Return To Sender

[Rachel Mahoney]

because you're trying to find a way to blame yourself for something that wasnt your fault. *she tries to shift but still cant move* god dammit

[Angeline Pacis]

I'm trying to get you to stop blaming yourself for something that was my fault and that Wilson will definitely believe is my fault because I have screwed up many times and you have screwed up barely any. *I roll my eyes and help her up. The car I called for pulls up a few seconds later. Terrific timing. I struggle to get APC5 into the backseat after Mahoney's set, but eventually succeed and take my spot in the passenger seat. We ride back to the Tower in relative silence.*

[Rachel Mahoney]

*i grumble under my breath as I'm placed on a gurney and rolled into the hospital wing for the next half hour or however long it takes for the poison to wear off*

[Stained Sonata]

I'll radio her. *I sighed, fishing for my radio in my bag.* [[Radioing her on the thread Siren Song]]

[doctorwhen]

*i grasp my shoulder where Mahoney shot me* god this hurts... i hope she's ok, i dont think i have the strength to go back into the city

[Stained Sonata]

*I sigh and put the radio away, walking back.* She'll be a few minutes. Said she was... 'busy'. *I look over at his shoulder and wince. It looked like it hurt.* You gonna be alright?

[doctorwhen]

*i hold up my left hand showing my missing finger* been through worse i guess, it just burns, not used to being shot, i've been fighting with swords for the past.... i don't know maybe a year? might be a bit less i didnt keep track of time out there...

[Alexander Ludovico]

(From 'Siren Song of the Counter Culture' pg 3)

*Back to the wall again, and no chance to make a break for it. Volume's staying just out of reach.* And why am /I/ coming with you? You might as well leave me here. Or stun me first if you have to, though I'd really rather you didn't.

*I raise a hand to wave away the smell from the house, looking around hopefully for my teammates but not seeing anyone. The scorch marks on the wall suggest there was a fight, though. The killjoys must be on the other side of the wall.* I don't care if you killed them, I'd turn you in anyway. I mean, I'm sure you're a lovely person, but if nothing else, I have the right to take this - *I wave a hand, indicating the situation in general* -personally.

[Volume Virus]

*I start climbing to the top of the roof, using the boarded-up windows as footholds.* Of course you have the right to take it personally. I'm not going to drag you out of here and tell you it's your own fault for attacking me. It was all me, blah blah blah. But on why I'm dragging you with me, which I'm technically not anymore- *I finally scramble up onto the roof and walk backwards toward the wall, my arms spread wide in a universal gesture of "Nothing up my sleeves"* -would you rather stay here and tell Mr. Wilson that you had me and let me get away?

[Alexander Ludovico]

*Damn it. I make a face, looking up and watching her. I should stay here. There's no certainty that she won't just shoot me in the back when I leave, but somehow I doubt she will. I have nothing to lose by staying safe in the city - but that's not quite true, and she knows it. Not all of it, but enough. It was stupid of me to come out here alone and even more so to let the killjoy get the upper hand. And I honestly don't care that much, if the killjoys escape. I've never been particularly passionate about the conflict. But Riley... I don't want him to think I've failed in something. So far as I know, he's not yet aware of the situation. Maybe I can remedy it. It's either go with the killjoys and get information and perhaps a captive or two, or return to the Tower and explain the roaring failure that was this apprehension. The only good thing that can be said is that we derailed their rescue attempt.*

*I sigh again, idly rubbing the sore spot on my head. My nice cozy apartment is sounding wonderful right now. But then I hear Nicolas' voice in my head, agreeing that I should just get out of the way and let my superior call the shots - always with just the slightest hint of scorn - and drop my hand to my side before starting the climb. Hell with it - if I'm going to be an idiot, I might as well be an idiot all the way through.*

[Volume Virus]

So that's a no, then. *I grin a little and help him up. Yes, it's stupid bringing someone from Better Living with me, but maybe we could turn him.* Last chance. If you need any more thinking time, you have it. If not, try not to step on my hands. *I start the climb down, shakily putting my foot onto the first foothold and slowly descending.*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I follow her down without comment, uncharacteristically quiet. There's still a voice in my head telling me I'm being ridiculous, but it's getting quieter. I compare this to my multiple impromptu backpacking trips in Europe and Australia, and smile despite myself. I do love a good adventure.*

*On the ground, it's not hard to pick out the killjoy's vehicle. I wave an arm over my head in greeting, since we're too far away for the moment to be heard* All right then, Miss Volume Virus. Give me a tour of the Zones.

[Volume Virus]

Maybe later. *There is a pause, in which I assume that Vico looks at me funny. I don't look, and instead get into the back seat of the car, wave at Sona and the Doctor, and get myself situated.* What? I can't have you going back to the Tower and telling everyone "Oh, hey, this is where you find them!". We're not exactly in a position where we can get up and move. I'll just.... *I pull one of my spare shirts out if my backpack and drape it over Vico's head.* There. Don't make me knock you out. Sorry. You can have a tour when we get there!

[doctorwhen]

*i sit in the driver's seat* i'm guessing we're going back to base?

[Volume Virus]

Yep! Step on it. And don't mind him. *I gesture at Vico. I am beginning to develop a plan, and I'm sure Aftermath isn't going to like it one bit, but it's almost definitely a better plan than I walked into Battery City with.*