IC inbox for Snowblind

[thewarningafter]

@beyonce

You've reached Dr. Stephen Strange. Leave a message and my secretary will get back to you.

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[thewarningafter]

[Well, that's a thing. Stephen pauses, but it's not so much interest in the gory details (at least not just yet) as wanting to know how much thought Gabriel has given this.]

How long have you been considering undergoing the procedure?

[termineur]

Since Day 203. I didn't settle on it until I came back from the dead a couple days ago, though. Three more years' worth of memories just drove home how hopeless it is to try and handle it myself.

[thewarningafter]

Have you experienced any compulsions since you've been back? And what kind of outcome would you consider a success if I sponsored you and you were able to undergo the procedure?

[termineur]

No, but I haven't been close enough to anyone to act on any compulsions, if I did have any. But I can't keep making circles around the chapel and expect to help get us out of here, right? And Al's going to come for me eventually.

[ Sigh. ]

Everyone next to me always seems to end up dead. I'd consider it a success if it wasn't my doing, at least.

[thewarningafter]

Fair enough.

[Stephen considers it for a moment.]

I'd like to ask the admin a few more questions about how it works, make sure we understand exactly what we'd be getting you into. This isn't a no, just...I'll call you back when I'm more sure about what it will and won't do.

[termineur]

Yeah, I get it. Let me know what she says.

I really don't want to hurt Al. He's- well, he hasn't messed with me, at least not yet. People don't make any sense here.

[ He's more muttering to himself, but stops as if he's just realizing that and addresses Stephen again. ]

How is Al, anyway? You still in the Industrial Zone with him? Hope he's not taking up too much of the bus stops.

[thewarningafter]

Because they know what you've done and they still talk to you?

[Was that meant as an aside you wanted dropped, Gabriel, well sorry.]

No, I came back to the residential area to pick up more supplies. As far as I know he's still exploring out there with the rest of them.

[termineur]

[ He snorts lightly at the question. ]

That's something, isn't it? But no. If that was it, I'd probably still be traveling with John and Sherlock. It's more the fact that there are people here who don't seem to want anything from me. They don't have a use for me, but I still seem to show up on their radar. Never had that at home.

[ Of course, being alone in Norfinbury is awful and should be avoided at all costs. But that doesn't explain why Al would consider him a friend. ]

I mean, I don't have my ability to detect lies anymore, so I don't know for sure. But if Al's playing the long game, it's not a method I've seen before.

[thewarningafter]

Oh, for -- you don't have to have a use for someone to care whether they live or die. At least, decent people don't. I'm not going to lie and say I trust you much farther than I could throw you, but that doesn't mean anyone's conning you if they say they want you around.

[termineur]

[ A laugh bubbles up from Sylar, deeply bitter and probably cementing his position as a serial killer considering how sinister it comes out. But whatever. ]

Hey, I'm just telling you what I've come across so far. Maybe there's no decent people in my world. I mean, I've fallen for it five times in as many years, the whole 'oh, I care about you and oh wait I just wanted you for this one thing, now go away' Thing. Makes a guy a little paranoid, you know?

[thewarningafter]

Makes a guy a little bitter, I'd guess.

[Sure, he knows what Sylar believes to be the cause of his behavior, but there's always more to it than one can see in oneself.]

[termineur]

Yeah, that too.

[ He's not going to deny it. ]

Maybe there's just not a lot of decent people in my world.

[thewarningafter]

Or maybe your real superpower is being a magnet for assholes.

[termineur]

Ha. I wouldn't be surprised.

[ Although...thinking about it more... ]

A side effect, maybe. My power's really useful. Tends to lead to getting used.

[thewarningafter]

Well, there you have it. We're all perfectly useless here, so obviously you've got nothing to worry about.

[His tone is joking.]

[termineur]

[ That gets a chuckle out of him, but he sounds vaguely uncomfortable. This has given him a lot of food for thought. ]

Makes more sense than I'd like, really.

Okay, I'm going to get going, I think. Let me know what the Admin tells you. And good luck.

[thewarningafter]

Yeah, I'll get back to you as soon as I have answers. No promises, but...you know.

Stay safe, will you?

[termineur]

Yeah, we'll just have to see how it goes. Thanks. Bye, Doc.