Edmund's Heart

[dramatispersonae]

((Join #hiraeth))

Comments

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

They were there then. They're not here now.

[ He shakes his head at the offer and shoves the trap door back, kicking down a ladder. ]

You go first.

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ opens his mouth to say something else. Then closes it, moving for the opening. ]

As long as you're coming with me.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

Then get in before the planes get here.

[ He gestures in a hurrying motion, rolling his eyes. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

Right.

[ down he goes ]

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ He follows down soon after, pulling the trap door closed behind them. And then the flashlight comes on. ]

What were you going to say before?

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

Why aren't they here?

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

Because they aren't. It's just me here.

[ He shrugs nonchalantly, but there's a tense line to his shoulders in what light you can see from the flashlight. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

... There's more to it than that.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

We're here, not there.

[ He snaps, looking back at him with a look that dares him to protest. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ hesitates - then straightens up, looking him in the eye ]

You're the same person on the inside, aren't you? No matter what people say you are here.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ He stills at that, looking back at him with crumbling disbelief, and silent-- ]

[ --then the moment is ruined as the earth around them shakes with the first blast. He visibly shakes himself and continues down the tunnel. ]

We need to get you out.

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ staggers a bit, looking up as he keeps going ]

Out? Out where?

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

Of here. This place isn't changing soon. There's not enough to work with. I'm only a fragment.

[ His steps are determined, looking around at the walls as he ran his free hand over them. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ hesitates. then slowly takes out a tiny, crystalline mustard seed. he cups it in his palm and holds it out. ]

Then this might help you.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ He pauses. It's hard to see, but you get the sense of being watched. ]

What is it?

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

Potential. To do something new with what you have.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ ... ]

[ He holds his free hand out for it. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ carefully places the seed in his hand ]

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ The seed sinks into his hand and his skin smooths over it. He grimaces and shakes his hand out for a moment. ]

That wasn't awkward feeling at all.

[ It's a gripe, but not one with any heat in it. Only an observation. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ rubs the back of his neck ]

... Sorry. I guess that's just what getting stronger feels like.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

... [ He turns away, facing back down the tunnel. ]

It's fine. We ought to get you out of here still. [ But his voice is softer at least. ]

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ progress?? he hopes, anyway. he starts walking away down the tunnel with the Ed-fragment. ]

Lead the way.

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ It's a long path, with jolts from the bombs here and there, but even those fade away as they keep walking. ]

[ Until finally he stops and knocks tentatively on a part of the ceiling and gets a hollow sound back. ]

We're here.

Re: ENGLAND

[senior_citizen]

[ reaches out to push it open ]

Are you coming with me?

Re: ENGLAND

[dramatispersonae]

[ A Look. ]

Of course not. My place is back in the city.