WEEK 4 AFTERPARTY

[stanboozled]

[After everything has settled - after all that craziness - Stan stands up, putting the voting box down on the ground.]

Okay, kids. I know you're scared, and you don't know what's going on - and I know it's hard to trust either me or Red with what's happened these past weeks. Hell, with what just happened.

[He takes a breath.]

But I want you kids to know that I'm here for you. I'm not gonna pretend like this is some silly summer camp, because I can't. I can't go back to how I was seeing things now that I see them right - my brain's good at taking a pounding and coming back just as good as ever.

And - though it might not seem like it, Red's here for you, too. We've...talked some stuff out. A lot of stuff. And...

[Stan lifts a hand to his face, rubbing at the bridge of his nose before continuing.]

I can't stop this. Neither can Red. But that doesn't mean we're just gonna sit by and let you kids just die because of some stupid rock. When she gets back, she's - gonna get into contact with someone higher in the organization she works for. And she's gonna ask if we can take this rock thing out. Break it, or - something.

From now on, you kids don't need any tickets to get stuff from me. You can just ask for it, but - I can't stop you from getting weapons, or anything dangerous. An' you're still gonna have to keep doing this, because we need time to contact whoever she's gonna contact, and go through all that red tape. I don't know how long, but -

This? It's gotta go on. And....I'm sorry, kids.

[He quietly sits back down, staring at the flames.

That's all.]

Comments

[le_mat]

Hmmm~ A magician never explains the trick.

[He's smiling too much for it to be anything other than the truth though. Sorry Eddie, but hey at least it was right?]

[itsagazebo]

[So much side-eye]

Fortune telling isn't a magic trick, asshole.

[He's smirking, though. Also, hey, Ren... have you noticed yet that Eddie isn't wearing his trademark fanny pack?]

[le_mat]

Everything's a magic trick if you're fancy enough.

...you gonna be okay without that?

[Tilting his head down to the empty space the pack once sat at]

[itsagazebo]

Then I guess you're a fancy asshole.

[He blinks in confusion before following Ren's gaze]

Huh? Oh! That... yeah... I... don't really need it. It's [He sighs] It's a fucked up story. My Ma always told me I was sick and that I needed my medication and inhaler and shit. Before I got here I forgot that I found out it was all bullshit. But... I'm trying to be strong, now. And I can't do that with that stupid thing around my waist. So I threw it away...

[le_mat]

The fanciest.

[He blinks in surprise, but nods. He doesn't know Munchausen's by name, but he knows the concept.]

Huh. Look at you, little hardass. You know... Kanji would be proud.

[itsagazebo]

[That makes Eddie's heart break a little. He looks for a moment as if he's going to cry, but he sniffs and pulls it together with a nod.]

Thanks... I... I hope so.

[He looks down at his feet before adding]

That was my change... The thing you told me to do without anyone's help or advice. But it came after Richie did something... does that still count?

[le_mat]

I think so, yeah. But what I think doesn't really matter. Do you think it counts?

[itsagazebo]

[He smiles, looking towards wherever Richie is.]

Yeah... yeah I think it counts.