realityshifted

[Linda's appearance on the Plane today is a great contrast to how she looked immediately after Duke's death. she's still in her deputy's uniform, but there's no blood this time, and she's calmly sitting at a table in the library. the table is covered in books--history books, specifically, but from a variety of periods and worlds. the one she has open in front of her is about the Drashani Empire, and she's pouring over it like it's the most engrossing thing in the world]

[though there's nothing about her to make it immediately apparent, she's been at this for a while. ever since she found some chocolate sitting out in the kitchen, all she's wanted to do is learn about things--places and people in particular. she hasn't consciously connected this sudden new hobby to her snack, though. as far as she's concerned, she's just in an odd mood, and anything is better than concentrating on the dome anyway]

[despite her current obsession, she wouldn't object to an interruption. after all, people are full of things she can learn, too]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So it just...what, does what you want the equipment to and...gives advice?

[she nods] We'll do what we can to keep people calm.

Yeah, something like that. The equipment can run safely with the AI maintaining the power output and general operational systems. Without it... [He just shakes his head.] We've lost people in the early testing phases. Good people. But...we all knew the risk when we joined the program.

[she frowns at that] I'm sorry.

But...if it's safe now, why are you putting it off? Just because it's surgery?

[to be fair, that's a reason she could understand, and if it weren't for her current state, she probably wouldn't ask that question at all. still, right now, she wants answers too much not to probe the subject]

Thank you. [That's all he'll say to that.]

Because... [He trails off, his expression torn. He hasn't told her yet about him, and while it was easier with the others, Linda's from...a normal world. Well, invisible dome aside.] I'm...afraid of what they'll do when they discover a secret of mine. Having this surgery is an important part of the project. I need to have it, but...

[she's quiet, frowning, trying to think of what he might mean by that. after a moment, she says:] Do you really think they'd kick you out of the program now for...a physical difference? Or even a deformity? I mean, if they're giving you this AI thing, doesn't that mean they need you?

[A deformity? Oh, he can't help the small, slightly bitter laugh he lets out when he hears that.] Trust me, it's not a deformity. I wouldn't have made it into any special forces in the UNSC if I had any that'd prevent me from performing even the simplest of tasks. My whole reason for being in the project is to get my AI and use it to help stop the war.

But... [He's quiet for a second, then regards her quite seriously.] Linda, there's something you should know about me. I've been this way for...[he pauses, trying to think about how long it really has been and while he knows how long it's been compared to time back home, staying on the Plane greatly skews this timeline.]...well, long before we met. And I've put off telling you because I didn't want to scare you, not when things were so bad and weird for you back home. Hell, I'm still not sure if it's a good idea but just about everyone else knows. It's only right that you do too.

[But he still hesitates...]

I don't understand. [she doesn't know what else to say. clearly he's made it all the way to special forces despite whatever secret this is. but if it's something that's been invisible to them all along, something like a mental illness maybe, why would it be discovered now?]

[and his words about it, while they don't quite scare her--she doesn't know enough for that--do worry her] Wash...what is it? [there's a note of hesitation in her voice. but she has to ask. even without her current heightened curiosity, this is something she would still want to know, after everything he's just said]

The last time I saw you, after, well. After Duke. We were in the mansion and you caught me with a mug. I noticed your look, but didn't want to explain.

[He opens up a side panel on his leg armor while he talks and pulls out a thin, small canister. Ever since the huge attack months ago, he's been...cautious, to say the least. He figures there's enough in there to get him by if something happens.]

[He sets it in front of her.] Open it. This is what I had in that mug. And...hopefully you'll understand what I am.

[Linda frowns when Wash offers the liquid to her. she lifts it, part of her already knowing just from the color what it must be, considering all the fuss he's making. but her conscious mind isn't quite ready to believe it. so she sniffs it--and her expression grows horrified. she quickly sets it down and pushes it back toward him, so hasty that she nearly knocks it over in the process] No. [the word is short but forceful] Is this...some kind of sick joke?

[003]

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