wecanavenge | ✘ | 012

[The video clicks on, showing an uncertain eye and not much else, because the video is held much too close. The camera flips and jostles a few times, before it's held back enough to see a young boy. He looks much younger than he really is, rake thin in a very unhealthy way, but still more than skin and bones. He's pale, and he's scared. When he speaks, it's all in German; which, usefully, is the only language he knows.]

H-hallo? [Tosh has already assured him that Herr Doktor is not around and there won't be any tests of any kind today but...he isn't entirely convinced and is more than a little nervous to direct more attention to himself. So he's hesitant, but tentatively giving into some curiosity?] Is this one of the SS buildings? [He pans the camera around the room quickly; partially visible, as he tries to gesture with his other hand, is the silver helmet he holds.] I have never been here before.

[And he heads to a couch, looking uncomfortable, but...maybe a little pleased. This is more comfort than he's known in - well, ever. He manages a little smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, and falters at the edges.] It's very nice. Thank you for letting me stay here.

[His attention drops back to the helmet, now in his lap, and he holds it up for the camera after a moment - the look on his face says he probably shouldn't play with it and he's sorry, but he's drawn to it nonetheless.] Does this belong to someone?

(OOC: And tags will come from

einzweidrei because I'm a bad person. :c Blanket content warning, again, for possibly in depth discussion of the Holocaust.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He wants to believe that. Wants to believe there is someplace they can't touch. Instead he looks down, away, before he looks back up at her.]

That's what they said about Poland.

[Her chin drops for a moment.]

Would you come for a walk with me so I can show you something?

[His grip on the helmet tightens, and he wants to say no, he doesn't want to go anywhere with her, he doesn't know her, and this room feels - safe.

But he knows better to refuse, now, because it does nothing, it only hurts more, and one day he'll be strong enough to say no, I won't leave, whenever he feels like it.

He tries to make the helmet float again, and knows he isn't strong enough yet. So he nods.]

What do you want to show me?

I want to show you where we are, so you'll know why no-one can find you here. If you don't want to come, you don't have to.

Edited 2012-10-22 18:56 (UTC)

Show me, please.

[He doesn't actually think he has a choice.] I'll come.

[She's gathering that. But she can't convince him otherwise, so the best she can do is be as gentle as possible.]

There's a staircase at the end of the hallway. We'll need to go all the way to the top. Do you want to go first, or shall I?

[It's a bit of a climb, but like hell she's going to offer him an enclosed metal space when he's already nervous.]

[There are so many questions, and he finds it frustrating; he wants to tell her not to pretend, that he knows he isn't allowed to decide. Dropping his arms to hold the helmet in one hand at his side, he nods toward the door.]

I can follow. [Maybe he can run, but he doesn't think he can. It will be worse if he does.]

[She's aware that if he does run, her only recourse is going to be to find him after he's stopped and very pointedly not do anything by way of disciplinary action. All she can do is hope he doesn't; the Barge is a big place and 'younger' doesn't necessarily mean 'more benign'.

Still. She leads the way and takes the stairs slowly, without looking back, unless she's got reason to for his own safety.]

[He follows in silence, head down - though he does look around now and then, taking in the hall, the stairs, all strange and new things. There are other children, too, but not as many adults as he would have expected. He switches the helmet to his other hand, and a couple flights up, he gingerly settles it on his head, though he stumbles when it blocks his vision. It clatters on the stairs, and he hastily picks it up, mumbling an apology.]

[She turns, measuring her movement - not too fast, not scaring him is still the priority here.]

Are you -

[Translator.]

Are you alright?

[He frowns a little at the odd words, but it wasn't enough to understand that she isn't really speaking German. He nods quickly.]

Yes. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. [He doesn't sound as scared - he is, but he isn't, and it's very strange - but the response is ingrained: the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.]

It's fine. I just want to make sure you aren't hurt.

[She opens the door at the top of the stairs, and - well, she'd tell him not to be afraid, but that horse has already bolted to say the very least.]

This way.

Edited 2012-10-22 19:49 (UTC)

[He follows her out and stops short on deck, eyes widening. He is afraid, but - he is amazed, too. He knows nothing about space, nothing beyond the stars he sometimes saw at night. It's huge, it's so huge, and it goes on forever, and he feels very, very small.

They were not in Germany. He turned to look up at Toshiko, eyes still big.] I believe you. [More than he did, anyway, and that is certainly saying something.]

I'm glad.

[She smiles softly and lets out a breath. It's becoming very clear to her that this trick with the translator is only going to be manageable in chunks and she's going to need to go and take some painkillers and maybe be sick in the next half-hour or so.]

We should talk about what you need. Some warmer clothes, some food?

[He looks down at his clothes, at the striped linen that's identical to every other prisoner in the camp, and he nods, slowly first, then faster. His stomach clenches, though, and he isn't sure if he's hungry or sick or scared or starving.]

Is there chicken?

[She considers this. Morning, so breakfast shift, so....maybe? God only knows if there are enough grown-ups around to even be running the kitchen.]

I'm not sure. We can find out.

[He nods, looking up at the sky - or lack thereof - again. He was very hungry, but part of him didn't want to leave this spot.]

Can I come back up here? Whenever I want?

Whenever you want. I promise.

[Her head hurts so much her vision's doubling. Oh good.]

How about this for a plan. We'll make sure you've got some food and clothes, and you can explore for a bit by yourself, if you want to. I'll show you how to contact me if you need anything, and I'll check up on you later. Does that sound okay?

[She's nervous of leaving him, but she's had enough experience of regression floods of various kinds to know how daunting all this can be.]

[He hesitates for just a moment, then nods quickly. It's freedom - it's more freedom than he's had in years, in he-doesn't-know-how-long. And he likes it.]

Yes. Yes, that sounds okay.

✘ | 012 | VIDEO

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