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[Neil's sneaking in, he can feel it. It's in the way Neil says he wants to hear more about him. Doing that smiling big brother thing he always does, and he can't forget that Neil is what everyone wanted him to be. Thought he should be.]
Nothing terrible.
[It's short and to the point, because this conversation - having any conversation, small talk, it feels wrong, too small, stretched over this too-big issue they aren't discussing, and he's never been so good at faking it.]
Nothing terrible.
[It's short and to the point, because this conversation - having any conversation, small talk, it feels wrong, too small, stretched over this too-big issue they aren't discussing, and he's never been so good at faking it.]
[ That's awfully brief. They're reassuring words, but in light of his other prompts it's not much. And while it's true, glossing over such a big topic while texting only makes sense, he also recognizes the short reply for what it is--trimming their chat in preparation to end it.
The little knot that's building in his stomach shouldn't be there, not really. This is more conversation than he's gotten out of Lyle in half a lifetime. He should be grateful, especially after checking out the way he did... but it's hard not to get greedy. It's very, very tempting to draw this out as long as possible and grab for whatever he can get.
But that's not how this sort of thing goes, and he knows it. Pushing Lyle has never worked. ]
That's a relief.
I don't know how much else we can really go over in text. So do you mind if I make a request before we sign off?
The little knot that's building in his stomach shouldn't be there, not really. This is more conversation than he's gotten out of Lyle in half a lifetime. He should be grateful, especially after checking out the way he did... but it's hard not to get greedy. It's very, very tempting to draw this out as long as possible and grab for whatever he can get.
But that's not how this sort of thing goes, and he knows it. Pushing Lyle has never worked. ]
That's a relief.
I don't know how much else we can really go over in text. So do you mind if I make a request before we sign off?
[There's that surge of relief, the one that always comes from just being left alone, even just for a few minutes, to recuperate, to figure out what the hell is going on in his own mind. To fight through his own resistances.
And Neil's got a point - dealing with this in text isn't the best idea.
He hesitates for a good 10 minutes before responding, weighing whatever Neil might request against what he's willing to give and then deciding that the ball's in his court anyway, so there's no need to rush it.]
Shoot.
Providing I can ask a question in return.
And Neil's got a point - dealing with this in text isn't the best idea.
He hesitates for a good 10 minutes before responding, weighing whatever Neil might request against what he's willing to give and then deciding that the ball's in his court anyway, so there's no need to rush it.]
Shoot.
Providing I can ask a question in return.
Don't be a stranger? I know you have reason to be, but I really would like to give things another shot.
And go ahead. I'm all ears.
[ As Lyle surmised, the ball really is in his court. There's no mention of frequency of contact or a physical meeting, not even a prompt for an answer. Just a repetition of his opening statement, asking for a chance.
He wasn't expecting a question in return. It leaves him both a little hopeful and a little anxious. ]
And go ahead. I'm all ears.
[ As Lyle surmised, the ball really is in his court. There's no mention of frequency of contact or a physical meeting, not even a prompt for an answer. Just a repetition of his opening statement, asking for a chance.
He wasn't expecting a question in return. It leaves him both a little hopeful and a little anxious. ]
We'll see. By the way, that doctor of yours, he's pretty difficult.
[It might seem off-topic, or off-hand, but it's brought to the forefront by what's on his mind. Try not to be a stranger? Maybe. But it's going to be hard to feel like a stranger at all when people keep mistaking him for Neil. Already it's beginning, and it probably won't stop.
Story of his life.]
You know where a guy can pick up a pack of smokes?
[It might seem off-topic, or off-hand, but it's brought to the forefront by what's on his mind. Try not to be a stranger? Maybe. But it's going to be hard to feel like a stranger at all when people keep mistaking him for Neil. Already it's beginning, and it probably won't stop.
Story of his life.]
You know where a guy can pick up a pack of smokes?
'S all I can ask for. And... which one? I've seen two doctors and they're both a little... unique.
[ Sure, it seems a little random, but he doesn't mind what seems like idle chatter. Too bad he doesn't get the significance of the mention.
As for the question of smokes... that earns a pair of raised eyebrows and pursed lips. Since when did Lyle start smoking? ...Though, now is probably not the time to get on his case about it. ]
I've never paid enough attention to know for sure, but there's a little shop called Jung's on the north side of the Water District market. It sells the usual convenience store fare, so it's probably a good bet.
[ Sure, it seems a little random, but he doesn't mind what seems like idle chatter. Too bad he doesn't get the significance of the mention.
As for the question of smokes... that earns a pair of raised eyebrows and pursed lips. Since when did Lyle start smoking? ...Though, now is probably not the time to get on his case about it. ]
I've never paid enough attention to know for sure, but there's a little shop called Jung's on the north side of the Water District market. It sells the usual convenience store fare, so it's probably a good bet.
The little one with the pinkish hair, glasses, and kind of a short temper. He mistook me for you just after I showed up.
[He leaves it at that. Either Neil will get it or he won't, and there's not much else to be said. He sighs to himself, though, at the explanation.]
Thanks. I don't do it often, but now's the time.
Anyway, it's been a slice. I should be probably be getting to sleep about now. You too.
[He leaves it at that. Either Neil will get it or he won't, and there's not much else to be said. He sighs to himself, though, at the explanation.]
Thanks. I don't do it often, but now's the time.
Anyway, it's been a slice. I should be probably be getting to sleep about now. You too.
...I think you may be mistaken. I don't believe I can be accounted among the new arrivals.
[ It doesn't really sink in at first. He thinks that maybe it was a typo and Tieria meant to type someone else's name. ]
[ It doesn't really sink in at first. He thinks that maybe it was a typo and Tieria meant to type someone else's name. ]
[ At first the description of Saphir makes him laugh. He knows exactly who that applies to. But then the full weight of that next sentence hits and... ouch. That's probably not going to help relations much. ]
Oh. Sorry to hear that.
Actually, that reminds me. I've got one more thing to bring up and then I'll let you sleep.
What name do you think you'll be going by around here? It'll clear up confusion to know, but either way, I'll probably be letting go of "Lockon Stratos". It's not really mine anymore.
Oh. Sorry to hear that.
Actually, that reminds me. I've got one more thing to bring up and then I'll let you sleep.
What name do you think you'll be going by around here? It'll clear up confusion to know, but either way, I'll probably be letting go of "Lockon Stratos". It's not really mine anymore.
[ He should. But typos are a lot easier to accept than the truth.
Which, now that it's registered, is a pretty hard pill to swallow. ]
WHAT?
Which, now that it's registered, is a pretty hard pill to swallow. ]
WHAT?
[He just lets go of it. There's no use reaming out Neil over it, not right now. He's half exhausted from being up all day and not getting any sleep to boot. It's too much.]
I guess it's something I've gotten used to. But you're still the original.
Might have to sleep on that one.
I guess it's something I've gotten used to. But you're still the original.
Might have to sleep on that one.
[ Probably for the best. This really isn't the best time or place, and there's nothing more exhausting than that argument. ]
Fair enough.
G'night, Lyle.
Fair enough.
G'night, Lyle.
[He just doesn't know if he wants it. Not with all the torn feelings since he failed to shoot down Anew. His mind feels raw from it, and dealing with it right now along with Neil being alive again is too much.]
You too, Neil.
You too, Neil.
[He was expecting a reaction of some kind, but the one he gets is too short and too meaningless to clue him in on how Neil is really taking it. And with Lyle already on the other line, he can't afford to call the other man just yet, despite how worried he's getting.]
Are you OK?
Are you OK?
[ It takes a long while for Neil to respond. He's busy toggling between disbelief, horror, and anger. As is his wont, that last one burns a little longer than the rest. ]
The Twelve decided to abduct my only family and keep him in this godforsaken place.
So no, I don't think OK really covers it.
The Twelve decided to abduct my only family and keep him in this godforsaken place.
So no, I don't think OK really covers it.
[Every dragging second only troubles him further, and he has to hold himself back from calling the other man right then.]
Go home and wait for me. I'm debriefing him right now, so I'll take care of it.
[It's not much, but it's the best he can do without abandoning Lyle, as tempting as it is. It makes him feel guilty, like he has to choose one of the other.]
Go home and wait for me. I'm debriefing him right now, so I'll take care of it.
[It's not much, but it's the best he can do without abandoning Lyle, as tempting as it is. It makes him feel guilty, like he has to choose one of the other.]
[ Tieria can't see it, but Lockon's giving the phone a very odd look. He's wondering what this "go home" business is about. Does Tieria expect him to just run off and do something stupid? ]
What if I'm in the middle of something?
[ More contrary than his usual answer, but he's riled up. Not at Tieria by any means, but by the situation. There is one thing he can agree with, though. ]
You are the best one to get him up to date, considering you know more about his situation than I would. Let me know how that goes, okay.
What if I'm in the middle of something?
[ More contrary than his usual answer, but he's riled up. Not at Tieria by any means, but by the situation. There is one thing he can agree with, though. ]
You are the best one to get him up to date, considering you know more about his situation than I would. Let me know how that goes, okay.
Is it normal for Haro to go into sleep mode for a day at a time here? Energy conservation or something?
Huh. Not that I've seen, though I can't speak for the times when I've left him at home for most of the day.
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Ian had programmed in some surprise energy-saving protocols. How's Haro respond when you try poking him out of it?
Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Ian had programmed in some surprise energy-saving protocols. How's Haro respond when you try poking him out of it?
Edited 2012-10-27 02:51 (UTC)
This is the kind of thing I wish I couldn't see Ian doing, but you've got a point.
Nothing, though. It's like he's switched off.
Nothing, though. It's like he's switched off.
...Really?
All right, that IS strange. I've never seen him go into a sleep mode he wasn't easily roused from. It should respond to motion, since Haros are programmed to get moving in the event of impact on the ship.
I hate to recommend shaking him around, but if that's what it takes...
All right, that IS strange. I've never seen him go into a sleep mode he wasn't easily roused from. It should respond to motion, since Haros are programmed to get moving in the event of impact on the ship.
I hate to recommend shaking him around, but if that's what it takes...
Believe me, I know.
I haven't shaken him seriously yet. Gotta admit, I don't want to hurt the little guy.
I haven't shaken him seriously yet. Gotta admit, I don't want to hurt the little guy.
I don't blame you. In any case, it shouldn't take a violent shake to do it, so if he's still not responding...
Only thing I can think of is the hard reboot button located beneath the plastisteel chassis. If that doesn't work, we're best off letting Tieria take a look at it.
...So he really hasn't responded at all, huh?
Only thing I can think of is the hard reboot button located beneath the plastisteel chassis. If that doesn't work, we're best off letting Tieria take a look at it.
...So he really hasn't responded at all, huh?
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