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.
His first thought is to just tell Price to fuck off, but that's hardly a professional way to deal with things. Satisfying as it might be. After everything, the man is just so damn... preternaturally unflappable.
He clears his throat.
"Tea. With plenty of honey."
Is it a mundane task that's below Price's skill and position... yes. But he's salty and sick and honestly Price is surprisingly good at judging these things.
For a tiny fraction of a second Price displays a put out expression. He hoped to be able to play with risky documents instead of being treated like a waiter, but he knows he'll get to it. Besides, he likes serving and pleasing the Director.
"Yes sir."
He complies because of course he does, he knows he's beautiful when serving others, his talents shine even when it comes to he little things. That is because is good at figuring out people's needs.
He takes his time to make the tea himself instead of getting it from the machine, and adds plenty of honey as requested. He wonders how can he mark his territory this time, and as he stirs it comes to him.
He places himself in a corner where he can see the Director already busy at work, and watches him as he puts the spoon in his mouth. It's not much - not enough - unfortunately, but it's something. He sucks it for a bit and allows himself to hum audibly, then quickly puts it back in the cup and keeps stirring as he walks back to the Director's desk.
"Here."
He puts the cup onto the flat surface. His eyes quickly scan the Director. He's absolutely not fantasizing about spilling the tea all over him and gently patting him with a tissue or towel. Perhaps he should just to show him 'that he's not perfect' and satisfy that desire to see it, but he feels he should unnerve him just a little longer...Maybe tease him a little bit?
He rotates the cup so that the Project Freelancer logo faces the Director. It's the perfectly good compromise, acting like he placed the cup incorrectly when the very act of fixing it is a reminder of how overly perfect he is. Then he adds a throwaway line that he personally thinks is genius in this context:
"These cups were clearly not designed with left handed people in mind."
Not that a logo on both sides wouldn't have solved the non-issue, and many people like the Director himself would argue 'just turn it around, dumbass', but for all that grumpy man knows Price could be left handed and struggling. It's a subtle mockery of his lack of attention to detail, which pairs with the penholder incident in an exquisite way.
It's a petty little display of power, but it goes a long way to mollify his sore feelings. In the mean time, he gives the bit of pottery a final look over and when he's satisfied, tucks it away and gets to work. First he needs to decipher his fever-scrawled notes and get them into the computer. Some of it made sense, but large sections of it were practically illegible. He curses inwardly and sets to it... There's going to be a lot of backtracking.
When Price puts the mug down and turns it around, he raises an eyebrow and only just avoids scowling. He's not aware of why the act annoys him, but it does.
"I wasn't aware that mugs were designed with handedness in mind.” There's a hint of testiness to his voice as Leonard taps the spoon and out of pure habit puts it in his mouth to clean it before setting it aside. Having a wet spoon get coffee or tea on your workspace is simply unacceptable.
"Perhaps you should take the matter up with requisitions." He honestly couldn't care less what side of the damn mug the logo was on. There were far more important things to worry about than minor graphic design details. As if to drive the point home, he picks the mug up by the body, ignoring the handle altogether while he takes his first sip.
The warmth eases the scratchy pain of his throat he makes a soft sound of approval and for just a second a look of profound relief crosses his face. The first relief he's had since he started getting sick.
"I have some papers I'd like you review.” After setting the mug back down, he leans back to reach an old fashioned manila envelope that he'd had obscured in a larger collection of research materials. Leonard passes an eye over the envelope as if taking one last moment to judge if he should part with it before handing it out to Price. "At your convenience of course."
He picks up the mug and takes another sip. There's still time before he needs an answer. After all, reviewing the paperwork to approve a Smart AI is a frustratingly slow process. “But, I'd be very interested in your opinion.”
Price notices the soft approving sound, and eyes the Director with delight.
"Thank you, sir." he takes the envelope, handling it with care. He's honoured and excited to serve him. "Is there anything else I can do to assist you?"
"Someone once told me the great advantage of paper is it's discretion and impermanence. I trust you will take advantage of both." He knows that Price will read between the lines and dispose of the papers after he's read them.
Just as he expects him to connect the dots with them... Even if Price might not understand all the technical jargon. The subjects range from UNSC protocols and laws, ethics in flash cloning, theoretical models and various other things combed from obscure journals.
If Price sees the extremely illegal 'clone yourself to harvest your own brain' plan implied in the papers and doesn't seem bothered by it... well, they can start discussing his plans for their soon to be, Smart AI. If not, he can continue on his own.
"I should be fine for the rest of the day, Counselor. I wouldn't want to keep you from your own work."
He knows not to push quite so hard today. With luck, his temperature won't spike as dramatically as it did last night. So long as he keeps himself supplied with tea and tissues, he should be good enough to stay productive. Assuming he doesn't fall asleep at his desk.
Price goes back to his office to examine the papers. He did take some computer studies, but AI theory was a whole another discipline, so it took a little bit of squinting and double takes to confirm that the Director did indeed want to do something illegal.
He doesn't mind, working with the AI will be like working with him, so all the needed information will come out and he is glad to do the work, especially since Project Freelancer doesn't aim to have a tradtional approach. Who know what amazing discoveries they could make!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
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."
no subject
Date: 2021-05-05 08:46 am (UTC)Price gives him a faint smile.
"How can I assist you, today?"
no subject
Date: 2021-05-11 03:19 pm (UTC)He clears his throat.
"Tea. With plenty of honey."
Is it a mundane task that's below Price's skill and position... yes. But he's salty and sick and honestly Price is surprisingly good at judging these things.
"I'll be at my desk."
no subject
Date: 2021-05-13 08:11 pm (UTC)"Yes sir."
He complies because of course he does, he knows he's beautiful when serving others, his talents shine even when it comes to he little things. That is because is good at figuring out people's needs.
He takes his time to make the tea himself instead of getting it from the machine, and adds plenty of honey as requested. He wonders how can he mark his territory this time, and as he stirs it comes to him.
He places himself in a corner where he can see the Director already busy at work, and watches him as he puts the spoon in his mouth. It's not much - not enough - unfortunately, but it's something. He sucks it for a bit and allows himself to hum audibly, then quickly puts it back in the cup and keeps stirring as he walks back to the Director's desk.
"Here."
He puts the cup onto the flat surface. His eyes quickly scan the Director. He's absolutely not fantasizing about spilling the tea all over him and gently patting him with a tissue or towel. Perhaps he should just to show him 'that he's not perfect' and satisfy that desire to see it, but he feels he should unnerve him just a little longer...Maybe tease him a little bit?
He rotates the cup so that the Project Freelancer logo faces the Director. It's the perfectly good compromise, acting like he placed the cup incorrectly when the very act of fixing it is a reminder of how overly perfect he is. Then he adds a throwaway line that he personally thinks is genius in this context:
"These cups were clearly not designed with left handed people in mind."
Not that a logo on both sides wouldn't have solved the non-issue, and many people like the Director himself would argue 'just turn it around, dumbass', but for all that grumpy man knows Price could be left handed and struggling. It's a subtle mockery of his lack of attention to detail, which pairs with the penholder incident in an exquisite way.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-02 01:40 am (UTC)When Price puts the mug down and turns it around, he raises an eyebrow and only just avoids scowling. He's not aware of why the act annoys him, but it does.
"I wasn't aware that mugs were designed with handedness in mind.” There's a hint of testiness to his voice as Leonard taps the spoon and out of pure habit puts it in his mouth to clean it before setting it aside. Having a wet spoon get coffee or tea on your workspace is simply unacceptable.
"Perhaps you should take the matter up with requisitions." He honestly couldn't care less what side of the damn mug the logo was on. There were far more important things to worry about than minor graphic design details. As if to drive the point home, he picks the mug up by the body, ignoring the handle altogether while he takes his first sip.
The warmth eases the scratchy pain of his throat he makes a soft sound of approval and for just a second a look of profound relief crosses his face. The first relief he's had since he started getting sick.
"I have some papers I'd like you review.” After setting the mug back down, he leans back to reach an old fashioned manila envelope that he'd had obscured in a larger collection of research materials. Leonard passes an eye over the envelope as if taking one last moment to judge if he should part with it before handing it out to Price. "At your convenience of course."
He picks up the mug and takes another sip. There's still time before he needs an answer. After all, reviewing the paperwork to approve a Smart AI is a frustratingly slow process. “But, I'd be very interested in your opinion.”
no subject
Date: 2021-08-11 09:24 pm (UTC)"Thank you, sir." he takes the envelope, handling it with care. He's honoured and excited to serve him. "Is there anything else I can do to assist you?"
no subject
Date: 2021-08-19 03:17 am (UTC)Just as he expects him to connect the dots with them... Even if Price might not understand all the technical jargon. The subjects range from UNSC protocols and laws, ethics in flash cloning, theoretical models and various other things combed from obscure journals.
If Price sees the extremely illegal 'clone yourself to harvest your own brain' plan implied in the papers and doesn't seem bothered by it... well, they can start discussing his plans for their soon to be, Smart AI. If not, he can continue on his own.
"I should be fine for the rest of the day, Counselor. I wouldn't want to keep you from your own work."
He knows not to push quite so hard today. With luck, his temperature won't spike as dramatically as it did last night. So long as he keeps himself supplied with tea and tissues, he should be good enough to stay productive. Assuming he doesn't fall asleep at his desk.
no subject
Date: 2021-08-19 01:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-19 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-08-20 06:50 am (UTC)Price goes back to his office to examine the papers. He did take some computer studies, but AI theory was a whole another discipline, so it took a little bit of squinting and double takes to confirm that the Director did indeed want to do something illegal.
He doesn't mind, working with the AI will be like working with him, so all the needed information will come out and he is glad to do the work, especially since Project Freelancer doesn't aim to have a tradtional approach. Who know what amazing discoveries they could make!