[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

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything.

[al_truism]

You think so?

[Shrugging, still chuckling as he puts the plates down at the table.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

Who are you going to try for for ombudsman?

[al_truism]

Personally, I think there are a lot of ways to do something the wrong way.

[Thoughtfully, soft.]

Other than the Colonel, my first choices would be Ms. Unohana or Negi. But Negi is still...

[He nibbles his sandwich.]

He's got precious little of his innocence left as it is.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Undertaker. Katara.

[al_truism]

Not Undertaker.

[Softly.]

Katara would be a good choice, but she's Negi's age too.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Does he frighten you too?

[al_truism]

... I know when someone is keeping secrets. And when someone is playing down their own intelligence.

He may be harmless, but he might also be something else.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

We're all so untrustworthy!

[al_truism]

Do you trust him?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

With my life.

[al_truism]

Why?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Like knows like.

[al_truism]

... you also trust Lucifer?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

In a different way. Lucifer operates like clockwork- Undertaker will do what he thinks is right.

[al_truism]

But how do you know?

[Soft, pained. He's spent so long being able to trust, and this week is destroying it.]

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

You look at what you're gambling.

[al_truism]

[Silence, in return. Al sighs softly.]

... why did you come to see me-?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Because we were friends, once upon a time.

[al_truism]

And then I punched you.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Something like that.

[al_truism]

...

You were in my dreams. Or the reality- what happens when we sleep here.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What did I have to say?

[al_truism]

You don't say much.

[Softly.]

... the things that happen here apparently have a parallel in the... that place.

But for a time, you were in there with me.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine I was comforting.