because it's a legitimate troubleshooting method [walking spoiler]

[pushtheboundaries]

Not everything can be solved by the rubber duckie approach, you know.

Comments

[besmirchthis]

You're an instructor, then? Or do you work with students in some other capacity?

You know, I have an acquaintance who does an awful lot of squeaking. Though with him, it's more a mouse squeak than a duckie squeak.

[He considers the rest of the man's words, nodding vaguely.] Oh, I don't know... Sometimes the only thing that can keep a man from jail is a good lawyer. [Or a brilliant lawyer, ahem.] That's just the sorry state of the world we live in.

[pushtheboundaries]

I was a professor at SFIT. I imagine my credentials were revoked about the time they started charging me with First-Degree Arson and Attempted Murder. [he's not bitter, why are you asking that. he was perfectly fine burning off everything related to teaching, and then things got out of control.

in short, he'd need one heck of a lawyer. or therapist]

[besmirchthis]

Charges of that sort do tend to get in the way of things. [That was probably a little too light-hearted, and Fallon makes himself drop the lingering traces of his grin.]

It's a sad situation. I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner; I might have been able to help you out. [There's always a way, especially for those willing to forgo orthodox methods.] Always assuming you would have wanted it, of course.

Well. Your mun thinks answering some question could have solved your troubles before they started?

[pushtheboundaries]

[considering the tightening of the expression Callaghan's getting at the 'humor'...but when Fallon drops it, so does the rising anger. he reaches up and rubs his face, instead.]

I don't know. It isn't as though I had many options at that point. [and it was all for a good cause, too. really. honest.]

She thinks if I'd stopped to think about it, things might have ended differently. I'm not sure, and...it ended...in a way I never expected.

[ever familiar with the tone of someone who isn't sure if that's good or bad? there you go.]

[besmirchthis]

That's usually the way it goes. The law calls your name and you find your back's already up against the wall, that they've been closing in on you all this time. I've seen it more times than I can count. [Been there himself, too, and will be there again all too soon.]

There is always a way of beating the charges. It's just that most people don't know where to look, or don't dare break a few rules to get there.

[He looks the guy over, trying to take him in without scrutinizing, just looking for a sense of who he might be.] I've heard the same about stopping to think. I just don't see what it could possibly change.

I guess you had an interesting time, anyway?

[pushtheboundaries]

[for all intents and purposes, he's a mild-mannered college professor. possibly ex-military, and he may or may not have been in the black outfit the entire time. We Just Don't Know. he carries himself well, at least, even with the faint notes of resignation/defeat, there's something in him that isn't quite ready to just give up completely.

close to it, maybe, but not yet]

I hadn't much experience with this sort of thing before, if that's what you're asking. [he makes a very light shrug] As for stopping- I couldn't. There wasn't time.

[no time to think, no time to hesitate, no time to do anything but as quick, as brutal, as efficient as possible. he hadn't time to even regret anything.

he pauses again, then...sort of tilts his head] For various definitions of 'interesting', yes.

[besmirchthis]

[The fellow's certainly a lot more serious (severe?) than the people Fallon spends his time with. Even the men and women he defends carry Broadway's gaiety right into the courtroom. Though it's odd to see someone so solemn, there's something in the man that seems worthy of regard. And really, it can't hurt to entertain more grounded company. Sometimes Fallon wonders whether his acquaintances are a little too ephemeral.]

There never is. There shouldn't be time, if you're really living. [Is that a problem? Probably.] And you're still here, aren't you?

'Interesting' is a word of many tones and talents. [Fallon flashes a grin.] I guess the question is what you make of it. Or maybe how you move ahead with it.

[pushtheboundaries]

[funny how deciding to set everything on fire in an attempt to cut yourself off from everything holding you back can alter things.]

So I am. [and it's strange to talk with someone who's taking this all so lightly- it finally occurs to Callaghan that he may not be fully on the 'side' of the law, and then he decides that doesn't make a difference one way or another.] Depending on 'setting', it seems to either involve working with the mob, going on the run, or finding out how 'good behavior' can balance 'life without parole'.

[besmirchthis]

[Sounds like a life-changer, that. Also like it might not have been the best plan ever - when has setting fire to the world really worked out? - but hey. Everyone's got their reasons.

As for the rest... If Fallon's going to be honest, he's done a bit of the first, will be doing the second, and has been faced with the threat of the third. It's been a while since he fell entirely on the straight-and-narrow side of the law, though he still believes he's acting in the right. Mostly.]

Not the most enviable options. You could do worse, but I'd be hard-pressed to think how. [He gives a mild shrug, the flicker of a smile.] And is it up to you to make a decision now? I don't suppose you could create a fourth option... You know, if you expand your thinking a bit?

[It occurs to Fallon that he's spent all this time talking with the very curious man, and he's still missing a fairly vital piece of information. He cocks his head, speaking amicably as he can.] Say, what's your name?

[pushtheboundaries]

As bright a thought as it is as exposing a certain slimeball as a remorseless piece of scum who considers the loss of lives nothing more than a 'setback' in the name of fame and government funding, I'm not sure I could make myself be that optimistic.

[hey, he can dream. all hail the avenging hero, etc. but even so, he tends to be a bit more down to earth than that. he never set out to be one, at any rate]

...Robert Callaghan. [and then, because it seems like the thing to do- he offers his hand.]

[besmirchthis]

[Fallon's met a few people that fit a similar description. Most of them have been dull as can be, just to make it worse.] If you can hold the thought, you can make it happen. Or you can try. Someone's got to take on those noble causes, after all.

In any case, only thinking about it... [Waves a hand, a dismissive gesture.] Well, it's like I said. I don't place much stock in dwelling.

[He takes the offered hand gladly, gives a firm but welcoming shake.] William J. Fallon. Bill. It's fine to make your acquaintance, Mr. Callaghan.

#threadsididn'tknowiwanteduntiliwasinthemiddleofplayingthem

[pushtheboundaries]

[Krei isn't so much dull as every time Callaghan sees him he has to resist the urge to hit him in the face.

and then he stole the microbots and decided to do something more than that.]

It's a thought, at least. Good to meet you, Bill, and Robert's fine.

worrrrrrrrrrrrd. :D

[besmirchthis]

[Fallon tends to attack with words - he's never even heard of microbots; such a strange place this is - but that gets him into plenty of trouble. It's also gotten him punched in the face a few times, never to much effect.]

Robert, then. [Still smiling, he releases the man's hand, shakes a finger at him.]

Make it more than a thought. Though I guess it isn't my business. You'll have to forgive me; I get awfully nosy around here. It's an odd place.

[pushtheboundaries]

[Callaghan's gotten punched once.

by a pacifist.

he may have said a few terrible things.

still, he can't help but offer a wry little 'hnh' at that, and a maybe-smile]

I'll keep it in mind; maybe it'll encourage something else. And I haven't been here long, but I'm starting to miss the 'oddness' of the student lab.

[besmirchthis]

[Takes a certain tenacity to inspire a pacifist's rage. If he knew about it, Fallon would be impressed. He mostly gets it from the people closest to him. And he absolutely always deserves it.]

What sort of oddness are we talking?

[He's honestly curious, but there's another idea to follow, and he seizes on it.] Would you care for a drink? [There should be drinks around here. There are always drinks around here, if you want them.]

[pushtheboundaries]

[to be fair, that pacifist did look at him like a father, and that whole thing with the arson sort of took his life...]

Dead men walking, mostly. [beat] And multiples. And I'll happily take you up on that.

[besmirchthis]

[Well, that-- That sounds complicated, to say the least. Also sounds like there might have been just a little justification for the punch.]

I'm not sure I catch your meaning. [Not sure he ought to find out, either, but there's no stopping his curiosity once a question takes hold.] You aren't speaking literally, are you? The way things go around here, I suppose you could be.

How does bourbon sound?

[pushtheboundaries]

[have another little 'hnh'] It seemed a fitting enough way to phrase it. Someone...went in to a fire after me, when he didn't need to. Not that he remembers much of what happened. [dying, at least.]

That or scotch'll be fine. [he's not a heavy drinker, but he's more familiar than the mun.]

[besmirchthis]

Oh.

[Fallon watches for a moment, blinking. He's not sure that what Callaghan's saying makes sense. Because if someone went in after him, wouldn't that mean...? Well. He's pretty sure Isolde's walked through fire before. Maybe there's more to this guy than meets the eye. Or maybe Fallon's just misinterpreting.

Whatever the case, he takes this moment to ferret out the booze, grabbing a couple of glasses and the first bottle he comes across.] Looks like scotch it is.

[Filling the glasses, he clears his throat.] This fire incident... Is it what you were charged for?

we all html bork at times you should see some of mine

[pushtheboundaries]

[he's definitely going to need a drink for this. Fallon is most definitely not a duckie, and he may as well take the edge of tension off everything before spilling his guts.

but instead of answering, he asks a simple set of questions-]

Do you have any family, Bill? Children? Someone you'd do anything to protect?

it's fun stuff, right? >_> also, had zero sense of canon going in, and am now damned intrigued.

[besmirchthis]

[Oh, Christ, now he really needs that drink. (As if he hadn't needed it before. As if he doesn't usually need one. Two. It doesn't matter.)

Bill makes himself smile, like it's nothing at all. His effort isn't entirely successful - the expression is strained at the edges - but it's close, and he moves to hand Callaghan a glass.

Really, it shouldn't take this long to find an answer. It isn't an unusual question. It shouldn't feel as strange as it does. It's only that it had been unexpected. It's only that it struck him in an off mood.]

I... [He could lie, but that strikes him as the wrong route. If this man can talk about murder charges and walking into fire, Fallon can offer a word of truth about his own life. It's only fair play.] Do. Have a family.

We don't see much of each other. [There's a woman, too, the only one who really matters now, but Fallon doesn't feel like bringing her into this and isn't sure she fits the bill, not the way Callaghan's talking.]

But I think I understand what you're getting at.

I MAY HAVE JUST SPOILED THE MOVIE FOR YOU but it's really good ;n; some of it predictable but aaaah

[pushtheboundaries]

[and there it is, there's the real common ground. Callaghan can read enough there to know that he's hit a nerve, and even if he hadn't admitted it, he'd know. so he's already taking a sip of that whiskey and letting it burn on the way down]

I hadn't seen my daughter in years. I thought she was dead.

[he pauses, to let that sink in for a few moments; let Bill think of how it'd feel to lose one of those people, and then, in a bit of a softer voice;]

I thought I was avenging her.

really don't mind spoilers at all, so hey! it works. :) mostly curious to see the characters, ye-es.

[besmirchthis]

[He's mostly convinced that he's already lost his family - it's harder to visit every time, harder to face thoughts of what they must endure because of him - but of course a permanent loss would be worse. The final seal on his negligence. A shadow pulled over what little hope of reconciliation and his own renewal remains. As long as they live, he knows he hasn't ruined them utterly.

He doesn't care for these thoughts. It's so much better not to dwell.

Fallon takes a deep drink, staring into the glass.]

I suppose that's as sound a reason as any.

[He doesn't understand it, exactly. Vengeance has never made much sense to Fallon, though he knows others chase it, hears it gives fulfillment to some. If Callaghan thought he needed revenge, fine. That's his way of living, and Fallon can at least accept it.

It's the questions that bite at him. Questions like what had this man done to be pulled from his family in the first place? Like what had he lost in losing them?

He takes another drink, tells himself to take it slower.] But she wasn't really...?

excellent c: it's definitely a good one to see with family/friends

[pushtheboundaries]

[Callaghan takes another sip, another few moments of letting it linger. he knows it's not the best decision, but as a father, it seemed like when the opportunity presented itself- it was the only one to do.

everything else was meaningless.

he looks in to the drink, furrowing his brow, as though it'll have some answers for him. ]

...no. She was...I don't know how else to describe it other than 'lost'. [sleeping through it, hypersleeping through it, but still- lost.

he closes his eyes, then takes more than a sip.]

then i will keep it on the radar, oh yesss.

[besmirchthis]

[Drinks really ought to have answers. They rarely do, of course, but take enough of them and they provide temporary cover. Fallon stares back into the shallow remains within his glass, tilting the liquid back and forth.]

Some things don't-- I suppose some situations defy explanation.

I-- [This is awkward. Bill's on the verge of asking further questions, realizes they would be ill-timed, can't think of anything to say in their place. They're talking much too close to truth, now. He can't back away or spin the speaking into a joke, the way he often might. How in God's name had this gotten so heavy?

Oh, this place. This place is so strange. And this man has certainly seen, been more than he ought.]

I'm sorry.