Video

[trenchknives]

Y'know, I start thinkin' about what's goin' on around here, 'n sometimes it reminds me of home. It's kinda funny, 'cause there aren't a lot of similarities, but I guess there's certain stuff that sticks with you. When I was in the army, I saw all kinds of shit, really awful shit, and a lot of what's goin' on here isn't quite as bad, but...

[He sighs and scrubs a hand across his face.]

You get used to it, y'know? You start expectin' horrible shit to happen. Hell, I didn't even write home, the whole damn time I was in the army, just 'cause I was convinced I was gonna die, and my letters'd be more painful if I did. We were just the walkin' dead. Nobody expected us to get outta there.

[A shrug.]

So yeah, what's goin' on around here? Pretty bad, but I've seen worse. Funny thing is, though, this whole choosin' sides and allegiances thing? That got worse, after I got back from the war. You'd've thought I'd be done with that, but back in Atlantic City, there's a different kinda war goin' on. A turf war, kinda. Like this one.

[A long pause.]

Wait. Why the fuck am I... is this recordin'? Shit...

Comments

[water_wine_wizard]

Well, yes, you are recording.

[trenchknives]

Yeah, I figured that out. It wasn't intentional.

[water_wine_wizard]

I wouldn't think so. You're not the type to talk about these things.

[She is curious about some of the stuff he's said, but isn't going to pry.]

[trenchknives]

Well, I mean, it ain't like any of it's a secret. It's just not the kinda thing you go around talkin' about with everyone.

voice;

[hexuality]

I've seen worse, too, but this is a lot like how things started back home and I can't shake the feeling that it's just going to turn into some sort of war by the end of it. And it's terrible but is it odd to say that the City feels like home now that this is happening?

Re: voice;

[trenchknives]

Nah, I don't think it's odd to say that at all. Kinda feels more like home to me now, too.

voice;

[hexuality]

[This curse sucks.]

Rather fucked up of us, isn't it?

Re: voice;

[trenchknives]

Yeah, I guess so. But I've always kinda known I was fucked up.

[Yes. This curse sucks.]

video;

[anunluckypenny]

I'm so sorry, Jimmy.

[About how much your life has sucked.]

If you ever want to talk about it... or even if you don't, you know. I'm around.

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

Oh, I guess you heard all that, too?

[He can't decide whether to be embarrassed or secretly grateful.]

Thanks. Ain't really anything to be sorry about, though.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Kind of.

Maybe not, but it's still awful. It sounds like you've spent too much of your life fighting.

Re: video;

[trenchknives]

[He probably wouldn't be saying any of this if he didn't feel the need to spill his guts arbitrarily, but he does.]

Yeah. That's true. Y'know, the first time I was in an actual battle, I was scared outta my mind. After that, though, it just kinda...

[A shrug.]

It stopped matterin' much.

[dr_conscience]

After going through something that was worse than this, one might contend that you shouldn't have to see anything remotely like it again.

[Like Wilson.]

Sorry. The transmissions seem to be today's theme.

[trenchknives]

Yeah, well, I mean, that's life, ain't it? Just a big series of things you shouldn't have to see.

[A pause. That was rather more revealing than he'd meant it to be.]

Yeah, I know. Everyone's seen me yammerin' about this stuff now.

[dr_conscience]

It can be, though hopefully it manages to get a few less unpleasant scenes mixed in along the way. It's those we all have to hold out hope for.

[That was a distressingly revealing statement, though.]

At the same time, though, at least it isn't only you. And I doubt most people would give you a difficult time about being affected by something here. Most.

[trenchknives]

I guess that's true. I ain't sayin' there's not good things in the world, I'm just sayin'... it's really hard to see beauty when you're not used to seein' it, y'know?

[whitetwoguns]

Hey man, you feel how you're gonna fuckin' feel. Ain't nothing wrong by that.

[Because Jimmy loves these talks okay.]

[trenchknives]

Yeah, but...

[A sigh.]

I didn't mean for all of that to get shared with everyone. Just 'cause I feel like shit doesn't mean everyone's gotta hear about it, y'know?

[whitetwoguns]

I can relate, man. Most people can too. It's okay. Think of it as now sort of being a precursor. It's out there. And if you don't want to say nothing more, you don't have to.

[trenchknives]

A precursor to everyone thinkin' I'm some kind of emotional wreck? 'cause that's not really what I want.

[monochrome_mirror]

...I do not want us to fight and die here, for this revolution.

[trenchknives]

Neither do I. This ain't our fight.

[monochrome_mirror]

No, it is not. But the others who have taken up arms...I hope there is a way to slow them, or stop them, and I am trying to collect individuals who are refusing to fight. If we can manage even a day of some kind of diplomacy, perhaps we can defuse at least some of this.

[thermonuclear_birdbrain]

...It'll be okay, Jimmy. We'll win, and then it'll be over. And hey, you don't have to fight if you don't want to. I can fight instead! I like beating up these Watch guys, even if they do have those needles that make me fall asleep.

[trenchknives]

I fought with a couple of 'em myself, when they decided to haul me off to jail for not doin' anythin'. I'm startin' to lose my patience.