san_fransokyo | Surprise! Reunion.

Surprise! Reunion.

Alistair Krei was having a good day. Then again, things had really seemed to be going his way. Krei Tech had successfully set up portals throughout San Frasokyo, and the people coming through those portals were just fascinating. Sure, there had been some minor setbacks the first go around, but Abigail Callaghan was back, and yes he had checked up on her. Not that she'd been thrilled to see him, but she seemed more understanding than her father had been, and she wasn't in bad health of anything. So yes, Krei took that as a success. Not only that, but he was in talks with Hiro to help fund Big Hero 6 and hopefully further a project to develop more Baymax models. Not that anything had been decided there yet, or that Hiro had even given him the go ahead - had they even talked about it yet? - but he was a good businessman. He planned to convince the young genius that it would be beneficial for all of San Fransokyo.

He left work late that evening, but that was nothing new - he often worked late. Krei buttoned his suit jacket closed as he paused outside the black car that was to take him home. Who'd have ever thought things would go so well after Callaghan nearly destroyed it all? The thought made him smile a little in satisfaction, and nodding once, he climbed inside the back passenger seat. "Home. No detours will be necessary tonight," he addressed the driver through the open partition, but he was already looking down at his cell phone and not paying any attention to the man driving. It was his usual driver, of course, and they didn't talk much anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The driver doesn't even bother making a sound of acknowledgement; there's a glance in the rear-view mirror, and then the dutiful sound of the engine's purr as it responds. If it's just a bit smoother of a drive than normal, well, it's just a testament to that driver's skill, now, isn't it? And they're certainly professional enough to keep from any attempt at smalltalk.

Only when Krei bothers looking up from his phone might he notice that things are a bit off. For one, he did mention 'no detours', but this isn't the usual route.

Maybe there's traffic?

Krei has quite a few emails to check up on, thank you, and there's a text to his secretary to make sure she had his suit dry cleaned. But eventually, he does look up, if only because the drive doesn't usually seem to take this long. Frowning when he looks out the window, he finally speaks up to the not-so-trusty driver.

"We should be home by now," he says suspiciously. "Why are you taking us this way?" Only Krei wouldn't realize the driver looks a little different from behind...

Edited 2015-01-02 19:42 (UTC)

Maybe it's the hat? It's a nice hat, and a nice uniform, all pressed and clean and, as the driver looks up again in the mirror, looking somehow out of place on the rough features.

"Road closure."

Say, were those doors always locked?

Krei wasn't getting the same vibes from this guy. His usual driver was just so polite.

"You're not my driver," he said slowly, and now he was starting to become really worried. "Who are you? Where are you taking me?" At last he tries for some bravado there, because he's Alistair Krei, and you just can't do this to him.

The response to that probably isn't comforting; a small little smile, and a tilt of the head. "Please relax, sir," the driver assures smoothly, before reaching to close the window-partition between them. "Everything will be fine."

Considering that the destination seems to be a dark alley- maybe not so fine. Maybe that worry is justified.

No, Krei is definitely not comforted. If someone had wanted him this badly, couldn't they have just called his secretary and scheduled a meeting? But something tells him this is different, and he doesn't like it.

Their destination is even more worrying. Fortunately, he has his cellphone, and he takes out his cellphone, starting to call his secretary so she can call Hiro because unfortunately, he doesn't have Big Hero 6 on speed dial...

Unfortunately, there's also someone moving for the door.

The soft clk of the locks disengaging is followed immediately by the door opening; what happens next will no doubt make Alistair even more worried, if not afraid. A rustle of metal, tnktnktnk of pieces building over one another-

-and grabbing his phone, all but swallowing it in their mass as a black-garbed figure pulls himself in to the vehicle.

"No need for that."

This is quickly becoming one of the worst nights of Krei's life, at least since the last time he witnessed the villainous masked man in action. Dreams of that face and those microbots had haunted Krei every night, and even many of his waking moments for nearly a month afterward. To experience this again, just after he felt he had finally begun to get over it, was too much.

He hoped he was wrong, but when he looked up at that familiar voice... he knew his fears had been true. Krei had heard rumors of Callaghan's appearance around the city, of course, but to see him now, face-to-face, was far more worrying... and frightening.

"Robert," he breathed, cowering back in his seat. "You did this."

Since setting the fire, Callaghan has had many times where he's paused, considered his life, options, and everything at hand. This is not one of those times; this is when the smile that spreads over his face, unkind as it is, is nonetheless honestly pleased. There is something so very selfishly satisfying in seeing the man he despises so very much in fear for his life.

And at this point in Robert's own life, it's the little things that count.

"Alistair," he 'greets' in return, seating himself and reaching up to rap his knuckles twice on the driver's partition. As the microbots pull the door shut before settling down by his feet, he leans back in an almost lazy posture. "I have some new 'business partners'. They were the ones who actually gave me the idea."

The vehicle's locks click down again- and then it begins to move.

Krei doesn't think he's a bad man, not really. After all, he was friend to Big Hero 6 now, and everyone loved those guys. Yes, his company was just about the most important thing to him still, and he didn't have much in the way of love or family in his life, but really, who cares? He was proud of his achievements.

And then something like this had to happen, ruining his decidedly good outlook on life.

He was definitely cowering as far as he could on his side of the back seat when his old friend joined him. Krei eyes those microbots warily, before focusing on the man beside him. "Business partners?" he asked cautiously.

Callaghan made no move to close the space between them; let Krei cower away from him if he wanted. Again, that selfish sort of satisfaction-thrill, but- he had a reason for all of this other than something so small.

"You'll become familiar with them over time, I imagine." What with the 'encouragement' he had been giving regarding what a lovely target Krei Tech's shipments made. "But that's not the point. I thought we were due for a talk."

To his credit, that's all he intends to do. Whether Krei believes him or not is another story.

It wasn't that Krei wanted to be a coward, but after their last encounter, he felt he had ever reason to fear Callaghan and his microbots. For all he knew, he was being brought to the dock where they could dump his body after killing him.

He didn't like the idea of becoming more familiar with anyone associated with Callaghan, but the mention of a 'talk' had him practically squirming. He tried to collect himself as best he could, so he could talk more rationally with his captor.

"Listen, Robert... I apologized for what happened. But... Abigail is back, she's fine, and I know she would want to reconnect with her father, no matter what you did." Maybe it was a low blow, bring Abigail into the conversation, but he was kinda eager to save himself by making Callaghan see reason.

"Don't."

The word is sharp, all but snarled, and accompanied by the briefest of glances towards the partition. For a moment- the facade drops entirely, and Robert Callaghan is simply a man who has his own degrees of concern-

-and when it returns, it's not quite the same as it was before. He's a bit more serious, all causality gone and replaced by a tight, unhappy press of his lips.

"She has nothing to do with any of this," he elaborates steadily, the warning clear. "For your own sake, keep it that way."

Edited 2015-01-03 06:10 (UTC)

Krei starts at that snarl, he can't help it. He's not proud of being a coward, but it's hard to be brave in the face of this, when you're locked inside a moving vehicle with it. He could have sworn something in Callaghan's expression changed, just for a moment... but then it was gone, and he couldn't be sure.

At least the other man was no longer snarling at him in such a menacing way.

He swallowed, and nodded. "Of course, no problem. I can do that. So... what is this about, then?"

At least now this just appears to be business.

"Krei Tech."

He leans forwards slightly, the microbots subtly rustling on the floor beneath them.

"And what other setbacks you've overcome in the past few years."

Business. Krei can to business, so long as Robert keeps those microbots to himself.

"Robert, I've told you this before - those were just minor setbacks. I don't cut corners," he tried to convince the other man. "I'm a businessman, I search for the most innovative tech and I buy it for the company. I can assure you we're being very careful."

"Please. If Mister Hamada hadn't paid attention," and if he himself hadn't burned down the Showcase, "you'd have walked off with his brother's invention."

Forgive him for doubting you've fully turned over a new leaf.

In close quarters like this, it's difficult to miss the fact that the microbots on the floor are the only ones he's brought; there's what seems to be a thin blanket of them over his neck and shoulders, not unlike some sort of chain gorget. There's a subtle, constant motion through them; at the moment, they're almost reminiscent of hackles raised on a dog.

It's also difficult to miss the fact that above them, Robert's head is bare; no hood, and no controller band.

"Robert, that was an accident!" Funny how much he's using that word. "I didn't mean to walk off with Hiro's microbot. Yes, I wanted his tech, I admit it, but I wouldn't steal it, like you would."

But he does notice the microbots, and he isn't able to show nearly as much bravado in the face of this new discovery. If only it were possible to cower even further against his side, but there's no where to go. At first, he'd thought Callaghan had just been wearing that trenchcoat. Now, he knew better.

"How... how are you controlling the microbots?" he asked fearfully.

"You're 'accident'-prone," Callaghan points out, sounding anything but amused. His dark expression only clouds further at the question, a ripple-like motion emanating through the metal with him as the epicenter. "And you ask that like I'm going to tell you."

Or could tell him. Which he can't, not wholly. But like hell he'll admit that.

"That was one time, Robert - one time," he says pointedly, leaning forward a little as if momentarily forgetting where he was, surrounded by all those microbots. But he hasn't forgotten completely, just hoping his old 'friend' won't actually do him any real harm here.

"What's this all about, then? Or were you just hoping to intimidate me?" It wouldn't be the first time.

"You can look me, in the eye, and tell me that there was only one accident?"

Callaghan leans forward as well, his distrust - and dislike - of the other no clearer than now.

"Only one on your conscience, Krei? Only one time where your thirst to impress, to prove yourself, took precedence over any little doubts or delays that would have taken seconds to account for...?"

The slight snarl in his features...well. Regardless of what Alistair does or does not say to that, Callaghan's stance is clear enough. He doesn't believe it in the slightest, and that is what this is all about. That is why he's here.

Because even if it was only once, once was - and is - enough.

Yes, Alistair is well aware of the other man's hatred for him, as he has been for some time now. But he still doesn't understand why Callaghan hates him so much. Yes, his daughter had been lost, but then she had been found. Crisis averted, right? But he knew it wasn't that simple, and he was fine never having anything to do with Callaghan ever again. Unfortunately, the former teacher wouldn't let it go that easy.

It's not exactly easy to remain brave in the face of Robert and all those microbots. After all, Krei was at his mercy. He could have killed him, and there would have been just about nothing he could have done to stop it.

"Robert, I'm the CEO of the largest tech industry in San Fransokyo - or this side of the world. The technological world is growing in bounds and leaps every second, and it waits for no man. I can't stand idly by because one man says I must," Krei speaks firmly, trying his best at bravado, but it's still weak in the face of all that anger and rage. "What happened to your daughter was an accident, but she's the only person we ever lost. I assure you something like that will never happen again."

He could kill him, and promises or not, it wouldn't be difficult to make it look as though he hadn't been involved at all.

Accidents happened.

But even if Robert's face continues to darken, even if the microbots continue to have their occasional twitch-ripples as Krei speaks, there's no move made for the man's throat. Or...any other part of him.

"For your sake, I hope that's true. Because if I hear even a rumor to the contrary?"

The microbots still didn't go for Alistair's throat. They were more subtle for that. Moving up from the floor to the seat around Alistair, though, to the walls, the ceiling, overwhelming every surface around him and with dagger-like points aimed in his direction?

Robert's smile was as sharp as the unspoken threat.

"I don't trust you. I never will. But for the sake of old times, I'm giving you a single chance."

Between the two of them, too many accidents had happened.

Krei is proud of himself for not cowering again, at least not before the microbots surround him. See - he wasn't a completely coward. But his old friend didn't let up then those ridiculous microbots moved closer and they were everywhere. He might have been cowering just a little bit then, because hey - he liked his life. It was a really good life, and as a man who kept in good shape for his age, he didn't want to leave it anytime soon.

"Okay, alright. You won't hear any rumors," he assured him, both frightened and more than just a little annoyed by the entire thing. "But I'm not the one with all these microbots, Robert. I'm sure the police are going to be on the lookout for a man just out of prison. And whatever you're doing with these things can't be legal."

This really wasn't about Robert, or so he hadn't intended to make it about him. But if Krei really wanted to press the point...

The microbots slid back over towards Callaghan, setting in place as he leaned back. "I'm quite aware that I'm a wanted felon, and that I've crossed too many lines to even think about going back to the life I once had." Even if by some miracle all those crimes went away, the history wouldn't, and his disgrace was only getting worse by the day.

But the sharp smile remained.

"Making sure you stay in line isn't a bad retirement, everything considered."

Well, Robert wasn't exactly mentally stable in Krei's mind, and anything to put the blame back on him. And this man had tried to kill him, as well as Hiro and his little friends, not to mention the whole Tadashi incident. So yes, Krei would try to turn this back around on the other man, because he had far more guilt than he did in the current situation.

But the microbots sliding away from him did allow him to relax a little, reaching up to absently straighten his cuffs.

"But you... you could stop all of this, Robert," Krei tried one last time, not liking the idea of this wanted felon watching his every movement for the rest of his life. "You could just make peace with it all. It's not too late. Hiro is a very forgiving young man."

Why wouldn't someone want a wanted felon taking it upon themselves to keep them from screwing up? It's like they have something to hide.

(Well, no. Robert can think of many reasons. None of them seem very important right now, because he is trying to take the steps he believes are necessary. He always has been.)

"Hiro can be," he allows after a moment's pause. Hiro...did have opportunities to be unforgiving, but only one was taken. Attempted. "But the state isn't. This is where things are, Alistair, and this is where they will be for the forseeable future."

So don't screw up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Surprise! Reunion.

/cue ominous music

no subject

no subject

AND THEN I DISAPPEARED FOR DAYS sorry bb

/i thought you were never ever ever coming back so i panicked.jpg

i will always come back to torture my Alistair

i will happily cackle while you do so

Poor guy

things that self-justify callaghan's turn to villainy; krei's 'oshit' face

I need more icons with that look

he's just 'THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING FEELING I HAVE EVER FELT i may need professional help'

He feeds off Krei's tears

and regret

can't we all just... get along?

probably not

thems the breaks

no subject

no subject

no subject

oh hey sorry for disappearing FOREVER geez

do i need to bring out the i never thought you were coming back again pic

please don't, i'll be good!

/pats. also seriously though no worries about delays; I can get to points where I take a week+ x_X

ok i don't feel as bad now!

no subject

no subject

no subject