ninth fusion - video

[beholdmydemons]

So.

As I understand it, we don't die here. People...appear in a town with their wounds healed, or illness cured, or the like. Or so I've been told.

...What happens to someone who dies of old age, then? Would they die over and over again, or...become young, or... [He waves his hand around. Mysterious mysteries.] How it all happens aside, I can't imagine what would take place. [...] Has it, ever?

Comments

[beholdmydemons]

That's easy enough for you to say.

[struck_out]

It's easy to say 'cause it's the truth! We're never gonna know everythin' 'bout how this place works an' worryin' about that is just gonna add stress. Don't overthink stuff.

[beholdmydemons]

[...For a moment there, Walter looks mildly furious, but he forces down the glare and backs off fast.]

I'm relaxed.

[struck_out]

...you didn't look relaxed two seconds ago...

[beholdmydemons]

[He just lies back, crossing an arm behind his head and staring pointedly at the camera. Relaxed.]

[struck_out]

[Gold star for effort Walter. Gold star.]

The point of bein' relaxed, is that ya don't have to fake it.

[Take a cue from Leon as he shows you how it's done son. If there's one thing Leon's good for, it's taking his time and lazing about. He's practically perfected the art of not giving a fuck about things and just letting his mind drift away.

And unlike Walter, he doesn't look pointedly at the camera as if he needs to prove a point. Just looking up at the sky, enjoying the sun on his skin and a breeze that happens to be within the neighborhood. His body language just screams "LAZY DAY".]

You wanna talk about it? 'Cause if that's your idea of 'relaxed' I'd hate to see you when you're strung up.

[beholdmydemons]

I know damn well how to relax. [EYEROLL] Wouldn't do it now for my benefit.

[...and that would be why he's kind of arching an eyebrow at Leon like "do you really mean that?" - he's at peace with his own irritation. He thinks he's just dropping the topic for the sake of Leon's comfort.]

[struck_out]

That's not called relaxin', dumbass. That's calming the fuck down.

[Did you really think he's going to drop it? Leon's about to ask more questions, but at the moment the Houndour that Walter gave him? It's walked into the video and climbed right onto Leon's lap, dropping a red ball and barking playfully.

It's the red though that reminds Leon of something he's just been told, about looking at things from other people's Point of View. So his mouth abruptly closes before another word pops out; give him a few moments of looking very quizzical and thoughtful Walter, he's trying something Carmen taught him.]

...You, umm. You chased after your dream, right? Even if it was somethin' you weren't supposed to do. Like, you were supposed to be a fisherman, but you went to that Gauntlet thing an' made samurai?

So would it be correct for me to say that you're someone who doesn't give a fuck about the rules, and that you'll do whatever it takes to accomplish your dream? Just go with me on this, I'm tryin' to understand you so I don't end up sayin' the wrong thing again an' piss you off too.

[#nailedit. But he's really trying Walter.]

[beholdmydemons]

[Hey doggy buddy.

Walter opens his mouth like he's going to say something before Leon starts in, but stops and listens, looking vaguely surprised. By the end of it, he looks half amused and half quizzical, grinning slightly with his brows furrowed.]

...There's no "wrong thing" to say - [He lets out a little snort of laughter, though, shrugging.] - Ah, that...sounds right, though.

[Some of the details are off, but it's close enough.]

[struck_out]

[OK, Leon doesn't really like being laughed at, but this is his shot at being PATIENT. And UNDERSTANDING. And SENSITIVE. So let him just...take a deep breath.]

OK, an' you didn't want to be a fisherman. The Gauntlet thing was the only way you could make it.

[He's got those dots connected. Now to tie that back with Walter's desire to know and understand everything. Somehow.

...]

Y'know, can't I just, like, ask you why ya need to figure out everythin'? That's not a bad question to ask, right...?

[beholdmydemons]

[He gives a clear "not at all" shrug, pausing a moment to remember the phrase.]

...Knowledge and wisdom are the keys to power and freedom. [The words after that sound less recited.] Understanding...your situation gives you the power to make choices about it. It means you don't need to let another man tell you what you should or shouldn't do. [This making sense so far?]

[struck_out]

And...this is related to my Tokyo not bein' your Tokyo how? I'm still not seein' it.

[beholdmydemons]

Because...I'd rather understand the worlds and know what I've come from than leave myself blind to it. More than that, saying it'll never be known is...giving in.

[That's what it really boils down to, regardless of how he tries to justify it. Anxieties about being in the dark.]

[struck_out]

But how does knowin' my world influence you knowin' yours? And there's still this time an' universe thing that happens here that no one can explain.

I'm...still not seein' the relevance. So because you don't know a few things, that's somehow stoppin' you from followin' your dream here? Assumin' that your dream's now somethin' else then bein' a samurai, 'cause I don't think you can go around with swords here.

[beholdmydemons]

[Tokyo is Tokyo. He doesn't know what science fiction is - his instinct is that they're related somehow, but he doesn't know how to put that into words amidst all the confusion.

Walter rubs the bridge of his nose, scowling.] It's hardly only a few things - tch. [Breathe.] If I have a dream, then gaining knowledge is that dream.

[struck_out]

So is your dream to be free, or to be smart then?

[beholdmydemons]

They're one and the same.

[struck_out]

["That's stupid", is what Leon would normally say. But as this is the start of a new era where Leon will learn to be nicer with his words, all that comes out is a somewhat strangled and forced:]

That's...a good dream. I'm...glad ya found one.

[PRACTISING COMMON COURTESY IS HARD.]

It's not what I'd pick, but umm, I guess if that's what you want?

[beholdmydemons]

[...do you think he's stupid]

Don't hold your tongue on my account. [yeah he'll judge you but he'll judge you more for lying]

[struck_out]

[Leon sighs and rolls his eyes dramatically, arms flung up in the air with exasperation.]

OK, maybe I think it sounds stupid. But I'm tryin' not to say it 'cause that'd be me bein' an asshole. Everyone deserves to chase their own dream! So you should totally do it an' not think about what I just said so we can still kinda be friends an' not hang up on each other? Or at least don't hunt me down with a sword because you probably have some super samurai moves that could land me in the hospital. Whatever, jus'...do what you want, man. This place is like a second chance at life without anythin' to hold us back. So long as you ain't gonna hurt anyone or cause despair, in which case I'd call you a sick bastard but you're not gonna do any of that so we're cool right?

[Sorry, he ran out of patience.]

1/2

[beholdmydemons]

2/2

[beholdmydemons]

[...heh.] We're "cool".

[That was...weirdly inspirational of you, Leon. It's hard to be mad when you say something that clear and insightful.]

[struck_out]

[Leon lets out a relieved sigh and visibly relaxes back into his normal, carefree grin.]

Phew, am I glad to hear that! You have no idea how many toes I've stepped on this week. I'd hate it if I made you mad too.

[Oh yeah, he's got this.]

[beholdmydemons]

It'd take more than that to anger me. I'd rather an honest friend than a delicate one, hey? [so chill.]

[struck_out]

...ya know, a lot of the guys I hung out with back home in junior high school were pretty chill like you. We'd shit talk each other an' just dick around, an' nobody got mad or flipped the fuck out.

Then I went to high school. And then the shit hit the roof. And now I'm thinkin', everyone's really different 'bout what you can an' can't say to'em. Normally I'd say fuck'em, but...these guys are my new friends. An' they've stood by me a lot, an' forgiven the dumb shit I've done. I owe a lot to'em.

I guess...I'm jus' tryin' to be nicer to friends. 'Cause they've been really nice to me, an' I know I don't really deserve'em.