The Director shoots him a venomous glare. "Don't patronize me Councilor!"
This right here is why he didn't want Price or anyone else around. He can't afford to lose face if the Project is going to succeed. And that's why he needs to do this on his own.
Or at least as on his own as possible. The wall is fine if he starts to stumble in that direction... a cough and a misstep and he left reaching into empty space to find Price waiting for him. He takes a firm grip of his shoulder, mostly for balance but also as a reminder to watch his tone. He might appreciate the help but he does not appreciate the sass.
Price himself is quite delicate, physically, and he flinches a bit when he feels that grip so firm on his shoulder. Doesn't gasp or say anything and just slowly accompanies his boss to destination, shooting him a questioning look once they reach the door.
He's aware that at this point, as manners require, he's supposed to ask the Director if he can manage alone from this point on, but he doesn't want him to say yes, so he decides to use the first excuse available in order not to leave him right now.
"May I have your keycard, sir? I have to open the door."
He's so curious on what that room looks like and what its arrangement reveals about the Director's personality!
Dr. Church for his part doesn't entirely fit the stereotype of the nerdy scientist. In fact, if it wasn't for his eyes betraying him, he would have been a soldier. Instead he scrubbed out and his life went in a very different direction.
"Alright." He's too tired to argue at this point and he's starting to regret that last cup of coffee. It's just to open the door anyway... so he pulls the card from his pocket and offers it up before bracing himself on the wall so Price can use it.
His room is... functional.
Most of his time is taken up by working in the lab. So other than sleeping, he doesn't spend much time here. There are no obviously homey touches... except for a broken mug/penholder made in the unmistakable clunky style of a child's art project on his cluttered desk and a holo-album. Even the small bookcase is just crammed full of the research books, notes and things that didn't make it into the lab itself. And except for his personal workspace the room is almost meticulously tidy. Although that may just be the result of lack of use.
Of course Price's curious eyes which scan the room eagerly cannot help but notice the mug. He tilts his head. It must be very important for the Director to keep it in his room. It would be fun to see his reaction if it shattered in many little pieces on the floor, Price thinks, but he doesn't want to be responsible for it because of the punishment that would come with it. He doesn't want to be yelled at and threatened, he's delicate. He might have a kill count and an history of arson, harassment and perjury (allegedly) among the other things, but he's delicate still.
He places the papers onto the desk and then helps the Director sit on his bed. Which would probably be too much for the usual standards, but that doesn't stop him from grabbing a foot and starting to remove a boot.
He's all but oblivious to what exactly Price is doing, except moving around the room. Until he's there helping as he lowers himself to the bed with a grunt. Leonard waves a hand in a loose, vaguely shooing motion as Price starts taking his boot off.
"Oh, do go away..." His voice is quiet and hoarse and more vaguely annoyed than angry. He just wants to be left to sleep and could really care less if he was dressed appropriately or not. Boots and all if need be.
Leonard squints up at Price in complete and utter irritation.
"Out."
He marshals enough energy to try to snatch his glasses back from out of Price's hand. There are some things you just don't do... touching a man's glasses is one.
He's not exactly blind without them, but that's not the point. It's insulting. Beyond that, they have a very specific place to be so he doesn't have to hunt for them later. He doesn't want to be feeling around for them later.
See, while Price is aware that this is only the beginning of a long and eventful collaboration, he finds himself quite frustrated with the Director. He's so reserved, and rejected Price's help so unpolitely when he was just trying to be efficient! Yet he's such a special man, a man so revered that he was granted a miltiary program without being a military man himself, all thanks to his fundamental research. What is such kind of man made of? Price absolutely needs to find out, and if the man is so unfriendly that he keeps everything to himself that it's not Price's fault that he has to use alternative methods to get the information he wants, therefore it's also not his fault that he finds himself breaking in the Director's room later that night.
The man looks stone cold dead while sleeping, if it wasn't for the snoring Price would almost be concerned. His attention is immediately caught by the quirky clay mug, but he'll get to that later, he wants to see if there is something else.
He finds a holographic album: in many of the pictures there are a little girl and a blonde woman. The woman often wears a military uniform. It's the Director's wife, there are pictures of their wedding. The little girl looks vaguely familiar, but he cannot put his finger on who she resembles to, as Agent Carolina has spoken to him but hasn't revealed details about her family yet. She was chosen by the Director and Price could not question it, but soon he would find out. In the meantime he makes many mental notes as he scrolls through the pictures.
He decides on the spot he is going to make a secret file about the Director, for personal use. There he shall list all the details he noticed in this album plus all the Director's quirks and behaviours like his tendency to solve problems with yelling, his avid coffee consumption, the way he always puts his hand behind his back...Many things to take note of, and he looks forward to finding out more.
As he looks around some more he can't help but find that the Director laying there like that has something tempting to him. He'd love to stroke his hand and show him that he's there for him, but he knows it's risky. So he eyes the loosened up boot and removes it, the Director will think he kicked it off in his sleep.
A smirk appears on Price's face. He won't remove the other boot, but he will take off the sock. Socks get lost all the time, and even if the Director looks for it he's not going to think that someone took it. It makes for a nice contrast, because he will absolutely get mad to see his mug isn't in the room.
Price opens the door with the Director's keycard, and during the few seconds before the door closes automatically, he puts it onto the bedside table, on top of the papers that he so kindly carried for him, then leaves with the mug and the sock. He carefully places the mug next to the screen in the area where the Director was working, so that he will be relieved to see it but will sense that something is wrong without being able to explain it. It's going to be fun!
After that, he decides to reward himself by going to his own quarters, keeping the sock nearby and zealously start crafting this new exciting file...
The boot comes off without incident but the sock doesn't go entirely unnoticed. The sudden cold on his foot has him rousing, half grunting/half grumbling incoherently and rolling over so he can tuck it under his other leg for warmth. Foot cold, do not want is about the extent of his thought process.
He's back in the lab as soon as possible. Which honestly is probably sooner than what is prudent. But he had remained in bed at least until he finished the notes on the papers at his disposal... primarily to keep FILSS off his damn back. Sometimes he seriously questioned some of his choices in her programming. Still, he needs to keep busy and she only questions him so far.
When he spots the mug at his work station he freezes and goes pale. What the hell is that doing there? Of all the things... he moves it carefully out of view and looks around, utterly furious. There's only one person who could have done it and he wants to know exactly why. When he spots Price he stalks up to him, careful to at least keep his pace casual and expression neutral. Except for his eyes. He's never been particularly good at masking the emotion behind his eyes.
"Councilor, a word in private, if you please." Leonard's voice is low and ice calm. And in spite of the word choice it's clear that this isn't a request.
Price greets him with an almost smug expression, but as soon as he is ordered to exchange 'a word in private' he inevitably tenses up despite expecting and even craving this moment. Despite his calm and collected exterior, he's quite the thrill seeker and this little game can help him test the ground for other activities. Also, he likes the idea of driving the Director so crazy that he has no choice but completely open up.
He waits until they're alone before he turns on Price. He takes one step towards him, shoulders squared.
"Would you care to explain just what the hell you're playing at?" There's no need to raise his voice to convey just how angry he is. He jealously guards his privacy and while ultimately, it isn't technically a 'big deal' (there's no exposing a deep dark secret or anything like that) but it's a violation of that privacy.
"And you left with the pen-holder from my desk of all things."
Just a 'pen-holder'... if his downplaying of its significance and origin is intentional or not is up for debate. But he's clearly trying to obfuscate how the choice of item effected him.
"The pen holder..." he squints, pretending to try to recall, then 'spots' the mug at the work station "Oh, that? It's been here since last night, I didn't know it was yours, sir."
The Director can say what he pleases, there is no reason why Price would do such thing. He did do it, but with no reason, and without proof it's just not feasible to come at him for it.
He doesn't have any proof, only a very strong suspicion. One that seems perfectly reasonable to him... "No one else has been in my room and I certainly didn't do it myself."
He's at least 98% percent sure about that. He was simply too sick to get up. He supposes that there was a vanishingly small chance he could have wandered around in his feverish state... but somehow he doubts it.
"I'm a little confused. I already have a pen holder for myself." he sounds dumb on purpose "However if I were to borrow it, I would ask you first. I'm sorry you feel that way, I would never want you to feel like your personal belongings are threatened in any way."
Which is his way to say 'if you question this, you are questioning my efficiency and, since I am perfect, literally how dare you'.
"In fact it is why I made sure to put your keycard onto the papers. I could have given it back now, sir, but I felt it was important."
Meaning 'your reasoning doesn't make sense'.
"And you saw me leave, so..." he turns to look at the mug. It was already half broken before Price even looked at it, so he might as well give the Director a little scare "It does seem to be damaged, though. Did it always have that creak near the handle?"
His scowl softens into a thoughtful frown. While he can be a manipulative prick, he's woefully outclassed here. Price is a master liar and he can't help but second guess himself... while not entirely convinced, he isn't given enough time to really question it either.
"What?" His attention is fully diverted for the moment and before he fully thinks it through, he's reaching to pick up the bit of pottery. He pauses and clears his throat. "I'm sure it's fine... it's sturdier than it looks."
Sometimes he thinks the mug is a perfect metaphor for his relationship with his daughter... irreparably damaged, but he'd rather repurpose it than give it up.
"When is the soonest you can interview the next batch of volunteers?" It's time to get things back on track. "I expect to have the improvements to the neural implants done by the end of the week. Perhaps sooner."
Price hums as the Director is forced to change topic due to lack of evidence.
"No sooner than next monday, I am afraid. If you want I can call and try to reschedule, completing my work for the week earlier is feasible."
He could do it all by pulling a single all nighter, honestly. He's fast and efficient, but he likes to take his time to enjoy the tasks and also to give the Director the illusion of space. Having done everything already when the man tries to dismiss him and tell him to 'go do something' will leave them bored and unnerved respectively.
As much as he'd rather trust his instincts, he's a scientist and suspicion can't be allowed to trump evidence. Plus he'd much rather avoid the discussion veering towards the mug itself. In any case, Price is now aware of his suspicions and that any repeat of this incident won't be tolerated.
"So long as it doesn't come at the expense of quality, sooner is preferable."
At this point in the project, the balance between expediency and thoroughness is still paramount to him. Humanity has a deadline, yes... but costly mistakes will only set them back further. Measure twice and cut once as his father was fond of saying. As much has he wouldn't say so outright, he trusts Price's judgement in these matters. He hired the man for a reason.
"Running a few more theoretical models in the interim won't be onerous."
Of course "better" is relative. His throat feels as if he'd been drinking lava and his skull wants to explode... but his coughing isn't as bad and for now the fever is subsided.
He's sure if he avoids pushing too hard he'll be fine. Today is completely different from last night.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2021-04-18 08:08 pm (UTC)This right here is why he didn't want Price or anyone else around. He can't afford to lose face if the Project is going to succeed. And that's why he needs to do this on his own.
Or at least as on his own as possible. The wall is fine if he starts to stumble in that direction... a cough and a misstep and he left reaching into empty space to find Price waiting for him. He takes a firm grip of his shoulder, mostly for balance but also as a reminder to watch his tone. He might appreciate the help but he does not appreciate the sass.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-18 08:51 pm (UTC)He's aware that at this point, as manners require, he's supposed to ask the Director if he can manage alone from this point on, but he doesn't want him to say yes, so he decides to use the first excuse available in order not to leave him right now.
"May I have your keycard, sir? I have to open the door."
He's so curious on what that room looks like and what its arrangement reveals about the Director's personality!
no subject
Date: 2021-04-18 10:39 pm (UTC)"Alright." He's too tired to argue at this point and he's starting to regret that last cup of coffee. It's just to open the door anyway... so he pulls the card from his pocket and offers it up before bracing himself on the wall so Price can use it.
His room is... functional.
Most of his time is taken up by working in the lab. So other than sleeping, he doesn't spend much time here. There are no obviously homey touches... except for a broken mug/penholder made in the unmistakable clunky style of a child's art project on his cluttered desk and a holo-album. Even the small bookcase is just crammed full of the research books, notes and things that didn't make it into the lab itself. And except for his personal workspace the room is almost meticulously tidy. Although that may just be the result of lack of use.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-19 07:18 pm (UTC)He places the papers onto the desk and then helps the Director sit on his bed. Which would probably be too much for the usual standards, but that doesn't stop him from grabbing a foot and starting to remove a boot.
"Where do you keep your sleeping clothes, sir?"
no subject
Date: 2021-04-19 08:49 pm (UTC)"Oh, do go away..." His voice is quiet and hoarse and more vaguely annoyed than angry. He just wants to be left to sleep and could really care less if he was dressed appropriately or not. Boots and all if need be.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-20 08:56 am (UTC)Price gives him a soft smile as he lets go off the boot and takes off the Director's glasses instead. He may or may not have a plan.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-20 11:51 am (UTC)"Out."
He marshals enough energy to try to snatch his glasses back from out of Price's hand. There are some things you just don't do... touching a man's glasses is one.
He's not exactly blind without them, but that's not the point. It's insulting. Beyond that, they have a very specific place to be so he doesn't have to hunt for them later. He doesn't want to be feeling around for them later.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-20 01:15 pm (UTC)Price pouts. Shame, he wanted to take advantage of the fact that he didn't have glasses to...Nevermind. He'll come back later.
"Goodnight, sir."
He leaves fast enough so that the Director doesn't realize immediately that he took his keycard with him. It's not like he can run after him, anyway.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-20 02:42 pm (UTC)Unless anyone intrudes or intervenes, he'll spend the next twelve or so hours in and out of it as his fever runs its course.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-20 04:07 pm (UTC)The man looks stone cold dead while sleeping, if it wasn't for the snoring Price would almost be concerned. His attention is immediately caught by the quirky clay mug, but he'll get to that later, he wants to see if there is something else.
He finds a holographic album: in many of the pictures there are a little girl and a blonde woman. The woman often wears a military uniform. It's the Director's wife, there are pictures of their wedding. The little girl looks vaguely familiar, but he cannot put his finger on who she resembles to, as Agent Carolina has spoken to him but hasn't revealed details about her family yet. She was chosen by the Director and Price could not question it, but soon he would find out. In the meantime he makes many mental notes as he scrolls through the pictures.
He decides on the spot he is going to make a secret file about the Director, for personal use. There he shall list all the details he noticed in this album plus all the Director's quirks and behaviours like his tendency to solve problems with yelling, his avid coffee consumption, the way he always puts his hand behind his back...Many things to take note of, and he looks forward to finding out more.
As he looks around some more he can't help but find that the Director laying there like that has something tempting to him. He'd love to stroke his hand and show him that he's there for him, but he knows it's risky. So he eyes the loosened up boot and removes it, the Director will think he kicked it off in his sleep.
A smirk appears on Price's face. He won't remove the other boot, but he will take off the sock. Socks get lost all the time, and even if the Director looks for it he's not going to think that someone took it. It makes for a nice contrast, because he will absolutely get mad to see his mug isn't in the room.
Price opens the door with the Director's keycard, and during the few seconds before the door closes automatically, he puts it onto the bedside table, on top of the papers that he so kindly carried for him, then leaves with the mug and the sock. He carefully places the mug next to the screen in the area where the Director was working, so that he will be relieved to see it but will sense that something is wrong without being able to explain it. It's going to be fun!
After that, he decides to reward himself by going to his own quarters, keeping the sock nearby and zealously start crafting this new exciting file...
no subject
Date: 2021-04-27 05:01 pm (UTC)He's back in the lab as soon as possible. Which honestly is probably sooner than what is prudent. But he had remained in bed at least until he finished the notes on the papers at his disposal... primarily to keep FILSS off his damn back. Sometimes he seriously questioned some of his choices in her programming. Still, he needs to keep busy and she only questions him so far.
When he spots the mug at his work station he freezes and goes pale. What the hell is that doing there? Of all the things... he moves it carefully out of view and looks around, utterly furious. There's only one person who could have done it and he wants to know exactly why. When he spots Price he stalks up to him, careful to at least keep his pace casual and expression neutral. Except for his eyes. He's never been particularly good at masking the emotion behind his eyes.
"Councilor, a word in private, if you please." Leonard's voice is low and ice calm. And in spite of the word choice it's clear that this isn't a request.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-27 07:30 pm (UTC)Price greets him with an almost smug expression, but as soon as he is ordered to exchange 'a word in private' he inevitably tenses up despite expecting and even craving this moment. Despite his calm and collected exterior, he's quite the thrill seeker and this little game can help him test the ground for other activities. Also, he likes the idea of driving the Director so crazy that he has no choice but completely open up.
"Oh. Yes, sir. How can I be of assistance?"
no subject
Date: 2021-04-28 01:43 am (UTC)"Would you care to explain just what the hell you're playing at?" There's no need to raise his voice to convey just how angry he is. He jealously guards his privacy and while ultimately, it isn't technically a 'big deal' (there's no exposing a deep dark secret or anything like that) but it's a violation of that privacy.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-28 02:55 pm (UTC)His expression softens and he even raises his head a bit to look back at the Director in order to convey his
fakesubmission.no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 03:59 pm (UTC)He scowls to demonstrate exactly how much he doesn't believe Price's innocent act.
"You took something from my room, I would like to know why."
By which he means the mug. The sock has, as predicted, escaped his notice.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 06:52 pm (UTC)Price responds calmly, feigning cluelessness.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 07:34 pm (UTC)Just a 'pen-holder'... if his downplaying of its significance and origin is intentional or not is up for debate. But he's clearly trying to obfuscate how the choice of item effected him.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 08:01 pm (UTC)The Director can say what he pleases, there is no reason why Price would do such thing. He did do it, but with no reason, and without proof it's just not feasible to come at him for it.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 08:37 pm (UTC)He's at least 98% percent sure about that. He was simply too sick to get up. He supposes that there was a vanishingly small chance he could have wandered around in his feverish state... but somehow he doubts it.
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 08:59 pm (UTC)"I'm a little confused. I already have a pen holder for myself." he sounds dumb on purpose "However if I were to borrow it, I would ask you first. I'm sorry you feel that way, I would never want you to feel like your personal belongings are threatened in any way."
Which is his way to say 'if you question this, you are questioning my efficiency and, since I am perfect, literally how dare you'.
"In fact it is why I made sure to put your keycard onto the papers. I could have given it back now, sir, but I felt it was important."
Meaning 'your reasoning doesn't make sense'.
"And you saw me leave, so..." he turns to look at the mug. It was already half broken before Price even looked at it, so he might as well give the Director a little scare "It does seem to be damaged, though. Did it always have that creak near the handle?"
no subject
Date: 2021-04-29 10:20 pm (UTC)"What?" His attention is fully diverted for the moment and before he fully thinks it through, he's reaching to pick up the bit of pottery. He pauses and clears his throat. "I'm sure it's fine... it's sturdier than it looks."
Sometimes he thinks the mug is a perfect metaphor for his relationship with his daughter... irreparably damaged, but he'd rather repurpose it than give it up.
"When is the soonest you can interview the next batch of volunteers?" It's time to get things back on track. "I expect to have the improvements to the neural implants done by the end of the week. Perhaps sooner."
no subject
Date: 2021-05-02 10:10 am (UTC)"No sooner than next monday, I am afraid. If you want I can call and try to reschedule, completing my work for the week earlier is feasible."
He could do it all by pulling a single all nighter, honestly. He's fast and efficient, but he likes to take his time to enjoy the tasks and also to give the Director the illusion of space. Having done everything already when the man tries to dismiss him and tell him to 'go do something' will leave them bored and unnerved respectively.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-02 06:50 pm (UTC)is now aware of his suspicions and that any repeat of this incident won't be tolerated.
"So long as it doesn't come at the expense of quality, sooner is preferable."
At this point in the project, the balance between expediency and thoroughness is still paramount to him. Humanity has a deadline, yes... but costly mistakes will only set them back further. Measure twice and cut once as his father was fond of saying. As much has he wouldn't say so outright, he trusts Price's judgement in these matters. He hired the man for a reason.
"Running a few more theoretical models in the interim won't be onerous."
((ooc: I hate phone tagging.))
no subject
Date: 2021-05-03 08:37 pm (UTC)Price nods.
"Are you feeling a little better, sir? You were very sick last night."
no subject
Date: 2021-05-03 10:05 pm (UTC)Of course "better" is relative. His throat feels as if he'd been drinking lava and his skull wants to explode... but his coughing isn't as bad and for now the fever is subsided.
He's sure if he avoids pushing too hard he'll be fine. Today is completely different from last night.
"Just a little tired, but that can't be helped."
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