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[al_truism]

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[al_truism]

Why would he lie about that?

[ex_apricots766]

I don't know. [ somehow both weak and urgent, ] I don't know, I don't know.

I don't know what to do. I still want Claude, I feel sick all the time. I can't be without him. The ground feels closer to my feet. I can't taste anything.

[al_truism]

He's who you feel safe with.

[The more he talks, the more Al puts it together. He keeps petting his hair lightly.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ he doesn't really confirm or deny it, not vocally, but his arms clutch more tightly and he hides his face against him. it's unsettling, because what does claude want? what is he after? even if he hates sebastian that much, why is he using alois to get to him? then, that, he's using him. what other conclusion is he supposed to draw? ]

You love Luca, [ he mumbles suddenly, like an after-thought. ] This is where he ended up, instead of a monster's stomach, and he seems ... He's bigger and he's really happy. Luca didn't have to hurt after he left me, did he? That's what I think. He's happy and he loves you.

I don't know a lot of people. It was dangerous for me to know people, but it doesn't matter because sometimes I'm not sure I'm a person at all.

[ objects get used, not human beings, right? ]

[al_truism]

You'll know me -- and Luca, and Ed, and Mr. Urahara, and Miss Rachel, and everyone in the house. And anyone else you choose to talk to.

Luca's happy, but he's missed you. You're definitely a person, and you can be one here.

[ex_apricots766]

I'm scared.

[al_truism]

I will protect you.

[ex_apricots766]

[ he sighs outward enough to make his shoulders sink, then sits up slowly. ] I'll clean up now ...

[al_truism]

[Al ruffles his hair and gets to his feet too, going to get the mop bucket, a bag to put the remains into. Soap.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ it's weird to hold the body. it's more stiff. cooler under the feathers. his knees feel weak and he wants to vomit, wants to cry again, but instead he manages to keep quiet and still. he strokes feathers, and frowns at al when he sees the bag once he comes back. ]

It needs a burial. We have to ... I want to send it off.

[al_truism]

... there's a place at the edge of the property. I'll find a spade, we'll dig.

[He finds himself relaxing -- Alois seems to think more of this now.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ tiny nod. ]

Do we have flowers?

[al_truism]

I can make us some.

[He puts water onto the floor, scrubs up each and every drop of blood, finding each bit of feather.]

[ex_apricots766]

Al...!

[al_truism]

Yeah? What is it?

[He straightens up quickly.]

[ex_apricots766]

I'll do it.

[al_truism]

[Al waves him down, then, handing him a cloth.]

There's another spot over there-

[ex_apricots766]

[ he takes care with it, when placing the hen's body back on the floor, setting her up like she's sitting. afterward, he takes care of the spot al mentioned, any remaining, helps him generally get the kitchen back into an acceptable order.

cleaning is strange, and this is definitely, since his arriving, the only time he's done it willingly or without half-assing it. ]

[al_truism]

[Al works quickly in the interest of time, and a certain small boy he'd rather not have see this. Comparatively, it doesn't take much time at all.]

... all right. Go get my coat -- it's hanging on the back of the chair there. It's cold out.

[He points it out, and moves to gather up the remains of the hen.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ alois pads over to collect al's coat for him, draping it over his arms, and when al is ready, he follows him out the door. ]

[al_truism]

[Al stops to take the coat out of his arms and put it around Alois' shoulders before they go.

The morning is quiet and grey.]

[ex_apricots766]

[ ...! this stalls him, and al might get a couple steps or so ahead before alois regains composure and gently tugs the lapels of it closer around himself. he follows al to the edge of the property he mentioned before, saying nothing, tucking his chin into the coat, hyper-aware of the fabric against his knuckles where he keeps it clutched around himself. ]

[al_truism]

[It's a relief to leave the house, and he leads the way first to the small tool shed to pick up a spade, then to a low copse of shrubbery with a small tree at the edge of the property. The branches have already shown signs of autumn. It's a pretty little place, out of the way.]

[ex_apricots766]

It's not really fair to them, is it? Even crows can fly.

[al_truism]

There are plenty of birds that can't fly -- chickens are just built more for the ground.