☏ [HADRIEL] ic inbox

[circumitus]

  ✉

CODE   🔋 12:01 AM

REY

REGISTERED
"Rey."

ADDRESS
House 1401

MESSAGE
"not here right now.
leave a message. will get back to you soon. probably."

TEXT

CALL

VIDEO

NOTE: As of 12/2016, Rey has adopted the alias "Fiona Stransky" when working with the Guard. Something to keep in mind, as Rey maintains a low profile with her involvement in the group. Other than what is mentioned in the Guard records, there is no trace of a "Fiona" identified on the network.

Comments

[synthedick]

[His eyes meet hers.]

It's important. You know I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't.

[circumitus]

[Despite her weariness, there's determination and defiance in her expression.]

I know there's a synthetic in the city. Who is it?

[synthedick]

[Nick considers insisting she go home; he considers a lie, anything to get her away from there. In the end, he knows better to do that to her. They're partners, and there's only so long he can dodge the truth, especially when she already knows it.]

The one you were hoping wouldn't show up here.

[circumitus]

[It truly does come as a relief that Nick doesn't try to lie or dodge the question. No matter what he says or does, she wouldn't have bought it anyway.]

Figures.

What happened?

[Rey can take a guess, but she'd rather hear it from Nick.]

[synthedick]

[He averts his eyes.]

I did what I had to do.

[circumitus]

[Rey leans in, trying to meet Nick's gaze.]

You have any idea how many times she's died? Before coming to a place where some all-powering deity just conveniently does it for you?

[She isn't trying to lecture him, but she's just sayin'.]

[synthedick]

[He avoids her gaze another few seconds before finally casting his eyes her way, his brow tightening.]

I know it's useless, but I guess I hoped maybe they wouldn't be able to bring someone like her back.

[Someone like him, too.]

[circumitus]

And now she's somewhere in the city again. I can feel her.

[Her sense for such things isn't as strong as it used to be, but it's there and it's under her skin. And probably the reason for her sorry state right now. Not because this is what's supposed to happen.

[No, she has only herself to blame for getting this bad. Got herself all worked up. Having damn nightmares. Not being able to eat. Even the thought of food makes her want to throw up.]

[synthedick]

[Nick sighs. He might be not have to eat or sleep, but even he couldn't watch the temple forever, not with all the new folks coming in.]

If she's out there, then you don't need to be. Come on.

[Though his tone is soft, the look he gives her is a stern one.]

[circumitus]

[To Rey, Nick's logic make less than any sense. It was supposed to be her purpose to kill things like IV. She's failed in that before, and she has failed again.

[Teeth gritting, this time Rey does shake off Nick's hand on her arm, her brows knitting together in anger and frustration. Not with her friend, or even with IV, but herself.]

No, I have to make sure she doesn't come back this time...!

[How she plans to do that-- Well, it's a work in progress. But she has a few ideas. It's just hard to think things through when you can't even think clearly.

[synthedick]

[His hand removed from Rey, Nick's tone hardens.]

You look like hell, Rey. Let the rest of the Guard take care of it.

[circumitus]

I can't. That bitch is my problem. If she hurts anyone...

[While it would be more the Door's fault than Rey's, she still can't shake that feeling of guilt by association.]

[synthedick]

She's our problem. You're not alone here.

[And the severe look he gives her says he means that.]

[circumitus]

Bet you'd say something very different from that if it was someone from your world who fucked with someone you cared about.

[She doesn't want to say it, and even that is a little much. But lashing out seems to be the only thing she can do at this immediate point. Better than lying down and admitting defeat, in her opinion.]

[synthedick]

She doesn't have to come from my world to have done that already.

[circumitus]

[Dammit, Nick. Why you gotta be like that. Rey balks a moment, before she recovers again:]

You haven't seen what all she's capable of. She doesn't try to hurt you directly -- she'll do that in other ways. Killing her? Shit, that's probably what she wanted from you.

[Not even Rey can say she understands IV entirely, but she's spent enough time observing and doing her own thing to have a pretty damned educated opinion.]

[synthedick]

I heard plenty about what she's capable of, but at least she was out of commission for a few days.

[Kept her from following him home, too. He's pretty sure she'd have done it just to spite him.

The thought of her being out and about again isn't comforting, but he's got one priority right now.]

[circumitus]

[Scoff.] Sure. At least.

[Rey doesn't sound too convinced that it was the only option, though. There had to have been something, even in a place like this...]

I can't just sit around at home, though. Gregory had installed this function that let me find her and the other synthetics like her. It's... messed up right now, for some reason.

[Trauma might have something to do with it? Hell if she wants to admit that, to Nick or at all to herself.]

[synthedick]

Then it's no good right now. Maybe because you're sick as a dog.

[Nick will just admit it for her.]

[circumitus]

I'm not fucking sick. I can't possibly get sick. It's not... I'm not.

[God, dad. Let me live my life!]

[synthedick]

Then what's the problem? Because I've never seen you like this.

[He gets the feeling he already knows what the problem is, but he's not the one who needs to hear it.]

[circumitus]

My "problem" is that the bitch who tried cutting my brother to pieces for parts is doing whatever the fuck she pleases here now, and you decided to take it upon yourself to make a decision for me without being straight about it from the start.

[She doesn't really fault Nick for what he did, and that really isn't "the problem" Rey is having. He had every reason to take out IV and even more so in the likely event that she was aware of Rey's nearby presence. It isn't like she could have dragged them both back home, but the things IV could have done to get to Rey is just as horrifying.]

[synthedick]

[His own temper flares, his posture stiffening as his hand tightens on the crook of his cane.]

And what was I supposed to do? Let her walk while I gave you a call? After what she did to you?

[circumitus]

[She doesn't fault him for that. If anything, IV would have probably been too dumbfounded by the stupidity of calling Rey while she was present to immediately do anything. Doesn't make it smart. But Rey isn't willing to concede so soon.]

You could have at least told me after the fact, rather than be vague about your "work". For someone who doesn't like it when I keep secrets, you sure don't hesitate to do it yourself.

[synthedick]

[The cracks in his judgment are showing. It wasn't just about the greater good -- not this time.]

I didn't want you around here in case she came back.