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[askedtobe]

[ Peter rarely makes posts to the network with such express purpose, but when he shows up on the feed this time, he looks prepared. Like he's got a message. And he only glances off camera once, before he starts. ]

You know, been here almost a year and a half now. Place definitely takes a toll on a person after awhile. Especially when things at home don't exactly make it any easier to deal with the kind of things that go on here. If you let it, everything just kind of.. falls apart. [ He shrugs, grasping a little for the right words. Public speaking isn't his strong suit. ]

Doesn't mean it has to, though. I know more than a few people here have made allegiances with people they never would've thought to. Whatever gets you through, right? Makes it easier, helps keep you going? Didn't actually think i'd end up happy in this place, not after everything that's happened.

[ This time, when he looks off camera again, he lets his NV turn ... to an expectant Sylar, his dark gaze fixed on the device. He smiles, wryly, as though to say 'surprise'. ]

Makes a lot of sense, when you think about it. The people who remind you of home, who understand what it's like to be you better than anyone else does; you can't really pick and choose who those people are. Adversity makes strange bedfellows.

[ He quirks an offscreen glance toward Peter. ]

Everyone deserves a little happiness in their lives, don't you think? Someone to love. Something you'd kill to protect. [ He reaches out suddenly, viper-quick, pulling Peter back into view of the NV by dragging him into his lap, and surprising a smile out of him in the process. Sylar presses his nose into Peter's neck, buries his nose briefly into hair that has grown back mysteriously quickly, and then looks back at the screen mockingly. ]

Like this smile. Isn't it adorable? A man could kill for a smile like this.

[ But before Sylar can embarrass them both any further, Peter's fumbling for his NV and trying not to smile so much as he turns off the feed. ]


[ ooc; blue is Peter; red is Sylar. threadjacking is encouraged! ]

Comments

[gammas]

[ she pauses and chews on the inside of her mouth, tucking back a lock of her hair. ]

I wasn't thinking. I just kind of -- you know, let my feelings get ahead of myself. As usual.

[ rubbing her temples and then squeezing her eyes shut. ]

I had -- I had no idea. And this happened while I was gone. So I couldn't even help her.

[deductives]

[Sherlock quietly stirs his tea as Jen talks, though his eyes are sharply on her now. Her posture and her entire demeanor was different in her normal form. It could have just been the effect of what she'd just been through, but Sherlock can see older signs. Circles under her eyes, her spine slightly sloped forward, and a general look of being oppressed.]

Exactly. You weren't here; you can hardly be held accountable.

[It's not said with any gentleness, only Sherlock's usual calm recitation of facts.]

I couldn't help her either. [And I was here.]

[gammas]

[ she doesn't open her eyes, just keeps her face buried in the palms of her hands. she knows what's going unsaid and that makes her feel worse, but. ]

You couldn't -- you couldn't put that guy away? You couldn't get him arrested? Any decent prosecutor would have that guy hauling his ass to jail!

[ she's bringing her hands down now ]

You're supposed to be some amazing detective! Why isn't he in prison for what he did to her!

[deductives]

[Sherlock slams his spoon onto the tray with a loud clank that almost threatened to dent the stainless steel.]

There was plenty of evidence without bodies. An idiot could have proven it. But the anti-Newcomer stigma is strong, and they were probably already chuffed that he killed Batman, so I'm sure SERO pulled some strings. He was in jail for months, but as we all know, they apparently forget to lock the doors at night. So don't take your own guilt out on me.

[He's sounding angrier as he goes on, though he looks straight ahead and not at her.]

I caught up with him before that. I could have killed him, but--

[gammas]

[ Jen notices that. that he's not looking directly at her, but she doesn't try to meet his gaze. her green eyes just turn a brighter, more unnatural green, and her fists clench on her lap ]

Then why didn't you?

[ not that she condones murder. she doesn't. she believes in the law, and taking him to court, and letting the justice system deal with this. but she's mad and irrational and all she wants to do is just cry. ]

[deductives]

[Because John and Carrie both pleaded with him not to. Because if he had, he would have proven himself to be just the mirror Moriarty wanted. Because back then, he was afraid of going to far. Now, he wonders, how would things be different?]

I hesitated.

[He notices her eyes, and he finally looks at her for a moment.]

You don't have to stay like that. [He knows she doesn't want to.]

[gammas]

[ she's bringing her leg under her and immediately looking away when he looks at her. ]

I'm fine, Sherlock.

[ it's not that she wouldn't turn back in a second. she just doesn't trust herself when she's... uninhibited. ]

[deductives]

No you aren't.

[He picks up his tea and blows some steam from the top of the cup.]

I saw what he said to you.

[gammas]

[ she grits her teeth, raking her hair back again. she takes a moment to respond and when she does: ]

It's not that big of a deal. He doesn't know anything about me.

[deductives]

No. He only pretends.

[Sherlock knows that tactic, far too well. It's as infuriating as it intends to be, almost without fail.]

But I've found that even telepaths can be wrong. Quite frequently in fact.

[gammas]

He's a-- of course he is.

[ resisting the urge to bury her face in her hands again. mostly she just wants to Hulk out and break something but that's never a good idea. ]

Whatever. Look, it doesn't matter what he says. I don't care. I know what I am.

[deductives]

[Sherlock sighs and pushes the tea tray closer to her. He's not sure of what to say. Sure, Hulks clearly weren't quite human, but--]

And... I know what you aren't.

[gammas]

[ she eyes the tray for a moment and eventually picks up her tea cup, holding it tightly in her palms. she bristles though, brows furrowing ]

I know I'm not a monster. I'm a hero and a damn good one. I was an Avenger, a Fantastic Four member, a Defender, everything.

So you don't have to try and comfort me, Sherlock. I know you're not good at it. [ her voice hitches at the end though and she finally takes a sip of the tea ]

[deductives]

I assume those are important things where you're from.

[He says it dryly-- she should know those official titles mean very little to him. Still, he clams up quickly enough when she calls him out on his attempts at kindness. Fine.

At least she took the tea.]

[gammas]

World-class heroes.

[ of course, she left the Avengers because she completely snapped and killed one of her best friends but... at this point, she just sinks into silence and stares into her tea.

how is it possible that she feels worse. ]

[deductives]

[Comforting people is still a mystery to Sherlock. Especially women on the brink of hysterics. As for hulks-- well, he doesn't even know where to begin. So for now, he just awkwardly sips his tea and waits to see if she has anything more to say, whether it be about her fit of rage or what happened to Carrie.

[gammas]

[ at one point, she's managed to pull both of her legs up, knees against her chest and just.. burying her face in her arms. she's silent for a good five minutes and then: ]

I'm sorry.