[There is another pause as Pierce mulls over how much to reveal. The truth would be best in this situation anyway.]
He is comrades with an associate of mine who has immediately sought to harm me since I arrived. Both men have harassed me since I came to be here, despite my never contacting them and keeping to myself. Both seem convinced I am out to bring harm to be ex-associate and everyone else here in Norfinbury.
James Buchanan Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, also known as Bucky. He's on the dangerous individual list from what I've seen.
[Pierce just sounded tired, like he wanted to say none of this. Of course, the Soldier painted himself badly from what he could tell, so that wasn't difficult.]
We worked closely with each other back on my world, but he was ill. He had to be medicated and regulated in order to allow him to function, and I wish it had been another way. His war wounds had been extensive and he barely survived, but here... he's off the rails at times. Paranoid, violent. I'm very concerned for Sergeant Barnes, and I wish him no ill. [Just come work for him again. It will be great.]
[Pierce isn't wrong, there's nothing that Al has seen about Bucky Barnes that makes him seem anything other than a dangerous and out of control individual. Not that he's ever spoken to him himself, but it's not been hard to see the destruction he's caused on occasion.]
It sounds like you have his best interests at heart, why would Dr. Watson think you wanted to hurt him?
Because Sergeant Barnes has allowed his fierce paranoia to weave stories of how I am going to control him or hurt him and Dr. Watson believes him, I imagine. They are allies after all.
I offered to tell my side of the story, but I was refused and told I would lie and mislead. So, it seems that open-mindedness will not be found there. And denial of treatment but no matter. I will heal.
[There's so much disapproval in his voice, he is going to talk to Dr. Watson after this, make no mistake. Though he does soften into concern quite quickly.]
Please, won't you come and travel with me? I promise I'll help take care of you, and Mr. Gray isn't the sort of person to cause trouble for you either.
Being in the present of others won't speed up my healing either.
[Like Alphonse can be irked with being treated like a child, Pierce is patient but firm when he is treated like a geriatric in need of protecting.]
Son, I don't need to be taken care of. I'm self-sufficient, and while I may be in my twilight years, I haven't fallen into a shallow grave just yet. However, I am planning on moving North. If you happen to be there and our paths cross, I will consider traveling with you.
[Was that what they were? Interesting that Alphonse considered friendship so readily after they had met so infrequently, and he once again found himself amused by the young man. So innocent and yet had clearly seen too much.]
Very well. I will contact you when I have arrived in the North.
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[He might sound a little dubious of that last statement as he said it. Like he might have received some of that over requested care.]
They clearly don't like me very much. Hate me, in fact. I suppose being lured with the expectation of care was on me though.
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[Al can't help the slightly sterner note entering his voice, though it's all for concern.]
Please stop avoiding the question, who said that to you?
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Dr. J. Watson.
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[He sounds incredulous, but more out of shock than disbelief.]
Why would he say that to you? What happened?
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He is comrades with an associate of mine who has immediately sought to harm me since I arrived. Both men have harassed me since I came to be here, despite my never contacting them and keeping to myself. Both seem convinced I am out to bring harm to be ex-associate and everyone else here in Norfinbury.
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[He sounds just a little guarded, not as if he thinks Pierce is lying, he's just someone who knows there are usually two sides to every story.]
Can you tell me who that man is? Is he dangerous?
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[Pierce just sounded tired, like he wanted to say none of this. Of course, the Soldier painted himself badly from what he could tell, so that wasn't difficult.]
We worked closely with each other back on my world, but he was ill. He had to be medicated and regulated in order to allow him to function, and I wish it had been another way. His war wounds had been extensive and he barely survived, but here... he's off the rails at times. Paranoid, violent. I'm very concerned for Sergeant Barnes, and I wish him no ill. [Just come work for him again. It will be great.]
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[Pierce isn't wrong, there's nothing that Al has seen about Bucky Barnes that makes him seem anything other than a dangerous and out of control individual. Not that he's ever spoken to him himself, but it's not been hard to see the destruction he's caused on occasion.]
It sounds like you have his best interests at heart, why would Dr. Watson think you wanted to hurt him?
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I offered to tell my side of the story, but I was refused and told I would lie and mislead. So, it seems that open-mindedness will not be found there. And denial of treatment but no matter. I will heal.
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[There's so much disapproval in his voice, he is going to talk to Dr. Watson after this, make no mistake. Though he does soften into concern quite quickly.]
Please, won't you come and travel with me? I promise I'll help take care of you, and Mr. Gray isn't the sort of person to cause trouble for you either.
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[Like Alphonse can be irked with being treated like a child, Pierce is patient but firm when he is treated like a geriatric in need of protecting.]
Son, I don't need to be taken care of. I'm self-sufficient, and while I may be in my twilight years, I haven't fallen into a shallow grave just yet. However, I am planning on moving North. If you happen to be there and our paths cross, I will consider traveling with you.
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It's not just for that, Mr. Pierce, you helped me out and I want to do the same. That's what friends are for, right?
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Very well. I will contact you when I have arrived in the North.
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[He'll make sure to check in if he doesn't hear anything by the time he's at the industrial area. Otherwise, for now, he'll sign off.]