Dr. Theodore Walters

My friends call me Teddy. We'll see who qualifies. Materials Scientist working on the C.A.P.T. Project. Current Progress: 24.79%

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

Launchpad (wip)

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[albertbutyoucancallmebert]

@stuckinuniformdevelopment

[text] I love how you’re always learning things.

[text] Sorry if my anon messages offended you.

[text] I know I’m a hypocrite.

[text] Ah that was you? No no no it is okay.

[text] In fact I answered in such a way because I was thinking, if Teddy reads this, I want him to know I am being responsible! Mostly. Smiles.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

[text] Thank you.

[text] You won’t overdose yourself on Magnesium, would you?

[albertbutyoucancallmebert]

[text] No!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

[text] Good. Smiles

[albertbutyoucancallmebert]

@stuckinuniformdevelopment

[text] I love how you’re always learning things.

[text] Sorry if my anon messages offended you.

[text] I know I’m a hypocrite.

[text] Ah that was you? No no no it is okay.

[text] In fact I answered in such a way because I was thinking, if Teddy reads this, I want him to know I am being responsible! Mostly. Smiles.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

[text] Thank you.

[text] You won’t overdose yourself on Magnesium, would you?

[sleeping-jo]

I can’t sleep, I have to torture myself psychologically

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert giggled. “Alright! I always figure I should ask first before bringing rats into a place, you know?” With that he scampered out, on a quest to retrieve Sherri Jr, her clone Shelly, and healthy food as quickly as possible. With all of the stops he had to make along with waiting in line for the food, it took up most of an hour before he came back to WR, rushing through the waiting room, down past the service windows, through the bland halls until he found his way to the secure room. He wasn’t sure how to get back in other than trying to knock on the door.

“Sounds like a good rule of thumb,” Inspector Heath said as she got her notepad out and jotted her work line down. “So...”

By the time Heath looked back up Schwarzschild was nowhere to be found. “...Ah.” She looked around until her eye settled on Walters. “Well. Guess he was excited.”

Fortunately, Walters seemed to be on the same page as her. Looking at the same page helped. “I’ll text him it.”

Once Walters made sure Schwarzschild had her phone number and email they locked the door behind him and discussed this evening's events. It was clear that he was dancing around some key background knowledge yet his account of the attack itself seemed sound. And she didn't mind glossing over the extent of Detective Fez’ injuries for now so she could compartmentalize the personal aspect later.

What happened after the attack, however, was murky. Primarily because they both knew that she didn’t really need to know it. So she doubled back to the aftermath before calling to inquire about it herself.

There was nothing like waiting to see if her colleague was still alive or not while sitting next to a guy who had the highest, wildly conflicting stake in his state. After a few minutes on hold she hung up and excused herself to go check the security cameras. And patrol the Skullship Crime Unit's office area. More like pace.

Eventually Inspector Heath heard a knock on the primary entrance. She crept up to it with her blaster drawn and ears as wide as they could go. Then she let out a relieved sigh when she spotted Schwarzschild through the peephole and ushered him in.

“He’s back where you left him,” she briskly said as she led him there. “No sign of her. I gotta use the john real quick.” With that she ducked into the restroom on the way.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert smiled and nodded at Teddy’s request, glad that he had an excuse to spend a bit more time together, and was elated when he also asked to see Sherri Jr. “Of course!” he exclaimed. Then he apologetically eyed Heath. “Is that okay? Can I bring my rat here?”

Teddy returned Bert’s smile.

When Bert addressed Inspector Heath she said with a shrug, “I don’t see why not.”

Then she chuckled and gave him a hearty pat on the back. “Hell, bring as many critters as you want!”

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert nodded at Teddy’s remark. He was thankful that he was on friendly terms with the commander. Not many could say the same! He sat straight and alert in his chair when Inspector Heath returned. He closely followed along to their back-and-forth, smiling lightly at Heath’s tale of learning to block kicks from her siblings. Once the group made their way to the secure room, Bert looked around observantly. It may’ve been a holding cell, but he figured it was a bit better than those awful tiny bunks! He walked over to the couch, but instead of sitting on it, he squeezed the armrest to gauge how comfortable it would be for Teddy. Bert also caught sight of the vent and felt some sense of relief knowing Teddy could possibly use it as an out if he needed to. Then he filled himself with worry when he thought about somebody using it as a way in… Before he could think too long on that, Inspector Heath addressed him. He took a peek at his phone to check the time. It was getting late. He had to pick up Sherri Jr. from Moe. He hadn’t eaten dinner. Presumably, neither had Teddy! “Ah, I should get going soon, but...” He looked at Teddy with a downcast expression. He didn’t want to leave him. “Is there anything I can get for you? Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you something from the food court?” he asked him.

The couch had been roughed up during the years. But a couch was a couch. Even if it had hardened and been patterned by numerous coffee spills it was still better than those hard cubbies or medbay cots.

Teddy’s shoulders sunk when Bert said he’d be leaving soon. Then he perked up a bit at his offer.

“Something healthy, please.” After a moment he asked, “Can Sherri Jr. visit?”

Inspector Heath held back the urge to put in her own request for an ant unit.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert whipped his head toward Teddy at the first mention of polyamory. What a wild fantasy the notion was evoking; not having to choose between his sweet, tender feelings for Teddy and his obsessive, fiery passion for the commander would be a dream come true. But like many dreams and fantasies often are, it felt farfetched—mainly because he had his own high doubts that Peepers would ever return his feelings. Still, the important thing to him here was that Teddy found Bert’s adoration for Peepers to be charming rather than off putting. Flustered again, Bert nervously laughed. “Ahahah! Oh! Well, that’s good to know!” Then he shrugged and waved his hand dismissively. “As if I could woo someone like him, anyway. Still, though,” Bert smiled, “thank you for having an open mind.”

Teddy wasn’t sure what to say. A few options flitted through his head yet they all made feelings about Bert and Commander Peepers seem disingenuous. As if he was only saying that he’d put with it out of desperation. And beautiful lies didn’t seem any more suitable.

Eventually he said, “Well, at least you’re on friendly terms with him.” Then he looked back at the door to wait for Inspector Heath to return.

Inspector Heath knocked again a few minutes later. “Are you guys good now?” This time she waited before opening the door.

“Yes,” Teddy flatly said.

“Okay so..,” Inspector Heath came on in and reclaimed her cozy chair. “The secure room I mentioned is a high-security holding cell. You’re fine with that, right?”

Doctor Walters let out a resigned sigh before nodding. He would have to get used to getting treated as a prisoner.

“Good because I already got your bed set up. There’s a folding chair you can shove under the door to barricade it too. You know how to do that, right?”

“I have siblings.”

Heath fondly chuckled. “Man, I know how that goes. All the bickering sucked at the time but eh, I’d rather learn to block a kick from one of them than some chump who seriously wants to kill me!”

“We actually get along well.”

“That’s nice,” Heath said without skipping a beat.

She led them both to the room in question and unlocked the door before speaking again. There was a heavy metal door behind the first one with several redundant locks. The room itself was small without a single piece of unanchored furniture (aside from the aforementioned couch and chair.) It didn’t seem equipped for long-term stay but it did at least have a simple toilet and sink. Lastly, there was a high vent in the corner of the room.

“Hope it’s cozy enough for now because it’s all I’ve got.” Inspector Heath said as she sat down on the couch.

Walters sat next to her. “You’ve already been very accommodating.” He didn’t feel that he had the right to complain.

Then Inspector Heath turned to Schwarzschild. “How long do you think you’ll be around?”

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert set his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand as he waited for Teddy’s response. He softly smiled when he said he understood, staring right at his vaguely heart-shaped iris. He briefly averted his gaze as he pondered his question about dating and boundaries. He supposed that was true. He then lifted his head with a wide eye at his admission. “What you saw earlier? …Oh, in the bathroom?” He looked away again, grinning and rubbing his head. “Hah… My face must have been red as a tomato.” He let out a sigh. “Well, that’s okay… I am very glad to have discussed this. It feels great to have gotten that off of my chest. But…” Something was still weighing on his mind. Still staring at the table, Bert worked up the nerve to quietly ask, “Do you know… I mean, you probably know by now, my… infatuation… with Commander Peepers?” He looked as far away from Teddy as he could as he resumed twiddling his thumbs. “I fear those feelings will not go away any time soon either, you know…”

Teddy nodded along, chuckled at Bert’s realization that he saw his flushed face, and let out a relieved sigh when Bert told him that he didn’t fault him for seeking clarification. He was glad that they discussed their respective feelings and how they should hold off until the Glornch was gone. Then he leaned forward in interest at Bert's but.

Well, yeah, anyone who’s met Bert knew how he felt about Commander Peepers. Teddy continued to nod along without giving much of a reaction. Once he was done he awkwardly rubbed his head as he said,

“I know it’s strange, and I’m not sure I’m polyamorous myself but... I actually find that part of you rather charming. So, if Commander Peepers is up to it...”

Frankly, he wasn’t sure he would be. But, well, if Commander Peepers dated Bert at all (despite his own massive crush on Lord Hater) he’d almost certainly have to be willing to share.

Teddy paused to smile at Bert. “I wouldn’t mind either.”

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Once Inspector Heath left, Bert breathed out a small sigh of relief, thankful that she didn’t seem inconvenienced. He glanced at Teddy to find him staring into his eye and looked away, feeling his face getting warm again. After a short moment, he finally worked up the nerve to look him in the eye and start over. “Teddy, you should know that I love you too,” he spoke steadily. “You are the dearest person in the universe to me.” Bert folded his hands onto the table and stared at them, breaking his gaze from Teddy. “But I have been shying away from these feelings for you because I do not want a relationship. Not right now, not like this, not while you are wrapped up with the Glornists.”

A heart started to form in Teddy’s eye before being hidden with closed-lid smile when Bert said he not only loved him, but he was the dearest person in the universe for him. Even if prefacing it as should you know made the exact meaning ambiguous he was still happy about their friendship, whether it met his wild hopes or not!

Once Bert stated that he didn’t want a relationship Teddy let out a relieved yet equally forlorn sigh. He folded his hands on his lap and patiently nodded along as Bert explained why.

There was a long pause after Bert finished speaking. Finally, Teddy straightened his back, put his fists to his knees, and met the love of his life’s eye again as he replied with a flat, “I understand.” There was still a faint heart in his eye.

Then he averted his eye while sheepishly rubbing his head. “I mean, would dating really change anything aside from modifying a few boundaries?” That was a genuine question largely— yet not completely— based on their forced separation.

“I just...,” Teddy looked to his feet as he toyed with his bowtie. “... admittedly selfishly... wanted to check if what I saw earlier was real.” He paused to give Bert a bittersweet smile. “So I can stop dwelling on it.”

Teddy may have outwardly looked glum yet he was struggling to hide his excitement, with his smile fighting to stretch further than this situation demanded. It was mutual! It wasn’t even a rejection! It gave him renewed determination to get away from the Glornists! Once they were gone he could ask him out for real!

Screw the promises he made to Mike! It didn’t count when it was made under duress and soon-to-be irrelevant! The deal was he’d help the Glornch transition to his command if he protected him from his sister. And why would Reverend Miriam avenge Bishop Percival if she knew the truth?

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert flinched when Inspector Heath knocked on the door and returned. At first he almost felt relieved, that maybe he could ignore this once more and focus on what the inspector had to say. But that was so cowardly and irresponsible. And luckily Heath offered to step back out! He felt bad for wasting her time, but he couldn’t leave Teddy in a state of unknowing. “Ah—” he cleared his throat, “O-one more minute, please..?”

“Sure,” Inspector Heath said with a thumbs up and indifferent expression. “I’ll go do a quick sweep of the area.”

When Bert requested more time Teddy had given him a dumbstruck stare. After a moment he nodded and returned Heath’s thumbs up. He wasn’t sure if he anticipated or feared what he’d say next.

Then Teddy glanced away and took a deep breath. He steeled his heart, clutched the seat of his chair, and waited while staring into Bert’s eye. If Bert was determined to see this to end then so was he.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert warmly smiled when Teddy said he was lucky to have him. At first it almost felt weird to hear it out loud, but he was a powerful person, wasn’t he? He was a lieutenant! In charge of an unconventional yet successful robot ant army. That was a nice confidence boost he didn’t know he needed. And then Bert was hit with “I love you,” once again opening up a can of his mixed feelings that were too strong and complex to sum up in a nice little response. But this time he couldn’t just stare silently; Teddy was seated right there, surely expecting something in return. Bert could feel his face get warm as he thought about what to say back. It could be as simple as saying “I love you too,” because that much was true. In fact, he kind of already did when he included himself in the list of people who loved and would protect Teddy. But in this cold interrogation room, in the face of the uncertain trials and tribulations that lay ahead, to say it with the romantic connotations that the phrase had begun to take on felt… not ideal, at the very least. But then again, perhaps these were the circumstances that made it worth saying. Who knew when he would see Teddy again? Bert briefly looked to the side, then back at his friend with a determined face, still lightly pink. “Teddy, you should know that… I…”

At first Teddy was excited to see Bert’s face turn pink and curiously tilted his head as he closely studied Bert’s expression. Was he... concerned? Worried? One thing’s for sure: He didn’t seem particularly happy.

That made him realized that getting flustered didn’t necessarily mean that his feelings were reciprocated. It just... well... could mean that Bert was uncomfortable with his overly intimate displays of affection.

Glorn. In hindsight that was pretty mean of him. He shouldn’t toy with his heart and get him worked up on purpose. Especially now when they were both under a lot of stress.

Teddy nervously fidgeted with his bowtie as he waited for Bert to reply. What’s done is done, right? Shouldn’t he take the chance to confirm his feelings instead of making them both awkward for nothing?

Oh. Fuck. Could Bert honestly reject him in this situation? Teddy averted his eye when Bert did. Then he saw how determined he was and shied away while a pang of fear struck his heart. Stopping him now would only do him a disservice.

Bert never got to finish.

Whether they liked it or not Inspector Heath had abruptly returned. She knocked on the door before walking in. Then she smiled and got ready to ask something before she noticed how flustered the both of them were.

“So, erm,” Heath awkwardly scratched her cheek. “Should I step back out or what?”

Was this some forbidden love thing? It’d explain why Doctor Walters brought an adversary of the Glornch with him for emotional support. Then again: They could have just independently met in the labs without knowing of each others’ respective connections to that den of treachery.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert returned Teddy’s strained smile with an uneasy smile. He didn’t seem very convinced. Was Bert being naive again? When he thought about the people in his own life who cared about him—there weren’t a lot, but there were a few good folk—he felt blessed! Just a couple of years ago, he had next to no one. But when faced with a threat as big as Percival and the Glornists, then… Yeah, perhaps that wasn’t very many at all. Bert quietly sighed and stared at the Glornist files until Teddy spoke up about Judith. “Hm, I would say it is worth asking!” he said as he put a smile back on.

When Teddy thought about Judith his smile became more genuine and he gave Bert a thumbs up. She was certainly a valuable ally! And so was someone else who was feeling rather unappreciated...

“I’m lucky to have you, Bert. You’re one of the most powerful people I know.”

Well, aside from Commander Peepers. Yet he’d rather not draw attention to his refusal to let him get involved again.

Then Teddy paused for a moment. He wanted to do a little experiment while they were still alone. And it didn’t count as a confession when he had already said the same thing, right? He just wanted to check to make sure he wasn’t mistaken earlier. Even if he wasn’t sure what he’d do if Bert truly saw him in a romantic light.

“I love you,” Teddy said with a fond, gentle smile and faint blush. “You’re nice too.”

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert looked at Teddy with a wide eye, then smiled. “Well, of course you do! There is me, there is Sherri Jr, there is Freddy, there is Cathy, I’m sure.” He folded his hands together. “And back home you have Eddie and his family. And you have other friends that perhaps wouldn’t, you know, drop everything to help or whatever, but there are still plenty who would hate to see anything bad happen to you. Commander Peepers, Judith, Moe…” Bert twiddled his thumbs again, looking at Teddy with a warm smile. “I think that is many.”

Did Cathy even like Teddy? Eddie and his little family had the spirit without any applicable skills. He wasn’t confident that he could count on Sherri Jr, especially in her advanced age. And was he really that close to Moe?

“Thanks Bert,” Teddy gave Bert a strained smile as he struggled to keep from poking holes in his loving attempt to encourage him. “Yeah, that's a lot for a lot to ask for...”

Why should an antisocial loner such as himself be so disappointed that there weren’t any others? It was his fault for not putting the work into making friends until he realized that eyes upon him kept him alive. His fault for being unsettling and awkward. His fault for fleeing from anyone who seemed too risky to love.

He had even tried to abandon Bert early on! How could he fault anyone for distancing themselves once they sensed the shadow of death upon him?

Teddy was well-aware that staying silent would only suck Bert into his pity party over self-made problems. Bert didn't need that. There was always time to wallow in misery alone. He wracked his mind for something, anything positive until he managed to scrounge something up.

It had been a bit (or at least he hoped so) since he last spoke when he finally said,

“Well, Judith did save my life today. And put themselves between me and Fez. Maybe I can ask her for help after he recovers..?”

[albertbutyoucancallmebert]

@stuckinuniformdevelopment

(prev) “I appreciate it,” Teddy said with a reassuring smile. “Please send us what you have on that machine.”

Bert nodded. The least and quickest thing he could do to help was to make available whatever files about the Synapse Discombobulator he managed to hang on to. 

Teddy sent a thumbs up as if he didn’t— accidently or not— already spill too much confidential information. Most of it was on purpose. [text] Thank you. [text] My brother is searching too.

Mike sent one more reply before going to find Gaap.

[text] Alright, good. Let me know if he finds her.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

Teddy sent Mike one last thumbs up before checking that his phone was on vibrate and putting it away.

Then he rested his hand on his chin as he thought Bert’s earlier explosive affirmation of support over. After a long pause he asked, while glancing between the floor and Bert,

“Soooo..... not to sound ungrateful but...” Teddy sheepishly rubbed his head as he asked, “...Are there really that many people who’d drop everything to protect me? Or, y’know..,” he started to fiddle with his bowtie. “...love me?”

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert shrunk under Teddy’s warranted judgemental stare. Yeah yeah, he knew he was a big ol’ hypocrite, and he did feel bad about it. After Teddy’s wish of good luck, Bert cleared his throat and said, “Thank you.” Even quieter, he said, “I promise I will make up for it…”

“I appreciate it,” Teddy said with a reassuring smile. “Please send us what you have on that machine.”

Mike promptly replied. [text] Please be careful about what you tell Heath. [text] And no luck. I looked everywhere I could. Maybe I can get Miriam to help as a last resort, but I never know with her. If I do I’ll be careful to not disclose anything about what’s going on, or your whereabouts.

Teddy sent a thumbs up as if he didn’t— accidently or not— already spill too much confidential information. Most of it was on purpose.

[text] Thank you.

[text] My brother is searching too.

[stuckinuniformdevelopment]

@albertbutyoucancallmebert

(Previous) Bert sheepishly ran his hand over his head when Teddy asked if he had made any progress. “…I’ve admittedly been preoccupied with making Sherri Jr’s new robot body on top of other work…” He twiddled his thumbs and gave a small, apologetic smile. “Now that it’s almost complete, I will dedicate more time to our endeavors.” Mike got back to them a minute or two later. He had spent the last few hours scouring both the Skullship and the Glornch for Amy to give her a piece of his mind. But he came up empty. He was about to attempt asking Miriam to scry on her until he got the texts from Teddy. He was admittedly relieved to hear from him. The text reminded him that not only was Gaap a good new magical resource, but he also had to see if he could get any more details out of him concerning Sam’s summoning and Percival’s plans. He decided to prioritize this.

Teddy flatly stared at Bert before stiffling another disappointed sigh. “Well, guess that’s understandable...” He knew that Sherri Jr. had limited time. But his criticism towards Mike was so hypocritical when he didn’t even keep the memory restoration project on the back burner.

Besides: Didn’t Bert and Veronica manage to bring a rat back to life using a mechanical brain? While he cared about Sherri Jr. getting the best body she could he knew that any attempt to extend her lifespan would fail if her father’s ran out first.

“Good luck,” Teddy finally said as he went to check Mike’s reply.

[text] Good idea, I’ll talk to him about it soon. Otherwise, I don’t have much else. [text] How’s it going btw? You in the WR line? Meanwhile, Bert got out his phone to monitor the conversation.

[text] I’ll be meeting with the inspector soon.

[text] Any sign of Amy?

After a moment he switched to a different chat and texted his brother.

[text] Could you please ask if anyone's seem Amy Harcourt?

Teddy went over to the Glornch binder to take a picture of Amy’s photograph. Then he sent it to Freddy.

[text] I can’t find her.

Freddy almost immediately replied.

[text] Isn’t that Sam’s friend???

[text] Are you okay???????

All Teddy sent in return was,

[text] Yes.

[text] Discussing protection details with Inspector Heath.