by light of day...

[alt_sirius]

Regulus.

Damn. Not dead, but hiding.

Rereading his words ... his thoughts, makes a few things clearer than they have ever been.

But ... really, it's like the lyrics from a bad Weird Sisters tune, in't it? 'Slithering lines of ink' and 'is there nothing that isn't to do with you' -- by God, it's the same damn angst-ridden, self-flogging, over-emotional claptrap it always was.

Regulus, if you're reading this, stop being such a pisser and stand up for yourself, mate. If you left once, you know you'll never get what you want from them. Don't let them pull you back into that pit.

...Talk to me? Little brother?


Oh, sod it all! He's making me sound like him, all brooding and depressive and bloody premenstrual. Swear it's like Andy was her whole seventh year. At least she finally was a man about it and did what she damn well wanted to do in the first place, and fuck Uncle Cygnus.


Right, then. There's only one solution: Fresh crepes.

Comments

[alt_regulus]

What I want from them? Them? Do you mean our family Sirius?

Don't you understand that there is no pit to escape from? All the world's His pit brother, and death is the only escape. The fact that you can't see you're in it is the really pathetic bit.

[alt_sirius]

And don't you understand that it's your fatalistic attitude that gives him power over you?

I saw Lucius Malfoy trying to court you back to their side. Can you honestly say you're not suspicious? You know what being part of that mess did to you. Don't fall for it again.

As for me, I'm sitting on a beautiful beach (the rain having blown itself out yesterday), watching a glorious sunset, and in a little while I'll head to town for supper at my favourite bistro.

You make your own Hell, Regulus. It doesn't have to be like that. If you don't like your situation, you can change it.

[alt_regulus]

Yes, of course, I forgot. it was a fatalistic attitude that killed your friend James and his wife. Perhaps if they had been a bit stronger of mind...

Don't be a fool, Sirius, and speak of Him like an equal. Like some playground bully. He does not imagine Himself powerful. Believe me when I say that you haven't the foggiest idea what you are dealing with, and if you were to remain lost on an unknown beach forever, waxing philosophical about the beauty of choice, it would be better for you than whatever foolish thing you are undoubtedly planning.

[alt_sirius]

You're my brother, so I'll forgive you that crack. This time.

But if you think I have no idea what we're up against, you're as dense as you are sullen.

It's not like I wasn't there, Regulus. I've seen the cruelty, the destruction, the damn careless contempt for life your friends practise. And it's not like I haven't lost people at his hands, as you so helpfully just pointed out. I may not have had a front-row seat, but I've still seen the show. So hex me if I don't fancy buying another ticket.

My point, which you seem so eager to miss, is that there is a choice, whether you want to see it or not. It may seem like I'm doing my own version of hiding, it's true. But not forever, Reg. Not forever. And I choose to fight, even at the cost of my life, if necessary, rather than submit. Foolish? I prefer 'daring.'

You don't have to be alone, either. Just ... just don't act like you're already defeated. Don't give up hope before even beginning to fight.

James was my brother by choice; you're my brother by blood. If you think that means nothing to me, you're wrong.

Oh, bullocks.

[alt_regulus]

Blood. Bugger me if that isn't the heart of all this. It has meaning for us all, that's just the point. A lack of fondness for you and virtually all your friends does not mean I wish to see you dead. There isn't room for fighters. He has seen to it.

[alt_sirius]

A lack of fondness for you and virtually all your friends does not mean I wish to see you dead.

Well, there you see?

We agree on something.