maskormenace | video, forward dated to March 5

[ So, there's Carl, sitting on the couch, in his apartment in Xavier's. For nearly a week and a half, Carl's been wearing a certain uniform, day in and day out. But now he's wearing his usual plaid shirts and undershirts and jeans and his iconic sheriff's hat, with the dull green uniform and boots folded up haphazardly next to him, along with several papers.

There are still bandages wrapped around nearly all of the right side of his face and his forehead. The Soviets gave his hair a little trim so he doesn't look so shaggy, so he looks a little more neater than usual.

Except, of course, for the sheer exhaustion on his face. There's dark circles underneath his lone eye. ]

Hey guys. Uh, here's another video post by me on Bluetube. I don't plan to make this a normal thing, but I feel its important.

So it's been rough. I'm planning to sleep all this week, honestly. I, uh - I honestly thought the Soviets murdered my boss so their mole can get her job. But turns out! [ He gives a smile, a smile that says, I didn't expect that to happen! ] She's alive. She just stayed in her house during the occupation. She told me what she did and . . . well, she did good.

Anyway, I'm taking the week off. To sleep, mostly.

But I was thinking of this uniform. The Soviets gave me it to wear when I woke up in the hospital. [ He points to the small pile of clothes, of the boots. ] And how I felt I need to wear it, day in and day out. Now? I don't have to wear it anymore.

[ He leans forward. There's a small smile on his face. ]

I still have my notes on that class. I even borrowed a book, since I pretended to like it so much. It was a book about their Navy.

[ Irony! ]

I'm thinking of maybe we should burn everything we ever got from the Soviets. Notes, books, whatever. I'll be burning my uniform, my notes and books, and even that knife I made when I was kidnapped and taken to a submarine.

I haven't got a good idea where to start the bonfire. I kinda want the natives to take part too. They helped us out, even if it meant risking their lives. Their families' lives.

[ Well, he's not sure how much contribution they made, but he wouldn't be surprised if they did. ]

Anyway. It's just an idea I have.

[ He starts to reach for his communicator, to turn it off, but he stops himself. ]

Oh, and to the USSR since they probably watching this:

[ He curls his and point upward, both middle fingers are still up. Defiant. ]

Go to hell, and go fuck yourself.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What on earth happened to you? The bandages-

[ Totally ignoring the language and the crude gesture, yes.]

[ While Carl knows that his wound is something he needs to be addressed soon (which is why he posted in video and not in text or audio), he can't help but feel a little . . . self conscious.

If people get disturbed at the bandages themselves, then what would they say if they saw the actual wound? ]

I got injured.

[ Peggy was mostly doing it out of concern for him rather than being disturbed. ]

Did the Russians do that to you?

I don't remember.

Maybe they wiped your memory. [ She frowns. ] Is there anything I can do?

No, because there's nothing that can be done except heal.

All right. I just thought I should ask, just in case.

Yeah.

[ Carl could always go to a healer. But the only healers he personally knew are Ellie, who ported out months ago, and Jesse, who murdered Dad, so fuck him. ]

What about you?

I am fine - but thank you for asking, Carl.

[ She did appreciate it. ]

If that changes I'll let you know.

I'm seriously thinking of making a bonfire. For burning whatever the Soviets gave to us. Kinda like a stress release? Or something. Is it a good idea?

I think it's a good idea if you believe it will help you. But I must stress that you do it safely. Which I'm sure you're more than aware of.

After what happened, I think making a bonfire is possibly the least dangerous thing I can do.

A fair point. Do let me know if you need some help with it. I'll be happy to.

video, forward dated to March 5

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