[Nick makes sure to stick around the Guard HQ until the demons have been taken care of, all the portals closed and the streets safe once more. He's keeping an eye on the network, as well as an eye out for his bosses.
So next time Henry shows up there, he's at his desk, a drawn map of the city laid about before him, some paperwork, notes, and his communicator on top of that. From the look of it, he was keeping tabs on who was covering what area to make sure everywhere had someone -- a Guard member or an impromptu volunteer -- watching it. He looks up, giving Henry a relieved look and a nod.]
[He may be in one piece, but Henry's expression is dark and he carries all the tension of a coiled spring as he stalks into headquarters. His hair is damp with sweat and his armour dirtied from fighting. He glances Nick's way at the comment.]
Of course.
[Henry's tone of voice is sharp-edged as his gaze, both symptoms of how close to the surface his temper runs and both impersonal. There is a reason that he chose to communicate by text earlier. Spotting Nick's map, he strides over to Nick's desk in order to take a closer look at the Guard's deployment.]
These demons die as easily as any other beast.
[Which is a certain definition of easy, but nonetheless manageable. He knows all too well that the truest danger the demons pose is far more insidious.]
[Nick hears that tone, and slides away from his desk to give Henry more room to look at his handiwork. There are a couple of names on notes that aren't a part of the Guard -- Celebrimbor, Ahsoka -- placed around the map, covering Henry and Maketh's usual patrol routes. He also spoke to Kain Highwind, if his name on a note is any indication. From the looks of it, Nick managed to get most of the town covered, and he was making note of when portals in various areas were closed.]
Good to hear. We don't exactly have any demon specialists at our disposal. The Inquisitor had her hands full as it was.
[In fact, both Ahsoka and Celebrimbor are part of the Guard, as far as Henry is concerned. He studies the map for a moment before giving a curt nod. Progress is progress. He feels a smidgen of relief in seeing that all that can be done has been.]
Good work. 'Tis a pity the Inquisition tends to keep to themselves. I wonder if we cannot convince them to ally with us in the future.
[Coordination has a way of improving efficiency. Speaking of...]
[He nods on that first comment. It'd be helpful if everyone would pitch in when it comes to protecting civilians, but Nick will take what he can get. He'll get paperwork on those new members together at some point, when he's had a moment to deal with the aftermath of this demon situation... as well as that of IV's appearance in town and how it affected Rey. He needs to speak with her, too.]
Not yet. Kate put out a call for help at the Colosseum, but I haven't heard from her since. I'd have followed up on it, but I've been a little busy.
[The lack of word from the clinic is a consequence of Kate's troubles, maybe, given that she is their administrator.]
'Twas right of you to place priority elsewhere. Kate is skilled, and she has Faith and other powerful friends besides.
[That was no doubt one less guardsman already, and look at what Kate, Bianca and Sharon managed together in the past. It may sound callous, but Henry cannot see her having gone without aid. There are plenty of individuals able to fight in Hadriel, but the Guard is the only coordinated force. Forgetting that would be a misstep.]
Sending guardsmen to the colosseum would have left a more populated part undefended.
Yeah. Glacius made his way down there, and I just had to hope he was enough.
[Of course, if a big fella like Glacius couldn't handle something, there was no telling how dangerous the same situation would have been for any Guardsmen who weren't as capable as him.
She is fine. [At least, Maketh was when he left her.] She knows to call for aid should she need it. Rest assured that their tricks will prevail not over her.
[Henry is surprised by the question, and frowns before turning away from Nick's desk. He begins to pace, agitated.]
I am...
[He trails off, unable to find the right word. He is ashamed that a demon exposed his weakness. He is well and truly angry that a demon encroached upon the sanctity of his innermost thoughts, that their foul kind are doing it to others. He is upset by the vibrant detail of its illusions drawn from his recollections. He grieves, knowing that he must put Iamarl to rest once and for all -- he cannot disgrace her memory and her last wishes again.
He swallows the lump in his throat, and finishes tersely.]
[It doesn't take someone with Nick's level of perception to pick up on what Henry's saying. He's not particularly close to Henry, but he can't help but worry about the rest of the Guardsmen, especially those who dedicate so much of their time and energy to keeping people safe. It's admirable, and something that doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves... and yet, he and Maketh do it anyway, no matter what danger could be out there.
Nick respects his bosses a whole lot, and so he's gentle in his approach toward them when they're clearly troubled. He leans on his desk, using it as leverage to get to his feet.]
[There is a certain amount that Henry will say -- the same amount that he is willing to include in his report. It's obvious what he is omitting.]
Have ever you considered the depth of detail your memories hold?
[Henry folds an arm around his waist, and brings his other gauntleted hand to his mouth, still pacing.]
Some of these demons can draw upon them, and from them weave an illusion -- for they may also see what one longs for. One knows not that one is trapped in a demon's falsehood when caught. 'Twas... [helplessly, he confesses] It felt real.
[Even now, he feels an echo of temptation recalling it, which he ruthlessly suppresses before he manages to summon another demon.
Henry shakes his head and halts his step, looking Nick directly in the eye. Bluntly, and in a hard tone, he says concisely:]
I was enticed. What I say next will sound mad, but I swear I speak truth. Maketh found her way into the illusion. 'Twas not formed in my mind, rather... painted over the real world by some infernal magic. She freed me of it, and together we smote the demon responsible. Then we annihilated all demons in the surrounding area.
[Henry's explanation is a little of what Nick suspected, and more.]
It does sound a little crazy, but you're talking to a machine that some folks wouldn't consider any more of a person than the coffee maker. There's a lot coming in from other worlds, both good and bad. A lot we don't know. So if you say this demon conjured up some kind of hallucination that felt so real that you believed it, then who am I to doubt you?
[He sighs, but keeps his eyes on Henry.]
I'm glad you and Maketh have each other to keep you safe. I don't know what this town would do if we ever lost either of you.
You are well-liked and respected, so people listen to you. You are responsible and motivated. You are righteous. You believe that we can make a difference. Were it not for your lack of confidence, one could easily argue otherwise.
[But an absence of self-belief is a great failing in a leader. A leader must be a font of belief for their followers. You cannot ask someone to place their faith in you if you have none in yourself.
It is, in short, a waste.]
'Tis a pity that you would rather cling to your doubts than vanquish them.
[There's something funny about having what he's said to Maketh returned to him via Henry. He'd argue on a few of those points regarding him — respected and well-liked by some, and maybe not so righteous as believed, given what he did to IV. However, he figures there's no real point to it. Henry is right in that his doubts linger within him, sometimes staying his hands when they should be doing more.
But he's an old synth hailing from a world where his kind are often shot on sight. He may be an exception to the rule, but very often, synths are some of the worst the Commonwealth has to offer. There's a reason people look at him with apprehension before getting to know him.
But he's changed a few minds. Maybe it's time someone works on changing his.]
I can't say it's not a work in progress, much like this city. I've said the same thing a few times to Maketh, but she has as tendency to doubt my faith in her the wait I'm doubting yours in me now. Guess we both oughtta work on it, huh?
[Henry shifts his weight and runs a hand through his hair.]
No.
[The letters don't really count, given how one-sided the exchange is. And it seems pointless to continue them while this crisis is going on: he doesn't have the time to spare as he is devoting all of his energy to Guard work and keeping his dark mood at bay.]
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text
The south side of town is usually pretty empty, but if the two of you could keep an eye on the orchard and the armory, that'd be great.
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All right.
[just going to action here if that's cool!]
So next time Henry shows up there, he's at his desk, a drawn map of the city laid about before him, some paperwork, notes, and his communicator on top of that. From the look of it, he was keeping tabs on who was covering what area to make sure everywhere had someone -- a Guard member or an impromptu volunteer -- watching it. He looks up, giving Henry a relieved look and a nod.]
Henry. Glad to see you're in one piece.
works for me!
Of course.
[Henry's tone of voice is sharp-edged as his gaze, both symptoms of how close to the surface his temper runs and both impersonal. There is a reason that he chose to communicate by text earlier. Spotting Nick's map, he strides over to Nick's desk in order to take a closer look at the Guard's deployment.]
These demons die as easily as any other beast.
[Which is a certain definition of easy, but nonetheless manageable. He knows all too well that the truest danger the demons pose is far more insidious.]
no subject
Good to hear. We don't exactly have any demon specialists at our disposal. The Inquisitor had her hands full as it was.
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Good work. 'Tis a pity the Inquisition tends to keep to themselves. I wonder if we cannot convince them to ally with us in the future.
[Coordination has a way of improving efficiency. Speaking of...]
Heard you aught from the clinic?
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Not yet. Kate put out a call for help at the Colosseum, but I haven't heard from her since. I'd have followed up on it, but I've been a little busy.
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'Twas right of you to place priority elsewhere. Kate is skilled, and she has Faith and other powerful friends besides.
[That was no doubt one less guardsman already, and look at what Kate, Bianca and Sharon managed together in the past. It may sound callous, but Henry cannot see her having gone without aid. There are plenty of individuals able to fight in Hadriel, but the Guard is the only coordinated force. Forgetting that would be a misstep.]
Sending guardsmen to the colosseum would have left a more populated part undefended.
no subject
[Of course, if a big fella like Glacius couldn't handle something, there was no telling how dangerous the same situation would have been for any Guardsmen who weren't as capable as him.
Speaking of some of the more capable members—]
How's Maketh? She still sweeping the streets?
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She is fine. [At least, Maketh was when he left her.] She knows to call for aid should she need it. Rest assured that their tricks will prevail not over her.
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[Though there's something in Henry's tone that makes him believe others might. He saw plenty of that on the network as it is.]
You okay?
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I am...
[He trails off, unable to find the right word. He is ashamed that a demon exposed his weakness. He is well and truly angry that a demon encroached upon the sanctity of his innermost thoughts, that their foul kind are doing it to others. He is upset by the vibrant detail of its illusions drawn from his recollections. He grieves, knowing that he must put Iamarl to rest once and for all -- he cannot disgrace her memory and her last wishes again.
He swallows the lump in his throat, and finishes tersely.]
Coping.
no subject
Nick respects his bosses a whole lot, and so he's gentle in his approach toward them when they're clearly troubled. He leans on his desk, using it as leverage to get to his feet.]
What happened? If you don't mind me asking.
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Have ever you considered the depth of detail your memories hold?
[Henry folds an arm around his waist, and brings his other gauntleted hand to his mouth, still pacing.]
Some of these demons can draw upon them, and from them weave an illusion -- for they may also see what one longs for. One knows not that one is trapped in a demon's falsehood when caught. 'Twas... [helplessly, he confesses] It felt real.
[Even now, he feels an echo of temptation recalling it, which he ruthlessly suppresses before he manages to summon another demon.
Henry shakes his head and halts his step, looking Nick directly in the eye. Bluntly, and in a hard tone, he says concisely:]
I was enticed. What I say next will sound mad, but I swear I speak truth. Maketh found her way into the illusion. 'Twas not formed in my mind, rather... painted over the real world by some infernal magic. She freed me of it, and together we smote the demon responsible. Then we annihilated all demons in the surrounding area.
no subject
It does sound a little crazy, but you're talking to a machine that some folks wouldn't consider any more of a person than the coffee maker. There's a lot coming in from other worlds, both good and bad. A lot we don't know. So if you say this demon conjured up some kind of hallucination that felt so real that you believed it, then who am I to doubt you?
[He sighs, but keeps his eyes on Henry.]
I'm glad you and Maketh have each other to keep you safe. I don't know what this town would do if we ever lost either of you.
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[Henry mutters, meaning Nick's coffee maker comment. He sets his hands on his hips. Of course they do; he and Maketh are family.]
The town would go on. And I hope that you would step up.
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I'm not much of a leader, Henry.
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You are well-liked and respected, so people listen to you. You are responsible and motivated. You are righteous. You believe that we can make a difference. Were it not for your lack of confidence, one could easily argue otherwise.
[But an absence of self-belief is a great failing in a leader. A leader must be a font of belief for their followers. You cannot ask someone to place their faith in you if you have none in yourself.
It is, in short, a waste.]
'Tis a pity that you would rather cling to your doubts than vanquish them.
no subject
But he's an old synth hailing from a world where his kind are often shot on sight. He may be an exception to the rule, but very often, synths are some of the worst the Commonwealth has to offer. There's a reason people look at him with apprehension before getting to know him.
But he's changed a few minds. Maybe it's time someone works on changing his.]
I can't say it's not a work in progress, much like this city. I've said the same thing a few times to Maketh, but she has as tendency to doubt my faith in her the wait I'm doubting yours in me now. Guess we both oughtta work on it, huh?
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You should. There comes a point at which your doubts will be taken for truth. Do not yourself an injustice.
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We'll see if I can't do better next time you and Maketh go MIA.
[Though he's hoping that doesn't happen. Speaking of MIA people...]
By the way, you spoken to Shadow lately?
no subject
No.
[The letters don't really count, given how one-sided the exchange is. And it seems pointless to continue them while this crisis is going on: he doesn't have the time to spare as he is devoting all of his energy to Guard work and keeping his dark mood at bay.]
Shadow still insists on avoiding me.
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I was wondering about that. Anything I can do?
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[Or rather, he was, and he will continue to do so when his hurts are less fresh.]
Intervention would but worsen matters.
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What is his beef with you, anyway?
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