A Conversation

[inthebones]

[action, locked to Slugger]
[A day after the untimely demise of her husband, Susan sits at her desk, tapping a pen, ostensibly grading papers.  The play was a no-go, of course, that was obvious.  There were more important things to worry about at this point than whatever reason she had concocted for forcing her students into that travesty of a performance (alright, there had been a good reason, but it was largely inconsequential now).

With a sudden sigh, she pushes her chair away from her desk, snaps her fingers, and appears in front of wherever her son happens to be.]

Slugger.

We should talk.

[phone]
As you all know, the revival machine is broken, and everyone is dying left and right from old injuries.  If you happen to prefer a dignified death over bleeding slowly like a stuck pig, I believe there are a few of us who can assist you in that regard.

Grandfather.  Didi.  Is it fair to say this is something we can do?

Don't call back unless you require said service.  I'm a bit busy with my own brand of bleeding like a stuck pig.

Comments

[action]

[strike_you_out]

[She will find Slugger in the backyard... digging a large hole in the dirt with a shovel. He's just pressed the blade of the shovel into the cold, hard earth again when Susan's voice captures his attention.

Pausing, he reluctantly lifts his head.]

...

[inthebones]

...Perhaps not here, if it's all the same to you.

[strike_you_out]

[Leaving his shovel stuck in the ground, he takes a step up out of the hole and starts toward the house, his head held low. Slugger doesn't yet know what this talk will entail, but already he doesn't like it.]

[inthebones]

Right.

[Susan begins to walk beside him back inside.]

Shall we talk about your father first? I couldn't help but notice that his soul no longer registers within the confines of Mayfield.

[strike_you_out]

[His fears confirmed, he answers without looking her in the eye. The words come out stunted, as though his communication skills have regressed in the past 12 hours.]

Dead. Last night. Outside the bank...

[inthebones]

...

[She will pause right before they entered the door. What she will neglect to mention is that the moment Eddie's soul had vanished from her senses, the closest registering person to him had been...]

Listen to me, Slugger. He was going to die, regardless. ...You did what you had to.

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger breathes a shuddering breath. Even in the face of what he'd clearly done, Susan wasn't angry with him. It doesn't stop the guilt-laden words from pouring out of his mouth.]

I didn't want to! But-- but he was suffering, I had to!


...I had to release him.

[inthebones]

[She hadn't actually expected him to be so emotional about what had happened. As far as she recalled, they had begun their relationship with dead birds under pillows and that sort of thing; when had they reached the point where Slugger grew hysterical over having to perform a mercy-kill?

She supposes the answer to that is around the same point when she died for his sake. She leads him gently inside before shutting the door.]

I know, Slugger. I know. ...It's what you were meant to do. He would have died much more slowly and painfully otherwise.

It's going to be alright. You don't really think they'll let us escape so easily, do you?

[strike_you_out]

[He follows, significantly calmer after his brief confession to Susan. He's able to meet and hold her gaze now as she speaks. After losing his best friend and killing Edward, his face appears drained, the shadows somewhat darker beneath his eyes, but he isn't crying.]

I don't know. Maybe a few could slip out.

[inthebones]

Mayfield is many things, but sloppy isn't one of them.

[Susan will push him towards a chair as she walks into the kitchen and begins to rummage around in the cabinets.]

I'm still not convinced this isn't an elaborate hoax to teach us a lesson of some sort. They'll return soon enough.

[strike_you_out]

[He's not sure about that. And he's uncertain whether he wants it to be true or not. Was it horribly selfish to want them back even if it meant keeping them here? Probably. Most definitely.

Putting up no resistance, Slugger drops easily into the chair where he sits watching Susan go through the cabinets.]

[inthebones]

[She emerges with some Ovaltine or some sort of hot chocolate equivalent and proceeds to stir a few spoonfuls into a cup.]

Are your senses going haywire? I expect there's quite a few people in Edward's situation right now.

[strike_you_out]

Not as much as you'd think.

[Either the majority of residents in Mayfield had become so accustomed to fear and pain that they'd lost the ability to panic or Slugger's senses had been dulled by his vacillating headaches, though he'd certainly felt Edward's distress loud and clear the other night.]

They have to want to escape. They have to want to give up. That's when I hear them.

[inthebones]

[Add some warm milk and voila. Susan sets the cup before him before retreating into her favorite corner.]

Hm. It's always astonishing how badly humans want to live even when they know there's no chance. Good for them.

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger accepts the mug with a nod of thanks, then sits idly stirring it before taking a sip. Susan's waning pallor hasn't escaped his notice.]

It is. ...Are you okay?

[inthebones]

[She ignores that question, merely looking at him with an odd sort of expression. It is... uncannily tender.]

Slugger.

I need to ask you for something.

[strike_you_out]

[An inexplicable sense of dread slowly washes over him. Before giving her a response, he sips heavily from the mug, taking his time. Then, setting it aside, he will take a deep breath and finally raise his head to meet her gaze.]


Yes, Miss Susan?

[inthebones]

I don't ask for things unless I have no other choice. Slugger...

[She is aware that they both know already what she is about to say. She had almost decided, at the last moment, not to make the request at all, seeing how he had dealt with Edward. But no. ...She believed in him. She had faith that he would be able to carry out what was necessary. Susan walks forwards a few steps and pulls up a chair beside Slugger.]

You're welcome to refuse. You absolutely can. But I would prefer it... Much prefer it. If it were you. You're the only one who knows what happened to me that day. And I don't want anyone else seeing me like that - Not Grandfather, not Luke... Not anyone.

But I need to know your answer now.

[strike_you_out]

[As she speaks, an obvious pout forms on his face, which Slugger becomes aware of at some point before she finishes and bites his lip. He doesn't want to do it... but he also doesn't want her to relive it. And he, especially, doesn't want to see her like that again.

Finally, after some quiet consideration, he gives a subtle nod. He would do it because it was what she wanted and he could trust her to be sure of her decisions.]

[inthebones]

Thank you.

[Slugger receives a smile and a hair ruffle as she leans back in her chair.]

Will you know if it happens?

[strike_you_out]

[She has his word.]

Yes.

[inthebones]

...Then I'll be relying on you.

You and Luke will need to go to Grandfather's afterwards. I don't want the two of you staying in this house with that cat creature prowling about.

[strike_you_out]

[A single nod. He's relieved for the change of subject that follows.]

Pokey told you about him?

[inthebones]

Pokey hysterically screamed about him to everyone in town, I think.

[strike_you_out]

[A weak smile passes briefly over his face. Those were the good old days when Pokey was alive and not buried in the backyard. He prepares to say something more on the subject of Giygas and his powers but then realizes it doesn't matter -- everyone's going to be dead soon, anyway. Except him.]

Yeah...

[inthebones]

[Susan hasn't thought to look for Pokey or anyone else Slugger may be familiar with, but she understands his thoughts well enough.]

It will be fine, Slugger. It's just like a normal town... thing when they stop revivals for the week. We'll be back next Saturday, and we can all have a good laugh about it later.