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

[violenthearted]

[ Erik's expression may not be exactly encouraging, depending on where Ned is standing; the revulsion the man fears fails to fester between Erik's brows or at the corner of his mouth, but then he doesn't betray much of anything else, either. Then again that may be telling in and of itself: a dispassionate disposition in the face of such a confession.

Then again, Erik doesn't really expect that Ned is looking at him at all; in some ways he's deeply crippled when it comes to understanding how other people operate. Nothing will compel him to seek absolution for the lives he's taken, and so Ned's fear that Erik will think he's a monster seems very far away. He has a head for languages, but he will never understand how to speak this one. ]

A life for a life. [ He still doesn't sound like he has much feeling either way other than thoughtfulness, as if he's mulling the idea over in his mind. ] When I mentioned judgment I neglected to add the 'jury and executioner' clause that often follows.

[ There could be a shrug here, and isn't; when Erik has taken a life in his mind he's always been justified, so he's not light about it, just certain.] But if you're expecting me to pass sentence on you, you've come to the wrong person. In your position I--

[ His face darkens; Ned can probably gauge by now that this is not a man who often cuts off his own ideas only to start again somewhere else. Of all the things he's going to do today, detail how many men he would have killed to bring his mother back isn't one of them, especially when he can't get his hands on the one who really matters. Shaw, somewhere off where Erik can't reach him. ] Retribution has been all I've ever known of justice. What you do has a symmetry to me.

[nedofpies]

[ Erik's choice of words hits a chord with Ned. Symmetry. Yes, that is an elegant word for it. Somehow, it appeals to him much more than the idea of a reward and a cost. As to retribution, well, there's clearly a story there, but Ned isn't going to ask. He's had his own thoughts and actions pried into plenty today, so much so that he can't imagine doing the same to someone else. But he sets the question aside for later, perhaps, if and when the two of them know one another better. ]

Thank you. It... means a lot to hear that.

[ It does means a lot to Ned, to hear someone - not forgive him, no, but to refuse to pass judgement. Means enough, in fact, that he starts to feel his throat going tight, and he definitely doesn't want Erik to see him getting over-emotional. So he holds it back long enough to give the other man a very small smile and a nod before he cuts the connection. ]