[video - evening, day 502]

[shinybaldhead]

[ Gunn is grinning when the video feed flickers on. He's also scuffed up - no actual damage, but he's smudged with dirt and grass. He seems pleased as hell about it, though.

In the background, Native children are yelling and running in the park, some calling out orders, some chasing others. There is apparently some sort of game going on. ]

Anyone else checked this out in the park today? They're plays Travelers and Giants. It's - heh. Well, it's flattering, I guess, but man: these kids are kicking my ass. Y'all should get out here and play. Not like we get a whole lotta chance for that these days.

Comments

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Travellers and Giants? That is so cool!

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

These kids are really something else, man.

action son

[allbloodyhail]

[ spike hasn't been keeping up on the network but he's on his way home when he spots a familiar and v shiny head. ] Charlie, what are you--

[ a swarm of native chilluns are pulling him into the game before he knows what's going on, alarm and bemusement mixing with exhaustion on his face. ]

Well, alright then.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

How much do they love the actual Travellers coming by?

good

[shinybaldhead]

[ Gunn will just skim his hand over his head, snorting a quiet laugh when Spike gets pulled in. Good to see him, he thinks, out here - maybe the kids'll do him some good. ]

Yeah. I didn't have much choice, either.

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

They keep getting my name wrong, but, uh, I think I have a mini fanclub situation going on here.

[ Aaand he couldn't sound more privately pleased about that. ]

video forever;

[torchwoodteaboy]

[Ianto raises an eyebrow. After that business with the Fire Giants, he's a little wary of the word.]

Travelers and Giants...?

[shinybaldhead]

Hey, relax.

[ He shifts the bracelet, giving a better vantage point of the kids playing. ]

Just a game.

[torchwoodteaboy]

Not quite sure what sort of game it might be, is all. And whether or not I should be offended or not. Aren't we technically the 'Travelers'?

[fredless]

[Someone's not even gonna bother announcing her arrival. Instead she just creeps up behind him, wondering just how distracted those kids have Charles.

Creep. Creep. Creep.

Pylea went and gave her quiet feet]

...boo.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

I love mini fanclubs.

I'll come by. Couldn't possibly resist.

[shinybaldhead]

Hah, yeah. It's like cops and robbers, I guess.

[ He ducks his head in a little, just enough to lower his voice. ]

They are definitely playing us up like superheroes. It kicks ass.

[shinybaldhead]

[ He jumps and turns fast, visibly caught off guard and ready to noogie some kid into the 'Giants' jail, but- ]

Hey!

[ Breathless and grinning a little sheepishly. ]

You, uh. You definitely didn't scare me there.

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

Good. They're about to wear me out, man. You need directions?

[fredless]

[a smile catches]

Sure I didn't.

[shinybaldhead]

[ Same here. ]

You don't believe me, huh. What're you doing sneaking up on a guy like that, anyway?

[fredless]

[She starts to turn]

Well if it's an issue, I can sneak back the way I came from...

[shinybaldhead]

[ His hand goes to catch her arm immediately. ]

No, I don't think so. You're out here -- pretty sure that makes you obligated to play.

[fredless]

[She doesn't make any move to untangle themselves]

Are you gonna teach me the rules?

[shinybaldhead]

No way. You'll kick my ass in a second if you do. I think you playing blind just makes it a little more fair.

[fredless]

So for the record, you want to play fair.

[This might come up again later]

[shinybaldhead]

[ He's suspicious, but only playfully so. ]

Well. Gotta set a good example for the kids, right?

[fredless]

Stacking the playing field in your favor.

[her fingers curl a little against his palm]

The best example possible, I'm thinking.

[shinybaldhead]

Hey --

[ He squeezes her fingers and briefly, briefly regrets the fact that there's not a ring there. Maybe he should fix that. ]

Fairness is an important quality to instill in a kid. Or, uh, so I hear. My stacking of the playing deck is totally justified.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Nah, I've been here for ages, I can find anything in this city. Don't worry. I'm coming to rescue you.

[allbloodyhail]

[ he snorts. ] Was on my way back to get some shut-eye but I guess it can wait.

[Video]

[allpurposescarf]

Are they really?

[Because if so that's kind of neat.]

[fredless]

[Fred can't help but laugh as she pulls closer. And then even closer still]

...I'm still gonna kick your ass.

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

[ Glancing over his shoulder, then -- ]

You better make it quick, 'cause they're about to throw me into jail.

[shinybaldhead]

[ That? That's actually enough to give Gunn pause. ]

-- hey, dude, no. Why don't you go get some sleep and head out here later? We'll still be playing.

[ Is that concern? Yeah, that's concern. ]

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

Yeah. Gotta say-

[ He's shifting the bracelet to show the kids again. They're laughing, tagging each other, having a blast. ]

It's pretty cute.

[shinybaldhead]

[ He ducks his head next to her ear, just because there are kids nearby: ]

Yeah. But don't you always kick my ass?

[ Playfully, he kisses the shell of it, before backing up and ducking into the group of kids. ]

[fredless]

[She laughs softly, her own breath bouncing back at her from the pocket they've created]

Only when you deserve it.


[Which can be taken several ways. Fred watches him leave and laughs again.

It's on]

[Video]

[allpurposescarf]

So it is. A brief bright spot in the dark that seems to be bearing down on us all.

[Video]

[shinybaldhead]

You always this gloomy?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Oh dear. What for?

[Video]

[allpurposescarf]

Oh, only sometimes. When there's nothing else for it, mostly.