trans_9 | Friends>Facts, right? Right? [Closed to Adam Park]

Entry tags:

Friends>Facts, right? Right? [Closed to Adam Park]

Guess who's poking his nose through piles of data, oblivious to the chaotic goings-on elsewhere?

That's Billy Cranston, who can never seem to relax for too long. He's currently downloading notes on technological advances in Earth's 21st century and beyond, eager to catch up on the systems and developments that his crew members from later time periods are familiar with. It's truly incredible that so much power can be crammed into such tiny devices, he thinks. And the alternate power sources discovered in later centuries are definitely an area to be studied further.

Stirrings of guilt in the back of his thick head tell him that he should really be spending more of his time with Adam instead of sitting here up to his eyeballs in work, but he reasons that a few more minutes downloading this chapter on nanotechnology won't hurt.

But in all likelihood, Adam will walk by days later and pry the alluring data from Billy's cold, dead hands. For all the progress in social ability the Blue Ranger has made, he still suffers from lingering prioritization issues.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And it was this prioritization issue that allowed Adam to not only find Billy in the library, looking intensely at the work, but say his name about three times, sit down behind him, reading over his shoulder for a few minutes, and then sighing in exasperation and covering the young teen's eyes. "There is a reason why you have glasses Billy, you shouldn't make them worse."

"Whoa---Adam? Oh, hello."

Congratulations, Billy's attention had successfully been caught, judging by the way he whirled around and pressed a hand over his chest. One deep breath, then two, and his heart rate was starting to return to normal.

"I was just planning to contact you, actually. It's been a while, hasn't it?" ...And there's the guilty look as he delicately placed the data pad aside. He really should've warned Adam about the extent of his responsibilities, and he definitely should have sought him out sooner.

Adam grinned lightly. "It's okay, I know you're busy. Besides, I've been busy myself," He chuckled. "Busy getting lost. But I've met a few people along the way, including my team."

He plopped down and made himself comfortable. "So, what exactly were you reading over anyway?"

"A program with a map of the ship would be useful, wouldn't it? Luckily, most of the ship isn't dangerous, but I've heard a few unpleasant rumors about some areas of the City."

The smile's returned to his face by now. "I'm studying technological advances made on Earth since 1994. Most members of the engineering department are from later eras and are therefore further along the evolution of technology than I am. This is my attempt to catch up. It's strange---back in Angel Grove my skills were considered ahead of the curve, and here my knowledge is almost primitive."

"Oh yeah, it would be very useful," Adam chuckled sheepishly. He got lost, well, a lot.

When he listened to Billy talk about how advanced things were, he tilted his head. Wasn't it 1995, nearly 1996 last he checked? Then again, people here were from everywhere. So maybe that meant different times as well, considering there were people from the future here too. "Oh come on, Billy, it ca't be that bad that you have to label it 'primitive'." He paused. "...is it?"

Edited 2009-09-13 02:24 (UTC)

"I suppose not. There are others here from worlds where electricity doesn't yet exist. No electric lamps, no food refrigeration, no automobiles, and no computer technology. The same Internet that the public is just learning how to utilize in our world will be a vital resource in most peoples' lives just ten years in the future, and it will soon be possible to instantly access almost everything you would ever want to know. That's not even considering the possibilities beyond Earth."

That kind of world is almost a utopia in his eyes, but he meets Adam's eyes sheepishly and manages to stop himself from descending further into a lecture about the glories of the future. "I believe I've learned enough of the future for today, though. How have you adapted to life aboard Stacy?"

There's a look of concern in his eyes. Billy hoped it didn't appear overbearing. It was hard to find just the right balance. Adam's tough, all the Rangers are, but Billy still felt guilty of neglect.

"The internet got that big?" Adam's eyebrows shot up. "That's certainly interesting. I think I wanna look into that whenever we get back."

He smiled at the sheepish look but shook his head, leaning against his hands. "I guess I've adapted alright. I just... I feel like I'm useless right now."

"Right. Though I fear I won't want to wait that long for the Internet to expand. I'll start coding websites myself." Oh, he had plans already. Just imagine what he could create and share?

So Adam was fine for the most part. Billy was relieved. But his feelings of uselessness were far too familiar, and unsettling for exactly that reason. "Do you remember what Stacy told us? That we were all chosen for a reason? Even before that, that Zordon chose you for a reason?"

Billy's not qualified to give a Red Ranger Pep Talk, but he'll make an attempt anyway. "Believe me, Adam, you're not the first Ranger to feel useless. When Zordon chose his first team---myself, Kimberly, Jason, Trini, and Zack---I didn't know the first thing about self defense. Invariably, one of my friends would be distracted from a putty in their efforts to defend me during fights. They were all too kind to say it, but I knew I was a liability to the team on the field."

"After a few too many incidents of having to be rescued, I resolved to learn martial arts. It certainly wasn't easy, and I failed to perform even the simplest of katas for an embarrassingly long time. But I never gave up, and my friends provided encouragement the whole way. I'm still nowhere near your skill level, or Tommy's or Rocky's, but I can hold my own in combat if I need to." Not that Billy was trying to toot his own horn or anything. There was still a small twinge of shame every time he remembered those early fights.

"My point is that you're an asset to this crew, Adam. If you choose to, you can teach a martial arts class. And you're welcome in the laboratory at any time. But if you'd prefer to learn a new skill, I believe you'd be a welcome addition to the Med Bay. You learn extraordinarily quickly, and you definitely possess the work ethic and care that the job requires." Billy glances up at his friend curiously. He hopes Adam sees the sincerity there.

Adam was blushing lightly by the time Billy was done. Sure, the Reds always did some kind of pep talk, but the black ranger thought Billy did a hell of a lot better job than anyone else. He could hear the sincerity in Billy's voice and it always made him feel... odd. It made him feel sheepish and embarrassed.

That and no one ever compared his skills with Tommy of all people. He listened to Billy's suggestions though and while the thought of starting yet another free class for teaching martial arts was entertaining in its own right, he wasn't sure if he really needed to. There were a ton of people on his ship, surely someone (or more) was doing it already, right? Maybe learning something new would be good for him. It would definitely occupy himself a bit better than anything else.

Or maybe he could do both. Damn it, so many possibilities, thanks Billy.

"...thank you."

"Hey, it's true. What kind of scientist would I be if I regularly reached blatantly invalid conclusions?" Billy followed up with a brief shoulder-squeeze and a smile.

"Actually, while we're here, have you spent much time in this library yet? Aside from the data, I believe we also have films and music if you'd like a study with a more cultural slant."

Adam nodded with a sheepish chuckled. "True, I think I'd be worried if you did reach those blatantly invalid conclusions."

Just because he wasn't Billy's translator like Trini was doesn't mean he doesn't understand him. He actually missed the tech-speak.

He perked up again when Billy asked him about the library and he shook his head. "Not really, this library has movies and stuff? How does that work?"

"I haven't yet had the opportunity to utilize the system, but I believe those are rooms equipped to run media." Billy gestured to some small room-sized pods sitting in the back of the main library chamber. "A far cry from the Angel Grove Multiplex, but the perfect atmosphere for an action-packed thriller. Would you like to experiment with it?"

Truth be told, he was itching to give the system a spin.

Adam leaned over to get a good look at the pods. "Yeah, let's try it," He grinned.

"Now I wonder how this works..." Flashing his ' here's an awesome new science adventure come on let's check it out' grin, Billy stepped into the podroom. It appeared that it could seat two more people comfortably. Seated at the front was a computer terminal that instantly drew the Blue Ranger's attention.

"It shouldn't take too long to decipher this---Adam, is there anything you'd like to see?" Who knows. Perhaps the mind-gleaning meatship would provide it whether they consciously wished for it or not. Another science-defying mystery for Billy to grumble at.

Adam couldn't think of anything at first. He could only shrug. Why choose him to pick what would entertain them? "Um..."

Adam walked around the room as he contemplated, swinging his hands around to help get thoughts running. His fingers moved in a rhythmic motion, his head moving ever-so-slightly to an invisible beat. It was something he did unconsciously and usually when he was alone (though Aisha caught him once and never let him live it down, saying he was listening to his internal radio).

He stopped. "I dunno," He said sheepishly.

Surprise was clearly written on Billy's face as he watched Adam's hand movements, followed by delight. He'd been guilty of the same sort of musical immersion before, so he wouldn't dare tease. Speculation, though, was still fair game. "Are you a guitarist?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the unmistakable sounds of a guitar solo flooded the room. It was unexpectedly pleasing, but sudden. "Huh. Stacy's still responding to our thoughts." Billy grimaced slightly. Having an alien entity in his brain was still creepy. Best to refocus his brain on the music, which he did.

Adam froze. He listened to the music but he was still staring at Billy. "I-..." He sighed and chuckled in embarrassment. "I did it again, didn't I? Aisha tells me I 'jam to my internal radio' all the time."

He nodded then. "Yeah, I suppose I am a guitarist. Um, I don't really play in front of people though, I don't tell people I know how to play. It's just... something I do. And I guess it comes out sometimes when I'm thinking."

Adam's embarrassment isn't necessary. He's talking to the team dork. "My unfortunate attempts at gyrations are usually responses to music, but unconscious movement as a response to stress is quite common. I have been known, for example, to bite my thumbs or fiddle with my belt."

Billy shrugs. "It's understandable. When people reveal a talent, they tend to be repeatedly asked to demonstrate it. It stops eventually, but the interval where everyone wants you to perform for them is trying." Oh, the number of inventions he was asked to build and show off as a child.

"I understand if you'd prefer to keep it private, but if you were ever inclined I'd be honored to hear you play."

"Yeah, I noticed," Adam chuckled good-naturedly. "I guess mine is playing my imaginary guitar to the radio no one but me hears."

He blushed lightly. "W-Well, I could show you, then, if you like? I don't have a guitar, obviously, but maybe at the Sensorium? I... don't know what I would play but I guess I wouldn't mind."

Adam gave a small smile. "Whenever Kim played at the Youth Center, you have no idea how many times I wanted to just get a stool and pull out my own guitar and play as well. But I'm just too... too shy, I guess." He looked at Billy then. "But I should really try."

And the fact that Billy asked for a concert, however small with just the two of them, was a real honor in itself.

This idea is sounding most prodigious! "I'll look forward to it, then."

Billy smiled again. "Hey, shyness is a more difficult obstacle to overcome than most people can appreciate. It's unsettling to be at the center of attention when you are all too aware that others are judging every aspect of your performance. I've always marveled at Zack and Kimberly's ability to brush off the pressure, to be honest."

But, and there's always a but: "That said, we now have an additional incentive to solve this mess and return to Angel Grove. I'd never inform the others of your talent without your consent, but perhaps one day we will hear you perform with Kimberly, and Aisha could be your vocalist." Billy managed to make himself homesick that quickly. Good job, Blue Ranger.

"They're open people and like the attention," Adam shrugged. "And I don't mean it in a bad way. Some people feel alive and just... happy when people are watching them perform. I wish I could have that kind of confidence, really. I'm surprised I can even do tournaments because of all the people watching and judging."

At the suggestion of an impromptu band, or just a duet peformance, Adam chuckled sheepishly. "Ah... um, I'd prefer to do my own singing actually. I mean, Kim and Aisha are amazing but I'd feel too awkward."

Billy drifted into a reflective silence for a few moments. Suddenly, the fact that they really hadn't known each other that long was in perfect focus. He briefly wondered whether Adam would have revealed this at all had events taken their natural course back home. But that didn't matter now, did it?

"You sing as well? You're quickly mastering the art of building anticipation." A swell of the sort of over-dramatic music you'd hear in B-movies accentuated Billy's point, causing his mouth to quirk. "In all seriousness, though, I'm certain that your art will be most enjoyable. The comparison is somewhat faulty, perhaps, but the dedication and care you demonstrate in all other areas of your life suggests that."

Adam raised a brow at the sudden over-dramatic music, looking amused briefly before blushing again. "Building anticipation? Nah, I'm not that good, honest," He laughed sheepishly. "I just do it as an outlet mostly. I mean, like, it's not angry music or anything just... I dunno. I just... never sing in front of people. The closest thing I had to an audience was when I used to place for the church in Stone Canyon."

A brief mental image of Adam screaming over a guitar about the evils of life suddenly popped into Billy's head. He collapsed back into the seat, wrapping his arms around his stomach as if to contain the sudden onslaught of laughter. Fortunately, he managed to collect himself after a brief struggle.

"Sorry about that. The image of you performing that type of music was...er...sufficiently startling to cross the line into hilarity." Interestingly, the mystical mood sensors of music choice had tapped into Billy's brain waves and had accordingly transitioned the music into a dance beat. In what appeared to be an involuntary movement, he started bobbing his head. "What are your thoughts on this music?"

Adam blushed rather hard at that comment, he couldn't even imagine it himself. But the new dance beat interrupted him and the blush faded. His head also bobbed slightly. "Oh yeah, totally," He grinned.

"Totally awesome?"

A strange phenomenon occurred in Billy's head just then. The building music pounding around his head evoked a feeling of exhilaration. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine yet another party at the Youth Center. Back then, he'd found it illogical to attract attention through synchronized body movements, but repeated exposure to the dance floor had softened his stance.

That's why Adam would catch Billy performing an odd version of the Cabbage Patch dance. His fists were twisted at odd angles, but it was close enough.

Adam stifled a laugh. "Billy... you do know you're doing something my dad would do, right?"

Still, the music was awesome.

Of course he knew. There was a reason why most people here erroneously assumed him to be several years older than his actual age. "Yep. Though I wonder...would your father do this?"

Do what? Rise to the center of the room and rotate his limbs just so, in an odd sort of motion that bears a passing resemblance to the whirling operation of a deadly alien machine, if the alien machine was a humanoid robot with some knowledge of the art of breakdancing. The movements are rigid and precise, in contrast to Zack's flowing style.

Billy still firmly believed that this style of dancing was ridiculous, however enjoyable, so he hastily returned to his seat.

Adam gaped at Billy. His brain died for a few seconds. Wait, since when could Billy do that?! "Whoa whoa! No way are you sitting down after that," He said, suddenly a bit forward as he grabbed Billy's wrist to pull him up.

"Do that again! I wanna see how you did that," He said, could he really breakdance? Since when? How?

Finally, the balance of Ranger embarrassment began to correct itself as Billy's cheeks reddened. Adam was still ahead in the blush tally, but perhaps they might draw even someday. Billy righted himself at Adam's insistence.

"I drew inspiration from the mechanical push and pull of industrial robots. By studying the ways these devices fold in on themselves, perfectly synchronized and precise, I was able to make calculations and translate those findings to the human body. Here, I'll demonstrate more slowly."

He started the demonstration by rotating his wrists and arms, this time slow enough to follow. His waist and legs soon followed, folding and unfolding with almost mechanical precision. "How's that?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Friends>Facts, right? Right? [Closed to Adam Park]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject