Colin's posts

Nate nodded in response.

"Precisely." he said.

Erica had NO sense of humour right now, but honestly, it was expected. He's hoped for something akin to even a light chuckle, but he knew that that would have been a long shot. It was a miracle she was even talking as much as she was right now.

So he would need to be grateful for that... which he was, most certainly.

"I'll let you know when the team is put together and ready to go." he finished.

"15-20 minutes." Nate replied.

"We know who we want for the team, but we need to contact them and get them together, or backups if the first picks aren't available." he explained.

"So not TOO long, but still." he said further.

"Sorry, but this is the best compromise we can make." he then apologised.

"We're honestly thinking about getting Dr. Fyrane's father in, Dr... Fy...rane." he continued, stammering a little at the end. "Dr. Fyrane's father, Dr. Fyrane. THAT is SO initially weird to say..." he muttered.

"Anyway, he might be able to help with Giana's flames, so you don't potentially get... you know... KILLED." he reasoned.

Nate sighed. Again.

"Got it." he said.

Sure enough, it didn't take long at all, and about 7 minutes later, Nate returned to her room.

"All right." he announced.

"I have the exact location in the building where Giana is." he told her.

"And a special team will be accompanying you. For your own safety." he then assured her.

"Remember what Giana IS..."

He was silent for a moment, before groaning. Loudly.

"I realise this is going to end one of two ways." he stated. "Either I let you leave and you go to help Giana, and we can properly coordinate efforts and such... or you sneak out and go and help her, and the efforts to help you afterwards are more haphazard and sloppy." he lamented.

"So... the best case here is that I LET you leave, and make this smoother." he went on.

"And no, I don't like that, but... in these times, it's not about what I like and don't like." he then said. "It's about what's NEEDED, and what HAS to be done." he mumbled.

"Will you let me find out where she's being held, and not have you follow your curse?" he asked.

Her answer didn't seem to ease any of Virgil's worries, but he looked like this was a lost cause. For now, anyway. So he got back up, mentally shook himself off, excused himself, apologised yet again, and then saw himself out.

Nate watched him go, before looking back to Erica.

"I might enlist Anya's help with Giana." he muttered.

"You don't need to get burned by her." he said further.

"...or she might listen to you, dunno."

"..." both Nate and Virgil were silent for a moment, before Virgil spoke up.

"Did... did I... hurt her with what I did?" he asked.

"I'd say not." Nate responded.

"But-" Virgil started to protest, but Nate interrupted.

"Blame Vanessa Encrae." he told him.

"...ah." Virgil mumbled.

"Will... will you be okay?" he asked her.

Nate opened up his mouth to say something... and then paused.

"N-no..." he stated.

"No. She's not." he said, seemingly to just realise it, himself.

"Giana and Robyn." he recalled. "THEY both need help." he told her.

He then thought about it, and sighed.

"Robyn should be easy." he told her.

"But Giana's gone... QUITE violent."

Virgil was silent for a moment, and just nodded slowly.

"I guess." he said.

Nate shook his head a little, and looked at him.

"You're you now, obviously?" he asked.

"Yes." Virgil responded.

"Thank you for saving me." he then said to Erica.

Virgil could only look at her in shock and horror, before he fell to his knees.

"I've done... horrible things..." he said.

"Robyn... Kiah... I need to apologise to them..." he said further.

"And I'm so sorry for what I just tried to do to YOU." he apologised to Erica.

And his tone was so jarring right now.

He sounded so... frail and pitiful... even Erica could hear it. But then again, Virgil always didn't like the effect he had, or capitalising on it for his own gain. Which he had been doing with reckless abandon...

...until Anya had gotten ahold of him.

Which both Nate and Erica suspected was a big part of how he sounded right now.

All doubts were IMMEDIATELY washed away when Virgil practically launched himself at her. She flinched and practically forced herself to not shove him away... especially when she felt his lips on the base of her neck, and felt his hands quickly trending downwards.

She knew that in mere seconds, this was going to get far more intense, and immensely more uncomfortable for her.

So she quickly gave him a hug, placing her hand over where she knew the mark was.

And as soon as she did so, Virgil froze. He froze in place as she removed the mark, and continued to stay frozen for a few more seconds... before quickly scrambling away, almost in an outright panic.

And she saw the horror and guilt in his eyes.

"I-I-I'm so s-sorry!" he blurted out.

Nate just sighed again as Erica continued to look Virgil over. After a few seconds, she could see it on his left shoulderblade. Or in that area, at least. It looked like it was the result of a hug.

The copy had hugged Virgil.

It was at that point, Nate just shook his head.

"All right, let's get this done. Quickly." he told her, as he undid the collar, not wanting to risk some sort of interference with Erica's work.

And as soon as he did so, Virgil looked at Erica with an intense sexual hunger.

And she could see it. Plain as day.

Nate merely nodded again.

"Right." he muttered.

"...c... c'mon." he then said to Virgil, who got up from the seat and immediately followed Nate. The two made their way through the medical bay... attracting some VERY awkward glances along the way... before they stepped into Erica's room.

"D... don't ask." Nate said to her.

"He's only behaving because of this leash." he then informed her.

"Do you need it removed, or do you need to risk him at his most primal?" he asked.

Nate was silent for a moment, before hesitantly accepting the leash. As he did, he felt the control he had over Virgil... and he had to admit, he felt VERY uncomfortable with it. He had NO idea how to properly handle it, but Anya seemed to sense that, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Just lead him to where you need him." she said.

"Ah... r-right." Nate stammered in response.

"Anyway, where are YOU headed now?" he asked.

"You going back home or sticking around the Unit?"

Virgil said nothing, but obediently did as he was told, going and sitting down in the closest chair, as Nate approached... and paused when he noticed the leash connecting the two together.

"...ooooooookay then." he mumbled.

"I admit, wasn't sure WHAT I was expecting, but... don't think it was THIS..." he admitted.

"Anyway, hey." he greeted Anya.

"I see you have Virgil... well in control..."