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July 27 - Government Holding Cells

priceofeverythingiknow:

“Oh come on.” He said, seeing the look she shot him as he unlocked the door. “This doesn’t have to be so horrible.” He frowned, ever so slightly, realizing she was still more than upset at him.

But — It didn’t matter.

Kristen had evolved to survive and to live on others. Doing anything for anyone else didn’t come naturally to her — Of course she would be angry. It didn’t take too long to get her outside. There was the business of blindfolding her, and getting her into the passenger seat of a car of course — but once far enough away he undid her blinds, letting her see again.

He sat back again in his seat. He released a sigh but didn’t say anything else, staring out the window. It wasn’t until their driver had taken them some distance and they had stopped at a light that he spoke. “How long —,” He looked curious, “Did you expect to avoid getting a tracker?”

“Don’t be pissed off because a man I clearly shouldn’t have started to trust is using me? And not in a fun way, I might add. Don’t be pissed because you put a tracker in me? Because you kidnapped me and completely destroyed a little trust I had in you? Oh, suuuure, I’ll just be happy-go-lucky.”

Kristen rolled her eyes at him. The request was completely ridiculous and he should have known better.

She followed him to the car with the blindfold on and slid into it, enjoying the sun on her face again for the brief minute between cages. When the blindfold came off a few blocks later, Kristen turned to look at him, obviously still very pissed. His question made her glance away with a heavy sigh. “Given my ability, at least a few more years. You wouldn’t believe how easy some people are to manipulate even without forcing them.”

“I’d believe it.” He replied. He had experience both in people and the manipulation of people; after all, he did it for a living.

He tilted his head, listening to her with interest. “Would it surprise you then --- To learn that certain individuals --- aside from myself --- had their eyes on you? Three months, give or take, and they would have snatched you up. Ridiculously prejudiced people, that would have liked to see you chopped into little pieces?” He nodded, “In my keeping,” He explained, “You at least have a choice.”

He leaned back in his seat, shifting around until he was comfortable. They had a few minutes of driving yet. “I suppose you could say I saved your life.”

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

eirlysofembers

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

♢ clxirebennet:

If only there wasn’t the glass between them, Claire would have destroyed Nathaniel. But of course, there were always obstacles. The second the words left his mouth, Claire clenched her jaw tightly and stared at him for a few seconds before walking over to the sink in her cell and unscrewed one of the knobs.

As Soo Jin asked the question, Claire didn’t dare open her mouth, afraid that the answer would come spilling out and Claire wanted to know more about it before she started telling anyone else, or before Nathaniel could ruin it. Giving a small smile, she held up the screw and smiled before jabbing it into her own kill spot and falling to the floor.

He seemed only mildly surprised at Claire’s suicide. Still, that surprise lasted only a moment before he pointed at her, looking to Soo Jin. “They do this. Every now and then. It’s just a delay tactic.” He licked his lips. “I want you to go in, take it out. Then join me back here.”

“We’ll try this again.”

Soo Jin stood in shock, quickly putting her hands on the glass as if such an action could have stopped Claire’s actions. Claire was a regenerator, but this knowledge did nothing to quell the sick feeling rising within her stomach at the thought of pulling anything out of someone’s skull.

She entered Claire’s cell, whispering a quiet apology as she found the screw. Soo Jin closed her eyes and removed the foreign object, placing it on the floor beside Claire’s body. Rather than doing as instructed, she remained by Claire’s side, wanting to be certain that she would be alright. ❝Claire?❞

He leaned against the wall, quietly waiting while Soo removed the screw. Having nothing else of interest to look at, his gaze remained fixed on her, boring into her. When she hesitated to follow through on what he had ‘suggested’ he spoke. “Your empathy for her is admirable --- but misplaced. She has as little love for you as she does me. You’re a traitor in her eyes.” He tilted his head. “You can stay in there. If you like. But if she comes to and decides to try something --- say killing you --- don’t expect me to do anything.”

He looked at her, completely serious. “Because I won’t.”

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

He chuckled, her answer tickling his sense of humor. “You worry about Sylar least.” He pronounced. The answer for her had been too easy, and Soo Jin hadn’t used her ability — something Nathaniel wouldn’t soon forget. Her defiance was something he’d address out of Claire’s sight. “I’ll wager Peter comes second. His ability is so similar.” He tilted his head, thinking out loud. “Henry you’re clearly concerned about, even with his ability. At least, you think of him. Claude and Noah — The both of them are just a little elusive. Like Minnows.” He licked his lips. “Thank you for clearing that up.”

He put out the cigarette, dropping the remains carelessly on the ground and crushing it with a boot. The look he gave Soo Jin was a new one. It wasn’t angry — because he was decided. “Henry was hiding a secret.” He mused, “One he didn’t deign to share with me. He’s had enough time to talk to you. What did Henry tell you Claire?”

Soo Jin felt her spirit fall as Claire opted to answer even without the assistance of Soo Jin’s ability. She could feel the weight of her resistance bearing down on her with a promise of repercussions even as she watched Nathaniel piece apart Claire’s answers with more information than had even been spoken. When Nathaniel looked to her once more, she felt cold all over. Swallowing, she repeated after him, barely able to look to Claire as she spoke. ❝What secret did Henry tell you, Claire?❞

If only there wasn’t the glass between them, Claire would have destroyed Nathaniel. But of course, there were always obstacles. The second the words left his mouth, Claire clenched her jaw tightly and stared at him for a few seconds before walking over to the sink in her cell and unscrewed one of the knobs.

As Soo Jin asked the question, Claire didn’t dare open her mouth, afraid that the answer would come spilling out and Claire wanted to know more about it before she started telling anyone else, or before Nathaniel could ruin it. Giving a small smile, she held up the screw and smiled before jabbing it into her own kill spot and falling to the floor.

He seemed only mildly surprised at Claire’s suicide. Still, that surprise lasted only a moment before he pointed at her, looking to Soo Jin. “They do this. Every now and then. It’s just a delay tactic.” He licked his lips. “I want you to go in, take it out. Then join me back here.”

“We’ll try this again.”

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

He seemed to consider the information for a moment, before staring at Claire, disinterested. “You’re not in any real position to make demands.” He said in response to her ordering him to leave. “When you have answered my questions — and I am satisfied with your answers — I will leave. But not before.”

He continued smoking for a moment, leaving both Soo Jin waiting and Claire before speaking again. “When people say pain — generally, they will associated it on the physical level.” He exhaled, enjoying the cigarette. “There are many — many kinds of pain Claire. You’re experiencing one right now. The pain of losing control.” He looked up. “Most people react to that with anger — denial — frustration. You are exhibiting all three.”

He looked back to Soo Jin, holding the cigarette between two fingers casually. “If you had to choose one to die — who?” He nodded at Soo Jin, directing her to ask the question.

Soo Jin was used to obtaining necessary information for the government to gain the upper hand on her own kind. She was merely a pawn. Her ability could not physically hurt anyone, but the truth was often more powerful than many forces of nature. Soo Jin furrowed her brow as Claire answered the question, wishing very much that the interrogation could end. It was not going as most did.

At her next assigned question, she paused, looking to Nathaniel in disbelief. This did not feel like an interrogation, but a torture session. ❝I… I do not think…❞ She looked back to Claire momentarily before returning to Nathaniel. ❝Please, I cannot ask he that.❞

Claire let out a small growl from the back of her throat. She was starting to lose that sense of self-control a little. If she were stronger, Claire probably would have tried to throw the bed at the glass, though that probably wouldn’t have done anything either.

At his next question, Claire had to resist the urge to laugh or smile, which was more difficult than she’d thought. It was a ridiculously easy question and she didn’t even have to second guess herself on. “It’s okay.” Claire muttered, glancing at Soo Jin before turning to Nathaniel. “Sylar.” She answered, staring at him intently.

They may have made up a little a few years ago, and Claire maybe have learned a lot about who and why he was this way, but that didn’t really diminish the way she saw him. Besides, he was immortal too and more powerful than Nathaniel even knew. She wasn’t even sure he could really die. Yes, he had a kill spot like all the others, but from experience and what others had told her, he seemed to move it around. It would be impossible to put Sylar down permanently.

He chuckled, her answer tickling his sense of humor. “You worry about Sylar least.” He pronounced. The answer for her had been too easy, and Soo Jin hadn’t used her ability --- something Nathaniel wouldn’t soon forget. Her defiance was something he’d address out of Claire’s sight. “I’ll wager Peter comes second. His ability is so similar.” He tilted his head, thinking out loud. “Henry you’re clearly concerned about, even with his ability. At least, you think of him. Claude and Noah --- The both of them are just a little elusive. Like Minnows.” He licked his lips. “Thank you for clearing that up.”

He put out the cigarette, dropping the remains carelessly on the ground and crushing it with a boot. The look he gave Soo Jin was a new one. It wasn’t angry --- because he was decided. “Henry was hiding a secret.” He mused, “One he didn’t deign to share with me. He’s had enough time to talk to you. What did Henry tell you Claire?”

nikethestatue

#face

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

“Excellent.” He said, “I’ll have them monitored then.”

He looked at her, mind clearly thinking. He wanted to twist her arm a little. He glanced at Soo Jin, almost as if she were merely a communications device. “Peter. Henry. Sylar. Claude. Noah Bennet…” He licked his lips, considering the names she’d given him. “If I asked you Claire, to pick one of these names — at random — who?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t have to be any particular reason for choosing.”

Soo Jin looked to the floor, well aware that she was only an accessory in this encounter. She’d become used to the role, but that did not make it any easier. Wincing at his question, knowing that the answer could only cause more trouble, she hesitated before repeating the question.

❝Of Peter, Henry, Sylar, Claude, or Noah… which would you pick at random?❞

When Soo Jin asked the question, Claire closed her eyes with a pained expression. The first person that came to her head? “Henry.” She answered. It was both easy and hard at the same time. Claire knew that Henry would feel bad about what had happened last week and for basically leading them right to her. But Peter would be angry, though that anger would mostly just turn into an ‘I told you so’ kind of scenario.

“Now, get out.”

He seemed to consider the information for a moment, before staring at Claire, disinterested. “You’re not in any real position to make demands.” He said in response to her ordering him to leave. “When you have answered my questions --- and I am satisfied with your answers --- I will leave. But not before.”

He continued smoking for a moment, leaving both Soo Jin waiting and Claire before speaking again. “When people say pain --- generally, they will associated it on the physical level.” He exhaled, enjoying the cigarette. “There are many --- many kinds of pain Claire. You’re experiencing one right now. The pain of losing control.” He looked up. “Most people react to that with anger --- denial --- frustration. You are exhibiting all three.”

He looked back to Soo Jin, holding the cigarette between two fingers casually. “If you had to choose one to die --- who?” He nodded at Soo Jin, directing her to ask the question.

July 27 - Government Holding Cells

priceofeverythingiknow:

@manipulativetelepath

Nathaniel knocked on the glass, getting her attention.

“Interested in going for a ride?” He asked, “I’ve got a car outside. Shall we?” He wouldn’t deny that he was wanting to see her reaction to her new place, and if she liked it. His life tended to be full of work so that pleasure often took a second seat — this however was a lucky meeting of both business and pleasure.

Of course, it was also exciting. The fact she probably wanted to kill him made it so.

The knocking on her glass cell made Kristen turn around. When she spotted Nathaniel, the that she gave him was pure venom. Part of her could understand what he did because she definitely would have done the same if their roles were reversed, but that sure as hell didn’t mean that Kristen had to like it.

“Well, the alternative is staying here and I don’t particularly like that idea.” She hissed, jutting her chin out and walking over to the door. “So let’s get on with it, Nathaniel.” Part of her still wanted to try something; choking him, stabbing him, throwing him out of the car; but Kristen knew that would end badly if she tried anything too soon, though holding back was going to be difficult.

“Oh come on.” He said, seeing the look she shot him as he unlocked the door. “This doesn’t have to be so horrible.” He frowned, ever so slightly, realizing she was still more than upset at him.

But --- It didn’t matter.

Kristen had evolved to survive and to live on others. Doing anything for anyone else didn’t come naturally to her --- Of course she would be angry. It didn’t take too long to get her outside. There was the business of blindfolding her, and getting her into the passenger seat of a car of course --- but once far enough away he undid her blinds, letting her see again.

He sat back again in his seat. He released a sigh but didn’t say anything else, staring out the window. It wasn’t until their driver had taken them some distance and they had stopped at a light that he spoke. “How long ---,” He looked curious, “Did you expect to avoid getting a tracker?”

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

“Who is most likely—”, He rephrased his question. He needed answers, not some damn attitude from people who were supposed to be working with him. He held up a hand when Claire asked her own question to Soo Jin. He didn’t care what questions she had, he wanted answers.

“I want names.” He said, looking at Jin, expecting her to comply.

Soo Jin closed her eyes, unable to stand the look she was getting from Claire. She felt shame come over her like a familiar storm cloud as she took a deep breath to respond until she stopped herself at the sight of Nathaniel’s hand. She looked into his eyes for a moment before nodding.

❝Who would be most likely to try and retrieve you from this place?❞

Claire crossed her arms, watching the interaction between the two of them for a moment, though it was mostly just to keep from throwing herself at the glass. She knew it would be useless anyway.

Soo Jin’s questions made Claire grind her teeth, almost to the point of pain, to keep from answering. But it was useless. “Peter. Henry. Sylar. Claude. My dad.” She growled, her hands balling into fists as each name left her lips.

“Excellent.” He said, “I’ll have them monitored then.”

He looked at her, mind clearly thinking. He wanted to twist her arm a little. He glanced at Soo Jin, almost as if she were merely a communications device. “Peter. Henry. Sylar. Claude. Noah Bennet...” He licked his lips, considering the names she’d given him. “If I asked you Claire, to pick one of these names --- at random --- who?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t have to be any particular reason for choosing.”

July 27 - Government Holding Cells

@manipulativetelepath

Nathaniel knocked on the glass, getting her attention.

“Interested in going for a ride?” He asked, “I’ve got a car outside. Shall we?” He wouldn’t deny that he was wanting to see her reaction to her new place, and if she liked it. His life tended to be full of work so that pleasure often took a second seat --- this however was a lucky meeting of both business and pleasure.

Of course, it was also exciting. The fact she probably wanted to kill him made it so.

July 26 - Gov. Holding Cells

priceofeverythingiknow:

He smiled widely. “For you? Anything.” He replied.

She’d be angry at first of course, but it really was necessary. Perhaps she’d come to see it; perhaps not. Nevertheless he was honestly doing her quite the favor.

“But first —” He started, “There is the small matter of paperwork. I’m not a fan of it, honestly. Red tape over everything and nothing can get done. Same problems as then I suppose…” He shrugged, not going into detail as to what ‘then’ meant. “However. I will hurry it along. If I can. I know how good a shower can be and I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting longer than you needed to.” He winked.

Kristen smiled a little. This situation may not have been ideal, but he was still just barely wrapped around her finger. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

At the mention of signing paperwork, Kristen laughed. “What’s the point in signing a contract when it’s basically null and void since you’re blackmailing me into this?” She asked, canting her head at him and looking both amused and irritated at the same time. “Now that is just a waste of time, money, and paper, Nathaniel.”

“Not for you to sign.” He chuckled, “My colleagues just enjoy keeping records of every kind.” He explained, revealing by his tone he himself didn’t agree or see eye-to-eye exactly on that point. In reality, he had to do a little thing bordering on the illegal. But partners weren’t fun unless you could screw them over once in awhile.

He shrugged. “You’ll see me around soon.” He promised, winking at her and walking out.

[CLOSED]

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

“I know who you are.” He said, brushing off Soo’s greeting. His tone delivered a message of slight annoyance. It was always foolish to introduce yourself in front of a prisoner. If they ever escaped, and if they ever wanted payback, finding you would be easy.

His gaze lingered, almost in a kind of sharp warning that he didn’t appreciate the niceties. He wanted her there only for what she was good at — nothing more. “Ask Claire — if she thinks anyone is coming for her. And who.” He licked his lips, interested in whom he might have to be on the lookout for.

Soo Jin, looked to Nathaniel. She’d heard much of him from Alistair as well as others and had no desire to appease him despite his known cruelty. ❝Actually, I was not speaking to you.❞ She blinked and looked back to Claire, a woman that had actually earned the respect of those around her and there was a pain in the pit of Soo Jin’s stomach with the knowledge of what she would have to do.

Her eyes did their best to communicate apologies as they always did before she asked her questions. ❝Do you think that anyone is coming for you? And who?❞

Claire frowned angrily at Soo Jin, though smirked a little at her sass to Nathaniel. She glanced at the two of them for a moment, catching the other woman’s look before she asked Claire her questions. The sensation that came after was almost overwhelming and she looked at Soo Jin in disbelief.

“Of course someone is coming for me, but I don’t know who.” She growled, narrowing her eyes in irritation. “How the hell can you betray your people?” Claire could tell that there was a reason. Soo Jin looked too uncomfortable, but that didn’t make the situation any easier.

“Who is most likely---”, He rephrased his question. He needed answers, not some damn attitude from people who were supposed to be working with him. He held up a hand when Claire asked her own question to Soo Jin. He didn’t care what questions she had, he wanted answers.

“I want names.” He said, looking at Jin, expecting her to comply.

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

belitaseu:

♢ priceofeverythingiknow:

“I see.” He commented. “I suppose it’s time to raise a little hell then.” He shrugged, an air of slight disappointment about him. It was as if whatever he was going to do wasn’t brought on because he wanted it, but rather that Claire was forcing him to take a definitive step. Honestly, he wasn’t surprised. Everyone did that. He lifted his phone to his ear, sending a few thin wisps of smoke from his lips as he spoke. “Send her in.”

Whomever was on the other line had no need for greeting or farewell — and so Nathaniel simply hung up, looking back to Claire. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

Soo Jin had been waiting in a separate room with her coffee in hand. It was odd that they hadn’t allowed her to watch the first half of the interrogation as they usually did. When an agent entered, jerking his head to the side to indicate that she was to leave with him, it took everything in her to refrain from forcing him to tell her who was in the next room.

She was unceremoniously shoved into the room, her eyes widening at the sight ahead of her. Claire Bennet? Despite her shock, Claire was hardly the most disconcerting presence in the room. At the sight of Nathaniel, she took a step away. ❝Hello, I’m Soo Jin…❞ she paused, a sinking feeling in her stomach. ❝I’m here to assist with your questioning.❞

“Go ahead, Nathaniel.” Claire challenged. Between being kidnapped and locked away in a safe by Flash, left to die over and over again, she’d been through so much in the past 6 years that she doubted there was much he could do to her now.

She eyeballed his cigarette and tried hard not to roll her eyes at Nathaniel. When a woman walked in a moment later, Claire turned to look at her, almost bored. “Well?” She asked, raising a brow slightly. “What are you waiting for?”

“I know who you are.” He said, brushing off Soo’s greeting. His tone delivered a message of slight annoyance. It was always foolish to introduce yourself in front of a prisoner. If they ever escaped, and if they ever wanted payback, finding you would be easy.

His gaze lingered, almost in a kind of sharp warning that he didn’t appreciate the niceties. He wanted her there only for what she was good at --- nothing more. “Ask Claire --- if she thinks anyone is coming for her. And who.” He licked his lips, interested in whom he might have to be on the lookout for.

July 16 - Government Holding Cells

priceofeverythingiknow:

He smiled serenely, completely unworried by her lack of cooperation. “I get that a lot.” He smirked. “But sooner or later you will realize Claire — I’m the closest thing you have to a friend here.” She might not understand yet, but she had her quality of life was in her own hands. “Still, the first lesson you should learn about me, is that I do not have endless patience.” He paused, savoring the smoke from the cigarette. “I want to know what you do. I would rather you tell me willingly, free of pain.”

“Saying that over and over again isn’t going to make me believe it any more than I already do, Nathaniel.” Claire mused, sighing heavily at him. “And I’m not going to tell you anything.” It would pointless for him to throw these threats at her. Yes, she felt pain, but it was so used to it by now that he may as well not have felt it.

“I see.” He commented. “I suppose it’s time to raise a little hell then.” He shrugged, an air of slight disappointment about him. It was as if whatever he was going to do wasn’t brought on because he wanted it, but rather that Claire was forcing him to take a definitive step. Honestly, he wasn’t surprised. Everyone did that. He lifted his phone to his ear, sending a few thin wisps of smoke from his lips as he spoke. “Send her in.”

Whomever was on the other line had no need for greeting or farewell --- and so Nathaniel simply hung up, looking back to Claire. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

vakariaan

Happy 47th Birthday, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ♥ (27th July 1970)

#face

July 26 - Gov. Holding Cells

priceofeverythingiknow:

He grinned, unable to keep himself. It was inspiring to see evolution at work, that even when cornered she still bartered for what her nature drove her to find. Food. Shelter. Safety. These types were almost like parasites, always using others to let themselves live. Their needs were really quite small.

He tilted his head. “You will have quarters. Food. Basics. Probably not quite as luxurious as you’re used to.” He said, “But prove yourself to me, that you are valuable, and your worth will be returned full-fold.” He chuckled. “Basically your lot improves the more you improve mine.”

Her glare hardened at his answer. She didn’t like it, but what choice was there? Get torn to bits? No, that wasn’t an option for her. Besides, if Kristen could find a way to get all of this information to Peter or the other Rogues, maybe they could figure out a way to remove this new tracker.

Then she could make her move and kill Nathaniel.

“Fine. You have a deal.” The little voice inside her head was screaming at her, telling Kristen that this was a terrible idea, but she ignored it for the moment. “Now can I get a shower?”