REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

File 1-7: Friends?


[image description:Romero standing on the roof of a building, "hair" covering his face. Ahead is a ladder and a larger building in the distance.]

Under most circumstances, it's a smuggler's rule to avoid leaping off heights until the train has slowed down or the earth around you looks soft enough to potentially break a fall. Water has to be gauged by approximate height lest you want the ocean to become concrete on your bones.

Your friend unfortunately is brave to a fault, and starts climbing onto the roof of the train car. You scramble behind him.

Savvy: W-wait, you're serious? Now?

Romero: Just trust me on this!

He's so casual about this..

If he's just like this and lived this long, he has to know something you don't.

You catch up to him just as he leaps.

Fuck it, you're not getting left behind.

Full on sprint, big leap, watch him ahead as he's the first to make contact with the ground.

He shifts position, practically aiming to divekick the roof.

As soon as contact is made, there's a flicker followed by a counterforce.

You feel your descent slow down significantly, you tuck and roll.

It's the most comfortable landing you've ever managed.

You manage to scramble to your feet, shocked you've not so much as a scrape or bruise.

Romero: Hey, you're shaking. You gonna be okay?

He's right.. you try to put yourself together.

Savvy: Yeah, we're all good just.. what did you do there?

Romero: Me? Ah uh..

He clicked together his open heeled shoes.

Romero: Bit of a old trick. You'd be surprised what you can do with a few extra inches.

Savvy: You.. broke the landing with your heels.

Romero: Redirected the impact but uh.. yeah? Why else would you wear these on a job like this?

Savvy: I'll be real, I just thought you were gay.

Romero: Positive or derogatory.

Savvy: Positive.

Romero: I'll take it. Maybe I'll show you after today's job though, see you're wearing 'em too.

Savvy: I'm not scuffing these on Steamboat Willy shit.

Romero: It's called a parry first of all, and second the phrase is Mickey-

Savvy: I said what I said. What.. are you exactly?

Romero: Could ask you the same thing.

Savvy: Cute?

Romero: Like in a tired goth way? Like at least worth a few bruvs, you know?

What does that even mean?

Savvy: ...Alright. Where we headed anyway? You know this route?

He pointed up ahead, a ladder in view.

Romero: Safehouse, we can see if we can skip the process by verifying my shit there. Save us both some time, you know?

Savvy: ..You know, never thought about that before.

Romero: You usually don't bump into the guy you're delivering shit to halfway there so...

Savvy: Fair enough!

Romero: Wrap up early, enjoy your day with a special someone maybe? I dunno.

Savvy: You got someone like that?

Romero: Me? Nah, not right now.

Savvy: Ah, but you have been. Interesting..

Romero: I'm not in a rush like that, no biggie. You?

Savvy: Uh...

Romero: Like, you don't gotta share.

Savvy: No, you're fine! I guess I just like.. there's a lot of proxies at the archive so-

Romero: Look man, I don't blame you.

Savvy: Wait, really?

He gives you a goofy grin.

Oh.

He's just like you, oh god. Okay.

Romero: You gotta give me details.

Savvy: Uh.. maybe when we got the chance to sit? Kind of a long list.

Romero: Damn bruv.

Savvy: But like.. nothing long term. Kinda hard when there's a whole other person attached and a lot of the time they don't exactly care for it.

Romero: Ah.. yeah that'd be hard.

Savvy: Besides that? Uh...  you can keep your mouth closed, right?

Romero: Stitches get snitches, bring it.

Savvy: That's... not the phrase- alright. You know 'Spina?

Romero: Yoooo, you two a thing?

He latches onto the ladder ahead, leading the way.

You put the guitar case on your back, a strap holding it in place for you.

Savvy: No? Just friends really..

You follow behind, only to get smacked by his dangling tail. It's fine, you're fine.

Romero: But you caught feelings for 'em.

Savvy: A little.. keeps me at distance. Kinda like that with everyone I guess.

Romero: Sounds about right. Longtime friends, family, kinda hard to open up.

Savvy: You got any advice for that?

Romero: Me?

Savvy: Yeah, like.. you seem to know a lot.

Romero: Uh... don't blame yourself really.

That doesn't sound promising.

Savvy: Right..

Romero: What's got you about 'em anyway?

Savvy: Nice, calm, kinda pretty under the mask..

Romero: You've seen?

Savvy: Yeah... I'm just being stupid honest. Doesn't see me the same way at all so...

Romero: You know that for sure?

Savvy: I do. Kinda want to drop taking about all this now honestly..

Romero: You're good.

Savvy: That easy?

Romero: What is?

A little smirk crept across his face.

Savvy: I dunno, scrabble?

Romero: Nah that shit's hard, how many words start with a Z?

Savvy: Uh.. 5?

Romero: Exactly. Unbalanced ass game.

He reaches the top and offers you a hand. May as well take help where you can get it.

Savvy: Appreciated.

Romero: Door is just around the corner, after that we're both free to go.

Savvy: Yeah. You wanna hang out after maybe? Still wondering a lot about you.

Romero: Honestly? Why not.