savetheearth | ❧ 015 ❧ Video, laptop webcam

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❧ 015 ❧ Video, laptop webcam

[The video starts with a shot of an apartment kitchen, with its counters filled with several containers of sweet and savory baked goods. Someone had gone on another baking spree after recent events, but chose to remain out of the picture. A black tail is seen at the bottom of the frame, swishing slightly as it brushes up against a lower cupboard before a meow is heard and the cat walks away.]

If you were around the last time I made a post like this, then you know what I'm about to offer. For those who don't, I've made a bit too much and I'm willing to share this to the network. I already gave a large portion of what I made to the people working on rebuilding Las Vegas a few days ago. But, I'm unable to leave Locke for the time being since the 'teleporter' is presently inaccessible. Sorry.

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[The second Xander sets down that box and pulls off the lid, L's going for it, taking a donut in one hand and a croissant in another, double-fisting the baked goods like a man who hasn't eaten in days. That's actually not too far off the mark.]

Only what I have to. It doesn't have to be pretty, just relatively functional. Comfortable enough. I'm going to live here and maybe others if they need a place...

[He takes a break to swallow, going back to the drywall where's he's left his thermos full of... coffee, naturally.]

[He moves his hands away as L comes over and picks up a few food items.]

Of course. I take it you're planning on replacing the windows with the bullet proof kind and installing multiple ways to escape the building if there is a fire?

[He drinks deeply, tilting both head and thermos back, and doesn't even both to catch his breath before tearing into those pastries again and finishing them both on the spot.

Appearing dazed, but calmer and less desperate, he shuffles back toward the box to take another donut.]

That all goes without saying. There will be other modifications, too... any way to defend us against intruders, attackers and trespassers is worth investing in. All the time, effort and money in the world are worth it. I can't have another tragedy like Anthony's death on my conscience.

[He gives a somber nod to the other modifications and the comment about avoiding another death.]

Yes. That would be ideal. [At least he was in agreement of it all.] It is a shame there's no security guards who can be up at all hours of the day.

[The concepts are scarcely controversial, and Lazarus honestly doesn't expect much opposition on all of this from anyone. Even if it's just him living here and running the place, he can get a far sight more accomplished than he could living out of hotel rooms with a laptop and library computers as his investigation tools.]

Fortunately...

[He laughs brokenly, a rough, unbalanced edge to the sound.]

Fortunately, I don't mind being up at all hours of the day. I don't do too badly when I have enough to do.

[Too much. He has too much to do, and while he might not mind, eventually he will collapse from exhaustion. His manic energy is a good indicator that he's running on fumes and this point isn't too far off.]

[The broken laugh catches him off guard and a frown appears on his lips.]

I know you want to get this project done as soon as possible, but you'll collapse from exhaustion if you keep that up. I doubt anyone would want to see you in the hospital again.

[A pause. Xander has a point, and Lazarus knows it. He's won't argue when it's clear he's wrong... but he's currently pretty sleep-deprived and probably qualifies as insane by a few definitions.]

That's why I put my sweater on the floor, so if I fall down I won't hit my head on the concrete.

That won't be enough to cushion your fall. [He says with disapproval.] Do you have a sleeping bag around here?

No. I'm not camping

[He turns his thermos agitatedly in his spindly hands, one of which is tattooed with his number.]

There are some bed frames upstairs. I'll move in proper and get mattresses soon.

[He catches sight of that tattooed number before waiting for the other man to finish speaking.]

I could fetch you one for the time being. It would be a lot more comfortable than a sweater.

[He wavers where he stands. His will is strong, but the offer is sorely tempting to him in his sleep-deprived and desperate state.]

You care that much? I guess if you do, you could...

[It's his way of giving Xander permission to keep him from hurting himself.]

I do. [He reconfirms with a nod.] I'll only be a couple of minutes.

[Which meant he'll go to the store and pick one up since he didn't have one to spare back in the apartment.]

...Just don't hurt yourself before then.

I've been on my feet for long enough already... it's unlikely that the time you take to get a sleeping bag is really going to matter.

[If he seems bristly, it's just his pride. Truly, he is grateful.]

[Xander gives L a doubtful look for his comment about how long he'll be gone and the sleeping bag would be unnecessary.]

Are you trying to say that you might be asleep by the time I'll be back?

No...

[He pinches the bridge of his nose. He's so tired, but fortunately it's not that bad yet.]

I just meant to imply that if it's only a little while longer I can definitely stay awake.

Then I should go and get it before you pass out. [He moves towards the wall and starts to disappear in to his own shadow.] I won't be long.

[That is always just a little bit creepy, when Xander does stuff like that. L swallows, but focuses on staying awake until he returns. Out of curiosity, he does set his cell phone's stopwatch, to see if it really will just take a couple of minutes.]

[He's aware that merging in to the shadows was unusual and creepy to some people, but he would prefer if no one watches him when he uses it. Sadly, he doesn't have that luxury all the time.

About ten minutes later, he returns with a sleeping bag as he emerges from the shadows. Coming from the wall was easier than the ceiling or the floor.]

...Here you are.

[L stops his watch. Not a couple minutes, but he's not one to scoff; he couldn't accomplish that in 10 minutes, after all.]

Thank you.

[He accepts it; the soft material and the comfort it represents give him goosebumps. His poor, sleep-deprived body.]

Where did you get it? Do I owe you money for it?

[He kneels for his sweater so he can access his wallet.]

You're welcome. [He steps over and hands off the sleeping bag. Upon hearing the questions, he does list off which store he went to.] ...In the camping section of it.

[He looks hesitant about taking money back for the sleeping bag.] You don't have to. I know these renovations will be costly for you. Just... consider it a bit of a contribution to the cause.

...did you have time to pay for it?

[For some reason, this concerns him, even though he's certainly been willing to break the law to achieve his own ends.]

Regardless... thank you. It's a valuable one... and it's nice to know every now and then that people actually care. I like to think I'm pretty capable but my perception of reality isn't on record as being particularly stable.

I did through an express lane.

[He almost looks insulted at the idea of him stealing from a store. Even though it would be possible to do with his shadow mimicry.]

You're welcome. [He gives a nod regarding the comment that people do care.] ...I agree about being capable enough, but there's someone who is there to remind us of our faults.

[No offense is meant; the time is all L meant to comment on, but it's clear how it would seem like an insult or a presumption. Sometimes L speaks before realizing how certain things can come across.

He unwraps the sleeping back, spreading it out on the floor. The moment he kneels, it seems clear that he won't be rising again for quite some time.]

Well... we all need that, don't we? Without that person, any one of us could end the world on a bad day.

As reluctant as I am to agree, you are right.

[He watches the other man unroll the sleeping bag and takes a few steps back to give him some more space.] ...I take it you'll be going to sleep soon?

We'll see. I have a hard time falling asleep, even when I'm extremely tired. Not because I don't have to sleep, like some lucky people... for other reasons.

[Reasons that are, incidentally, far less easy to explain.]

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