[NEXUS] GLoG 71: Redemption Equals Free Housing!

[Murkus]

[Outside]

"Yeah, sure." Kirk frowns just a bit. Normally that "or anything else" would be appreciated, but at the moment he's quite confused and conflicted. Might show on his face a bit. "I'll be sure to do that."

Tina lifts a hand to touch Kirk's shoulder. She smiles. "Stir up some bad memories again, did I?"

[The Alexandrian]

[Infirmary]

Valaira stares off into the space in front of her, disconsolately.

In a distraught tone she replies,

"I-I was at the mall in Riverside and there were these people who were killing each other and this monster attacking them. There was blood...lots of blood...and there was this guy kayoed on the ground."

"I didn't want him to die. I heard gunshots, so I pulled him outside and put him in a car and drove away as fast as the car would go."

"I didn't know where to go at first. I was afraid. Then I remembered hearing that there were good people here."

Not a very detailed explantion, but a sufficient, (mostly) truthful one.

The only part Valaira lied about was being afraid. She is never fearful.

The association between Blaine and Riverside might cause others to infer that he is a criminal, deranged sociopath, or a corrupt cop.

At least, those are the connotations that Valaira is hoping will emerge.

Meanwhile, Blaine remains unconscious, though it can be surmised that he will regain consciousness in short order.

[The Bushranger]

[Infirmary]

"He does not appear to be seriously injured. Aside from his reaction to you perhaps indicating underlying mental disorders," Quinn states.

[DoomITP]

Maybe you should stay here for a day or two. It sounds like this Riverside place isn't very nice.

[The Alexandrian]

[Infirmary]

Valaira just nods and sighs while staring at the floor,

"In Riverside people are treated as cattle. Any sort of disobedience begets death. I can't go back..."

"I don't have a choice."

"I don't want to go back."

Valaira hesitantly picks herself up off the ground.

Blaine's heartbeat quickens. In a few seconds, he will likely be awakening.

Valaira attempts to gloomily shuffle out the door of the infirmary. She doesn't want to be around when Blaine comes to.

[DoomITP]

Zero stands up and follows Valaria out.

What goes on there? Why do they treat people that way?

[The Bushranger]

[Infirmary]

Quinn, noticing the fact her paitent is about to awaken, sits. And waits.

[Gullara]

[Outside]

Kirk gives her a small smile at the touch, but then he frowns and looks away. "That's not quite it." He sighs and has to force himself to continue. "To be honest, I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place right now. And... you're the rock. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have feeling for you. Beyond lust, which is... different for me. Different than usual that is. Problem is, there's another woman... sort of. Her name's Mina. Though that's not easy either. There's something wrong with her mind, and I don't know if it can be fixed either. I felt a connection there. But then there's still you, and I'll admit I don't know what to think."

Kirk drops to the ground, sitting against the cabin wall. He pulls his hat low, concealing his face. "I don't expect anything from you. I couldn't. I just thought I'd be honest to you and myself for once in my life. Kind of wish it didn't make me feel like a child again though."

[The Alexandrian]

[Outside]

Valaira halts once she has exited the infirmary. She doesn't know where she is, for the most part.

Valaira tilts her head to the right and places her hands behind her back. Valaira looks at the ground meekly before replying to Zero's inquiry in a hushed tone, still pretending to be accustomed to life in Riverside where one does not comment on the government if said individual values any semblance of life,

"What do they do?"

Valaira's chest heaves up and down as she draws in a deep breath and exhales.

"Today they killed a boy in front of a candy store who was shouting for his mama. After that, they beat his head to a bloody pulp and left the body to rot in front of said store."

"As for why they do it..."

Valaira is beginning to get agitated again. Her voice contains trace amounts of rage this time,

"They want power. They are fools. They think that the easiest way to gain and maintain power is to keep us in constant fear."

"We're nothing but salable commodities to them."

------
[Infirmary]

Blaine's eyelids spring open. He can feel the restraints pressing against his flesh, but he makes no attempts to break free. Blaine merely remains motionless while he studies the ceiling.

Blaine speaks in a soothing, sincere tone,

"1st Lieutenant Blaine Cainen of the Allied Expeditionary Force, 11th Special Forces Group. You must kill me at once. More is at stake here than you can possibly fathom."

What an insane, disturbed chap!

[DoomITP]

Well, we will just have to change that won't we?

[Murkus]

Outside

Fettina is quiet for a moment. The platinum girl's expression is hard to read, though she manages to keep from gaping for more than a second or two.

"Oh." She says. "Kirk... I really... I mean, don't..." Tina seems to have multiple thoughts running together. And looks pretty awkward. Her previous air of confidence has been swept away as though by a great wind.

[The Bushranger]

[Infirmary]

"Quinn Druid, Councilmember and former President of the Good League of Good, Head of Pastoral Care of GLoG, and Queen of Vulpania," the paladin/telepath/Champion of Neirian states levelly, arching an eyebrow at Blaine. "I will not be your executioner today."

[Gullara]

[Outside]

Be a man Kirk, stop hiding yourself from her. He tips back his hat, and with a mighty sigh, stands. He stands there a second, giving her an awkward smile.

He tries to place his hand on her arm and give it a little squeeze. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dumped that on you. I just... I don't know. It's hard to keep things bottled up all the time. Sorry."

[The Alexandrian]

[Outside]

"I...I won't go back!"

Valaira resolutely declares, a twinge of fear in her tone.

"I'll die before I go back!"

-----
Blaine refutes in the aforementioned tone,

"I beg to differ."

"Ma'am, I wish we were meeting under more ideal circumstances, but I have to be killed at once. If I am not martyred, many others will die. I cannot allow that to happen, ma'am. I am not at liberty to elaborate upon this statement. You're just going to have to trust me."

"If you don't want to act in the capacity of an executioner, just release me from these bonds that I may do so myself."

"And please, do so quickly. We don't have much time."

Mad I tell you!

[DoomITP]

Okay, relax. We won't go then. Let's find you something to eat.

[The Bushranger]

Infirmary

"You're quite mad, you know," Quinn says with a bit of a frown. "And I will not trust someone who is telling me they must be kiled, without telling me why."

Was that a tinge of emotion? I think it was.

[Murkus]

Outside

Tina doesn't pull away, and her bare arm gets squeezed. The platinum girl gives a nervous little glance away. She manages a small smile though. "No. You shouldn't have to apoligize. Shouldn't have to keep secrets. I mean I've felt a little..." Tina looks up, something vague in the miniature suns that are her eyes. "Something. But I--"

Tina raises a hand to her face, holding the side of her head, suddenly a little frustrated. Mostly not at Kirk. She looks down. "Look, I really just can't deal with this right now." Can't or won't. Hm. She shakes her head, laughing awkwardly. Tone wavery and joking. "You always know how to kill a mood, don't you?"

[The Alexandrian]

[Outside]

Ingesting sustenance is a task Valaira might not be able to perform for awhile, considering that she has recently taken a trip through a slaughterhouse of sorts.

"I think that it would be in our best interest if I didn't eat something right now. My body might reject food in its current state..."

Exposure to the potent stench of blood and death will do that to a girl.

[Infirmary]

"If I could say more, I would, but I am not authorized to reveal mission critical intel to you at this point."

Blaine responds in a detached, military manner.

Blaine also attempts to compromise the integrity of his restraints with precise, seemingly trivial bursts of psychic (specifically kinetic) energy.

If there is something in the area that restricts the use of such powers, Blaine will continue to stare at the ceiling, taking no action to free himself from the medbed.

[The Bushranger]

[Infirmary]

Quinn, being a psion herself, might be able to detect that?
If so: "Please refrain from attempting to escape. I would not want to have to knock you out."

Either way, she attempts to probe his mind telepathically. "You are hereby authorised under doctor's orders."

[Gullara]

[Outside]

Kirk lets go of her arm and lets it drop to his side. "It's a special talent I have I guess." He pulls his shades from his jacket and, keeping his eyes on hers as he does so, slips them on.

"But I understand. I just needed to get it out in the open. Don't feel like you have to treat me any different because of it. Though, that might be a little much to ask." The drow runs his hand through his hair and under his hat awkwardly.

[DoomITP]

Is there anything you would like?

[Zefir]

[Main Room] &/OR [Reinholds Door]

Andy just stands up remembering what he was about. If Quinn is still there he would like to talk to her.

Either way a plotclone will walk througth the walls with a green light surouunding him. He will walk through several rooms, including Reinholds, but he seems to be lost in thoughts. He will go through the last wall and then stand in front of Reinholds room, not aware he just came out of it.

He knocks on the door.

[Morty]

Sophie undeadtimes and goes to look for Dr. Burnett to see how she's doing.

[happyturtle]

Office

Dr Burnett's office door is open, and she looks up with Sophie enters.

"Oh, hello, Miss Mouchabiere. How are you?"

[Morty]

[Office]

I'm fine, thank you. How is talking to our... patients going?

[happyturtle]

Office

"Quite well. I've had sessions with two of them, and I'm very optimistic for both of them. Of course, I can't discuss any particulars, because of doctor-patient confidentiality." Dr Burnett says.

((naptime))

[Morty]

[Office]

Sophie nods. Of course, I understand. Do you need any help? I'm not a trained psychiatrist but I used to be a social worker... and I think I might find a solution for Olivia's problem.

[happyturtle]

Office

"I haven't met with Olivia yet." Dr Burnett says. "What can you tell me about her?"

[Morty]

[Office]

She's a vampire. She was turned against her will and then brought here. She thinks she's a monster for having to feed on people. She survives on blood packs now, but I want to find something that would cut her off from blood completely. Reinholdt, another of our redemption projects, mentioned a magic ring that lets a person survive without sustenance.

[Reinholdt]

[Main Room] &/OR [Reinholds Door]

Andy just stands up remembering what he was about. If Quinn is still there he would like to talk to her.

Either way a plotclone will walk througth the walls with a green light surouunding him. He will walk through several rooms, including Reinholds, but he seems to be lost in thoughts. He will go through the last wall and then stand in front of Reinholds room, not aware he just came out of it.

He knocks on the door.

Human Reinholdt starts as someone walks into his room, quickly shoving away the Sannish and Liquid Agony, spilling some and staining his bed sheet blue. He curses lightly and moves the sheets to cover it up.

But then Andy just walks on by. And knocks on the door.
... An hallucination? Reinholdt's going to have to get these walls ghost-proofed or something.

Reinholdt goes to open the door. "Hello?" His tongue is blue, but that probably doesn't get noticed. Maybe.