[log] the high life [closed]

[devoutish]

Characters: Alfie Solomons, Emily Kaldwin, Gregory House, Royce Melborn, Tifa Lockhart
Location: building 48 and building 42
Date: afternoon of 200 to night of 201
Summary: meeting up with the squad and taking advantage of a vulnerable man for the purposes of robbery
Warnings: probable discussion of drug addiction and withdrawal

Catch-all for EVERYTHING - reunion schmoop, highway robbery, etc. Top-level and tag as you see fit.

Comments

[rubikscomplex]

Why do you want me to talk to someone? Does it make you feel better about yourself? Or do you think it'll actually do anything? Stark isn't a therapist and we're not friends.

[devoutish]

You don't consider anyone a friend.

[rubikscomplex]

Incorrect, but keep going, boss.

[devoutish]

Do you consider anyone who's still here a friend, or is that something else you can't decide?

[rubikscomplex]

[House frowns at the other man.]

I can't decide. I wasn't talking about anyone alive.

[devoutish]

Then Stark is who it will have to be.

[rubikscomplex]

Why?

[devoutish]

[Okay, he'll actually answer this time.]

Because you're fucking pathetic, and a man should not be like you are. Because you're intelligent, right, and you'll be more useful if you're in better shape. And it might get you to stop being so reckless with me, eh?

[rubikscomplex]

[House bristles.]

And who the hell died and made you king of what a man is supposed to be like? I'm useful like I am now. The fact that you don't like me or my methods doesn't change that.

[devoutish]

You're useful now, yeah. But for how long? You get worse by the week and you're a thorn in my side.

[rubikscomplex]

[House smirks at that, the expression cruel.]

You think I'm a thorn, Solomons? You weren't around when Rhysie and Angelcakes stole my Vicodin. You just declared World War III, you freaking limey bastard.

[devoutish]

Why would you want to do that?

[Alfie walks around in front of House now, facing him.]

Honestly, why? This could end here, but you want to bring more pain and trouble down on yourself? You have been murdered and tortured because of me, and still you keep coming.

[rubikscomplex]

[House stays where he is and actually stands up straight, looking down his nose at the shorter man.]

I don't know. You said I was self-destructive, though.

[devoutish]

[If Alfie is cowed, he doesn't show it.]

Yeah. And getting worse.

[rubikscomplex]

So what are you gonna do about it right now? Take my things, run off, force me into therapy time with Stark, and hope for the best?

[devoutish]

I've settled things on my end. We'll see if you're smart enough not to start your war.

[rubikscomplex]

I'm an idiot, Solomons. Thought you'd picked up on that by now.

[devoutish]

No.

[He takes a step closer, looking up at House.]

So see that you don't act like one.

[rubikscomplex]

[There's an order in there, so for the time being, House backs down, taking a step back and looking away, posture shifting to something more submissive.]

Yes, sir.

[devoutish]

If only that were real, House.

[rubikscomplex]

[House doesn't respond, just stares at his feet feeling hopelessly frustrated and helpless with this ridiculous death price. He's been told not to act like an idiot, so antagonizing Alfie is out of the running for now.]

[devoutish]

Right. You can go.

[He starts gathering up his own things, ready to head out himself.]

[rubikscomplex]

[House closes his own pack from Alfie's intrusion, pulls it back on and heads for the door. He pauses at the door wanting to tell Alfie he hates him, screaming it over and over and over in his head. But only an idiot would voice that.

Alfie's left on his own as the doctor heads out and sets off north for food.]