(no subject)

[herr_bookman]

Autor was out for a peaceful run around the lake, his bare feet squelching in the mud. Then the explosions started.

He doesn't even have time to process that they're just fireworks; he's already beating a retreat to the bar at full tilt, his heart hammering in his chest and cold sweat pouring down his neck. Once he arrives, he throws open the door and slams it behind him, panting heavily. He crawls under a booth, his hands shaking and his face pale.

[OOC: Millitimed to the evening of July 4th.]

Comments

[guppy_sandhu]

"Autor? Slow breaths, they're fireworks." Guppy says, crouching next to him.

[herr_bookman]

"F-Fireworks?" Autor says, gasping for breath. He wraps his arms around his knees and buries his face in them. "They sound just like mortars."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Fireworks, I promise." Guppy says. "Breathe slowly. In, count to six, out, count to six."

[herr_bookman]

Autor's trembling doesn't subside, but he does manage to count to six in his head with each breath. He draws in air like a man suffocating, great gulps of it. After a while, he's able to breathe a little more normally.

"So we're not under attack?" he says eventually, his head swimming. "Thanks, Guppy."

[guppy_sandhu]

"We're not, you're okay." Guppy says, just sitting with him, helping him count breaths.

[herr_bookman]

"I'm okay," Autor says, clinging to that notion. "I'm okay. I'm okay."

He draws a breath through his nose, biting his lower lip. Breathing out through his mouth, he closes his eyes. Then he opens them, glancing towards the door. "So... fireworks, huh? Why?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Fourth of July, I think." Guppy says. "Can't say I like them either."

[herr_bookman]

"Oh, right, the fourth of July, and the Americans," Autor says, shuddering. He leans his head on his knees and looks at Guppy. "I lost track of the days. Why don't you like them?"

[hadyougoing]

"Whoa!" Ava says, as a blur goes by.

A blur that looks kinda like--Autor?


Once she realizes where he's gone (she looks up before looking down), she hurries closer.

"Hey--is everything okay?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor's trembling under his booth, his eyes wide and searching. He focuses on Ava's face. "E-Explosions," he stammers. "Outside."

[hadyougoing]

"Oh," she says, glancing over her shoulder. "Yeah, it's ..."

She almost didn't notice the fireworks: summer and outdoor explosions go together in her mind. But as she has this thought, her eyes widen.

"Oh," she says, quicker, "it's a holiday from my world. Fourth of July? We set off fireworks, it's totally normal."

[herr_bookman]

"Fireworks?" Autor says, biting his lower lip. He gulps in air, trying to steady his hammering heart and swimming head. "Why the hell--The fourth of July? That's an American thing, isn't it?"

[hadyougoing]

Ava crouches down.

"Yeah," she agrees with a crooked smile. "It's our independence day."

[herr_bookman]

Autor slides his gaze her way, still panting heavily. "Well, I don't know why someone had to bring it here," he says, furrowing his brow. "Fireworks are dangerous."

[hadyougoing]

"So is freedom," Ava says, with a slightly hurt expression.

She shakes her head. "But I'm sorry it scared you--it'll be over soon."

[herr_bookman]

"Sorry," Autor says, looking away again. He starts counting his breaths in his head. "I didn't mean to--I'm sorry." He blows air out through his nose and cradles his head in his hands. "I hope it'll be over soon."

[electro_kinetic]

"It's okay," Noriko murmurs, crouching down to his level with a glass of water and a blanket from off the couch.

"Are you alright in there?"

[herr_bookman]

"There are e-explosions," Autor says, gulping for air in an effort to slow his heart rate. "Outside."

[electro_kinetic]

"I know," she says, making an effort to keep her voice quiet and calm. "They're fireworks, and they won't hurt you. It's safe in here."

She knows they sound like mortars and explosions, and the whistling, screaming whine has gotten her heart rate kicked up before. It sounds like metal fatigue and shearing to her; she likes the show, but sometimes it still gets the better of her.

[herr_bookman]

"Fireworks?" Autor says, wrapping his arms around his knees to keep from trembling. "Why are there fireworks outside?"

[electro_kinetic]

"It's the fourth of July," she says, scooting under the booth with him. "It's the American Independence Day. Don't worry, it's not going to hurt you."

[herr_bookman]

Autor scoots over to make room for her, mostly so he won't have to touch her. "Well, I don't know why someone had to bring it here," he says. "I lost track of the days. I forgot it was the fourth."

[electro_kinetic]

"It's not a problem," she says, leaving him plenty of room and sitting only barely half under the table, handing him the glass. "I don't know, but it can take you by surprise really easily. Last year I had problems with fireworks too."

She only didn't this year because she made a pointed effort to stay away from them: even if she didn't flash back, they still make her think of unpleasant things.

[not_his_pa]

William's out on the beach watching the fireworks when he sees Autor run by and curses before setting his head down. He should have remembered how fireworks can sound like artillery, some of the veterans of the War don't like them. When he comes inside, he leaves a note along with a good bottle of whiskey and a pie from Bar.

Autor,
I'm sorry about the fireworks tonight. Its my country's Independence Day and I should have put a note up before letting them off. This pie's just like one that my mother makes. If there's anything else I can do, please tell me.
William Evans

[herr_bookman]

Autor gets the note long after he's crawled out from under the booth. He pens a quick response, noting William's thoughtfulness.

William,
Thanks for the pie. A warning would have been good, but don't worry about it. I survived.

-A.