al_truism | (Old) IC Contact Post

[Halloween is hell. Of course.

A few days later, all bloody and tired, Break comes on Al's feed and announces;]

If you're dead I'm going to kill you.

That seems a little redundant and everything-

[Al's equally tired, though a bit less bloody.]

What's happened on your end?

Something took out our plumbing. I went to go try to clear it up, and lost the use of my leg for a day or two. So, I'm yelling people into shape, as usual.

What about you?

Jim is back.

[A heartbeat.]

He's tortured and killed one of the chickens.

... how's your leg?

[He snorts. Then says, immediately;]

I'm sorry, that isn't funny at all, I just-

[Well.]

It'll be fine. It's just annoying timing.

Don't worry. I know you.

... any time would be annoying, but is there something in particular that makes it that way?

The event is getting uglier and uglier, day by day, Alphonse. And everyone I know who I trusted to handle it is gone or grieving. Ukitake left-

[Unohana and Urahara are who he'd normally go to, times like these.]

Do you need me?

I need to know you'll actually get in touch if you need help. You've got the youngest two in the city, right now.

... of course.

[His voice softens.]

I'm not quite who I used to be. And Urahara has been... an amazing help.

Tell him that. He deserves to hear nice things right now, even if it's a drop in the bucket.

I have, and I will -- even if he insists on not thanking family.

You're all right for food and water? And diversions- no trouble keeping them in?

Yes- and Rome's been sharing his hunting, too. ... though Alois does keep sneaking out. Maybe if we allowed him to invite more friends over...

What about you?

Lucifer is going stir crazy. I keep sending him out on meaningless errands, but his powers are so run down I panic every time.

[Snorting.]

I'd say we should send him over, but I think that'd be throwing gasoline on your little fire.

... I can't say I mind him quite as much as I used to. He'd be... well, I'd see him.

[Ed certainly wouldn't.]

... the house is very empty.

Let me sound him out first. I'm not sure he wouldn't be bad for Alois. But if I'm wrong about that- and I very well might be- I'll send him by.

... all right. Either way, I wouldn't have him alone with either of the boys. He'd probably teach them all sorts of mischief even if it wasn't the harmful kind.

Al, if that's the case, you should let him. Better learning how to make slingshots than killing chickens.

Word has it you were a bit of a trouble maker yourself, in your day. You turned out fine.

Mostly by accident!

[But the silence is a thoughtful one.]

... I'll think about it. Still, I'd rather they learned your brand of trouble than Lucifer's.

If I wasn't so tired, I'd say yes, immediately, but lately it feels like the play in me has burnt right out.

... how lately?

[He sounds anxious. This sort of tiredness is familiar.]

A month, maybe?

Don't worry. I'm feeling it creep back in, but it's been a mean little trip. I'm not nice, lately.

You're not usually the conventional sort of nice, as it is.

[He laughs, softly, the barest little bit of fondness.]

Is there anything I can do?

Try to avoid asking me to babysit.

[A ragged laugh.]

And don't give up hope on me. I'm not fading.

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