text.

[faking]

Luca Macken is dead again



[it's possible he won't respond to much over the NV, or at least with nothing terribly substantial. for housemates' reference, he's shut away inside of his personal bedroom, nightgowned, sleeping for most of this past while.]

Comments

action.

[faking]

I don't think I want to. [But he seems just an inch more alive, at least.]

action.

[motioned]

But you will want to. I know you will.

action.

[faking]

How can you know something like that?

action.

[motioned]

Because you're a really strong person.

action.

[faking]

You'd say that about anyone. [He turns his face away from her, but his expression exceeds 'dead-eyed,' at least.]

action.

[motioned]

[She winds her fingers out of his, wondering if faking a bit of exasperation will earn even more energy from him.]

I wouldn't either! I don't lie. [But the tone remains friendly.]

action.

[faking]

Everyone lies. I'll bet Jesus lied. You'd do it to make me feel better, too, because you're like that. You want me to feel better.

action.

[motioned]

Of course I want you to feel better!

action.

[faking]

Because we're best friends? [It's a flat question.]

action.

[motioned]

Not just that! Because you're a good person and you deserve it.

action.

[faking]

[He turns his head sharply to see her, and there are tears clinging to his eyelashes suddenly. It might be the first time since Luca's disappearance that he's actually cried, never mind his listless moping.]

You're wrong. You have no idea. I could never say it to you, all of it, because you never should have any idea. You think I'm good and deserving because you're good and deserving. I don't think you understand that some people deserve terrible things, Ahiru.

action.

[motioned]

[She pauses, opens her mouth, looks about to retort - but then stops herself.]

I'm sorry.

action.

[faking]

Don't be sorry for being too good. I don't think you can help it.

action.

[motioned]

I'm not too good, don't say that. Not any better than you.

action.

[faking]

You have to know better.

action.

[motioned]

That is knowing better.