whatwas | [Video]

[Ah, the monthly saga continues. The PCD switches on to reveal Horst, and a tray of food.]

Hello again, gentle viewers. I thought in light of this latest event, it was fitting to show you the proper care and feeding of a Johannes Cabal. The most important thing, especially when you lot are out wandering from dream to dream, is not to let him sleep too much.

Since he is always armed to the teeth with either magic or a very heavy gun, I suggest bringing him a peace offering. [He gestures at the food.]

Remember, never attempt this without supervision.

[He manages to balance the tray, carry the PCD, and go down to the basement lab without spilling a drop.]

Good morning, baby brother, and please do note it is not actually morning. Not that you would know since you haven't--

[The room is empty. All of Johannes's carefully gathered supplies, his clothes, his Gladstone bag, gone.

The tray of food is the first to clatter, and then the only sound just before the PCD is shut off is a disbelieving whimper.]

[Horst won't be answering anything on the PCD for a while. Feel free to find him offline but he, well, won't be anywhere near the church, he'll just be around the woods and on rooftops. Also if you happen to live at the church you would probably have heard noises from the basement. That was not in fact a pack of moose, just Horst. Destroyin' shit before he left. Like ya do.]

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H-Horst? [She needed to find him. After that video she needed to find him. She knew he was hurting. After she heard so much crashing in the basement she needed to find him. When searching the church yielded no results she went out to find him. But Alice couldn't very well scale buildings and climb up to rooftops. So hugging her rabbit close she called out for Horst in hopes of finding him.]

HORST!

[As much as he wants to just be alone right now, he won't leave Alice alone out in the cold. Safezone or not, it's not safe enough for him to want her to be by herself on the streets.

He is invisible in the shadows, watching her for a moment while he tries to compose himself. His expression is uncharacteristically flat when he appears, but it's the best he can do.]

I'm here.

Horst! [As soon as she saw him she hugged him. She didn't know what else to do. This whole world made her feel wholly inadequate to do anything. She didn't have powers like Raven or the ability to relate to Horst on some level she just didn't understand because she was too young and just a little human girl. She didn't have an adult sense of humor or wit. But she wanted so much to comfort him. Because she knew he was hurting. She knew how deeply he had loved his brother. And she knew it hurt to have that taken away. She just hugged him and kept trying to pray and think of something to make it all better but she couldn't think of a thing.

Could she even say sorry? The word seemed so... small. It didn't fit what she wanted but she didn't know what better word there was. Was there any word at all?]

[He hugs her back, hoping she doesn't know enough about his 'condition' to know that the shivering has nothing to do with the cold. His instinct is to comfort her, to come up with something--anything at all--to say.

But there isn't anything. It's easier for him to keep calm if he doesn't try to breathe.]

I'm sorry! [Even though the word is so small she doesn't know what else to say.] I'm sorry Horst!

I am, too.

[He kneels down; speaking wasn't a good idea, it knocks loose what control he did have. He stares grimly at the cracked sidewalk until his eyes aren't stinging anymore.]

I'm going to find us a new place to live. Will you help me--?

Edited 2011-03-08 22:24 (UTC)

Of course. Of course I will. I-I'll stay with you. I won't leave you I promise Horst!

[From anyone else, that promise would have been dismissed by his cynicism. But he knows Alice means it, and he hugs her tight--in part to hide the fact he's suddenly fighting tears. When he's grappled his emotions down he nods and lets go of her.]

I won't leave you either. I might.... Tonight, I might not be home. I just need some time. But we'll move somewhere better tomorrow. Would you like that?

I'm with you, of course I'll like it. [She whispered as she continued to hold on to him, intending to hold him until he felt better.]

[It had crossed his mind to just stay out till dawn--it was the first time since coming here that he'd seriously considered it--but Alice effectively silences those thoughts.]

We'll need a big kitchen, so you and Raven can make cookies.

Would that make you feel better? I... I could make something now. [She just didn't want him so sad.]

[He smiles, and nods.] I'd like that very much. You can make them tomorrow morning and they'll be ready when I wake up?

Anything. [She kept hugging him, glad to see him smile.]

[he stands, but carries her.]

It's cold out for Basil.

Eep! [She clings onto him, surprised that he lifted her.] We were worried so we forgot our coats.

You don't need to worry about me now. It'll be all right.

[He's still grieving, still devastated, but he has Alice to look after.]

Of course I have to worry for my uncle. Someone has to.

A good uncle wouldn't worry you. [But he smiles gently at her.] You're a wonderful niece.

Ah well, I forgive my uncle. Besides, that may be a good uncle but a better uncle puts on a very brave face when he's hurting as much as he is. And you're doing just that even though you don't have to.

[He holds her tight, unable to really answer that for a while.]

I'll try to be better tomorrow.

[Although he knows--and she's old enough to know--that he won't be. Most of life, he'd once said, is acting.]

You don't have to be, Horst. You're allowed to be upset.

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