[20]My hands are not free of the blood of the masses either, Good Doctor. We share Alphira's sins -- orbital bombardments are not delicate works. I cannot judge her for the slaughter of so many when she has the excuse of fighting the Plague.
"I want you as my advisor." You murmur, drawing away from her and hardening your heart. "Where is the Pontifex?"
"In an incinerator's ash bin," Nicole states, staring at the ceiling, her gaze darkening as she looks away from you. "He told me you were insane -- tried to kill him after he tried to use you. The poor boy thought I would be sympathetic."
You blink, and are shocked at how unsurprised you are by the confession of his assassination. "And where is Tyler Hop?"
"Granddaughter, I may care for you greatly, but I fear for your life if you think plotting be as simple as knocking over the metaphorical chessboard. I have a question in return -- what would Tyler Hop do if you tried to seize him? And what would Tyler Hop do, if, out of the green I called him and said for him to stand down? Would he trust me to be of a right mind? Or would he think that I was as good as dead?"
"Is there any rebel factions yo--"
"Once again -- you overestimate and make a fool of yourself." Nicole's voice is suddenly harsh as she turns a dark gaze on you. "Do you think that all people are of like mind? That, once unchained all Hounds can be neatly gathered? People who are in rebellion against you have their own motives for doing so. People are not a united front. If they have a grievance, do you think that they will put that aside because I asked nicely?"
"Well, what about their locat--"
"This is why. This is why you need hard lessons, Pheobe." Nicole suddenly barks, angry. "Do you think people are stupid? Do you think you're the smartest person on this world? I've been captured. This is a fact that has been assumed since the Thorntons laid siege to Steelworks. Any allies that did not help me hold the city have long since found new hiding holes."
You slump in silence, staring at your angry grandmother. "I...I understand." You finally murmur. "I understand...thank you." Nicole's anger subsides, and her straining form slumps against the restraints. You rise, finding a penknife in your room and use it to cut through the restraints. She slowly sits up, rubbing blood into her wrists as she fixes you with a cold stare. You return it, rising to your feet as she does. "I was never in this for the power..." You sigh.
"I'd be disappointed in you if you were." You brace yourself when she takes a step forward, then another, and another -- until she wraps her arms awkwardly around you in a tight hug. "I haven't been there for you as much as I should have been, Pheobe. I'm sorry." She pulls away, looking down at you. "You've been through a lot, haven't you, Pheobe?"
[1] You don't know how it happens, but that drives you into sobs. You hide your face in her shirt as emotions unbidden flood your eyes. She doesn't say a word, doesn't judge for what you see as a weakness. While awkward and ill-suited for providing comfort, she tries her best, giving you hesitant pats on the back and murmuring what she thinks are gentle words of encouragement.
She's quite awful at it, really.
When you finish, you pull away, and Nicole pulls a handkerchief from one of her pockets, using it to wipe at your face and clear beneath your red eyes. "Now, answer me truthfully, do you want me as an advisor? Or would it be better to keep me in house arrest or kill me?" There is no fear in her voice, no concern for her own well-being. "I'm not going to be one of those toadies who fears you if you want me to advise you. I'm not William and Emma -- I'll put my boot in your ass if you need it."
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Topic: McCreary's Planet -- (FINISHED) (Read 258900 times)