[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?
[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.
[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.
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.
[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.
[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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@snowpiercer; audio
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?
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[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?
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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.
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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.
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[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.
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[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?
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[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.]
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[He didn't know there was a concussion involved too, apparently he was much more hurt than initially thought.]
Have you spoken to one of the doctors?
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No. The doctors have other matters to attend to.
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I'm sure that's not true, did someone tell you that?
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[Which he knows doesn't actually answer the question either. Or maybe it does. Alphonse is a smart young man after all.]
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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.
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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.
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[Harassed by a doctor sounds like House's way of working, and Al sounds more than a little frustrated. He and House don't exactly see eye to eye.]
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[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.]
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Mr. Pierce, I'd like to help you. Please trust me?
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[At least he's honest, though his voice is firm.]
But I won't know unless you try me.
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I'd hope you'd contact me anyway just to keep in touch, what else are friends for?
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[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.
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I will call you, certainly.
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Okay, you caught me, but that means I value your life and our connection too. I'll talk to you soon.
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(no subject)