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I require more clarification on exactly what you are asking 'why' about.
To what point and purpose would there have been to keeping you? I wouldn't have forced you anywhere if you hadn't made your intention to maim or kill me clear.
I thought you wanted the Soldier?
[Keeping him as the tool and weapon that he had been painstakingly created as had always been a high priority in HYDRA, so why would Pierce let him go after he had achieved the obedient follower again? He doesn't understand.]
[Keeping him as the tool and weapon that he had been painstakingly created as had always been a high priority in HYDRA, so why would Pierce let him go after he had achieved the obedient follower again? He doesn't understand.]
And now you need to reorganize your opinion on the matter.
Is that the actual root of your issue? You assumed I wouldn't; you assumed that I would drive you and hurt you and strip you of everything.
And I didn't, so now you're angry.
And I didn't, so now you're angry.
I hardly consider months of grime, sleep deprivation and nutritional deficits everything.
Then what is it you need from me for clarification on this matter.
1) I triggered you because I was given no choice. I asked and ordered you to stop before I was put in a position to escalate with the only defense I had left. Do you deny that?
2) Because it's my job.
3) There was no reason to keep you. At the rate you're going, you'll self-destruct in no time. I wanted to show you that things between us could be different; I am not Colonel Karpov.
2) Because it's my job.
3) There was no reason to keep you. At the rate you're going, you'll self-destruct in no time. I wanted to show you that things between us could be different; I am not Colonel Karpov.
[All of that sounds so reasonable when put like that, and that's what makes it so much worse. It digs under his skin like filth, but he doesn't know how to put that into words.]
I won't come after you again.
[At least he's learned that much.]
But I will kill you if you come near me.
I won't come after you again.
[At least he's learned that much.]
But I will kill you if you come near me.
[Pierce had no doubt about that. The Soldier would be scarce and avoid any contact in future, which left him open to move on with his own foundation building in peace and relative quiet.]
Of the two of us, who has a track record of hunting the other down? You needn't worry about my approach on anything other than completely incidental.
Of the two of us, who has a track record of hunting the other down? You needn't worry about my approach on anything other than completely incidental.
[He's finally getting to a stage where he feels up to properly talking to people again, and he's a bit ashamed it's taken so long. Which is why he sounds a little hesitant when he sends in the message.]
Excuse me, Mr. Pierce? It's Alphonse Elric, I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing since I haven't heard from you in a while.
Excuse me, Mr. Pierce? It's Alphonse Elric, I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing since I haven't heard from you in a while.
[Again, Alphonse is actually the only person that he is willing to engage in with an audio conversation. Everyone else staunchly receives text, but this young man has his attention and at least maybe a little of his trust.
For his part, he sounds wearied, maybe even a bit thin of voice. There is a single cough as he settles himself into actually engaging instead of simply gathering information.]
I meant to contact you, but matters have been more pressing as of late. How are you, Alphonse? Your voice still sounds so hollow; are you eating quite enough?
[He doesn't mean to father at Al, but there are few people he might consider potential allies here. He wants to keep them healthy. He also hasn't figured out why Al's voice sounds the way it does.]
For his part, he sounds wearied, maybe even a bit thin of voice. There is a single cough as he settles himself into actually engaging instead of simply gathering information.]
I meant to contact you, but matters have been more pressing as of late. How are you, Alphonse? Your voice still sounds so hollow; are you eating quite enough?
[He doesn't mean to father at Al, but there are few people he might consider potential allies here. He wants to keep them healthy. He also hasn't figured out why Al's voice sounds the way it does.]
[The sound of his voice makes Al feel a pang of guilt. He should have checked in earlier, he should have made himself stop thinking only about his own pain and focus on other people.]
Yeah, I've got plenty of supplies, please don't worry about me. I'm-- I'm okay.
[Better than he was, at least.]
But you don't sound so good, are you getting sick?
Yeah, I've got plenty of supplies, please don't worry about me. I'm-- I'm okay.
[Better than he was, at least.]
But you don't sound so good, are you getting sick?
[Pierce is more than aware that communication is a two-way street, and he has not reached out to Alphonse either. He decides that will change in future now that he has been contacted twice without an obvious need for it.]
Are you certain there isn't anything you would like to say? You sound... off, if I do say so myself.
[He could identify it if he takes the time to, but instead, he decides to be honest with Alphonse.]
Perhaps? I've had a developing cough the last few days, but it's nothing too concerning. Comes and goes. [He sighs audibly.] I've again been having some issues with a medical person, but otherwise, I will heal.
Are you certain there isn't anything you would like to say? You sound... off, if I do say so myself.
[He could identify it if he takes the time to, but instead, he decides to be honest with Alphonse.]
Perhaps? I've had a developing cough the last few days, but it's nothing too concerning. Comes and goes. [He sighs audibly.] I've again been having some issues with a medical person, but otherwise, I will heal.
[Now you've opened a door you might not want to.]
Very well. Give me a list of names and I will avoid contact. Also, the threat is moot if I am invited.
Very well. Give me a list of names and I will avoid contact. Also, the threat is moot if I am invited.
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