Eighth Spark! [Dream]

[empyreanistic]

It starts with a scream. Not a normal scream, of course. It’s the scream of a nation, billions of voices crying out in horror and it’s not clear how it sounds, just how it feels. The screen is locked in a freefall of fire and explosions, slowly fading into rain

Comments

[Video]

[notasidedick]

Alfred...?

[He's quite worried about you.]

That was...[He's not stupid. He's read plenty of history books that he can't count. But he isn't going to ask him. It seems insensitive and an invasion of privacy.] Are you okay?

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

Hey. [The amount of weakness and tearing guilt in that word is astounding. But then Alfred grins a sunshine-grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes, because he can do nothing if not pretend he's okay when bits are cracking away] I'm fine. It's a dream, man. Not real. Already happened. .....

....you?

Re: [Video]

[notasidedick]

[Dick gives him a look.] You make it too easy to read Alfred. As a friend, I want nothing more to see you smile.

But as a friend, I don't want you to pretend things are okay. I do the same exact thing. Just because it's a dream, doesn't make it any easier sometimes.

This week is terrible for me, but that's besides the point.

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

...it was 400 years ago. [Which part isn't clear, but America is looking away, not meeting Dick's eyes] Shouldn't bug me anymore. It totally-- doesn't, even.

Re: [Video]

[notasidedick]

Shouldn't maybe. But that doesn't mean it can't. Even if it's been awhile, that doesn't mean it didn't hurt any less and old scars always remain.

[He knows all too well. He's sure 400 years wouldn't make some of his problems any easier.]

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

[Old scars indeed. Alfred is shirtless, because that's how he sleeps, and those scars are clearly visible. One across his middle, a straight deep line like a divide. One messy scar on his shoulder, like a burn and shrapnel all at once. Many other smaller ones, all over his body, over his heart, near his neck. But he just smiles] Dunno why you- worry so much, man, it's... I'm okay. Shit, I've been dealing with this forever. It's fine. I'm fine. I'm a hero, right?

Re: [Video]

[notasidedick]

[They should compare scars one day. Sure Dick has plenty to share just as Alfred does after all. Stupid heroes and getting hurt all the gosh darn time.]

You're my friend. And it's by definition that I worry about everyone. You can ask anyone that knows me well. [Hell, he worries about villains at times too. What is his life.] Hero or not, that doesn't mean you can't have a moment of weakness right?

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

[He laughs quietly] Getting that already, dude. All that worrying can't be good for your health. Geeze, you're worse than Canada, I swear. [Slip of the tongue, into country names, because he doesn't think he's told Dick yet. But he's too shaken to care right now. And it doesn't matter here, not with the forced laughter] Weakness shmeakness! Wh-who needs that anyway.

[Video]

[notasidedick]

I am perfectly healthy. For the most part. I think I would have more problems if I don't worry.

So does that make you America? [Derp herp. Dick is a smart cookie okay. He'll just guess since, lol heroes.]

I think having them is good. They keep me grounded. Fears. Weaknesses. I forget otherwise.

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

No way! All it does is stress you out and get you all worked up and stuff and then you can't make three-am pancakes 'cause you're too dead to the world. [Apparently, it hasn't occurred to him that maybe that's just Canada, actually. He smiles] Yup. US of A, at your service.

[Of course, his grin only gets painfully brighter] No such thing! Weaknesses are-- for people who aren't heroes. [Stretching, grasping, and he knows it and he knows Dick probably knows it. His weaknesses are glaring and dark, and Alfred is all too aware of them]

[Video]

[notasidedick]

Wait...what? [He raises an eyebrow.] The want to make pancakes at three in the morning has never went through my head, so I don't think I have to really worry about that... [What even.] A pleasure. I think.

Stop it. [The tone isn't angry. It's sad.] Even heroes have them. But accepting them for what they are makes them a strength too. [He wonders how much information he can divulge before it's saying too much. He could tell Alfred he does what heroes do. Save and protect people without actually revealing anything. But what if he got curious.]

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

No! [Sudden anger, and a spark in blue eyes] Weaknesses mean invasion. Weaknesses mean getting attacked when you don't expect it, and giving your enemies a chance to build against you. Weaknesses mean people dying for you that don't need to die, and explosions, and terror. I can't--don't--

[Video][Locked - 50%]

[notasidedick]

I know. [He's looking off to the side quietly.] I know. Not to the extent that you've witnessed but I know. But what's better? Denying the fact they exist and pretending they aren't there or asking someone for help to deal with them?

[Video][Locked - 50%]

[empyreanistic]

It's not pretending if they're not there. [His voice is quiet, and he's definitely not looking at the screen anymore] I've learned. From all the times, from the attacks-- I've learned how to protect my people. There aren't any weaknesses left. [Not, of course, that his voice didn't crack]

[Video][Locked - 50%]

[notasidedick]

No. It's denying. Denying that they're not there. [That's okay. Dick isn't really paying attention to the video feed anymore.]

Come on Alfred, I'm not talking to you about this just because I want you to become a sobbing mess. I'm talking to you because I can relate. Because I do the same thing sometimes.

[Video][Locked - 50%]

[empyreanistic]

You can do the same time, but your weaknesses aren't cities, and airports, and media. You don't have to worry about people and places and borders! [It's petty, and stupid, and there's that Canada-voice in his mind again telling him he's being an idiot, but Alfred has never been good at the whole tact thing] You don't have to worry about being invaded, and your heart being hit because someone decided retaliation was best! You don't have to worry about getting attacked so badly that thousands of people die because someone else decided they wanted a piece of you! Or scars because your cities get attacked and people keep dying for you, just you, to protect everything that you are and you can't do a damn thing about it!