al_truism | (Old) IC Contact Post

And if Marge does have a chocolate calf, I hope you know I have dibs.

[That needs to be said, even if it is terribly out of place.]

[Not unless you're somehow the father.]

You can have some if you ask nicely.

You're warned.

[He's not negotiating.]

Besides, I don't drink milk.

[Al just gives him a neutral look. Don't be a jerk, Luce.]

Chocolate cow, Al. What could I possibly want with that?

[That and a portal to a certain Noah.]

It's a little more important to me than you having all your Littlest Pet Shop animals in a row.

What could you possibly want with that?

If it's for Break, he'd just ask.

It's not for him. Even if he would be the best little cattle thief you've ever seen.

[There's no harm talking about Rhode. She's not here, there's literally nothing Al can do with the information.]

It's a 'you don't remember me, but I remember you' gift. For whenever we break out of this cage, and I go find my sister.

Then you need to ask someone else. Because I save nice gestures for people who deserve them, and she certainly hasn't.

[And Al gets up, picking up his pack.]

I'm not asking.

[He says it quietly. Yes, a few weeks ago he would have tried to barter or bribe, but this is easier and he's tired of wasting his time.

Besides, there is no cow, so he's not going to get his feathers ruffled over this.]

I'd like you more if you weren't such an arrogant jerk all the time, you realize.

[He shrugs] And even if you liked me enough to sit out here braiding daisy chains, at the end of the day?

[he smiles, points at him like he'd love to tap him on the nose if he was close enough] You'd still side with those who want to kill me. I'm happy with you not liking me. It keeps you honest. I mean, I have plenty of high-minded throat-slitters in my own family, Al, why would I want you?

The sad part is that -- from what you've told me about God in your world and how things have been handled -- I would be on your side.

It's what you do, how you act, what your values are, that makes it impossible for me to really trust you.

What are my values, Al? Hm? Do you have any idea?

You hurt people you don't have to hurt. And you see nothing wrong with it.

[Al just looks... tired.]

No matter what values you have, I can't work past that one.

I do it with a reason. If I didn't, I would have hurt you by now. Or Xerxes. Or Ed.

And Negi?

[Al shakes his head, puts on his pack.]

Rhode. And it was for a purpose. It's not like we just decided to do it for fun. I don't blame you for hating her for it, but don't pretend there wasn't a reason for it.

That doesn't make your reason good enough.

According to who? You? You're so afraid of making things worse that you'll tolerate anything that anyone does to you. Sorry, Al, but I just can't live by those standards.

And what in the world did Negi do to Rhode that wasn't self-defense, or to stop her from hurting someone?

You'd have to ask them. No one I chose was personal.

Then how do you justify it?

I had to save my brother.

[That's it.

Michael. The only justification he has.

No one will ever, ever convince him it's not good enough.]

[Al nearly throws something at him.]

Explain to me. Please. What hurting Negi had to do with saving your brother.

Negi and the others were a sacrifice to open a portal, so I could go back through and get him.

[He looks at Al pityingly.]

What, did you think I was just giving them a surprise mud bath?

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