Private
Augie lies down on the bed, setting a cup of tea beside it on the table. He also drops the two little tablets that Eiko gave him beside the cup.
Del peers in, having heard him come in.
Augie is lying on his side, one arm underneath his head. "Hnn?"
Del: How're you doing?
Augie: Kinda cold, and it feels like I have a hole in my chest, but otherwise...
Augie is actually not being sarcastic. Almost joking. o_O
Del: *comes in, staying near the door* Did you run into any more?
Augie: I haven't left the sanctuary.
Del: Good.
Augie gives her an odd look.
Augie: You're either a damned good liar, or you're schitzophrenic.
Del: *tired* Ever stop to think that maybe I simply don't want you dead, Augie?
Augie: I've thought about a lot of things... too many things. *rubs the bridge of his nose*
Del: What counts as too many things for a genius?
Augie: As many things that are dwelling in my head right now.
Del sits down on the foot of the bed. "I'm sorry this is happening."
Augie: I suppose I owe you an apology. *not looking at her. At all.*
Del: I told you. We're even, Augustus.
Augie: *silent for a very long time*
Augie: *quietly* Why did you do it then? Take my leg and my eye?
Del sighs and looks towards him. "I wanted... revenge. Because you took my legs, my eye. Because you killed people I knew."
Augie: I didn't know who you were. I was... I wanted out. I was still so very confused, unhinged... not an excuse, but I have nothing else."
Del: *nods* I don't blame you. *unspoken but clearly heard: anymore*
Augie still isn't looking at her.
Del: May I ask you a question?
Augie: Suppose so. I'm being all... *makes an empty gesture with his free hand*
Del: How did you get your eye back?
Augie sighs.
Augie: Some took me to another world... they have people like-- they have people who abduct others and experiment on them. They're called butchers. I went to a place that helps people after they've dealt with these butcher people.
Augie: They cloned an eye for me from my existing one.
Del: *long pause* I don't suppose they'd do the same for someone who could be called a butcher.
Augie: I don't know.
Augie: I don't know where this place is... I wasn't all together in my mind when I... when Some took me there.
Augie: *much quieter* I asked about my legs. They couln't do anything about them. Said it was too extensive.
Del sighs and rubs her eye, a ring tinking slightly against the ceramic prosthetic. "I'm sorry there's not more I can do."
Augie is distantly aware that he shouldn't be saying so much to this person, but the pain and the drugs and just being damned tired has made him talkative.
Augie: 's all right. If I knew where it was, I'd... yeah.
Del contemplates asking him to ask Some for her, but thinks better of it for the moment. No pushing.
Augie is now falling into 'uncomfortable silence' mode.
Del gets up to leave, stiff and sore.
Augie almost asks her to stay, but doesn't. Instead, he breaks open one of the painkiller packs Eiko gave him and sits up, taking a tablet with his tea.
Augie: Take care of yourself.
Del: *pauses, not looking back* You too.
Del: I'll be around.
Augie: Hnnn...
Augie: not your choice, I know.
Del: *nods*
Augie: Just so you do. *coughs.*
Del: Stay safe, Augustus. *slips out, shutting the door behind her*
Augie sighs, turning out the light and pulling the blanket up over his head. Dark and quiet.