lifetothefullest | [IC Inbox]

You don't even know what they're going to do at the end of their 'investigation'.

[Not that Marian does either, but while she may have decided (mostly) that it (probably) can't be worse than a regular month in Hadriel, there are still these uncertainties.]

[She's not wrong, and he has an answer for that, but--]

This might be a conversation better had in person.

[He's not entirely sure how far the gods' reach stretches, but considering this network is created by one of them he's not sure that talking over it is the best idea.]

You know where to find me.

[Thankfully the lab itself isn't in too terrible of shape inside... even if the outside and the nearby buildings are still not looking so hot.]

[Give him a minute to find a snack and then he's on his way; he shows up about twenty minutes later, wandering into the lab cautiously, but it seems okay inside. Not going to collapse, anyway.]

Hello, Marian.

[Given the context so far, she's sure it's part of some kind of plan. At the same time, she doesn't think much of it so far. So don't take that evil eye she's giving you too hard, Lance.]

Well?

[He's successfully not taking it too seriously, but still! Rude!]

I'm sure you've noticed that no one is on the same page when it comes to what's going on with the Null, that surely some people are playing double agent, and others have weird elaborate plans going on?

[The question's pretty rhetorical, so he'll just continue--]

The gods also seem to have very little idea what they're doing, and they asked for experienced help, and it turns out that I'm one of--if not the most--experienced people here when it comes to figuring out who is lying, who is hiding something, and what an individual's motivations are. So it seems like kind of an important opportunity to take advantage of in terms of getting into a great position to influence how this investigation goes.

[To his own advantage, to that of people he knows, and to the benefit of everyone in general.]

Hmph. Are you sure about that? I'm reasonably the few who seem in favor of the parasites are simply delusional idiots.

Have you even figured out what you're going to tell them yet?

This is why between the two of us, I'm the FBI psychologist.

[Some people here are definitely delusional idiots, but he hasn't seen a correlation on this particular subject just yet.]

I can't pre-plan a script; I don't know if they're even going to want my help, or if it'll be me alone or there might be multiple people involved. It also depends on how they want to conduct the investigation, what they're planning to do to people they think are guilty, and a bunch of other variables.

[There's going to be a lot of improvising, he's sure.]

But it seems better to be in this position than being completely blind to everything, especially if someone who is... Less than well-intentioned manages to get involved.

[Right. Considering the number of crazies as well (judging by network postings, at least), this is probably a valid point.]

Is there anyone in particular you're worried about?

Not among those I've seen offering advice, but anything private I wouldn't know about so I can't say for sure.

[However--]

There are definitely people I'm concerned about regarding the subject in general, though. And other subjects. Just all around.

[Even Lance has finite patience and it's being exhausted a lot here at this point.]

Hmm.

[Marian takes a moment to pull out her communicator and find the relevant network posting.]

Anyone who offered assistance?

[He looks it over; but ends up shaking his head.]

Not specifically, no. There are some people whose loyalties might complicate things, however, even if they as individuals might have good intentions.

[Which is one of those factors that can't be underestimated, especially in a place like there where those bonds are so strengthened by the situations people go through.]

[Well, it's not as if she fully trusted everyone who replied but... that's some indirect confirmation. She gives him a bit of a squinting stare again; for someone much shorter she's pretty good at giving the impression of looking down at others.]

No names? As long as you don't think they'll interfere directly with the sort of thing I asked for assistance with... I suppose it doesn't matter.

No, I don't believe you need to be concerned about any of them in regards to your project.

[That much he feels confident in, and yeah, he'll just not mention any names and ignore that she called him out on that. Even with that look.]

I suppose I don't have to be concerned about you in regards to the investigation, either?

I hope not.

[He wishes he could flat-out sat no, but he's being honest.]

I'm not going to help anyone commit murder. But otherwise, any involvement I do have is going to be for the benefit of the people here, not the gods or the Null.

[As far as he's concerned neither side deserves any loyalty, but he also can't, after more time here and speaking with Brennan about the matter, justify attempts to kill Hope either.]

[That's not the response she expected to hear. But maybe she shouldn't have expected anything more from anyone.

Marian doesn't have any intention of actively trying to kill anyone herself, but whatever this universes' inhabitants do to each other... frankly, she'd be more than happy to see the parasites be eliminated at this point, and that's been pretty clear from her network postings.

But where that falls in terms of what Lance says is unclear. And considering she still has, in the back of her mind, the idea of trying to draw the Null's attention somehow, her response is cold.]

I have no intention of murdering anyone. Fine. That's all, then. You can leave.

[Lance's eyes flash briefly in annoyance at the dismissal, but it's not egregious enough for him not to be able to control it. So instead he focuses on her reaction and the other part of what she said, ignoring the last of it completely.]

I never thought you did.

[He thinks she's content to stand back and watch it happen, which he isn't going to blame her for; it was exactly the same thing he'd been considering doing, until he decided it was just too wrong to justify to himself.]

If the gods ask, I consider your position on this entire thing to be neutral.

[Even if he knows how she feels about the gods, and he's concerned she might actually side with the Null, if she's not actively trying to kill Hope herself then as far as the gods need to know she's neutral on the matter. He's not about to direct their attention toward her.]

[She snorts. They both knows she's not exactly neutral per se. Still...]

We'll just see what happens.

[She replies dourly.]

Did you have something else to discuss, or is there another reason you're still here?

[Ugh. He's still not super pleased by how this conversation has turned, but not enough to make it an issue.]

Nothing that I can think of.

[And she's pretty much already said she doesn't, so he supposes at least he got some exercise out of bothering to walk here for this conversation.]

I guess I'll just go.

[And unless she has anything else to add after all, he'll do as he said and make his way out of the lab.]

[IC Inbox]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject