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| Scene Title | Can You Trust Me? |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Samara comes to Brian Fulk with a request for a favour |
| Date | March 16, 2011 |
Confucius Plaza — Brian's Apartment
Mid-afternoon sunlight streams into the second floor Chinatown apartment, allowing dust bunnies and other particulates a sparkling dance within its scope like some grand revelation of a far richer treasure than mere fuzzies can provide. In many respects, the warmth and light afforded by the patches of sun are almost like fragments of hope of winter's melt. Signs of spring are everywhere. In fact, on days like today, pessimism itself becomes more difficult, melting like a thin layer of frost, and dissipating into nothing more than refreshing dew within the still-crisp air.
The wind, while somewhat chilly, has a vaguely nuanced sound as it swishes passed the apartment— a haunting whisper, strangely juxtaposed against the brightness of impending rebirth. Almost like a removal of death itself from the ground which has frozen. A ghost could be blown around if she was so inspired.
But then ghosts don't exist aside from the inside and scope of more creative minds. Samara Dunham, having lived in the spectre variety, finds small pleasure in the dance and brush of the wind she can't see. There's something oddly reassuring about the presence of the invisible, even when she is entirely corporeal.
There is, in many respects, a transformation of her very self. Perhaps the small nip of the wind against her cheeks inspired something different. Or maybe it was the warm glow of the sunlight. Or, more likely, for the first time in a long time, she let herself move beyond grief into sheer anger— something she'd never done as a ghost. Regardless of the cause, she is determinately different.
This is not to say she slept better last night. In fact, it was quite the opposite, yet along her pale face and the darkness encircling her eyes, there's a renewed brightness— that could not be described as joyful. Tenacious, perhaps. Determined, definitely. Strength? She'd deny it.
There's no hesitation or questioning when she walks into the Chinatown apartment without a key, although she does have respect enough to call upon its threshold, "Brian?"
She doesn't bear groceries this time, but she's certainly here on a mission— not that it's easy to see. The tops of her cheeks flush a pale pink from her walk. She'd worn her mittens. Her favourite mittens— the ones that doubled as puppets if she was so inspired to give a puppet show to random onlookers.
For whatever reason, she's chosen to rally.
"In here."
The place is a disaster, as usual. Though it's not the same disaster as last time, evidence that Brian has since cleaned up. And then destroyed the apartment again. There's not much of a smell, it's because the window is open and the fan is pointed outwards into the chilly afternoon sky. Luring all the yucky odors outward. There's evidence of the things he's done laying around. The opened box of golden grahams on the counter insinuates a late breakfast. The small milk stain with the towel over it on the couch signifies that breakfast went horribly wrong. The towel tossed over the counter shows the shower that was recently taken. It's still wet and warm. The laptop is on and resting on the kitchen table. Youtube is on with a paused video of a baby panda sneezing.
In the master bedroom, Brian is stomach down on the floor. He's different. Different from the other Brians. He is shaved this time at least, inspection of the bathroom will be proof of that. Little face hairs everywhere. But he looks slightly.. fatter. Normally Brian is in impeccable shape. But this one has slightly more bodyfat to him than usual. All he's been doing is hanging out in an apartment, playing with babies and eating. Not a whole lot of calorie burning in that.
Emily is on the ground in front of him. In total silence the small blonde child is standing in front of the bed, walking towards Brian's head. Kasha is on a blanket in between Brian's arms on the ground. Occasionally the young man places his face in her tummy and makes stupid noises but for now, he's looking up with curiosity at the doorway.
"In here."
The place is a disaster, as usual. Though it's not the same disaster as last time, evidence that Brian has since cleaned up. And then destroyed the apartment again. There's not much of a smell, it's because the window is open and the fan is pointed outwards into the chilly afternoon sky. Luring all the yucky odors outward. There's evidence of the things he's done laying around. The opened box of golden grahams on the counter insinuates a late breakfast. The small milk stain with the towel over it on the couch signifies that breakfast went horribly wrong. The towel tossed over the counter shows the shower that was recently taken. It's still wet and warm. The laptop is on and resting on the kitchen table. Youtube is on with a paused video of a baby panda sneezing.
In the master bedroom, Brian is stomach down on the floor. He's different. Different from the other Brians. He is shaved this time at least, inspection of the bathroom will be proof of that. Little face hairs everywhere. But he looks slightly.. fatter. Normally Brian is in impeccable shape. But this one has slightly more bodyfat to him than usual. All he's been doing is hanging out in an apartment, playing with babies and eating. Not a whole lot of calorie burning in that.
Emily is on the ground in front of him. In total silence the small blonde child is standing in front of the bed, walking towards Brian's head. Kasha is on a blanket in between Brian's arms on the ground. Occasionally the young man places his face in her tummy and makes stupid noises but for now, he's looking up with curiosity at the doorway.
It doesn't take long for Sam to find her way to the master bedroom, but she does linger in the doorway awhile as her head lolls to the side. Her lips curl into a small smile at the sight, and for an instant that fire in her eyes softens; some things will always touch her. She leans against the frame of the door, standing there semi awkwardly before she realizes she hasn't said anything. "Hi— " it's nearly apprehensive as her cheeks flush brightly.
Her lips press together tightly while her head turns to the side, looking away from the trio while silently scolding her own awkwardness, allowing her to have some space. When she turns back, her pokerface returns, free of its former softness, purposely fought against for her own purposes.
Her tongue dabs against her lips as she regains some measure of composure. With another twitch of her lips, a fought-against smile has her head shaking, "I thought— " her eyes trail back to the babies as her eyebrows contort together and she shakes her head. "How are you?"
A perplexed look is sent to the door, his head bobbing to the side of Kasha. Confusion in place he watches her as her face does a weird contorion act, then she does the hokie pokie and finally turns herself about. He'll have to tell her what it's all about. Kasha claps twice. Brian grins broadly, lowering his head down to the baby. "I didn't forget about you. Calm down." One finger is extended and edged into Kasha's hand. "I like how they grab your hand. I know it's like reflexive or whatever but.. I've always liked it." He smiles brightly.
"Hi." He answers, looking over to Emily. "Look who's here!" The soundless toddler half turns to face Samara, blonde hair waving back as she looks up at Samara. "I think she needs a haircut." Brian admits. "But I do not feel qualified to do such a thing." He used to be, before his brain broke. Studying and studying had paid off so that the kids never had to go to a real barber. Though some didn't really like that idea.
"What's up?"
There's a moment of indecisiveness as Sami leans against the doorframe. She's unsure in a lot of respects, particularly with everything out in the open. Or kind of in the open. Again, her head turns away, looking against the other side of the doorframe. Her cheeks a little brighter as a nearly sheepish grin plays over her lips. "That's the fun part," she agrees to the frame. "I like the way they smell and how they just sink into you when they sleep. And what they look like when they sleep." Slowly, she slides away from the frame and takes a single step into the room. One arm crosses the other, grasping tightly as she continues, "I know it's probably creepy or something but I like watching them sleep. It's like a moment when the world is right and maybe— just maybe— something is right in it." She shrugs slightly.
"I.. I didn't bring groceries this time, I was hoping— " she frowns a little, the awkward smile fading. "I'm sorry, I know I've only been.. " she sighs heavily. "I'm sorry," she repeats as her eyes close and she presses a hand to her forehead. "I've not been… I'm not.." her head shakes again as she struggles to actually say what she wants to. It's an irony to her in many respects; she's never had an issue considering words. "I have a favour to ask." There's a pause as she clears her throat. "It's a big favour. And I need help."
A light laugh is let out as Brian's finger bobs up and down with Kasha's hand tight around it. Leaning forward some, with his weight balanced on his knees one hand goes to sweep out and envelope Kasha. Going to snag her back into his chest. Pulling her up into him before going to settle back down with her against him. Tickling her some he looks up to Samara. "It's only creepy when they're older." He gives a little shrug. Waiting expectantly, features dropping to neutral as she starts to stumble over herself.
He waits patiently, lips pressed together as he watches her. "I forgive you." He's not totally sure what he's forgiving her for, but… It's there all the same. "Okay, what do you need help with?"
”Thanks,” there’s that edge of awkwardness again, that feeling that she doesn’t really belong in her own skin. ”Well.. Brian— my Brian— he has been running this.. it’s like an orphanage. Anyways, he and his sister and Eric and— look there’s a bunch of us… we take care of evolved kids who don’t have parents. They’re orphaned or abandoned and we look after them and they’re like… a family.”
Sam shifts her weight from one foot to the other as she nears her favour (and her point in the process). “Anyways. Brian has been taking care of them for some time now.” She swallows hard. “They had to leave their home a few months back and they were moved with a bunch of the ferrymen to this place. This island.” She swallows. “But then.. a bunch of people got the evo flu. Including some of the kids.. one died.” She blinks hard as her eyes well a little with tears again, “We moved the healthy ones away from the island, but those that are sick.. they need Brian. And..” her eyes tick downwards.
There may be a lot of awkwardness and skimminess but Brian seems to latch onto one thing initially. One thing that Samara kind of skipped over. "Sister?" He pops up, eyes wide. "One of my sisters is here? Which one?" Emily is held at his waist as he goes to move around. Pressing up and tilting his back into the seated position. Emily placed in his lap. Reaching over the toddler he goes to grab Kasha, and hold her against his chest, blanket under her.
"So.. You want me to pretend that I.. That I'm different." That he knocks up women. Apparently. He frowns lightly. "You want me to pretend I'm him? I.." Hm.
"Which one?" Sam's face contorts together somewhat confused. And then something comes clearer. "Oh. Not.. Not from California," she tries to explain. "Gillian is your twin sister. I can't remember.. I think she's older…" her gaze turns upwards, "..or you're older?" Her nose wrinkles as she tries to remember. So many stories and things to know.
The assertion that she wants him to be different has her reiterating what she's really looking for. "I want you to be there for some sick kids and hold them. And cry with them. And just be there for them." Her lips tighten into a near-smile. "Please… Gillian's sick too.."
"Gillian?" Brian's eyes widen some. "Like makes me naked Gillian? Tattoo girl?" He asks, looking overtaken with surprise that he just might drop Kasha. He doesn't. But he could. Brian stares at Samara, mouth opening. "That's not possible. My sisters are from California. That's where my family is from." He leans on heavily, his brows furrowing together as he stares hard at her. With an expression that truly says WTF.
"So you want me to pretend." Brian reiterates. Still looking rather taken aback. "I mean I can do all that but.. does it matter that I don't know any of them?"
"Yeah. Gillian," Sam manages a half smile. "You two are close-ish too. She threatened me and told me she'd come after me if I left yo— Brian or disappeared again.." there's another flicker of a smile as she shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I know all I've asked of you are impossible things and it all seems very," she waves a hand in the air, a hesitant motion of sorts as her head shifts from one side to another. "I swear I'm not just making things up to mess with your brain or something…"
The question has her frowning again. "You're the best I've got. I've tried to find others, but.. the one that would know their names, they wouldn't recognize him. And I haven't found anyone else." She sighs lightly. "It sucks. I'm sorry. I'd go and introduce you, but I shouldn't go there." She swallows hard.
"How is she…" Brian's brows arch high. "She's not really my sister-sister right? Just like we're so close we call ourselves brother and sister, like that?" He starts to calm down. That should be sufficient explanation. Leaning back he looks down at Kasha and Emily. "And what about these two?" He asks quietly, eyes peering up at her hesitantly. "Why can't you go there?"
"No.." Sam's eyes track to the window and then back to Brian. "Your family.. in California? They're not.. Gillian is your twin. You were separated from your real parents— I'm hazy on a lot of the details. I mean, yo— Brian told me a lot. But not.. " she frowns. "I'll take these two for now. I can take them to the home where I look after the healthy kids. I'll get some more help or something and.. Eric's there, he can help." She shrugs slightly.
Her cheeks flush at the question. "I was vaccinated right before your mind split into all of these fragments. But like I told you.. I'm pregnant." Based on their previous conversation her eyes trail back to the window, not really keen for judgment from her virginal baby daddy. "I'm trying to be a good mother."
Brian's eyes are wide and his jaw is slack. A slightly nervous, disbelieving laughter is let out. "Nahh.." Comes out droll and from the back of his throat. Not a real thought. Just the tip of his disagreement, a forerunner to the real thought that lies beneath.Looking down at the children, his arms release Emily slightly, allowing her to walk off away from him. Staring up at Samara, his teeth click together as his mouth tries to form some kind of argument. But nothing really comes. How do you react? Finally, "Are you lying?"
He doesn't wait for an answer. "I think you're lying." Brian answers quietly. Staring up at Samara, he remains still for a long moment. Hands resting on his lap. He leans back some, shoulders rolling back. "My family is my family. I was with them since I was a baby." He doesn't seem to be ready to fight about keeping the babies or giving them up.
Sam's lips part only to press together again quite wordlessly. Her eyes flit towards the window and then cut back to him. Hazel eyes narrow as she turns to face the babies now. Minutes pass as she tries to formulate some thought, only to end up at, "I know you don't know me, and I'm sorry if I keep making assumptions that you remember things that you don't, but I'm not a good liar. Not remotely. I'm naive and bubbly, and a chatterbox and I have a terrible memory, lying is hard for me. And I have no reason to lie to you."
She swallows hard as she treads towards him. "And you can believe what you want, and clearly you will, but I'm seriously asking for your help. Give it or not. The decision is yours, but some kids are dying and you could bring them relief— something that no one else can do. You wanted to live a miracle. This is your miracle. You can be the miracle to someone else."
Her eyes track to the floor. "I'm awkward, and quirky, and I talk too much, especially when I'm nervous, but I'm not a liar. I'm bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and naive and I still have that fresh-paint smell because until recently life couldn't hurt me— not like everyone else. The most pain I felt was in my own reflection. I'm not perfect, and I may be a lot of things, but I'm not lying to you. I couldn't lie to you, even though you aren't the you I know." She sighs heavily. "Brian was the first person to see me for me. Not some ghost or image or non-existent thing. He saw a person. He is good and kind and trustworthy and I know you're the same which is the reason I left the babies with you in the first place— I could've taken them. But I didn't. Can't you trust me even a fraction of that?"
Woah.
Eyes are still wide. Brian sits still as the monologue goes on. And then on. And then on a little more. His features are mostly statuesque, quiet as she delivers her piece. The silence sets in on him as he stares up at Samara with the babies squirming around him. Pushing up to his knees, Brian goes to roll back to his heels. Leaning back, Brian looks up and stares listlessly at the young woman. Nothing is uttered for the entirety of her speech. Until she ends. Ahem.
"I love you." The words pop out, and Brian looks surprised to hear them come out of his mouth. His lips clamp back down.
Redness fills his cheeks, hands gripping at his pants nervously. "Uh yeah. I can do that."
Stunned silence overtakes Sam for some time, her own cheeks hot with blush as she stares at him, unsure how she's supposed to respond to this person who isn't supposed to remember her. She'd chosen to rally today so when the tears sting her eyes, she merely tears her gaze away, down to the babies for a few beats. Relief in their innocent, easy-to-watch form. It's a moment before her eyes trail back towards him. "I love you," it's easy to say when it's true, although the circumstances being what they are make it less comfortable than normal. She wasn't expecting that.
Clearing her throat, she nods a little, "Thank you.. for trusting me.. even a little.. I'm sorry I'm so all over the place. It's worse than normal, I think." It isn't.
"Sorry I.." His face is red hot. "I figured I was allowed to since.. I've already.. got you. I." Ahem. "Just you're really cute." His eyes wander everywhere except for her. But when she returns the sentiment. It's like he's hit by a tree. Some weird noise is made in his throat that sounds similar to choking. "No one's ever said that to me before. Like in that way." Brian looks down at the children, finding the same escape as Samara.
"Yeah it's no problem." He mutters dumbly, going to scoop Kasha up gently. Going to stand up, Brian takes a few steps forward. "So.. You're going to take me there? Do I need to take anything? I found money and a gun." His eyes widen some.
The compliment has Sam's cheeks brightening further, but she struggles to suppress the semi-sheepish smile that creeps at her lips. "Oh," she murmurs quietly, nearly awkwardly as she nods a little. "Bri— " the smile fades a little only to twitch at the edges of her lips again, "You were the first person to ever say that to me. Well, I mean other than my parents and my brother and sister. And I'm pretty sure Tyler Reid, my junior prom date, would've tried that if my bro hadn't scared him off— " her cheeks brighten again. "Sorry. Talking too much again."
"Yeah, I'll take you there.. maybe bring some clothes? I don't know what Bri had out there. I haven't been for months.. " Her teeth toy at her lip at the last. "I don't.. taking a gun might not be the best idea?" she quirks an eyebrow like it's some vague question. "I mean, you could take it if you wanted, but one thing I've learned is firing a weapon isn't the best idea if you don't know how. Like learning to phase. If I'd just jumped into it again, I would've ended up more embarrassed because for awhile I couldn't phase with my clothes, which was really uncomfortable and I embarrass pretty easy…"
And she's off-topic again.
Scratching at his chin, he leans forward. Head tilting down some. His hand is dropped before he steps forward to hand Kasha over to Samara, gently. "I'll get together their things first. And then pack a bag." Brian quickly explains. He bends to scoop up Emily in one motion making an overly loud WHOOOSHing noise as he goes to pick her up. Knees pushing on the bed, he holds Emily up over his head before bringing her down to the bed. It may look dangerous, but she seems to like it as she flies around a bit. His hand tossles her hair, and then he's pushing against the bed to go to the closet. Baby bag in tow as he comes back out. Pausing in front of Samara he offers her a nervous smile.
Leaning forward some, he goes to press a gentle, nervous, almost hesitant kiss against Samara's lips. And then he's rapidly pulling back, blushing furiously as he moves out of the room. Got to pack up the baby bag.