June 2012: Badlands of South Dakota; Ted's Diner

[damncompass]

Travelling is hell, especially when you're half-moving anyway. Joshua had decided that he was going to take some books and the Artifact to the B&B, to just have a few less things things to take when he actually moved a week later.

Flights were late, Customs was eying Joshua's papers like they were in Greek, and the closer they got to South Dakota, the more unsettled Helena was. So, when they got to the airport finally, Joshua decided to fuck it, and get the flashiest car that the Hertz place rented: a red convertible something-or-other that suited Joshua's mood just fine. However, to his vast embarrassment, he'd almost forgotten how to drive in the fifteen years that he didn't actually need to. He was able to get the car in gear and going, with a minimum of offers to drive from his Victorian now-girlfriend.

Driving into the address that he'd been e-mailed a couple days ago (how they got his e-mail, he wasn't actually going to ask at this point), he parked (very poorly) and looked around, wondering where the shit everyone else parked, as the lot was mostly empty.

Comments

[k39zzz]

Jane eyes Theodora for a moment - really, what is her problem? - but joins in the applause.
(Hey, she likes Joshua. He's a good kid. Knows what he's talking about. And he already seems more sensible than some of their colleagues.)

[damncompass]

Joshua blushes, waving a bit, then hiding back in the corner of the booth.

The meeting goes on, some old business being attended to, mostly financial and logisitical.

Joshua's attention is mostly on his burger.

[k39zzz]

And then, finally, they come around to the topic at hand. Everyone knows this meeting is actually about Helena, no matter what else comes up along the way.

Of course, the 'just re-bronze her already' faction gets the first word, and Jane can't believe what she's hearing. "That's the best they've got?" she says, keeping quiet for now.
Give 'em enough rope, and all that.

[damncompass]

Joshua is trying to keep his mouth shut for now. Best not to show his hand too early. "How... where are they even getting that?"

[k39zzz]

"I wish I knew. I raised Pete; I know a flimsy excuse when I hear one."
After a while, she can't take it anymore, and raises her voice. "If you'll pardon the interruption, I can't help noticing that your logic is based entirely around Agent Wells' actions while she was under the influence of an Artifact. If that's the new standard, are you planning to haul my son up on the carpet regarding that little incident with the telegraph last year? If anything, he had more control over what happened than she did."

[damncompass]

"And I think we'd have to haul in Artie, not to mention my sister, and oh, I'm probably screwed too." Joshua takes a breath, and a sip of his drink. "Also, I'd actually like to know why we're holding her to a different standard than the rest of the world."

[k39zzz]

"Half the people in this room would have a problem, frankly." She doubts there's one of them that hasn't been at least tempted by an Artifact, even if it isn't the time or the place to use it.

Theodora splutters something about past circumstances that neither of them could possibly understand; in return, Jane just fixes her with a Look.
"I read her personnel file when we did this song and dance in October, Theodora."

[damncompass]

"I've just spent a week with her, and guess what? We talked. Hell, I think by this point, I know her better than most, if not all of you. I know about all of those past circumstances, and guess what? She's not going to do any of that now. It's in the past. Hell, would any of you like to be condemned based on your past? I know I wouldn't." He's getting a little steamed.

[timelessinventor]

Helena can't help but smile a bit at Joshua's passionate defense of her, even though she's tightly clinging to a scrap of paper that she found in her pocket, a note that he'd left her on Friday before he went into his office.

[k39zzz]

"I think it bears pointing out that if she'd intended to enact her original plan, she wouldn't have... I don't know, called the Warehouse and said that part of it was missing." That's the sort of information you keep to yourself if you think doing so will help you.
"Something grabbed her, and it grabbed her hard. As for her past, I think she's finally starting to put it behind her. Now, does anyone have a legitimate reason why she should be bronzed?"

[damncompass]

"Exactly. Besides, she wouldn't have stopped for a hapless theoretical physicist." Joshua takes a deep breath, calming himself. Exploding isn't going to help anyone. "She's putting pieces back together, and there's no reason at all to bronze her. If you have one, I might listen." Notice the might.

[k39zzz]

"No, I dare say she wouldn't have." What would Joshua have been able to tell her about Yellowstone?
"Reasons not based on old prejudices? Anyone?"

There's silence for a few moments, and then (because Jane is her son's mother) she mutters, "Bueller?"

[damncompass]

"Prejudices, bigotry, or related emotions?" Joshua shakes his head, smirking at the last comment.

"Bueller." It's said in a flat, emotionless tone. "Bueller."

[k39zzz]

"Oh, great, now there's two of them," someone says.

Jane smirks. "Yes, some of us watch movies. And some of us had teenage sons when that one came out."
(Naturally, it was one of Pete's favorites.)

[damncompass]

"Yes, and some of us were almost teenagers when the movie came out." Joshua's smirking. "There's nothing wrong with a good movie reference." Or fifteen.

[k39zzz]

"It gave Pete ideas. Caught him trying to lick his palms clammy one morning."
She made him wash his hands and go to school.

"Well. I'm not hearing anything useful."

[damncompass]

Joshua just snortlaughs, then calms himself down. "I'm not either, so does that mean the matter's closed now?"

[k39zzz]

"I think it does. Guess that means we're not bronzing anyone today."

...So one of Theodora's cohorts moves on to the question of turning Helena loose from the Warehouse. It's everything Jane can do not to facepalm.

[damncompass]

Joshua jumps in before any discussion can even start. "Actually we can't."

[firstprotector]

"Grounds, Mr. Donovan?" He has been sitting back and watching the entire situation unfold. Regent Lattimer and Regent Donovan seem to have the situation well in hand, so he hasn't had to say anything thus far. He only wishes he had some popcorn.

[damncompass]

"Simple." Joshua sits up, ticking things off on his fingers. "First, is it not true that when someone becomes Bronzed they become an Artifact?" There are a few grumbles. "Second, is it not true that there is no way to de-Artifact an Artifact?" A few more grumbles as people realize where he's going with this. "Lastly, it is our Prime Directive, is it not, to protect and preserve Artifacts? Thus, we cannot let Agent Wells go. Besides, it would be absolutely idiotic to let her talents and first-hand knowledge of Warehouse 12 go to waste."

[k39zzz]

Well, there are two Star Trek captains at this meeting. Of course Prime Directives would come into it.

"Not to mention, I imagine it would take more than a year and a half to adjust to all the changes the world's been through in the last century. We're better equipped to help her with that than anyone else."
Jane wouldn't have applied the Artifact line of reasoning, but she likes it.

[damncompass]

"Oh, at least. I'm still adjusting to twelve years out of time." Joshua crosses his arms, almost daring someone to question him. "So, I'm thinking that there can't be much argument against that."

[timelessinventor]

She's been trying to keep her emotions under control, and her face neutral, but at Joshua's line of reasoning, she breaks into a huge grin, finally relaxing her grip on Joshua's note. Under her breath, she mutters. "Oh, it'll take me quite a while to completely adjust." And she's hoping that Joshua will be around for it.

[k39zzz]

"No, I'd think not. I hope we're done with Agent Wells' merits now?"