(Untitled)

[antarianmax]

When Max Evans left the Antechamber this morning, something wasn't right.

And that's not to say that the things that usually weren't right had suddenly gotten that way -- there was still a small faction unhappy with his new wife, there were still many laws that weren't quite perfect, there were still plenty of economic issues, and Trillian had

Comments

[rebelheartalien]

Michael couldn't find him in the palace, and he has a nagging sense of not right. So he followed him to the bar.

"Max?"

[antarianmax]

"Michael."

It's an observation, a greeting, and a 'yes I've talked to her and I know what's wrong' all at once.

[rebelheartalien]

Michael has not yet talked to her, the mun decides arbitrarily. So.

"What happened?"

[antarianmax]

"Friends of Faith's were taken. Captured. The girl, the younger one, had some sort of ..." Max falters, and simply sends images of the White Room Michael's way.

"Similar encounter. With the similar after-chase. And they got caught."

[rebelheartalien]

Michael drops his coffee cup at the images in his mind, paling abruptly and looking rather as if he's trying not to bolt or throw up.

"Shit."

[antarianmax]

"That's pretty much what I said."

[rebelheartalien]

"Is there... anything anyone can do?"

[antarianmax]

"I think the answer is not us," Max says lamely.

[rebelheartalien]

"Yeah, but... somebody?"

[antarianmax]

"I really hope so. Just ... last time they had trouble, Faith went to help."

Insert Max's Second, Smaller Issue With This Development.

[rebelheartalien]

"...aha." He looks vaguely wary. "She wants to go help again?"

[antarianmax]

"I didn't ask." Max bites his lip. "Too scared."

[rebelheartalien]

Michael makes a brief never-completed gesture that would have been a squeeze to Max's shoulder.

"It'll be okay, Maxwell."

[antarianmax]

"I know -- she's strong. She can take care of herself."

He wants to take care of her, though.

[rebelheartalien]

"She can", Michael agrees cautiously. "But... it's not even sure that she's going yet."

[antarianmax]

"I won't stop her."