maskormenace | [03] Video

[03] Video

[ The video feed starts with Walt in a room in his Heropa home, an open box on the bed filled with Kaylee's things -- coveralls neatly folded and tucked inside, wrenches and other tools laid delicately on top...the whole process seems exceedingly painful for him as with each item he pulls out of the closet, the efforts become slow and labored. ]

I don't know who knew Kaylee Frye. If you didn't, you should have. I've never met anyone so genuinely cheerful and kind. She was the sunshine in this dark, cloudy world.

[ There's a very sad, forlorn smile. This feels more like a funeral, like saying goodbye to someone who passed away. And in some cases it's worse -- them vanishing to another universe, never to remember their time here, never to be seen again. ]

She helped me when she didn't have to. She cared when she shouldn't have. She took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. And what did she expect in return? Nothing.

[ With a long pause, it's very clear Walt is trying to maintain his composure. A breath in and a breath out. ]

I hoped I was wrong. I hoped to god I was wrong. That her disappearance was only temporary. But it's been a few weeks, and there's been no sign of her returning. I will miss her. Every day I will miss her. I already do.

This world -- it's done nothing but take things away. From me. From everyone else. Can you honestly say you've gained anything from being here?

[ Walt goes to reach into the closet for one of the final items and his hand twitches back. The sadness in the lines of his face increases as he pulls out a wrapped present -- a card reading: To Mr. White.

That's when Walt can't hold it back anymore. He sits on the edge of the bed, pulls the square-shaped present to his chest and cries. ]

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[Wow harsh]

See, I was going to suggest picnics and ice cream.

[ Walt lets out a laugh which is partially bitter and partially humored. ]

Maybe not a bad way to cope. If it's genuine.

You shouldn't assume such negative intentions.

All of it was genuine, Walter. I was only ever playing with him. But after you fired me, well... A man's got to make money somehow.

You will never be able to earn the sort of income you earned with me. Not with him. And you do realize every move you've made has been to his design, don't you? I mean, you do realize that.

You're no fool, Abduxel. But I'm telling you right now, as I have always told you. You're underestimating him. Frederick Chilton is ruthless and dangerous. He will throw you to the wolves if it will save himself. He will use you until he has no more use for you. He's already infected you. Gotten inside your head, and you won't even realize it. Not until it's too late. Every single move you make is to his design. You might squirm and wriggle and think you have freedom of choice. But he's attached the unseen strings. He moves his fingers and you dance.

[He smiles a bit, but it's cold and not at all genuine.]

Am I really who he is manipulating, Walter? Turn that all-seeing eye of yours back on yourself. He's using me to get to you. He convinced you to fire me, and then immediately offered me employment. Talk about his design. How long until he asks me to do to you what you had me to do him? He's turning you against me because he knows that you and I have a connection, and he wants to hurt you with it. He'd go for Jesse, if he could, but that connection is too strong.

Besides, didn't you throw me to the wolves as soon as my use ran out? Where's the lesser of all evils after all? Oh, what to do with all these dirty devils.

Edited 2015-07-04 19:13 (UTC)

Your use never ran out.

[ It was a soft and quiet admittance. ]

I let you go to protect you. I let you go so you could see the things he was doing. So that you could separate yourself from him and not fall into his trap. So that you could take and destroy him and return to my side. You asked me if the thorn was cut out, if you could come back. And I said yes.

But that isn't the choice you made. You never housed any loyalty to me, did you? He won you so thoroughly there was no chance I could ever win you back.

[He listens, and then there's a very long pause where he only looks down at his hands. He brings his eyes back to the screen eventually, and his enunciation here is lilting, almost sing-songy.]

What would you like me to do, then, Walter White? Now that I find myself behind enemy lines.

[Smilingly,]

Kill him?

Edited 2015-07-04 22:14 (UTC)

No. Death is impermanent. It's meaningless. He would only come back angry and betrayed.

Pain, I imagine, can be more persuasive than death.

Permanent or not, death is the ultimate trauma, profound submission. You should know as much.

But as you say. I'll find a meaningful way to hurt him. Give it time.

In the meantime, if you'd like company while you grieve for your friend, I've gotten to know a good ice cream parlour. But I understand if you'd rather not be seen with me at the moment. Then again, there's things to be done about that.

Edited 2015-07-05 21:32 (UTC)

[ Walt looks at Abduxel because that is quite possibly the most surprising thing of all -- the invitation. ]

You would want to go for ice cream?

[ No. A part of him is certain this is a trap. But then there's a small part of him, the same part that's grieving for Kaylee, that longs for how it was when he was able to let Abduxel stay with him.

And it's that part that has Walt laugh a very sad and broken laugh. ]

How did everything get so screwed up?

Edited 2015-07-08 20:40 (UTC)

Why not? Differences aside, frustrated though I am to be fired, I don't consider you an enemy. Not enough of an enemy to preclude ice cream, anyway.

[He smiles ruefully.]

We're complicated men, Walter. I'm sure we'll find ourselves on the same side again soon enough.

[Abduxel might be a touch capricious, the way he's switched back from vague threats to platitudes. But he realizes burning bridges won't help him.]

Ice cream mends all damages.

[ Walt says with a rueful smile before he shakes his head. ]

I don't think it's a good idea right now. You understand, surely. We've both said things and done things we can't take back now. And someday -- someday I have no doubt you'll see that my side was the right side to be on.

[ But by then, who knows? It might be too late. Either Walt will be dead or Chilton will, the way the two keep going. ]

You say that as though I had a choice in the matter.

I'll see you around, Walter.

Abduxel, wait--

[ Walt tries to get in before he cuts the feed. ]

[It was too late, but thanks to DemonHearing2015, Abduxel hears Walter say his name even though the comm message is lost.

So, he turns it back on.

Innocently,]

Did you say something?

[ You're about to get some paternal advice. So sit down, son, and listen. ]

I just wanted to say -- you always have a choice. Don't let anyone make you believe otherwise. [ Even Lucifer! Except Walt doesn't really know about Lucifer, sooo.... ]

I might have fired you from being involved in the business -- but I didn't fire you from being my friend. That picnic, the ice cream -- those things meant something to me. You meant something to me. You still do.

I just...I want to see you do what's best for you. Even if what's best for you winds up being to kill me. You have that choice. But make it for you, Abduxel. Not for me. Not for Chilton or Crane or anyone else who thinks they can control you. Make it for you.

[Anyone else... like Lucifer... who Abduxel is not going to enlighten him about, right now.

He looks almost uncomfortable. In a way, it is all for himself, because he's a selfish ass; but he gets what he selfishly wants by pandering to other people, but letting them think they control him. And on some level, he really does give them that control. People like Walter, Crane, and Chilton: prime movers who have plans, goals, and uses for someone of his strengths and talents. He dances according to their tune so long as it suits him; is that doing it for himself, really?

Regardless, with Lucifer hanging over his head, he's not really under any illusions that he's free, as much as he would argue against admitting that.

He's silent for a moment, and doesn't know what to say about the matter.]

...Thank you, Walter.

I appreciate your friendship, too.

[ He smiles, warm and sad. ]

Just, please -- one more thing. If you value our friendship, if you value the things I've done for you -- then do me this one small favor. If Chilton does send you after me to contain me, to lock me away in his basement for good -- kill me instead. I would much rather die at the hand of a friend than to ever give him what he wants.

Dr. Chilton would not trust me with that task, Walter. He hardly trusts me to be alone in the same room with him. He can probably sense that I am still interested in rejoining your cause. I suspect he only has me on his side to avoid me being on yours, what with all the nasty things I can do.

[He pauses, for a moment.]

But if it comes to it, sure, yes. I will kill you, if the other option is to contain you.

Thank you. That's all I ask.

Take care of yourself.

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[03] Video

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