If he’d been holding something, it very well might have cracked from the pressure his closed fists are exerting.
It takes every fiber of his being not to slap the hand away in frustration. Membrane was, predictably, trying to help. Though Venomous doubted he could ever actually understand enough to do so. Well, there was one way to make him understand, but he’d rather die before willing Shadow into existence.
are you sure? you’ve come this far, little tattletail~
Steeling his nerves, forcing all his control of that little ink blot back into its cage, he grit sharp teeth and shook his head. No no, he had the wrong idea. Francis himself wasn’t even sure how to explain it. His notes had been destroyed (though he now knew Shadowy was to blame) and he couldn’t for the life of him remember what all he’d done to get like this. All in a lame senseless bid to get his power back. One that had failed.
Sure, he’d made the best of it and he was happier in his own science than he could’ve ever been with POINT, but had it been worth it? A new life, a new bid on purpose, financial stability, a job…. but with such a literal dark side? If their positions had been switched, he would’ve thought the same thing about mental trauma and coping mechanisms. Something like Shadowy didn’t just happen every day, nor to just any man.
“It’s not – It’s not that. You don’t understand. It’s… something else. Possession? Body swapping? Hell I don’t know–”
It all sounded like something out of a bad science fiction movie, and his other hand came up to squeeze the prosthetic one. It wasn’t like he could possibly hurt him, anyway. Shadowy might, but Shadowy was on a tight leash. If Francis let up for even a second, he was sure it would end in disaster.
“I’ve got no idea what you’d technically call it, but he isn’t me. He’s something I made, but he’s not just in my head. I’m telling you, Gabriel, he’s not like anything I’ve seen before. He’s physical, he’s dangerous, he’s–”
better not get TOO chatty, fran. I might get antsy and come play anyway.
Purple energy crackled at the lights overhead, though if one wasn’t watching it was easily missed.
“He’s a disease and I NEED to get rid of him. I’m running out of time, I can just feel it.”
It doesn't hurt, but he can feel the man's tight grip. The pressure and squeezing shift of latex as jointed digits shift subconsciously. He's sure that he can feel the hard inorganic details of his prosthetic hand, instead of soft flesh that gives.
Francis is distressed. Of course Membrane was terrible at this, his bedside manner had always been lacking. Why he choose the title of professor over doctor. Too many associations and expectations he simply never cared for.
But he's also prepared for the push back. The initial denial. What he isn't expecting is the mention of possession. He'd have thought Venomous was above that line of reasoning. They were men of science, not superstition. But he reserves his judgement. The man's sick after all. Not thinking clearly.
Though the returned hold was reassuring. Better than being pushed away or reprimanded for crossing some unspoken line.
He keeps any comments that would help prove or aid in his diagnosis, to himself. So focused on Francis that he misses the sparkling display that flickered above. His equipment's sensors not picking up any flash of energy.
"You seem to have found yourself in quite a conundrum, Dr. Jekyll." Gabriel teases lightly in perhaps a poor and in bad taste, attempt to break the tension. Offer respite from the scientist's growing intensity.
"You're right, I don't understand. But I can still do what I can to try and help," He's still convinced that Francis's demons are merely a dissociation from himself. But. Refuting and belittling his concerns wasn’t helpful and if this ‘version’ of him was dangerous. The last thing Gabriel wanted was for him to hurt himself.
Though... The mention of the classical figure does give him a moment of pause and quick reflection. Was it actually possible that an experiment had split the scientist in two or manifested some foreign aspect of his being, conscious or not in a way that defied their understanding. It wasn't impossible. Membrane's own ventures often rejected the natural order. Pushing the limits of what was and wasn't possible. Like Venomous’ appearance, anything was theoretically possible if backed by scientific reasoning and logic.
Gazlene was evidence of that.
But he still has his doubts.
"Breath. You're getting worked up. I can see that its urgent, but you don't want to lose focus or allow it to control you. Perhaps you should take a moment to drink some water or tea, recollect yourself and explain what you need from me." If he's looking for a 'cure' Membrane will indulge him. Reaching up with his freehand to adjust his goggles, "What is your progress so far? You've reached a dead end, how so?"
"I would assume you've scanned your brain or monitored your neural patterns? Or. Have tangible proof that he exists outside of you, as a separate entity."
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