what comes up when rain comes down?

[enigmaster]

Inter-Dimensional Pen Pals Omakes

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[enigmaster]

I see.

That explains that, then. Is that

[...]

How do you feel about that?

[agoodname]

[ His expression, somehow, smoothes out a bit as he reports the conclusion he's come to ]It answers the question as to why they're both alive.

[enigmaster]

[Oh.


Oh.]

You know it's more complicated than that.

[agoodname]

Is it? [ his expression is still carefully as blank as he can make it ] It's the only common thread between their deaths.

[enigmaster]

And that equals causation, now?

[agoodname]

In this case, yes. Considering both parties were aiming to either control or kill me.

[enigmaster]

I wonder what might have happened had Mr. Van Dahl ever had a run in with the woman he ended up with on your end. As far as I can tell, there is no trace of the woman over here. She might simply not exist in this dimension.

Now, I wonder. How jealous might she have been if she had been here. She's certainly proved herself driven enough to do anything to get the money she feels she deserves.

Who knows what she might have done?

[agoodname]

[ Oswald read's that. And then his mouth twists into a hard scowl ]

There are plenty more people out there with more money than my fa Mr. Van Dahl; he's hardly as easy of a mark if he's already married.

[enigmaster]

Perhaps. Or perhaps they might have met before he was. Or perhaps she wouldn't have realized he was married at first.

Or perhaps she would have murdered your father on your side of things, impatient at his continued survival, even if you never existed.

Who's to say?

[agoodname]

[ He reads through that, before snapping his phone shut, mouth twisted into a grimace as he gives the camera the back of his head again for a long moment. then he's flipping it back open and typing out a reply ] Perhaps, but that isn't what happened. What happened was that someone was going after me, and both of them died because of it.

[enigmaster]

All I'm saying is that... it isn't that you not existing here is the reason they're alive. You can't just say because x, then y on this matter.

It wasn't your fault.

[agoodname]

[ At first, his expression is frustrated--angry. Then he reads that last line, and it crumples into something extremely upset ] Now that is wholly untrue.

[enigmaster]

You didn't kill them.

[agoodname]

I may not have driven the knife into my mother's back or poisoned my father, but I was the impetus for the forces that did.

[enigmaster]

Extremely cowardly forces, I should add.

1/2

[agoodname]

Cowardly or not, it wasn't a random circumstance.

2/3

[agoodname]

They were aiming for me. And my parents were caught in the crossfire, either deliberately or accidentally.

[agoodname]

I'm the reason they're dead.

[enigmaster]

[He so badly wants to argue. He knows it makes logical sense, but he can't see this as being directly Oswald's fault. Indirectly seems pointless, to him. But he's trying to come at this logically. That isn't going to work, is it? ...] I'm sorry.

[agoodname]

[Oswald looks at his phone, brow furrowing, obviously expecting more of a fight--and there's a moment of surprise when he doesn't get it. And his expression crumples into something pained. It takes him a moment to control himself enough to respond] Thank you. [ he wipes a hand under his eyes, quickly, after flipping his phone closed ]

[enigmaster]

Pushing you wasn't my intent.

I'm

[he considers, for a while, how to finish that sentence. but it feels like... honesty might be warranted.]

just concerned.

1/2

[agoodname]

[ Oswald reads that...then reads it again, mouth pressing into a line as he works to control his emotions, brow deeply furrowed. It takes him a couple breaths....Then he just looks at the camera and nods. He understands. Then he'll text back.]

I won't get caught.

2/2

[agoodname]

[ --then something seems to catch his attention inside the apartment. And he's shifting up just a bit, cautiously peering in the window, clearly trying catch a glimpse of whatever he's hearing. ]

[enigmaster]

[ARE YOU KIDDING HIM RIGHT NOW

No, okay. okay, fine, he'll confirm something first.]

Is something happening?

[agoodname]

[The buzzing of his cellphone draws Oswald's attention, and he glances down at it, before glancing to the camera and holding up a finger--one moment--before turning his attention back to the window. His expression isn't apprehensive or worried, though, it's...soft. Pained. Bittersweet. Whatever he's watching, it's...important, but not life-threatening.]