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[If he's surprised by the sudden contact, it doesn't show in his voice, which was warm and welcoming. Like Alphonse had pleased him greatly by calling.]
Alphonse, yes, I remember you. You sound... odd, like you're far away. Are you quite alright, son?
[Pierce himself sounded nasally like he had a cold, but really, it was just the inflammation because of his healing nose.]
I did run into some trouble in the maze, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle. How are you?
Alphonse, yes, I remember you. You sound... odd, like you're far away. Are you quite alright, son?
[Pierce himself sounded nasally like he had a cold, but really, it was just the inflammation because of his healing nose.]
I did run into some trouble in the maze, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle. How are you?
Oh, uh-- sorry.
[Is his tablet damaged somehow? He moves it closer to his helmet and speaks a little bit louder, which just makes his voice boom out but doesn't remove the tinny quality.]
Is this any better? I'm holding the tablet as close as I can. Maybe it got damaged in the maze, and-- you don't sound so good either, if you don't mind me saying. What kind of trouble did you run into?
[Is his tablet damaged somehow? He moves it closer to his helmet and speaks a little bit louder, which just makes his voice boom out but doesn't remove the tinny quality.]
Is this any better? I'm holding the tablet as close as I can. Maybe it got damaged in the maze, and-- you don't sound so good either, if you don't mind me saying. What kind of trouble did you run into?
[Pierce had to pull his tablet further away from his face and instead dropped it in his lap. Such a booming tiny voice! What a strange echo... what was the source?]
Well, you have a good set of lungs on you, son. Something still seems a bit off, but I'm sure it's just damage to the microphone, yes? [Because what else would it be?]
Someone took issue with me and broke my nose. It's alright, I fixed it, but I'm a little stuffed up.
Well, you have a good set of lungs on you, son. Something still seems a bit off, but I'm sure it's just damage to the microphone, yes? [Because what else would it be?]
Someone took issue with me and broke my nose. It's alright, I fixed it, but I'm a little stuffed up.
[He sighs, but it's more a sigh of resignation than shock or sorrow. He wishes he could be surprised, but there are a lot of people here who seem to punch first and ask questions later.]
I'm glad it was just your nose, I know it probably hurt but it could be a lot worse.
[It's fairly minor as injuries go, so he's not too concerned.]
I wanted to thank you for the help you gave me in there, it's really appreciated.
I'm glad it was just your nose, I know it probably hurt but it could be a lot worse.
[It's fairly minor as injuries go, so he's not too concerned.]
I wanted to thank you for the help you gave me in there, it's really appreciated.
Well, I haven't had shiners quite like these since I was a much younger man, but nothing occurred that can't be fixed. I suppose worse would be dead, correct?
[The concussion was the hardest part really, but he was resting now and feeling better with a good amount of sleep. Just resting his brain right now.]
I believe assistance was mutual. You have helped me with your guides, and we helped each other in the maze. It seems as if I still owe you.
[The concussion was the hardest part really, but he was resting now and feeling better with a good amount of sleep. Just resting his brain right now.]
I believe assistance was mutual. You have helped me with your guides, and we helped each other in the maze. It seems as if I still owe you.
How about you pay me back by making sure you take care of yourself until you're healed up?
[He chuckles, but there's still a small note of worry in there. He remembers what Mr. Pierce said about being alone.]
Have you found anyone to travel with yet?
[He chuckles, but there's still a small note of worry in there. He remembers what Mr. Pierce said about being alone.]
Have you found anyone to travel with yet?
You have no concerns about that. I will do everything that I can to take care of myself and survive here. You'll do the same, won't you?
[He wasn't truly alone, not with a working network. He was still combing through the mountain of information.]
Not at present, no. I haven't moved very much given my concussion.
[Which might be the first indication of how seriously he took a blow to the head which resulted in his broken nose.]
[He wasn't truly alone, not with a working network. He was still combing through the mountain of information.]
Not at present, no. I haven't moved very much given my concussion.
[Which might be the first indication of how seriously he took a blow to the head which resulted in his broken nose.]
[He obviously hesitated and then covered it with a light cough.]
No. The doctors have other matters to attend to.
No. The doctors have other matters to attend to.
I already know the treatment of a concussion. Rest, fluids, no strenuous activity, no reading. Unfortunately, I can't stay in one place long it seems.
[Which he knows doesn't actually answer the question either. Or maybe it does. Alphonse is a smart young man after all.]
[Which he knows doesn't actually answer the question either. Or maybe it does. Alphonse is a smart young man after all.]
[So someone did tell him that. Sadly, there are a lot of people who might say something so mean just to mess with another.]
Mr. Pierce, whoever told you that, they were lying to you. The doctors here are good, uh-- most of them, and I know they'd offer you help if you reached out.
Mr. Pierce, whoever told you that, they were lying to you. The doctors here are good, uh-- most of them, and I know they'd offer you help if you reached out.
[He was being honest with himself; he would never make it to the North to find one of the doctors even if he wanted to. He had no doubt the Winter Soldier was stomping down to the area to search for him, was probably loitering in and around building 149 being a disappointing paranoid mess of a man.]
I'd prefer to keep my ailments to myself, son. I've been harassed by a doctor enough as it is, and it doesn't seem I can allow any vulnerability to show for them to take advantage of.
I'd prefer to keep my ailments to myself, son. I've been harassed by a doctor enough as it is, and it doesn't seem I can allow any vulnerability to show for them to take advantage of.
It would be best for all that I don't divulge names.
[Ironically, it isn't House. He doesn't mention the fact that he technically harasses House because the man amuses him and is as social as a cactus.]
[Ironically, it isn't House. He doesn't mention the fact that he technically harasses House because the man amuses him and is as social as a cactus.]
How would you like to think you can do that, Alphonse?
I need a few days to rest, but if I travel up to the North, I will contact you. Fair?
Is that what we are? I admit to not having many of those. It's appreciated.
Of course we are. We helped each other out, didn't we? And I'm calling to check in on you because I was concerned, I don't do that for just anyone.
[Yes he does.]
So you'll call me in a few days anyway? Just for my peace of mind, so I know you're healing.
[Yes he does.]
So you'll call me in a few days anyway? Just for my peace of mind, so I know you're healing.
We did, yes. It feels as if you are a young man who values life and the connections you make, so pardon me if I don't believe you.
I will call you, certainly.
I will call you, certainly.
I value your concern and your efforts. I will contact you again, Alphonse.
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