[ IC ] Traumaprom

[thexfactor]

[ Looks like it's that time again ]

Comments

[thexfactor]

I know, I just -- We're so close. We're so close to being done, to leaving this behind. I can't -- I can't give anything up. Not you, not anything.

[grandstanding]

I don't want that either.

[he's tightly wound. why did it have to be this. of all the things to repeat, now...]

[thexfactor]

But where does it leave us?

[grandstanding]

[he crosses to Charles, bracing his hands on the armrests of his chair and leaning in close.]

I don't want to watch you die.

[thexfactor]

I know.

[grandstanding]

I would never agree to it.

[Knives was different. she was just a child. and that was months ago, when he disliked himself enough to offer himself up for torture.

now, the whole thing is just unfathomable.]

[thexfactor]

[ he buries his face in his hands]

I know! I know that!

[grandstanding]

[...

he reaches up and places his hands on top of Charles's, covering his ears.]

[thexfactor]

I can't do it, Erik. I can't watch people die while I sit idly by. I can't.

[grandstanding]

I know.

[thexfactor]

[ exhales, pushing it down ]

[grandstanding]

[he takes Charles's hands and removes them from his face.]

You're not being idle.

[thexfactor]

No, I'm just handicapped and powerless.

[ . . . ] We'll need to give her an answer.

[grandstanding]

Listen to me. Do not let this manipulate you into feeling powerless. That's their goal.

[thexfactor]

It's not that simple. I had to watch people kill my team mates out of mercy. I couldn't even shout, I couldn't do anything. I had no voice, no legs and certainly no power to change the situation --

[ he pushes his hair back ] An answer, Erik. That's what matters now.

[grandstanding]

Forget the answer. We're not going anywhere yet.

[thexfactor]

What do you mean?

[grandstanding]

You're trying to think of an answer because that's what we've been told to do. What would you rather say instead, without being railroaded into it?

[thexfactor]

. . . I would refuse.

[grandstanding]

Then that's your answer.

I used to bow and bend to these creatures too. I'd do it willingly, or I'd do it out of fear. It used to chafe at me; I'm sure you remember.

[they had at least one angry conversation about it.]

It becomes habit, what they do. And we've had it worse, because we've been run through this mill twice. It grinds into our bones and the poison of it stays.

[thexfactor]

[ nods ]

Well . . . dying is nothing new at this point.

[grandstanding]

[he laughs, short and gruff.]

[thexfactor]

[ he chuckles a little himself ]

[grandstanding]

Power has to be won. It needs to be wrested from those who have it, and hold it over you.

[thexfactor]

If only there was a way to do that here.