[closed] What's in your head, in your head

[bothbarrels]

Who: Agent North & the Counselor
What: Finding out the Counselor is here
When: Now
Where: Near the medbay
Notes/Warnings: Possible mentions of past torture

North has been spending a lot of time in medbay lately, helping to nurse Wash and the other victims back to health. He hadn't been asked to help out in that way, but it's in his nature. Especially with Wash being there—but he needs to monitor the health of those who have been attacked. For his own mental well-being.

He spends the whole afternoon on this particular day there, aiding the nurses with anything they ask him to do. He's been rushing back and forth as needed, talking with the patients to help relax them, and just generally keeping busy.

Eventually, he runs out of energy for the day—he's got a habit of staying up late at night because of Theta's nightmares. So he's walking through the halls when he sees someone he knows. He's not that surprised to see the familiar face as he walks the halls—but he is rather distressed to see whose face it is.

He doesn't shy away from the potential confrontation, however. He approaches the Counselor and stops right in front of him.

"I'm going to be real clear with you," he says. "Wash and I are both here, and neither of us are going to want anything to do with you."

Comments

[myagents]

Price remains slightly startled, he didn't expect to ever see North again. For what he knew, he was KIA and there weren't any signs that showed otherwise. Perhaps he should have considered that eventuality, but there were so many things going on at once that he must have overlooked that. He can't really be at fault for it, can he?

"That is alright." he replies calmly, consciously holding back from moving in any way and freezing his body language "It is a completely understandable request due to the circumstances."

[bothbarrels]

North's eyes narrow, just slightly.

"That's it? You're going to comply with that?"

He somehow expected more of an argument. At least outwardly.

[myagents]

"I am not upset by your decision. Nor by Agent Washington's. However, even if that was the case, I don't see the necessity for being confrontational. You have yet to recover from the...Events that we are familiar with."

He slowly flutters his eyelashes.

"Besides, it would be insensitive of me to explain my reasons for adopting our methods. You would respond that it doesn't fix anything, which is true, but I figured I might as well save you the effort."

[bothbarrels]

North nearly snarls.

"I'd say you just don't want me to punch you in the face but you're still somehow putting in the effort to try to get me to."

[myagents]

Snarling and spitting threats? Must be the Director's doing through Theta, North doesn't have the balls to use unnecessary violence. Price is not attacking him, killing him would just make North sink at the same level. Price feels the urge to scoff but holds back.

"As you may have noticed, I did agree with you that we should not interacts since it makes you uncomfortable. I would not obtain anything from damaging you."

[bothbarrels]

"I don't really think it has anything to do with obtaining anything, to you," he grumbles, though the part about initially agreeing is true. He just doesn't trust the man, given their history.

[myagents]

"You are free to think what you want."

He gives him a very smug look.

"I wish you to find all the help that you need."

[bothbarrels]

It's been a long damn time since North was the reckless teenager who would just flip off adults like this man, who would swear and throw things at them. It's been a long, long time.

Thing is, the Counselor knows all about that history, could probably predict North's reactions in this situation.

The very idea gives him the creeps.

"Sure you do" is what he says in the end. Shakes his head and rolls his eyes at the thought that the Counselor would know he'd shake his head and roll his eyes and back down, but here they have it.

[myagents]

Price's expression softens. He is endeared by such childish reaction from a grown man. This makes him think of Theta. He is not completely sure if North still has the AI with him, but he just has the feeling and plus this behaviour could be a sign.

"I am glad I assigned Theta to you. If there is anything we can agree on at this point, is that you are the only one who can be trusted with such responsibility."

[bothbarrels]

"Oh, don't be sarcastic," he says, not intending for one second to admit he still has Theta with him in response to that. "After everything you helped put us through I'd be glad not to be getting beat up, if I were you."

'Us' meaning the Freelancers, not himself and Theta, though he realizes belatedly it could be taken that way.

[myagents]

"I was not being sarcastic, Agent North. I meant that."

He nods solemnly, then pauses to ponder.

"When Agent Washington confronted the Meta in our archiving facility, he activated an EMP. Most material was wiped out, but I do distinctly remember the fragments gathered by the Meta projecting out of his armour as the Alpha joined them."

He stares at North for a split second before continuing, his eyes looking like they're made of glass.

"The fragments focused on the Alpha quite obsessively. Theta in particular felt more vulnerable than his siblings, and felt a need to be whole to a level that almost matched Sigma's. What I am trying to say is that Theta was not there in that moment, or he would have projected. While I am not aware of the fact that you went hiding, I believe that being still implanted in you would be the best case scenario for Theta."

[bothbarrels]

North doesn't really know how to respond to that. The story lines up with Wash's version, except that Wash had told him Theta was there in that moment. He had claimed that he had killed Theta.

North tilts his head a bit, looking through even-more narrowed eyes at the Counselor.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not passing the ball."

[myagents]

Price raises his hands.

"I am not playing any games, but I am glad to see you and Agent Washington are teaming up. It could be highly beneficial for you. Perhaps you should focus on the real enemy, here..."

[bothbarrels]

"Yes, that's convenient for you."

He's about had it with this whole conversation anyway.

"Just remember what I said and we won't have any problems."

[myagents]

"Understood." he nods "Is there anything you would like to share? Something in regards to...This environment?"

North does not trust him and is not likely to reply, but it's always worth it to ask. There is something very wrong about this place, although this is merely how it's organized. It's not like he isn't familiar with people running questionable operations.

"I will try to find out more on the matter. If I manage I will gladly share for others to spread that information to you without having to...Bother you, if you so please."

[bothbarrels]

He shakes his head.

"It's whatever, okay?"

And then he scoffs a little, because no, he doesn't like the man in the least, but he doesn't want the killer to stab him to death either. He'd prefer he faced justice the old-fashioned way.

"There's a killer around on the rig. Some people think it's a 'spirit'. Don't go out at night alone."

[myagents]

"Alright, thank you for informing me."

His mouth curls slightly. Even on the Tartarus, he could somehow gain authority because of his knowledge and his rank, it saved him from Felix, from Sharkface, from many horrible killers, but here? Here it's not going to work. He's worried but he refuses to show it.

"Do we know anything about this killer?"

[bothbarrels]

North stifles a sigh. He really doesn't want to have to explain all this to him.

"It stabs. A lot. It's elusive, and stronger than anyone else that has encountered it."

[myagents]

He stays silent for a bit, wondering what can be done about this. Surely this is a situation that is beyond the staff's control, but that is hardly reassuring. He forces his expression to go back to neutral.

"I see. Well, I am sure that you and Agent Washington will be perfectly able to defend yourselves."

[bothbarrels]

"I think so," he replies, not explaining that Wash was one of those who'd already been attacked. He doesn't want the Counselor to know Wash is available down in medbay.

[myagents]

"Well, then. I shall go now...Do you have any request?"

He pretends to ask out of habit. A known evil is better than an unknown one, perhaps this mindset will make North loosen up. Of course, it's bound to take lots of time, but Aiden has always had plenty of patience...