sixthiterationlogs | (no subject)

WHO: Erik Lehnsherr
WHERE: The village, and then the specimen room
WHEN: Mid September
OPEN TO: Everyone
WARNINGS: Grumpy mutant is grumpy

This place has never sat well with him since his arrival. Yes, it is true that in recent months he had seemed to accept it and become a lot more complacent, but every so often he'd remember all the evidence of being watched and would get the uncomfortable feeling of being a lab rat again.

He's done with feeling like that. He got too settled here, too comfortable. While it's true that he has found some good things here, it's not home. Home may have its flaws, but at least there he knows he's not being watched all the time.

So one day, when the knowledge of being watched, being toyed with, being experimented on has become intolerable, he sets out to do something about it. They have his blood. He has to get it away from there, away from them. Away from anyone who wants to use it for nefarious purposes.

To most people, it seems like any other day for him around here. When he sets off into the woods with an ax slung over his shoulder, it just could be that he's heading off to chop some firewood. But the knife stuffed in his back pocket and the fact that he's carrying some food in the backpack that he was provided on his arrival indicate that not only is he planning something other than just chopping firewood, and is planning on being gone for longer than the usual time.

He's not going to come back without answers.

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It was probably completely by chance that Claire even spotted Erik heading off into the woods but the sight of it was enough to make her slow down and really watch for a moment while he walked towards the trees. There was something in his gait that seemed different, more determined, and then she noticed the backpack.

Considering the things they had talked about since the specimen room had been found, it wasn't that hard to guess where he was heading. Biting back a little curse, she whirled to run back towards her place as quickly as she could so she could grab the kit that she kept by the front door. Then she was dashing out in the hopes that she would be able to catch up to him.

Of course, he wasn't in sight by the time she hit the treeline but she hoped he was still close enough for her to call out. "Erik!"

He hadn't expected anyone to follow him, but he's not surprised when Claire does. He knows that this is bothering her as much as it's bothering him. "You won't stop me." He doesn't think she's trying to, though, given that she's got her medical supplies with her. "Which is probably the same thing you'd say."

"I could take you out at the knees if I really wanted to but I don't." She had looked relieved when he came into view and now she looks determined as she walks towards him. She holds up the kit for a second so he can see it before lowering it to her side again. "I'm going with you though."

"I would prefer it if you don't." He doesn't really want to risk an injured knee right now, after all. Or risk getting Claire mad at him. He enjoys her company, after all. "You're welcome to come along." So she won't have to convince him. "I should have enough food for us both."

"Then I guess we understand each other." Not that she actually thought he would tell her she can't come but she still smiles when he tells her that she can tag along. Not that she needs permission but it's nice that he isn't trying to send her back.

"Sounds good." She nods as she falls into step beside him. "I didn't have time to grab anything else when I saw you walking off."

"It would be nice to have some company." Company lets him know that he's not alone in his opinion, or physically alone, either, and that means a lot to him. "Hopefully we won't need that this time." Although apparently she doesn't have the same kind of faith in that, or she wouldn't be bringing it along.

It wasn't that she didn't have faith but more that she thought being cautious was a good thing considering she didn't have her ability. They would certainly regret it if something happened to them and she didn't have her kit to take care of any wounds.

"So what's your plan exactly?" She asks curiously.

"I don't know until I see it." Mainly his plan is to get inside and see what he can find out about the place, but he won't know how it's possible to get inside until he sees the place. He knows there's glass, which is why he's brought along something hopefully heavy enough to break the glass if necessary, but that's the only planning he's really been able to do.

"I'm sure you will figure it out or that we can figure it out together." Claire nods her head as she steps up onto a fallen log and hops off. Already she is relieved that she wore her boots instead of the shoes that came with her last box of gifts that arrived at her place.

"Do you think anything bad will happen if we do get in? Any sort of consequences that affect the whole village?"

"We're smart people." He's more than a little reckless, too, which is an unfortunate combination, but it's served him well so far. He sees no reason to change any habits now.

"I just want to know who's behind all of this."

No, he hasn't thought about consequences. Right this moment he's not sure he cares, though he might later.