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"This is the audio log of Communications Officer Doug Eiffel of the-- previously of the U.S.S Hephaestus, leave a message and I'll see if I can bear to drag myself away from whatever utterly engaging task I must be doing to not notice my comms--"

BZZZZZZZ

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[...is that what it's supposed to look like when Elias tries the thing without permission? Just... nothing.

Huh.

Eiffel lets his hand get thrown off, but he scowls right back.]

Hey-- no-one's being condescending here! I'm trying to help, you're the one throwing a Caillou-scale tantrum over-- God knows what!

[He doesn't try to grab Elias again, but he doesn't move away.]

I'm supposed to be your warden, letting me do some goddamn first aid is literally not gonna kill you! Exactly the opposite, in fact!

I do not need--

[ Elias stops, hearing how little control he has over his own voice. It's an effort. He'd like nothing more than to try throwing a punch, to make this insufferable man shut up for good. To stop him from seeing him like this-- but he won't let himself.

He takes another step back, forcing his hand off the wall. ]

I do not need first aid from you.

Okay, okay-! [Backing away is bad, he knows that much, but he can't just leave Elias when the man looks like he's only freaking out harder the more Eiffel tries to help.]

Uhhm, buh- what about-- [He snaps his fingers in a skittish looking-for-the-right-word staccato.] What about the ArchiJon, Jon! We can get him to come help, he can still- you still like him, right? I could give him a call...?

[ That's too much. The mention of just-- telling the Archivist about this has Elias drawing back his arm and aiming a punch at the side of his warden's face. Whether it hits well or not, he follows with an unsteady: ]

You are not to tell him anything of our interactions. Nothing.

[It's the surprise more than the force of it - but he'll admit, the amount of force is not what he'd have expected from such a scrawny desk jockey - that sends him to the floor again with another shocked yelp, and both hands fly up protectively.]

Jesus Christ-- Sécurité received loud and clear, Canaveral, Warm Body's reports will not get forwarded on to Eyes Aplenty.

[He leans forward and rubs his cheekbone gingerly.]

...again.

[ Elias regrets it almost immediately. Not that he'd hit him, no that felt good.

But that he'd let someone see how much they'd gotten to him. He ignores the pain in his hand, holding it steady when he wants to flex it.

He takes two more steps back, gritting his teeth again as Eiffel once again proves himself incapable of being quiet.

Until he realises exactly what he's said and stops in place. ]

Again.

I, uhh-- you- I mean--

[He gets back to his feet, one hand protecting his face while the other is outstretched defensively.]

Y-- you're the one that downloaded Scream directly into my brain, pal, you're the one who showed me your home-grown man-cronomicon! What the hell was I supposed to do?!

You went to--

[ It isn't often Elias is rendered speechless, yet here he is again and it's a moment or two before the incomprehension and horror in his eyes is able to be reigned in.

He needs to leave, before he does or says something drastic. And so he turns on his heel, back to Eiffel. And takes a breath. He can walk away with dignity and a calm expression on his face. All the way back to his quarters and away from this-- ]

Once again I'll have to request a rain check.

Look, Elias--

[He wasn't trying to be cruel, he'd just needed advice because it was fucking horrifying.

He steps forward without thinking, moving to put his hand on Elias's shoulder again.]

That's not-- I mean it's totally your fault but like--

[ Elias flinches at the touch.

He can't help it, his body simply recoils at something being that close to him when he is so very aware of how poorly this all Looks.

And the flinch only makes it worse.

So he closes his eyes and thinks of all he has seen and done and been. This is not him. He is so much more. He was above everyone else in the world and their fear was his to feast on. He will have that again. He won't let this place take that control from him.

He turns; body still, eyes clear, tone cordial and entirely cold. He's used to looking at people like he can see into their heads, it isn't hard to do. He will again. He will have his power again. ]

Do excuse me. I think it would be better if I retire to my cabin. You understand, of course.

[Eiffel yanks his hand back quickly at the flinch; but it's the look Elias gives him - cold, so above him and so uncaring that he can't help remembering Cutter (losing patience with him across the prison desk, staring down from his Faerie throne as he tries to back drunkenly out of his Deal), and his spine folds like wet tissue.]

I-- uh, yeah. O-of course, mister Bouchard.

[ That response feels so good--

(only good. nothing else.)

--like food to a starving man. It makes Elias want to keep looking, to take the moment to study Douglas Eiffel properly and see if there are other fears connected to that. Power helps for that, of course. But Elias has lived long enough and known enough people to learn that there multiple ways to get inside a person's fear.

But no. This inane man is beneath him. ]

And I would appreciate it if you checked with me before sharing anything which comes up between us. As warden, you're in a position of power here. I'd hate to feel I couldn't trust you.

I... yeah. Y-yeah, of course.

[Amazing, how quickly that dynamic has shifted with Elias showing that icy managerial side. Eiffel is actually glancing away, still rubbing his face with one hand but deliberately avoiding eye contact, glancing sidewards at the floor.]

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