(Untitled)

[ishbalriffs]

*bursts cacophonously through the door of the chateau, drenched and utterly out of breath; slams the door behind him with shaking arms and leans against it, gulping for breath; the knee of his jeans is torn and bloody, and his sunglasses are gone*

Comments

[fm_edelric]

*comes running up to the chateau, banging on the door and hoping he's right in thinking that Mal bee-lined here the moment he lost Havoc*

[ishbalriffs]

*very paranoid about opening the door - Clara has left to see if she can find out what the hell is going on with the military, and he's pretty much alone in the chateau; sees Ed and opens the door after a moment, unlocking it and stepping out of the way; doesn't really greet Ed but stands with a rather closed look on his face*

[fm_edelric]

*looks up at Mal as he steps inside, eyes scanning his appearance to see if he's been seriously injured at all, expression tight with concern and frustration* You all right? He didn't get a shot on you, did he?

[ishbalriffs]

*eyes go wide, stumbles back a few paces, a look confusion and, unmistakably, fear on his face* How the fuck do you know about that? *mind reeling, wondering if Ed somehow knew someone was going to try to kidnap him or arrest him or whatever the hell it was*

[fm_edelric]

*takes a step forward but moves no closer after that, hands raised slightly in a gesture of surrender* Hey, calm down for a second, Mal. I ran into the soldier who said he was chasing you- I know him. I can explain- He thought you were someone else, he wasn't thinking-

[ishbalriffs]

*stands absolutely rigid, his shoulders stiff, swallowing a lump in his throat and not saying anything, though his heart is hammering once more* What did he say happened? *rather dangerously, sounding quite a bit angrier than is his wont*

[fm_edelric]

*pauses, studying him for a moment before speaking again* He mistook you for your double. ...You remember what I told you about him, right?

[ishbalriffs]

*takes a moment to process that; frown slowly melting away to a look of pensiveness and creeping understanding* ...did he really? *skeptically, but with a note of hoping it is true*

[fm_edelric]

*takes a small, careful step closer* Yeah. Really. ...And I've really gotta make sure everybody knows to be more careful about this shit.

*frowns worriedly* He didn't shoot you, did he?

[ishbalriffs]

*doesn't back away this time, taking a quick breath and then letting it out in the sigh, his expression half-disbelieving and half-relieved* ...Thank Ishbala for that. I thought- *voice catches, looks away quickly*

*shakes his head*

[fm_edelric]

I know. *runs a hand through his hair, sighing tiredly* Shit, Mal, I'm sorry. I got so used to you, I completely forgot you were his double...

*nods, visibly relieved* Good.

[ishbalriffs]

*nods absently, not really seeming to head Ed's words, his eyes unfocused and his attention somewhere very far away* ...I think I need to sit down. *with the air of holding himself together tenuously; shuts the door and heads into the house without looking back at Ed, knowing he'll follow; rather collapses onto a couch in the nearest room, running his hands through his hair and then resting his face in them, trying to figure out what on earth he feels about the whole thing*

[fm_edelric]

*watches him carefully as he follows into the next room, choosing not to sit down and just hovers near one end of the couch, shoving his hands into his pockets. awkwardly looks around the room, not sure what to do or say anymore*

[ishbalriffs]

*draws in a shaky breath and lets it out slowly, determined not to make an ass of himself and cry again or anything like that, but having a rather hard time of it* Son of a bitch. *not directed at anyone in particular - himself or Ed or Havoc* I- I had no idea. I thought- *throat closing up, takes a moment* I thought it would have been... you know. The same as last time. That's why I ran. I couldn't see why someone would just- see me and point a gun like that.

[fm_edelric]

*glances back at Mal, still somewhat worried* I thought as much. But I set him straight, if that helps. *lets out a small groan, looking up at the ceiling and shaking his head a little* We should probably put posters up all over headquarters that compare you and Scar, just to remind everyone that you aren't the dangerous one. Like a "spot the difference" picture or something.

[ishbalriffs]

*letting out a short breath* It should. I mean, I know it should help. It does, I guess. *sounds quite unsure about that, raking his hands through his hair again* What- what'd he say?

I don't- *clenching his jaw, trying not to snap at Ed because it's certainly not his fault; isn't even sure why he's feeling so angry* I don't want my picture all over the place.