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[never_very_good]

[ VIDEO ]

[The video clicks on, and Frankie is seated, looking serious and rather resigned, his arms folded on the table. He shifts a bit, somewhat uncomfortable, but doesn't look away.]

Halloween's done so I figured, maybe it'll calm down some, probably I should say something.

[He takes a breath, half a frown twitching his lip briefly.]

If something happened between you and me, one of those weekends, I'm sorry. That's about all I can say, 'cause as bad as I feel about it... wasn't me. Curses fuck everyone up.

Don't think there's much I can do to make it up, but we can talk if you want. If not, that works too.

[Truth be told he doesn't want to talk about it, but he can't shake the feeling that he should be trying to do something for anyone he hurt.

Without another moment's hesitation he reaches forward to turn the camera off.]

Comments

[eiremagic]

[She's sitting in the kitchen, watching him]

Is it apologize to Eden again day?

[never_very_good]

[He checks twice to make sure he's not broadcasting anymore.]

Pretty much every day is, yeah?

[eiremagic]

Will you come here?

[She moves to sit up on the counter]

[never_very_good]

[At least in the intervening weeks he's lost his timidity, even if he still feels like an ass. He goes to stand in front of her, sets a hand on either side of her on the counter.]

video;

[anunluckypenny]

[Video sucks because Penny looks like hell and no one wants to record that, but it's the guy.]

This is going to sound weird if I'm wrong, but are you the guy who attacked me and Jimmy?

video;

[never_very_good]

[Haha, fuck. Frankie kind of wishes he was doing this with a good supply of alcohol.]

That's me.

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Oh.

Um... what's your name? I'm Penny.

video;

[never_very_good]

Yeah.

[He pauses for a breath, not quite a sigh.]

Frankie Dalton. Sorry about it, again. [He's kind of hesitant to ask, but--] You all right?

Video

[trenchknives]

Y'know you don't gotta keep apologizin', right? I mean, at least not to me.

Video

[never_very_good]

If it was just you, it'd be a different story.

Re: Video

[trenchknives]

Well, I know it ain't just me. But rest assured on this account, you're forgiven.

Video

[never_very_good]

Still feel like I owe you one, but okay.

[One in the neighborhood of a drink, hopefully, not one horrible death.]

You make it through the rest of the month all right?

private;

[mortemscintilla]

Pretty sure apologies have an expiration date.

[ His tone is as even as a flatlined EKG; no hint of rancour. Guilt. Apologies. Remorse. None of that is relevant in Hei's profession. All it comes down to is the equity of damage. ]

private;

[never_very_good]

Pretty sure they don't.

And I gotta be honest, it was a while before I was in any shape to give one.

private;

[mortemscintilla]

Then you haven't watched When Harry Met Sally. There's a whole statute of limitations.

[ If that's meant to be a joke, Hei's not telling. ]

Not enough mouthwash to gargle the blood-taste out?

[ Again, flat tone, indeterminate gaze. He doesn't seem to be needling Frankie. He seems more interested in learning what makes this one tick. ]

private;

[never_very_good]

[He's not going to dignify that with a direct response. The truth is, it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't still feel familiar-- that heavy iron taste. He's never really liked it; he craved it, but being sated isn't the same as enjoying it.]

You never did anything fucked up during a curse?

[67chevyimpala]

Say, you look familiar...

[He's just toying with you, Frankie.]

[never_very_good]

Sorry, can't say the same for you.

[Honestly, most of that is a blur in his memory. He's grateful for that much.]

[67chevyimpala]

Just as well. You were cursed at the time, but my knee is still a little pissed at you.

[He doesn't seem angry, though. Not at Frankie, anyway.]

video;

[sleepingstar]

If you couldn't control it, there's no point in feeling bad.

video;

[never_very_good]

I couldn't, but it happened. Can't really feel good about that.

video;

[sleepingstar]

You don't have to feel anything about it. It happened. It's over.

[Take a page out of her book! You don't see her caring that you attacked her, do you? Oh, wait, you don't remember attacking her. Whatever.]

video;

[valedictory]

I don't see much point in holding grudges. Least of all against someone who wasn't even in control of their actions.

video;

[never_very_good]

I don't either, but some people do.

video;

[valedictory]

I guess for a lot of people, having somewhere to place the blame is important. An individual is a lot easier to direct your anger at than whatever forces are at work in the City.