Nova’s seated on a sofa, one leg curled beneath himself. Looking a little bit sleepy but terribly, terribly pleased. He waves at the camera, a gentle back and forth of his hand, as he speaks. ]
Ey, Talik.
Good morning to yourself.
[ There’s a moment in which Nova seems to be gathering his thoughts. Starts to speak, pauses, tries again, laughing slightly to himself. ]
Pressure’s on, hey? Naught but what I’ve put on my own self, fuck me I’m not one for nerves often but there’s something I’d thought to say and there’s my thoughts gone racing to the wind, or what I mean’s I think of you speaking ‘morning’ and I think you hearing it from I and…
[ He’s smiling to himself as his eyes drift away from the camera briefly, hand rubbing at his temple then running through his hair before Nova snaps his fingers, points upward and looks back to the camera with a pleased grin. ]
Got it! Oughtta’ve been clear as day, or it is, long’s I can keep from daydreaming for half a minute.
Watched your vid five times over, I did. Good to hear your voice. Good to see you, and fuck if I’m not charmed fifty more times over with you every watch.
Here’s a truth for you: When you said it ‘yes,’ after that brother of yours asked’s the video for your boyfriend. …Maksym? Maksym.
Aye, and then you saying it, there with Dodo, ‘my boyfriend.’
Stopped my heart sharp, that’s truth.
Stops my thinking, recalling on it.
You asked is it all right and I’ll add to that asking do I want it, and the answer to both’s aye, and aye again.
I’d like to be your boyfriend, Talik. Like you to be mine.
That’s, eh, chłopak speaking Polish, the which I’m mentioning as it looks to be or eh looks it could be similar, speaking Ukrainian. Like I said, working on that. Point is ‘boyfriend’ suits me well and I’d like it.
…Fuck me. ‘Boyfriend,’ that’s good to say.
[ A lift of his eyebrows, brightening of his grin, and Nova extends one hand toward the camera, palm up. ]
Ey, be my boyfriend, Talik? Let me call you so?
[ His hand’s at his hair again, ruffling, and Nova looks to the side, first biting his lip, then laughing softly, shaking his head before looking back again. ]
Couldn’t help myself, there. Overcome, that’s what I am, now and again and again. The effect of you— My Talik.
[ He cants his head slightly, expression inquisitive, now himself seeking approval and at once feeling the stagger of those words. ]
My Talik. Christ alive, what you do to me.
…Shite. Right, right right right, best keep moving or I’ll have you here an hour and more. Not that I’ve argument against it, only eh your sibs might hunt me down I keep you from them too long, aye?
So fair’s fair, you show me yours I show you mine. Can’t intro you to anyone really. Nobody but mi’sen— Eh, fuck, myself to introduce you for but I’ll give you that tour, yeah?
Right so. Main room.
[ He’ll stand and give the camera a slow scan of the room, which is cluttered but kept clean, everything in its place even if that precise place is clear only to Nova’s mind. The camera pauses as it slides to a folding chair and a cello, a stand with sheet music set beside it. ]
There he is.
[ There’s movement now, the camera rustling and nearing the instrument, then Nova’s hand reaching out to gently pluck a string. ]
Eridanus, or Erid.
First I had, that one was my aunt’s, she’d called it Aquila. Figured it’s only right keeping on the constellation convention. And there’s something to be said for music played as water flows, but I've no talent for speaking it as it ought be spoken.
Anyway. Erid. You’ll be hearing from him, aye? We’ve got songs for you or eh, a song at the least, though being honest you’ll find it tricky stopping me once I’m started in.
[ A quick turn back to Nova, who winks - not an exaggerated wink in this case - as he speaks. ]
Hazards of having myself for your boyfriend, aye?
[ The camera resumes its scan of the room, and Nova continues speaking as he takes Vitaly through the small storage area, bathroom, with a glimpse as well of the bedroom, the tidiest room in the place. ]
Not so bad at all, this place. Lucked in on it as, right, see the lady owns it’s mum to a couple blokes making their way in the wide world of Burn Bridge. Had me out for fettling a houseful of fucked wires, happens they were pleased with the work or the chatter or I don’t ken what, but it was them put me onto this place. Sort of a garden shed turned rental situation, aye?
She ain’t bad, the old lady. Mrs. Milburn’s the name of her. I take care of plumbing, electrics, general repairs for her, yardwork sure. Cuts down on rent and she leaves me mostly to my doings, gives rein for fitting it out as I like long’s it’s in code.
Beats to shite the last place I had, leaky it was and moldy no matter the fixes done, and landlord was on my arse 24/7 over ‘the caterwauling,’ which I’m guessing’s the cello though the neighbors said naught about it and claimed to give nary a damn.
No troubles playing here, praise be to fuck.
[ Throughout this telling, he’s interjected comments about the scene around, pointing out a window that catches the late afternoon sun just right, a blanket knitted by a fellow musician, a corner where he caught a mouse just the other day, then set it running wild outside, noting he’s counting the days before it shows its oversized ears again.
He’s reached the kitchen now, and here he zeroes in on an old crayon drawing stuck to the fridge. It seems to depict a house and four somewhat distinguishable stick figures, two smaller and two taller, all holding hands. Nearby there are flowers and trees and flowers on the trees, and there’s something clearly meant to be a cat with maybe a bright pink bow at its neck. In the paper’s corner, a sun shines bright rays, and there’s what might represent an airplane or a bird or just a crayon’s focus gone astray. Here there’s a sound from behind the camera, what might be a throat clearing or a way for filling space, and then— ]
Might be you’ve figured, but this, eh— This’d be one of theirs. Nicky and Liza’s, sat down for drawing it together. Roza’s got one like it, made a little later on, but—
Right.
[ The camera resumes its movement, heading back to the main room. Nova’s quiet for a few steps, then— ]
You asked what’s beautiful outside, and I’ll get to there, but for what’s beautiful within, it’s what you saw just there.
Erid’s a close second.
[ The camera’s turned back to Nova, who’s leaning against a window frame, nodding toward the yard outside. He speaks next in a hushed voice, drawing verrrry slightly back against the wall, as if to be covert. ]
For what’s beautiful outside, and since my boyfriend’s taken it on hisself to nix his own visage from the answer pool—
Aye, caught me there Talik, and before I’d even said a thing! Your name being out the pool doesn’t make you any less stunning, that’s truth, nor’s it change the way your voice reverberates through me, sits and stays within me.
You’ve a hell of a voice, Talik, but then like I said, you’re a hell of an everything.
If I’m on the hook for saying something else beautiful, here, over here. Quiet-like though, no good spooking em.
[ The camera’s turned to look through the window, where there can be seen a birdhouse and fountain, as well as a feeding platform. A number of small bright birds hop around on the platform, pecking up seeds and bits of fruit. At the fountain, a bit removed from the rest, a magpie perches and chatters to itself.
It sounds as though Nova’s about to speak, then there’s a sound of pleased realization, and the camera returns to his face. ]
Talik, here’s a favor. Put Dodo on a moment, got something to tell her ey? Show her just as well.
Dodo. Ey up Dodo! It’s Vevay, that’s your dad’s boyfriend aye?
[ There’s Nova waving at the camera, then there’s a scan over the yard, then back to Nova. ]
See this here? Anytime you’ve the bug to dig a hole, got plenty of yard waiting for your paws here. Well eh, not so much yard, happens, but it’s ripe soil for digging, that’s so.
Okay Dodo, here’s me letting you back to your business, and asking you to please and kindly send my boyfriend back!
Talik, you back with me? Talik? Okay, back to birds.
[ And the camera’s back to the yard, and the birds still going about their bird business on the platform and fountain. ]
Put those in a couple years back, so we’ve been getting visitors seasons-round. Pretty little things, they are, and there’s worlds in their communications. The one with the yellow head there, just dropped a seed, that’s Finster. Then on the fountain, the magpie? That one’s Sharpe, favors walnuts and egg, left me a bottle cap the other day.
…Don’t know they count for beautiful. But I do like watching them birds, and nay, I’ll go with they’re beautiful. The magpie’s feathers, never seen a purple like flickers from them.
[ Turning the camera back on himself, where his eyebrows have gone raised, and he can’t suppress what might just be a shit-eating grin. ]
Ey, Talik. You ever hear what keeps corvids stuck together in flock?
[ He lets that sit. Lets that sit. Then— ]
Vel-crow.
Aye, and the hummingbird hums cause it don’t know the words to the tune.
[ There’s another wink, then—
Well. The briefest pause before Nova sets his fingers to his lips, then flicks them toward the camera in a gently breezed kiss. ]
video!
Nova’s seated on a sofa, one leg curled beneath himself. Looking a little bit sleepy but terribly, terribly pleased. He waves at the camera, a gentle back and forth of his hand, as he speaks. ]
Ey, Talik.
Good morning to yourself.
[ There’s a moment in which Nova seems to be gathering his thoughts. Starts to speak, pauses, tries again, laughing slightly to himself. ]
Pressure’s on, hey? Naught but what I’ve put on my own self, fuck me I’m not one for nerves often but there’s something I’d thought to say and there’s my thoughts gone racing to the wind, or what I mean’s I think of you speaking ‘morning’ and I think you hearing it from I and…
[ He’s smiling to himself as his eyes drift away from the camera briefly, hand rubbing at his temple then running through his hair before Nova snaps his fingers, points upward and looks back to the camera with a pleased grin. ]
Got it! Oughtta’ve been clear as day, or it is, long’s I can keep from daydreaming for half a minute.
Watched your vid five times over, I did. Good to hear your voice. Good to see you, and fuck if I’m not charmed fifty more times over with you every watch.
Here’s a truth for you: When you said it ‘yes,’ after that brother of yours asked’s the video for your boyfriend. …Maksym? Maksym.
Aye, and then you saying it, there with Dodo, ‘my boyfriend.’
Stopped my heart sharp, that’s truth.
Stops my thinking, recalling on it.
You asked is it all right and I’ll add to that asking do I want it, and the answer to both’s aye, and aye again.
I’d like to be your boyfriend, Talik. Like you to be mine.
That’s, eh, chłopak speaking Polish, the which I’m mentioning as it looks to be or eh looks it could be similar, speaking Ukrainian. Like I said, working on that. Point is ‘boyfriend’ suits me well and I’d like it.
…Fuck me. ‘Boyfriend,’ that’s good to say.
[ A lift of his eyebrows, brightening of his grin, and Nova extends one hand toward the camera, palm up. ]
Ey, be my boyfriend, Talik? Let me call you so?
[ His hand’s at his hair again, ruffling, and Nova looks to the side, first biting his lip, then laughing softly, shaking his head before looking back again. ]
Couldn’t help myself, there. Overcome, that’s what I am, now and again and again. The effect of you— My Talik.
[ He cants his head slightly, expression inquisitive, now himself seeking approval and at once feeling the stagger of those words. ]
My Talik. Christ alive, what you do to me.
…Shite. Right, right right right, best keep moving or I’ll have you here an hour and more. Not that I’ve argument against it, only eh your sibs might hunt me down I keep you from them too long, aye?
So fair’s fair, you show me yours I show you mine. Can’t intro you to anyone really. Nobody but mi’sen— Eh, fuck, myself to introduce you for but I’ll give you that tour, yeah?
Right so. Main room.
[ He’ll stand and give the camera a slow scan of the room, which is cluttered but kept clean, everything in its place even if that precise place is clear only to Nova’s mind. The camera pauses as it slides to a folding chair and a cello, a stand with sheet music set beside it. ]
There he is.
[ There’s movement now, the camera rustling and nearing the instrument, then Nova’s hand reaching out to gently pluck a string. ]
Eridanus, or Erid.
First I had, that one was my aunt’s, she’d called it Aquila. Figured it’s only right keeping on the constellation convention. And there’s something to be said for music played as water flows, but I've no talent for speaking it as it ought be spoken.
Anyway. Erid. You’ll be hearing from him, aye? We’ve got songs for you or eh, a song at the least, though being honest you’ll find it tricky stopping me once I’m started in.
[ A quick turn back to Nova, who winks - not an exaggerated wink in this case - as he speaks. ]
Hazards of having myself for your boyfriend, aye?
[ The camera resumes its scan of the room, and Nova continues speaking as he takes Vitaly through the small storage area, bathroom, with a glimpse as well of the bedroom, the tidiest room in the place. ]
Not so bad at all, this place. Lucked in on it as, right, see the lady owns it’s mum to a couple blokes making their way in the wide world of Burn Bridge. Had me out for fettling a houseful of fucked wires, happens they were pleased with the work or the chatter or I don’t ken what, but it was them put me onto this place. Sort of a garden shed turned rental situation, aye?
She ain’t bad, the old lady. Mrs. Milburn’s the name of her. I take care of plumbing, electrics, general repairs for her, yardwork sure. Cuts down on rent and she leaves me mostly to my doings, gives rein for fitting it out as I like long’s it’s in code.
Beats to shite the last place I had, leaky it was and moldy no matter the fixes done, and landlord was on my arse 24/7 over ‘the caterwauling,’ which I’m guessing’s the cello though the neighbors said naught about it and claimed to give nary a damn.
No troubles playing here, praise be to fuck.
[ Throughout this telling, he’s interjected comments about the scene around, pointing out a window that catches the late afternoon sun just right, a blanket knitted by a fellow musician, a corner where he caught a mouse just the other day, then set it running wild outside, noting he’s counting the days before it shows its oversized ears again.
He’s reached the kitchen now, and here he zeroes in on an old crayon drawing stuck to the fridge. It seems to depict a house and four somewhat distinguishable stick figures, two smaller and two taller, all holding hands. Nearby there are flowers and trees and flowers on the trees, and there’s something clearly meant to be a cat with maybe a bright pink bow at its neck. In the paper’s corner, a sun shines bright rays, and there’s what might represent an airplane or a bird or just a crayon’s focus gone astray. Here there’s a sound from behind the camera, what might be a throat clearing or a way for filling space, and then— ]
Might be you’ve figured, but this, eh— This’d be one of theirs. Nicky and Liza’s, sat down for drawing it together. Roza’s got one like it, made a little later on, but—
Right.
[ The camera resumes its movement, heading back to the main room. Nova’s quiet for a few steps, then— ]
You asked what’s beautiful outside, and I’ll get to there, but for what’s beautiful within, it’s what you saw just there.
Erid’s a close second.
[ The camera’s turned back to Nova, who’s leaning against a window frame, nodding toward the yard outside. He speaks next in a hushed voice, drawing verrrry slightly back against the wall, as if to be covert. ]
For what’s beautiful outside, and since my boyfriend’s taken it on hisself to nix his own visage from the answer pool—
Aye, caught me there Talik, and before I’d even said a thing! Your name being out the pool doesn’t make you any less stunning, that’s truth, nor’s it change the way your voice reverberates through me, sits and stays within me.
You’ve a hell of a voice, Talik, but then like I said, you’re a hell of an everything.
If I’m on the hook for saying something else beautiful, here, over here. Quiet-like though, no good spooking em.
[ The camera’s turned to look through the window, where there can be seen a birdhouse and fountain, as well as a feeding platform. A number of small bright birds hop around on the platform, pecking up seeds and bits of fruit. At the fountain, a bit removed from the rest, a magpie perches and chatters to itself.
It sounds as though Nova’s about to speak, then there’s a sound of pleased realization, and the camera returns to his face. ]
Talik, here’s a favor. Put Dodo on a moment, got something to tell her ey? Show her just as well.
Dodo. Ey up Dodo! It’s Vevay, that’s your dad’s boyfriend aye?
[ There’s Nova waving at the camera, then there’s a scan over the yard, then back to Nova. ]
See this here? Anytime you’ve the bug to dig a hole, got plenty of yard waiting for your paws here. Well eh, not so much yard, happens, but it’s ripe soil for digging, that’s so.
Okay Dodo, here’s me letting you back to your business, and asking you to please and kindly send my boyfriend back!
Talik, you back with me? Talik? Okay, back to birds.
[ And the camera’s back to the yard, and the birds still going about their bird business on the platform and fountain. ]
Put those in a couple years back, so we’ve been getting visitors seasons-round. Pretty little things, they are, and there’s worlds in their communications. The one with the yellow head there, just dropped a seed, that’s Finster. Then on the fountain, the magpie? That one’s Sharpe, favors walnuts and egg, left me a bottle cap the other day.
…Don’t know they count for beautiful. But I do like watching them birds, and nay, I’ll go with they’re beautiful. The magpie’s feathers, never seen a purple like flickers from them.
[ Turning the camera back on himself, where his eyebrows have gone raised, and he can’t suppress what might just be a shit-eating grin. ]
Ey, Talik. You ever hear what keeps corvids stuck together in flock?
[ He lets that sit. Lets that sit. Then— ]
Vel-crow.
Aye, and the hummingbird hums cause it don’t know the words to the tune.
[ There’s another wink, then—
Well. The briefest pause before Nova sets his fingers to his lips, then flicks them toward the camera in a gently breezed kiss. ]
Speak to you soon, my Talik.
Thinking of you always.