Bolton's Office Hours

[theoverseers]

[Want to chat with Bolton privately? Here is where you do it! Bolton's office hours will be held in conference room B in the library for approximately four hours in the morning several days a week. During that time the blinds will be drawn and that room will be off-limits unless you're there to talk to Bolton, though the other three study rooms will still be available for use.


Comments are screened for privacy.]

Comments

Tuesday, Post-Incentive

[stitch_in_time]

You're either lying or you're stupider than I thought.

[Hi there, what's preamble, can you eat it.]

You can't just change someone's timeline like that, not even the Time Lords together could do something like that. What the hell do you think you're playing at?

[theoverseers]

[Bolton stops with his hand on the plunger of the french press, and slowly leans his weight against it, depressing it slowly.]

Well, hello to you too. Coffee?

week 1, after motive at some point

[ambecomedeath]

Hello? Mr. White? I wanted to ask a question about the rules!

[Don't ask how he managed to get into here. It was a whole Process.]

[theoverseers]

[Bolton will at least be nice enough to get up and shut the door behind Toby. He leans against the sturdy table and crosses his arms.]

Sure thing, what can I answer for you?

Wednesday Morning

[damnfourthemerald]

[Shadow doesn't really think he'll get a whole lot of useful information out of Bolton, but everyone's much more likely to go to Jamie, the concerned and friendlier face. Which is fine, but better to try both avenues.

He's got his envelope, unopened, and some paper, a pen. The envelope gets tossed onto the table in Bolton's direction.]

How do you know?

[theoverseers]

Not even a "good morning," what kind of greeting is that?

[he doesn't pick up the envelope, he recognizes it well enough.]

How did I know what?

As early in the second week as possible

[tasteslikesurvival]

[After last week's episode with Jamie, Kurumi's sure of one thing. She probably should talk to Bolton now. She doesn't like the idea of cooperating with these Overseers but for the safety of the rest of the Champions, it probably was for the best.]

Yo. Jamie said if I needed that vaccine I should talk to you.

[theoverseers]

[Bolton sets down his cup of coffee. There's something sympathetic about the slow way he crosses the room.]

He gave me the heads up. Do you need some?

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika slams the door open and marches in without a greeting.]

You people are perverts.

[theoverseers]

[Congratulations, Yurika, he almost spills his coffee.]

What in the hell-

Pre-investigation, 2/17

[theoverseers]

[Jamie manages to avoid checking the security cameras for a whole five minutes after he gets out of bed. He leaves Bolton to sleep, slipping out of his quarters and into the hallway before the creeping dread of realizing what day it is hits him. It's Friday. The first Friday in a year where it's been more than just the two of them, where there's actual danger.

He walks the hallway slowly, hesitantly flipping through the security cameras one by one. Cafeteria, clear. Hallway, clear. Library, clear. Art room-

Jamie's heart jumps into his throat when he sees the body. No. No, no, no no no, not again. It's all happening again. His eyes are glued to the screen as he takes in the details of the scene. God, why are there so many knives? Why did it have to be one of the girls? Which one is it? He feels nauseous as a realization creeps up on him.]

C.E.C.E. [His voice sounds weak to his own ears.] What's her name?

Chitanda Eru, she was the Champion of Curiosity. Jamie, your heart and breathing rates have become very erratic all of the sudden. Do you need me to alert Bolton to your condition?

[He doesn't get the chance to answer before he collapses in the hallway, face buried in his hands as heaving, choking sobs rip from his lungs.]

I am assuming waking Bolton is the best possible solution to this problem.

hate

[theoverseers]

[Twenty years of getting up at 5 am to be at the cafe by 6, no matter how late he'd stayed out the night before, had carefully honed Bolton's ability to wake up at the slightest provocation and be alert and ready to function at a split second's notice. When his PIP sings to life on his right arm and CECE's concerned voice speaks to him, that skill serves him well because he's up and out of bed, robe half on his shoulders, before he even registers more than a word of what she's saying.

Jamie's vital signs are erratic and far outside his normal standard deviations. I believe he may be having a panic attack.]

What's wrong? What's going on?

Don't you remember, Bolton? You issued an incentive earlier this week. I believe the Champions are discovering the body as we speak.

[He looks at the cameras on his PIP, swiping through them until he finds the art room and sees the crowd of Champions. He taps the microphone button, but his heart isn't in the announcement.]

Attention, Champions, the Champion Curiosity's body has been discovered. Now there will be a short period for investigation before the trial.

[He clicks it off again, and then finishes shrugging his robe on and runs out into the hallway. Jamie's sobs help lead the way to him, and Bolton's down on his knees next to him before he can think to do anything else, one arm around Jamie's chest and the other holding his partner's head close to his chest, fingers buried comfortingly in Jamie's thick hair, tilting his head down to kiss the crown of his head.]

Jamie, breathe, you're okay. You're okay...

Thursday

[kingshaming]

[Between his memory, what Jamie said to him, and talking to both the Overseers this week... Xander can't be quiet any longer. And... well it was becoming clearer that the Overseers were people. And people can be reasoned with.

He had already spoken to Jamie twice. Time for Bolton]

Bolton, I wish to parley with you.

[All srs business]

[theoverseers]

[Bolton has his feet propped up on the table when Xander comes in, and though he puts them back on the floor immediately, Xander may notice he still has a pressure wrap around his ankle where he twisted it.]

Ooh, parley you say? Sounds fun. What do you need, your highness?

Sunday morning

[curdle]

[ Thomasin, if you want to talk about it I'll be at my office hours.

She shows up nearer to the tail end of said hours, because there's been a lot of hedgehugging and putting herself together to be done in the interim. Thomasin's hair is braided up again, her face scrubbed, and she's wearing her repressed alien clothes and a sober expression. She opens the door herself almost immediately after knocking and walks on in. ]

Caleb's death. You knew of it from the first.

[theoverseers]

[Bolton didn't leave the cafeteria with coffee, but judging by the empty mug he's acquired at least one cup today. He puts his book down immediately when she opens the door, standing to meet her.

He sighs. He can tell it's not a question.]

I did.

Week 3, Thursday. Report 1

[kingshaming]

[Sorry this took so long I was legit debating how verbose to make this playing someone obnoxiously detail focused is awful never do it]

Through my own interactions with the Overseers I have noticed an utter disregard for any emotional distance or any logical protocol one would have with captives. Jamison specifically was not only very cordial with me during personal meetings, but also answered questions about my home realm in order to ease my mental state. He also came to speak with me outside meeting hours while I was using the art room. There was no real conversation had about the experiment, only about my home and a very slight mention of his own.

My meeting with Bolton was less fruitful on my end, but as cordial. Bolton seemed very careful about his words but seemed willing to talk if asked the right questions. Though as much as Jamison, Bolton was willing to speak with us one on one and with a relaxed demeanor when outside meetings as well. During the dodgeball motive I was able to strike his back in a 'friendly' manner with no warning or repercussions, and after breaking Rule 3 he was more interested in having a joke at my expense as well as carefully warning me away from doing it again rather then any real punishment. I know of at least one incident of Bolton moving to comfort one of us while distressed, and have seen him look distressed by certain reactions (as well as Jamison).

Specifically while both are very animated during Jamison's motives, Jamison is easily aggravated and clearly upset during Bolton's. Bolton as well can become very defensive if called out during his in any emotional way. Both seem to be very emphatic people and are weak to emotional pleas. Not only from the younger members (though I suspect Bolton may be weaker to those then not) but Jamison also seemed thrown off by my anger during our first meeting.

The two also seem to be very close, personally. They are very casual with touch and joke with each other easily. Not knowing the standards of their position I can not say if this is inappropriate or not.

Overall I can state while it certainly benefits myself and my fellow participants, the Overseers seem to dislike the methods of this experiment, and will undermine it on an emotional level whenever they are able to avoid any actual breaking of protocol. I have listed all my personal sightings as well as days and times with the exclusion of scheduled motives and appearances below.

[And yes, yes he has a full list. "Date", time of day, any other random details he noticed (like Bolton's sleepwear, how he took his coffee, Jamison's art tips) Be glad I didn't write all this out cuz Xander would have]

[theoverseers]

Very good, Prince Xander.

I am intrigued by your observations of Mr. White. Would you say with certainty that he has shown favoritism to any Champions in particular, or do you believe that his display of comfort was a matter of convenience?

Be careful with Mr. Fell. If you make him blush much harder he may combust.

-EP

Report 2, Wednesday morning

[kingshaming]

Since last week the emotional compromises the Overseers seem fond of continue with these exceptions.

I have noticed specifically that Jamison seems more and more stressed as the days continue. While he maintains an attempt at his usual demeanor, it is clearly forced. With the exclusion of the encounter noted below Bolton seems largely unchanged. I will attempt to meet with him soon to test this.

Tuesday both Overseers were late to the arranged meeting time. About half an hour later Bolton arrived in a rush, and told the participants that our homes were at risk if there was no death then fled just as quickly. It seemed he made the threat up on the spot.

Some time later we were called to meet with Jamison in the art room and were told that Bolton's threat was nulled, and instead we would be painting. Jamison seemed more stressed then ever, and it seemed that Bolton had been chastised in some way. While I was able to converse with Jamison after, Bolton fled once again as soon as he was able.

I will update with any new information.

[The conversation in the holodeck is notably unmentioned. And a few hours later-]

bolton is a sexul devieantwho cant be trusteed

[Feel blessed that he took the time to use one of his robot trap pencils and his teeth to tap out this addition to his report, EP. What a dedicated little spy]

[theoverseers]

I appreciate your dedication, Prince Xander. I won't take up much of your time since it seems you are a little... distracted.

Would you say that anyone took Mr. White's motive seriously?

[imnotfat]

Alright, what did you mean with 'old classics'?

[Not even a hello]

[theoverseers]

You know, it's an old classic Bond Villain type of threat.

Week 4, Thursday morning

[bylight]

[Someone doesn't need sleep, so someone has been practicing rolling around more in the dance studio. But she's still not happy about this.

So as soon as office hours open up, Lightning is in the room without a sign of her fumbling and stumbling ways from yesterday. She stays quiet until the door closes.]

... I already spoke with Jamie about this, but what the hell is the Benefactors problem? [She got another box of condoms.] And what made Jamie snap?

[theoverseers]

[It's about 7 am and Bolton looks like he slept like ass last night. His coffee pot is already half empty, if that's any indication.]

They get like that. What did you get, exactly?

[He's not. He's not even going near that other thing yet.]

Thursday

[kingshaming]

[He had told Lightning he would talk to Bolton even before... everything his conversation with EP had been. He was still dressed... well, like he escaped some bit of decadence. But if anything he hoped that would at least put Bolton in an amused mood.]

Bolton.

[theoverseers]

[Oh Jesus be a fence around him- eye contact, Bolton, his eyes are up there.

Alright here we go.]

Xander.

reposting here because I'm a dumby

[refusedtoleave]

[Now that she'd somewhat calmed down. Natsuhi is actually going to go talk to one of the Overseers.

She ended up settling on asking Bolton. After her little display in the art room, she wasn't going to bother Jamie. And Bolton had looked like he was in a good mood earlier, when handing out the pranks.

Funny thing is, as much as she'd wanted to get answers. She didn't want to ask the questions. So she ends up loitering in the library, occasionally drifting near his office.

Eventually she knocks.]

[theoverseers]

[Bolton calls out from inside]

Come in!

monday morning!

[curdle]

[ Thomasin comes to the library bright and early, actually wearing her hat and collar in addition to the rest of her clothes; it's like she's dressed up for a court date or something. In one hand she has her own haphazard attempt at a hot chocolate, really just there for the warmth. The other raps at the conference room door. ]

[theoverseers]

[Bolton answers the door, but he seems pleasantly surprised to see her.]

Good morning, Thomasin.

Week 5, Sunday

[cyan_maid]

[The knock on Bolton's office door is sharp and quick, not accompanied by any voice or request to come in. If there's no response, it will sound one more time before the other party gives up, so...how prompt are you in answering your door, mister?]

[theoverseers]

[In getting up and going to it? Not always the fastest. But he's pretty quick to call back:]

Come in!

Report 3...? after the week 5 motive

[kingshaming]

What in hell's name was that?!

[very classy, your highness]

[theoverseers]

An incentive, Prince Xander. You've been here long enough to know what those are, right?

[ratherdoweddings]

[When Bolton comes in for his office hours, Yurika will be humming and standing on a chair, paper-clipping fishing wire to the ceiling that's suspending a Styrofoam-and-sequins disco ball.]

Tell me, did you sail across the something something... Oh! [She climbs down and scratches her head.] Is it that time already?

[theoverseers]

[Bolton's carrying a tray with various coffee-brewing accoutrements on it, along with a slice of carrot cake with some kind of gooey-looking brown glaze.]

Morning, Captain. You haven't been up all night, have you?

Wednesday, 3/15

[stitch_in_time]

So.

[Yeah, the Doctor's just letting himself in again.]

Technical difficulties, is that still the official story?

[theoverseers]

[Bolton yawns. Yeah, it's too early for this.]

Tech support these days, am I right? Didn't even send us a free CD-ROM as an apology.

[He's being sarcastic.]

[refusedtoleave]

[Natsuhi's knocking on your door again. This time there's no hesitation, though she has gone back to wearing her bed sheet cape again.]

[theoverseers]

Come in!

Week 6, Sunday

[cyan_maid]

[A little before Bolton's office hours are supposed to start - fifteen minutes before, let's say - Jane sits down in front of Conference Room A, knees drawn up to her chest. She's in the spacesuit again - her shirt needs to be cleaned, and she can't wear that red skirt again for a few reasons - and she has a hand threaded through her hair in a way that lets the heel of her palm rest against the center of her forehead. There's bags under her reddish eyes. If she's slept, it hasn't been much, but fuck sleep. Fuck it, she doesn't need it.

She's kind of hoping to catch Bolton before he comes in, because she wouldn't knock if she had to. She'd be trying to force herself into the door, because this is important, and she won't let anyone avoid or ignore her if she can help it.]

[theoverseers]

[Here comes Bolton with his tray of coffee, as usual. He looks exhausted, and he seems like he's having to exert extra focus to keep the tray from spilling. But he sees Jane and stops, trying to put on a smile for her.]

Good morning, sunshine. Join me for some coffee?

Report 4, Week 6, Day 1

[kingshaming]

I have continued my observations, but I know you already know all I know. How could you not, with all the eyes I see in the walls? You know the state Bolton and Jamie are in. You know the state we are in.

There are so few of us left. And for many of us nothing to return to. Surely whatever data you wished from this is either gathered or already ruined by the actions of the Overseers. There can not be anymore blood you can squeeze from this stone. I have no more interest in undoing what has been done in my home- Elise is dead, and I am not fit to rule anything. Corrin is a kind woman, I have faith that whatever plans the Hoshidans have in mind for Nohr will be tempered by her wisdom.

Jamie told me Nohr is at peace. And I believe him.

I have served you quietly and to the best of my admittedly weak ability. Please, no more motives or demands, of us or of the Overseers. Do not pluck more souls from our realms or any others. Odds are good someone will kill again if just from madness and desperation alone- leave us in peace until then.

[theoverseers]

[There's no response for a very, very long time.]

Very well. The Champions will be left alone.