[Like he said he would be, just before the dawn hours, Eliot's at the training hall for the first time since he last encountered the telepath here. His hands are still bandaged from the vigorous workout from that day, but he laid it into the bag with strong swings nonetheless. Healthy ones, unlike the aggressive hits that caused his hands to be wrapped until now.
He looks up when he senses the approach of the other man.] Hey.
[Erik nods, once. His face is tighter than normal, his gait controlled, as if there is enough rage bubbling under his surface to destroy the world, but he's keeping a tight lock down on it.]
I found someone who might be able to test the bodies. To determine if they are really...ours.
[Not quite the greeting Eliot was expecting, but he appreciated the way Erik cuts right to the point. He nodded, putting the pieces together quickly from what he saw of the communications there.]
You're talkin' about Abby.
[The young woman was his neighbor after all.] I know her. She seems competent.
You don't think they're... real? [Eliot knew what real looked like, and those bodies looked real enough. But he also knew that there was a way to forge anything, so he could understand why Erik would want forensic evidence.]
[He snorted in a depreciating way. He wasn't eager, that was for sure.]
I would if I have to, yeah.
[But he'd do what has to be done even if he had to break in again. Thankfully that wasn't what he was talking about, thinking of the lock of Parker's hair he took away with him.]
No. I got somethin'.... Could give it to her to test. If she's got equipment for it here.
Come to the meeting--I invited her. Get the chance, pull her away and speak to her about it privately. She seems the type that can keep a secret well enough.
[He shrugs. She seems incredibly eager. Those types usually can keep their mouths shut, given positive intensives.]
[Without knowing it, Erik said exactly what Eliot wanted to hear.]
Can you swear to that?
[He won't ask for Erik's view point on normal humans, he already knew that and knew he won't be able to change it. But that he won't wage a war on them, Eliot wanted that said.]
But unless something drastic happens, I mean what I say.
[He doesn't make promises he can't keep. While he is sure that it won't come to it, he isn't going to lock himself into something if something shifts the pieces.]
[At least the mutant was honest. It was the best Eliot was going to get, and he accepted it at that.
For a long while, silence followed those words. When Eliot spoke, he did so slowly such that his southern accent was barely perceivable. Still, the words came hard.]
I have one goal on this island, one purpose only. I have... There's a friend who came here with me and... His safety is my first priority, as is getting him off this island.
I'll do anything for you, Erik, anything... if you can promise me you'll look after him. Promise me... you'll take care of him like one of your own mutants.
[Leaving out 'if something happens to me' on purpose. Besides the inherent dangers already on the island, he wanted Hardison's to be effective immediately. Erik and his group can protect the hacker better than he himself could
( ... )
[Erik wants to tell Eliot that begging isn't becoming. That he isn't one to take care of humans. He isn't a damn babysitter.
But Erik understood the need to protect people. And Eliot was particularly vulnerable here. He wouldn't be asking unless this meant something extraordinary to him.
So he kept the other man's gaze.]
I told you I don't swear to anything.
But as much as it's in my power to do so, I will. Though you'll understand if I want him to associate with Charles, more than myself.
[He was turned down? No, not quite. Not sworn to did not mean not agreed to, and that was what Erik just did, agreed.
After a tense moment of internal debate, Eliot broke the gaze and nodded.
He will have to believe that is enough.]
Charles... [Eliot started shaking his head, but stopped to look over to Erik again.] I'll introduce Hardison to him, but if he needs physical help... [He smiled, unsure, and shrugged.]
Alec Hardison. Just keep an eye out in case. S'all I ask.
He looks up when he senses the approach of the other man.] Hey.
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I found someone who might be able to test the bodies. To determine if they are really...ours.
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You're talkin' about Abby.
[The young woman was his neighbor after all.] I know her. She seems competent.
You don't think they're... real? [Eliot knew what real looked like, and those bodies looked real enough. But he also knew that there was a way to forge anything, so he could understand why Erik would want forensic evidence.]
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[He runs hand through his hair for a moment, before pulling up a chair, sitting down.]
I don't know. But I do know that if Sean had been slaughtered brutally, Charles would have known.
And he didn't. It was as if Sean just disappeared completely. Out of his reach.
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[It wasn't a reassuring thought, but it had to be said. If they could stop the telepath, then surely they may have a way to stop Erik's as well.
He walked over to Erik and sat down beside him.]
If ya want, I can get some samples to her for her to check out.
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[If they have access to technology like his own helmet, that is. But for some reason, Erik doubt's it.
At Eliot's offer, he quirks an eyebrow.]
You'd go back there.
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I would if I have to, yeah.
[But he'd do what has to be done even if he had to break in again. Thankfully that wasn't what he was talking about, thinking of the lock of Parker's hair he took away with him.]
No. I got somethin'.... Could give it to her to test. If she's got equipment for it here.
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Come to the meeting--I invited her. Get the chance, pull her away and speak to her about it privately. She seems the type that can keep a secret well enough.
[He shrugs. She seems incredibly eager. Those types usually can keep their mouths shut, given positive intensives.]
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Don't worry 'bout it. I got it covered.
[But the smile drops and the mood gets pensive again. He keeps his gaze down but watches the mutant in his peripheral vision.]
You're finally movin' on with your plans for that alliance, huh. That's gonna cause ripples.
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That is something, now, isn't it?]
I'm sure it will. Frankly, I don't care. We aren't looking to wage war with anyone but Kernos.
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Can you swear to that?
[He won't ask for Erik's view point on normal humans, he already knew that and knew he won't be able to change it. But that he won't wage a war on them, Eliot wanted that said.]
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But unless something drastic happens, I mean what I say.
[He doesn't make promises he can't keep. While he is sure that it won't come to it, he isn't going to lock himself into something if something shifts the pieces.]
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For a long while, silence followed those words. When Eliot spoke, he did so slowly such that his southern accent was barely perceivable. Still, the words came hard.]
I have one goal on this island, one purpose only. I have... There's a friend who came here with me and... His safety is my first priority, as is getting him off this island.
I'll do anything for you, Erik, anything... if you can promise me you'll look after him. Promise me... you'll take care of him like one of your own mutants.
[Leaving out 'if something happens to me' on purpose. Besides the inherent dangers already on the island, he wanted Hardison's to be effective immediately. Erik and his group can protect the hacker better than he himself could ( ... )
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But Erik understood the need to protect people. And Eliot was particularly vulnerable here. He wouldn't be asking unless this meant something extraordinary to him.
So he kept the other man's gaze.]
I told you I don't swear to anything.
But as much as it's in my power to do so, I will. Though you'll understand if I want him to associate with Charles, more than myself.
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After a tense moment of internal debate, Eliot broke the gaze and nodded.
He will have to believe that is enough.]
Charles... [Eliot started shaking his head, but stopped to look over to Erik again.] I'll introduce Hardison to him, but if he needs physical help... [He smiled, unsure, and shrugged.]
Alec Hardison. Just keep an eye out in case. S'all I ask.
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[He watches Eliot, evenly.]
I hope you do realize what you are asking. From me. And what I'm saying.
[Meaning that you are the only full human he would ever consider this for, Eliot.]
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