Two Mistakes

[indirectcause]

This question has probably been asked before, and I just know I'm not gonna like the answer, but it's something I need to know anyway. I get that we can't get back what we've lost, but is there any way we can change what the castle did to us? You know, swap it for something else?

[Because he would so be up for that. He really would. He was planning on leaving it at that, but there's something else he'd like, too. He looks over at his letterman jacket, clean now but still rather...mangled. He misses it, he doesn't feel quite him without it, so:]

Hey, unrelated topic. Does anyone here know how to sew? I don't have any money to pay you [or anything to pay...actually] but I'd be real grateful if you could help me out.

[Nora]

So hi, I've got a question for you. Your gallery accepts art from all kinds of residents, right? No matter who they are? Because I know a little kid who'd love to have her art on display there.

Comments

[hellofist]

I... can't answer first question. Don't know. Would... be nice, though. To swap.

Can sew, though. What do you want... to make?

[whistles_the_blues]

Heard it's possible to change. Can't say I know how it's done though.

[ofhope]

Go into a coma.

[indirectcause]

It'd sure make life easier.

Really? Great. I just need a couple of holes patched in my jacket. [Not going to say how he got those holes, nope]

[indirectcause]

Well, at least they can be changed, that's something.

[indirectcause]

...Yeah, I knew I wouldn't like it.

How long for? [Apparently his loss is that bad he is willing to take the coma]

[hellofist]

[Holes in jackets aren't really an incredibly suspicious thing, but she might ask questions when she sees the placement of those holes.]

That's easy. Would only take... a couple minutes. Could get new one, though. If you wanted. Just have... to wish for it. Easy.

[ofhope]

Who knows... A month? Maybe a couple of weeks.

[indirectcause]

[And he will skirt around the truth forever]

Nah, me and this jacket have been through a lot together. It's one of the few things I have left from home. [From his life before, back when his biggest concern was what college he was going to go to, instead of if he'd survive to the next day or not]

[indirectcause]

And that works for sure?

[whistles_the_blues]

True, but it could be changed to something worse compared to what you already have.

[workaphilic]

Possible, yes. But you have as much control over the new loss as you did over the original. [Which is to say, none.] And I doubt the castle enjoys being manipulated.

[hi B)]

Ben

[eat_me_beat_me]

There are no age limits on art. I can definitely put it up for you guys!

[indirectcause]

I hadn't thought of that.

[There's not a lot more worse he can think of, but knowing his luck the castle would take away the memory of his family or something, just to fuck with him]

[indirectcause]

[Oh no, not you again]

I guess it'd just make something even worse as my loss to spite me for trying to change it. Great, just fucking great.

Nora

[indirectcause]

Thanks. Her name is Clementine. I know it'd mean a lot to her, god knows that kid needs something to make her proud of herself.

[whistles_the_blues]

Now you have. All the power to you if you still want to change it, just keep that in mind.

[hellofist]

[Ah, that makes sense. Her voice is a bit softer when she answers this time.]

Will fix it, then.

[She's kind of under house arrest though, partly self-imposed and partly because she's promised to be careful with herself after the fight in Tokyo.]

Live in city, though. Wouldn't ask you... to come here, it's far. Can get it... next time I'm there, at castle.

[workaphilic]

It's a gamble, like anything else here. A decent enough solution for desperate enough people.

[His loss sucks a big one, but he knows there's easily worse to be had. That, and the last time he was in a coma it didn't work out so hot for him, so.]

[indirectcause]

I think it'll be safer if I change it. [It's a big risk, but his loss as it is, is potentially dangerous to his group. Ben's a lot of things, but selfish is not one of them, if he can keep his group safe, he'll take the risk that could hurt HIM]

I figure I'm on borrowed time anyway.

[indirectcause]

Really? Thanks. [His tone truly is appreciative. The kindness of strangers is a rare thing still]

That's fine, I don't need it done super fast, anyway.

[indirectcause]

It'd be a bigger gamble not doing anything about it.

[The right question asked in the right way - jesus it could cause chaos]

[ofhope]

Of course not. You could wind up a vegetable, or just wake up with a migraine.

[workaphilic]

Loss like yours, I could see why.

[A half-bluff. He doesn't know what his loss is, not specifically, but it did seem like Ben had said more than he meant the last time they talked. It's not a hard leap to make. More data helps. ]

[silentrunning]

[Hey man. Crazy girl from the art gallery the other day is scrawling you a message.]

I... may not be the best at sewing, but I can do some things. I know how to do patches and the like... If you need that.

[Never mind she learned how to sew patches from reading a book, and many pieces of material she wished up and failed on. It's still learning, right?]