So while I was doing that—taking pictures, whatever—Ren and Akechi tracked down their head of security. It didn't seem like the scientists knew anything about Riverstone's deal with us, but he looked like he was in charge. Ren used his power on him, and that's how he got him to spill.
[She sighs, rocking back on her heels.]
Finnley said they don't have any scientific interest in us. They don't care about our powers much at all. They want to buy our loyalty and control us, and this was just a way of getting us through the door. Meredith Ling has been watching us for a while, and Rey was an easy target. I guess Finley is real buddy buddy with the Lings.
They asked him some questions about the whole Mariana Trench thing. I guess Ling fucking hates whoever messed that up, but Finnley wouldn't tell us who that was.
[She shrugs.]
And then Ren's powers wore off and we got kicked out. After that we figured we should dip as fast as we could.
[ There are so many factors about this that he hates. Like, an innumerable amount. If they would've just talked about this they could've come up with a better, safter strategy. They could've--
He shakes his head. ]
How did you specifically get caught? You were down with the monsters, did they see you on the security cameras?
[She hesitates for a moment, gaze drifting away. Maybe she got too into her own head and didn't pay enough attention to what he was actually saying. The second he started getting angry, she assumed this was going to be Lance all over again.
So she steps forward and sits beside him, leaving space between them.]
[ He exhales, eyes dropping to the floor for a second to gently regroup before he looks back up at her again. ]
No, it's--
[ A slow shake to his head. ]
I don't-- know. How to—
[ A little frustrated moue to his lips, a vague gesture with one hand. ]
Communicate. About shit like-- this. That. I got pissed off, I just-- You need to be careful with yourself. I lost you for like a week once and it wasn't a great time.
[It makes her heart twist, and for a moment, she isn't sure ow to respond. She touches his arm gently, fingers carefully brushing over the fabric of his sleeve. She doesn't want to force the empathy bond on him right now.]
But if it keeps you more safe... If it gives everyone a better chance, isn't that worth it?
[ There's a gentle furrow in his brow, a divot as he paints over his concern with calm again. ]
Maybe.
[ He agrees, condeding. ]
It's not the concept I have a problem with. It's that the plan itself... the execution. It wasn't good. There were better ways to go about it, ways with less risk. What worries me is you seeing another opportunity like this later on and being cavalier with your own safety rather than slowing down and talking to me. That's the part that isn't worth it.
[She's quiet for a moment, considering that, because she wants to be extra careful with this now. She doesn't want him to feel like she's brushing him off or not considering what he's saying.]
I get it. And we talked about that, too. We never thought it was a genius plan, it was just... We talked about it, and doing nothing seemed more dangerous. We felt like Rey was forcing us into a corner, you know? And we felt like... If we didn't do anything, if we just let a bunch of people go along with it, Riverstone would think we were all naive and controllable.
[She's not sure if that makes sense to him, but it feels important to tell him exactly what they were thinking as much as she can.]
I'll talk to you next time, I promise. But I also... I guess I keep thinking that there's never going to be a safe time to do anything, you know? We might always be picking between two shitty options.
I don't even mean holding off for later, not even for a week. I mean there was an opportunity there to scope the facility during business hours. Take a tour. Be compliant, and bring that intel back. You could get a feel for the security, maybe note the camera locations. Use that to go back in at night when the population was probably less than half. It's not all or nothing, it's just... trusting and using other people who can help minimize risk. I think we could've done it without anyone seeing your face, without them having something to hold over your head and threaten you.
[ He's not saying any of it to rub it in, or to over-kill the point. It's meant to be an example of what he could bring to the table, what insight he might've been able to give them. ]
I'm not gonna try and stop you from doing something, not unless it's... I don't know, suicidal, I just wanna...
[She knows what he means, and so she just sighs, scooting closer to settle her head against his shoulder. She's still careful not to activate the empathy bond, not wanting to force it.]
I guess I just... didn't want to put that on you when you already weren't looking forward to being in the middle of it. You said you were doing that whole thing with the lawyer because you didn't know if anyone else was willing, but it made you nervous.
I think Riverstone's just too big, you know? They're like... I don't know. Fucking Amazon or something. Except worse. It's like some Blade Runner shit.
Yeah, they're huge, he's definitely not gonna win if they sue. At least we'd have someone to negotiate charges. Something tells me we don't want that kid opting to be his own lawyer and defend himself in court.
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no subject
So while I was doing that—taking pictures, whatever—Ren and Akechi tracked down their head of security. It didn't seem like the scientists knew anything about Riverstone's deal with us, but he looked like he was in charge. Ren used his power on him, and that's how he got him to spill.
[She sighs, rocking back on her heels.]
Finnley said they don't have any scientific interest in us. They don't care about our powers much at all. They want to buy our loyalty and control us, and this was just a way of getting us through the door. Meredith Ling has been watching us for a while, and Rey was an easy target. I guess Finley is real buddy buddy with the Lings.
no subject
So they went straight up to the head of security and point blank used their powers on him. That's--
Nope, we're not chasing that thought right now. He lifts his head and scrubs that hand down his face as it passes. ]
How'd you get caught? What happened next?
no subject
[She shrugs.]
And then Ren's powers wore off and we got kicked out. After that we figured we should dip as fast as we could.
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He shakes his head. ]
How did you specifically get caught? You were down with the monsters, did they see you on the security cameras?
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Because I want to know how much trouble you might be in, and what I can do to mitigate it.
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That's what you're so freaked about?
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That's what I've been trying to tell you.
[ Isn't it obvious? ]
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So she steps forward and sits beside him, leaving space between them.]
Sorry.
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No, it's--
[ A slow shake to his head. ]
I don't-- know. How to—
[ A little frustrated moue to his lips, a vague gesture with one hand. ]
Communicate. About shit like-- this. That. I got pissed off, I just-- You need to be careful with yourself. I lost you for like a week once and it wasn't a great time.
no subject
But if it keeps you more safe... If it gives everyone a better chance, isn't that worth it?
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Maybe.
[ He agrees, condeding. ]
It's not the concept I have a problem with. It's that the plan itself... the execution. It wasn't good. There were better ways to go about it, ways with less risk. What worries me is you seeing another opportunity like this later on and being cavalier with your own safety rather than slowing down and talking to me. That's the part that isn't worth it.
no subject
I get it. And we talked about that, too. We never thought it was a genius plan, it was just... We talked about it, and doing nothing seemed more dangerous. We felt like Rey was forcing us into a corner, you know? And we felt like... If we didn't do anything, if we just let a bunch of people go along with it, Riverstone would think we were all naive and controllable.
[She's not sure if that makes sense to him, but it feels important to tell him exactly what they were thinking as much as she can.]
I'll talk to you next time, I promise. But I also... I guess I keep thinking that there's never going to be a safe time to do anything, you know? We might always be picking between two shitty options.
no subject
[ Gentle, but insistent. ]
I don't even mean holding off for later, not even for a week. I mean there was an opportunity there to scope the facility during business hours. Take a tour. Be compliant, and bring that intel back. You could get a feel for the security, maybe note the camera locations. Use that to go back in at night when the population was probably less than half. It's not all or nothing, it's just... trusting and using other people who can help minimize risk. I think we could've done it without anyone seeing your face, without them having something to hold over your head and threaten you.
[ He's not saying any of it to rub it in, or to over-kill the point. It's meant to be an example of what he could bring to the table, what insight he might've been able to give them. ]
I'm not gonna try and stop you from doing something, not unless it's... I don't know, suicidal, I just wanna...
[ You know. Look out for you and shit. ]
no subject
[She knows what he means, and so she just sighs, scooting closer to settle her head against his shoulder. She's still careful not to activate the empathy bond, not wanting to force it.]
I guess I just... didn't want to put that on you when you already weren't looking forward to being in the middle of it. You said you were doing that whole thing with the lawyer because you didn't know if anyone else was willing, but it made you nervous.
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Too bad that went fucking nowhere. Anyway, it doesn't matter. That wasn't half as important to me.
[ A beat. ]
Well, maybe half. Really would've liked an above-board safety net for shit like-- if that guard decides to press charges against Akechi.
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Yeah, they're huge, he's definitely not gonna win if they sue. At least we'd have someone to negotiate charges. Something tells me we don't want that kid opting to be his own lawyer and defend himself in court.
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[So there's that.]