Log:Sobering Suspicions

2021/01/31 Radical Grimm 1

Grimm is seen accepting a drink from Porter that's purple. She drinks, and only after a few sips, she's smiling happily. Given the circumstances and the company, it's a bit unusual. After some time in the Hall of Mortalis to mingle, observe, and otherwise, an alien concierge showed up and showed Radical to his personal guest quarters. It gives Radical the same shpiel it gave Wade and Artemis. "Room service from the finest chefs Xylanda has to offer is available. Call us if you have any need. Wine, brandy, more pillows, more companions. All are provided for." It bows and departs, leaving Radical to the privacy of his room.

Radical finally pulls his mask off once he's in the room, and he takes a seat on the bed, looking down at the floor for a minute or two. The tension he was feeling earlier is finally releasing a bit.

After that time passes and he has a moment to breathe, there's a knock at the door.

Radical pulls his mask back on, and he heads to the door to answer it, pulling the door open.

At the door is a shorter female alien that looks very close to human, but with light grey skin and short white hair, and six-fingered hands. She's wearing a white outfit that mixes skin-tight material and loose lacy veils. She's quite beautiful, but the structure of her face is alien enough that it differs from most humans. When he opens, she lunges for him.

Radical does his best to fend her off with quick sidestep and a blcok. "I'm sorry, I have no idea who you are. I think you have the wrong room."

The alien female is deflected from getting her arms around Radical after throwing herself at him. "This is the right room. I'm your complimentary companion. Am I not pleasing to you...?"

Radical shakes his head, "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not interested. Please...give my compliments to your employer, but I'd prefer to relax on my own."

The alien woman pouts at being refused. "As it pleases you," she says as hospitality is required at these halls, bowing just like the concierge and backing out while bent low. The door automatically slides closed once she's out.

Radical takes a deep breath, and he finds himself being paranoid. He searches, just to make sure there are not listening devices or anything like htat planted on him now.

Quite some time is spend searching, and while some things may look suspicious, it's hard to tell what's listening. There's a small device that could be listening, disguised as a virtual assistant. As he's studying it, there's another knock at the door.

Radical sighs a bit...but he heads to the door to answer it.

This time, it's a familiar face. Gabrielle is smiling. Not soberly, but not drunkenly. She doesn't seem to be swaying or having balance issues like a drunken person would. "Hey."

Radical tiltes his head, "Umm...come on in." He lets her in, and he looks around in the hallway outside again before closing the door.

Grimm walks it, hand trailing over the door frame and then the wall. It takes a moment, but Radical does recognize something about the smile and body language. She's relaxed. It's like the time he suggested she take molly to relax. The hallway has a few people traveling along to rooms or just passing through. Nothing suspicious. "You okay?" Gabrielle asks.

Radical nods, and once the door is closed, he pulls off his mask. "Just...feeling paranoid. The concierge sent me a 'complimentary companion'. I sent her away."

"Huh. I didn't get sent one, but I just got shown my room," Grimm says in disappointment, leaning back against the wall by the door and taking a breath. "I'm just across the way. Seems like splitting us all up while we're sleeping and vulnerable is dangerous," she agrees.

Radical nods as he thinks about it. "You're welcome to crash here with me, if you like."

Grimm blinks a few times at that. "Huh? Oh, uh." Gabrielle is caught by surprise at that. She's also distractedly sliding her hand against the wall behind her idly. "I...guess that might be smart. I was just gonna suggest we all be careful. Seems too lucky for things to just pan out so well." She smiles more. "Especially with Porter present at the time."

Radical chuckles. "Just being careful works, too. I'm just feeling...I don't know...like this was too easy." He pulls off his coat and sets it on the bed.

Grimm nods, still staying by the wall. Petting it idly is some unconscious focus of hers. It's keeping her grounding. She's trying very hard to act sober, and it's making it more conspicuous. Connor's dealt with enough students trying to get by in class or on campus high to recognize it. "Yeah, same. Call me paranoid. I was gonna at least suggest you sleep with your harness on. There's one assassin caught, and one person who wanted to still have blood after their scary boss gave their word. What else is going to come up?"

Radical nods. "Yeah, a good point." He pauses, watching her. "You should stay here at least until you sober up."

"What? No, I'm...no, I'm okay." Gabrielle takes another breath to focus. "Maybe not now, but I kinda want to know more about the assassin."

Radical chuckles. "You're high. I can see it." He takes a seat on the bed, but he nods. "I understand. I'd like to know more too. But I'm not sure getting involved is going to help."

Grimm blushes. "It was just a drink. It was...purple. And I just had one." She nods slowly. "Could cause more problems and trouble. I feel bad leaving them to their fate, but...the risk could cost earth. I'm...I'm not sure what to do," she sounds lost.

Radical nods. "I guess we can ask, and we can perhaps try to speak on their behalf."

Grimm starts to look anxious. "Maybe. So long as it doesn't risk making things worse, y'know? Maybe this person's cause is just. Maybe they're just hired by rivals. It's hard to tell. They could even lie and give a sob story."

Radical nods. "Well...we can at least find out more."

Radical says, "Or...maybe we can add it as a rider on the actual fight stakes, since there are no stakes now?"

Grimm nods a few times, the nods losing speed gradually. "Right. Yeah. Right," she calms down a bit. When he makes his suggestion, she looks surprised, then thoughtful. "I...suppose. But don't we have to give up something if our side loses?"

Radical nods. "If I were him...and we put that forth? I'd make one of us become the executioner if we lost."

Grimm gulps. "O-one of us? Why?"

Radical shrugs, "To make a point?"

Grimm pales. "That's...dark." And that's coming from her. "But...but we can't, if he choosing something like that." She thinks a moment, trying to keep her thoughts focused through the noise in her mind. "I hope I never run into some alter of yours that's gone world conqueror," she adds with a weak grin.

Radical chuckles. "That's...pretty mild. If he was really evil, we'd have to hand the gem over. Or the invastion would be back on."

"Well, we don't want to get back where we started," Grimm says with a bit of a grin. It's just theory at the moment. "I'd be worried about which of us would be up to the executing. I...I've hurt people in the past, but not intentionally. I don't think I could do it."

Radical nods. "If it really came down to it...I probably could. But I think it would be...very hard."

"You? You...no. You're a good person, Co...Radical. Too good for something like that," Grimm says worriedly. Enough that she finally straigthens up and leaves the safety of the wall. She takes a moment to decide something. "If it came down to that...I'd do it."

Radical shakes his head, "If it was having to kill someone who is an assassin themselves...versus our planet getting invaded? I could do it." He smiles. "And you're a good person, too. You shouldn't be down on yourself like that."

Grimm still has trouble believing in that statement about herself. "I...I dunno. Maybe. And maybe the good thing I do is step up so you can keep being good. I already have nightmares every night anyway. No reason you should have to deal with that." After being so serious and protective of Radical's virtue, she suddenly gives a singular laugh. "I'm getting all worked up on hypotheticals here," she realizes.

Radical chuckles. "You are, yes. And we have no idea what's going to happen with that."

"Or with tonight with al us split up. Or how the fights will even go. We should keep our senses peeled for magical manipulation," Grimm says as she steps back against the wall again for comfort, placing a hand against it again. "...I really hope this Purple stuff wears off by then. We...we should get some sleep, but be careful. I recommend keeping your gear on when you do."

Radical smiles. "You already mentioned that once. I'll be sure to do so."

"Hey, I'm high, give me a break," Grimm laughs. "That was like...hours ago." Which it most certainly wasn't, but she's experiencing some time dilation. "And...maybe I need to go sleep this off now," she realizes. She starts to head for the door, hand still keeping contact with the wall for guidance.

Radical shakes his head, "Stay here until it's out of your system, at least. Please."

Grimm slows as she reaches the door. "I dunno if that's a great idea. I was like all gushing and cuddly with Porter earlier."

Radical chuckles quietly. "You're family. I need to watch out for you. Sit."

Grimm blushes and reluctantly gives in. She risks leaving the stability of the wall and walks over to take a seat. "Okay, okay," she complains, but is smiling gratefully.