[Video/Action]

[thanklesswork]

[Just like that, many of the other kidnapped folks had disappeared without as so much as a note. Kid normally didn't notice much when people came and went, 'cept for when he needed to worry 'bout the Bastion. But even someone who kept to themselves as much as he did noticed when so many vanished. Not many were folks he knew that well, but all the broadcasts seemed to indicate others weren't so lucky. Made the Kid feel more than a little sad for those folks, especially since an old friend of his just came into town...though that left the problem of 'Zulf and Rucks were alone together in the Bastion' which was a Scumbag of a problem on its own.

With all this, what's a Kid to do?]

[Video - Afternoon - Bayview Hotel - Kid's Room]

[For once, the Kid looks completely sober and not like he got hit by a passing train. That and he's gathered all his prized booze bottles and has them all loaded into a crate or two that're balanced on top of each other. Kid looks at the camera and gets right to the point.]

Givin' away my stash. Gonna be doin' it at that beach party...thing. Folks who want a sample or two can have some before then too.

[Kid pauses for a minute. He's a builder and a breaker, not someone you'd necessarily want to talk to. This 'give away free booze' thing is only because he doesn't know many other ways people would cope. So he looks like he's tryin' to find somethin' to say. He sighs when he realizes there's not much else he can do and just closes up the feed.]

[Action - Evening - Bayview Hotel - Bar]

[Aware that he's going to be without spirits for a while in due time, Kid sneaked just one bottle out of the crates so he could have a few sips. He's just enjoying some peace and quiet for a change, not having a reason to drink himself silly for once. But even a Kid can tell things seem very downcast and bitter...the city's full of life, but it felt like the Calamity all over again.

So he's just seated down in front of the bar, looking thoughtful and occasionally taking small sips right out of a bottle. Approach?]

Comments

[thanklesswork]

Yeah. Guess not.

[Kid's quiet for a bit, not really looking at Zia so much as staring forward as he took another sip from his bottle.]

Hey, Zia?

[buildthatwall]

[Zia looks up at her name, startled] Yes? Is something wrong?

[thanklesswork]

Naw, just...wonderin' if I could hear ya sing again. Since there ain't much to worry 'bout now.

[buildthatwall]

[The request makes her face light up, and she nods with excitement] Of course! [She picks up her guitar and starts plucking out a familiar song]

[thanklesswork]

[Aah, there it was. Kid remembers first hearin' that song echo in the empty wreck that used to be Prosper Bluff...the second time he saw a hint of life in the ruins of the Old World.

And even considerin' what the words to it really meant, hearing this gal sing again helps the Kid relax some. He just closes his eyes and listens.]

[buildthatwall]

[Zia continues to play, letting herself fall into the song as she played in public. She knew the song so well her eyes closed as the rhythm hypnotized even the singer]

[thanklesswork]

[It's late, and most of the hotel is more of the kidnapped folk. But the few nameless people there had stopped to listen from afar.

Kid himself just keeps listening, taking another sip of his drink as he looks on over at Zia once more as the song went on to its end.]

[buildthatwall]

[Her eyes slowly open as the song finishes, catching his. The song put her in a bit of a trance as good music will do, leaving her with an unguarded open smile directed solely at the Kid]

[thanklesswork]

[Kid's still not any good with words. So he just picks up the bottle and holds it up towards Zia, as if to say 'a toast to that wonderful song and heavenly voice', ma'am.

Of course, he's smilin' too.]

[buildthatwall]

... thank you.

[thanklesswork]

The pleasure's mine, Zia. Thank you. [For both the song and being there, are the words behind the Kid's bluntness.]

[buildthatwall]

[Her hand reaches out to touch his hand. The one without the drink. She ain't stupid. But her own gesture awkwardly spoke her own gratitude. "Thank you for finding me," she said. "Both time. For having some faith in me."]

[thanklesswork]

[Well. What's a Kid to do when given a gesture like that? Not much beyond return it, giving the pale girl's hand a firm enough grip.

'Course, they can only go so long with unspoken words, and Kid realizes Zia's song drew quite a few eyes their way.]

Looks...like we're makin' a bit of a scene.

[buildthatwall]

[Those words instantly make her eyes bug wider than before as she turned redder than the Kid's scarf. Her hand jerks back to cover her face] I- I really did not mean to.

[thanklesswork]

[Kid looks a bit bashful himself, rubbing the side of his neck.]

Naw, it's...it's fine. Don't worry much about it. [Wasn't like he minded that much.]

[buildthatwall]

[Zia looks around, glowing brighter and brighter red as she sees the curious eyes, and quickly stands] I should- go, before anything happens.

[thanklesswork]

[Kid looks a mite concerned, and looks like he wants to say 'want an escort' or something like that. Kid didn't mean to put her on the spot like that at all, so he looks a bit down about that.

But even a Kid like him knows when someone could use a little space.]

Alright. Lemme know if you need anythin', alright?...'m sorry.

[buildthatwall]

Don't be. I didn't- I'll see you later?

[thanklesswork]

I didn't either.

[Nod.] Yeah. Seeya soon.

[buildthatwall]

[Zia smiles a little at him] Thank you. I... was happy that you wanted to hear me. [And she leaves, trying not to look at anyone as her shoulders rise in embarrassment as if they could hide her face]