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[matadorable]

If you're hearing this message, I am probably not here. Or I am furiously pressing every button I can because I forgot how this thing works. One of the two! Either way, I will get back to you...eventually.

Comments

audio;

[matadorable]

Yes. The people in my life are too important to give anything less.

[On the surface, the next question might seem like a change of subject, but there's a clear thread linking the two in Manolo's mind.]

By the way...I don't know if you've heard, but I finished the demo of my concept album. There's a copy in Kaneda's jukebox, if you ever feel like listening to it. No pressure, though! I know you're busy with your television program and everything, so...

audio;

[missleadingquestions]

What? Really?! He didn't tell me!

[She's gonna hit him.

It sounds like she's getting up, actually--]

When did you get it? Are you gonna like, start selling cds for real?

audio;

[matadorable]

[Manolo gives a laugh that might be just a tad nervous.]

Well, I don't know about that. My native friend just burned some recordings from my communicator into the CD. No fancy equipment like the professionals use, so the quality isn't that great. I didn't think about whether anyone would actually buy it. I just thought...having something is better than nothing at all, you know?

[Plus he goes to bed every night wondering whether the Porter will take him away. When death constantly hangs over you, it brings a certain sense of urgency into your life.]

audio;

[missleadingquestions]

Are you kidding? I'd buy it. And that's saying something.

[Because usually she'd make Nick or Kaneda buy it.]

I wanna listen! He should have told me about it. You're really good, Manny! Like, rockstar good!

audio;

[matadorable]

I don't know if this simple guitarrista would call himself a "rockstar", but I'm very happy you think so, Maya. [And it's true. The smile comes through loud and clear in his tone of voice.]

I've got some extra copies if you want one. Or maybe you can borrow Kaneda's jukebox for awhile. I'm sure he wouldn't mind!

audio;

[missleadingquestions]

Of course not, he's a pushover! It'll be fine.

Buuuuut, I could give a CD to JJ....

audio;

[matadorable]

[Manolo just laughs at that dig at Kaneda's expense. He loves the guy, but it's funny hearing Maya give him a hard time.]

JJ? Does she like listening to the guitar? [It doesn't occur to him that someone in television might be interested in helping him advance his musical pursuits, so he needs a little help putting two and two together.]

audio;

[missleadingquestions]

Aaaactually, she's looking for more people to do music for the show and I was like, y'know, Manny sings.

SO, it'd be pretty cool if she could listen to you.

audio;

[matadorable]

Whaaaat. No way, you really think she'd invite me to play for your program??

3/31, early morning

[medalsome]

[After tossing and turning all night, Joaquin managed to get a max of four hours of sleep, managing to sleep through his first alarm that usually woke him for his jog. His eyes felt puffy and dry, like they'd been coated with salt overnight and his chest was still congested with dread. He had really, really fucked up this time. And it was different than how things had gone with Manolo, because deep down despite all his worries Joaquin knew Manolo would forgive him. Hermann and Newton, though...

He didn't deserve their forgiveness or even their pity, should it arise from all this. He deserved a punch in the face, but neither of them were likely strong enough to make much a dent. Maybe he could ask Manolo to do it for them instead. Which... actually led to an interesting thought.

Getting up, forgetting his morning routine completely, Joaquin hurried over on bare feet and still in his pjs over to Manolo's door. The musician was likely still asleep but Joaquin was willing to get Manolo all the caffeine he needed if it meant he could actually do something that might help. He knocked on the door steadily but with some urgency.]

Manolo? I need your help with something.

[matadorable]

[There was some muffled shuffling behind the door before Manolo slowly pushed it open. He was still in his T-shirt and boxers, and his tousled hair wasn't tied back. Blearily, he stared at Joaquin, barely stifling a yawn as he responded.]

Joaquin? What is it?

[medalsome]

[Manolo looked like a mess, but with his red-rimmed eyes and bedhead Joaquin was likely not looking much better. He reaches out and places his hands on Manolo's shoulders, trying to impart the importance of his request.]

I need your help getting Newton and Hermann back together. I can't do it by myself and they both kind of hate me right now, but we could probably get it to happen if we worked together!

[matadorable]

[The weight of Joaquin's hands dispelled some of the drowsiness, the urgency his voice making him more alert. Manolo straightened up a little, although he began to wear a confused frown.]

...Why do they both hate you? [And then his eyes grew round like saucers.] Joaquin. Don't tell me you actually...

[medalsome]

[Panic swells in his chest and he begins to madly shush Manolo while pushing him back into the room, closing the door behind them for some privacy.]

Shhh shh shh! Just listen, okay!

[He runs a hand through his hair and glances around, finding nothing to help him in the darkened room.]

Look... Nothing happened, which is why Hermann hates me. Newt hates me because he's offended on behalf of his older self. But that doesn't really matter now; they can hate me all they want. What does matter is they need to realize how much they mean to each other again! It's... really painful seeing them both so angry and cynical all the time.

[matadorable]

Hey. Joaquin, don't push me--

[He's more crabby from lack of sleep than anything else, though, and he settles down once his friend shuts the door.

Manolo lets out a small breath at the explanation, growing much more sympathetic at Joaquin's distress.]

Were they really like this back home too? How did they end up putting their differences aside in the first place? Do you know?

[medalsome]

You know, I'm not entirely sure, but I know some of the story.

[He leans back against the door, calming somewhat.] So, they originally met over letter, and it was years before they met in person, and when they did they fought. From what I can tell, from how old they are now... it wasn't that long ago that they met for the first time, so it's fresh pain. They... expected different things after those letters.

[He sighs.] The Hermann and Newt we're used to, that's like... ten years down the line. They've dealt with each other long enough by then, and at some point Hermann saves Newt's life and then they do their drift thing. And they save their world. So I guess all that helped bring them around.

[matadorable]

[Manolo patiently listens, growing more disheartened the more he hears about their history. The thing about the letters, that much he'd gathered...but that it would take something so drastic to pull them together? It doesn't bode well for any attempts to get them to openly love the other.

Still, he's not sure he entirely understands, so he asks:]

What do you mean, "drift thing"? What is that?

[medalsome]

[Joaquin pauses, regarding Manolo with pursed lips.]

Have they not told you about that? Um... [Well, this might break some privacy promises in that case, but this was Manolo. He wasn't going to use this knowledge against them.] Basically, they share a mind. Sort of? I'm not really sure about the details, but that's one of their powers here but it was started back home. They call it the "drift" and it means Hermann and Newt are always connected, ah, mentally.

[matadorable]

Wait, wait, wait. [Manolo holds up a hand as his racing mind tries to catch up.] You are saying they're literally connected in that way. Newt mentioned it before, but I thought he was just being poetic!

[medalsome]

No, no! Seriously, they're connected through their brainwaves! That's why it was so hard on Hermann was Newton was kidnapped; it felt like he was losing his mind! Newt too, though the trauma from being kidnapped and surrounded the whole time kept him somewhat preoccupied...

[matadorable]

Oh. [He scratches the side of his head as he takes that piece of information into account.] Well, if they share a brain now, and they still don't get along...I'm not sure what we can do that won't just make the whole thing worse.

[Especially if they're already angry at Joaquin.]

[medalsome]

No, you're not... Look. Manolo.

They both built up expectations and when they met for the first time all those expectations were shattered. While they do share a brain they no longer have the memories they had before that got them to that point.

What we need to do is try to help them remember what they did love about each other, then the caring for each other should work itself out again, right? I mean, from what Newt's told me he was really enthralled by Hermann in his letters. Hermann is still important to him, but he's hurt that Hermann judged him so harshly when they first met.

Hermann... [He rubs at his face.] I'm still a little at a loss on how to handle him, but given that he'd always choose Newt over me in a heartbeat before this all happened, I imagine there's gotta be a way we can get it to work for them. There's just gotta!

[matadorable]

[He already gathered that all this contention comes from a case of broken expectations and a mess of hurt feelings. That’s where the biggest issue lies. If neither of them can set aside their pride long enough to apologize and actually listen to each other, then how can they start building a loving, respectful relationship?

Manolo purses his lips a moment as he mulls over the situation.]

Well, in Dr. Gottlieb’s case, he acts like the things he loved about Newt were lies. If he could understand the same man who wrote those letters wouldn’t have existed without all of the other things that make Newt, well…Newt, then maybe he could learn to love all the other parts of him too. But even if he did learn, I am not so sure Newt will readily forgive him for breaking his heart unless Dr. Gottlieb is very obviously sorry about it and is serious about changing their relationship.

[Joaquin clearly wants their friends to be happy, and Manolo wants to see them together just as much. He lets out a small breath, genuine regret in his voice.] What I’m trying to say is…it might take some time. For both of them.

[medalsome]

[It was disheartening to say the least. Joaquin had expected Manolo to be more proactive about this, but even he seemed defeated. For a guy who conquered death once in order to be reunited with the person he loves the most, it sure didn't sound like he had much faith in their friends overcoming the odds.]

Yeah... Maybe... maybe you're right.

[Joaquin blinked, then again and again, suddenly aware there was wetness pooling in his eyes over his two friends. Oh no...]

I just... want to see them happy again. I feel so bad. It's not even my fault they're this way, but I feel like... like I'm letting them down if I don't try to help them.

[matadorable]

Hey, things will be okay… [Manolo reaches out to gently grasp Joaquin’s upper arm in what he hopes is a comforting gesture.] Maybe we can’t fix the problem for them, but we can still support them, right?

[The situation isn’t completely hopeless, not by a long shot. Hermann and Newt were able to work out their difference once, after all, and he wants to believe in the power of love with all of his heart. Still, Manolo can’t get over how vitriolic their relationship had become. The sheer meanness of it is overwhelming, not to mention completely outside of his own personal experiences.]