the roof ; tuesday afternoon

[flickofthewrist]

It was chilly today. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, the chill seeping into his bones and making him aware that winter was closing in, but he still wasn't a fan. His worn and battered coat was pulled tight around him and was doing an admirable job of keeping him warm.

He didn't know why he'd come up here today. Flick tended to keep to the gym or his own floor but he felt like getting some fresh air today. He'd hopped up on the roof ledge, letting his feet dangle over the side and he closed his eyes, breathing in.

Unbidden, Jude floated in front of him, arms crossed. Flick started, almost reaching out to drag his brother back towards the tangible ground but his hand didn't reach and Jude merely laughed.

"Already dead, big brother," Jude reminded him with a small smile. "Don't worry."

"Don't say that," Flick said, scrunching his shoulders up. "I should be the dead one, not you."

When Flick looked up, Jude was closer and his eyes were blazing. "Don't you ever say that again, Flick. Ever. I mean it. Promise me."

Flick shook his head and tried to wake up or banish Jude since he didn't want to have this conversation. "No. It's true."

There wasn't time for a reply because Flick jerked away from the small nap he'd fallen into while sitting on the roof. Jude was gone. The air was still seeping into his skin and he exhaled quietly.

[Open space, open post. NFB on Jude appearing since he's a ghostie so feel free to hear Flick talking to no one at all, if you'd like.]

Comments

[flickofthewrist]

"Yeah." That wasn't a lie. "I need to go home. Stuff to do there that's not getting done while I'm here."

[pulseof_life]

"That is how it happens." Yeul nodded, the breeze tugging at her veil. "Will you be enacting changes or reacting to them? If I may ask that."

[flickofthewrist]

"Enacting."

If he had anything to do with it, he'd be enacting many changes.

"Probably have to do a bit of reacting as well. Just to see how the playing field levels out."

[pulseof_life]

"Do you think it will?" Yeul wondered. "Level, I mean."

[flickofthewrist]

"Dunno."

There were a lot of irons in the fire when it came to Mandel Academy and the people within. "Best case scenario? Everything will level out without any trouble at all. But really, when does the best case scenario ever happen?"

[pulseof_life]

"Very rarely." Yeul looked at him seriously. "No matter how many plans are made, that happens so rarely that it might not happen at all. The future is full of bumps, no matter how the future comes about."

[flickofthewrist]

"Yeah, I'm used to bumps." Both of the literal and metaphorical kind. "Just gotta adapt to the bumps. Expect them. And I do. I always expect the absolute worst thing to happen."

[pulseof_life]

"And then are surprised when things aren't so bad?" she asked lightly.

[flickofthewrist]

"I like surprises," he said simply. "Nice when they happen."

[pulseof_life]

"I shall hope for surprises for you, then," Yeul offered. "Good ones, of course."

[flickofthewrist]

"Thanks," Flick said, nodding and smiling very briefly. "My cynicism prevents me from thinking anything good will happen but I'll continue to try and be hopeful."

[pulseof_life]

"It is good to try," she said earnestly. "Even if it's only the hope that the next day will be a little better, it's important to believe. Otherwise no one would get out of bed in the morning."