[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 has to smile.]

I don't like to lie. I think that comes through.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

[al_truism]

You are different. Other moments, it's as though you were never gone.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

What do you think has changed about me?

[al_truism]

... you're harder. More inclined to cruelty, less likely to let anyone close.

My guess is that you feel more vulnerable.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

That's true.

[al_truism]

[Al sips at his tea, just watching him. Thinking.]

I don't blame you.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

I came back, and people seemed to expect a great deal of me.

To trust me.

Utterly inadvisable.

[al_truism]

Did you ever think that you might have earned it?

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

Explain to me how?

[al_truism]

Because you told me the truth.

You tried to scare me off with it.

Because you can't pretend a remorse like that. A guilt like that. A passion to protect people like that.

You have never been gentle with me. You may lie often, but never once have you let me lie to myself.

[mister-hatter.livejournal.com]

[Now he's laughing at him.]

I sound like dreadful company!

[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.