Ned § Video 01 § Day 57

[nedofpies]

[ The video feed switches on upon Ned's determined face. It's his first video communication; he hasn't been using the network much, but this is an important community matter. ]

Does anyone know who is responsible for these? [ Ned waves a copy of that mysterious flyer which has popped up around town so suddenly. He turns the camera back to his own face, talking directly to his fellow captives. ]

Whoever it is, it seems to me like they are trying to sow the seeds of doubt and turn us on one another. Make us so suspicious of one another so we can't work together. Which makes me think it might have come from the people who are keeping us here. And it makes me think that we're starting to worry them. [ There is an edge of anger to his voice, beneath the surface, if you listen closely enough. ]

But I think they're underestimating us. Gossip? Really? [ He half-laughs and shakes his head in amused disbelief. ] We're all grown-ups here. We aren't going to be- to be manipulated by some anonymous bullies. [ The spite in the way he delivers that last word makes it sound as if he's had some experience with bullies. ] We just need to trust one another, and not let this nonsense come between us. Part of that is... coming clean.

So. Me first. [ Ned swallows, takes a moment to collect his courage. It's a big thing to confess, even if plenty of people already know about it. For all his big talk, honesty is against Ned's very nature. But this isn't exactly a normal place, and at this point, owning up is just a part of damage control. ]

...It's true. I brought someone back to life. [ He exhales, half in relief. It's done, now. No going back. ] It's not like that was a secret. It happened in broad daylight and there were like, a dozen witnesses, so this- [ He brandishes the paper again ] is not exactly an exposé, is it? As for being 'mint-in-the-box', well, I don't even know what that means, so I can't say if I am one way or another.

Comments

[nedofpies]

[ Ned nods vehemently, glad that Bruce understands, eager to convince him that this was a one-time thing and he won't have to worry about him in the future. ] Normally I would have been able to. Normally I can keep from touching anything dead in the first place. It's harder than you'd think, but I've had plenty of years of practice.

[ So then why, he knows will be the next question, couldn't he have prevented this? ]

But h-he had a gun on me and he kept shouting to pick her up. I tried not to touch her but- [ Ned breaks off, shrugging. But he got clumsy when he was frightened, and in his case, clumsy was dangerous ] And after I'd done it, he would have shot me if I'd so much as moved a muscle. Maybe I should have tried anyway, but I was scared. [ He's not afraid to admit that, either. He's a baker, not some kind of superhero or crime-fighter. He isn't used to having guns waved in his face ]

[greenisnteasy]

It's okay, Ned. It's alright. You didn't mean it, and you're right; that guy was a loose cannon. There wasn't anything else you could do.

[ He knows that won't make Ned feel any less guilty for what happened, but Bruce has some experience with culpability and deaths that you inadvertently cause. In this case, he thinks Ned got off pretty lightly. The crazy guy shooting people died neatly and quietly, and his victim survived. Could be way worse. ]

I don't think anyone really blames you.

[nedofpies]

[ Ned lets out a slightly shaky sigh, nodding again so that Bruce can see he understands. He doesn't know about everyone not blaming him, but it seems that Bruce doesn't, and Ned finds that a relief, even if he doesn't quite believe he deserves it. ]

Is there anything else you need to know?

[greenisnteasy]

No, I think that about covers it. [ He smiles kindly, trying to be reassuring. Whether or not Bruce is confused or surprised or intrigued by what someone can do, he's resolved not to treat people like they're weird or something to study. Despite his intellectual curiosity, that's been surprisingly easy to keep up. ]

Thanks, Ned. [ With a nod to the camera, he ends the feed. ]