004 // video -> action // specifics listed // backdated like something fierce.

[isntpersonal]

[ Returning only the evening before to a dorm room as she'd left it, Helga's made sure to tie up whatever ends she'd left loose before she left for the rescue. She'd returned Miss Maza's handgun with a token of thanks on her desk, left Santorini a note about how a demolitions class might actually be handy, and she was going to make it a point to

Comments

[lovewheniwin]

[Having heard through word of mouth of the return of Helga and the two students, Rourke makes his way over to her room, stopping to knock on her door.]

[isntpersonal]

[ She doesn't have to imagine; that knock is much too loud to be Astrid. The lieutenant nods, setting her work away for a moment. She rests her chin on top of gloved hands to to give a full once over of her work area. She's obviously, fallen behind. ]

Come in.

[lovewheniwin]

[Opening the door, he steps into the room and gives a nod before shutting the door behind him.]

Good to have you back. The rescue was a success, I take it?

[isntpersonal]

[ She had an inkling. Helga sits back in her chair, shoulders relaxed. ]

Only just barely.

[lovewheniwin]

That difficult, eh? What happened?

[Still hasn't been on one of these rescues himself and is curious as to how his Lieutenant coped with it.]

[isntpersonal]

The usual dark cavern, thousands of dragons, and inexperienced children.

We managed to lose Haddock.

But he's doing alright now.

[ Definitely not her best rescue. ]

[lovewheniwin]

Mm, I see. Well, one can't really stress too much on the particulars. A success is a success. You managed to return them both safely to the Academy.

[isntpersonal]

True.

[ She takes another look at the work on her desk. The report is buried underneath. It''s obvious she's still taking it hard. ]

Completely different than yours. I've been comparing the two, and there are very little similarities.

[lovewheniwin]

I hear that every rescue is different. Just like each person's response to the Mist is supposedly unique.

[For now, he tries to keep her focused on the positive. There'll be time to focus on the other aspects, but he won't let her dwell on them now.]

[isntpersonal]

There has to be something threading them together. And I'm not seeing it.

[ She's had it, and swipes the reports, the both of them, from underneath the pile of graded papers. They're taunting her, she has to figure this one out. ]

[lovewheniwin]

Perhaps it has something to do with the targets it chooses.

/forever later.

[isntpersonal]

Maybe.

[ They already know it's based on fear, right? The rescuers and rescuees were related, they always knew each other somehow. But that's all she could find. It infuriated her, how it made no sense. They knew it would mess with memory; Astrid had no idea who she was, just like Rourke had no idea of the Academy. Friends, fears, and memories; why did it still feel like she was missing something? ]

It's like having a jigsaw puzzle and not knowing where to start. I imagine Thatch lives off of this frustration.

Re: /forever later.

[lovewheniwin]

Probably. Considering figuring out puzzles is his livelihood, I imagine he'd enjoy the challenge.

[He thinks a few moments in silence before thinking aloud so Helga can hear.]

Perhaps the Mist is like a predator, seeking out the weak in the herd. Each attack, it could choose its targets among those most susceptible to its influences.

[isntpersonal]

[ Helga's eyes narrow at his suggestion. Of course the Mist carried sentience, they knew that much, but to prey off of them? Well, it made sense. She took into account all of those reports she'd read. What made them susceptible though? It was standing underneath her nose. The victims were far from weak-willed or weak-minded, Rourke and Astrid were clear examples. She furrowed her brow again, and slid the papers back underneath the schoolwork. They had priority, yes, but, she needed this thought to sit for awhile, to blend and swell along her other theories, her other ideas. She didn't think it was the missing piece, but you never knew until you tried linking them together. ]

Perhaps.

I suppose it'd be easier to chart it all out then take a look. And I haven't the time now, so, I'll do it later when I've had more sleep on it.

[lovewheniwin]

That's a good idea. No point in burning yourself out on it right now. As much as I'd like it, I doubt the Mist will be going anywhere anytime soon.

[With a light smile, he stands and heads for the door. He turns and looks to her as he opens it.]

You know where to find me if you need me for anything.

[isntpersonal]

[ The topic is still buzzing in her brain, pardon her if she sounds distracted for a moment. ]

Of course.

[ Wait, that was a door opening. She tears herself away from incoherant thought to thank him properly. ]

Thanks.

[ This new habit of thanking people was hard to get used to. ]