[Video]

[maddest]

I'm setting up communal clotheslines here, for anyone whose bedding is waterlogged. Bring as much strong wire or string as you can if you can find it.

We work best when we aid one another.

[x,y]

Comments

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I can't.

[He shakes his head.]

[thelightbringer]

You can. In fact if you try to leave, I have no doubt they'll chase you down. Al, at least, will drag you home with him if he knows you're out on your own.

Or are you tired of their concern?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I won't tell them.

[In a tone so mild he can only be upset.]

[thelightbringer]

[He stops walking and rounds on Break, hand on the man's shoulder to stop him.]

These children think they need you; you wouldn't leave them except to protect them. What happened?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

They deserve better than to see me like that.

[Quiet.]

[thelightbringer]

[He can't argue with pride. Well, he can, and has, but he won't right now; it's the same philosophy he would have.]

Mm, fair enough. But you won't be able to keep them away forever.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

No. Part of me thinks it would be best to end it fast.

[thelightbringer]

Ending anything here is nearly impossible.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

You could. Just- hold your hand over my mouth and nose until the rasping stops for good.

[thelightbringer]

Well, for one thing, if I did kill you I'd want a little flare to it.

And for another, you'd come right back. Body and all.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I think I'd reset, though. To seeing, breathing-

I need to sit down.

[thelightbringer]

It's possible. I suppose we'll find out, one way or another.

[He finds them a boulder hanging over the river.]

Those are your plans for living here?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Tell me something better?

[thelightbringer]

When Rhode was here...I told her to see it as an opportunity. We could do things here that we would never get the chance to try at home. We could perfect things we couldn't practice otherwise.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

That's far more hopeful than I thought I'd get from you.

[Catching his breath.]

[thelightbringer]

[He's quiet for a moment.]

Rhode made me naive again, I suppose. It felt like a second chance, having her welcome me as openly as she did.

When Gabriel came...that was a second chance. I've tried, as much as I can, to find a way to reach my goals while keeping him close to me. It's not going to work. I know that. My brothers will never join me, and I can't pretend to be what they are.

But even temporary things are worth having.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Lucifer, you need to follow your own advice.

[He tells him, with all sincerity.]

[thelightbringer]

You don't think I am?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Hear me out.

You see Adstringendum as a chance, a place to explore new hobbies.

[thelightbringer]

[He nods. It's more than that, but that is the day to day and largest part of it.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Then permit yourself to set your goals aside until you leave. If that's what has you fighting with your brothers and sisters- just let yourself live here with them. Make this space a safe one for your family.

You're an immortal, aren't you? The end of the world can wait until you get home.

[thelightbringer]

Do you want to know something only Rei knows?

[He doesn't wait for Break to answer; he can't, if he does there's not a chance he'll say it.]

Back home, the real reason I follow the script is so that I can find Michael. So that I could tell him I want to give it all up and leave the war if he will go with me.

He says 'no'.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

The Michael we saved?

[Heart aching for him quietly.]

[thelightbringer]

Yes. Which means at home, I have three months or so to believe in him. And then the war goes on.

But here...where I know what he'll do the moment we're free--

I was the one who suggested a truce among my siblings. I don't know if I regret it or not. With Gabriel, certainly not. But you've seen how he is. No truce was needed. He wants peace.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I like him. He's got such a sense of humour on him.

[Smiling.]

Can I tell you something privately?