[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]

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.

[offline]

[al_truism]

They're good people. [And knowing Zuko, he'll look out for Break.]

I'm glad... it's not good for anyone to be alone.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What about you? Is your hurricane of a brother still about?

[offline]

[al_truism]

Yeah, and kicking. I still have my mother, too, and the house is nearly as lively as it ever was.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What does she think of your still talking to him?

[offline]

[al_truism]

...

She knows that I try to do things carefully.

[She hasn't said anything about it. It's probably because she doesn't know.]

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, Al.

What about your brother?

[He seems the sort who would have words over it.]

[offline]

[al_truism]

This isn't anything new to him. Back home, I tended to talk to people who tried to murder us. They were usually much more reasonable than we thought they were.

[Scar, namely. Even Barry the Chopper.]

He wouldn't like it, but he understands that I can't give up on people. If I believed Yuca were truly a bad person, I wouldn't try.

[offline]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I think that's the difference between us. I do believe he's a truly bad person- I just have difficulty bringing myself to mind consistently.