video; about last month

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's jacket is gone, as is his tie. He is peeling off a pair of disposable gloves when the camera broadcasts his image, almost every trace of emotion wiped from his face, with what little is left being bitterly suppressed, save for a twitch in his throat. His gloves snap off the ends of his fingers and drop into the trash. Though his voice is scarely above a whisper, it carries his audience. There is calmness in his tone; a slow and lukewarm drawl.]

You know how hard it is to apologize to someone's face. Perhaps you deserve it nonetheless; but I couldn't imagine anyone who would buy such a silly thing. If you ask me, I wouldn't buy it either.

[His fingers drum the table, clacking against mahogany wood over and over again.]

Whatever explanation I could offer you, it's not enough. I mean, I happen to believe P.G. Wodehouse was right: it is a good rule in life never to apologize. The act is done. What does saying sorry matter? All showing remorse does is lay one's head on the chopping block. [His hand on heart.] You see, I was raised to believe hiding one's feelings preserves one's dignity. I am not an emotional person. But having my thoughts exhibited like that was one embarrasing show, let me tell you!

[His casual inflection, injected with a little indignant fury, is smoothed by cordiality.]

You know, it's funny; for all that our secrets were fluttering in the air, they've fallen to the ground to find the best soil to grow. Except they're now thriving in a way I never intended. And I think that's a pretty unfortunate thing.

[The obscure apology hangs on the air as he ends the video.]

Comments

voice

[hellrisen02]

[hey Crane; it's been a while]

Why am I not surprised?

...At the lack of control, I mean.

[restingstitchface]

I might venture it's because you're always skeptical, in so far as I'm concerned.

[hellrisen02]

Well. [There's a pause of consideration] You're not wrong about that.

That and a pattern of behavior, but you know all about those kinds of things.

Trouble with new powers, is it...? [Just a guess, but considering what he knew about him previously....]

[restingstitchface]

Almost like any other person?

It's not like others have never struggled before.

[Openly admissive, mildly defensive. Not enough to confirm what he can do, but enough is out there for those inclined to investigate.]

[hellrisen02]

Experimentation usually is the quickest route.

So, what've you discovered then? Any interesting conclusions from this test?

[restingstitchface]

Hardly.

[A pause.]

You realize one cannot draw conclusions if there wasn't a test to begin with, don't you?

[A backhanded way of saying it hadn't been intentional, then.]

[hellrisen02]

Oh, I don't know about that. Aren't the best scientific discoveries usually happy accidents?

[No, he's pretty sure that old adage is mostly a lie. But at least Crane has confirmed his accident, more or less.]

...Wouldn't be the first time, though...

[restingstitchface]

No, but that's hardly my problem.

[He doesn't even bother to give the man time to think and reply. He's already adding.]

Granted, when it comes to problems I tend to instigate them.

[Intentionally. Experimentation being part of the fun of the game, and all.]

[hellrisen02]

Jeez, guess I didn't expect you not to be the braggy type.

So what, regretting that this whole last week or so wasn't your idea? Don't go repeating the situation with better controls, now. Your keeper won't be too happy with that, I think.

...Let's just both be glad none of mine found you.

[restingstitchface]

[A long, protracted murmur voices Crane's lack of agreement or concern.]

Oh, I realize it must be a shock to you, but you and yours didn't enter my mind.

[If he's not a threat, he's not on his radar. That's good, right?]

I think neither of us have anything to be concerned by, now. Correct?

[hellrisen02]

[Not remotely bothered; it's a good thing to be underestimated??]

Perish the thought.

Hey now, I don't know about anything. If you keep having flare-ups like this...

[restingstitchface]

I won't.

[A beat.]

I would think by now that you realize I won't, anyway.

[hellrisen02]

Not entirely.

I know you pride yourself on self-control, but I think I've made it clear that I've seen enough otherwise from you.

Which usually seems to end up like this, so, you know. Enough of a concern.

[restingstitchface]

[He clears his throat a little.]

Well, that one's on you. Or rather, on your impression of me, which seems colored by your personal experiences with some other version of me. But I have committed no slight against you personally, and it will do my heart good to watch you realize that one day. Perhaps then you'll cease gunning for me because I happen to share a name.

[hellrisen02]

More than a name, pal.

[Duo's voice gains an edge, finally. For all his continued, detached baiting, it's that which sets him off, a little.]

[He pauses a moment.]

Just because this new generation of imPorts likes to play nice by these 'everyone gets a chance' rules, doesn't mean some people don't know better.

Especially when you let slip little accidents now and then, huh?

let me know if this is fine

[restingstitchface]

[Used to being confronted with anger on such a scale, Crane has enough self-confidence to not let it show.]

How do you get through the day?

[He acknowledges no specific point put to him, leaving them all out deliberately while chewing his lip in boredom.]

np!!

[hellrisen02]

A touch of whiskey and the peaceful smiles of my fellow man.

[Don't worry, Johnny. He can play the rubberband game.]

[restingstitchface]

[He's played it with older, crueler people than you, bro.]

Question asked, question answered.