#w.echo

*There is nothing like the scene of a respectable and high-profile Facility after a thinly-veiled festive advertisement showcasing its power. Association hadn't been this quiet or boring in a while. Perhaps for the better as even Chase was nurturing some lingering effects of liquor and wine. It seemed she wasn't the only one. Quite a few people hadn't shown up for association, either recovering in the med-bay or simply forgoing this one session in favour of their beds, a foolish action they'd have to make up for on a later date. All save one, naturally. Laurence Fairfax hadn't been seen in the facility since last night and Chase had an inkling as to why that might be.

*She heads for the stairs and she climbs up to Level 2 at a leisurely pace, not slowing down as she walks past the Mothermen quarters, and steers for the extravagant door at the end of the hallway. A door feared by many. A twist of the handle and she enters the room, Fairfax's private quarters.

*'Extravagant' wouldn't do this room justice. The entire room breathes an air of antique with pricey, polished and hand-made pieces sitting comfortably besides equally breathtaking pieces of artwork. An underground vault made to function.

*The door falls back into its lock. Chase moves towards the record player, gloved fingers turning the vinyl for her to read, she removes it from the plate, slipping it back into its cover before uncovering her favourite one. She raises her head, eyes briefly moving towards the closed door of the bedroom before calling out.

[Halstead] Laurence, dear? You haven't died on me, have you? I haven't seen you since last night. You well enough to function or want me to call Nix?

*With the gentle tones of a lazy jazz number accompanying her actions the woman moves to a formidable desk with dark wood gently accented with intricate finishings of gold leaf and fine leather. She pulls at a drawer, nosing around until she takes out a small clip of cigarettes and a delicate, black cigarette holder. She takes out two cigarettes, stuffing them gently in one of the pockets on her apron. Already she eyes the liquor cabinet only a few steps removed from her before calling out again.

[Halstead] You feeling well enough for a drink and a smoke?

*On the sumptuous chesterfield, unnoticed, a pale Ward with limp, beige-blond hair watches the woman. She is grey-banded, Reclaimed, and wears a white plastic medical muzzle over her face. Her wrists are chained at both hips to a locking, clinical belt and there is a book in her lap. Her eyes are wide and unafraid.

*Unbothered Chase stacks two tumblers into each other, the chime of the glass light enough to differentiate it from any average glasswork and rather alluding to expensive crystal. A reaching hand lingers over various bottles of liquors and wines before going with the standard finely-cut canter with a delicately crafted top, its amber contents shimmering through the intricate cut details. She turns on her heels. Her eyes widen and she gasps upon finally seeing the silent Ward sitting on the couch. The tumblers clatter gently but remain undamaged through her surprise.

[Halstead] Gods… This is where it ended up? It hasn't even had a lesson from Essar or Seekay yet… Doe-eyed bastard…

*Her voice is low and growls deeply before shaking her hair out of her face with a sharp movement of her head.

[Halstead] Laurence?! Tell me you're not laying facedown in a pool of your own blood on your bed!

*There is a slight shrill to her voice confirming her lack of trust regarding the woman before her. The tumbler and bottle are put aside on the desk as she walks briskly towards the bedroom door, her eyes are focussed on the Ward.

[Halstead] You stay put, understand?

*Her hand hesitantly moves towards the doorknob, she swallows trying to will the growing fear back under control.

*Laurence pads through from the bathroom. He is dressed in a paisley house coat and pinstripe pajamas. He pinches the bridge of his nose and sits languidly next to the chained girl, picking up the book from her lap. [Fairfax] You didn’t keep my place, darling.

*His eyes flicker to Chase. [Fairfax] We’ve a guest, my dear. Chastity, you’ve met Echo? Isn’t she charming? Discreet. Modest… Quite companionable. Tell me the truth. Was I utterly dreadful last night?

*Chase's shoulders drop as she sighs, slowly turning to face him, her fingers lingering over her mouth to ensure the mask is still in place.

[Halstead] You didn't exactly waste time in getting her settled in… Yes… We met. I don't think you shut up about it last night… Get those chains shortened in and don't sit it so close to…

*Her eyes sweep the room in a non too subtle motion.

[Halstead] At least five lethal weapons within arm's reach…

*Silently she moves back to the desk, picking up the tumblers and whiskey only to place them on the dark coffee table in front of the masterpiece chesterfield. His cigarette joins his glass as she slides it over to him.

[Halstead] But I didn’t hear any complaints. In fact Lady Stamford was absolutely delighted with your handsome looks at the ball.

*She takes a seat on a smaller couch opposite the pair, in a fluid motion she crosses her one leg over the other, fingers coiling around the cigarette holder, putting a cigarette in place and lighting it.

[Halstead] Do me a favour and don't let Seekay see that thing muzzled. He doesn't need to be reminded.

*Laurence threads his little finger into the link of a chain, regarding the girl beside him with a soft smile. Echo faces forward. [Fairfax] Of what? That he isn’t unique? He’ll be jealous, won’t he?

*Chase drags briefly from her cigarette, careful to face away from him whilst doing so. As the smoke slowly trails out of her nostrils she takes a hold of the whiskey and pours a splash in each glass.

[Halstead] … He shouldn't get distracted over something like this. And you've trained him well enough to ensure he's the only protection you need if he's around. So more reasons not to let… emotions confuse matters.

[Fairfax] Quite right. C_K is emotionally inexperienced, Chastity. It’s so very difficult for children of the State - so few years outside of the PRI-FAC system in which to develop expressive behaviours, and control over them. It’s better left to men like myself to manage these sort of individuals, though you know I object to that term.

*He opens the book, and licks his fingers to flick through pages. Laurence looks up with a sharp smile. His undereyes are bruised with sleeplessness.

[Fairfax] I was coaching this dear girl on etiquette when you arrived. Shall I test you both? We’ll see who makes the better Citizen… Or Companion to a Citizen, hmmmn? Let’s begin at dinner parties -

*Chase smiles sweetly at Laurence, eyeing the book briefly.

[Halstead] Laurence, dear… I'm afraid you know perfectly how to trap me… After all you taught me how to act civilized… It wouldn't be fair for me, now would it?

[Fairfax] No job is more important than taking care not to embarrass one’s husband, Chastity. I think you really ought to learn that. Wouldn’t want to aggrieve any future prospects, would you?

*He looks at them both, languidly, pleased. [Fairfax] Your host serves you raw oysters on a bed of ice. They are filled with seawater and garnished with a red-wine vinegar sauce. What do you do?

*She stares at the book for a while, blank look only batted away as she blinks rapidly.

[Halstead] …Preferably wait for the lemon-water to arrive which you use to clean your fingers with?

*She draws out the question, a meek smile the only other tool to potentially win Laurence over.

*He watches her passively, lip curling, and turns coaxingly to the girl at his side.

[Fairfax] No. What would you do, darling?

*Echo makes no response. Her wide, wild eyes do not flicker from Chastity. Laurence smiles slowly, admiringly. [Fairfax] Yes, that’s absolutely right. You don’t eat them. Oysters are much better served ungarnished. How clever you are! And Ashwood wanted rid of you? The damnable old fool!

*There is a long silence as Chase focusses her attention to her breath, attempting to remain calm under the circumstances. She finds her rest and even a sweet smile to present to Laurence again.

[Halstead] Indeed, how very silly of me…

*Her eyes cross those of Echo's, she feels a shiver crawling down her spine just looking at the unmistakably faulty Ward.

[Halstead] It was a pianist, wasn't it? Does it come double-blessed? Say with the ability to sing? Wouldn't that be something. Have it play you a nice tune in the evening whilst a gentle, lulling voice sings you to sleep?

*Laurence looks at Chastity earnestly. [Fairfax] I don’t know, my dear. But I am quite certain she can be taught.

*He looks at the girl longingly. [Fairfax] She hasn’t spoken. It’s rather like a fairytale.

[Halstead] If someone could teach a Ward something it'd be you, Laurence.

*Her eyes flit towards Laurence, that sheepish look of pure innocence and wonder doesn't suit him… Not now and not with… that. She bites the inside of her lip, only releasing when she speaks again.

[Halstead] Has it visited Nix yet? Ensured it's not suffering from any negative effects brought on either in its previous FAC or its relocation? Wards can be very fragile when change is involved.

*Laurence frowns. He shifts away from Echo. [Fairfax] No…. No, quite right. She ought to be checked for tuberculosis, at the very minimum…

[Halstead] Might be time to get her near Nix, then… It's such a pesky disease… Quite… easily transferred to another person.

*There is a brief gleeful smirk on her face before she purses her lips and kisses the air in the direction of Laurence, eyes knowingly moving to Echo.

*Laurence watches her, troubled. He stands up, taking the glass of whiskey, and sipping nauseously, his expression one of distaste.

[Halstead] At any rate the Ball's finished and we need to evaluate what we now know, Laurence. Do you have time to go over the files and possible changes or…

*Laurence puts the glass down firmly. He stalks to the record player, wrenching up the needle. The music stops, with the murmur of the vinyl still spinning on the plate. He turns around, glowering.

[Fairfax] I am unwell Miss Halstead. It must be the air down here. It’s terribly enervating. Neither you or the girl are scintillating company. Take her to the Physician and for Mother’s Sake have C_C draw up her Document of Due Sum. I’m not a blasted charity. *He pinches the bridge of his nose. [Fairfax] Can’t you see I have a headache?

*Chase rises from her seat, putting out her cigarette in the ashtray and gently laying her holder next to it.

[Halstead] I'm sorry for having been such poor company this evening… I'll try better next time.

*She looks over to Echo, her upper lip raises briefly but lowers as she looks back to Laurence.

[Halstead] It'll be arranged before you head to bed. Want me to give Echo some pills for your headache when it returns?

[Fairfax] No - just, see to it that she’s put next to Kirkwye after she sees the Physician. Muzzle on.

*Chase looks back at the pale girl and sharply moves her head towards the door, mouth gently pronouncing 'move' without making a sound, the mask slipping back over her lower face again.

[Halstead] Take good care of yourself, Laurence.