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[ His lip reddens as he bites it harder, mulling himself. ]

I don't know. Talk to him before he does something drastic. I think he only ever hurts ev-- anyone because he doesn't know what else to do.

I think he knew exactly what he was doing. [ He says more to himself than Nelson. ]

He thinks it's up to him to fix the entire world because he's been fighting his entire life.

[ Nelson doesn't know for sure. But he has plenty of reason to at least assume. ]

He's got no concept of proper boundaries.

He can't carry on like that in this world.

That's why I can't abandon him now. [ Even though Hooded Justice abandoned him first. ] ...If I can find him, and if he'll even listen. If I can't, then... w-well, at least I tried.

[ He realizes something else. ]

The Deputy Mayor doesn't know, does he?

About... which part? [ It's a little embarrassing. ] I haven't spoken to him much this week, if I could avoid it. If he knew what you just told me I'd be surprised.

It's better to keep it that way. Doesn't he have it out for vigilante types now? [ He sighs. ]

Yes. I haven't told him anything, he'd only make me feel worse. O-only Lil knows, besides you.

[ As far as he knows. ]

Lil...

[ He blinks, surprised all of a sudden. ]

The woman with that strange accent?

Oh. Yes, that's her. [ He blinks as well, matching Gil's surprise. ] Do you two know each other?

We spoke recently, that's all. I hadn't realized... so that's who she was talking about.

What do you mean? [ He frowns. ] She was talking about Hooded Justice? Or--

[ Him?? ]

She seemed frustrated with men in general...

Oh. Right. She gets like that, she's a little hot-tempered. [ Sighing. ] I hope she doesn't do anything rash, I hardly want anyone else getting hurt trying to confront him.

[ He gently rubs at his nose at the thought. ]

He's difficult to predict at the moment, I'd say.

I think he wants to prove that he's alive.

[ Nelson looks at Gil and touches his shouler. ]

Be careful, you don't want to dislocate it.

[ He's caught by surprise by the gesture and pulls his hand away. ]

It's fine.

What do you mean by alive?

He...

[ Nelson pulls his own hand back, looking sheepish. ]

I told him about his death.

[ His eyes widen and silence lingers between them longer than he means it to. ]

... Oh.

[ Nelson glances away, guilty. ]

I know it was a mistake, but I-I thought... I didn't think he should find out from anyone else. [ He bites at his thumbnail. ] He was angry with me. I'm sure it's related.

[ It's hard to digest this brand new information so suddenly. Hooded Justice is dead in Nelson's time and yet he goes out of his way to shield him from the burden of truth.

Out of romantic obligation, he supposes. Nelson did seem to be a man in touch with his emotions.

He thinks about Oz -- unsurprisingly -- and the things he keeps from his master, like Zai's involvement in the Coming of Age ceremony. He could never blame Nelson for what he's trying to do, because Gil's been doing the same ever since he was able to get Oz back from the Abyss. ]

You did what you could.

[ He pauses. ]

I'm sorry about... him.

Please don't be sorry. None of it is your fault.

[ He sighs again, looking at Gil a little sadly. It is complicated, measuring his feelings of what's "right" versus what's easy; Nelson should have avoided the truth he feels like, if it meant he'd be less miserable right now.

Then again, when it comes to Hooded Justice it's impossible to guarantee something else won't go wrong. Nelson gestures to Gil's face a little idly. ]

I shouldn't even be troubling you with my problems in the first place, here I came by to help and all I'm doing is talking about myself. [ He shakes his head. ] Let me get you some more ice.

I've got it. [ He waves a hand and moves back toward the fridge. Everything in the kitchen is rather sleek and modern, not really suiting Gil.

He opens up the freezer to fetch the ice pack again. Most of the swelling has gone down over the past few days, but there's still an ugly discoloration around his nose and near his eyes. ]

Has he done this before?

[ Nelson watches uneasily, following Gil though not interrupting his motions. The kitchen jars even him slightly, though he says nothing, simply crossing his arms. ]

I can leave, if it's starting to bother you again. [ His fingers drum against his arm. ] Yes. Something similar. It was the last time I ever saw him, back home.

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