Daryn Elizabeth O'Conner-Roman (darynoconner) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2018-01-14 19:49:00 |
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Entry tags: | daryn o'conner |
Characters: Daryn and Fitz
Setting: Faction safehouse in the woods, Monday, January 15, 2018, morning
Summary: Clearing things up
Rating: Low
Since the meeting on Wednesday, Daryn was determined to get herself up and back to business sooner than ever. She convinced herself that she was feeling better, and she was, compared to the week prior. She wasn’t 100% yet, but she wasn’t going to let that slow her down. They had things to take care of and she had plenty to do to keep herself busy.
She’d stopped using her cane a few days ago, but the walk out to the cabin was far enough that by the time she reached the location she was limping again. Ignoring the pain, Daryn focused to make sure she didn’t hear the thoughts of anyone following her, and could sense that Fitz was already inside, awaiting their meeting. Moving inside slowly, she glanced around in search of the man, or the cat, whichever form he chose today.
Fitz spent the time before Daryn arrived trying to organize and focus his thoughts a bit, not wanting some of his new secrets to slip out- the fact that he had them were killing him. Once she arrived he felt ready and after making sure she was alone he stepped out from the kitchen area, the small cat changing into the man in layered clothing. He still looked like a clean hobo. “Daryn.” He said softly. “You look better…” He’d seen her enter the diner with the cane and comparatively she seemed… better.
Turning to face him, Daryn nodded once in greeting, looking him over slowly. Thank you. Even her condition at the diner had been worlds better than it was in the days prior. But she didn’t really expect Fitz to know that. After studying him, she looked around the room with a little sigh. She was tense and she wasn’t trying to hide it. Do you have anything to report?
He’d just started to come out more again after his not quite one week seclusion, so he hadn’t garnered a lot of new information since his last debrief he’d sent to her then Remy. Fitz assumed Remy shared the list of names- though he still hadn’t found any context for it. He successfully didn’t actively think about why he’d been scare around town. “Nothing new that you aren’t already aware of or wasn’t on my last report. People don’t like the curfew, even those whose views don’t align with ours feel a little put out by it.” He fiddled slightly with the cuff of his left sleeve as he spoke. “It does appear that the government's official announcement is was right… some guards were escorted off the island, but not all involved in activities. I have a feeling it was either for show, or they must have not been able to cover it up.”
Daryn just nodded slowly, turning to study him again as he spoke. Her eyes moved to the fiddling with his sleeve before returning to his face. You do recall what my position was in the Faction prior to this, don’t you? For most of her time in the Faction, Daryn had been part of ‘security,’ constantly screening Faction members to make sure they were still able to be trusted as members.
Fitz furrowed his brow, his defense seeming to rise a bit at the insinuation. “Are you doubting my loyalty to the cause?”
Arching a brow slowly, Daryn folded her arms beneath her chest. I am checking on your loyalty. Everyone is entitled to their privacy. I could easily just go rifling through your head and find out what you are hiding. Because you are very obviously hiding something. I may have almost had my brain bashed in, but I’m still stronger than you realize. Instead of just finding out for myself, I felt I owed you the opportunity to remind me of how loyal and valuable you are to the cause. I’d hate to see you no longer be a part of our very important work. But I also will not allow you, or anyone else, to jeopardize things.
“Remind you how…” Fitz almost laughed at what he felt was an absurd notion. Pacing away a few steps, he ran a hand through his hair. “My whole life for nearly the entirety of the last five years has been to the cause.” He said, the ‘nearly’ being the time on the island before Remy discovered him. “I’ve pointed out possible recruits, gathered intel, and allowed myself to be used as a pet to help boost morale. Barely anyone knows I’m here on the island at all and the only regular conversations I have are with telepaths- and do you know how hard that is for someone? God forbid your mind wanders and you end up thinking about something embarrassing.” Thankfully being a bit on the defensive helped him not actively think about the two secrets he did have. He slightly regretted the bite of anger in his voice. “So yea, maybe I keep some stuff to myself… like how much I regret getting on that boat something- I think that’s something every regrets at some point. Or how I miss touching people with actual hands.” All were truths. “But I also keep hidden where I live. Things that would put me at personal risk if someone else knew. Everything I do is for the cause.”
Just like the rest of us. Daryn expected Fitz to get defensive, honestly, she’d expected a little more anger or resentment, but she still felt justified in questioning him. You’re not the only one who has spent all of your time and energy on the Faction, you are not the only one who has, and continues to make sacrifices for the cause. I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about these things you think you aren’t thinking about, but yet you are. I won’t pry, I won’t take your privacy from you. But you must realize that the moment someone tries to hide something from the Faction, the moment suspicion arises. Sighing again, she watched him in silence. She had more to say, but for now, gave him the chance to say what he wanted or needed to. This was a conversation, not a lecture.
He closed his eyes, sighing heavily. “I know. I know.” He did, there had been a lot of speculation in the past that they’d had moles. Fitz knew he was not a mole, actually every decision he’d made he’d taken the Faction into mind, including what had happened with Sebastian. His secret of Evie was harmless, the girl was scared and just wanted to find her sister. She wasn’t ready to join the revolution- but supported the idea of one. Sebastian had been different, but his choice not to run was because he knew if he was outed they might be able to track him back to the Faction. The reason he hadn’t just killed the man was the same- death of a mutant who worked for the government dying? Hell, he’d even made sure the deal they worked out wouldn’t force him to put the Faction at risk. But all of this he tried to keep out as he focused on the other reasons he’d given for privacy. “Every choice, every decision I have considered the cause.” He said softly. “I’m not perfect but I’m not a traitor.” Fitz turned to face Daryn.
Daryn looked him over carely, not oblivious to the thoughts he’d tried to hide from her. But she didn’t dig further, there was no reason to. For now. Daryn just nodded to him and then turned to go. This was the reason for her visit and it didn’t seem like he’d ever wanted to talk more than business with her. So she wouldn’t take up more of his time. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?
“It’s hard just to watch…” He said as she turned. Fitz didn’t really expect a reply, but it was something he had to say. He understood why he only watched, he wasn’t doubting his role but, “When crap like New Years happens. It’s hard to sit back and watch. When you see one girl get attacked and another almost raped it’s hard not to jump in and tear someone’s throat out.” Fitz ran his hand over his mouth as he turned away. He’d agreed to this, he’d joined the Faction of his own free will knowing exactly what it meant. He had no right to complain.
Daryn stopped and listened as he spoke but didn’t turn back to face him. No one has ever prevented you from doing more. You choose your own role, and if you want more, it is there for the taking. I don’t intend to let anything like this happen again. No more people will be hurt or die for nothing. They will not continue to get away with it.
“When you’re ready to light this place up, I’ll bring the marshmallows.” He knew the goal was keeping everyone safe and taking down the government, not literally destroying the island. They wanted equality not prison. But his point was easy enough to understand. “I’m glad you’re ok.” Fitz added before the man was replaced by an orange cat.
Daryn glanced back at him over her shoulder, but he had already shifted into a cat. Nodding, she walked out of the cabin slowly, scanning for other thoughts once again and doing her best to hide her limp. Instead of taking a detour or a longer route like she usually did, she headed the shortest route back to her home, staying alert during the trip.