IC INBOX; MoM

[pushtheboundaries]

"You've reached Robert Callaghan, Headmaster to the Heropa Organization for imPort Education. Please leave a message with your name, your phone number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. As a reminder, my office hours are..."

Comments

phone call, 7/9, morning

[neatniks]

[ Robert Callaghan is mentioned as the Headmaster of the Xavier School for ImPorts in the introductory information given to those that come here. Wasabi's hoping that it's just a coincidence, but it merits being looked into. It could be messy at best, just another facet of all of this that's sending his mind reeling.

Swallowing back his nerves, he places a phone call. His heart's pounding by the time it starts ringing. ]

[pushtheboundaries]

[sorry, Wasabi, but the voice that answers the phone is probably a very familiar one.]

Hello?

[neatniks]

[ Well, crap. He definitely had something that he's planned on saying, if it did end up being exactly this, but-- ]

I forgot what I was gonna say.

[pushtheboundaries]

['well crap', indeed. there's a sharp intake of breath on the other line, and then, after a few moments, and ever-so-dryly;]

If this is who I think it is, I can forgive you for it.

[another beat]

When did you get here?

[neatniks]

I'm not-- [ I'm not worried about your forgiveness is what he'd started to say, but he cuts himself off with a frustrated little noise. ]

Yesterday. Your information's listed in the resources for new arrivals. I just wanted to see if the name went with the man I knew.

[pushtheboundaries]

[if he was in the mood to be metaphorical, he'd ask something regarding Wasabi really knowing that man. instead, he makes a small sound of acknowledgement]

Better than it being a surprise, I suppose. Have you met up with the rest, yet?

[neatniks]

[ Wasabi's already there, man. That 'knew' there is past tense. Whatever he did know, it's not really applicable any more. ]

I haven't met up with anybody. My first lead to anything in this place is the fact that they let a multiple-count felon be in charge of a school.

[pushtheboundaries]

[well, if he had any lingering doubts about how much Wasabi knew, there they go.]

In their defense, I'm not the only one in charge. And they needed someone who had an idea of what they were doing.

I can connect you with-[and there's a short hesitation, because his first instinct is Hiro. but- no. that's probably not the best idea. neither is Tadashi, come to think of it, if he hasn't-]-with, ah, Aiko or Ethel. They can catch you up on things here, especially since I'm sure you're taking anything I say with a grain of salt.

[there's no bitterness there - in all honesty, if Wasabi believed him at face value, he'd be shocked.]

[neatniks]

[ Don't they have multiple towns of imPort people? And a whole country of people native to this world? Come on, alternate dimension. Get it together.

Hearing somebody say the girls' names out loud almost throws him. They've been using goofy nick-names for so long... ]

More like a barge-load, but... Yeah. If they're also being subjected to this nonsense, I wouldn't mind weathering it together.

[pushtheboundaries]

Just do yourself a favor and hear them out before you do anything. It's been a rough month for everyone, and while I'm sure they'll appreciate another familiar face, they've got quite a few things to share and it's going to be hard enough as it is.

I'll let them both know, unless you have a preference. As I recall, both are in De Chima.

[neatniks]

Right, well. I don't tend to do anything until I know everything, so... That's fine. [ Deep breath. This is all totally doable. ] I was planning on checking out De Chima later today, actually, so maybe that works out even better than I figured it would.

[pushtheboundaries]

I know. You've always been one of the steady ones.

[neatniks]

Maybe so. [ He'd have been quick to say the same about Callaghan, even a few days ago. How much does it mean now, though?

He's stuck on how to end this conversation for a second, but he decides that dry and simple is best. ]

Goodbye, sir.

[pushtheboundaries]

Wait a moment. I made the others an offer, and I'm going to give you the same one. [he takes a breath, because this never gets easier, but still] Desmond, I completely understand if you'd like this to be our last conversation. I'll respect that, and stay out of your way as best I can, if that's what you'd prefer. It's the least I owe you after...well.

[everything]

[neatniks]

It's not... It's not me you owe anything to. Not really. I just-- [ He pauses to collect his words. He'd always liked, respected, and trusted Professor Callaghan, but he also has to see has to see the rules and the processes followed correctly. ]

I can understand, I think, how what happened to Abigail would push you to think in a way that you normally wouldn't, but... There's a difference between a reason and an excuse. You set the stage for Tadashi to-- to die, and you put many other people's lives at risk when you attacked Krei's opening. [ Not to mention all of the stealing and the chase and the attempts on their lives. Deep breath. ] You should face justice for what you did. You should be bound to the law.

That may not be possible here, so it might just be me saying things that don't matter. That's what I think, though. I can sympathize to a degree, sir, but I'm not at a point where I can set everything aside.

[pushtheboundaries]

[he listens to all of that, taking in Wasabi's side. in a sense, it's almost a relief to have someone openly hurt about all of it- it makes sense, and considering the events at the barn, he'd much, much rather know that things aren't forgiven than to have even the slightest hint of it, and then...well.

he lets out a slow breath.]

The general sense here is that it's not possible to charge someone for what they haven't committed - at least, here. All of what you said is true, even with...well. [mitigating factors; scaring everyone away at Krei Tech, for example. and he still holds to the fact that he didn't kill Tadashi

but he did try and kill them.]

It is what it is, and there's only so much I can do to fix it. But I can do less behind bars. Just - take care of yourself, and contact the others as soon as you can.

[neatniks]

Of course. [ And he's not sure what he's saying that for, whether it's for the loophole that Callaghan's found or for the fact that he's going to take care of himself. Maybe the latter. He's going to take care of the others, too, and now he's even more anxious about making contact with them.

It's good that they're here. They'll help him sort this out. ]

Goodbye, professor.