Distillation: 42 | Russell

[spagyrics]

[The feed clicks on to show a rather frazzled alchemist. He's been locked away in his room working now that his powers are back, only taking the absolutely necessary breaks (and those only because he didn't want to worry Fletcher). There's smudges of charcoal on his hands and face, the imprint of part of a transmutation circle actually printed on

Comments

[chibitreehugger]

Brother, you should go to bed.

[Those absolutely necessary breaks? Ya, not enough. And don't think that Fletch wouldn't march right over there and find a way to make him take a proper break, because you know he would.]

[spagyrics]

I'm fine, Fletcher. I've lots of work to catch up on, having been unable to transmute last week.

[But notice that he's not actually meeting that look of yours. Abrupt topic shift is a go.]

But never mind me. Are you alright, Fletcher? Are your wrists okay? You're not... coughing too much?

[chibitreehugger]

[Not quite believing you.]

I'm fine. You don't have to worry so much. [Well, at least he's not dealing with anything he can't handle. And the nice little garden he's started in his room is a good distraction.] I've got some fresh berries, would you like them?

[spagyrics]

Fletcher. [You hear that disapproving tone? If he finds out you've been transmuting in here you're done for kid.]

Where did you get berries? You haven't been transmuting have you? These collars wear you down so much faster than normal alchemy ever would. You can't do alchemy here. Not with the collars silver and not with your health.

[chibitreehugger]

I grew them. Sora gave me lots of seeds and plants from last week. So that people could still have fruit after everything went back to normal. [He just sorta helped them along ... but is not gonna say that part oooh no. Besides, he's hidden alchemy from his brother before, he can do it again.]

[spagyrics]

If anyone paid any attention there's some berries out in the biodome all the time. [Sigh huff sigh... You'd best not let him catch you at the alchemy Fletcher.]

[chibitreehugger]

[Well that at least earns a quiet laugh. But he's mentally doublechecking that there's no way anyone could have seen him doing alchemy. Which there isn't, thank goodness, because he's not done much.]

You really should take a break you know.

[spagyrics]

[He looks a little guilty for a moment.]

I know I should [doesn't mean he will though... but Fakir's being awful persuasive.]

[chibitreehugger]

I bet you'd feel better and work faster later on if you did. [Why yes, he's using the puppy eyes look to try and get this point across But at least it's not intentional.]

[spagyrics]

[Russell just gives him a slightly exasperated look. He doesn't believe that is unintentional for a second.]

[chibitreehugger]

[Shifting to a slightly more serious note ... ] Please at least try. I'm worried about you ...

[spagyrics]

[pout grump... he doesn't like this guilting thing you do and you know it Fletch.] Worrying is my job. You just take care of yourself.

[chibitreehugger]

[You're being unfair Rus, so have a tiny pout right back.] I will. But, how can I not worry if you aren't taking care of yourself?

[spagyrics]

I know my limits, Fletcher. [Because he's pushed himself past them so many times here.] I'm fine.

[chibitreehugger]

[This is very familiar behavior, but he still doesn't know how to deal with it. Other than just ... ] Okay. [ ... if Al where here, he'd get a serious talking to for just giving in like that.]