paradoxlol | .008

Entry tags:

.008 | Video.

[The video turns on, and Arthur's looking... well, as slick and suited up and uptight as usual. He's actually pretty relaxed right now, thanks to his night of binge drinking and partying in port, but since he's not like BUDS with any of you, it's unlikely anybody would notice the slight changes in his body language. He clears his throat, then holds up a MYSTERY BAG.]

I'm not wearing this. I don't care if the Admiral strikes me down or, or turns me into a rabbit for going against orders. I draw the line at [He points to the bag] this.

[Slowly, his eyes drift upward, as though he's expecting retaliation. When nothing happens, he sets the bag down and moves on.]

Oh. And with the Doctor's return, I've resigned from my position in the library. [Arthur may be all business here, but he's secretly TOTALLY HAPPY about this. Because damn, librarian was a horribly boring cover, in retrospect.] It just makes more sense this way. [He offers a slight smile.] So, if you're looking for a book, don't come find me.

[Private to Mindy]
I think this is the longest you've gone without trying to kill me. [A beat.] If you're interested, I'd like to show you what I do.

[Private to Hayley]
If you're free, I can meet you on the deck.

[OOC: ~~This is assuming, Jae, that the "LOL ARTHUR ALLOWED MINDY TO BUY HIM A COSTUME" thing I mentioned to you is still a go.~~ lolol got his costume now]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Arthur crosses his arms and stares.] Or none of the above. [Which is true, since the PASIV is rather easy to use. The dreams themselves, the synchronization of the kicks, getting in and out of the dream undetected, that's what takes specialization.] I was involved in studies of the sedative and its applications as a student. [Also true, for the most part. It was when Cobb and Mal recruited him to assist in their research. He's just leaving out the specifics, the fact that this is shared dreaming, not some kind of guided meditation through a lucid dream. Details aside, though, the results should be the same.] There aren't many mainstream uses for it yet where I'm from.

And you just thought, "Hey, I might as well keep some of the sample in case I get bored some day and need to go meditate for my memories?"

[She still stares at him, arms crossed. She can tell there's something a little off, but not what it is, and she begins to wonder if she's imagining it entirely. More hesitation, more confusion; Hayley's getting less patient with her inability to make firm decisions. Things are supposed to be black or white and she can't tell which he is yet.]

[WHAT'S OFF IS THAT HE'S A MIND CRIMINAL-- whoops. Arthur has no intention of revealing that anytime soon. Or, well, ever.] What you experience, when you dream in a heightened state of awareness, it's... [His expression softens a little.] incredible. I didn't want to give it up.

If you don't want my help, that's fine. I just thought I'd offer to help, because it seemed like it was upsetting you.

[Hayley uncrosses her arms and stuffs her hands into her pockets again, considering what he's saying. Yes, it is upsetting her and she wants help, but Arthur's also ~~A MIND CRIMINAL~~ someone she's not sure she can trust. Clearly, there was only one solution.]

We talk to my warden. If he approves, then you let me invite a different warden to watch us.. someone I trust to know more about what you're doing and to look out for me.

[Arthur doesn't say no outright, but he's clearly not liking that idea. He does not want to deal with inmates trying to break into his room and steal the PASIV to fuck with people.] Why can't your warden do it?

Edited 2010-10-19 23:44 (UTC)

Because my warden's a great guy, but he's naive and I don't trust him to be able to punch you in the jaw if he needs to.. You know, if it turns out you're shockingly not trustworthy. [She offers a small smile, though still not entirely comfortable with this idea yet. At least with Crane, she knew what he was and so it was easier to know what to watch for. Arthur is still an unknown variable.]

Why don't you want another warden knowing? I mean, we could cut out my warden and just let this warden know if you want to cut down on numbers, but you seemed pretty adamant about mine being informed and consenting.

Because the more people involved, the more likely everything will get out. And I'm not taking that chance. [He gives her a look.] And you know I'm not the only one who's kept secrets here. [SUCH AS YOUR SECRET INMATE PARTNER.] If you want another warden involved who definitely will punch me in the face, then I can bring in Stephanie. But that's it.

Stephanie? [Hayley laughs.] Uh, no. She's great and all, really, but I barely know her and I wouldn't trust her to look out for me more than you. Capa's kept secrets for me before and he barely even talks to anyone here, so it's not like anyone would find out. At most, he'd probably want to study it.

[She shrugs.] Sorry, Arthur. I put my health and safety above my memories. [Mostly.] If you aren't willing to let Capa in on it, then I guess I'm going to have to pass.

[Pause.] Oh, and if you don't want it getting out? I wouldn't tell any of the Gothamites.. Crane, Eddie, Tim, Stephanie-- any of them. [Her voice switches to more lecturing.] They all talk and if Crane or Joker gets a hold of it? That is when you'll have a serious problem.

And I don't know him. [He shakes his head.] So there's no deal. [Because really, Ariadne's face (and his less-than-selfless longing to get back into extraction, even if it would have been consensual, in this case) will only get her so far.] Sorry. [He starts to walk away, then stops and looks over his shoulder.] Just remember that I offered this as a last resort, after nothing else worked. There was never an ulterior motive.

[Because pffth, his ulterior motives were reserved for bigger targets.]

Edited 2010-10-20 00:54 (UTC)

[Hayley immediately withdraws her hands from her pockets, voice angry.] That's it? You're willing to offer some teenage girl I barely know, my passive warden, or no one at all? I mean, I'm sure you're not really a fighter yourself, but you're talking about injecting me with drugs and expecting me to be okay with it?

[She's yelling now.] Yeah, I'm pretty interested in knowing why my best friend at the time shot and killed his warden and then himself in front of me. No, nothing else has worked, but I, personally have used drugs to do horrible things and so forgive me if I'm a little skeptical that you want to offer your help in the form of a super secret sedative.

[Hayley balls her hands into fists at her sides, storming off in the opposite direction despite nothing being that way except balcony. If he's telling the truth, the girl understands why he wants to be cautious, especially with the people that are on the Barge. But she doesn't trust him to be honest.]

Edited 2010-10-20 01:04 (UTC)

[Arthur turns around and watches her reaction, his hands in his pockets.] Actually, I wasn't. Which is why? [Now his voice sounds irritable:] I didn't offer before.

[Well, that's an interesting reveal. He doesn't let his expression change beyond a very slight raise of his eyebrows and just files that information away for later.]

I'm not the one getting upset here. [He sighs a little in frustration and walks after her, keeping his distance.] I can't share this information with people I don't trust. I don't care who it is.

I was trying to help. That's it. [He takes on a less terse voice now.] I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you.

Edited 2010-10-20 01:27 (UTC)

[Hayley spins around, posture stiffening as she glares at him. She knows exactly what she just told him and the fact that he barely questions it only makes her more suspicious of his having more experience with criminals than he lets on.

Maybe he's a spy.. It makes sense, almost.] Of course you're not getting upset, you're the one with the power in this situation. You don't need or want anything and so you can toy with me as much as you want.

[She lets out an exasperated yell, balling both fists in her hair for a moment. Then she drops her arms and stares up at him, expression flattening as her tone becomes quiet.] Then why did you share it with me?

I'm not toying with you. [He throws his arms out.] If I wanted to drug you, I'd do it. [He gives her a serious look, dropping his hands to his hips.] You know that, because you'd do the same thing. [He guesses, judging by her admission.]

I told you already. I saw that it was upsetting you, and I wanted to offer a solution. [And because he wants to see if he can pull an extraction against the Admiral's blocks. Because if he squints and turns his head and only listens to half of what she's saying, she reminds him of Ariadne, which reminds him of the real world.] After nothing else worked.

Edited 2010-10-20 01:57 (UTC)

[She watches him for the first retort, knowing he's right and that he took all the right guesses about her. Maybe they just bonded a little, but she's focusing on the next part already.] You said you can't share this information with people you don't trust. Why share it with me? You can't be the type to trust me just because I'm in need, not with the kinds of inmates here.. you'd never make it.

[Part of her really wants that to be true, that he's not the type to hand out trust, because he seems so much cooler than that and she's still looking for her new Harvey Dent.]

I don't. [That would be way too idealistic for Arthur's tastes, after all. He watches her for a moment, then offers a careful:] You remind me of somebody. So I took a leap of faith.

Ariadne? [He mistook Hayley for his friend the first time they spoke and Hayley only remembered the name because it was a goddess she had once been interested in.

The inmate sighs softly, rubbing a hand on the back of her neck.] Please let Capa come. Then you can ask Ned or not-- whatever you want, but.. I trust him. He's the only person here I really trust and I want to do this. I want to try.

Please.

Yeah.

[He doesn't dwell on the subject, though. There's no reason to talk about his associates, and he has no intention to. He rubs a hand over his mouth and thinks, turning away from her for a few moments. He does need somebody to monitor the doses-- that was going to be Ned's job, as he figures he can trust her own warden to remain confidential, considering who the matter would concern. Capa, as far as he knows, has no incentive to keep a secret. All he has is her word. Plus, the guy has Crane for a twin, and Arthur's done his research on that creep. There's a chance-- however unlikely-- that this could be a plot to pose Crane as Capa... to get his hands on the sedative.

On the upside, he doubts that's the case. Hayley doesn't seem the type, and besides, she's had no time to confer with Crane about this, assuming she knew him anyway. And Capa, from what he's seen, is a thoughtful, quiet type. Bonus: Arthur hasn't seen any accidental posts from him yet, either, so he's not as sloppy as a lot of the others. And a scientist could be useful-- certainly more than a piemaker. There are some problems, but his mind's already working through them.

Arthur finally looks at Hayley again.]

Okay. But when this happens-- if this happens-- [Since there's always a chance that things will change.] I choose the location.

[Hayley waits quietly for him to think, beginning to feel disappointment edge into her expression. She didn't realize how much she wanted this to work out until she's faced with the very real possibility that it won't, but she's also not really the type to cave in when he says no.

Except then, he doesn't say no, and she stares at him for a moment to catch up on what it is that he's saying. She's oblivious to the idea of anyone confusing Capa and Crane because of how much time she has spent with both. Crane's face is crisp and he's always wearing glasses, Capa's hair is longer and his body appears much scrawnier. They're so distinguished in Hayley's mind, she's completely unaware that it might even cross Arthur's mind.]

What? [She asks, still trying to catch up. Then, without waiting for a response:] You're serious? [A beat.] With or without Ned? [A beat.] We agree on the location, but I'll agree to most places.

[He shakes his head.] Without Ned. The only person either of us talk to about this is Capa. [He would add that if he catches wind of anybody else hearing about, he'll pull out of the project, but he assumes Hayley's intelligent enough to take that as a given.] As for the location, I was thinking the warden conference room.

[Reasonably secure, more stable than the CES, and less traffic than the bar. Plus, no inmates should be able to get in.]

It doesn't get much traffic, which is a good thing. That sounds great. [She smiles at him with a knowing look that suggests she knows much more about the warden areas than most inmates probably should. With the tension between them dissipating, Hayley returns her hands to her pockets and nods.] Obviously, Capa still has to agree too. He doesn't really like all the things I pull him into.. he prefers to be left alone to his research.

[Her tone says she's amused with this fact, as if she and Capa go way back somehow. Then she pulls the front corners of her loose jacket out to either side of her in an odd gesture of a shrug.]

I'm headed back up to the lab to continue some research stuff. [Specifically, organizing Capa's files from the couple weeks of her absence. The same job she had come from for this chat.] Want me to talk to him now? Or should I like, wait until the three of us can meet for coffee or something?

You can talk to him now. [After all, it's not like Arthur can stop her from talking to Capa in his absence. And he hasn't told her anything that he wouldn't want Capa to know, since he refrained from mentioning any specifics about Somnacin, or even the fact that they would both be entering the dream together, rather than one guiding the other through "meditation." That latter part is something he'll have to bring up to Capa on his own, later.] I think he'll be more receptive to hearing it from you.

[He glances away, towards the deck's entrance, to make sure they're still alone.] If he says yes, tell him to contact me. We'll work on a plan from there.

Wait-- you agreed the three of us would talk together about what exactly this meditation thing entails, especially the drug. Now you're just going to like, talk to him separately and cut me out? Because that screams trust.

[Yes, she's nosy and paranoid. Hayley frowns at Arthur, but begins very slowly meandering toward the main portion of the deck, waiting for him to join her.]

[Arthur gives her a mildly exasperated look.] When I said "we," I meant the three of us, not me and him.

Oh. [She gives him a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her neck again.] I thought you meant like.. Sorry. That sounds perfect.

[Both hands in pockets, she drops her head then looks up to him with a very different, softer and more sincere expression.] Thank you.

Don't thank me yet. [After all, it may not work at all. He looks over to the doors.] Do you need me to let you back into the warden deck?

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