☮ 042; [video]

[philanthrotaku]

[Otacon was not in great shape today. The Rocket takeover had left him with bruises and a broken arm in a cast. He looked exhausted as well as injured when the video came on, but there were a few things he needed to take care of. First, there was someone else that should have been in the Radio Tower that day that he hadn't heard from.]

[Failed

Comments

[Video]

[foolishwren]

....... Hal?

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

...he left.

[Much like Snake, Heather wouldn't be getting any fake smiles. Otacon wouldn't even waste his breath trying to tell her he was fine.]

I didn't fix anything. I couldn't.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... Your dad?

[... Her voice sounds small. Though nowhere near as small as Otacon's. Oh, no...]

... Hal, I...

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

I...I know, Heather. You're probably the only one that understands what it feels like.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... I guess.

[... But still, some nasty little inner voice comments that at least Otacon got to spend time with him. To tell him the truth. To actually be a son.]

[She shoves that train of thought down so hard that it almost makes her dizzy. No way will she say that-- kick him while he's down.]

Are you... are you gonna be okay?

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

It's not as if this is the first time I've lost someone.

[There was the smallest note of bitterness in his voice, which was more than a little strange. Otacon was not someone who complained even when things got difficult. But between this and the Rocket takeover that left him with a broken arm, he'd probably earned the right to be angry. Even if that anger was only directed at himself.]

...I don't know, Heather. Maybe I will, just...n-not now.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... I understand.

I... I wish I could come back and be with you.

[... And then she notices his arm.]

... What happened?

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

I-it's okay. Liquid's here, I can manage.

...oh, uh...I ran into a little trouble when Team Rocket infiltrated the Radio Tower a few days ago. [Of course, he'd be assuming most people would have heard about it somehow. Just because Snake had been stuck in Ilex Forest didn't mean everyone was.] Don't worry, I'm fine.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... So you were there?

What-- what happened?

Everyone on the news channel and stuff is just acting like everything's normal...

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

I've been working there for a few weeks now. And honestly, I don't know much. We only really dealt with one guy, and it seemed like some kind of elaborate robbery more than anything.

Listen, it all sounds like some kind of weird cover-up, but I'm telling you it's not so simple. I'm almost certain it's an organized group of people causing trouble, and considering the world we're in? Sounds like Team Rocket to me.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... Man.

I thought they were just a bunch of idiots.

Guess I was wrong.

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

From what little I saw, it wasn't so simple. I mean, I'm no military strategist, but it was like someone definitely knew what they were doing.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

... I guess everybody underestimated them.

... So... so what exactly happened, though?

Who HURT you?

[She'd like a name. Organization or not, she wants to know who hurt the closest thing to a big brother she's ever had.]

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

I-I didn't get his name. Doubt I'd remember if I did.

Calm down, Liquid took care of him. If he's got any common sense, he'll be miles away right now.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

I don't care.

What's he look like?

[Video]

[philanthrotaku]

Heather.

I'm not letting you pick a fight with anyone.