THE AGNOSTIC’S IMMORTAL HEART || CLOVE & ANGEL
clove-modius:
{Clove can’t help but feel a little defensive after Angel raises his wrist, proudly showing off the tattoo of an Uninfected citizen. It makes Clove look a little stupid, and even worse, it makes him sound like he’s disagreeing with HQ - and who is he to do that? It’s a bit of a bitter pill to swallow, but maybe Angel does have a point: if HQ deems him Uninfected and trustworthy enough to join the cause, it must be so. And while there are a few things HQ has done that Clove disagrees with, he would never voice those concerns out loud.}
I’m not- I’m not doubting HQ, I would never. It is as you say. They are the ones with the science and the knowledge. I do apologise if I’ve come across as rude, it was never my intention. The simple truth is that we still know so very little about the Infections and it’s somewhat unnerving. How do you win against an enemy you can’t see or don’t understand? It’s not exactly an even battlefield. And most days… Well. It all seems a little futile at the moment. Almost every new arrival we’ve had over the recent weeks has been Infected. It’s like we’ve become a dumping ground. And considering how grossly outnumbered we’ve become, my caution has served me well thus far.
{When Angel mentions his mission to sanitise the Infected, Clove can’t help but laugh a little. It’s quiet and uneasy and he by no means feels any more comfortable in Angel’s presence, but he’s beginning to see why HQ has been so adamant about folding Angel into their ranks. He’s the picture perfect Reformist, readily equipped with a talent that could solve all their problems.} So you died and came back with a new purpose? Why you? {As far as Clove can tell there’s nothing special about Angel. He might be bordering on being the most narcissistic person Clove’s ever met, but apart from that he seems very ordinary.} You’ll have to forgive my incessant questions, I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of this.
{Gradually it’s becoming easier for Clove to sit so casually beside Angel, and little by little some of the tension seeps from his shoulders. It’s by no means total relaxation and Clove still has his upper body shifted to the left to maintain the distance between them, but it’s something.}
[It’s the first time Angel has heard Clove falter in his otherwise carefully delivered words. Interesting. He cuts a hasty retreat in order to agree with HQ. Not much of a free thinker, then, eh? Angel regards him with bright, curious eyes, wondering if he’s devoted heart and soul to the cause, or if he doubts the cause and that’s why he’s so quick to agree with them; trying to avoid looking suspicious.
He shrugs off the apology. It’s not necessary. Angel is used to his ability being met with consternation, usually by the Infected -- but even for the Uninfected it can be uncomfortable to meet someone with an identifiably unique skill. The fact that he is cleared as Uninfected by HQ seems to ease Clove’s concerns a little, at least.]
I don’t know why me. Why not me? I ain’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth -- I got this ability, I don’t think it’s my place to question why. I just wanna use it for good. Can I ask you somethin’ back? [He doesn’t wait for a response before he continues, because he’s going to ask anyway.] How is it you see this as a battle? Are the Infected really our enemy? They didn’t ask for what happened to them.
[Angel’s stance is clear. He pities them, wants to help them, thinks they deserve endless sympathy. The Reforms aren’t about hurting them, but about keeping them safe until their sickness can be healed away in a more permanent way than what Angel can offer.]













