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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[The progress is precious to L, and it's something he would mourn if he lost it.]

I have to get away from these weapons. I feel like I'm suffocating.

[...yes?]

[L's grown in leaps and bounds, Tony doesn't want to see him lose that all in one fell swoop. He's glad the man is willing to listen.]

Come over. We'll watch a movie and eat oreos, how's that sound?

[He's proud of you, L.]

Yeah, OK. No porn this time, though... in fact, you pick the movie. I'll watch whatever you want.

Deal. There's a Redbox at the gas station on the corner, I'll hop down and pick something out.

I'll take a cab over within the hour, after I've locked these up somewhere safe. I couldn't live with myself if someone came in while I was away and decided to use them for something bad.

That's a good idea. I'll see you then.

[Meanwhile he's going to go get Oreos and movies at the Red Box. How to Train Your Dragon 1 and 2. Perfect.]

[True to his word, L arrives a little under an hour later, a sorry figure in his shirtsleeves who's been through the emotional wringer and needs to get away from the oppressive tone of his bleak new building and the impending attack on his long-sufferign business.

He knocks on the door, staring at his boots.]

[Tony was quick to answer, first just barely cracking the door to make certain the person who was at it was who he expected, then opened it fully to invite L in. Yeah, he really did look like a wreck, good thing he got a couple of uplifting movies to cheer him up, right?

Right?]

C'mon, make yourself comfortable.

[These days, it's rare for L to not look like a wreck in all fairness, but tremendous relief lights up his face when he sees Tony. It's like a weight is lifted off his scrawny shoulders as he steps over the threshold and into Richard's house, where he makes a beeline for the couch and folds himself up on the far left cushion, curling and hugging his knees.]

What are we watching?

[Well, that was true, but he looked a little worse than normal today. It was obvious the day had been very hard on him, but Tony was grateful he'd decided to accept the offer to come with him, rather than calling Mack. L even appeared to like the idea? If his expression was anything to go by.

He shut the door and shuffled about, gathering up a blanket to toss on top of L before flopping down beside him with a packet of oreos and the remote.]

How to Train Your Dragon. It looked fun, has a cartoon dragon anyway?

[Besides how likely was that going to be accidental porn?

Okay never underestimate the power of the porn industry but he checked the disc and it definitely looked like the right movie.]

Ever seen it?

[Sometimes, even strong-willed and determined people who have reached their breaking point require a little nudge in the right direction. The fact that Tony is willing and able to deliver that nudge is indispensable.]

No, I... don't really see a lot of movies. Definitely not cartoons. Walter didn't let me, and I guess I just got in the habit of looking away.

[Tony completely understands. He's still looking for that nudge in the right direction, or any direction at all. Until then he'll try to do his best for L and not lead him astray.]

Me either. [For different reasons.] Well, Walter's not here, so we get to make up for lost time, yeah?

[Click, play movie!]

For lost time.

[He agrees with a brisk nod as Tony starts the movie. The introduction seems to perplex him, but as the narrative unfolds, he practically melts into it, leaning forward, fully absorbed in the film. He munches Oreos as his saucer-wide eyes take it all in, the flight scenes and the trust Hiccup puts in Toothless. Years drop away from him and for a couple of hours, anyway, he's a very young child who's finally been allowed to see and hear a strain of beauty he's been denied up until this point.

When it's over, he's smiling, satisfied with the resolution, glad that Berk has dragons and that all is, in that world, at least, well.]

I think it might have been better than White Chicks.

[It was a great movie. Tony got really into it, loving the whole thing. But more than that L's reaction was probably the best part. He'd never seen this side to the man, wasn't even sure if L had ever really been able to express it before. Hell Tony almost spent as much time watching L as he did the movie itself.

Now that, he thinks, is a job well done.][He was grinning, just couldn't help it. Look at how delighted L is.] Well I'm glad you liked it, want to see the sequel?

Oh, there's... more?

[He's not exhausted at all. The idea that it doesn't have to end yet is very appealing to him; he could do with an escape that lasts a little longer, especially with a cast of characters that has started to feel like a strange, fantastic little proxy family that he and Tony are both a part of.]

We'll need to open another bag of Oreos, but... yeah, I really want to see more Hiccup and Toothless.

Yep! There were a few like... shorts or something? Trivia and some racing thing, but this is the actual sequel so I figured that'd be better.

[He unfolds himself from the comfortable pretzel form he'd taken on the couch to stretch.]

Bathroom break. I'll get some more Oreos and we can pop the next one in.

[He was just glad L was enjoying it so much. He was almost afraid the guy wouldn't get it, or that he'd think cartoons were dumb. So Tony's delighted they can share a taste in movies. After the stretch he totters off to go do exactly that, break and Oreos.]

OK... no problem, I'll wait.

[While Tony is gone, he rubs at his eyes. They're bleary, but he is not ready to return to the real world and all its troubles yet.]

Tony?

[He calls after him, unaware and seemingly unconcerned with whether or not he'd find it awkward to shout back and forth while he's in the bathroom.]

Tony, would you trade your leg for a dragon like Toothless?

[L, he is not talking to you while he's using the John okay? But he's not long, and after washing his hands because he isn't disgusting he calls out.]

That's a hard one, man. [On his way to the kitchen to fetch more Oreos.] I mean, I'm pretty attached to my legs. Sure I could learn to get around without one, I mean I'm doin' alright with the whole eye thing. And having a dragon would be pretty cool...

[Casually he saunters back in, idly tossing the package to L as he moves to go set up the next video.]

What about you?

[L catches the package; an incredible perk of having working hands is having this newfound deftness. He happily goes about opening it.]

I think I wouldn't. A dragon's a pretty big animal, and even if it's intelligent and relatively clean, I don't have anywhere to keep one. I don't have time to ride it all day, like it would probably want. I could help an injured one with what Ray taught me, back when I needed an arm brace, but otherwise... I'm not much like Hiccup. So no... no dragon.

[His next words are spoken around two Oreos stuffed simultaneously in his mouth.]

It's OK though, I already have a good friend.

I hadn't thought about that part. Sure be a lot of work, wouldn't it?

[Out comes the first CD and put into the correct box, in goes the new one, and Tony hops back into his place beside L on the couch.

That last statement though, that's the one that earns the delighted grin. Tony couldn't even begin to explain how happy that made him to hear. He was so glad L had chosen to accept his offer rather than staying alone and hurting himself.]

I've got a pretty good one, too.

[Spoken more softly. He nabs an Oreo and hits play. What does the land of dragons have in store for them this time?]

Too much work for a skinny guy alone in this universe.

[L's glad he's here too, and it's probably obvious in his relaxed posture; even his smile, usually tense and controlled, is unguarded and reaches his dark eyes. He bites his lip when Tony returns his sentiment; was it really that big a deal?]

Do you? Yeah, Shou's great that way.

[Lightheartedly, he puts an Oreo over his curled thumb and flips it in Tony's direction like a coin.]

Man, no kidding. Maybe in that universe it would be different.

[They had too many things to worry about like bills and taxes. Adding feeding a dragon on top of that? Too much. But man, it sure was nice seeing L so relaxed and enjoying himself for a change. This was just the ticket wasn't it?]

Pfeh. [Tony shoved him lightly with his elbow, catching the Oreo and stuffing it in his mouth.][He flashes a silly grin as the movie starts up.]

[It's probably a lot like seeing a completely different person. As "How to Train Your Dragon II" plays, he lets himself be immersed in the story, which is broader in scope than the first film and more emotionally striking. His favorite character makes herself known pretty clearly; Hiccup's mother has his attention, and it never quite leaves her. She's adept and strong, but she seems to have forgotten how to interact with human beings. She wants and is working toward something greater and exists outside of society's rules while doing good, and he bites his lip when she says that she thought it would be better if she didn't return. That resonates with him, even if it's hollow and it hurts a little bit. He even stops eating Oreos for her scenes.]

[It really was like seeing a different person, the neurotic, stern and sometimes severe L melted into something entirely else. Tony could tell L favored Hiccup's mother, and he couldn't blame him. There were similarities there, while at the same time she was a wholesome and astounding character. With great strength and courage, and overall the entire family was just loving and supportive even through the tough times. Tony was particularly fond of the father, and was heartbroken when he passed so suddenly.

Stupid movie about wonderful families and friendships making him have stupid feelings. But they were good feelings, and overall he was glad he'd picked the movies he had.]

[L's not great at emotions. But he's grown attuned to Tony, and he glances aside after the death of Stoick.]

Are... you OK? Is it difficult? We can turn it off...

[He doesn't want to, but he's willing, if Tony's affected too deeply by parental death.]

My father's dead, too, I just don't care... I never knew him.

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