[attr="class","beck"]"little black crystals."

he sighs, conceding.

"don't die on me just yet, choi."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

He dug fingers into his own arm. Nerves starting to flare up again.

"You should have Gavin look you over. I don't really... control them."

And getting stabbed by the crystals, if that's even what happened, seemed like a big deal.

[attr="class","beck"]"fine."

he stares down at the tiny wound on his arm, wondering if this tiny bite is what will finally end him. he looks back up.

"have you spoken to fairchild? she might be able to...help."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"You're only the third person I've told about them being an... ongoing issue."

So, it was safe to say he hadn't spoken to Fairchild. The idea of potentially being a test subject again made his skin crawl.

[attr="class","beck"]"best you don't, then. she's an earful."

more than an earful — she's a pain in the ass.

"i also don't need you going through..." he stops himself.

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"It's okay."

Fingers flex, knuckles and joints cracking, his own tic for the moment.

"I'm physically weak, not mentally. You don't need to still your tongue around me."

[attr="class","beck"]at choi's permission, he doesn't hold back.

"i don't want them cutting you open like a lab rat again."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

Something like a smile flits on his face for just a moment.

"I don't either."

He counts his pokeballs on his hips, clicks his tongue.

"I should get back to work. I can finish endurance training later. Thank you for helping."

[attr="class","beck"]"anytime, choi."

he lingers, unwilling to move as he watches choi disappear into the hallway. for moments, he wonders if this would be the last time he'd ever see choi. he wonders if he'd have any regrets, or if there's anything he would've done different.

too much, he realizes.

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi