[accidental video] mere mortals watched them fly

[bedsidemanners]

[Have a look at Raphael's tiny, mostly unnecessary kitchen. It's in a slight amount of disarray, with various groceries haphazardly lining what little space exists, and liquid dripping out of the base of a blender, down the countertop and to the floor.]

[Interestingly enough there are no dirty dishes.]

[Raphael's back is to the camera as he first glances at, then leans out the window, grumbling at the view. Or views. He doesn't wave back at the bathers, slamming the window shut.]

The one time I'm really not in the mood for hot springs.

[and as he grabs a sponge, he notices the device]

Oh, fantastic.

Comments

[bedsidemanners]

I don't know what that is.

action

[bedsidemanners]

Come on, Carla. There's no point to it if it's just kept and not displayed.

action

[dignity_misery]

[She looks over at him quietly.]

I don't want to predicate my pleasure on others.

[Doesn't want to, often does, and hates herself for the dependency duly.]

[sympathyforme]

You can tell just by looking? You should be a doctor.

[beyourarmy]

Huh? It's a really simple drink. You buy soda - Coca Cola? We call it Coke. And you put some rum in it. I like it....

[bedsidemanners]

Cute. Did you drag yourself off to the hospital?

action

[bedsidemanners]

But what else is there?

[there's more nonchalance in his voice than he quite means to have, and he clears his throat, glancing away to stare at the water.]

I'm serious.

[bedsidemanners]

I know what rum is, it's in the blen-- never mind.

[beyourarmy]

....

I figured that much.

If you got any left, just go get some soda.

[sympathyforme]

M-hm, I am. And seems like there're not many other options, seeing how I don't have breasts.

[bedsidemanners]

That's not always such a dealbreaker.

[bedsidemanners]

... I'll stick to the pineapple.

[beyourarmy]

Rum and pineapple.... That sounds simple. Never tried it, though. I think I will!!

[Forgets to say goodbye, to intent on getting some, now.]

action

[dignity_misery]

Self-satisfaction. Self-sufficiency. Self-respect.

[Self-sufficiency, there it is again. It was the ultimate in her worldview, the most beautiful and most powerful trait anyone could possess. She misses it in herself. She misses her self. She had suffered so much to keep her rationality, her mind, she'd given up everything else... it wasn't worth it. She isn't happy.]

[sympathyforme]

Hm.

You'd have been next on my list at the time.

[bedsidemanners]

Like hell.

[sympathyforme]

For healing, I meant. In case you misunderstood.

video;

[sealegs]

Sweet thing, I don't wear pants as a rule.

[bedsidemanners]

I'm not misunderstanding.

I'd sooner heal Setsuna. No amount of whores would get you so much as a bandage from me.

video;

[bedsidemanners]

I think my heart may have just skipped a beat.

[sympathyforme]

M-hm. Good thing there are less prejudiced people around.

[bedsidemanners]

What you did to Michael years ago was unforgivable.

What you're doing to him now is abhorrent.

filtered;

[sympathyforme]

Suddenly so direct.

Take care of him. One day he won't need you anymore, either.

action

[bedsidemanners]

What's any of that without someone else to measure it up against?

[devil's advocate, maybe. sour grapes, maybe. he hasn't felt self-respect, really felt it, in... well, far longer than he'd care to admit. he finishes off the drink as he waits, unable to resist a little-too-blithe--]

This is the longest I've engaged in straight conversation with a woman in years, you know. I'm out of my element.

filtered;

[bedsidemanners]

You're his brother. He needed you and wanted you more than he ever needed me and you've done nothing but tear him down. And then you have the gall to delegate.