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desequilibre) wrote2014-05-03 03:08 pm
desequilibre) wrote2014-05-03 03:08 pm
Entry tags:
→ ( cdc - ic contact )
athos@cdc.org
(0) UNREAD MESSAGES
athos@cdc.org
(0) UNREAD MESSAGES
FROM: athos@cdc.org
I don't intend to add numbers to the slaughter. You can rest assured. Get some rest. I'd like to see you in the morning.
I don't intend to add numbers to the slaughter. You can rest assured. Get some rest. I'd like to see you in the morning.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Then you will, you have my word. Let me know if you need me, Athos.
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
NHD-C12-LRC-310's height without the shoes on is 165 centimeters. Because I said I would.
NHD-C12-LRC-310's height without the shoes on is 165 centimeters. Because I said I would.
FROM: athos@cdc.org
Is that something we really need to know?
Is that something we really need to know?
FROM: dagger@cdc.org
You can pretend you didn't see it if it pains you so much.
You can pretend you didn't see it if it pains you so much.
FROM: athos@cdc.org
I would have thought an instructor would have much better things to take up his time.
I would have thought an instructor would have much better things to take up his time.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Athos
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
They brought my father back to life
Athos
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
They brought my father back to life
[ For a moment he can do nothing but stare at the message. ]
FROM: athos@cdc.org
I had heard they could do that, but I didn't believe.
FROM: athos@cdc.org
Do you need me to come to you?
FROM: athos@cdc.org
I had heard they could do that, but I didn't believe.
FROM: athos@cdc.org
Do you need me to come to you?
[ To say it changes things for him is something of an understatement. With no delay at all: ]
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Yes. Please, if you can.
FROM: dartagnan@cdc.org
Yes. Please, if you can.
[ He doesn't respond, merely puts the blackglass away and makes his way to d'Artagnan's rooms. ]
I'm here.
[ He steps in close to where his friend is, saying nothing more. He knows it's better for him to just wait it out. Whatever d'Artagnan wants to say will come. He doesn't want to interrupt that.
He tries not to feel a horrified revulsion at the power the CDC has, instead just reaching out to press a hand to a shoulder. ]
I'm here.
[ He steps in close to where his friend is, saying nothing more. He knows it's better for him to just wait it out. Whatever d'Artagnan wants to say will come. He doesn't want to interrupt that.
He tries not to feel a horrified revulsion at the power the CDC has, instead just reaching out to press a hand to a shoulder. ]
[ He's pacing, when Athos comes. He'd been sitting down, but that hadn't really worked. It's not only his father he's thinking about, but that's what he keeps coming back to.
When Athos reaches for him, he doesn't even hesitate. He moves immediately for his friend, taking hold of his shoulder and tightening his hands in his clothing. He talks without really thinking about it. ]
I didn't believe them either. They asked if I'd want it. I said of course, and they said that they would. I thought it was a lie among many lies.
But it's not. It's not a lie, Athos, they're holding him. They said I can see him during breaks.
When Athos reaches for him, he doesn't even hesitate. He moves immediately for his friend, taking hold of his shoulder and tightening his hands in his clothing. He talks without really thinking about it. ]
I didn't believe them either. They asked if I'd want it. I said of course, and they said that they would. I thought it was a lie among many lies.
But it's not. It's not a lie, Athos, they're holding him. They said I can see him during breaks.
They're keeping him hostage?
[ He stays close as they talk, his whole focus on d'Artagnan and nothing else. Blue eyes examine his d'Artagnan's face, his hand doesn't pull away. ]
Have you seen him?
[ He stays close as they talk, his whole focus on d'Artagnan and nothing else. Blue eyes examine his d'Artagnan's face, his hand doesn't pull away. ]
Have you seen him?
[ His hand flexes. There's a twitching muscle in his cheek. How does he explain? How does he say that he isn't brave enough? ]
Not yet.
I want to. I'm just.
They want me to lead. [ A departure, maybe. This is a tangle in his head. He's still not thinking properly. ] The assessments. I passed, and they want me to lead, and if I do this wrong, Athos. If I disobey. If I step out of line, they could kill him all over again.
Not yet.
I want to. I'm just.
They want me to lead. [ A departure, maybe. This is a tangle in his head. He's still not thinking properly. ] The assessments. I passed, and they want me to lead, and if I do this wrong, Athos. If I disobey. If I step out of line, they could kill him all over again.
[ He is silent for a handful of moments, a sickening kind of horror lurching to life in his gut. He was afraid they would do something like this, ensnare d'Artagnan somehow. And while he's been doing his best to make him toe the line, now he has no choice. His father is alive. He knows he will never let them take him.
So he chooses to focus on something that is easier, something that he knows to be true without a doubt. ] They could not have chosen better. [ Squeezing his shoulder. ] You will be a good leader, d'Artagnan. Even Treville would have acknowledged that. There is none I would trust more with the recruits or none I would rather follow.
[ D'Artagnan must take up this position. It's the only way. He just has to make him believe in it. ]
So he chooses to focus on something that is easier, something that he knows to be true without a doubt. ] They could not have chosen better. [ Squeezing his shoulder. ] You will be a good leader, d'Artagnan. Even Treville would have acknowledged that. There is none I would trust more with the recruits or none I would rather follow.
[ D'Artagnan must take up this position. It's the only way. He just has to make him believe in it. ]
[ That's the crux of it. He has to. He has to do it and do it well, and if he doesn't he'll watch his father die a second time. They haven't issued that threat, but it's as clear to him as if it's written in stone. They don't even need to go all the way back to Earth to hold a sword to his neck. They have that right here, at arm's reach.
He can't fail. He knows that Athos knows it too. ]
None? Even after what happened on Ajna, after I almost walked away? Only days ago I told you I didn't know if I could do this.
What if I was right, what if I can't? What if I lose my head again?
He can't fail. He knows that Athos knows it too. ]
None? Even after what happened on Ajna, after I almost walked away? Only days ago I told you I didn't know if I could do this.
What if I was right, what if I can't? What if I lose my head again?
You won't. [ His hand moves to wrap around his neck, gentle and caring even though his expression remains all business. ] D'Artagnan, I trust you. I do not trust easy. But I do you. And I would bet my life upon the fact that I know you will survive. That you have the qualities and skills of a great leader. I've seen it, I've seen you.
[ Leaning in as close as he can. ] And you have me. You will always have me. If it gets too much to bear than let me take some of the load. I will not leave you to this alone.
[ Leaning in as close as he can. ] And you have me. You will always have me. If it gets too much to bear than let me take some of the load. I will not leave you to this alone.
[ His shoulders relax a little. His hands stay tight on Athos, though, and he leans in just as easily. He'd called him as soon as he'd gotten the message, knowing he couldn't deal with it on his own. He'd already been struggling here, already felt on the edge of something, after Ajna.
Now he can't be. He has to step up. He has to do what Armada told him to, he has to reconcile his priorities and do what he has to do.
He cannot disappoint. Not now. He can't afford to be reckless with his decisions because so many other lives hang in the balance. His world. His friends. Now, directly, his father. He cannot fail to protect him a second time. ]
You have your own burdens. You think I don't know them, but I do. You struggled with Ajna as much as I did.
I can't ask that of you. Yet I know I need you. I can't do this without you, any of it.
Now he can't be. He has to step up. He has to do what Armada told him to, he has to reconcile his priorities and do what he has to do.
He cannot disappoint. Not now. He can't afford to be reckless with his decisions because so many other lives hang in the balance. His world. His friends. Now, directly, his father. He cannot fail to protect him a second time. ]
You have your own burdens. You think I don't know them, but I do. You struggled with Ajna as much as I did.
I can't ask that of you. Yet I know I need you. I can't do this without you, any of it.
[ He almost smiles, it doesn't reach his eyes though, a brittle and broken thing. ] You don't have to ask anything of me. I will be there no matter what. [ Because d'Artagnan is his closest friend. D'Artagnan, who helped Athos revisit himself, who had a part in bringing him back to life. He owes him that life. ]
Together we can survive this. We can protect your father and keep the recruits safe. You will be a good leader, you have it in you. And they will trust you. That is something the CDC lacks.
Together we can survive this. We can protect your father and keep the recruits safe. You will be a good leader, you have it in you. And they will trust you. That is something the CDC lacks.
[ D'Artagnan lifts his head, rolling his eyes a little. ]
What? Reckless stupidity?
[ Which, actually, is a sign that the panic has faded. Athos is so calm all the time that some of it has to transfer.
Besides that, he's right. There are the other recruits to think of, too. He'll have to be there for them. He'll have to be the stable one, for them.
Can he do that?
He really doesn't know. But he'll try. He can't let anyone down. Now more than ever. ]
I can't let my father die a second time, Athos. We have to leave this place one day, and take him home with us. I owe him that.
What? Reckless stupidity?
[ Which, actually, is a sign that the panic has faded. Athos is so calm all the time that some of it has to transfer.
Besides that, he's right. There are the other recruits to think of, too. He'll have to be there for them. He'll have to be the stable one, for them.
Can he do that?
He really doesn't know. But he'll try. He can't let anyone down. Now more than ever. ]
I can't let my father die a second time, Athos. We have to leave this place one day, and take him home with us. I owe him that.
[ He pats his cheek with a rough fondness, some life creeping back in to the room. ]
Well, you will have me to temper that. I have practise now. It would be a shame to waste that.
[ He doesn't step away but he does let his hand move back to his shoulder. ] We will get out of this, we will take your father back to Paris. We just have to remain strong. And together we can.
Well, you will have me to temper that. I have practise now. It would be a shame to waste that.
[ He doesn't step away but he does let his hand move back to his shoulder. ] We will get out of this, we will take your father back to Paris. We just have to remain strong. And together we can.
[ He holds Athos' eyes, and eventually nods. He's right. Of course he's right.
They'll do this. He squeezes Athos' shoulder. ]
When I see him. If they allow it, will you come with me?
They'll do this. He squeezes Athos' shoulder. ]
When I see him. If they allow it, will you come with me?
Of course.
[ Privately he's touched. This is what brought them together and now he will be there to see the next stage. ] Of course, d'Artagnan. Anything.
[ Privately he's touched. This is what brought them together and now he will be there to see the next stage. ] Of course, d'Artagnan. Anything.
[ He doesn't feel brave enough.
But it's more than that. There's the thought, also, of them meeting. Athos, and his father. ]
Thanks.
[ He nods, and steps back, finally. ]
I'll ask if we can.
But it's more than that. There's the thought, also, of them meeting. Athos, and his father. ]
Thanks.
[ He nods, and steps back, finally. ]
I'll ask if we can.
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