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[al_truism]

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[al_truism]

[Al gives him a curious, somewhat suspicious look.]

[thelightbringer]

Well does it really matter?

[al_truism]

The more I'm able to understand, the better.

[Not 'know'. Understand.]

[thelightbringer]

How much do you really understand now?

[al_truism]

Not enough, but a little more than I used to.

[thelightbringer]

Then you understand I would do almost anything to save my older brother.

[al_truism]

Something we have in common, yes.

[thelightbringer]

The rest should be easy, then.

[al_truism]

Fair enough.

[thelightbringer]

No specific questions then?

[al_truism]

Not unless you want to give me specific answers.

[thelightbringer]

[He looks at the map, then shrugs a shoulder.]

I can do that, sure.

[al_truism]

I know you like Break, but- why do you listen to him?

[thelightbringer]

About what? [Chin on hand, leaving a dirty smudge on his cheek he doesn't notice.]

[al_truism]

About not hurting me, for instance. I know there are times when you probably would have liked to.

Or other people for that matter.

[thelightbringer]

Because.... [he trails off a moment, drawling the word out. Checking to see where Break is.] As annoyed as I get with you, and as much as I would love to crush a few people under my heel when I have a bad day at work, I don't have very many friends.

Actually, [a grin, as if it's a private joke between he and Al] I don't have any friends. Besides him. He's the only person who's ever insisted on being called that, and let's be honest, he doesn't need my protection anymore. So maybe I believe him more now than I did then. [His tone softens thoughtfully] ...things have changed.

Anyway, maybe if you'd spent enough time below the earth you'd realize sometimes it's better to play nice than to indulge a whim whenever you feel it.

[al_truism]

[Al listens thoughtfully, arm wrapped around his legs, cheek on his knees.]

Do you think he wouldn't be your friend anymore, if you did something like that now?

[thelightbringer]

[He looks at Al levelly for a few moments.] Do I strike you as the sort of person who puts his faith in the healing power of forgiveness?

[al_truism]

[Al looks back at his shoes.]

They say it's the most powerful grace.

[thelightbringer]

I couldn't tell you. I've never seen it do anything.

[Because no one, ever, has extended it to him besides Gabriel...and Gabriel just doesn't care. It's not the same thing.]

[al_truism]

I have.

[thelightbringer]

Ah-hah. And the biggest thing you've forgiven?

[al_truism]

"My dad."

He sets his chin on his knees.

[thelightbringer]

But not me, huh? [Not the least bit surprised, or offended. Just pointing it out.]

I'm sure watching forgiveness for other people is supposed to have some kind of awe-inspiring, by proxy effect on me but...it really doesn't.

[al_truism]

[He just won't even touch that. He tries not to think about his father too much because there's nothing to be done about it.]

Break forgave you.