[ Oh, so they've confirmed that David isn't just fucking around. And they've also found out that the culprit isn't just one fucked-up individual. At first, Charlie's silence is the same disbelief and low outrage that one might feel the first time they learn about MKUltra or the Tuskegee experiments. Bear with him, he's a public servant from an era of higher trust in government, and he hates this.
...if this is true then Charlie owes David an apology of some magnitude.
The silence continues for several seconds after Arthur makes his offer. ]
The opportunity to... to speak to him without any of the bullshit, huh.
[ He does want that.
And listen, he's-- he's done terrifying shit here. Being here is terrifying shit. Terrifying is only a descriptor. The enclosure can be terrifying, and he thought he'd ruled out going in there until doing so was necessary to do his job. He can't rule things out if they're necessary to do his job here.
After all, John wouldn't keep them in there, right? ]
[Charlie's not stupid, by any stretch of the imagination. But Arthur can't help but be aware of the incredibly complicated relationship he has with dreams. It's why he's dragging it out, as cruel as it feels, letting Charlie process each step of the journey in its own time so he doesn't immediately balk and flee at the final concept.
He deserves the chance, the offer, even if he chooses not to.]
He does. But John isn't going to ask you - he made that very clear.
I don't believe I've asked you anything. [With prim, playful smugness.] I've simply made you aware of a situation that's occurred, that might lead to preventing David from trying to fucking shank you in future. Those protections John put on him only work if he doesn't want to hurt you, after all.
He's not going to do that to you. [Just slip him out without warning, take him without asking.] Let him know you're interested, and you two can organise how best to go about that.
[ No. No. Arthur's right. John wouldn't. The fact that John wouldn't is an essential factor in Charlie even considering being mad enough to agree to this.
He licks his lips and thinks about why he is agreeing to this. It's not as if it's on a fucking whim. David, who it seems really has been fucked over and silenced about it, asked for Charlie to hear him break that silence. The framing device is just an unfortunate coincidence with an unfortunately coincidental resemblance to, well, you know. John wouldn't keep him there, he's pretty sure. ]
I'll do that now then. Thanks for lettin' me know about this, Mr Lester. I'll be seein' ya.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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...if this is true then Charlie owes David an apology of some magnitude.
The silence continues for several seconds after Arthur makes his offer. ]
The opportunity to... to speak to him without any of the bullshit, huh.
[ He does want that.
And listen, he's-- he's done terrifying shit here. Being here is terrifying shit. Terrifying is only a descriptor. The enclosure can be terrifying, and he thought he'd ruled out going in there until doing so was necessary to do his job. He can't rule things out if they're necessary to do his job here.
After all, John wouldn't keep them in there, right? ]
David, uh, want me there?
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[Charlie's not stupid, by any stretch of the imagination. But Arthur can't help but be aware of the incredibly complicated relationship he has with dreams. It's why he's dragging it out, as cruel as it feels, letting Charlie process each step of the journey in its own time so he doesn't immediately balk and flee at the final concept.
He deserves the chance, the offer, even if he chooses not to.]
He does. But John isn't going to ask you - he made that very clear.
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Well, fuck. Decision made, then. ]
Heh. Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. Does he know you're askin'?
[ If his voice was tilting towards uncertainty for a moment, it no longer is now. It's not light, but it sounds normal, dry if anything. ✨Acting!✨ ]
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[ In and out. Just like breathing. ]
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[But his voice softens when he continues.]
You... you know you don't have to, Charlie. I'm more than willing to speak on your behalf, if the idea turns out to be too much for you.
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[ The answer is immediate: it's not the first time he's had this thought. ]
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[He won't push. Charlie knows his own mind.]
We'll see you later, then.
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[ Partly asking because he is going to need a fucking sleep aid if he knows this is coming. ]
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He licks his lips and thinks about why he is agreeing to this. It's not as if it's on a fucking whim. David, who it seems really has been fucked over and silenced about it, asked for Charlie to hear him break that silence. The framing device is just an unfortunate coincidence with an unfortunately coincidental resemblance to, well, you know. John wouldn't keep him there, he's pretty sure. ]
I'll do that now then. Thanks for lettin' me know about this, Mr Lester. I'll be seein' ya.