forgivetheinsubordination | IC Contact

[Zelos looks down. He doesn't need to imagine something like that to understand it.]

Do you know why they did it?

No. I don't.

[And there's frustration in his subharmonics now. He can't even explain it to Zelos. They'd fulfilled what he'd thought they'd been supposed to do. Who sends people in without clear instructions?]

Which makes it meaningless.

[A whim. Someone decided they wanted to hurt the recruits, and so they did.]

[To say he's surprised to hear that from Garrus is hard to say. To hear it? No. But to be said to him? Yes. But it's a useful thing to hear. Which is why he dislikes hearing it the most. He keeps that feeling from his face. He's just. Well. A worthless guy, hm.]

Then don't let it be meaningless. [He pauses. Looks up. Waves an hand.] Nevermind, that's too bold for even me to say. I would say you're at least considered valuable if this is the path they've chosen.

In that they chose torture instead of death?

[Garrus snorts.]

Or maybe they know that that'll backfire pretty badly. I couldn't come after them, but I've got a lot of friends. So do several on that list. I think there'd be a lot more dead and it would be a disaster on their hands.

[Never create a martyr. That's one of the things military training drilled into you. He takes a breath.]

For someone who didn't get hit with it you seem pretty down, now that you mention boldness.

Well... Yeah. [He hangs his head.] Gliese is paying attention to people not me.

[HOW CAN HE COMPETE?

Yes this is my tag.]

[What. Garrus blinks.]

That's your problem.

[Shaking his head, Garrus reflects on how... off... Zelos' priorities seem to be.]

If that really worries you, find some eggs. Take them to her. They might not do anything, but they might.

What. [He was expecting getting yelled at or made fun of. Not...advice.] You can't think I have a chance with her.

[...]

Wait. You've been hitting on her too?!

[HE TRUSTED YOU GARRUS WTH...]

Hitting on Gliese?

[Garrus snorts.]

I'm not suicidal. That, and I've already got someone. I don't think you have a chance, but I'm not your competition either.

[How do you go from giving advice to someone thinking you're hitting on the object of their affections?]

You say that, but you seem like the kind of guy who doesn't know he's in love until he's ten feet deep and Cupid's pulled up the ladder.

[He is just saying. You're too pure for this world Garrus. How do you live...]

But moving on. [Casually mimic moving the topic aside. They're done with that part!] This isn't the first time you've mentioned that thing. So. Who is it? You can't just keep bringing it up and not tell me that's cruel and unusual.

[Wasn't this conversation supposed to be about CDC atrocities....]

[Zelos' analysis of him is way more accurate than the guy knows, because that's basically how it had happened. And Garrus doesn't even have any real insight into Zelos in return, because once again he's jumping around from topic to topic.]

If I tell you who it is, will you tell me what really brought you here?

[Because he wants to think it's not really Gliese's attention.]

Mm... I guess it is kind of obvious.

[What? You mean he doesn't always just come and bother Garrus when the guy's had an extraordinarily shitty day? Miracles.]

Tell me if you really received treatment from medical and I'll tell you.

[He doesn't have to name his lover. Garrus doesn't know if he's won or lost here.]

I received treatment from three people with medical training. Didn't go to the rover itself. Didn't need to, between that and nanites. Talk, Zelos.

[He'll just nag about it later.... It feels kind of gross to mix play with work like that. He's got morals they're just thin and nonsensically placed.]

I came to make sure you weren't beating yourself up. But it seems my concern was misplaced.

[And he is embarrassed at getting caught out? Skipping this part of the convo by standing up to go.]

[He's a little surprised, and a little touched. Garrus gestures at the seat Zelos just vacated.]

You can hang around some, if you'd like. And I've got nothing to beat myself up over.

[He'd done his job. He'd followed his orders, he hadn't violated them. It frustrates him that he has no answers, that he'd still been punished, just as it angers him that they'd hurt people he cared about for no reason too.]

If I'd messed up, I would. But I didn't.

[Hang around, hunh.... That seems rather like inviting a snake go a picnic. Maybe it will turn out well, but someone will be town off their meal either way in the end. He studies the table a bit, gaze idle.]

It's not going to get any easier, you know.

[Truly he thinks Garrus would break before he fell far enough to be the type of soldier Gliese asks for. But maybe there's some luck in the guy's corner yet, who knows. Sitting back down he props his chin on his hand and looks up at Garrus.]

You're satisfied though?

[Look. HE WILL ASK STRANGE QUESTIONS IF HE WANTS. He got invited to stay this is the reward you have reaped sorry Garrus.]

Satisfied?

[And Garrus is confused again. Pretty typical when he speaks with Zelos, really.]

And no. It won't get easier. Known that for a while. But I'm not going anywhere.

[He has too many people to protect to leave.]

IC Contact - Consignment

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