Mass Video | OTA

[n5]

[ Five is in the garden, sitting on the grass with a big golden retriever seemingly sleeping on his lap, effectively pinning him in place. The dog's eyes are closed, but if one is observant, they might notice the tail wagging lazily behind him. Five has one hand on Sammy's head, gently scratching him between the ears as he tries to come up with what to say now that he's decided to announce his presence again.

He came back a few days ago after what feels like a lifetime away. He's found his other self, but he's been afraid to ask who else is around. Afraid about who might not be. But he's never been keen on wasting time, and while his memories are still fuzzy, it's better to rip the metaphorical ban-aid once and for all. ]

Ey, so...it's been some time. [ He's grown up, grown older, and even though it can't be seen because the dog is on his legs, Five left the damn shorts behind him a few years ago. There's also a tiredness in his eyes that wasn't there before. ]

I have two important questions;

Number one, who's not dead?
And number two, do we have any lint rollers?

[ As people can see by the sorry the state of Five's suit, now covered in fur, wearing dark clothes, and having a golden retriever as a pet is a bad combination. ]

Comments

Voice

[oldmanfive]

There's lint rollers! Just check the kitchen drawers.

[ Five buys in bulk. Three animals with two prone to shedding. There's no way to be without. ]

Permavideo

[n5]

Oh, thanks god for small mercies. I have the feeling I'm going to need them a lot.

[ He briefly gesture to Sammy, content on his lap. at least the cats both ave dark fur. ]

Good thing that no one seems to be allergic to pets.

[oldmanfive]

Yeah, at least until Sammy has his groomers appointment. The lady who works on him is so good at de-shedding him. She's good with the cats too. They all love her.

[ Clearly Five took his role as pet dad seriously.]

[n5]

I can take him there myself if you give me the address. Do you think that lady would be able to tell us apart?

[ He did! And it makes Five smiles despite himself. You, big softie. Which means he too is a big softie, of course, but at least he had been trying to not show it. ]

I need to leave the house to go get me some clothes. I appreciate your help, but I can't keep stealing from your wardrobe.

[oldmanfive]

Sure, I'll text you her information. Along with Sammy's appointment information. Probably not, she doesn't know there are two of us around. Though I guess we should think of a story for non family and mere acquaintances.

I really don't mind if you raid my closet but I can take you to the shop I go too for clothes if you want?

[n5]

Much appreciated. I missed a lot of things about his life and health, so I want to catch up. More so now that it seems like I'm here to stay. Because honestly, where else would he go? [ Plus, there are people here he cares deeply about. ] I'll behave and not confuse her much. But yes, we need to figure out that one. We can say we're twins, but sharing the same name is still an issue; I should come up with a different one to tell people when we're together. Less issues introducing ourselves.

[ He's not crazy about the idea, but since his twin has been here for longer, it's only fair that Five is the one that uses another name in public. ]

Do you remember what name Grace offered us?

Still, they're your things. But yes, that is a good idea. If you like that shop, so will I, undoubtedly.

[ghostphone]

You look like hell.

[For the record.

You're welcome.

Klaus does look a little older himself, but still much younger than the one Five might be more used to.]

[n5]

[ Ey, look at that, his younger-younger brother. Five's happy to see Klaus in any shape or form, so he's smiling at the reply before he catches himself and scolds his face into a more neutral expression. ]

Oi. That's no way to speak to your elders. [ He's not wrong, though, Five looks like he's been gone through the wringer.]

It's good to see you too, jackass.

[ghostphone]

[He just grins at the chastising.] It never stopped you when we were kids.

[He had always been the only one to really challenge Dad, like, ever.

Well, and Allison.
But she could do that a lot easier than the rest of them, afterall.]

You too, Five. Planning an early retirement? [A beat passes. His face scrunches.] It's not even really an early one, I guess, huh?

[n5]

[ How dare you bring up such a good point? ]

No...but that was different. [ Somehow, okay. ] Dad was an asshole and unreasonable. He deserved all the heat I gave him.

[ While Five might regret not listening to him That One Time about time traveling, the rest of the time their butting head was justified in Five's opinion. Plus, if dad was focused on him, then he left the others alone. ]

Sort of? I think I'm out of other options too. You might see me around here for a while. Congrats, you're stuck with me.

[ghostphone]

[He has so many more of them than people ever seem to notice, tbh.]

Oh, you won't catch me denying that. He deserved all of that and so much more honestly.

Oh, really? Jeeze, what happened while you were gone? Wanna scotch about it?

[He's not even 20 yet, so this younger Klaus is still firmly in his junkie phase.]

[the_arachnid]

Still alive and kicking.

I have at least four lint rollers in my room.

[n5]

Peter. [ The voice is fond and Five smiles briefly. He remembers you, spidey, and he's glad to see you. ] How's it hanging...?

[ Yes that's both a greeting and an awful joke. He's trying. ]

Could you lend me one?

[the_arachnid]

Hey, Five. Always good to see you.

[ Which he means wholeheartedly. ]

Do you want manual or automatic?

[n5]

It's been a while. Sorry for disappearing again, it wasn't on purpose. [ And he also means that. He wouldn't leave his family just because. ]

They make them automatic? Or you built it?

[rumorvsreality]

[ Allison pops onto the video chat, she likely looks younger than Five would remember, but this Allison hasn't been through the last few years of trauma. She just looks surprised to see Five again, but he only has the dog and not the cats with him too. That makes two different Fives who have had the glow up. It makes her sad that she seems to be missing out on his life all over again. ]

Hey Five, looks like you went off and grew up again. How are you doing?

[n5]

[ The different hairstyle is a giveaway that this is a younger Allison than the one he's used to, but Five is glad to see her all the same. She's his sister , no matter what. ]

It's a bad habit of mine, always changing ages. He gives a smile and then pauses for a couple of seconds. [ He's still not used to people asking him that sort of thing, and it surprises him every time. It's nice. ]

Managing. A lot happened back home, so I'm still in the processing stage. [ Ey, at least he's trying to be honest. ] How have things been here, for you? 

[rumorvsreality]

Yeah, I can agree with that. You also seem to share Klaus' habit of more than one version showing up.

[ She points out since she is use to seeing the other Five with the dog and his cats in tow. Butvshe also knows the Five moved out on his own to have his own space. ]

I've been good. I finally got partial custody of Claire and as you can see. I got my voice back. So are you sticking around here or are you going to go out on your own like the other older Five?

[n5]

Sorry about that. I didn't leave on purpose. [ It just sort of keeps happening. One way or another, he always ends apart from his siblings, and he hates it. ]

Oh, that's fantastic. Both things. I don't know your Claire, but I've got to meet the one from my timeline, and she's wonderful. Really smart and kind, I wonder whom she got it from. [ Five gives Allison a meaningful look. ] And, surprisingly, she is also much less of a troublemaker than any of us ever were at her are. Or in our actual ages.

[ As for that last part, it makes Five pause. He's wondering how much to share and settles on; ]

No, I won't leave. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, there's nowhere for me to go.

[rumorvsreality]

It's okay, you don't have to apologize for something that wasn't in your control. I'm happy to see you. [ And she means it. She knows they weren't exactly close when they were kids, but she has wanted to right that wrong with most of her siblings. Especially Viktor and well Five since she never thought she would see him again. While she has seen the other Five around, he has seemed withdrawn. And she honestly wasn't sure how to help, other than throwing Claire at him to overwhelm him with her niece cuteness. ]

Well you are in luck. She's coming to stay with me for the next couple of weeks. So that means you'll get some Uncle/Niece bonding time. She's already met the other version of you and the several versions of Klaus. So it won't shock her to meet another Five. She's already met Sammy, May and Mocha and she loves them as much as she loves the robot pets that Peter built.

[ Her baby girl has a lot of love to give and it makes Allison happy anytime she sees her hanging off one of her siblings. Especially if the unconditional love that Claire has to give helps them feel better. ]

Well I'm not complaining if you stick around. Not that I'm judging the other Five for choosing to move out. I don't begrudge any of you guys needing your own space. Especially given the whole age situation. I get that isn't easy on you guys.

[talentedscavenger]

[The voice sounds different and familiar at the same time. Well...damn, this was something she couldn't have predicted. The video turns on to show Rey. She looks a little younger than Five would be used to, but there's still the same tiredness in her eyes from working too much.]

Depends on who's asking.

[If he's here to ask her about a warranty for a car that doesn't exist, she will playfully tell him to fuck off. Otherwise, yes, she's alive.]

Lint rollers though...I have a few, but you learn to accept the fur for what it is. Can't rid of it, no matter what. [There's a pause as a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.] Nice to see you again, Five.

[n5]

[ Oh, that's a familiar face, one that he's wanted to see again.  She looks tired, but he knows that's not unusual for Rey. Five, instead, gives her a smile and looks deeply relieved. ]

Your dear brother, who went missing and now's back. The one you went to Disneyland with. [ It was a long time ago for him, but one of the few family activities they did all together, so he remembers it with a mixture of fondness and exasperation. ]

I'm starting to realize that. I guess it's time to switch some of my black suits for something different...maybe dark grey suits. It's good to see you too, Rey. I'm glad to know you're still here. How have you been?

[talentedscavenger]

Ahh, that brother. Then, yeah, I'm alive. [A soft chuckle, happy to see him again. Granted, she's exhausted, but nothing else has changed with her.

Except finally starting a skin routine because Rose made her, but that's neither here nor there.

The mention of Disneyland is a sweet memory for her. One of the few times they all had fun being together. Granted, it was hard keeping up with everyone, but worth it.]

Dark grey suits or navy blue would look good on you. Could withstand to add more color to your wardrobe. [Teasing, but she's one to talk with the amount of grey, white, and black clothing she has.]

I mean...things are the same? More or less? Work, spending time with the cats, and that's...it? [Not dating anyone, or going out on vacations. She was stuck in a rut, but why ruin something that was predictable?]

Very exciting, I know. Are you staying with anyone?

[n5]

The very same one. Sorry about disappearing without warning, I didn't even realize at the time what had happened. I'm glad that you are unharmed. [ Even if things hadn't changed all that much, he still missed a lot. It frustrated him to no end. ]

Hmm..color? I've heard some things about it. [ Five scrunches up his nose, making a show of being displeased, but the corner of his lips upturns. He's just acting like a grumpy old man on purpose. ] I don't have any clothes here, or much of anything, really, so I plan on going shopping soon. 

I see. You look tired. Are you sure everything's okay? [ The pot is calling the kettle black, but Five has always been direct, even when showing concern. ]  

I'll be around here, but I'll also be staying with myself on occasion. I mean, my other self, as if we're twins, he's got his own place. He offered, and since we have the same tastes, and we're basically the same person, we get along wonderfully.

[talentedscavenger]

You don't need to apologize. Things....they just happened. [There's a small shrug from her. There wasn't much he could do--he was trying to save them? Or, save the world? One of the two. If Rey thought about it too much, she might give herself a head.

Maybe reach out to Allison? If she hasn't reached out already. She has a team of stylists or people to help with clothing options. [Which was true. Allison was a star and had so much going on for her. She had the people and the connections, might as well use them. But, Five...that scrunching of your nose was more cute than grumpy.]

Five...when am I not tired? [It had been ages since she actually had anything restful. A good night's sleep was hard to come by, even with soothing teas.

Surprise flickers on her face. The other Five was around too? Did they both have a habit of popping in and out of people's lives at the same time? Or were they just that lucky?]

That's good. You at least have ...yourself? To crash with. [God, that sounded so weird to say aloud.] Maybe you both could use a wardrobe upgrade--add in actual colors like...blues, and greens. Maybe a yellow pastel? [Joking, Five. Just joking.]