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Who: Quatre, Edgeworth
What: A virus strikes! Quatre and Edgeworth are forced to stay within proximity of each other, lest they become terribly ill.
Where: The Maganac's village and base of operations.
When: Some random point in time.
Warnings: None!

The sun peaked through the curtains of the window, slowly bathing the small bedroom in light. It was a quiet morning; the only sounds that could be heard were those of men and women setting up shops at the market down the hill, and those were only faint echos at best.

It was a day to sleep in--not that Quatre normally did. There was something about this place, though, something peaceful and safe. Everyone knew who he was, just as they did nearly everywhere he went these days, but the Maganac Corps were like family, and so was everyone in the village by proxy. He could forget about politics and disarmament, at least for a moment, which was why--when a sliver of sunlight positioned itself directly over his face--the young man simply winced and rolled over with nothing more than a groan.

He could afford a moment more.

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A coma?

[Quatre's brow raises, although he shouldn't be surprised; when an entity like the community is powerful enough to alter a person's mind or body seemingly on a whim, it's only logical that it would have equally powerful defenses in place. The ZERO System would likely be no match for it--not that Quatre was giving the idea serious consideration. Even after mastering the system, he had no desire utilize it again, and using it to explore something as dangerous and unpredictable as the community...

Even thinking about it was asking for trouble.]

I see. In that case, I suppose it's best that it remains a mystery... At least for now.

A wise choice.

[Now that his nerves are on the way to being calmed down, Edgeworth looks around the hangar curiously. Now what? There's no telling how much time they have to kill. He turns back to the boy.]

[politely (if a bit awkwardly)] Thank you for allowing me to use your computer. Is there anything I'm keeping you from?

[The thanks are unexpected but certainly not unwelcome. Setting thoughts of ZERO and the community aside, Quatre bows his head in acknowledgement and is about to say no to the question, when it suddenly seems as if he's remembered something.]

--Ah, well... No, you aren't keeping me from anything, but now that you mention it, I'm due back to L4 for a board meeting. [He furrows his brow, thoughtful. How are they going to work this out?] The shuttle leaves tomorrow morning...

[Edgeworth immediately comes to the same question. Either the two of them would be spending an extremely uncomfortable (or flat out painful) few hours apart or Winner was going to have to convince some presumably powerful people that his unknown companion has every right to intrude on their private meeting.]

[The second question, which should probably have been the first, is what board is the teenager on? A company's? Edgeworth only recalls his father being a politician and the boy having spent almost a year as a soldier. Capable as he seems to be and even considering all that he's done, it's still jarring to be reminded that someone so young could have already progressed so far.]

[...Of course, Edgeworth's progress was remarkably accelerated as well. Undoubtedly he inspired some of the same shock back in his day. He could think of a number of people whose reactions to him seemed to prove that out.]

[Realizing he's been musing on this subject for far too long, he drags himself back to the conversation at hand.]

Ah... That could prove problematic. Where is L4? [Or is that something like 'Ellefor'? Is it a country? Hell, for all he knows it could be the name of the company headquarters.]

[distracted] In space. That is, it's a colony cluster in space.

[His mind goes through different scenarios; this is one of several important meetings the company has had since the war ended, and he can't afford to miss it. Not now, while the executive branch is in chaos.]

I'm not sure I'll be able to call it off...

[After 'space', Edgeworth's brain temporarily fails to process anything further. In all his community-induced, outlandish travels, he had never imagined the final frontier may someday be within reach. He stares at Winner for a long beat while his mind catches up to the prospect. When he finally finds his voice, it's a bit breathy, almost awed. It's the only outward sign of the barely suppressed excitement and trepidation flaring in his chest.] There's a chance this virus won't last that long.

It's possible. But, ah... on the off chance we aren't so lucky... [He offers Edgeworth a small, uncertain smile. Already anticipating the answer, he asks:] Have you ever been to space, Mr. Edgeworth?

[He's doing a serviceable job of keeping his excitement and nervousness at the prospect off of his face and down to a dull roar in his chest. Not that his efforts will be very effective, given Winner's unique talent for reading people.]

I can't say that I've had the pleasure. Space travel is still something chiefly reserved for scientists and a few, exceptionally wealthy private individuals. We've barely made it off the planet, let alone established colonies off world. And as for my travels through the community... [He shrugs.] I suppose the opportunity simply never came up.

[The sense he's getting isn't as strong as the waves of fear and anxiety that radiated from the man during the elevator ride, but it's there: a dull hum of anticipation. Quatre is glad that it seems to have distracted him, at least.]

[His smile brightens a little.] This might be such an opportunity, then. The meeting is in five days. The virus could very well be over by then, but the shuttle leaves tomorrow...

[Edgeworth fights to keep an answering smile off his face. He's mostly successful.] Then all we can do is hope for the best and plan for the worst. As per usual where the viruses are concerned. [His excitement fades a little as he starts to consider the actual logistics of the matter, reality rudely asserting itself on his pleasant imaginings.]

Will it inconvenience you to have to arrange for additional passage on the shuttle? [Or share lodging once they're there. Or meals. How expensive might a trip to space be? For all Edgeworth knows, space travel could still be the domain of the powerful and rich. There may not be room for someone like him.]

[Quatre can't help but notice that hint of an almost-smile and does his best not to become hopeful at the sudden ease in their conversation. After all, he's well aware that this isn't how Edgeworth would prefer to spend the next few days under normal circumstances.]

[He shakes his head and begins making his way back to the entrance of the base, attention on his companion as he speaks.] Not at all. It's a private shuttle. [Though, he neglects to mention whose.] Only myself and a small number of Maganacs are going. Hardly enough to fill it.

[The answer is reassuring, but once reality has settled in it becomes much more difficult to let it get away from him again. Edgeworth makes a concerted effort to tamp down his enthusiasm to a more manageable level. It's still highly likely that this trip into space will not happen, if only because he might actually enjoy the occasion. God forbid the community ever allow him to get anything beneficial out of a virus. Best to rein his expectations in to avoid excessive disappointment later.]

That's fortunate. There's still a chance you won't be forced to put up with me that long, but I have no desire to be a burden if it comes to that.

[He considers the man for a moment, before turning his attention to the exit ahead. When he speaks again, his voice is contrite.]

I should be the one saying that. I'm sure you have your own business to attend to. I'm sorry to have to drag you away from it.

[Edgeworth waves his apology away dismissively.] There's no point in apologizing for the community's offenses. This is not the first time I've been dragged away from my own life, and it undoubtedly won't be the last. At least this time there's a chance something positive may come of the experience.

['Something positive'. Of course, he's talking about space travel, but Quatre can't help but wonder if the experience might be an opportunity to repair some of the damage caused in the past. While he may not have been the Quatre to inflict it, he's all too aware of the hurt he's capable of. He cannot, with certainty, say that he wouldn't have made whatever mistakes his predecessor made. All he can do is try to make up for them.]

[He regards him with another smile.] In that case, I'm happy to oblige.

[Edgeworth regards him silently for a moment, considering. Then a slight smile flickers across his lips, gone almost as quickly as it appeared.] I appreciate that.

[Unfortunately, the uncomplicated delight of the situation was fleeting. There were other factors to intrude on his enthusiasm. Edgeworth's look turned thoughtful.] I only regret that I may have to impose on you--and your colleagues--in many other ways, depending on the length of this virus. You said the upcoming appointment is a board meeting? I don't imagine the other board members would be eager to welcome a stranger into their ranks.

[At that, Quatre's smile turns wry, and he turns away once more. Most of them aren't eager to welcome him into their ranks.]

Don't worry. Should it come to it, you presence will be the least of their concerns.

[Edgeworth gives him a mildly skeptical look. It sounds as though this meeting promises to be a difficult one. One would think they would be even less inclined to allow a stranger into their ranks under those circumstances.]

At any rate...I wish to minimize any imposition I may place on you while I'm here. You and your compatriots, the...Maganac, was it?

The Maganacs, yes. [As they finally come to the stairs, Quatre steps aside to let Edgeworth pass first.] What about them?

[Edgeworth readily takes the cue, relieved to be putting the massive hangar filled with weapons capable of unimaginable destruction far behind him.]

You indicated that this is essentially their space as well, correct? Given what you've all been through recently, I would prefer to keep any negative impact of my presence to a minimum. If hiding myself away in some quiet corner for the duration of the virus was an option, I would gladly take it. Obviously it's not, so I trust you will direct me--or correct me--if I inadvertently cause any trouble.

Of course.

[After reaching the top of the stairs, he enters the code to shut the trap door and closes the control panel, and they once again find themselves in a nondescript laundry room.]

[He clears his throat.] With that in mind... [He turns to Edgeworth with an uncertain smile.] ...Their leader, Rashid, is a bit protective of me. He would never do anything unwarranted, but he can be... ah, intimidating.

[He breathes a soft sigh of relief when the door to the secret base finally shuts behind them, but his moment of peace is, predictably, short-lived. It seems Winner has a guard dog, of sorts. He thinks back to some of the burlier individuals who had stared at them as they made their way through the base; they were intimidating enough to make lesser hearts quail, and he can only imagine their leader must be the most daunting of them all.]

[Edgeworth has faced down a number of terrifying individuals in his day, all without flinching. But that was with truth and justice on his side. Here he has no reasonable excuses for impinging on the boy's hospitality (or his personal space, for that matter). He doesn't relish having to explain himself to this Rashid fellow, despite Winner's assurances. Frowning, with his eyes darting around as if he expects the man himself to suddenly leap out from behind a pile of dirty laundry, he asks:] Does he know about the community?

I've tried hinting at it in the most basic terms, but... [He shakes his head.] I'm afraid he wouldn't understand without experiencing it for himself.

Fortunately, you aren't the first stranger to stay here, and he trusts my judgment. There shouldn't be any problems.

['Would I be the first adult, male stranger to stay in your bedroom?' he almost asks, but a feeling of intense wrong-ness closes his throat and clamps down on his tongue. His position feels more and more untenable the more he thinks about it. Trepidation projects off of him in waves; he struggles to tamp it down, remembering again that his emotions aren't entirely safe around his present company.]

Hmph. If you have any suggestions for ingratiating myself to him as a encroaching stranger with no viable reason to be here, I am open to them.

[Quatre pauses on his way out of the room, hand to his chin in thought. He's quiet for a moment, as a plan starts to take form.]

I don't like lying to him, but... [He gives Edgeworth an inquiring look.] If you're not opposed to it, I could tell him you're a business colleague. It would explain why you'd be joining us on the shuttle tomorrow, too.

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It's totally reasonable to pick a thread up again eight years later, right?

TOTALLY reasonable

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woe that i have only 15 icons, none of which are particularly good

The struggle is real :(

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broke down and bought a paid

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