[That Maketh has people watching Sato isn't surprising, but Lance doesn't really think that's going to be too effective; people mess up, and someone like Sato wouldn't be so easily foiled by something so simple.]
The preparation is what you should be most concerned about; I doubt he'll make his actual attack any sort of surprise. It's about showing off what he can do without being stopped.
[Also, damnit.]
No. Are painkillers even a thing where you're from?
[Considering they'd be 'showing weakness' or whatever, and please just ignore the less than subtle attempt to turn the conversation back on her instead of him.]
[Several of them have been moved into place. Doctor Sweets doesn't need to know the details.
Maketh frowns at him.]
Don't be ridiculous. We have sedatives and opiates like any planet. Our medical technology is far more advanced than anything here and we have neither the equipment nor the supplies to make it work. Thus we make do. Do you require painkillers or not?
[Now he's feeling distinctly ignored, which is annoying--although not new--and he should've expected it. Of course she wouldn't really listen to him, right?
Also blah blah blah on the advanced technology thing.]
I said no.
[And another attempt at regaining control of the conversation--]
Sato said there was an event going on during the time he last attacked the Guard; is that true?
It was systematic. Each person here was afflicted with--whatever you want to call the outcome of Rage's power. Upon seeing their target, the individual would succumb to an involuntary, irrational rage. There was violence.
[She narrows her eyes.]
Sato took advantage. Thankfully we managed to get messages out, telling people to isolate themselves, and it event was not as destructive as it could have been.
I'm not certain if Sato was impacted. His actions didn't seem personal or targeted at an individual member of the Guard. More likely he took advantage of the chaos.
[Maketh nods slowly.]
Several of the Guard were. I was one of them. But we were careful. Once out of the target's range, reason returned.
[She lifts her chin.]
My target was a boy named Adam. We have since--made peace with it. A woman named Nick attempted to kill me. It caused significant injury. She is no longer here. You may speak to Adam if you wish.
That seems like an important thing to have mentioned.
[Just pointing that out; he doesn't really appreciate that it was left out, or the underlying meaning to what she said about having made peace with someone named Adam, but he can't really hold that part against her if it was god-influenced.]
But he would've had to have had the plan in mind previously in order to put it into action at the opportune moment, so it's indeed unlikely he was acting only on anger whether induced or otherwise. He also stated to me that he had no particular grudges against individuals, although I'm not sure how true that is.
Had you read the reports I offered you, the incident would have been detailed in full.
[Stars, she doesn't like this man. He's picking at things that shouldn't matter, and like Will he sees too much. Too much of Maketh just wants to turn around and bolt, be done with it. But she gave her word. She gave her word and now she has to keep it.]
Correct. Have you viewed the announcement he made prior?
Oh, I'm sorry, somewhere between the 'low standards' comment and vague threats I didn't feel much like wasting the time necessary to go to the Guard headquarters and then try to read papers while making sure you're not about to stab me.
[And okay, maybe that came out slightly sassier than intended and with a bit more eyerolling than necessary, but that comment just particularly annoyed him; he'll get to answering her question in a moment.]
[She doesn't mean it to come out as loud as it does and clenches her hands into fists, forcing herself to hold perfectly still. Only that isn't right, either. Don't allow yourself to be a threat. Relax your hands, soldier, stand at attention. Keep your back perfectly straight, shoulders even, and do not move to strike. You cannot strike a civilian or a superior officer. It is dishonorable, it is weak, it is not done.
Focus. You have a job to do and you will do it well.]
What further information do you require, Doctor Sweets?
[He doesn't flinch, mostly because he was expecting her to have some sort of negative reaction, but that's... A different negative reaction than he was predicting. What a strange part of what he said to focus on, though, at least in that manner.
But he can easily read the tension from her, his attention sharply focused to look for any sign of her making a move, even as he answers her question.]
About Sato? Motivation.
[It's simple and short, because he's spending most of his concentration on still watching her so closely.]
I do not know his motivations. Only what he has claimed.
[She remembers being a cadet and standing at attention before her instructors, reciting her failures, and that helps a little. The familiarity of it. Stand tall, stand proud, don't make eye contract. Look beyond their eyes, hold perfectly still, and take whatever punishment is assigned to you like a good soldier. Endure. Then get back up and do better.]
Perhaps whoever you have watching him could find out more, if they know to be looking for it.
[He's still watching her, although there's something really strange going on here that's making him feel vaguely unsettled. He can't tell if it's warning bells for danger--although his are usually pretty clear, so probably not--or something else, let alone what exactly it is and her question doesn't help.]
[Maketh trusts Rey almost as much as she trusts Henry. There's no question. No hesitation at all. If there is information to be had, then Rey will find it and pass it on. And, if needed, she'll engage Sato on other fronts in order to protect the civilians.
She keeps her eyes straight ahead, back stiff, hands flat at her sides. Perfectly still.]
You require more resources in order to gather your information. List them.
[It's perfectly logical, exactly as protocol dictates. You cannot questions orders, but asking for clarification - so long as it is done properly - is allowed.]
[He's not particularly confident in that first statement, but he won't push it any further for now because it's not the most pressing matter.
People tend to go that stiff and still either because they're angry or afraid, and he'd thought it was the former, but now he's not so sure unless this is some sort of elaborate baiting trap with no right answer. He has absolutely zero interest in getting caught in that trap if it is the case, and even if it isn't he still doesn't know exactly what she's asking.
[It shouldn't be difficult. He's making it difficult. This is protocol. Each step followed and performed as scripted. It shouldn't be difficult. And if she does it just right, then he won't see her as a threat and then Maketh can ask the question she's been dreading.]
[Far more than he's due, in truth. She's treating him like she would a higher ranking officer - much higher - that she wants something from. It would work in the Empire. The combination of flattery and deference. Everyone likes to be feared and the stillness can be mistaken for that. If she doesn't make a mistake - if she does everything just right - then it will be fine and everything will work out.]
[He doesn't for a moment think she respects him, which gives him some more insight.]
No, you're being deferential.
[It's just why she's being so that he's unsure of. She doesn't respect him and he'd find it extremely difficult to believe she's afraid of him--considering how often she tells him he's weak--so it must be something else.]
[Maketh holds herself very still then. He's seen through it. Her protocol was flawed.]
I gave my word to someone who matters that I would ask you.
[Part of her wants nothing more than to flee and be done with this situation. She's gotten the debrief, she has the information, that's fine, she can go fro there. Everything is fine. She could just leave and he would never need to know.
But she promised. And here they are.]
I said I would ask if you would--show me how therapy works.
[Her protocol was probably fine; Lance just has too much experience and has used the tactic too many times himself to be particularly fooled by it, especially if he's able to eliminate most of the main explanations as he could this time. But he is absolutely not expecting this to be the actual reason and his surprise shows on his face clearly enough, followed by rapid shifts through confusion and then apprehension before he settles back on a more neutral expression.
Sure, she'd hinted at the idea during their talk in the Orchard, but that didn't mean she'd actually ask let alone while sober; he'd thought, though, about what he would do if she actually did ask. The problem is that he hadn't come to a conclusion about what to do, because there aren't a lot of options: he could refuse, he could agree, or he could refer her to Dr. Rosen or Dr. Lecter. All of them have advantages and disadvantages.
Referring would be, in a normal situation, his first choice; he's not really in any condition to be offering therapy, and he's personally biased against her even if he's confident he could ignore that enough to do his job. But he's also very worried about sending her to one of the other doctors for their sakes, particularly now that he's the most experienced at reading her mood swings and what might set her off.
Refusing entirely is what he truly wants to do, mostly for the same reasons he has both for and against referring her, but he just can't do that to someone who's asking for help. It'd be completely wrong, morally, and even if it weren't it would likely just make problems worse.
So that leaves accepting, even though he's pretty sure counseling her will make him need therapy more than he already does and he's not completely sure he should be advising anyone at the moment. But it's the best option, and so after several seconds of silence--]
[He hadn't really expected her to agree to considering conditions, so they're in the same boat of uncertainty here. Still, he does his best to project authority and indicate he isn't going to negotiate on the terms themselves.]
Okay, there are two.
[Only one of which he'd originally had in mind, but the second--which he'll lead with--just came to him and might solve several problems at once.]
First is that whatever weird thing that's going on with you and Will? Stop. I don't care if you argue or hate each other or get along or whatever it is, but don't bring it to violence.
[He isn't entirely sure if their confrontations are or get physical anymore, but it really doesn't matter; that they were so once is bad enough, and he wants to be sure that at least is one less thing to worry about for everyone's sake.
As for the other, more simple condition--]
Second is that you don't bring any weapons when we meet. And I mean any weapons.
[And knives count as weapons.]
This is completely standard for counseling; even my friends have to put their guns away when they meet with me professionally.
[So he's not singling her out on this, even though to be honest he's really never afraid any of the agents he talks to are going to shoot him. With Maketh, on the other hand, this is a real concern.]
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mismanagement) wrote2016-01-25 02:02 pm
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The preparation is what you should be most concerned about; I doubt he'll make his actual attack any sort of surprise. It's about showing off what he can do without being stopped.
[Also, damnit.]
No. Are painkillers even a thing where you're from?
[Considering they'd be 'showing weakness' or whatever, and please just ignore the less than subtle attempt to turn the conversation back on her instead of him.]
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[Several of them have been moved into place. Doctor Sweets doesn't need to know the details.
Maketh frowns at him.]
Don't be ridiculous. We have sedatives and opiates like any planet. Our medical technology is far more advanced than anything here and we have neither the equipment nor the supplies to make it work. Thus we make do. Do you require painkillers or not?
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Also blah blah blah on the advanced technology thing.]
I said no.
[And another attempt at regaining control of the conversation--]
Sato said there was an event going on during the time he last attacked the Guard; is that true?
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That's correct. One of Rage's designs. She was hungry.
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And what did this event entail, exactly?
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[She narrows her eyes.]
Sato took advantage. Thankfully we managed to get messages out, telling people to isolate themselves, and it event was not as destructive as it could have been.
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Was he not afflicted as well? Or any of you at the Guard?
[Because outside influence like that will alter his interpretation of what happened.]
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[Maketh nods slowly.]
Several of the Guard were. I was one of them. But we were careful. Once out of the target's range, reason returned.
[She lifts her chin.]
My target was a boy named Adam. We have since--made peace with it. A woman named Nick attempted to kill me. It caused significant injury. She is no longer here. You may speak to Adam if you wish.
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[Just pointing that out; he doesn't really appreciate that it was left out, or the underlying meaning to what she said about having made peace with someone named Adam, but he can't really hold that part against her if it was god-influenced.]
But he would've had to have had the plan in mind previously in order to put it into action at the opportune moment, so it's indeed unlikely he was acting only on anger whether induced or otherwise. He also stated to me that he had no particular grudges against individuals, although I'm not sure how true that is.
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[Stars, she doesn't like this man. He's picking at things that shouldn't matter, and like Will he sees too much. Too much of Maketh just wants to turn around and bolt, be done with it. But she gave her word. She gave her word and now she has to keep it.]
Correct. Have you viewed the announcement he made prior?
[Maketh grimaces.]
It was not subtle.
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[And okay, maybe that came out slightly sassier than intended and with a bit more eyerolling than necessary, but that comment just particularly annoyed him; he'll get to answering her question in a moment.]
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[She doesn't mean it to come out as loud as it does and clenches her hands into fists, forcing herself to hold perfectly still. Only that isn't right, either. Don't allow yourself to be a threat. Relax your hands, soldier, stand at attention. Keep your back perfectly straight, shoulders even, and do not move to strike. You cannot strike a civilian or a superior officer. It is dishonorable, it is weak, it is not done.
Focus. You have a job to do and you will do it well.]
What further information do you require, Doctor Sweets?
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But he can easily read the tension from her, his attention sharply focused to look for any sign of her making a move, even as he answers her question.]
About Sato? Motivation.
[It's simple and short, because he's spending most of his concentration on still watching her so closely.]
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[She remembers being a cadet and standing at attention before her instructors, reciting her failures, and that helps a little. The familiarity of it. Stand tall, stand proud, don't make eye contract. Look beyond their eyes, hold perfectly still, and take whatever punishment is assigned to you like a good soldier. Endure. Then get back up and do better.]
What do you require from me, Doctor Sweets?
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[He's still watching her, although there's something really strange going on here that's making him feel vaguely unsettled. He can't tell if it's warning bells for danger--although his are usually pretty clear, so probably not--or something else, let alone what exactly it is and her question doesn't help.]
What do you mean?
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[Maketh trusts Rey almost as much as she trusts Henry. There's no question. No hesitation at all. If there is information to be had, then Rey will find it and pass it on. And, if needed, she'll engage Sato on other fronts in order to protect the civilians.
She keeps her eyes straight ahead, back stiff, hands flat at her sides. Perfectly still.]
You require more resources in order to gather your information. List them.
[It's perfectly logical, exactly as protocol dictates. You cannot questions orders, but asking for clarification - so long as it is done properly - is allowed.]
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People tend to go that stiff and still either because they're angry or afraid, and he'd thought it was the former, but now he's not so sure unless this is some sort of elaborate baiting trap with no right answer. He has absolutely zero interest in getting caught in that trap if it is the case, and even if it isn't he still doesn't know exactly what she's asking.
So he tries a completely different approach.]
You seem upset.
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[It shouldn't be difficult. He's making it difficult. This is protocol. Each step followed and performed as scripted. It shouldn't be difficult. And if she does it just right, then he won't see her as a threat and then Maketh can ask the question she's been dreading.]
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[Which is making him more suspicious, not less, especially since it directly followed his comment about not wanting to be stabbed.]
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[Far more than he's due, in truth. She's treating him like she would a higher ranking officer - much higher - that she wants something from. It would work in the Empire. The combination of flattery and deference. Everyone likes to be feared and the stillness can be mistaken for that. If she doesn't make a mistake - if she does everything just right - then it will be fine and everything will work out.]
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No, you're being deferential.
[It's just why she's being so that he's unsure of. She doesn't respect him and he'd find it extremely difficult to believe she's afraid of him--considering how often she tells him he's weak--so it must be something else.]
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I gave my word to someone who matters that I would ask you.
[Part of her wants nothing more than to flee and be done with this situation. She's gotten the debrief, she has the information, that's fine, she can go fro there. Everything is fine. She could just leave and he would never need to know.
But she promised. And here they are.]
I said I would ask if you would--show me how therapy works.
[She twitches.]
I do not expect you to agree.
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Sure, she'd hinted at the idea during their talk in the Orchard, but that didn't mean she'd actually ask let alone while sober; he'd thought, though, about what he would do if she actually did ask. The problem is that he hadn't come to a conclusion about what to do, because there aren't a lot of options: he could refuse, he could agree, or he could refer her to Dr. Rosen or Dr. Lecter. All of them have advantages and disadvantages.
Referring would be, in a normal situation, his first choice; he's not really in any condition to be offering therapy, and he's personally biased against her even if he's confident he could ignore that enough to do his job. But he's also very worried about sending her to one of the other doctors for their sakes, particularly now that he's the most experienced at reading her mood swings and what might set her off.
Refusing entirely is what he truly wants to do, mostly for the same reasons he has both for and against referring her, but he just can't do that to someone who's asking for help. It'd be completely wrong, morally, and even if it weren't it would likely just make problems worse.
So that leaves accepting, even though he's pretty sure counseling her will make him need therapy more than he already does and he's not completely sure he should be advising anyone at the moment. But it's the best option, and so after several seconds of silence--]
I'll agree, but under a few conditions.
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[Maketh stiffens. She hasn't prepared for this eventuality. In all the conversations she rehearsed, he refused. It was expected. Planned for.
Except now he's agreed.
She clears her throat.]
What conditions?
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Okay, there are two.
[Only one of which he'd originally had in mind, but the second--which he'll lead with--just came to him and might solve several problems at once.]
First is that whatever weird thing that's going on with you and Will? Stop. I don't care if you argue or hate each other or get along or whatever it is, but don't bring it to violence.
[He isn't entirely sure if their confrontations are or get physical anymore, but it really doesn't matter; that they were so once is bad enough, and he wants to be sure that at least is one less thing to worry about for everyone's sake.
As for the other, more simple condition--]
Second is that you don't bring any weapons when we meet. And I mean any weapons.
[And knives count as weapons.]
This is completely standard for counseling; even my friends have to put their guns away when they meet with me professionally.
[So he's not singling her out on this, even though to be honest he's really never afraid any of the agents he talks to are going to shoot him. With Maketh, on the other hand, this is a real concern.]
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