video;

[velveteened]

( oz has spent some time practicing, so when the video feed comes on, it's steady and propped up to give a good view of him in the living room of his apartment. he shoots the camera a grin before holding up a helmet that may seem familiar to some people. )

Hello, everyone! You won't believe what I found today. ( a meow can be heard off-screen, and he corrects himself - ) Or more correctly, Li Jun did. Something like this must belong to someone, right?

( he hefts it up closer to the camera so that viewers on the network can get a better view. it's probably clear he basically thinks it's one of the coolest things ever. a real helmet like what a real knight would have!! maybe even what one of his favorite fictional knights would wear while doing something gallant.

it would probably be rude to put it on his head. which is what he does a moment later, cheerfully, because look okay how many chances like this does one get!! the network gets a wave before he takes it off and adds, )

Well, if it someone's, I wouldn't want to keep it from you. So tell me if it's yours, alright?

Comments

Action!

[retraced]

[Oh, fuck everything. He turns towards Break with a scowl that he might not be able to see anymore, but can definitely hear crystal clear.]

It's not cute at all! It makes it even more difficult to go over and visit with him!

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

Difficult?

[ He knows that Gilbert can see this look of confused innocence he's putting on. ]

It's your job to take care of it, after all. Unless you think it's your lord and master's job to clean up after an animal.

Action!

[retraced]

It's only a cat! They mostly take care of themselves!

[So he's led to believe.]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

Dear, dear Gilbert.

I never thought you'd be the sort to--

[ COUGH! ]

Action!

[retraced]

[Concerned face: activate.]

Break? Are you okay?

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ URGH. He knows that face, even if he can't see it. Right, time for damage control.

In a weak little voice: ]

N-no. I'm wasting away....

Action!

[retraced]

[And of course Gilbert falls for it. He steps forward to try and put a hand on Break's shoulder.]

What's wrong? Is the Hatter...?

[Oz's incuse had supposedly stopped moving, but he hasn't spoken to Break about his Contract at all.]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ He quivers... and puts his hand on top of Gilbert's, clutching it. ]

Worse than that!

It's burnt pastry poisoning. I'm sure I won't recover!

[ And this little joke would work great... except for the fact that even someone like Gilbert should probably be able to notice the fever radiating from his body. ]

Action!

[retraced]

[He deflates in an instant, sighing loudly as he starts to shift his hand out from underneath Break's.]

I've finally started to get the hang of it, you know--

[But yes, he does notice even though it takes him a second to register it properly. Without asking permission, he reaches out and coils his fingers around Break's wrist and holds on, loosely.]

But you really do have a fever...for how long?

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

Eh?

[ He thought it was Hatter, quite honestly. ]

I don't--

[ Petulantly, he wrests his wrist free--and starts coughing again. Enjoy his germs, Gilbert. ]

Action!

[retraced]

[His head tilts slightly to the side, curiously.]

You didn't realize...?

[A little strange by how bad that cough sounds, but then if Gil thinks about it, Break has had to deal with the effects of his Chain for so long that it actually does sound plausible that he wouldn't be able to distinguish between the decay of his body and a headcold. Gil puts a hand on his back and attempts to lead him over to the couch to make him sit down.]

Sit down, I'll get you something warm to drink.

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ He'd simply assumed that his breathlessness and exhaustion were the beginning of the end of his contract. But if this is something he might actually recover from....

He doesn't resist being led to the sofa. He sits down and sprawls sideways across it. ]

Yes, all right. Tea, if you must. But honestly, Gilbert, don't fuss. It's not like I'm dying. ♥

[ Too soon? ]

Action!

[retraced]

[DEFINITELY TOO SOON.]

Don't joke about that! [He grunts under his breath and adds, lest he be accused of caring:] I wouldn't have to fuss if you'd just learn to take care of yourself!

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

Fine, fine.

[ A beat. ]

Oooooooh, I just ache all over. And my neck is so stiff. Come and rub it for me, Gilbert.

[ Let's see the extent of your fussing... ]

Action!

[retraced]

--That's a joke, right?

[Break don't test him, he's in mother hen mode right now.]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ a pathetic little cough ]

It hurts!

[ Everything hurts, at baseline, but it's one thing to talk about that , and quite another to whine about a cold. He's going to milk this for all it's worth. ]

Action!

[retraced]

I'm not rubbing anything!

[B(!!!]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

You won't even do this one small thing for meeeee?

[ He reaches for a nearby afghan and coils it around himself. He is cold. ]

Action!

[retraced]

[He's silent as Break coils himself up in the blanket, and for a second it almost sounds like he's ready to give in. But instead he only leans in and places his hand on Break's forehead, brushing his hair out of the way so that he can actually get a better idea of how bad the fever really is. His hand is calloused but still comforting, albeit cold compared to the warmth of Break's skin.]

...If it hurts that bad, then maybe I should take you to see a doctor after all.

[Starting to fall for it a little more...]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ He senses Gilbert leaning over, but he's still surprised to be actually touched. He startles, and almost begins to wriggle away. But he checks himself, putting on a cloying smile. ]

Goodness, a head pat from Gilbert. So this is what Alice goes on about, hmmm~?

[ He draws out this last syllable into a happy hum, leaning into Gilbert's hand. ]

Action!

[retraced]

Don't you start too...

[He groans as he thinks back on all of the ways that that stupid rabbit tried to trick him into patting her head. And besides, this isn't about being grateful for something he's done, this is just the opposite! Break is an idiot for having caught a cold like this, this shouldn't be rewarded! But he can't yell...they've done more than enough of that lately.]

What other symptoms do you have?

[He removes his hand and starts for the kitchen to pour him a cup of tea.]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ Pfff. As if he's going to mention any real symptoms. ]

I'm starving. I'd give anything for some candy. I could eat a whole mountain's worth.

[ and just because: ]

Perhaps that would help this terrible stiffness I feel. In my neck.

Action!

[retraced]

I'm not rubbing your neck!

[HE'S SERIOUS ABOUT THIS THING.]

Action!

[maddeninghatter]

[ Gilbert, you're too cute when you're flustered. ]

Ha! Ha! Haaa--cough!

[ Oops. Laughter. Not a good idea. He doubles over in a hard fit of coughing. It's a good thing Gilbert is still in the kitchen. ]

Action!

[retraced]

[The coughing at least keeps Gilbert from throwing a teacup at his head.

Instead, he waits for Break to catch his breath and then taps the side of his hand with the teacup (which has plenty of sugar in it) to let him know that he can take it.]