maskormenace | [ 01 ] Video; Possible Action for housemates?

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[ 01 ] Video; Possible Action for housemates?

[ The video starts rolling well before Walter's prepared to sit down and talk. What the viewer gets is about twenty minutes of a frail and sickly thin, older white man in his tighty whities, staring blankly into the screen. A bottle of wine is in one hand, continuously pouring the contents into a glass as he drinks them down only to refill it again. It's the alcoholic channel, with a few fascinatingly thoughtful jaw clenches and an unwavering staring competition with the lens. Finally, he clears his throat and speaks up. ]

So this is supposed to connect me to others 'like me?' These so-called imPorts...

[ He studies his empty glass, turning it in his hands. ]

There's one question that never got answered, and maybe you can give me some insight? Clue me in a little because I sure saw a lot of fire and brimstone a few days ago...

[ He looks up, dead eyes focusing on the screen. ]

Is this supposed to be hell?

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It's... sometimes it's nice here. It's peaceful mostly, even though it probably doesn't look that way for you. Not many people I know from home, though, so that's a bummer for me.

[He shrugs, closing his eyes for a moment.]

Just gotta... life's what you make it, I guess. Or something. I'm not good at pep talks.

[ Walt shakes his head, his expression warm. ]

You're doing just fine.

[ Pep talks are overrated anyway. Walt's certainly no expert at them. ]

But if you look on the bright side, which you seem to be trying to do, the less people you know from home, the less people who are in danger of being hurt here.

[He wasn't expecting that expression from the drunk naked guy, but okay. He nods, ruffling a hand through white hair that looks in desperate need of a cut.]

You're right in that aspect. There's only one guy, and I don't really know how he feels about me, so I've been kinda keeping my distance until I can figure it out.

The problem with me is I can't help but stick my nose where it doesn't belong, so... I end up with all these people I want to protect. And I'm not omnipresent, unfortunately.

The thing about people...

[ Walt looks down at his wine, swishing the contents in the glass. ]

They're adaptable. And most, given the right circumstances, can protect themselves and what's important to them. That isn't to say you're wrong to want to protect them. And you're far more intelligent than most because you do realize your limits. But you shouldn't stop what you're doing, necessarily, because there could be a time when you might be the one in need of protection and if that happened, you would have a good deal of allies to come to your aid.

... You're right about that. There have been times like that. [He considers this, though, then asks a question he wonders about whether he wants to know the answer to.] What about you, though? You sound like you're speaking from experience.

Experience making the mistake of burning bridges and hurting the ones I care about. Consider this advice from an old man who learned his lesson the hard way.

Ah, I've... been there too, actually. [He won't go into it unless Walt goes into it, because he doesn't want to have a contest of one-upping. He can see in Walt's eyes, though, the same damage he feels in himself, though. Doing things for what you thought was the right reason.]

But you've at least had the chance to atone for it, I'm guessing. Unless you also died...?

I didn't die. But I'm not sure that I've... atoned at all, honestly. The people I owe aren't here. Well, one of them is, but he... again, I'm not sure how he feels about me. [The part where he almost got trapped in Xehanort's skin for the rest of his life probably counted as a more-or-less death, though.]

Well... [ Walt shrugs and offers with a faint smile. ]

Consider it a work in progress. I can tell your intentions are good.

[He can't help it, but his lips curve a little too. He doesn't necessarily trust this guy a hundred percent or anything, but Riku can tell that they're similar, in a way.]

... I try. And well, you too, then. If the people you know are here, there's room to improve, I think.

[ Walt makes an amused sound. ]

They are. The problem is, they're all from a time before me. It's hard to express your apologies and atone when the people you want to apologize to have no idea about what happens.

The situation is...complicated.

Huh. Well... in that case, all you can do is try to make things easier for them. [That does sound super complicated, though.]

[ Walt offers a weary smile and says nothing else. ]

I realize I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Walter White. And you are?

[He notes that that seems to be a sore spot, files that away for later, then nods at the admission of Walt's name.]

Riku. Are you a Mr White, or just Walter?

Edited 2015-02-23 12:17 (UTC)

Please. Call me Walter or Walt. Mr. White makes me remember being a high school chemistry teacher and that's something I want to forget.

[ He smiles briefly. ]

It's nice to meet you, Riku. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Heh. Okay, then. What do people normally call you, then? And I'm seventeen. [He pauses, considering the question even though he already answered it.] Why?

It depends on the person. My friends and family call me Walt.

[ So are you a friend, Riku? ]

I was just curious. You seem to have experienced quite a bit for someone so young. You know, I have a son who's your age. If he was here, I think the two of you might have gotten along very well.

Walt, then. If that's all right with you. [He's not sure yet. The look on Walt's face this whole time, the way he can see something beyond the eyes of the drunk man on his screen -- he's not sure what he would consider Walt. He can't exactly say he's not a little suspicious. But he's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.]

Really? Maybe we would have. I... don't know, really. I'm not that good at making friends my own age, past the ones I've had since I was young.

[ He smiles faintly. ]

Yes, that's fine.

[ And Walt shrugs lightly. ]

Junior has a difficult time fitting in at times, too. You might be surprised. Though I guess there's no way to know for sure unless he showed up here. And I...

[ He frowns. ]

It's doubtful he will.

I... there's no way to know, really. There doesn't seem to be a method to the way people are brought here, you know? Doesn't matter if you had powers before coming here or only got them after you got here. I honestly... can't think of anything all of the imPorts have in common.

So what I guess I'm saying is, he might. But do you want him to?

[ Walt's expression is very torn after the question. ]

I would hate to have him come here and be put in peril. But as a father, I would be lying if I said I didn't miss him every minute. He's my boy. My flesh and blood. Getting the chance to see him again, even for a little while would be...

[ He chokes on his words, shaking his head. ]

I'm sorry.

Hey.

[He shakes his head, expression gentle.]

You... don't have to apologize. I have... people I want to see, too. So don't feel like you shouldn't feel bad about it. It's...

[He lets out an incredulous little breath. Incredulous toward himself, that is, because how useless can he get?]

Sorry. I'm really bad at this whole... you know. Pep talks and stuff. I'm mostly just good at making things worse.

No, it's fine. You're fine. I shouldn't even be talking about this sort of thing right now. Dumping my burdens on you -- you don't deserve that, Riku.

Listen for a second, okay? I don't mind. I don't know the right thing to say, but I'm good at listening, so... if you need it, I can.