Dr. Frederic Downing (AP)

When you’ve been gone so long that you don’t remember half of what you wanted to do and you’re just watching everyone else trying to get a feel for what you wanna do. And then you just keep falling into this repeating process that never stops and you never getoffthegroundandyouAREJUSTOVERHERESCREAMINGINGINTOTHEVOIDBECAUSEWHENWASTHELASTTIMEYOUEVENWROTE!?!?!?!?!!?!

Catch me here and at @activecamouflage and @triplestrain

being punched in the face by a redfield is a rite of passage.

IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GAUGE LOYALTIES after all that had occurred over the near two decades since they had last conversed. After all, was it not basic human nature to adapt in dark times, to seek the light as moths to flame no matter what choices sat awaiting them? Raccoon City had been the end for over one hundred thousand human beings, a genocide conducted by the very government the town paid tax to – in the same vein, said event had been an all new beginning for a select few. As all manner of airborne and underground transportation carried survivors away from the doomed hellscape, Albert had known that news of his supposed ‘death’ back at the Arklay facility would remain short-lived. Warning Frederic to abandon the establishment in a timely fashion prior to the stint with S.T.A.R.S. had carried significant purpose; yes, the scientist had been one of the tolerable few he had chosen to associate with back then, however, Downing had in addition possessed a certain aptitude for matters of import that others simply did not. 

His activity with WilPharma leading up to and in 2005 had already proven that theory – the problem lied in the fact that he had been caught executing his vision before it could be achieved. Human testing was a double-edged sword, such matters, under intense and growing scrutiny thereafter the original outbreak, would have to be handled appropriately and with a discretion beyond the usual methods.   

“You absolutely are not, Frederic, however, I know you will see this as a more suitable option than returning back to prison.” He drawled coolly, taking note of the hope lacing the other man’s tone – ah, such a concept, novel in this day and age when warfare was at its peak, and bioterrorism had aptly become a dictionary-defined term. The man before him had actively contributed to it, but Albert’s empathy for the victims was nigh non-existent: the ends justified the means, after all. Some would have to die for others to live, and natural selection would have its way in the end.

“Brilliance akin to yours is rare these days. It is in the best interest of things that you remain here, rather than wasting away under the government’s hypocritical scrutiny.” A small smile, then, “And I know you missed your work. Here, you will be able to put your brain to proper use once again – twelve years was far too long a vacation, Doctor.”

Ah, that put a pleased look on his face now, didn’t it. Praise-- something he hadn’t heard much of from several years. --and he certainly did bask in it. That smile returns to his features, cracking his lips in a smarmy and pleased grin. “Come now, Albert, brilliance akin to mine isn’t rare-- it never has been. It’s a trait that seems like a dime a dozen these days more than ever-- however having the means doesn’t necessarily equate to having the ends. I could be the smartest man alive-- but without will, drive, direction, and desire? Well-- brilliance alone doesn’t make the man.” He hums gently-- relaxing his body. “That being said... you’re certainly right, I have missed my work. Toying with formulas in my head and not having the ability to play them out. It was a tease, you know-- luckily I have quite the memory. --Rusty from vacation or not.” A soft hum as he watched the other man, “You needn’t try to make more offers or anything to sweeten the one currently standing. Freedom from my containment and a chance to do what I love again? You are offering me a slice of heaven in its purest form. --I accept.”

He’d always kept hope that Albert was alive-- always hoped that when note of anything stirred in a favor that his old... well, he wasn’t quite a friend back then, was he? But he certainly was someone that Frederic had admired. Enough so that he had taken purposeful portions out of his day to spend time with the other man when they had breaks from their work that lined up. He liked to listen to the other man’s ideals and passion-- it was a refreshing take from others who were certainly only in their position for nothing more than a paycheck. --something that always had left a sour taste in Frederic’s mouth. But Wesker? There was something that the two of them could bond over-- that mutual love of science and what they did. It was easy to say that either man was married to the job-- ah speaking of that...