A quiet bubbling noise filled the basement, a few feet away at the table Alexei sat, waiting for his concoctions to finish brewing. He flipped idly through a book on medicine. He'd read the book many times before, but it always paid to keep medical knowledge fresh, never know when someone might contract an exotic disease. It wasn't like he didn't have the time.
He had a job now working for the Red Wings as their physician. It was a good use of his ability and he wouldn't need to kill. There was a dull thud as Alexei shut the thick book. He let himself get lost in thought, the faint bubbling becoming white noise.
How long? How long did he have before his conditioning completely failed. Soon, emotions were already slipping through. What would it feel like? Likely terrifying. He could remember the sobbing and screams of his comrades when it happened to them. All of those suppressed feelings, rushing back in one great wave. It would be harrowing. If that didn't break him, he'd then have to confront everything he'd ever done. A lifetime of evil deeds. He wasn't sure he could handle it, but he had something now that his comrades did not. Friends. Perhaps their support would see him through this intact. Askier certainly had seemed determined to make sure of that.
Alexei leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Askier. He owed him an apology. He had not meant to cause distress. He simply wanted Askier to know what possible outcomes there were. How best to apologize? Just words? Maybe. The miqo'te seemed to like hugs, perhaps a hug would help.
A dull ache in his head told Alexei that the moment he dreaded was not far. He sighed, still sitting there with his eyes closed.
It was going to be unpleasant.
He had a job now working for the Red Wings as their physician. It was a good use of his ability and he wouldn't need to kill. There was a dull thud as Alexei shut the thick book. He let himself get lost in thought, the faint bubbling becoming white noise.
How long? How long did he have before his conditioning completely failed. Soon, emotions were already slipping through. What would it feel like? Likely terrifying. He could remember the sobbing and screams of his comrades when it happened to them. All of those suppressed feelings, rushing back in one great wave. It would be harrowing. If that didn't break him, he'd then have to confront everything he'd ever done. A lifetime of evil deeds. He wasn't sure he could handle it, but he had something now that his comrades did not. Friends. Perhaps their support would see him through this intact. Askier certainly had seemed determined to make sure of that.
Alexei leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Askier. He owed him an apology. He had not meant to cause distress. He simply wanted Askier to know what possible outcomes there were. How best to apologize? Just words? Maybe. The miqo'te seemed to like hugs, perhaps a hug would help.
A dull ache in his head told Alexei that the moment he dreaded was not far. He sighed, still sitting there with his eyes closed.
It was going to be unpleasant.
