arrays | [ open ] we'll keep dancing til we die

Believe me, you don't want to find yourself in ULTRA's hands.

She guides him through the club, for all appearance like a hot girl who's just scored herself some action, but he's already got a line on what's going on beneath the surface. She is genuinely afraid for both of them, but she also genuinely believes that she's doing the right thing, and this is a thing she needs to do despite her fear.

When she finally gets him past the exit, the cool air is a shock on her skin after the heat of the club. She closes her eyes and takes a breath before she curls her arm against his, leans in, and begins to walk down the street.

"Gotta get to the subway." she murmurs, leaning her head on his bicep. "Put your arm around me. It'll be easier. You're so tall." It's both a compliment and a complaint.

He does as bid without any more complaints, playing the part as easily as breathing. Gale has been here many times before, so adjusting to this is easy, if strange under the circumstances. Another telepath is the one thing he hasn't encountered yet, and he has to remind himself to stay relaxed to avoid unnecessary attention. Getting tense and watching her carefully like his instincts would have him do is not going to help here.

"Why the subway? Where exactly are we going?"

"I know this might be a revelation, but the subway is generally what one takes to from point A to point B." She grins at him. "And in this case, it's how we get to a place where ULTRA can't find you."

With her cheek leaning against his arm, she knows they project the image of a young couple flush with affection, and that's exactly how she wants it to appear. "I won't make you come. You can tell me to go to hell and leave any time you want between now and when we get on the subway. But once we do, you need to stick with me, and let me show you everything. And then if you still want to take your chance on your own, I'll bring you back myself. I promise."

You can look for yourself to see if I'm lying. If you don't think we can help you, if you don't want to stay, I'll bring you back.

"That's not what I meant," he grouses, knowing she's well aware of the fact. Despite it all, he offers a faint smile. They might as well keep up the show, on the off chance that she's right and this ULTRA is going to come after him - them.

I'll come. I meant, why not just teleport there?

She twines her fingers into his as they make it to one of the subway entrances, gently tugging him toward the downward steps.

A few reasons. One, the further away you are from something, the more difficult the teleport. Plus, they can track it, but not if we go down and deep enough. We just need to get on the right train.

He follows, half a step behind her and letting himself be dragged along like the dutiful boyfriend he's pretending to be.

How can they track it? Do they just plant a GPS, Gale wonders? How would they have done that? When would they have done it? He's fairly certain he wasn't close enough to anyone for that, but then, he was in a club.

Once they're down beneath street level, Lydia breathes a little easier, but she's still on alert. She pays for her fare, and Gale's too, before he has an opportunity to do so himself. She lets out a small sigh as they head for the platform.

Two ways, mainly. Technology, and ULTRA has people like us working for them. Turned on their own kind.

Her lips press together in repressed contempt.

His eyes narrow when she pays his fare, jaw set as he fights the urge to comment that he doesn't need charity. It's a matter of pride; even if he and his family are poor and don't live in the best part of town, Gale insists that they can get by. And because of him, they do.

So, what, they've got some kind of teleportation radar? If he sounds skeptical, it's because he is. What kind of technology could possibly track that? The second point, however, makes him pause.

If they're so bad, why would any of us work for them?

She's cold, and has no problem leaning against Gale because aside from serving as a giant windbreaker, he's warm. And because they're already engaged in telepathic communication, it's easy enough for her to pick up the reason for him bristling.

You can buy my fare next time. I was just trying to be expedient. Hopping the turnstyle attracts attention and we needed to move quickly.

Tilting her head up to gaze at him, her tone is gently reproving.

You're able to teleport, communicate telepathically, and move objects with your mind. Are you honestly telling me technology capable of tracking psychic signatures is that farfetched?

And to his latter question:

Why do people choose to do harm? A lot of reasons. They think ULTRA's going to win and want to be on the side of who they believe will be the victors. Because they've been brainwashed into believing ULTRA are the good guys. Because ULTRA has something on them, threatening their families. Because ULTRA got to them before the Tomorrow People could, when they were cold and alone and scared, and ULTRA seemed like saviors.

You know the answer to that question, Gale. I shouldn't have to tell you.

The subway train arrives, and she steps toward the door as it opens, looking over her shoulder at Gale.

"You coming?"

Edited 2015-01-30 17:00 (UTC)

It's easy enough to ignore the unintended slight and pretend it never happened, but he follows with a scowl, liking this less and less.

Why do they care so much about us? It's true that Gale couldn't be the only one using these powers to his advantage, but it seems like he's missing something important. Why not just go after the dangerous people? It's not like I've broken any laws.

Nothing important, at least. He only does what it takes to survive and keep his family going.

Once inside the subway she tugs him into a seat. She really seems to have a thing for pulling him everywhere, like she's a tiny tugboat and he's a freighter.

Sitting next to him, she turns to gaze into his face. (He's really good looking and they've got more important things to worry about and she's trying not to think about the fact that he's really good looking.)

Why do you keep asking questions you already know the answers to? I can tell you're smart, Gale. And you weren't born yesterday. Ask yourself that question. Why would an organization want to capture and control people capable of doing the things we do?

It's late at night and there's only a few people on the subway. It'll take them a while to get close to the end of the line, and if it's not empty by the time they get to the jump point, she'll have to take him through a few cars. But for now, they're good to sit and rest and talk. Telepathically or otherwise.

It isn't that he doesn't know; that much, she's definitely right about. Getting confirmation of his suspicions is another thing, though, and it sets him even more on edge than he was already since she'd first spoken to him telepathically. He stays silent for a while, watching the lights of the subway flash by impassively.

Truth be told, it's amazing to learn that there are others. But on learning about this fight between the ULTRA and the rest of them, he isn't so sure. It strikes a chord in him, though, how unfair this entire situation is. If what she's telling him is true, he and the anyone else like him are being persecuted for the pure and simple reason of being different, and on top of that, they're being used by these people and being turned against each other. It makes him angry, and on another level entirely, it scares him. Gale isn't stupid; he knows how biology and inheritance works. For this to be so prevalent a mutation (should it be called that, if it's so common?), it has to be hereditary on some level. His mother Hazel is as normal as they come, so if he's right, it must come from their father, or further up in the family tree. All this means that if Gale is capable of doing these things, who's to say any of his siblings wouldn't be, as well?

They shouldn't have to deal with this. If Gale has anything to say about it, they won't.

Finally, he asks simply, So what are you doing about it?

Well at the moment, I'm saving you from being taken by ULTRA.

How does she manage to add so much tone to her mental voice? It's very matter-of-fact.

Actually, that's a lot of what we do. We provide a safe place to hide from them, to live and take care of each other. We try to rescue as many of us as possible. It's not an easy endeavor, and it's full of risk. We don't have the means to wipe out ULTRA...yet. Part of the problem is our own limitations.

He shakes his head in consternation.

A place to hide. Is that it?

The traces of disgust are difficult to hide, and Gale doesn't bother trying. He can't afford to hide to save his own skin. His family can't afford it. It's simply not an option, no matter how she plays it up like they're doing everyone like them a great favor.

[There's a sudden little snap to his brain, like the psychic equivalent of a flick to his nose.]

Amazing how I can speak directly into your brain and you still don't listen. Didn't I just risk my neck to keep you out of ULTRA's hands? Do you honestly think we're going to accomplish anything by letting them know where we are? Do you think we don't have a right to be safe while we try to save others like us?

Don't you dare judge, Gale Hawthorne. Don't you dare.</>

His eyes narrow, the only outward reaction he shows to that mental slap on the wrist.

I never said you didn't. And it's true; he hadn't said anything of the sort. But she's playing this up more to be more than what it sounds. As far as Gale can tell, they're just hiding, and gathering others to hide with them. Nothing is accomplished by giving away your headquarters, true enough, but just as well, nothing is accomplished by hiding in the shadows of fear.

How much further?

We're almost at the end of the line.

There's no way she can put it into words. He'll have to see for himself. This is a guerilla war at best for them, and the ones old enough to take the risk are trained, like she's been trained. But she still hasn't explained to him the one thing their kind couldn't do, the one thing that might make the difference in the fight.

She stands abruptly, turning and taking a step backward.

One more chance to back out. she holds out her hand.

I told you I'd go with you, didn't I? As long as she doesn't plan on trapping him there, and good luck with that when he's able to teleport wherever he wants. Skeptical or not, she won't be able to say Gale doesn't keep his word.

He takes her hand, willing her to lead him where she will.

"You deserved all the chances to back out." she says aloud, and steps close once more. She awaits some cue only she seems to sense, and then suddenly she's teleporting, and taking him with her.

When the world unwinds again, they are standing at the back end of a subterrenean hallway. There's a light ahead, and movement too, sound as well. Keeping hold of his hand, Lydia's smile blossoms suddenly, a familiar thing that one associates with the relief of coming home as a carefully held tension is released just under her skin. It's also evident in what loitering connection is held between their minds. Perhaps oddly, Lydia hasn't seemed to realize they're still connected on a level.

Stepping forward, the archway opens up into an enormous common area. Sure, there are kids lounging and playing pool, but off to the side there's more than a few that appear to be training; martial arts mixed with sudden flashes of teleportation.

He has nothing to say to that, and doesn't bother trying to come up with something. Instead, Gale focuses on their surroundings, waiting for inevitable change that would come any moment now, she'd just do it already -

- and there it is.

Gale isn't sure what he was expecting, but it certainly isn't what he sees before him. Sparing Lydia a glance, wondering why she hadn't let go just yet, he follows, taking in the sights. So this is their hideaway, he thinks to himself. This is where they take the "breakouts", to keep them safe from Ultra. It looks more like a teenaged hang out than any kind of sanctuary.

"And you all live here?" he asks skeptically, turning his eyes to the trainees. Well, that's something, but it's still not the sort of thing Gale can see himself doing - not with his family still above, still at risk and needing whatever help they can get.

It is a teenage hangout, because they're teenagers. Her hand abruptly drops from his, sensing his skepticism, and what feels to her like scorn. Maybe it's not for him, but she can tell that he doesn't seem to think they're doing anything truly purposeful.

"We do." Lydia assures. A few people call out greetings to her, some of them checking Gale out with suspicious skepticism of their own, but before anyone can approach and engage them, she decides, "I think you ought to meet TIM.

"What about your families?" That remains his primary concern, even over his own wellbeing. His mother, Rory, Vick, and Posy... They matter more to him than anything. They're the light of his life, and most importantly, they're all he's got.

He returns their gaze impassively, taking it all in. He's unimpressed, as he had expected. She'll need to do more than show him some underground hangout to convince Gale.

"Who's Tim?" he asks, still looking around the place. "Is he your leader or something?"

She's actually a little pissed that he doesn't see what's really going on here. The kids that are training aren't just horsing around. And the ones who are indulging in games of pool and chatting around the couches? Haven't had that luxury in a long time. But he'll either figure it out or he won't. She can only push him so far.

"Not exactly." she says, taking him down one of the side hallways and into a small room. Something akin to an overhead projecter is hanging from the center of the ceiling, lighting up as the pair walk in.

HELLO, LYDIA. I SEE YOU'VE BROUGHT GALE. CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY EXTRACTING HIM. THERE WAS A MUCH HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF ULTRA AGENTS THERE THAN YOU MAY HAVE REALIZED.

"Hi, Tim." says Lydia with the faintest of smiles. "Don't be rude."

OH, OF COURSE. HELLO, GALE.

What they're trying to do here is clear as day. The problem, however, is that Gale doesn't see any of it as applying to him. He won't leave his family, especially if there's a chance that they'll be in danger. He'd rather that risk be on him, protecting them.

He's still taking in everything when the computer speaks, and Gale is startled enough to whip around for the source. How do they know his name? He doesn't recall giving it to them.

"Hi... Tim," he says warily, eyeing the project with uncertainty. This is unnerving.

Tim's an artificial intelligence system." Lydia provides, amused at his reaction. "He was liberated from ULTRA a long time ago."

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, GALE? PART OF MY FUNCTION IS TO PROVIDE ANSWERS.

[ open ] we'll keep dancing til we die

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