[Accidental Video]

[quidditch_stag]

[The feed appears to be very small and very dark when it turns on. Then a grubby man enters. He looks about forty and his face is covered in dirt. His hair is about his shoulders and his beard is almost as long.

He takes a long look, holding whatever has made the connection very carefully. If you look closely, there might be a flicker of hope and possibly a smile before it dies away again. Leaning against the back wall, James Potter sighs.]

Took you long enough.

Comments

[seasaltzombie]

[ he doesn't recognise the man in the video as James, or indeed as anyone from the community - too much hair and beard and far too many years - but something about his reaction to the community strikes Roxas as... well. odd. sure there's a virus going on now (everyone's lives can't possibly suddenly be going badly all at the same time for no reason otherwise.... right?), but something makes him want to investigate more. ]

What?

[quidditch_stag]

[After finally getting back to the community, he's not sure what to expect. But he never, ever, expected to see Roxas. Especially not looking any older than when he left it. His face, which lost the emotional mask years ago, was full of so many different feelings. Shock mostly but there was some kind of relief in there as well. You could almost call it happiness, if that hadn't been wiped out when he lost everyone he cared about. So it takes him a moment, or twenty, to finally respond to his friend in words.]

R-Roxas? ...Is that you?

[His voice was low and gruff, having not used it for a long time except for screaming. But even that wasn't for a few weeks now.]

[seasaltzombie]

[ wait. what? ]

Uh-- yeah... Do I know you?

[ was this part of the virus? had someone he knew been affected without him knowing? ]

[quidditch_stag]

[James almost looked like he wanted to laugh, then he shook his head.]

No. Not any more.

[seasaltzombie]

You're not making much sense...

[ wait. could it be--? ]

... James?

[quidditch_stag]

You always were too clever for your own good.

[He sounds harsh and cold now his voice is warming up. The usually happy, sarcastic boy has been long gone and he's been around the dementors too long to really remember the happy times.]

[seasaltzombie]

[ this is nuts. this has to be part of the virus. right? this can't be--

even if it's a virus, he has to know. doesn't he...? ]

What - what happened to you?

[quidditch_stag]

I lost everything.

[He's quick to answer, having been trained to or else expecting pain. But he's always answering as little as he possibly can. The Death Eaters have trained him like a pet over the past twenty years, and he let them.]

[Accidental Video]

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

[It take shim a moment to figure out why the man's features look familiar.] James? Mr. Potter is that you?

[Video]

[quidditch_stag]

[James doesn't look very interested in Arthur. Their one conversation over twenty years ago obviously didn't stick in his mind.]

My name is still James Potter, yes.

[Video]

[p_a_r_a_d_o_x]

Cant' blame him really. But the sudden aging confuses Arthur.]

At least some things haven't changed. How come you look so old now? Are you hurt?

[Video]

[quidditch_stag]

It's been over twenty years since I last accessed the community. I lost it at the same time I lost everything else in my life.

[The last question seems moot to him, as is asking who Arthur was. He's been hurting for over twenty years, and doesn't really care about anything any more.]

[halfbloodalways]

[What the hell? Have this look for awhile, James.]

[quidditch_stag]

[James recognises Snape immediately but instead of his usual smirk, he actually looks scared. There was a definite fear in his eyes and he's trying not to show it.

He quickly turns away from the slice of mirror he's using to connect to the community, trying to calm himself down.]

[halfbloodalways]

James Potter?

[Couldn't be, could it? There was no way James lived to be this age.]

[quidditch_stag]

[James slowly turns at his name.] ...Yeah? What now? [The fear also appears in his voice and, like in his eyes, he'd trying to keep it at bay.]

[halfbloodalways]

[All the narrowing of eyes ever.]

That's impossible. You never attained the age you appear. Sneaking polyjuice potion, James? Tsk, tsk.

[quidditch_stag]

Good one, sir. As if I could get polyjuice potion all the way down here.

[There's a forced laugh, because who knows what would happen if he didn't laugh at his jokes.]

[halfbloodalways]

[Okay, now Severus is visibly disturbed by James's behavior.]

Potter, what is wrong with you?

[quidditch_stag]

Nothing more than usual, sir. [Another forced chuckle.] Was there something you needed? Another apology perhaps. O-Or some chores done?

[halfbloodalways]

[More staring]

Why are you calling me 'Sir'? And... apologizing?
[He isn't even going to address the bit about doing chores.]

[quidditch_stag]

It's only polite. I could stop if you'd prefer.

[He winced at the mention of apologising.] Please don't make me say it again, sir.

[halfbloodalways]

James Potter, you have well and truly lost your mind. You do not like me, I detest you. That is how this works. The sniveling twit routine only works for your friend, Pettigrew.

1/2

[quidditch_stag]

[At Peter's name, James' whole demeanour changed. From being timid and scared, he suddenly became enraged and snarled at Snape.]

You promised you'd never say his name!

2/2

[quidditch_stag]

[But the rage was short lived and James collapsed on the floor, sobbing.]

You...promised...I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry...