Quoted By:
>Priorities
Last time you left Gil on his own, he wound up blabbing your whole secret plan to Casey. This is true. Last time you chased Gil down, Virginia wound up with a bolt through her eyesocket. This is also true. Can Gil take care of himself? He did shake off the brainwashing without your help— or you think he did. You're not sure why he would've bolted otherwise. And it's dim out, and beetles are sneaky, and there's no way he'd get brainwashed twice... positive thinking, right? Positive thinking. Just be happy he's safe.
>[+2 ID: 4/14]
Be happy, but don't look happy: Everard wouldn't. He'd be annoyed, you think. Disgusted. Things were already down the tubes, and now there's this? Is it even <span class="mu-i">worthwhile</span> to do business with these people? It appears they'd benefit more from the Hero-Queen than the Hero-Queen could possibly benefit from them. One asset killed and another on the loose, shambolic security, nonexistent management, and where is all the time and effort going? Frivolous human experiments? How are those part of the two-year strategy, again? Unless Mr. Kemper means to tell you that stretching a person to such great widths is critical to the Headspace mission? Look at him now, gone purple, practically vibrating, and yet— impotent. What is there for him to do?
You wait for him to say something, but he doesn't. You suppose it comes down to you. Er, to Everard: he's better at acting unhappy. "Vermin," he sniffs. "Good riddance."
Casey says nothing. He's not exactly scowling. Looking at him draws out memories of Richard, old Richard, bad Richard, mad Richard. Richard made sure you knew when he was mad, before, during, and after. He was smug, after. He was cruel, during. Before? Before he got mad, he had the face— all blank, flat, and his voice flat and calm, and if you didn't look in his eyes you wouldn't know clouds were darkening. Casey has the storm-warning face. Which isn't like him, you thought, considering all the, um... you thought he just got mad the regular way. Maybe this is different. He's still not responding.
"I wish it wouldn't have <span class="mu-i">touched</span> me," you have Everard continue. "I would've gotten out of the way. For what it's worth, I did think installing it in a guide role was a dubious—"
"Why don't you watch your mouth, Mr. Kurz?"
You're so surprised you stop talking.
"Fantastic. I didn't remember asking for your opinion. You know, this tour is a— it's an exclusive opportunity. This is a VIP experience. It could turn into something else, just as soon as I—" He mimes snapping his fingers. "Do remember that!"
Oh. You didn't think he was mad enough to threaten Everard. He probably doesn't mean it, right? You're just the convenient target. (He really is like Richard.) "Yes. It could turn into a fiasco. Or, let's see— it already has, hasn't it? Who shot this woman?"
(1/3?)
