Chapter Text
A little desk in a confined room in an already small office. Sitting across from it is a blonde guy who stares at me intently and takes in my every move. It’s a little bit unnerving. What lies around me is a safe, etched with various sigils and stickers based off of various video games. Some I can recognize like a Phantom Thief logo and a Super Mario hat and others I can’t like some weird eyeball and a strange looking A. Then, there’s a clipboard which seemingly has what little information the guy could scrounge about me even from my employer. It says various things, but they’re hard to read since the clipboard is facing him and not me. Then, there’s a small photograph of him posing in a photo with another guy with a short bright orange pixie cut, a light build, a smile that can be read as genuine even through a photo. The guy looks at me expectantly, but gently, clicking his pen in and glaring at me in a neutral way.
“My name…is Jamie…Jamie…shit, I can’t remember my last name. That’s like really embarrassing, right? I feel like that’s gotta make me look kind of stupid…” I say to the blonde man sitting in front of me. He chuckles, looking down at the clipboard and then flicking his view back up to me. “ ‘Course not. We’re all forgetful sometimes. Do you have an ID on you?” He asks me in a caring, gentle tone of voice. Jesus, he's actually really nice. Especially for someone I just met for a fucking job no less. “Ah, I do not…All I brought was my clothes…In all honesty, I remember that my last name had an M in the beginning. But, I don’t remember the whole thing…” I said to him reluctantly. God, I don’t want to give someone more reason to laugh at me. God knows they already have enough. Gay, ugly…Blegh. Not sure it gets any worse from here. As I think that, the man takes on a thinking expression. An expression that reads “Maybe…”. I try to force a look that wants him to say what he wants to say, but I can’t tell if I’m succeeding or failing. I think I’m succeeding as he smiles before speaking to me again. “I’m thinkin’. It’s stupid, and would not work with legal proceedings, but maybe we could give ya a…temporary surname. You’re not married, are you?” He asks me in a curious, yet serious tone.
“Oh, god, no. Me? Married? Jeez. Not a chance.” I say to him in a nonchalant tone. Actually, now that I put some thought into it, I wouldn’t be opposed to getting married to someone, I don’t think. Just not a chick. Not a chance. But, I don’t…I don’t know. “Alrighty, then. Well, I’m thinkin’. Your last name starts with M…we know that much. Let’s go with…Jamie Monroe. That sound good to you?” He asks me. Monroe? Hm. I mean…I didn’t think I’d like Monroe. But, Marilyn Monroe was an awesome actress. I’m not related to her, but it’d be something cool to say at parties, I guess. “That sounds great honestly. Jamie Monroe…Rolls off the tongue pretty nicely…I can get used to that…Oh, uh, can I ask your name if that’s okay…?” I ask reluctantly again. I’m nervous. This dude feels overbearing. I mean, I know he wouldn’t be mad or rude to me. Even just meeting the guy. But, I feel it isn’t insanely ridiculous to want to know the name of your potential soon-to-be boss. He smiles at me genuinely. “My name is Curly. Curly "Orion" Morrigan.” He says to me, smile gleaming as it already was. Wait. Curly?! Curly Morrigan?! Like my old high school friend…AND the dude I experimented with in college…Jesus…Uh…maybe I shouldn’t pry…But it is tempting…I’m just gonna leave it be unless he says something first. “Awesome. Uhh…Is there anything else you need from me…?” I ask him. He snickers. I look at him confusedly. He starts to chuckle. “I remember you, ya know? Jamie? Dude from college?” He says to me. Ugh…Kinda irritating that I’m just the “dude from college”. But, what’s the phrase I’m looking for…? I don’t even know. “I don’t mean to sound like a dick, but is that all you remember us as? “Dude from college”? We were best friends in high school. Practically inseparable. I just don’t know how we completely lost contact.” I say to him as I start to lean back in the chair that I’m sitting in. His smile fades into a somber frown.
His lips move, but I can tell he’s struggling to find what he’s trying to say. After a few seconds, he just gives up. “Maybe we should talk about that later. Anyways, why do you want to be on the Tulpar?” He asked me. “I want…to fly. Just the feeling of being free. Like a bird flying away. It’s just so…nice…and relieving…I’ve always wanted to. Just never had the chance. But, now that this is here…I figured this might be my only chance to ever actually act on my dreams.” I told him. Every last bit of that spiel I meant. I really have always wanted to fly. But, you can imagine how hard it is to find someone actually willing to let you get on a spaceship. Even though I have my masters in engineering. Maybe my background? My dad was…never mind. I’d rather not think about that. Today is a good day, after all. He looks at me. While brandishing a neutral face, he quickly switches to a wide smile. One where you can feel the joy in the room. “You know…I’ve always wanted to have a co-pilot. Or co-captain. It does get pretty lonely actually. Flying by yourself. I’m glad to have you on board, Jamie.” He says to me, still smiling.
I’ll take that as my acceptance letter to the prestigious Pony Express. “So, does that mean…?” I ask him with a sheepish smile. He nods, without a word. I try to contain my excitement, but a small smile turns into a wide grin on my part. “You…you’re serious?” I ask him, still processing it. “Wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t mean it, Jamie.” He says to me, flashing a gentle smile. I start to cry. Not tears of sadness, but tears of pure joy. “Um…I’m a hugger…Is that okay or…?” I ask him. He doesn’t reply. Just gets up from his chair and walks over to me, embracing me in an incredibly cozy, warm hug. “I’m not gonna lie…It’s been years since we spoke, but I’ve missed this. Even though I haven’t even felt your touch in…God, I don’t even know how long…” I say to him, reminiscing on what little memories I have of him and me. “Well, I’m glad to have you back, Jamie. Maybe we can get to know each other again. After all, the ship doesn’t launch until next month.” He says to me in a happy, patient tone.
“Seriously? That’s awesome! I wouldn't expect it to go so soon. Oh, uh, hey. Sorry to be intrusive, and kinda broadcast my ADHD, but what's up with the photo? Who's in the photo rather? Sorry.” I say, pointing to the picture frame on his desk. He looks at it, and then at me. His facial expression shifts. I expected him to get angry. But instead, tears slowly welled up in his eyes. His lips quiver. His voice trembles as he tries to say something. “I…Uh…Sorry, Jamie…I…need a second…” He says, turning away from me and staring outside of a window. He’s clearly trying to calm down. But, it’s obviously not working. I want to comfort him. But, I have no idea who that is. Or what he’s gone through with them. But, it can’t stop me from trying…right…?
I stand up from my chair and slowly walk over, approaching behind him. “Will you need a minute…? Want me to leave…?” I ask him. He shakes his head without a word. “I…want you here…If that’s okay. Even though I know we’re not as close at all.” He says to me, his body still turned away from me. “Okay. I’m not going anywhere. At least, until you feel better.” I say to him, as I walk and stand beside him. He turns and looks at me, and through all of his tears, finds some way to smile at me. “You…You know, Even though we’ve lost so much time together…You are somehow still nice to me…How do you do it? Don’t you hate me or something? For leading you on or…something?” He asks me curiously with a slight demanding tone in his voice. Hate him? Why would I ever…How could I ever hate him? Even if he did the worst thing ever, I don’t think I could hate him…Even if I tried… “Because…you’re awesome, Curly. You were so nice to me when we talked. And even then, you’re still nice now. When we basically just met again now. I could never hate you. Even if I tried.” I said to him, trying to sound as genuine as possible. He smiles through the tears, hugging me again, even tighter than what he once was. As if he’s afraid of losing me again if he lets me go for even a second. “I’m just…I don’t know. This is all so weird…But, somehow joyful.” He says to me, still smiling and hugging me. I agree. Even if we haven’t spoken in almost 3 years. “Yeah…This is nice…Except for the part where you’re breaking my ribs.” I say strained with a chuckle. “Oh, right. My bad.” He says, letting me go.
Still smiling after all this time. God, I don’t remember him being so happy and giddy. But, it’s refreshing to see someone happy besides myself. Since everyone I know seems depressed right now. Even Anya. But, I have no idea why…Maybe I’m reading too much into it. Or misreading. “Alright, Jamie. I really did enjoy the sentiment, but I think it’s about time you get going. After all, I do think I see a line forming outside of my door.” He says, laughing. I laugh in unison with him and nod, giving him one last hug before I leave his office. “Well, I’ll be in touch.” I say as I open the door, smiling at him as I walk out. I shut the door behind me and chuckle. What a day. I got to rekindle a…friendship with one of my old best friends AND might’ve gotten to fulfill my dream. Life is good. I look around and see a guy with messy, frizzled hair and a man seemingly in his 40s with a gut. I could inquire about what they’re doing here, but it’s none of my business. I tell myself as I go to leave. I’m stopped by my phone ringing in my pocket. Anya. Man, I can’t believe she waited this long to call actually. Doesn’t sound like her. I pick up the phone and place it against my ear as I leave the building. “Hey, Anya! How’s it going?” I ask. She doesn’t reply instantly. Jetlag, I assume.
“Oh, uh, it’s going good actually. Just about to get interviewed for that same job you were shooting for.” She says. “Wait, seriously? That’s sweet! I hope you get accepted. It’ll be seriously sweet having another one of my friends on-board with me!” I tell Anya. She goes quiet for a moment. “Another? Who else is gonna be on board?” She asks me. Probably should’ve watched what I said…Well, what’s going to hurt if I tell her? “Well, you remember Curly from college and high school?” I ask her. “Oh! Curly Morrigan? Yeah, I remember him...Wait, wasn't his name Orion or some shit...? Oh, wait...Shit, he’s the captain, isn’t he?” She asks me. I go silent which seemed like the perfect indicator for her suspicions. “I should've figured. Dude, he broke your heart in college. Do you really think taking a job with someone who just randomly ditched you is such a great idea? I'm totally cool with working with you. But, I just don't want you to go and work somewhere where you'll be miserable with someone you have bad blood with.” She asks me, irritated and genuinely concerned. He’s changed. He wouldn’t do that again. Even then, it wasn’t even that he called it off. He literally just vanished and it was obviously involuntary.
“I don’t. Anya, he didn’t to begin with. I got upset, but it wasn’t at him. It was the…situation. That and we made up and caught up during the interview. Not very professional, but I feel like it helped get us both some closure before we start this thing.” I tell her, trying to reassure her. She sighs. “Just…don’t do anything that's going to ruin you, okay? You know that I love you and I've always got your back. You're my best friggin' friend.” She tells me. “I promise, Anya, I won't. I know my GPA was super low, but I promise, I'm not that dumb.” I say, chuckling and smiling. “Thank you. Oh! And I am being called in now, so I will talk to you in a few. Talk to ya later, best friend!” She says as she hangs up. I can’t help but chuckle. She used to be a cliché geek but now she’s kind of an extrovert. I’m just glad she came out of her shell. Before I can move an inch away from the building, someone knocks my phone out of my head. “What the hell--? Dude, seriously?!” I yell out as I watch them speed off. They move so quickly, I can barely catch a glimpse of what they look like. All I see is their bright red leather jacket with a horseshoe sigil on the back of it. Huh…Weird…Is he…? Nah…No way. I think to myself as I pick up my phone and walk to my car. Man…today really was a good day in my book. Haven’t had many of those really often. This is just…a great change of pace. I think to myself as I unlock my car door and pull the door open. Before I can step in, a flyer lands at my foot. It’s a picture of the guy from Curly’s desk. Curly’s not in it and he wasn’t cut out of it. His face is just…upset. He’s sad about something. But I can't tell what. Surely something to do with Curly...After all, he hasn’t really spoken to him. Or so it’d seem. Better not over think it. I think as I fold the photo up and stuff it in my back pocket. Next time we meet up, I’ll give it to Curly. He’ll love to have it, right? Surely…Better to just go home and not think too much about it.
I quickly start my car and speed home, feeling hopeful about what this is going to become.