[video]

[maddest]

[A few hours after this, Break's PCD is jostled on.

It's a video feed, yes, but all that's visible is the inside of Break's pocket. From the sounds of things, he's still in the streets, propped against a building, wheezing for breath. A few coughs, and he spits blood onto his white coat sleeve, sinks to the ground with a groan.

Not a good day.]

Comments

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I'll tell you another secret, Al. Nothing about me is remotely what it's supposed to be.

[offline]

[al_truism]

That could mean a lot of things, you know.

[Small tug as they turn the corner.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

And it does, I promise.

Do you think it might be all right to trust him a little?

[offline]

[al_truism]

Yuca?

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Mmhmm.

[offline]

[al_truism]

[Silence, for a heartbeat, but the footsteps come to a stop. Al can't help it. He reaches out, sets a hand on Break's hair.]

So long as you're careful. ... I don't want you to have your heart broken.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[That actually makes him snort.]

Unlikely, Al.

[offline]

[al_truism]

Guess I'm projecting, then.

[Smilesmile, all through his voice.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, Al.

[Smiles or not-]

[offline]

[al_truism]

It's a bad habit of mine. Nothing else.

[He'd be insane to make a move on it anyway, that would crash and burn SO BADLY.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I'm truly, truly sorry, my friend.

[It would.]

[offline]

[al_truism]

...

Let's just say that it was probably good for me that he showed his true colors when he did.

Ah... she's not in her office...

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I can see how that would have been-

[Break looks privately relieved at the news.]

-her powers alarm me, truly.

[offline]

[al_truism]

You really don't like seeing a doctor, do you?

[Weeeeell.]

She's probably out on rounds... we can wait, and I'll make you something hot?

[CHANGING SUBJECT GO.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Doctors are fine.

Flying spiritual sea creatures are something else entirely!

But yes, tea would be lovely.

[offline]

[al_truism]

[He has to giggle, he must mean the ray.] I've seen that, it's a little different, but still pretty cool!

[Click of cups. He brings in enough tea and supplies that he knows Unohana won't mind him making a pot or two. He's tempted to put together something to help Break, but he doesn't know enough about herbs to accurately do something for him. Instead, he'll just find some honey-lemon.]

Would you like some honey in yours too?

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes please. I'm tempted to eat it by the spoonful, with how little sugar I can find here.

[Bane of his life, the dietary restrictions here. Of course, wanting to dine entirely on cupcakes isn't precisely reasonable, he knows... but it'd be nice.]

I'm not looking forward to having to forage in the cold again.

[offline]

[al_truism]

I don't think you'll have to do much of that, living with Zuko and the others. [Chuckle, but he does stir in a couple spoonfuls.]

Haaah, I have a sweet tooth too. I should bake you a cake sometime.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Would you?

[Oh oh oh oh oh.]

I only moved in with Zuko recently. I don't think I've had cake in eight months.

[offline]

[al_truism]

Well, that's not a good thing. It's been a few months since I baked, I might as well do it for a good cause.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What can I get you in return?

[Everything is a bargain, in a place like this. A favour for an itch scratched for a trade for a need. Survival doesn't permit generosity. He doesn't mind; he likes knowing where everyone stands.]

[offline]

[al_truism]

I... gosh, I don't know. [Half-laugh.] I never need much.

[Here, have some tea though.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[He cradles the cup close, not bothering to pretend to watch him. It isn't until he consciously stops that it's obvious how much work it takes, turning his head to follow voices, smiling, being appropriately animated.]

I'll make sure not to forget it.

[offline]

[al_truism]

Mmmmh. If nothing else, you can consider it a get-well-soon present.

[Al settles down with his own cup next to him, staring out the window.]

Are you alone here?

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[He sips from his cup again.]

Although, perhaps not as much recently. There are Zuko and Toph, after all. Living with them provides at least something of a support system.