voice; @hicks

[preseance]

( when he speaks his voice is soft an' easy, mild-mannered as all get-out, with an alabama accent that kicks like a mule to the head besides. he has the air of someone well-used to wieldin' some manner of authority, albeit in another fashion in a faraway place from this. )

For those of you I ain't met, name's Eugene Hicks, an' I'm one of the medics here in Beacon. If'n anybody finds themselves in want of food or company, Sundays me an' a few others are layin' out a spread at the Church. Anybody's welcome, all I ask is no fightin' under the Lord's roof. If'n you felt like bringin' a dish of your own to share, it'd be appreciated. ( he pauses, an' in a lighter tone obviously aimed to jest, ) First person to complain about my Ma's fried tomatoes or the lack of ice cream with the pie will be shown the door, no exceptions.

( it ain't a video post, but he ducks his head all the same. there's a slight jangle of his dog-tags. )

And, ah. Given that the El-Tee ( 'LT', short for lieutenant ) found a village across the river, Rastus seemed to think I ought to maybe work at buildin' a bridge so's we can all access whatever resources might be on the other side without any measure of difficulty. I can do carpentry all right, but if anyone can lend a hand it'd be appreciated. Apparently there's a creature in the river fixin' to drag folks under, so please mind yourselves if'n you're of a mind to get close.

That's all. Look after yourselves an' have a pleasant evenin'.

Comments

[preseance]

( he laughs. a bright, soft sound, for all that he's faintly hoarse in the doin'. )

Lotta practice.

( once upon a time he was faced with a choice. he had every opportunity to harden his heart against the world, an' instead he reached for the qualities his folks had tried to instill in him. he holds to 'em even in the darkest times, instinct over impulse. a memorial to his ma, a monument to his pa an' a pledge he made once to his brothers. )

An' I surely did. Don't tell anybody, it'll ruin my reputation as a good, god-fearin' Southern gentleman.

[evocation]

[She smiles just a little.]

I won't. Promise.

[Then she leans up to kiss him on the cheek.]

Thanks, Gene. You're really good at this.

[preseance]

( the press of her lips against his cheek is warm an' he ducks his head faintly as she does it. it ain't enough to make him blush, but it puts somethin' warm and settled down in the soul of him. he squeezes her hand, just a little. )

You think you're gonna be okay?

[evocation]

Yeah. I mean, maybe not right away, but...

[She squeezes back, a little tighter.]

You really helped. Are you gonna be okay?

[preseance]

( soft, )

Reckon so.

( maybe not right now. not today. hell, verdict's out on tomorrow an' the one that follows. but. one foot in front of the other, an' he'll wind up okay one day. )

You can keep on with that, by the way, if'n you want. I don't mind. The nickname.

[evocation]

[She pulls back to blink up at him in the low light of their lanterns, taken aback.]

Oh. Are you sure? If it's too soon or... Or too much...

[preseance]

( gently, )

Kyna, I ain't a man what says somethin' firm if I ain't sure on as a matter of course.

( he's immovable in that way. always has been. )

I want you to use it so long as you're all right about it.

[evocation]

[That gets her to smile again, soft and genuine.]

Okay. You can call me K, too. It was nice.

[preseance]

( he leans against her a moment longer, an' then begins the process of gettin' to his feet. he offers his hand as he does. )

All right. Let's get on back. Wash'll be chewin' his nails by now, I reckon.