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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[ 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.

I appreciate that. You're too kind.

[ And if only Riku knew how much Walt didn't deserve any of the kindness. ]

I'm not, really. I just... know what it's like to feel like that.

[He doesn't care about deserving it or not, really. What you did before here is not what you are here. Riku feels like Heropa and the other imPort cities, this planet in another universe, this place is a blank slate for those of the imPort community who feel like they need one.]

Well either way, perhaps I can treat you to a meal some time? A token of my appreciation.

That might be nice. I'd like to hear more about you, too. In exchange, I'll tell you about the world I came from, if you're interested.

Of course. I would love to hear about the place you came from. The fact that there are several different worlds is intriguing.

[ And Walt doesn't even realize Riku could tell him more about that either! ]

Heh. [He smiles, though it's a small one, and a little shy.] It was really exciting for me to discover it.

Edited 2015-03-05 05:55 (UTC)

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