[IC] Barrier Set-Up

[slashgoggles]

[ in one of the abandoned rooms at the underground labs, a teenager is setting up complex technology ]

Okay, so that's the switch, which means the panel should go there...

[ totally complex ]

Comments

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

I've made no secret of the fact that if we don't get the barrier repaired in time, I'll die in four months.

[he shrugs]

It is what it is. It's just a little tiring at times.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

... I don't like that. It is what it is... I get it, but it's not... okay. It just.. it isn't okay.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

It'll be all right, okay?

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

Don't make those kind of promises. I learned early on that they don't work out.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

It's not a promise though. It's a statement. That's what I do, make things turn out.

Though ... in any case, I don't want you telling Vanya. I know you two are talking but she wouldn't get it.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

... Fine. I won't tell her.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

See ... she sees wizardry as ... as party tricks and talking to everything. But it's a promise. I made a promise to the universe that I will do what I can to ease pain and suffering, to prolong life wherever necessary, to give a quick and painless death when necessary and I live to fulfil that promise. I don't really want to die; I've done it before. But if that is the sacrifice I need to make for everyone else to live, then I will.

The thing is, Vanya would never understand that.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

I dunno if I could do that. Or anyone I know could. It's impressive. But right now, I think it sucks.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

I know I couldn't do what you do. It's why I wasn't called to do it.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't let anyone do what I do. Not now, not ever.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

And that's why I won't let anyone else take on this test, unless they understand what they will be doing. Thus far, there isn't anyone, and I'd be shirking my responsibilities if I just ... left it undone.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

[huff]

Yeah, okay, I get it. But I'm still mad! Guess I'll just have to make sure my barrier is extra hard.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

Hey, just eight hours where I could offload some of it would be nice.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

Normally, that'd be my area of expertise, but I usually do the offloading. Kinda wish the Doc was here. She would know what to do.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

It's all right. I got this.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

You better have or I'll kick your ass.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, I know.

[he looks around the room, this time looking through it.]

This is good. This is real good.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

Really?

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Have a bit of faith in yourself.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

I have faith in my machines.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

And they have faith in you. It's endearing.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

It sounds so weird when you say it like that. And I thought I was the only one who could hear them.

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

Makes you feel any better, when I was a kid I swore up and down that the sea would talk to me.

Turns out I was right.

[swissarmycock.livejournal.com]

What did they say? Or is it a she?

[tobethemiracle.livejournal.com]

The sea? I think of it as neuter or female, but other people who take it in call it whatever they want. I don't think it cares.

And ... it listened, mostly. I was a pretty angry kid.