The One With The Empty Hand: Video

[twoheadsofcabbage]

[They stand in their room with their arms crossed. They're knee deep in Human detritus, as usual and yet: they don't look happy. Charlie complains first:]

What the suck? Who decided you can't take it with you?

[Scrad grumbles:]

We worked hard for that loot.

[Charlie adds:]

Yeah, we looted hard for it.

Comments

Re: Private

[flashy_magic]

Oh. Right. It wasn't that I didn't think you'd like it, I just didn't know how you felt about it one way or the other. And I wasn't sure why Charlie was emphasizing that it wasn't my problem. Anyway, I figure the Charlie in a bag situation has to be annoying, so I figure I should work out a solution, right? Like...look, it sucked not being able to use my powers in public, so I came up with this whole magician persona to explain anything weird anyone saw around me, and now even in front of ordinary folk, I can use my powers in New York.

Re: Private

[twoheadsofcabbage]

Of course I feel stuff about it! We're one person.

[Scrad insists.]

And it's not your problem because you don't have that problem.

[Charlie says.]

[timesbureaucrat]

[Sigh.]

The ephemeral nature of material goods, perhaps? Or the futility of trying to game the system on the Barge. Or your misplaced priorities when the world has gone to hell. Pick one.

[Muttered to himself.] Twice the brains of a human and half the intelligence.

[most_feared]

[They kind of do, but he likes them anyway. Like popcorn kernels and extra butter on movie theatre popcorn; they have their downsides but they're good for the movie.] Depends on the level of trust, I think.

Worth it if you find someone you can trust for one thing.

Re: Private

[flashy_magic]

Right.

Well, of course I don't. I still want to help out if I figure out something better.

[twoheadsofcabbage]

You ever been wrong about somebody?

[Scrad asks.]

[twoheadsofcabbage]

Well what else's are you supposed to do when the world goes to hell?

[Charlie asks.]

Re: Private

[twoheadsofcabbage]

Why?

[Scrad asks.]

[most_feared]

Yep.

[That's all the explanation he offers. Because oh boy was he wrong.]

[twoheadsofcabbage]

More than one somebody?

[Charlie asks.]

[most_feared]

A couple. [Just a couple. That he knows about so far.]

[twoheadsofcabbage]

And that's worth it.

[Scrad does not sound like a true believer.]

[most_feared]

A lot more haven't let me down.

[twoheadsofcabbage]

[Charlie eyes him.]

You don't expect us to do math now, right?

[most_feared]

Not really.

I've never bothered to count my friends. Just that there's a lot more than a couple.

[Friends is a weird word. He's never had to use it this much. It's getting a little awkward. It might start losing its meaning. He's gotta come up with a synonym or somethin' that's buddy-like. Does "people" work?]

[twoheadsofcabbage]

Not what we woulda thought.

[Scrad admits.]

Private

[flashy_magic]

Because you're a couple of decent blokes, and you deserve it.

Re: Private

[twoheadsofcabbage]

[They both blink blankly. Eventually, Charlie asks:]

Is that a joke?

Re: Private

[flashy_magic]

No. Granted, my judgement on these things is usually pretty bad, but no, it's not a joke.

[most_feared]

I noticed you need another head to do most of the thinkin' for you.

[Private]

What is it Drake has told you?

[twoheadsofcabbage]

[...Touche.]

[Private]

He's told us a lot of things.

[Scrad says. Charlie adds:]

You're gonna hafta be more specific.

[Private]

[most_feared]

Specifically about Laura. Or about Coordinator Narvin.

Re: Private

[twoheadsofcabbage]

[Scrad looks uncomfortable.]

I think that might be the nicest thing anybody's ever said about us.

Re: [Private]

[twoheadsofcabbage]

Ohhhhhh, you mean the part about how you and him are sitting in a tree? K-i-...uh...

[Charlie says. Scrad rolls his eyes and doesn't offer to help with the spelling.]

Private

[flashy_magic]

Really?