[03] Video

[kingpawn]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[infomodder]

[Declaring war, one drink at a time. No enemy bacon for Walter White.

Why not poison Will? He can be poisoned relentlessly for hours on end. Days, even. Imagine that wonderful torture. Picks you right up, doesn't it? Absolutely delightful!]

Maybe on a large scale. Losing people you care about is never easy, but I've found it helpful to look at the little things worth appreciating when this happens.

[He's doing it right now, even, with Sasha poofing.]

[kingpawn]

And when you don't have anything like that?

[ Not everyone is a socially awkward puppy that people dote on and like ok. ]

[infomodder]

[Go find people to torture? Eye for an eye, while wasting other people's time and being a lying sack of shit? Do your thing, Walter. No. Seemingly polite mode engaged!]

Me, personally? I'd look for it. Watch the sunset. Go for a walk in the woods. Stop by the beach. Get out into something bigger than myself for a while.

[Seemingly polite without advising the unstable, apparently, can translate to something almost Hallmark card level.]

[kingpawn]

[ C'mon now, bro. He didn't lie! He just only told as much truth as you needed to know. There's a difference!! ....though torture is totally a pastime he's adopted. ]

Venture off and be one with nature, huh? It can be nice, temporarily.

[ But living in seclusion up in the mountains with no contact to the outside world for months? Not Walt's gig. ]

[infomodder]

[Tbh Will totally prefers sins of omission to outright lies. But he also prefers not to be in the middle of weirdass games played by petty shitheads in the first place sooooo.]

Temporary is all I'd need to serve as a reminder. If I forget it again, I'll just take another temporary trip back out. Hell, even camping in the backyard for a night would be good enough.

[But Will has never had problems accepting that there are Bigger Things in the world than him. That he isn't God, or on par with one in any way. Does he have a few issues with pride, a bit of an ego that flares up? Sure he does. Of course he does. But the little things in life and the fact that there are things and people out there far greater than him are comforting and reassuring. Not the opposite.]

[kingpawn]

It must be nice to be able to take comfort in simplicities.

[infomodder]

There are always museums and opera and theater, if that's more your thing.

[Because the opposite of simple is pretentious, and he associates all those things with the most pretentious motherfucker he has ever met.]

[kingpawn]

Science is more my thing. Chemistry. Biochemistry. I've taken up teaching again at Xaviers, but unfortunately it's the summer so I can no longer count on that distraction.

[infomodder]

You're not alone in that boat. Have you talked to any of the other imPorts who specialize in science? Perhaps you could come up with a summer project to work on together as a distraction.

[You know, a project that isn't meth.]

[kingpawn]

I've spoken with Norman Osborn, yes. And Jonathan Crane.

[ These are all A+ people to work with, right?!?! ]

But I get the feeling that it might be wiser to work on my own then to team up with some of the other chemists here. I mean, no one wants to step on each others toes when it comes to their personal projects.

[infomodder]

[Uhm yes, the best of the best, four for you, Walter White. What a great group of people, listen to those egos conflicting.]

Group projects can get messy, you're right. Maybe there are seminars or conventions over the summer that have open attendance? I don't keep up with the scientific community too much these days, but there has to be something worthwhile out there.

[Go get Bill Nye and National Geographic tapes at the library and binge watch while eating ice cream???? Shit, that sounds like a perfect summer.]

[kingpawn]

It's worth looking into. And perhaps you should start keeping up with the scientific community. It sounds like the type of thing you could be interested in.

[ What with hanging around your best friend Crane and all. ]