001 : [Video]

[formerfoxhound]

[The video swings unsteadily about the familiar backdrop of the baseball diamond for a moment. Accompanying it is a voice; low and even and very much not amused.]

Next time you design a simulation, do me a favor and make it less of a dump.

[It's a pretty convincing dump, to its credit.  VR really has come a long way, apparently.  Although ow, are

Comments

Voice - 1/?

[ysobritish]

[Liquid, on the other hand, would never mistake that voice. Similar, but not quite identical.]

...

Voice - 2/?

[ysobritish]

[What-?]

Voice - 3/?

[ysobritish]

[There's about a billion emotions rushing through him right now, too many to work through. He can pick out anger and misery and an odd type of relief, but it's too hard. The word that slips from his mouth is almost breathed out.]

Brother...

Voice - 4/?

[ysobritish]

[He should just turn it off, take the time to compose himself because it was clearly reckless to try to reply- but that would be rude. And he's been waiting for this moment for so, so long.]

...

Voice - 5/?

[ysobritish]

[When he speaks, his voice is low and sharp.]

Brother...

Voice - 6/6

[ysobritish]

Where have you been?

[He half-growls the words, although there's a note in his voice that's hard to make out.]

About bloody time you came back.

Voice

[formerfoxhound]

I don't know.

[And he's getting sort of tired of people asking. It's a good thing he's spoken to Otacon already. He isn't antagonistic, just wary.]

I find it hard to believe you missed me, Liquid.

Voice - 1/2

[ysobritish]

Tch. Of course I didn't.

[Even if he did.]

How dare you just leave me behind like that! Coward!

Voice - 2/2

[ysobritish]

Well, you're here now. Welcome back. Are you coming home, or staying in the apartments?

Voice

[formerfoxhound]

...

[He lets the first part pass without comment. Liquid's trying to get a rise out of him, he knows. He's too damn tired to deal with that right now.]

Otacon said something about going home. [In fact, he's pretty much dragging him there.] Should I be worried?

Voice

[ysobritish]

[Liquid wasn't actually trying to get a rise out of him. He was honestly upset that the man had disappeared.]

Why would you be?

Voice

[formerfoxhound]

[Like Snake is going to believe that for a minute.]

You're joking, right? Last time I saw you you were still trying to kill me.

[From beyond the grave, which is stubborn even by his standards. Otacon says he trusts Liquid. But Otacon still trusts a little too easy for his tastes.]

Voice

[ysobritish]

[It is the truth after all.]

And last time I saw you, you weren't exactly giving off signs that you were going to just up and disappear and leave that stupid bloody message.

Idiot. I've had plenty of opportunity here, but I haven't.

[You're going to get either hugged or punched when you get back, and even Liquid isn't sure which. Maybe both at the same time.]

I'm not going to kill you, not yet, and especially not while we live under the same roof. Tsuna and Otacon would be unhappy, I'm sure. And Father would bloody kill me. Besides, what sort of ally would I be? Philanthropy would be lost without you.

[And oh yes, he hasn't forgotten that Otacon talked him into joining Philanthropy. Even if he still wants to kill the man.]

Voice

[formerfoxhound]

Sorry to keep you waiting. Wish I knew why I did it.

[If it helps, either one will probably get you punched back.]

Look, if you're going to shut up about that--[wait.]

What?

Voice

[ysobritish]

...about time you came back, at least.

[Oh good, he's missed that.]

Oh, that's right. You lost your damn memory. [A beat.] I joined Philanthropy when you were here last. Ask Otacon if you don't believe me.

Voice

[formerfoxhound]

[...dammit, Otacon, what the hell has been going on?]

You do know what that means, right?