fifty-three ➢ video

[patheticvillain]

[Cassel's in his room, rearranging his drawer of scraps in some order discernible only to him. Ilia is perched on a high shelf, his eyes narrowed and tail twitching, disturbed by the commotion and looking ready to jump down onto Cassel's shoulders at any moment. As he rummages, Cassel addresses the camera; the moment he turns towards it, a bruise slides into view on his left temple, light and mottled black. He seems not to notice it.]

A few things. First of all, if anybody who's not all Admiral-ed up has a problem with the power outages, I think - I think I can make flashlights and lamps that don't need to be powered. [He's speaking specifically to Morgana here, but he doesn't know everybody's hangups, either, so he's leaving it open to the Barge as a whole.]

Second of all, has anybody actually gotten anywhere with the ship? Steering it or anything? Because this seems like it's getting kind of. Critical. [As Dean so astutely pointed out.]

Last thing - I know nobody cares right now, but we still need staff for the gym. At least one more person. If you feel like going slightly less stir-crazy while we're marooned in the middle of nowhere, apply now.

Comments

[patheticvillain]

Because . . .

[He really doesn't want to talk to Jimmy about this. Doesn't think he'll understand. He shifts slightly, uncomfortable.]

It's complicated. But it seemed like the right thing to do. [And that's only about half a lie.]

[thelastbullet]

Was it? [He's trying, really, not to frown too deeply as the conversation goes on. He curls one hand in the fabric of his trousers, bunching the fabric where Cassel can't see it.]

[patheticvillain]

. . . Probably not.

[Not with the way Mickey's acting. Not with how shitty he feels right now.]

[thelastbullet]

You gonna do it again?

[patheticvillain]

[Probably. Maybe. Yes.]

No, sir.

[thelastbullet]

[He rolls his eyes, lets go of his trousers again. At least this is familiar territory-- though with the way things have been going lately, they're more familiar with the heaviness of loss and regret than easy banter.]

If you're going to lie, do it better.

[patheticvillain]

[The beginnings of a wicked smile. This, he can do. The disobedient kid is a role he can play all day every day, and fucking win awards for.]

Yes, sir.

[thelastbullet]

[He looks at the screen for a second, and then snorts and relaxes. If nothing else, Cassel seems more okay now. Even if it had been a dumb idea- Jimmy can't protect him from everything, and relatively little physical harm is something that doesn't need to be too closely scrutinized.]

Very respectful, Sharpe.

[patheticvillain]

I try to be. You know me.

[No, he doesn't. But relief is practically coming off him in waves that the subject is being dropped. He leans in towards the camera and grins.]

[thelastbullet]

Respect for your elders, right? [He smirks and leans out of screen to light a cigarette.] That's you.

[patheticvillain]

In a nutshell, yeah.

[thelastbullet]

And a decorated war veteran, besides. [What he's saying, he deserves so much respect, you could almost overlook at the rampant criming he's done.]

[patheticvillain]

[But that's what Cassel respects the most!]

What war was that, the Revolutionary War?

[thelastbullet]

[And that is why they're such good friends.]

You're hilarious. [But touché.]

[patheticvillain]

I know I am. You should try to be more like me.

[No, nobody should do this.]

[thelastbullet]

The Barge couldn't take more than one of you, Sharpe.

[patheticvillain]

You think it might overload?

[thelastbullet]

Any more than it's already doing?

[patheticvillain]

It could happen.

[thelastbullet]

Maybe we shouldn't chance it.

[patheticvillain]

Maybe not. Better safe than sorry.

[thelastbullet]

[He gives another smile, and then grows serious again, momentarily.]

Listen, Cassel... You ever in any trouble you don't know how to solve, you come to me. Alright?

[patheticvillain]

[His grin fades, slowly, like sugar dissolving in tea.]

Yeah. I know, man. You're good for it.

[thelastbullet]

Good. [He nods, satisfied.] I'll talk to you later, then.