hadriel | 003 [Video]

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003 [Video]

[For those familiar with Clinic, it can be recognized to be the backdrop for this broadcast; it's also probably easy enough to guess that Lance has just arrived there, because he's obviously drenched. It doesn't seem to bother him any, though, except for that his slightly ridiculous hair is now definitely long enough to fall into his eyes when wet, so he has to shove some of it out of the way before he can actually see the screen.

Despite being soaked he looks a little more vibrant and relaxed than usual, although in contrast his tone is quiet and sedate for the most part.]

Is the 'raining underground' thing strange even for here, or...?

[Because he hasn't been here that long and he's heard that it's snowed before, so maybe not? But the rain is totally not the point of this post, so he continues.]

But rain aside, I'd actually wanted to ask about the caves that branch off from the main cavern. I know they're supposedly difficult to navigate and filled with monsters, but have there been any coordinated efforts to explore them? And what sort of monsters exist in them?

[He does remember Maketh telling them there are paper records on some of the monsters at the Guard post, but as far as he's concerned that's really not too helpful. Besides, he'd rather hear that the general populace has to say, and talk to them individually on this.]

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The city-split was the worst that I've witnessed. But I've been told there has been worse.

Someone here called Mello has a list; there are some particularly bad ones on it, especially those that occurred early on.

[Like the whole 'being buried alive' event. Lance had avoided being a direct target of the Gravedigger back home, but saw how the ordeals had affected those in the team who weren't so lucky; the entire idea of going through that experience is more than a little terrifying.]

[Rosen's response is delayed in coming. There's something he's been thinking about for the past few days and this new subject is pushing it to the forefront of his thoughts]

When do you plan to come back to your place today?

[Considering the rain he'd be surprised if Lance were eager to make any movement at all, but Rosen wants to talk to him about something in person]

[Again he doesn't think much of the delay until he actually reads the response, because it's an odd subject change.]

I'm meeting a patient today, but afterwards I don't have any particular reason to be here so late afternoon?

[He isn't entirely sure, since things tend to come up unexpectedly, but late afternoon seems like a fair bet on when he'll be leaving.]

Can you text me when you get back? I want to speak to you in person.

Of course, and I can also just go to your apartment when I leave. There's no reason for me to go home and then you come to me when I'll already be out.

[He doesn't want Rosen catching pneumonia or whatever it is that old people get in the rain, especially since Lance'll already be outside in it anyway.]

That works. I'll be home.

[He also has no great interest in catching the deadly 'elderlyattackerflu']

Alright, I'll let you know when I'm on my way.

[And a few hours later, in the late afternoon as expected, he sends another message.]

I'm leaving the Clinic, so I'll be there soon.

Alright. Be careful with the storm.

[And he gets himself up from where he's typing away at his laptop to put on a pot of coffee]

[Lance shows up a little while later, looking unsurprisingly drenched and windswept, and lets himself into the apartment with his key instead of waiting since Rosen is expecting him.

Still, although he might look a bit like a soaked puppy he doesn't seem at all bothered by it, and he offers a small wave as his only greeting until he's close enough not to have to raise his voice to be heard.]

Hey. Are you making coffee?

[Rosen doesn't look up right away, busy gathering up mugs and setting them on the table]

The coffee was just made

[He then offers a tired smile]

Glad to see you didn't get swept away with this torrential downpour.

[He then gestures to a chair before sitting himself down]

Sorry to trouble you, but I've had something I've wanted to talk to you about. And something I've wanted to give you.

I actually kind of like it.

[The downpour, he means. He likes storms, and knows this might be the last one he ever experiences, so he's enjoying it as much as possible.

And okay, he's both curious and a little concerned about the rest of that, not sure what Rosen would need to speak with him about and even less sure what he might be intending to give him. But he takes a seat as indicated, brushing his dripping hair out of his eyes and fixing Rosen with a serious look.]

What's going on?

[Rosen set his arms heavily on the table, fingers idly spinning a mug as he considers his words]

It's not really something 'going on' specifically so much as it is everything thats come before and what may be coming in the future.

[So everything. In general. Though he's also dancing around saying 'also your tendency to get yourself into trouble.' He starts to say something more but falters and stops himself before reaching into the pocket of his cardigan. From it he takes out a small metal tin about the length of his hand and the breadth of his palm. He holds it there on the table a moment, fingers caging it so that Lance doesn't take it just yet.]

I know you have your gun. And I know you have been hoping to never use any weapons or violence. But I want you to have a safety measure. Something in case a person with....ill intentions...or even a beast that simply thinks you look appetizing...ever corners you.

[At last he lifts his hand, letting the box sit where he set it and eyes shifting between it and Lance. Inside are 4 syringes, and each paired with a vial of clear liquid]

I've done the formula myself. None of it is strong enough to kill anyone or do any permanent damage. But it will stun a human, temporary paralysis, and hopefully would at least be enough to slow a beast or make it sleepy.

[Lance watches him, eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion; Rosen seems agitated, but Lance can't tell exactly why just yet. His gaze follows the box as Rosen procures it, but then shifts back to make eye contact while Rosen speaks; as Lance listens, he become more and more worried and confused.

When Rosen releases his grip on the box, Lance opens it as Rosen continues giving the explanation, and he's... Not at all certain how to react, suddenly. On one hand, part of him is touched that Rosen actually cares that much about his well-being, and on the other this entire idea really creeps him out. Shooting someone in self-defense is one thing; it's not exactly subtle, and generally if he'd have reason to shoot someone it'd be because they're making themselves an immediate threat and using a weapon themselves. In other words, it's straightforward and fair.

Drugging someone, however, is a surprise tactic. In order to even have the opportunity to use it he'd have to be planning ahead, and whoever he's in conflict with would have to be completely unsuspecting; not a problem with a monster either logically or morally, but a person? Definitely on the borderline, even in pure self-defense.

Still, it would give him a non-lethal way to defend himself if necessary, and one that nobody would be expecting from him. He's been hiding what skill he does have in fighting and so that's still a trump card, but it's common knowledge at this point that he's carrying a gun and anyone trying to hurt him would know to deal with that threat. It's also probably a more effective tactic to take with Sato, he thinks, although he's really hoping to avoid any confrontation with him personally.

And this is all, of course, ignoring the issue of the fact that Rosen came up with this option and plan in the first place. It's also ignoring the slightly nauseating feeling Lance is getting about the whole idea, which is usually a good indicator that his subconscious is recoiling at the concept.

What he finally says, after a lengthy silence, is neutral and practical and not a commitment to anything just yet. His gaze is also fixed on the syringes when he speaks, not looking up at Rosen.]

Would it be safe even accounting for differences in body weight?

[Maketh and Hux are very different sizes, for instance, and he would definitely not want to accidentally kill someone just because they're smaller than the dosage is targeted toward. And that's if he decides to accept these, which he's very unsure he will.]

Yes.

[Rosen eases back in his chair. His eyes remain on Lance but his expression seems to lack all judgement. There's only the deep tired lines carved by exhaustion and worry. He knew that Lance would not be comfortable with this. He even thought perhaps Lance would get angry at the suggestion. Call him out for 'dirty' tactics.]

The drug itself is just a simple one. It triggers the neuron-response for adrenaline production and tricks the body's fight or flight response, causing the muscles to lock. The same materials are naturally occurring in the body, its just a matter of levels and in a matter of 15 minutes the body will begin clearing it out of its system. By 30 minutes the subject should feel pretty much normal.

[He's old hat at this now. In is line of work there have been too many close calls. And while at first, when he was young and idealistic like Lance he balked at the idea, he now sees the world in a different light. One too many times held at gunpoint. Knifepoint. Hung over a bridge. He's had alphas try to manipulate his mind, to force him to self-harm or worse. Yes, precautions were needed.]

I am hoping you'd never find yourself in a situation where you'd need it. But I'd also never want you to be in a situation where you need to know what its like to take a life.

[He has also been in that position. And his mind keeps that moment at the ready on auto loop, that sick feeling ready to knot his stomach any second.]

[Lance doesn't have any problems with dirty tactics when it comes down to a fight; he'll resort to breaking fingers and kicking out knees without regret if it's a matter of life or death, but he does consider that a very different situation.

As Rosen explains more what the drugs actually do, Lance is less and less convinced he could bring himself to use them despite the practical and logical benefits to at least having the option. It just feels wrong, and against what he believes in both professionally and personally.

So after several more seconds he shakes his head, closing the box again and pushing it gently back toward Rosen.]

I understand, and I appreciate what you're trying to do. But I can't, and won't.

[He isn't angry about it, even if he is somewhat unsettled, and his words are quiet but firm.]

I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to become an agent and get my gun certification.

[So although he doesn't want to ever have to take a life, it's something he's mentally prepared for. But something like this, even though it's nonfatal, just goes against his morals too strongly.]

I don't want to ever have to take a life either, but there are certain boundaries I won't cross.

[Killing someone in self-defense is justifiable. But even if his life were threatened, the amount of preparation and forethought it would require to load the syringe and then lure whoever was threatening him close enough to stab them with it makes it too underhanded and willfully deceptive to really count as self-defense, as far as he's concerned.]

[Lee can't say he's surprised as Lance pushes the tin back towards him. He had mentally prepared himself for this possibility. He had gone through the different possible scenarios and in the scenario where Lance refused, he had strictly steeled himself, despite all desire to do otherwise, to accept Lance's choice.

And so he does. He leaves the tin sitting where it is, eyes on it for a long moment.

But he's not expecting the sinking feeling, and what feels like a small lump of bile gathering in his throat. Barely perceptible the muscles in his jaw tighten then grow slack again. Its the coiling of his worries, his fears. It makes the hairs at the back of his neck bristle. After a moment he lifts the mug of coffee to his lips and sips slowly, hoping to ease his nerves.

Outwardly he almost looks as though he hasn't heard Lance. Internally, however, he's hearing sirens.

He sets his mug back down]

Alright.

[But he doesn't look at Lance just yet. He fears if he does, what semblance of calm he's managing to keep might crack.]

Edited 2017-06-17 22:54 (UTC)

[That reaction is... Too subdued and restrained for Lance to be convinced by it, although again he isn't completely certain of what Rosen is actually feeling underneath it. He has a few plausible ideas, but every time he thinks he has a good reason on Rosen he ends up with something unexpected, like this entire conversation.

So Lance is silent several seconds again, watching Rosen carefully before deciding to speak again.]

Are you angry with me, or concerned?

[Because he thinks it's one of the two, or perhaps both.]

I'm not angry

[He whispers down at his cup. His voice may sound a touch hoarse and he seems ready to leave it at that, but after a moment he adds in the same quiet tone-]

I could never be angry at you for living by your convictions.

[Okay, so not angry, but he didn't deny the part about being concerned. Lance also wonders if there might be some sense of disappointment in there too, and he finds himself more unsure of what to do now that he usually ever ends up being.

He nods a little just to show he heard Rosen's response, and considering saying nothing to see if he'll continue, but he feels suddenly like there's something important he should add himself.]

I'm not upset with you either, if that's...

[At all something Rosen's worried about. Lance is a little unsettled by everything, but not actually upset with Rosen about it.]

[Rosen's head bobs in a slow nod. It was something he had worried about. Of course it was. In this gesture he had also been showing Lance his hand, so to speak. There is no possible way Lance could not put two and two together that Lee was speaking from personal experience.

But it had been the lesser of his worries.]

You should drink your coffee before it gets cold....

[Oh, right, his coffee. Lance had completely forgotten about it in the midst of the conversation, as well as the fact that he's dripping water everywhere.

He picks up his mug carefully and sips at it, and although it's very rare for Lance that a silence bothers him, it does now. But he doesn't break it this time, burying his attention in drinking his coffee in large gulps as though the caffeine will make everything suddenly completely fine.]

[It only takes a moment or so before it finally comes to Lee's attention that Lance is still soaked through and with a creaking of his chair, he gets up, pads across the room, and disappears into the bathroom for a moment. He then returns an armful of towels. Two he sets on the table near to Lance, while the third he unfurls and awkwardly hangs about the young man's shoulders.]

Do you want some dry clothes? You'll get sick if you stay in those.

[Lance looks up from his coffee to watch Rosen leave the room, briefly perplexed until he returns with towels. He allows Rosen to drape one over his shoulders, quietly appreciating the small buffer from the chill of the air, and reaches for another towel to begin trying to dry his hair. But he shakes his head at the question, because honestly this is probably kind of pointless if he's going to go home in a little bit anyway.]

I'm alright. I don't get sick often.

[Which is true, and has served him well in his very active life.]

[Another quiet nod and a deft refilling of Lance's mug before Rosen drops back into his chair]

Well thats good to hear

[Its an attempt at more relaxed conversation but it falls awkwardly on the rocks of what is not being said between the two of them.]

Though I'd still urge you to try and limit your time out in this storm as much as possible. We have no idea how long the cave can keep this up.

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