video | after the Hotel Rescue Shenanigans

[rideme]

[It's evening, as evidenced by the general dim light in the room. The living room of Nonah #5 has been the scene of a lot of mayhem, and now doesn't seem to be any different.]

[There's a cut on the Iron Bull's face, and he's holding himself with the care of someone who knows damn well he's hurt something important and doesn't want to make any sudden motions. There may also be glass stuck in one of his horns. More small abrasions decorate his torso. Looks like the aftermath of Motorcycle vs. The Iron Bull didn't end well for anyone.]

[As he records, he's moving gingerly across the house to deposit one (1) unconscious lump of teenager -- namely the Problem Child Tetsuo himself -- into a room. Probably his own room. Only after that's done, does Bull address the camera.]

Hey. Got a message for you, network.

[One might say he forgot it was on, but it's also more likely this was purposeful. Demonstrating the kid is in hand, put somewhere safe and no longer charging through the streets.]

Dear Whoever the Fuck Made Tetsuo's Bike,

You should have made it Bull-Proof.

[It's at this point, he holds up a certain finger on the hand still possessing all of its fingers. Wow, Bull, stay classy. He's about to turn the feed off when someone else pipes in, from somewhere else in the house--]

And would someone come heal my big, dumb boyfriend! Please?

[THANKS CHARLIE. Bull makes a sudden face, and hurries to mash the OFF button.]

Comments

[stealwithit]

[ Kasumi lips draw into a thin line as she listens to his explanation, and by the time he's finished, she shakes her head lightly. ]

Your kids are out of control, Bull.

[ She means it in an endearing, teasing way, of course. Kasumi "penchant for kleptomania" Goto is in no place to judge anyone's discipline, after all. She'll be tossing him the chocolates she'd brought before setting the bottle of wine for Charlie down on a table and folding her arms. ]

And where does the creep fit into all this? Something they want with you guys?

[rideme]

Yeah, no shit.

[He knows she meant it teasingly, but he's entirely serious. Kaneda seems more or less settled -- a bit. But the other one...]

Something they want with him. Kaneda thinks they're playing puppetmaster with Tetsuo dancing around on their string. They gave him the bike, for starters. Kicked off all this crap.

I just want to know who it is, for now. It'd... help a lot of things.

[stealwithit]

Alright. I can get you that much, maybe more.

[ That's her word, Bull, and she intends to keep her promise after everything the folks of this house have done for her. ]

I'm guessing you just want me to keep an eye out, for now. Probably wouldn't do anyone any good to stir things up so soon after you guys just got your boy back.

[rideme]

... Thanks, Kasumi. I appreciate the help.

[And that's as sincere as can be. Because he really is grateful. With all this technology, even someone with Ben-Hassrath training is woefully limited.]

[Whether or not she accepts it, he'll owe her one for this.]

For now, yeah. If we can figure out who this asshole is... we'll go from there. But that's our priority right now.

[stealwithit]

Roger that.

[ And then there's a brief pause on her part, as she gives him an examining look. She knows that Bull can take a hit. He can take fifty. But there's much more in play right now than "Bull got hit by a motorcycle," so she's a little worried. ]

... How are you holding up, Bull? You've been worrying about Tetsuo and them this whole time, but what about you?

[rideme]

[He blinks, and looks over at her, for once, surprised by the question. And he lets that surprise show.]

Don't worry about me. I've got me covered well enough.

[Lying comes easily. Complete with a smile and a reassuring little bob of his head.]

[stealwithit]

[ She mirrors his bob of the head with one of her own, and her lips draw into a thin line that says, she ain't buying it. You don't become the galaxy's best thief without getting really good at lying and telling when people are lying--and Bull is very good at it. Like, almost unnaturally so. If Kasumi didn't know any better, she might have bought it easily enough and left the matter at that. ]

Uh-huh. Forgive me, but I think I'm going to have to call bullshit on that. You're ridiculously strong, Bull. I'm honestly not worried about your injuries--how are you feeling?

[rideme]

[Huh. Well, shit. She read him better than he'd expected. He'd have to be more careful, if he ever really needed to keep something personal -- or even just not tell her about a present or something.]

... I will be fine.

[And that's a lot more honest. He draws a hand down his face.]

My people are falling to pieces. Got to be someone around here holding their shit together.

[stealwithit]

[ She sighs, shoulders slumping a little--good answer, Bull, because Kasumi would have really hated to badger him about it or even play along with the "I'm fine" gambit. "I will be fine" is a straight answer, and a good one. ]

It doesn't have to be just you, though. You've got Charlie.

[ She smiles. ] And he's damn good at holding shit together.