futurology | VIDEO; 001 | ID: I CAN B UR DADDY

[The video feed turns on to feature a well-groomed man in his mid twenties, who at this point attempts to present his meanest mug to the network. He seems to think that this is actually a good idea, despite everything that went down in the desert. As far as he’s concerned, he has reason to celebrate- Asher, a mere mortal with little to no survival skills, somehow managed to make it through the meteor shower and protect the little alien he’s been assigned to.]

‘Sup bodacious babes. Homie-g’s. Haters.

[He does a little nod to the camera, playing it as “”””cool”””” as he can.]

I was thinkin’, since we’re out saving the universe n’ all… We could use something cool as like an intro, a theme song, y’know?

Something funky fresh. Like a fresh ass beat!

[He clasps his hands together, spitting into them with great enthusiasm but a slight lack of coordination.]

Yo, yo, yo, A-Milly in the hizzzz-house!

Milly as in a million, always stuntin’ like a-

[Asher pauses here, looking a little confused. He blinks once or twice, as if he’s trying to remember something important.]

Vill-i-ain? Um, I’m still working on the intro. Anyway-

[Clearing his throat, he continues on. The interference is probably making this transmission even worse (if that’s possible, can it really get any more embarrassing than this?).]

We up in here, we in the zone
Ready to take care of all yo’ homes,
Don’t matter if it’s outer space, cause we gon put them bad guys in their pl-AAYYYYYCE-

[He ends enthusiastically, but freezes mid-air. It seems as though he’s considering saying something else, but his shoulders drop and he shrugs.]

Uh, yeah. That’s all I got? But I think it has potential. Anyway, um, if anybody wants to like… Help me finish or whatever.

Hit me up, mothafuckaaaaaa.

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Not that I can recall. What do they serve as?

[ educate me, white boy ]

[Hoo boy.]

Oh! So, where I'm from...

[He inhales sharply. Asher should be able to do this! Hopefully, Coby will think something of it.]

There's this notion of "innocent until proven guilty," y'know? So! If you've committed a crime, you've got the option of going to court and testifying in front of a judge and a bunch of people from the area. A jury, that's what it's called.

A lawyer is the person you hire to defend you, since law isn't really eezy peasy, lemon-squeezy for most folks, ya dig? You gotta, like... You gotta have studied the craft to be good at it, and even then you don't know if you'll get off scott free or not.

[If Coby needs to, he'll ask more questions, right?]

So, yeah! That's what I hope to be one day.

[He's got a long way to go.]

[ look, look how intent he is on this explanation. it's like he's hearing the most amazing tale of his life. ]

That sounds very much like a judge. This notion, however, isn't something I'm familiar with.

[ a note of apology, like he knows; our idea of 'justice' is severely lacking ]

You argue for the innocence of this person, essentially.

[ but look how he lights up, like this is the best goddamn idea he's ever heard in his life. ]

What an amazing thing, to be a lawyer! If we only had people like you, Asher-san, our courts would be better off.

[A strange, almost unfamiliar, sense of warmth washes over him as he watches Coby's expression change. He doesn't have the gall to tell the other man more of what he's seen, of how the system can work less favorably as well, and how with the right lawyer the guilty can walk free.

To have someone believe so wholeheartedly in him... Isn't that what Asher has always wanted?]

I'm just a first year.

[Asher's grin is skewed to one side of his face, nervous.]

But yeah! I mean, yeah. That's the plan.

[To do what is right.

Oh, how unfortunate, naive.

His future will not be so pleasant.]

I'd like to do that.

Even if you're still in training, the intent and drive remains the same.

[ his smile, if possible, broadens. this is the kind of smile that's usually trying to tell you how proud it is. ]

That's very admirable. Even moreso, that you thought to pursue something like this in the first place.

[That smile touches him in a peculiar way; it is warm and thoughtful, sure, but also oddly familiar.

The first thing that comes to mind is a similar look that he's bound to have seen on his father's face, although he can't quite remember it. His father is a different person in his mind, now, ever since Asher found out about that one trial.]

It kinda sucks, being pulled out of it all.

[Maybe he shouldn't be so open with a stranger, but Asher can't help it.]

I mean! Heh, don't get me wrong- This saving the universe mumbo jumbo, it seems suuuuuper chill, but...

I've got places I wanna be, y'know? Ah. Whatever.

I guess I'm here, so screw it, right?

I can understand this sentiment. As noble as ALASTAIR's purpose may be, there are still important things we have yet to do in our own worlds.

[ it's okay, asher, look at this smile. this is the smile of a bro who won't let u down. probably. ]

The time when we return to our worlds will come. Our unfinished business won't remain so for long. It does good to remember that, I think.

People can and do go home, right?

[He hopes. Thankfully, Asher isn't too much of a cynic, so he'll take Coby's word.]

I guess it's okay to hang out in this place for a little while.

[The people are really nice.

Much nicer than he's used to.]

I just hope we're really the good guys.

That makes the two of us.

[ it's always going to come to that quandary, isn't it? is this right? are we in the right? he's heard a little of what happened in the mission before zeta-12.

it's feeling a little more like the navy with each little thing that comes to light. justice. order. righteousness.

who does it benefit? ]

Ah, and I have faith in ALASTAIR to keep its word. We'll go home in time.

[ he smiles a little brighter than before, as if to dispel that lapse into thought. everything's fine, my dude. life is perfect. ]

I hope that we can establish a good rapport during our time here, at least.

Do you mean like...

[He's unsure what Coby is implying. With their employers, or with each other?]

You hope that we'll all be friends?

[Asher laughs nervously as he utters that, almost in disbelief.

Back home, it seemed like he had been the only one who felt that sentiment so strongly.]

Of course. Better to face the next challenge with a friend and ally than not, right?

[ my lord its blinding hes blinding avert your sinner eyes ]

[He is having heart palpitations please give him a minute.]

[Asher lets out a puff of air. There is something strange about getting the acceptance you've always dreamed of just so quickly, with such little effort. Every other time he's tried, it's backfired so spectacularly.]

Um, yeah.

You're probably right.

[He offers Coby a timid smile in response.

It's a real one, though. Subtle but kind.]

Then let's get along, Asher.

[ a pause, in which he really, really seems to be struggling. it's like trying to dredge up a word in a foreign language, like trying to match the tone and inflection to the situation.

so if he sounds a little quieter than before and a lot more embarrassed, well. WELL.

deal with it, bucko ]

H...omie.

[Asher's grin widens at that, although he's apprehensive before Coby spits out that word. He's too used to having any vague sliver of kindness turn sour immediately, but despite the marine's difficulty pronouncing that term of endearment, he appreciates the gesture.]

Yeah! I'd like that.

So, cool! I guess I'll see you around, partner.

[He's... Way too excited to be using that word. Calm down, kiddo.]

[ ah. 'partner'. what a nice feeling that brings. ]

If you need a hand with anything at all, let me know. I'm here and happy to help.

[As ill-equipped as he might be for ALASTAIR's missions, Asher can't help but feel happy.

He wishes there were more people like this in law school.]

Same to you, man!

I'll catch you later then?

VIDEO; 001 | ID: I CAN B UR DADDY

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