[ Nothing could be easier than to say, I need you to...; I want you to..., maybe, in the same register as an order, or let's make a deal in circumstances where the other's acquiescence and rejection alike are superfluous to what's coming, regardless of whether they're aware. It doesn't matter if they follow your reasoning. It doesn't matter if they care to see it through, unless that care's enough to make them feel personally liable -- a chip to play when (something like) principle's the only thing that might neutralize their doubt or cowardice, as in Belmeria's case. Four's automatic response during the assassination attempt is indication enough that come hell or high water, he will cooperate. How that cooperation's secured shouldn't -- functionally doesn't -- matter. As far as results are concerned, it'll all go Elan's way -- and it better.
Elan's a hair's breadth away from defaulting to script when he catches Four's moment of hesitation.
Clinks on the metallic floor, one after the other, a fraction of a second later than Elan hadn't realized he'd been expecting until they strike him as the echo of an action as good as finalized, finished, in his mind. He watches as Four lifts his gaze to focus on something behind Elan, shifts his attention to look Elan straight on and scrutinize his countenance: His eyes, his nose, his mouth. Changes that would be imperceptible if Elan weren't confronting what might as well be his reflection in a hand mirror, held right up to his face. To think they'd never looked more dissimilar than when he came in, and now...
He takes a deep breath. It doesn't hurt anymore, but it doesn't calm his nerves. ]
Do you understand the situation I'm in?
[ It's becoming clearer to Elan by the minute. His plans will only constellate just so if he's able to use this assassination attempt to force Seven out of testing, sell him to the rest of the organization as a species of bodyguard in a manner that'd show Peil's hand if they refuse. It'd be a waste of Four to use him for this when he's half-dead already; Five's too conniving for it; Six is ideal as liaison due to his obedience. That leaves Seven to sample all of Elan's deliveries, handle his correspondence, try every substance they'd like to slip past his door -- and if Elan's hunch about Seven replacing him is right, Peil won't risk harming (either of) him. Stalemate, since it's not like they can kill Six while he performs his duties outside of headquarters just to make an opening: It'd be a bitch to explain how Elan Ceres came back from the dead.
With enough time he'll blow the lid on this whole "human enhancement" operation. The real Elan Ceres will get off scot free; Peil will be shut down; everybody and his parents will spend the rest of their miserable lives in jail; and both companies' coffers will be his, no strings attached... He couldn't ask for a better opportunity. (What? Is he forgetting something?)
Clink, clink, clink. The tip of Elan's nail tapping against the floor as he looks into the space just beyond Four's shoulder, at the books askew in the crate. Nervous habit. ]
no subject
Elan's a hair's breadth away from defaulting to script when he catches Four's moment of hesitation.
Clinks on the metallic floor, one after the other, a fraction of a second later than Elan hadn't realized he'd been expecting until they strike him as the echo of an action as good as finalized, finished, in his mind. He watches as Four lifts his gaze to focus on something behind Elan, shifts his attention to look Elan straight on and scrutinize his countenance: His eyes, his nose, his mouth. Changes that would be imperceptible if Elan weren't confronting what might as well be his reflection in a hand mirror, held right up to his face. To think they'd never looked more dissimilar than when he came in, and now...
He takes a deep breath. It doesn't hurt anymore, but it doesn't calm his nerves. ]
Do you understand the situation I'm in?
[ It's becoming clearer to Elan by the minute. His plans will only constellate just so if he's able to use this assassination attempt to force Seven out of testing, sell him to the rest of the organization as a species of bodyguard in a manner that'd show Peil's hand if they refuse. It'd be a waste of Four to use him for this when he's half-dead already; Five's too conniving for it; Six is ideal as liaison due to his obedience. That leaves Seven to sample all of Elan's deliveries, handle his correspondence, try every substance they'd like to slip past his door -- and if Elan's hunch about Seven replacing him is right, Peil won't risk harming (either of) him. Stalemate, since it's not like they can kill Six while he performs his duties outside of headquarters just to make an opening: It'd be a bitch to explain how Elan Ceres came back from the dead.
With enough time he'll blow the lid on this whole "human enhancement" operation. The real Elan Ceres will get off scot free; Peil will be shut down; everybody and his parents will spend the rest of their miserable lives in jail; and both companies' coffers will be his, no strings attached... He couldn't ask for a better opportunity. (What? Is he forgetting something?)
Clink, clink, clink. The tip of Elan's nail tapping against the floor as he looks into the space just beyond Four's shoulder, at the books askew in the crate. Nervous habit. ]