[Video] 41

[maddest]

[Like so many others will this week, Break wakes up screaming. The PCD isn't pointed at the bed, so it doesn't capture anything but sound until he scrambles off of it, past the camera and towards the window, throwing it open to get fresh air.

This all hits a little close to home.]

Why-

[He asks, hoarsely, a few minutes later,]

-does the network insist on displaying our grief? The timing is too consistent to be accidental.

Comments

[al_truism]

[He beams.]

But you know, the minute I needed you, you were always here. Insisting that I calm down, think, and drink my tea.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Always sound advice.

[al_truism]

... there was a time in my life when I felt you were the only one who could ever understand.

[A heartbeat, and then he moves to pick up the dishes.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I never meant to make you feel that. I just- meant that if I understood, anyone could.

[al_truism]

You were the only one who thought I was sane when Yuca turned on everyone.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What do you mean?

[al_truism]

What do you remember?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I remember what happened- I don't remember what you did that might have been confusing.

[al_truism]

That I'd known what he'd done, and had said nothing.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

That's ridiculous. Do you know why they were saying it?

There isn't a soul among us without a secret- but deny it, say that you ought to have known better, that such wickedness was uncommon, and they hide their own stripes better.

[al_truism]

These aren't bad people.

[Quietly.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

No, they aren't.

But everyone has a secret.

[al_truism]

... yeah, there's that.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Anyways, they forgave you, apparently?

[al_truism]

Eventually.

[Al hasn't really forgiven himself for that one. He scrubs the last of the dishes, putting them aside to dry.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[Break polishes off the last of the tea.]

Think they'll get around to me?

[al_truism]

Some of them already are.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

You're too soft hearted, you don't count.

[al_truism]

[Al flicks clean dishwater at him.]

Of course I count!

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I'm talking about a reasonable and objective standard.

[al_truism]

You think I'm being unreasonable to like or forgive you?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Well, obviously!

[al_truism]

[He just sighs.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

You trusted Yuca.

[al_truism]

Rain asked me to.

He didn't have anybody else.

I thought that maybe... I don't know. That this time, I might help him to realize that life wasn't so bad.