capeandcowl | 36

[ He looks vaguely like he's gotten bad news, though it doesn't show in his voice. And it's only brief, because then he's got his usual affected calmness going on, smiling for the camera, a lighter and a barely visible pack of cigarettes at the very corner of the frame. ]

I hope everyone had a good holiday. Those of you who haven't experienced an Independence Day before this one: what did you think? Simply curious, of course -- it's such an American staple I'm sure a lot of the American citizens here can feel reassured that some things don't change. But to others, it must be a rather fascinating, if not inspiring, new experience.

Mm. Anyway, I wanted to mention that as of yesterday, I'm stepping back in as Director of the Avengers. Victoria Hand has done a wonderful job, but it was always going to be temporary. Beyond that, the structure of the team won't be changing, just the leadership back to how it was. And no, it isn't because of the Fourth, that's just a funny little coincidence. Though, Victoria, I'd like you to go about arranging what we discussed -- soon, please.

[ He looks -- subtly -- troubled, idly playing with a golden bang on his ring finger for a very brief moment. ]

I suppose that's everything. Good night.

[ ENCRYPTED to Desire ]

Delirium's gone.

Did you do this?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Grateful for what?! I'm not afraid of Desire, Nygma, and I don't care about your little "relationship," nor do I care much for the little threats It keeps trying to make on me. Just why, exactly, am I supposed to be grateful? I want nothing to do with It or It's little mind games, and yet I have to suffer trough them anyway.

Here, I'll list these in numerical order for you. So you'll get each point.

One: don't ever reference my relationship with Desire. Ever.

Two: it is only because of my position with an Endless that you aren't kissing worms by now.

Three: your delusions are insulting. For a man with supposed political experience, you're dismal at playing the easy dismiss. If I can distract your puppy Hand from taken suspicion onto my personal history, you can play nice with the being that would whimsically destroy your mind. I have seen madness undo a man, Norman. You are. So. Close.

Do yourself a favor and see how many packs you can barrel through before the healing factor wears down, mm?

Edited 2010-07-07 06:29 (UTC)

I have been playing nice, Nygma. What's the point if all I'm doing is postponing what day of the week It decides to have it in for me next? Why, pray tell, is It so morbidly fascinated with me in the first place? And more importantly, what did It do with her? I need her here, and it's not because I'm mad. I am not mad!

Desire will not touch you! [Pause.] I made a deal. Another deal. How dare you make assumptions.

[Longer pause. Then hysterical laughter.]

Oh--aheheh--Oh you think? That Desire would deign to? Ahahahaha! Oh my God, that's really--Norman, for your own well being, try some research, won't you? Desire enacts its function and it keeps family affairs within reason. It would never bring harm to Delirium.

You expect me to believe it's just a coincidence? I don't care what you claim its methods are, the timing is too damned convenient.

You're paranoid.

No, I'm right.

Falsehood!

Come on, you even fell for that set up. And you know damn well what I can do. You're allowing your emotions to control your mind.

She is supposed to be here. She is supposed to always be here.

She isn't. She left you. Like you knew she would, like you always have known she would.

You cannot depend on other people. You know better.

[ Pause. Then, a frustrated exhale. ]

I know, it's obvious. Yes, I know this. I'm not dependent on anything -- or anyone, for that matter. It isn't about that.

I don't like being used.

So stop making it so easy for others. Take control of your emotions.

Use them.

You're telling me things I already know.

And do.

Know? Perhaps. But you're certainly not doing them, you deluded manic depressive.

Of course I am.

Hardly.

Not the one you're talking about. That hardly excludes everyone else.

Slippery slope, my friend. Let's not make exceptions, mm?

Mm.

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