Day 55: Intercom, Evening

[damned_intercom]

Snow doubled in number as the day transitioned into the evening hours. Unfortunately, none of the patients were allowed the time to enjoy the weather changes. They were instead greeted by the telltale jingle of the intercom, signaling their cue to return indoors

Comments

[herr_inspektor]

That’s not quite… well. Yes, in a sense,” he answered, brow furrowing a touch. “Under both Aguilar and Landel we are still clearly in mortal peril. Patients will still be attacked and killed if they don’t take the proper precautions. But I can’t help but feel that Landel had a more obvious sadistic streak- one that leaked into his attacks, his words. As much as he came to claim that this was for a ‘greater good’- which, by the way, I don’t doubt that he believed for a second’- I still think a great deal of his work gave him a degree of pleasure, either in the control or in the act.

“If the same goes for Aguilar, though, he isn’t making it obvious. So far, his actions speak more of impartiality and practicality. That isn’t, of course, to suggest that he isn’t also a sadist or a megalomaniac, but simply that he isn’t so overt with it. Business over pleasure, or perhaps pleasure in the business.” Lunge stopped, thinking that one over. They’d only heard the man once and already he was attempting to plot out the man’s personality, a line on a graph with only a couple of points to run through. Dangerous territory indeed, when preconceptions had nearly killed him before.

With a sigh of frustration (or maybe it was regret?) he relented. “Then again, I could easily be wrong. I shouldn’t be making any judgements yet.” Shouldn’t, but still would.

[unheroed]

Maybe Lunge had a point. It was true that all they had was a matter of two days and one announcement to judge on, but there hadn't been any gloating or theatrics thus far. Everything had been efficient, controlled, and carefully planned. Granted, Harvey didn't believe that Landel had just stumbled through what he'd done to them by any means. Still, he'd certainly taken more liberties with his so-called leadership. He doubted that Aguilar would change his persona based on night and day, for instance.

"I would agree with all that," he said after a pause, taking another spoonful of the gruel and forcing it down his throat. He could get used to this, possibly because he'd already been weaned onto tasteless food full of nutrients and supplements and little else. "If he is enjoying all this, he's laughing to himself over it in private, or among his men." Probably only the most trusted, at that. It was true that Landel hadn't revealed many important personal facts about himself, but he'd given hints through his behavior. He doubted Aguilar would even take that many liberties.

However, at that point his foot hit against something hard and metal under the desk, and that was enough to make him curious. He ducked his head down enough to see and realized that there was a plain box sitting there, waiting to be opened. Frowning, he scooted his chair back and then pulled the box out, preparing to see what was inside. "Do you have one of these too?" he asked the other man. He didn't think these were a threat, but he was wary nonetheless.