[She knows morse code and takes a second to appreciate that Frank is letting her know he's safe. He doesn't need to, since she doubts anyone else here would be visiting, but it's good of him to do it.
Max lifts his head from where he's resting on her bed and makes a warning growl. When she pats her leg he hops off the bed and hurries over to her side. They greet Frank together, but Karen steps off to the side to give him room to step inside.]
I think he's happy to see you.
[She is too, obviously, but that goes without saying.]
[ it's an understatement, the dog rubbing against his legs and wiggling happily at the sight of his human, giving a few playful little barks and tripping frank up as he tries to get past the door. he grabs for karen's arm to keep himself from losing balance, shaking his head and petting the dog with his free hand as the door shuts behind him. ]
I missed you too, buddy. [ his eyes hold hers for a beat longer than they should, since he's talking to the dog, right? but then he's letting go of her and sinking down to the floor to greet max properly, rubbing him down while max places his giant head over frank's shoulder like a human hug. it's been like, the inside of a half hour since they saw each other last. ]
[Her eyes hold his until they look away, and she's grateful for his dropping down to pay attention to Max because it cuts her off from saying anything stupid. It also gives her plenty to smile about, because the sight of their hug is precious. There's almost a laugh that bubbles forth because it's the cutest thing she's ever seen Frank do, but she covers her mouth with her hand before pulling away and turning to head over to the small desk that's in her room.]
There's something you need to see.
[She has four pages in her hand when she turns around, and holds them out toward him. When he takes them and looks them over, he'll see what looks like technical manual jargon. At the bottom, there are pages numbers - 231, 232, 233, 234, and next to it, the title 'OPERATIONS CENTER COMMAND CONSOLE USER MANUAL'. ]
I woke up the other day and they were under my pillow.
[ he sits back on the floor and bends one leg to facilitate max fussing over him instead of getting up, but he doesn't hesitate to take the pages when they're offered. he holds them up and out of the dog's way until he calms down some, laying down against frank's bent leg and pillowing his head on the opposite knee. ]
Holy shit. [ someone really is fucking with them. his eyes catch hers as they drift upward, just as concerned as she is. ] Holy shit.
[ wait. ] The other day? [ and she's choosing to tell him now??? ]
I wanted to be sure they were real before telling you.
[It's pointed out calmly, as she sits on the floor at his side. The papers are taken from his hands and flipped through, so she can point out the section that talks about the doors unlocking with a code that's unique to each door, and mentions something about a crew manual.]
I need to be positive this will lead to something before I go public with the information.
[She can't make a fool out of herself. Not when she's trying so hard to fit in here.]
[ he looks over the section she points out, taking the sheet in both hands and staring close to the page like he doesn't understand what he's reading. ]
How did you confirm it?
[ she's the journalist, and she actually... sounds like one now. something that briefly warms his breastbone though the reality of the situation quickly shoves any positivity down. ]
Well, let's try to find the panel. That at least proves there's a code to input, right?
[She doesn't want to be the reporter that has false information. Getting people's hopes up here is dangerous, not to mention cruel. She may be careless with other people sometimes, but she doesn't ever want to intentionally be cruel to others. ]
But I think they have to be real. They were torn out of something, part of a bigger picture. It's just a matter of figuring out who left me the lead and why.
[Which means they need to try and find the panel, just like he's said. Her eyebrows arch and she glances toward the door. Want to have an adventure, Frank?]
[ he's up within ten seconds at that look, and max doesn't even complain at being displaced just gets ready for action himself. ]
We should start with a nonessential door. ...Just in case. [ he thinks it goes without saying he's the only one who gets to fall in this time!!!! stupid karen ]
[Karen still has trauma from her door incident and doesn't want to admit that's why she's hesitant to really explore this lead. But she knows her fear is stupid, especially with Frank there.]
We could always go back and visit the door we tried opening before...
[That's a joke. Mostly. Karen is just determined to best that door someday ok.]
[She thinks it's a little more creepy and complicated than that, but she's not going to turn down a good lead. ]
As soon as we get the station opened up, I'm punching whoever thought it would be a good idea to leave pieces of the puzzle without a way to contact them.
[With a smirk that says she knows he'll probably disapprove but doesn't care, she brushes past him with Max at her side and makes her way out of the room.]
[ he can't help but feel a little dejected when max ditches him for karen's side, and he lags behind them a little as a result until he can get over himself. ]
Deal, you get the first hit. [ cause once it's frank's turn whoever they are isn't getting up ]
[She spares a glance back at Frank once or twice in the midst of his sulking, but lets him have his space. It's only after he's caught up and speaks that she lets herself relax, because she typically always has to brace herself for an argument when it comes to doing things with him.]
Why only the first hit? What if I manage to knock them out?
[Despite her noodle arms, she balls up her hand into a fist and makes a play swing to hit his shoulder. The contact makes Max huff out a soft bark and she laughs because she isn't sure if the dog's protesting or encouraging her.]
[His response is predictable, and in turn her eyes rolling is probably pretty damn predictable too. The urge to shove him is strong, but she opts to give Max an affectionate pet to the top of his head instead.]
I've been working out. I'll be able to knock you on your ass in no time, Frank.
[Oh, he thinks she won't be able to do it. That's exactly what his taunting says.]
Once I gain some weight back, you'll regret teasing me.
[The fact that she's smiling probably ruins the effect of her trying to act tough. They've walked a short distance but they've already reached a door they can mess around with, and she slaps at his hand to get him to pay attention as she nods over toward it. This is as good of a place as any to start, right?]
[ he glances up when she slaps his hand, then beelines for the door and gestures for karen and max to stay behind him. once he's sure no one's getting any stupid ideas, he approaches and starts feeling along the seams of the door to try and get the panel to pop out. when he doesn't find anything immediately, he kneels down and looks a little closer. ]
You been eating okay? I could teach you my workout if you want to put back on some muscle.
[She keeps back for about ten seconds before crouching and leaning over his shoulder to watch what he's doing. It's a miracle she doesn't shove her hand toward the door, but her door fear keeps her from doing that.
For now.]
I've skipped a few meals on days I didn't feel well or got caught up with work. Are you sure you don't mind teaching me?
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[He knows that her door's open for him, so she doesn't add that on.]
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[ it's even, calm. he just needs a minute is all. ]
This place keeps upping the fucked up ante.
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[Look who's finally being optimistic.]
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You doing okay?
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[ he ends the call and in roughly 4 minutes and change he's "knocking" on her door. it's actually tapped out morse code for S-A-F-E ]
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Max lifts his head from where he's resting on her bed and makes a warning growl. When she pats her leg he hops off the bed and hurries over to her side. They greet Frank together, but Karen steps off to the side to give him room to step inside.]
I think he's happy to see you.
[She is too, obviously, but that goes without saying.]
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I missed you too, buddy. [ his eyes hold hers for a beat longer than they should, since he's talking to the dog, right? but then he's letting go of her and sinking down to the floor to greet max properly, rubbing him down while max places his giant head over frank's shoulder like a human hug. it's been like, the inside of a half hour since they saw each other last. ]
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There's something you need to see.
[She has four pages in her hand when she turns around, and holds them out toward him. When he takes them and looks them over, he'll see what looks like technical manual jargon. At the bottom, there are pages numbers - 231, 232, 233, 234, and next to it, the title 'OPERATIONS CENTER COMMAND CONSOLE USER MANUAL'. ]
I woke up the other day and they were under my pillow.
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Holy shit. [ someone really is fucking with them. his eyes catch hers as they drift upward, just as concerned as she is. ] Holy shit.
[ wait. ] The other day? [ and she's choosing to tell him now??? ]
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[It's pointed out calmly, as she sits on the floor at his side. The papers are taken from his hands and flipped through, so she can point out the section that talks about the doors unlocking with a code that's unique to each door, and mentions something about a crew manual.]
I need to be positive this will lead to something before I go public with the information.
[She can't make a fool out of herself. Not when she's trying so hard to fit in here.]
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How did you confirm it?
[ she's the journalist, and she actually... sounds like one now. something that briefly warms his breastbone though the reality of the situation quickly shoves any positivity down. ]
Well, let's try to find the panel. That at least proves there's a code to input, right?
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[She doesn't want to be the reporter that has false information. Getting people's hopes up here is dangerous, not to mention cruel. She may be careless with other people sometimes, but she doesn't ever want to intentionally be cruel to others. ]
But I think they have to be real. They were torn out of something, part of a bigger picture. It's just a matter of figuring out who left me the lead and why.
[Which means they need to try and find the panel, just like he's said. Her eyebrows arch and she glances toward the door. Want to have an adventure, Frank?]
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We should start with a nonessential door. ...Just in case. [ he thinks it goes without saying he's the only one who gets to fall in this time!!!! stupid karen ]
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We could always go back and visit the door we tried opening before...
[That's a joke. Mostly. Karen is just determined to best that door someday ok.]
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As for who... I think it's self-fulfilling. We gotta open the station up to find out what the hell is happening, right?
[ so let's do this thing ]
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As soon as we get the station opened up, I'm punching whoever thought it would be a good idea to leave pieces of the puzzle without a way to contact them.
[With a smirk that says she knows he'll probably disapprove but doesn't care, she brushes past him with Max at her side and makes her way out of the room.]
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Deal, you get the first hit. [ cause once it's frank's turn whoever they are isn't getting up ]
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Why only the first hit? What if I manage to knock them out?
[Despite her noodle arms, she balls up her hand into a fist and makes a play swing to hit his shoulder. The contact makes Max huff out a soft bark and she laughs because she isn't sure if the dog's protesting or encouraging her.]
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You're gonna have to work on that swing if you wanna put the lights out on something bigger than a kitten.
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I've been working out. I'll be able to knock you on your ass in no time, Frank.
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[ like no actually that sounds like his idea of a good time. ]
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Once I gain some weight back, you'll regret teasing me.
[The fact that she's smiling probably ruins the effect of her trying to act tough. They've walked a short distance but they've already reached a door they can mess around with, and she slaps at his hand to get him to pay attention as she nods over toward it. This is as good of a place as any to start, right?]
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[ he glances up when she slaps his hand, then beelines for the door and gestures for karen and max to stay behind him. once he's sure no one's getting any stupid ideas, he approaches and starts feeling along the seams of the door to try and get the panel to pop out. when he doesn't find anything immediately, he kneels down and looks a little closer. ]
You been eating okay? I could teach you my workout if you want to put back on some muscle.
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For now.]
I've skipped a few meals on days I didn't feel well or got caught up with work. Are you sure you don't mind teaching me?
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