ROAD TRIP (Backdated Log)

[iamnotgod]

Date: Nov. 17th
Characters: Walter Weekes and Russell Scordato

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They had talked about visiting the Boundary in person before, but things had subsequently been sidetracked by both the bomb evacuation (and related volunteering) and Halloween.

Walter was in no mind to put this idea off forever, though - which is why he's currently half-on his bike outside of the flat and gesturing at the open door for Russell to hurry up.

Comments

[iamnotgod]

Well, that seems like more than enough for one day. Walter hits 'stop' on the recording once there's footage of Russell crossing back over on it.

"Now you know how I felt," he comments, voice wry, as he hands the phone back to his friend.

[spaghettimonster]

"It just wasn't there," Russell manages to say as he takes a deep breath, and accepts it back.

The phone's open to the camera app, paused on the recently saved video, and he stares at its unmoving image. Walter seems confident it was the same for both of them, but he has to talk his thoughts aloud for a moment.

"I... I was me, no question about it, but all of this nonsense was gone. And a lot more went with it, I can't imagine how I'll visit anyone and seem normal."

He runs a hand into his hair, never mind the styling gel.

"I'm going to need to write myself some cover stories, or something..."

[iamnotgod]

"That is what Ben and Sadie did..."

Coordinating cover stories would be essential, he could tell.

Walter aims a look at the horizon; funny how at this time of year and day, the rising sun was in the same direction as this edge of the Boundary.

"Are we still on for checking the river, or would it be better to not try and one-up ourselves today?"

[spaghettimonster]

He nods. Makes sense, it seems his cousin and friend had planned their excursion with a lot of forethought. He hasn't asked too much about it, since any comments acknowledging it'd been a date would probably fluster and embarrass them...

But he'll have to compare stories with them sometime, now.

"Oh, let's. We've already done this, no sense stopping the day so soon."

That, and whether they find something or not, the anticipation that they might will fill the day with other memories than this alarm. It won't help Walter reduce the memory, but it can help Russell.

[iamnotgod]

Ben and Sadie have good heads on both their shoulders; they're well-suited for each other, all teasing aside.

At Russell's agreement, Walter finally remounts his bike.

"I'll let you lead this time," he says - and a sly grin starts to show back up on his face at that.

"Promise I won't chase you!"

The humor helps to settle him, a little.