001 {dictated}

[ol_northy]

[Well, after having arrived a little while ago, North has kept a watchful eye on the communications of others, and he's got an idea of what he ought to be doing.

It's been a harrowing trip--mentally, at least--and he's still slightly confused by the situation. Last thing he knew, he wasn't conscious. And now he's been deposited in a place that's about as mysterious as it gets.

He stands in the lobby of the castle in full armor, book open, and decides to introduce himself. Voice muted by the helmet, he addresses the general populace.]

Don't stop me if you've heard this one before. This is North, and I'm less lost than I am confused. Anybody care to give a guy the grand tour?

[After which point he just shrugs at the damn thing and tucks it away in his armor. With a shake of his head, he takes off his helmet, and begins to wander the lobby.]

Comments

[dontpatr0nizeme]

She's touchier than she used to be... Probably doesn't help that I've tried to kill her twice... In my defense, one of those times, I was sick.

You don't.

[ol_northy]

[He takes a deep breath through his nose.] I'm really only going to say this once: stop trying to kill my sister. Please.

Then I'm glad it was you and not me.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Short of something like that disease coming up again? I won't. I promise. I had no control... All I knew was I wanted revenge on the world. I hurt York, North.

We should probably figure out where the castle put your room, North.

[ol_northy]

York? You're kidding. This just went from minorly disturbing to completely messed-up.

Yeah. I think I need to sit down.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

He tried to stop me. I... Would have gone after anyone in my way. Anyone. The disease decided wrath suited me. Never again. [A long drink]

It's a big castle, but we'll find the room.

[ol_northy]

You know, I'm not seeing many benefits to this place after all.

[Can he just wish the empty glass away? He can, right?]

Let's take a walk, then. After you.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

We're stuck here. Been years for me.

[drinking, before he realizes he probably she get rid of the temptation and wishes the bottle gone for once. They totally can.

And now, he's leading further into the castle. No way to know which hall it is, after all.]

[ol_northy]

And if I'm going to be stuck here, I might as well have something to do, traumatic or not?

[Seriously. Not that he's any stranger to violence or horrible things, but good lord.

Anyway, drink all finished up and poofed away, North is taking a good look at his surroundings, the architecture, the various rooms they pass as they look for his.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Unfortunately, yes. At least... Some of it isn't all bad. The place let us visit Paris before.

[ol_northy]

And some of it's crazy rampages?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

You take the good with the bad.

The fact that I've gotten to that point of acceptance should probably be alarming... But it isn't.

[ol_northy]

It's been a while. I think we can excuse you having some kind of immunity.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Thanks, North.

[ol_northy]

You're welcome. I think it's good that you deal with it, though. I mean that part.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

It's deal with it or snap, North.

[ol_northy]

...Right, I get that.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Just... Another thing? Don't be surprised if the person you meet today is gone tomorrow. Trust me, this place isn't stable.

[ol_northy]

[That's... something to think about.

What if South was gone tomorrow? He sobers up very quickly.]

That part I didn't know. I'll... keep that in mind.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

You need to... Lost a very close friend recently like that. She was a Spartan. You'd have liked her. They're good people.

Also... There's something I really need to give you a head's up on. You remember than chat we had about the Alpha all that time ago?

[ol_northy]

I'm sorry I didn't get to meet her, then.

[This whole thing is starting to make him noticeably uncomfortable. Why bring up the Alpha thing?]

...Yeah, I remember. What about it?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

She was one of the ones that died on Reach. Noble team.

[Softly] I know a lot more about him than I'd like now, from Epsilon. Memories. Do you know how they our fragments were made? I know it now. I wish I didn't.

And the Alpha is here.

[ol_northy]

[Oh. Wow. Noble team. He's quiet for a moment, letting Wash continue, but he can't help looking surprised at that next part.]

I don't know everything, but I know some. I know that Tex was doing what was right, and I knew enough to get the hell out of there. But how can the Alpha be here?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

It's bad... And she was right, even if she was a rotten bitch. The reason Epsilon lost it? That's what he was made to do. He was the piece the Alpha got rid of because his own memories would have drove him insane.

As for how he's here? The Alpha was intact... Just damaged. He didn't know what he was anymore. He thought he was just another simulation soldier at the time he came from. Still doesn't know any different. But I know. I'm not telling him. He doesn't need to know.

[ol_northy]

[This is something he does not want Theta to know, but now the line has been crossed and there's no looking back. It'll be hard to sleep tonight.]

Let me get this straight. Not only are they fragments, they're messed-up? Epsilon, at least. And that was why... Well, why they took him out. That part makes sense. [And it makes the Director even more of a douchebag in North's mind. Putting anyone through that... Unconscionable.]

So, are you going to tell me who he is, or do I get to play pin the AI on the soldier?

[dontpatr0nizeme]

That's just the tip of the iceberg. If I said more, I'd probably traumatize Theta. And believe me, I don't want to hurt him. The Director... Is a monster. Pure and simple, North.

The Alpha goes by the name Leonard Church. He thinks he's a blue simulation trooper. Only person in UNSC armor here that isn't a Freelancer or a Spartan.