Princess, there's something I want to try—but ultimately, it's up to you.
[...]
If I give you a Morpheus code, are you willing to use it? [the thing he used on thursday during lockdown, that is.] It might help clear your head against the affliction, though I'll be honest in that it's entirely possible it won't do anything either.
You download a code onto your I.R.I.S., and it should make you feel more alert. It does come with the side of effect of... glitching out once in a while for some hours, though it was harmless when it happened to me on Friday.
[...]
But if any part of this makes you uncomfortable, you're not obliged to agree, Rosamund. I can't deny we're essentially testing things on you, but you're my friend above all—not something for us to "use". That hasn't changed, and it won't.
With mod permission, she downloads it in sullen silence. The second the transfer completes her eyes flutter wide. She gasps. Wordlessly, one tear rolls down her cheek. Then a second on the other side, racing its brother to her jaw.
Rosamund looks to him in horror.
Then her lip twitches and her eyes flash. She reaches out and slaps Charles bluntly across the face.]
[She doesn't move to attack him again. Her hand flexes in his grip and her eyes dart between his. It's a queer feeling. Cutting in and out. She's suddenly furious about agreeing to this at all, and then there's a fissure of dawning horror.]
[Her hand closes around his. Her eyes stay wide, unblinking, shifting between his at a frantic clip. Her already pale skin goes whiter yet.]
Charles, I don't... [More tears slip loose. Then she shakes. Her teeth grit and she wrests her hand away.] Why would you do this? Why would you do this to me?
[The shaking spreads. Her whole body trembles with a mounting rage. Whatever effect the code has, it's not strong enough to douse the fire. Flames may flicker but they refuse to die.]
[he watches her for a few moments, grief and guilt flickering in his eyes before he closes them.]
... If that's what you want.
[as he opens his eyes again, he lets his hand fall back to the side. he's silent for another second, as though waiting to see if she changes her mind or as though questioning his decision to agree, and then he turns to leave.]
[It's better that he leaves now. Before that barked order becomes grasping fingers, before she decides to lay hands on him even with Io on watch. Even his retreating footsteps beg her to follow.
Catch him from behind. If there's a wire, or sturdy cord...
Charles is her friend, but that hardly stopped her before.]
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No she's sitting upright in a pod. Awake! Wow! But looking only at the floor. Her grip on the edge tightens when she hears him enter.]
What now...
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I feel like "how are you feeling?" will come across as a rather stupid question right now, but I'd rather hear it from your mouth than assume.
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Princess, there's something I want to try—but ultimately, it's up to you.
[...]
If I give you a Morpheus code, are you willing to use it? [the thing he used on thursday during lockdown, that is.] It might help clear your head against the affliction, though I'll be honest in that it's entirely possible it won't do anything either.
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[She squints.]
...I suppose that's the best use for me now. You have to test your theories somehow.
What does it involve, then?
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[...]
But if any part of this makes you uncomfortable, you're not obliged to agree, Rosamund. I can't deny we're essentially testing things on you, but you're my friend above all—not something for us to "use". That hasn't changed, and it won't.
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[She brushes at her curls, pulling them from her face with trembling fingers.]
It doesn't make me "uncomfortable." I'm just tired of feeling this way. I can hardly sleep. I can't stand anyone.
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Whatever's going on here is cruel. I'm sorry, Rosamund—it sounds miserable.
[quietly,]
If... nothing can be done, then I'll support what decision you want to make for yourself, if I can.
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[It's a small comfort, but a welcome one.
With mod permission, she downloads it in sullen silence. The second the transfer completes her eyes flutter wide. She gasps. Wordlessly, one tear rolls down her cheek. Then a second on the other side, racing its brother to her jaw.
Rosamund looks to him in horror.
Then her lip twitches and her eyes flash. She reaches out and slaps Charles bluntly across the face.]
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well, he is going to try to grab her wrist.]
Hey, hey—
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I...I slit his throat?
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he'll shift his grip to clutch her hand instead.]
Rosamund...
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Charles, I don't... [More tears slip loose. Then she shakes. Her teeth grit and she wrests her hand away.] Why would you do this? Why would you do this to me?
[The shaking spreads. Her whole body trembles with a mounting rage. Whatever effect the code has, it's not strong enough to douse the fire. Flames may flicker but they refuse to die.]
Get out.
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... If that's what you want.
[as he opens his eyes again, he lets his hand fall back to the side. he's silent for another second, as though waiting to see if she changes her mind or as though questioning his decision to agree, and then he turns to leave.]
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Catch him from behind. If there's a wire, or sturdy cord...
Charles is her friend, but that hardly stopped her before.]