The eternal question raises its head again.

[originalbeachboy]

So, back to doin' this old dance, huh? Bad, good, bad again... Turn to glass, steal some lady's blood, break into a buncha bits and fight myself, have my head messed with every way yah can imagine...

[Flint's hands turn to sand and each finger is a miniature of himself, with varying expressions, ages and costumes. They cycle constantly into new ones as he talks on.]

Got me to thinking, yah know? Maybe I ain't cut out to be one thing or t'other. Maybe I'm always meant to be fallin' apart and being someone new every day. I was already changing my name to suit my new attitude before the atomic accident! Maybe I aughta stop thinking so black and white all the time...

[He smacks his hands together with a 'paff', scattering sand about until it forms a small collection of independent little figures, duking it out around his feet, split into two groups- his heroic and villainous associates.]

It ain't like I ever saw eye to eye with either side entirely- Sable, The Thing, the Avengers, heck, even Spidey on a good day... Or the Sinister Six, the Frightful Four or any of the other crooks I've run with for that matter!

[With a huff, he stomps on the whole assembly of miniature cops and robbers, reabsorbing the sand.]

I guess what I'm thinking is, good and bad ain't really so solid as all that. Maybe what I do from here is make up my mind on the spot, instead of deciding 'good' and trying to be perfect, or picking bad and trying to be a monster.

[A thoughtful pause, in which he scratches at his chin.]

I was gonna be an artist, yah know. All them years ago. Maybe I'll give it another shot.

Comments

[irredeemed_ant]

Dude, sounds like you've had some rough times. Speaking as a guy who has two 'bad guys' for friends even though I suppose I'm in the 'good guy' camp... maybe there's not that much different between us. 'cept for the armoured despots and psycho symbiote types, anyway.

[idol_o_millions]

I don' care what words some hack writer put in my mouth... I always believed in ya, Sandy.

[goodhairday]

Such words.

Have you so lost your way?

[originalbeachboy]

Well, if you ain't a sight for sandy eyes... Wish I could tell yah, but truth is, I ain't sure I ever found my way in the first place!

[goodhairday]

I knew a man who was confident in his abilities, one with a clear direction and intent. If you find your faith lagging, I have enough in you for both of us.

[originalbeachboy]

Yeah, well... I'm not so sure I've always been worth believing in. All the same, I appreciate it.

[originalbeachboy]

Rough as sandpaper, kid. You make a good point, though- I ain't sure if you mean Doctor Doom and Venom or Iron Man and Spider-Man!

[originalbeachboy]

If I got flattery like that from a stranger, I'd figure they were after something... Since it's you, I'll take it! But I won't agree- I'm having trouble mustering up any direction these days. I've got one thing I want, but every way I think of to try and get it only makes things worse one way or the other- I used to let hate motivate me, but swapping it for love hasn't done me any good.

[goodhairday]

I believe you know my family and I well enough to realize we do not bother with flattery. It is an insincere waste of all our time. So tell me my friend, what is it you want? If I may help I will do my best to do so. I wish happiness on others now more than ever.

[originalbeachboy]

Yeah... that I do. So I won't bother questioning if you really think I'm a friend. All I want in the world is my daughter, Keemia! The problem is, us two are the only people in the world that agree we're family. Seeing as how I'm a penniless crook, there ain't a way for my to convince anyone otherwise, neither.

I tried just taking her but that didn't go so good... and a scheme to wipe my slate clean when sour pretty fast... So back to the old grind, it looks like.

[irredeemed_ant]

That makes sense. And heh! I was meaning Doom and Carnage, really. I've worked with Venom and he's not as 'I'm Gonna Eat Your Brains' as he was with the old guy. Carnage though, he's just insane. You villains who just wanna be well off, that I can respect, not the stabby murder everyone types.

As for Spidey, well I know he's your... I dunno, rival? But he seems ok to me. Though you guys are troopers putting up with all that lame quibbing.

[idol_o_millions]

You'll get it figgered out. I'm sure of it.

[goodhairday]

I've come to believe that family is what we make of it. The heart truly decides who our family is more so than blood ever could. If this child sees you as her father, and you love her as your daughter, you will find a way. I wish there was an easy answer, or that I could make this happen for you both, but life is far more complicated than that.

[originalbeachboy]

Well... We might have had our differences, but you and me see eye to eye on that one. I'm working on the 'find a way' thing, but a leg breaker like me... I'm lacking experience on this side of things.

[originalbeachboy]

How can you be so sure, Grimm? I think 'bout all the people out there with normal lives who got no idea what to do with themselves, then I look at me...

Aww, heck. When did I get so darn soft anyway?

[goodhairday]

You are more than your past, you've become more. And you choose what to become in the future. Do not allow your past to limit you, the past is a lie we fall back on to excuse our fear and weakness. It takes strength to face the future and I have seen that strength in you.

[idol_o_millions]

Normal? One thing I've learned, there ain't no such thing. Just different shades of crazy.

I used ta be like that, not knowin' what I was doin' with myself. Lashin' out at everybody. Took me to some pretty dark places sometimes. Still does, on my bad days.

But we all gotta walk that walk, figger out where we're goin'. That's just part of bein' human.

[originalbeachboy]

Sometimes it just feels better to go into the dark and bury your head in the-... the you-know-what. Go through the motions, follow the flow. I used to have to be a crook to survive and take care of my ma, so maybe that's just where my head goes when I ain't thinking. I guess you're right though... Gotta think about it sometime.

...Damnit, Grimm. Quit making me feel better, can't yah recognise a guy trying to wallow in self pity when yah see one? Besides, two hard men ain't allowed to talk about this stuff unless it's over a couple of drinks or tossin' around a ball. I'm sure that's a rule.

[originalbeachboy]

...Sheesh! Keep talking like that and I'll get a fat head.

[At least he seems cheered up! He always was sweet on Medusa.]

I'd hate to let a good woman down though, so I guess I better start living up to those expectations.

[goodhairday]

I speak as I see, and I speak with no guile or reason for anything but truth.

With Black Bolt gone we need more good men, you can be that.

[originalbeachboy]

Heh-heh, I dunno about good. But I can sure as Hell do better.

[goodhairday]

Then continue to be better until you are.

[originalbeachboy]

Well, that's just it. Maybe I don't wanna be a saint. But I don't wanna be a devil neither.

[goodhairday]

Titles and status are obligations, I am in a position to know. You have simply to be the father that child deserves. Knowing this you already have your goal set for you.

[originalbeachboy]

Hmm. Well, I was thinkin' about maybe being a mercenary again. Not clean, but not dirty either.

And uh, if you ever need a hand with all your Inhuman stuff... I'll give you a special rate, that bein' free of charge. I figure I owe you for my part for all the crummy stuff we did as the Frightful Four.

[goodhairday]

It is a vocation filled with choice.

I wouldn't hesitate to call on you, nor would I hesitate to compensate you for your time. I may indeed have need of you soon enough.

[originalbeachboy]

Issat so? I try to keep an eye on your people but... There's only so much a guy can learn from the outside, yah know.