savetheearth | Entry #B-1: "B" [November 19, Video]

Entry #B-1: "B" [November 19, Video]

[The man appearing onscreen this morning is haggard, somber, and distracted. Clearly, he's been awake all night, something he's been doing far too often lately, sitting curled in the middle of what appears to be a cleaned up but ancient school gymnasium's basketball court with his chin on his knees. A few feet away is a blue tarp hiding something sizable and lumpy.]

I know Albero's people are striking Espresso Yourself, early on the morning of Sunday, November 23, at 3:15 AM. They will be there to raze the building to the ground and they do not intend to take prisoners.

[He bites his lip, glancing away from the camera. The calmness he's affected since Anthony's death slips for a second, revealing something like fear. He swallows.]

I've been waiting for a pulse. I was hoping that maybe my other's experience and knowledge could help me, in this regard, but up to this point... it's been all quiet on that front.

[He rises slowly, moving towards the tarp and drawing it away from what it conceals. There are many pounds of dynamite stacked in the middle of his gym, along with several ominous looking canisters.]

I have dynamite and nitroglycerin. I think...

[He takes a deep, shuddering breath.]

I know we can kill a lot of them. Part of me really wants to, and I can't be the only one. But I know... I know that's not what we're fighting for, a criminal record of our own and another reason to be driven out of this city. So...

[He sits again, hard, on the floor, eyes and posture conveying a distinctly dazed quality.]

I think maybe it would be better to use this information to get the FBI on this and catch them in the act, with no blood shed. I'm prepared for both of these scenarios, but honestly... I don't know what's right. I'm so tired. I trust all of you, so... please help me make the right decision.

EDIT: I've been informed that Nick knows about another upcoming opportunity, a chance to hit the Mafia where it hurts. There's to be a meeting of higher-ups in the near future; further details are forthcoming.

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No. There isn't. But a slaughter in this fashion would send a message--the wrong sort of message. That the others are right to fear us, that we are no better than conquerers who might wish to spread extinction.

They need to be stopped, but not like this.

There is a way to do it, though. One that's effective, without being a... slaughter. Right? I guess focusing on finding that is the next thing to do.

[He rubs at one of his dark eyes with the heel of his hand. He is so tired.]

Arrests would be better, especially if those arrests can be linked to Albero.

[Torin nods his agreement.]

Arrests will go a long way in undermining the organization's credibility in the eyes of the public.

[He swallows. He's scared, and beyond exhausted, but he has a sense of clarity he hasn't felt in days. Torin has this effect on him very often. ]

Softer things usually break more easily. It's sound logic.

[Torin nods encouragingly.]

That's right.

I've worked so hard to not be soft. Maybe the person I wanted to be wouldn't have hesitated to kill people the world would be better off without, although I think it was important to him that criminals got fair trials. But I'm not sure. And I'm not sure what's important to me, aside from not being the kind of person Albero thinks he can break.

People break in different ways...

[Torin strokes his mustache.]

Would you want to break and become him? Something as bad as he is?

As bad as Albero? No, never...

[He doesn't hesitate to say as much, but something else weighs on him. He probably wouldn't say it, if it wasn't Torin.]

...but I worry that becoming as bad as my Other may be inevitable. Or as good, if he was good.

[Torin is glad, at least, that "As bad as Albero" involves no hesitation.]

Only time will tell--but keep in mind that you're still you. Not him. Not entirely. That will help you find your way, if it ever seems difficult.

[L responds with broken laughter.]

The person I was before all of this started was so lost. Definitely unreliable. I don't know if he could help anyone find their way.

And yet you've grown. How much of that was you, and how much of it was him? I'd say it was a little of both.

I don't know; it's hard to say. I've seen so much death, and that... that does change people. It would have changed me if I'd never gotten an echo.

I want the best of him, which is his strength. I think he was an incredibly resilient person. But I don't want what made him vicious.

Then keep an eye on it. Watch it. If you are prepared, then it will not be able to take you off-guard.

Thank you for making me feel like I can control my life.

[He pauses, plucking at his sleeve.]

If there's a hell... I see myself there. Vicious and lonely because everyone I would protect has died on my watch. Please help me protect them, Torin.

[He'll reach out and place a hand on L's shoulder.]

I will. I'll protect them--and you, as well.

[He stiffens at the touch, looks up at Torin with glistening eyes, and then hastily draws his sleeve over them, inhaling wetly through his nose and muttering something about the gym being particularly dusty.

When he's no longer being overcome by the "dust," he pulls himself to his feet, embracing Torin.]

I'm going to start getting rid of these. I never want to see them again.

[Torin is slightly surprised by that embrace, if only because it's so foreign to parrots, but he returns it nonetheless.]

Understandable. I'll help you with that, as well.

[He pauses after they part, gazing at the stockpiled weapons.]

There's a shed toward the back of the property. I hope that we don't need them ever again, but just in case we do... I think it would be best to keep them there.

We'd be prepared, just in case.

[He nods.]

I can get behind that. And if there were any swords in that arsenal...I'd like to take one, if I might. I still haven't found anything good to practice with.

[He makes his way to the edge of the tarp in the middle of the floor, carefully lifting several bundles of dynamite.]

It's all incendiaries and explosives. But a sword is something I can get you easily, if you need one... I'm not proud, but I have connections for this kind of thing. My guy can get me anything if I've got money, which... hasn't been a problem for awhile, now.

[Torin moves to pick up several bundles of his own.]

I'd appreciate that. I've been looking online, but all I'm finding are pieces that you'd hang on a wall. Any actual use would likely destroy the blade.

[He chuckles.]

At least I'd destroy the blade if I were to need to get serious with anything.

[L watches furtively out of the corner of his eye. Those are very serious weapons, and though there's not an open flame nearby, he is afraid of them.]

You're talking about ornamental ones, and they're usually very blunt and strictly for aesthetics. Tell me what kind you want, if you know any specifications, and I'll make it happen.

[Even if his middle man might give him a very weird look.]

[Torin's being cautious with the weapons as well. Even if he's brave, he's not stupid. With some, it's a fine line, but he does like being sensible.]

Judging from the ones I've handled, a broadsword would be best, I think. I'll have to do a few measurements to be certain for the sizing.

[Torin could accompany L for an even weirder look from the middle man, anyway...]

[Sensibility and bravery are both bare minimums to deal with these things, in all honesty. Torin's doing a fantastic job, and L makes note of it.]

A broadsword... I could help you with the measurements, if you think that they are in fact necessary.

[He can see why they would be... and he would also prefer not to freak out Mack too much when he relies on him for so many things.]

I think so. I'd rather get it right the first time rather than have to keep getting replacements made.

[Action]

dead_black_eyes - 2015-01-12 20:41 (UTC) - Expand

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