Values

[workthroughit]

The desk is back in the Nexus again. And the owner of it is once more behind it, hands folded primly in front of him. Set off to the side is a fountain pen and a pad of paper. The banker's light and the metronome rest on the desk as well, though both are turned off. The snow is cleared in a neat three foot circumference around his seat, and though he's in just a dress shirt and sweater vest, the cold doesn't seem to bother the doctor one bit.

"I wonder," Dr. Hill begins in his usual northern European accent, "What do you, as a person, value more? Honesty? Or loyalty?"

A simple question, really.

Comments

[reedyserpents]

She relaxes only slightly.

"And what does it matter to you what happens to me?"

She still doesn't know how to place this man. Is he a friend, or an enemy?

[workthroughit]

"Why, you're one of my patients! What sort of doctor would I be if I left you to charge off and get yourself into all sorts of trouble and harm?"

[reedyserpents]

"And who exactly decided that I was to be your patient? Because it certainty wasn't me."

[workthroughit]

He doesn't answer verbally. Instead, he pulls open a drawer and removes a file. A finger taps the tab of it, where the name SAMAEL is printed plainly.

It's thin now, but he'll surely have some things to add to it after this session.

If she takes a peek, that drawer appears to be quite full of files. Maybe he just makes them as soon as new arrivals appear...? But that doesn't explain how he's so 'good with names', as he put it.

[reedyserpents]

"A silly little piece of parchment without of my names on it means nothing to me!"

She catches a quick glimpse of the files. It seemed he had a lot of information. Perhaps that is something she could use to her advantage in the future.

[workthroughit]

"I'm not your enemy, Lady Samael. I'm offering to help you make sense of what's befallen you."

The file is no longer in his hand. The drawer is also shut. When did that happen? It just seemed to simply be with no clear transition for one to the next.

[reedyserpents]

She allowed herself to calm down fully, and breathed out a heavy sigh. She wasn't sure what to make of the man, but he was offering help. That and it seemed he had information. Perhaps she could take advantage of that.

"And how do you propose to help me? Hmmm?"

[workthroughit]

"Well, as I said. I'm an analyst. I'm here and willing to be someone you can confide in. Who can help you understand this place. And perhaps your place in it."

He flashes her a smile. "All I ask is a little trust."

[reedyserpents]

Trust was something she didn't know if she could afford. Yet if she were to work things to her advantage she at least had to pretend she did. That was something she could manage for now.

"I suppose I have few options before me."

She clicks her tongue and then tries to smooth back her hair.

"I guess I'll try my best to work with you."

[workthroughit]

Of course he knows no one can ever fully trust him. If even ever at all. But this doesn't bother him. Cooperation is in place, one way or another!

"Perhaps we should take this to my office. Discuss your options and your treatment plan. Perhaps go over your medical history? To decide what direction to go in from here."

A lot of doublespeak that doesn't sound shady at ALL.

[reedyserpents]

A nod.

"Perhaps that is- treatment?"

She's not down for that, unless you mean fixing this human problem of hers.

[workthroughit]

"Treatment is whatever you want out of it. Here." He nudges a business card across the desk towards her. It's a nice pale off-shade of yellowed parchment, with wine red lettering. It states his name, Dr. Alan J. Hill, an address, and a phone number.

"You see those buildings in that direction?" He points towards the Commercial District of the Nexus, where, indeed, there are all manner of business, markets and buildings dedicated to commerce. "Just follow the address on that card and you'll find it. Sometimes it takes a little doing, but you'll get there."

Dr. Hill smiles encouragingly.

[reedyserpents]

She takes the card and examines both sides. She then runs her fingers over the lettering before glancing in the direction he was pointing.

"I suppose I'll be seeing you around... dr. Alan J. Hill."

Hill huh? Probably a coincidence, but she still had a chuckle over it.

[workthroughit]

"I'll meet you there."

Between the time she looks towards the indicated direction and back again, he's gone. The desk remains, but it's empty and cleared. Snow is drifting onto it softly.

Samael can make her own good time towards the office. He keeps all manner of hours.