tvk | Unit 1

Unit 1 - Video

[The video clicks on, showing a black haired man with a very mild look of bewilderment on his face. Not as much as one might expect from a total newbie, but by this point he's a tad used to waking up in strange places. Thanks Dad. Though really, this doesn't look like what he expected the afterlife to be. He really doesn't feel dead though so he's guessing he's alive.]

Oh so that button is the same...[Oh. Right. Broadcasting. He clears his throat]

I suppose I should go out on a limb and assume that this was not where I was supposed to end up. For one thing, I've been to most of the planets that like to emulate Lost Jerusalem and this does not look at all familiar. Would someone be kind enough to tell me what is going on here? Or at least where this place is? I have to admit I am a little lost.

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*The area behidn Albedo has changed, showing that he's started moving. Should have sent this from a more generic spot, little brother.*

You don't get it, do you? It was Rubedo I was thinking about. He's spent long enough without me to know what it's like, but you were always there. I was trying to save you.

[Uh oh. He looks up a little, knowing Albedo on the move never bodes well.]

I had him for 14 years, it was your turn to look after him. [He's going to try and keep this light.]

Besides, he needs you more then either of you are willing to admit.

*Moving quickly and purposfully, too. He's after something.*

Oh, so now you're trying to pass the buck, you selfish bastard?

Rubedo needs you, as well. I've done quite a bit to earn his hatred, but you have his trust. You're the last person he had reason to expect to abandon him.

*He's doing his best to hide it, but he's speaking for himself here a bit too. Nigredo might have tried to kill him, but he never expected him to just vanish.*

[Now you've made baby brother nervous. He's going to turn and start heading into the hotel.]

There's more to it then that and you know it Albedo. Life isn't that simple no matter what you say.

*Albedo is already crossing the lobby when Gaignun walks through the doors and casually switches from talking over video to speaking to his brother directly as if it's perfectly normal.*

The fact remains, Nigredo, that you betrayed Rubedo's trust. For whatever reason, he seems fond of you.

[Well that cuts off that line of retreat.]

He understood it was what needed to be done, and if you would think about it, you would understand too.

*And, abruptly, he's reaching out to grab the front of Gaignun's shirt. There are still some faded bloodstains on his gloves from the zombie attack, but it looks like he's been making effort to get them out.*

You believe I wasn't thinking about what needed to be done? I wasn't looking to die again, you know.

[God damn it Albedo this is his nice suit. Now his ONLY nice suit. Still, Gaignun has been a desk jockey a bit too long and can't quite avoid this.]

You think I was? I had a long time to think about how this was going to go down Albedo. [He reaches up to grip Albedo's wrists tightly, trying to get him to let go.]

If I had been shoved into Jr's consciousness then it might have proved disastrous for him.

*Sorry Nigredo, he's not letting go and is, in fact, trying to swing you around to shove you into a wall. Clearly, he doesn't want you going anywhere.*

Oh? I thought you shed the skin that would make it a problem. Was that whole thing a result of you being too chicken to keep defying what dear old dad *and there's a galaxy of scorn put into that word* wanted you to do, after letting him take over your body?

[Oof. Well, ok, that kind of hurt. He's not fighting back right now, waiting for an opening to extract himself from this.]

I did shed that skin! This isn't about that!

Do you realize how much effort it took to even regain that much control even with you two helping?! If I had stayed alive he would have found a way back! And just between me and Jr we would not have been able to contain him a second time!

[Gaignun is angry at Yuriev, but there is an undercurrent of fear under that. Not of Albedo of course, but of other things.]

*He holds Gaignun in place, glaring at him. But behind the malice in his eyes is a hint of pain, buried but starting to come to the surface the more his emotions rise.*

You think I wasn't considering the possibility that he would try to come back? Don't underestimate my power, Nigredo. Even if he could have returned, I wouldn't have let him go so easily.

*Or maybe he's overestimating his own power. Maybe he couldn't have kept Yuriev at bay. But now they'll never know.*

I'm not underestimating your power Albedo. You're underestimating his. Yuriev's infection had to die with me, with Citrine dead I was probably his only prepared link back to this reality.

The...[Sigh, this conversation isn't going well for either of them.] The tendrils were tightly wound. If I had passed that on to Rubedo... [Living in Yuriev's head had not been good for him for various reasons.]

*His grip on Gaignun's shirt tightens, even as his expression turns more sad.*

And you didn't deign to clue us in to the full extent of your little plan because?

[Gaignun's expression's softens and he shakes his head, glad for the conversation shift.]

I couldn't. I'm surprised that he didn't tear it from my head as soon as I thought of it. Had I attempted to say something, there would have been interference.

*Slowly, he relaxes his grip and backs off a little.*

Rubedo was looking forward to seeing you again, you know. While I can't fathom the reason, you'd better not pull any heroic sacrifices like that here and upset him again.

Once was enough, believe me. It wasn't the most pleasant experience. [There is a small sigh of relief. Being part of Jr's conscious must have been good for Albedo, that was not one of his horrible tantrums.]

I missed him too...[the 'and you' is heavily implied.] I was talking to him earlier actually. [This is said cautiously. Nigredo knows how fast Albedo's reflexes are.]

*Being cured of U-DO was good for him, too. Not that he can't still throw horrible, violent tantrums. But he's a little tantrumed out at the moment. Not that he's letting go, you aren't leaving yet.*

Oh? I shouldn't be surprised that he was eager to speak with you, the forgiving little fool.

[Of course, that would make things too easy wouldn't they.]

That's just the way he is. Quick to anger, quick to forgive and forget most of the time.

*And can't have things being easy for Nigredo.*

As I've noticed. But I won't be forgetting any time soon.

*Which means if you so much as get yourself hospitalized...*

[Of course not. Life wouldn't suck then.]

Don't sound so bitter. It's benefited you many times. And no, of course you wouldn't would you. Like I said, I don't plan on any grand gestures any time soon. I will have my hands full making sure you two don't accidentally destroy this place somehow.

[Have the look Albedo. He remembers how much destruction you two can cause, either by design or by accident.]

You always underestimate me, Nigredo. I've been here for weeks already and this place is still intact. Contrary to what you may believe, I am capable of refraining from destroying everything around me.

*And now he'll finally be letting go of Nigredo, with one final shove that might or might not just be playful URTV roughhousing.*

Well I'm sorry if my memory is a little suspect in some area's. [Have an amused snort.] One just simply can not be too careful.

[Fussy brother is fussy and he'll be smoothing down his collar now, but he isn't angry at the shove. He was expecting that. Still, it gives him hope that Albedo may actually be in a good mood.]

*What why would he be in a good mood he hates you and is enraged that he has to deal with you again okay yeah he's happy to see you.*

I'm hurt by your lack of faith. It's Rubedo we should be worried about, you know how his temper can be.

I have to admit you have a point. [He is so tempted to make a crack about how he can just pick Jr up and put him in time out now, but that is a little too mean.]

But, isn't yours just as bad?

*Albedo wouldn't think it was too mean, but that's probably not reassuring.*

Perhaps, but I'm still capable of thinking when I lose my temper. From what I've seen, Rubedo still doesn't know how to be discreet.

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