and waits.]

...Also, if somebody could point me in the direction of the drinking establishment here I'd be in your debt.


[A/N: Richie is, obviously, affected, and has been replaced for the duration with his brother Seth. I'm pulling Seth from somewhere during the ride to Mexico, so consequently he's not really aware of Richie's death aside from what he could glean from the Network. It's safe to assume he's mostly caught up on what he's been up to before he posted though.]

Comments

[apartapartapart]

I got a couple things to ask you, mac. A couple real important things about the guy you're here for, since it seems like we've got a couple things in common.

[notafuckingnut]

Is that right.

[No, he's not stupid; he saw your post, he connected the dots. But he's not about to give anything away until he knows exactly what your deal is.]

[apartapartapart]

From your lack of a more extensive answer, it's clear you think you know more than I do. Now, I don't like it when people think they can
put one over on me, so I want to know just what that is.

[notafuckingnut]

Not at all, I'm just waiting for the questions. A guy can be co-operative, can't he? So. Shoot.

lol what is private this is graham

[apartapartapart]

I'm going to make this short: what kind of trouble does this Richie kid cause?

that's okay, Seth understands [Private]

[notafuckingnut]

And what's it to you, exactly?

you can still hear his side of this

[apartapartapart]

You ever want to know about the new guy your sister's spending all that time around? Make sure he's not taking advantage?

[notafuckingnut]

I don't have a sister, but I understand your point.

From the looks of things, though, you've got nothing to worry about, pal.

[Luckily. He's both surprised and relieved.]

[apartapartapart]

The hell's he even in for?

[yeahscience]

Richie Gecko?

[notafuckingnut]

He'd be the one, yeah.

[Why, what's he gotten into now. HE'S NOT EVEN HERE RIGHT NOW.]

What's up, kid, are you looking for him, or just making conversation?

[yeahscience]

Just wondering. I think my brother Jesse knows him.

[notafuckingnut]

Pinkman? Looks like it. Seems like a good kid, mostly.

[yeahscience]

[Jake blinks, because that's literally the last adjective he would use to describe Jesse.] ...Okay.

[notafuckingnut]

[Hey, considering his own life choices, he really can't judge. Plus, if there are any bridges he can try to fix while he's here he figures it's worth a shot; he may not like the fact that Richie's here by himself, but he can recognize the value in it at least, and it won't do him much good if he's butting heads with everybody constantly.]

Obvious disagreements aside. But by the look on your face that's a surprise.

[yeahscience]

He's not... [...the good kid.] People just don't usually say that.

[notafuckingnut]

Maybe I think I owe the guy an apology. Maybe I just think he's got spunk; definitely looks like you could use it around here.

So. You got a name?

[Private -- Audio]

[some_kinda_hero]

Do you have any idea how damaged he is? How much you've influenced that?

[Private -- Audio]

[notafuckingnut]

[Watch as his jaw tics; he knows it's at least partially his fault. At least, what happened to Claire was, even if he wasn't physically around to stop it; an all too familiar guilt.]

Listen, gidget. I'm sorry about what happened, really, and if there's something I can do to make it right, I will. But exactly where do you get off blaming me?

[Private -- Audio]

[some_kinda_hero]

[Gidget. The Seth before called her that too. It's either unsettling or comforting, and she doesn't bother to figure out which.]

Because you're relationship with him is nothing short of unhealthy. But hey, maybe that's just the way he presented it, right? I picked up on hints of abuse, to say the least. Course, we both know how much he enjoys twisting words and turning a good story.

[Private -- Audio]

[notafuckingnut]

[He pinches the bridge of his nose; he did not come here to deal with the fallout of his brother's typical bullshit. He counts to ten. Breathe. Cool. Calm. Collected. Smile for the camera, although it's too tight; almost patronizing. Almost.]

I wouldn't put it exactly that way. It's more like...creative interpretation. It's like walking into a dark room and trying to guess what's in it; sometimes you're right, sometimes you're not, and as long as you've got somebody who knows the room reasonably well you don't stub your toe on every fucking thing in there.

[A pause. For effect, or to collect his thoughts, though probably a bit of both. He sucks in a breath through his teeth before speaking again, almost like a complete subject change.

Fine. They're having this conversation, and he guesses maybe it's the reason he's here anyway.]

You got any siblings, Claire? Brothers, sisters? Little fluffy dogs you call your children?

[Private -- Audio]

[some_kinda_hero]

[She wants to glare at you, Seth. But she keeps it on audio. And waits.]

Younger half-brothers, yes. Three of them.

[Private -- Video]

[notafuckingnut]

Three? Wow. Big family. Good. You like them? You feel responsible for them, being the older one? You try to look out for them?

[Private -- Audio]

[some_kinda_hero]

[Snorts. She sees what you're doing now. But she'll wait for it.] Yeah, when I can. Not that I'm much older than Lyle, nor does he listen.

[Private -- Video]

[notafuckingnut]

[See, this is where he differs from his brother. He may not have too many morals, but he sticks to the ones he has and is relatively okay at faking the rest when he has to. He knows how to talk the talk, how to work a crowd.]

Yeah, well that's not always one of those things you can guarantee. But you do your best, right?

[A commiserating smile. Like you're on the same team, really.]