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 Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:22 pm
Riley relaxed in the cradle of it's wings, where she felt she belonged. A soft chuckle indicated that she did not retain the anger she'd displayed. No opponent is impossible, mia cara. She whispered fervently. But I agree, we know little to nothing about what we're fighting against. I suspect I had been gathering information before I died, and I will do so again, just as you have been doing so.
Her entire body radiated conviction. Perhaps, in the end, it will be Medea that comes to us for help.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:24 pm
"Information about the Hunters? Or about Insanity itself? I have a large selection of information on the later," it added, dryly. "I even shared some of it with Sinclaire... in the interests of Science, of course. Though I held some back for myself, naturally."
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:29 pm
I want all of it. Her eyes briefly unfocused at the mention of Sinclaire. She remembered too much, and her heart seizured with pain.
I have to see her soon. Perhaps she could help us find out more about Jericho's whereabouts. If he's still on the Island, the Bogeymen might have tabs on him. Don't you think?
Her voice was shaky, as she tried to keep on topic, but all that really went through her own mind at the moment was no more, no more, no more.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:35 pm
"You have to?" Its grip on her tightened a bit more, possessively. It didn't want her going back there either - they had saved her, yes, and it owed them a great debt.
That didn't mean Riley was obligated to help pay it.
"I can go to her, if need be. They have no reason to detain me," it said, firmly. "They... did not know of Jericho's infection, or if they did, they did not hear it through any channels I am aware of. We were careful. I excised information on those I knew with active infections from the records I gave them... I do not think Medea is working with them, either." It sighed. "From what little I have seen of her, I do not think their bureaucracy would last ten minutes in her presence."
Which was an appealing thought, it had to admit.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:40 pm
Riley fell silent, and for the first time she could remember, she felt an odd, quailing sense of shame at how the bogeys had managed to wrap her around their little fingers. She let out a sharp sigh, and her eyes refused to meet Malodore's.
She is coming here. And yes, I must see her. It's part of the.. agreement. She growled at the word. Why I was set free. I must return to them for tests, on a regular basis.
Her grip on Malodore tightened, desperate to glean every ounce of comfort she could grab from it's presence. Her eyes flickered upward suddenly, finally meeting it's own. She did not say I had to go alone, though. And I'm confident they have no reason to hurt you.
Both of her hands found Malodore's claws. Together, then.
Perhaps, if she was not alone, they would go easy on her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:12 pm
"Si," it said, firmly, then sighed again. "I have... a certain amount of professional respect for Sinclaire. She is a scientist of great skill, knowledge, and inventiveness, that much is clear - and it is that same cold hunger for such knowledge that can drive apathy, cruelty not for its own sake but incidental to one's research. It is always a danger. I, too..." Its words trailed off, and it shook its head. It had never thought that way about Riley or Jericho, but it had occasionally been tempted to use Ashford... it hadn't given in, but the thoughts had existed.
And that bothered it.
"When a subject is nothing more than a subject, if all you care about is results, then..."
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:42 pm
When a subject is nothing more than a subject.
Riley stilled, even as it continued to hold Malodore, and her head slowly dropped down to it's shoulder. She was, and had always been, somewhat of a fan of torture. On the giving end.
Perhaps not so much, anymore.
Her hand reached out, thumbing through the treasure beside her. The soft clink of coins dropping from her fingers was the only sound she made while she was lost in thought.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:31 am
It rested its beak atop her head, gently. "Sometimes, pain is required for progress... I know this, as a doctor and a scientist. It can be inevitable. But the... the reaction of the mind, of the heart, is what defines cruelty from necessity." It spoke slowly, as if it were feeling through some things. "I do not know how much of what you have experienced falls under what definition... but I wish I could take away that which is unnecessary."
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:07 am
Riley's gaze flickered back to the plague doctor, and her cold eyes softened as she fell into staring at it. There was something so comforting, so familiar..
I wish you could, too. She whispered, and her eyes fluttered shut as she stimulated Malodore's limbic system to kiss it. But I do not suffer now. And I am with you. That is enough.
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