Log | Prelude to Shep Search

[wewillwewill]

Who: Elidibus and Rodney McKay

When: Sometime during the search for dangerhouse/fence. Vaguely end of November?

Where: ADI Apartments

Summary: Sheppard is supposed to be visiting Elidibus for therapy but he goes missing just when people are starting to worry about that whole Avatar thing. So Elidibus decides to go check in Rodney's metaphorical couch cushions before just assuming Shep's in Dogtown. (Also to recruit Rodney because how better to lure Shep out?)

Warnings: None forseen, will post on comments if anything comes up.

It's that time of day that Sheppard should be speaking with the resident therapist Elidibus; which means they should either be at the ADI offices or Sheppard's place.

But here Elidibus is, knocking on the door to Rodney's apartment. And while they have spoken a time or two and even worked together, it's not like the silver haired man to drop by for a social call. They're not casual friends after all.

Why he didn't call might be put to question. But that's the sort of thing you do when you don't mind the person you're looking for getting an early warning that you're looking for them.

When Rodney answers the door, Elidibus has a polite smile and nod of greeting for the man. And a steady, sharp gaze that's probably looking for any signs that Sheppard's friend might be covering for or concerned about the missing man.

"Pray forgive my intrusion. But have you seen Sheppard today?"

Comments

[energyfieldgood]

He's not one for social calls.

Especially not those that come unexpected, without warning. They have a network for a reason, why would anyone drag their physical body over here to annoy him if they could just call? But here goes the door, that's a knock, and maybe it's for Elias? Maybe he can just ignore it, maybe whoever is on the other side will just go away?

But curiosity gets the better of him and after a moment he heads over to answer and it's...

Oh. That guy. What was his name again? Elderberry? Something like that. Why can't he ever remember that name?

"Hi. No."

That should bring the conversation to a quick end but his forehead creases into a frown, John being one of the few things that pique his interest enough

"Why? Did something happen?"

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus doesn't seem too surprised by the answer. The probability is high that Sheppard was in Dogtown at this point. Coming here had been a 'just in case' as well as a few other notions.

A thoughtful frown follows. He's also not put off by the brusqueness.

"It is possible something has. If you have not seen nor heard from him today, he may have disappeared."

Possibly just a bit of acknowledgement there that if there was anyone Shep might reach out to in his right mind, it would be Rodney.

"We were due to meet today and he is not wont to miss a scheduled appointment. As he is not answering his phone nor at his apartment or the ADI headquarters, I had hoped to find some sign he had spoken to you. Yet it is clear he had not."

There is a short pause as Elidibus glances about him before adding.

"Perhaps this is a matter best discussed inside." Or at least somewhere more private than the hall of an apartment building.

[energyfieldgood]

"Disappeared?"

Rodney glances down at his device even though he'd know if a new message had come in, but he can't help it. The word sits in his stomach like a block of ice and he has to think of others who disappeared, Donnie and his brother, that one doctor guy who used to patch him up...

He pushes the thought away. John isn't gone because John couldn't be gone and he will not entertain the thought of John being gone.

"Maybe he's just..."

Hunting, he thinks but doesn't say, so he waves his hand.

"You know. Out. Meeting people. Being popular. He does that."

He doesn't do that. At least not lately with the whole Avatar and artificial arm debacle... Rodney huffs, then steps aside to let Elidibus in.

[wewillwewill]

Ah, you've let him in. You're so doomed, Rodney. But on a more serious note, Elidibus steps inside the apartment and waits for the door to be closed. Though if aware of what it sounds like in retrospect, he offers an amendment to his words.

"Perhaps it would be better to say missing." His tone sounds apologetic. "I have not seen him since our foray into Dogtown." Which wouldn't have been too long ago. "Other than that, there is the matter of his missive on the network regarding efforts to find the house warned about by Bryn Fletcher."

You know. That strong insistence. Not to mention the marked changes in Sheppard's outward appearance. Rodney might not say 'hunting' aloud, but as Elidibus tilts his head slightly and regards the other man in the brief pause between the start of a possibility and its substitution, there is certainly a given understanding about what was not said.

"Perhaps. Yet I would expect to have had some answer to my text messages or notice that he cancelled our meeting today." Sheppard's probably responsible enough on that level, right? Admittedly people don't generally get worried if a grown ass adult goes missing for a day or so.

But most grown ass adults aren't Hunt Avatars.

"Given his drive of late, I suspect we will find him in Dogtown." Or at least on the way to it. "Though I had hoped to catch him ere he had finished his preparations." Hence one reasons he's here. Or two. Probably aren't going to miss that 'we', right Rodney?

[energyfieldgood]

Missing.

Missing sounds a lot better than disappeared and Rodney nods, distracted by the sense of relief. He wonders - how does it work? Do his nanites simulate the same chemical release that an organic body would? He should run some tests on that...

Right, Sheppard.

Who, apparently, is in Dogtown. Again.

"He went back there?"

That's ridiculous, even for John, and Rodney groans, wants to argue, feeling a flash of irritation. But everything he comes up with falls flat and he can't find the words.

He wouldn't do that. - Of course he would. It's an ongoing debate between them. Rodney has been to this place with him how many times now?

He wouldn't do that without me. - Stings more, but that, too, isn't too far fetched with Sheppard's latest obsession and how the Hunt was slowly taking him over. But Rodney guesses he can play upset boyfriend over that later.

"And you're sure about that."

It's pretty clear that Elidibus is sure about that and Rodney is already moving to grab his gear.

[wewillwewill]

"He made no secret of his intentions to search for the house at the earliest possible opportunity."

Ah, certainty. Elidibus is pretty sure. But he's also pedantic.

"I would say it is the most logical place to find him at this juncture based on the knowledge I have. If he is not there, then he is en route. Barring signs that he has been taken against his will, it should be the place we go next. I regret I cannot be as certain as I once might have capable of being."

Finding Sheppard with his full powers intact would have been child's play. And if not him, then Emet-Selch would have been capable of it. Particularly since both had a hand in making the artificial arm. In hindsight? Yes it probably would have been a good idea to put a tracking spell on Sheppard. But Elidibus didn't. Points for ethics at least, if not very helpful right at this moment.

Elidibus doesn't look like he has gear to take with him. He has his backpack and sensible clothes for a more rugged journey. But this is pretty normal for him. And any dangerous situations Rodney's seen him in have pretty much always came with some outlandish but oddly suited weapons that he couldn't possibly have just found lying around. So he's probably fine.

Besides, if asked he'd probably mention his magicks again. Or worse, the zombie infested planet he's come from.

"Others will be making the journey with us," Elidibus then helpfully announces. "If we are to go into Dogtown in search of Sheppard who is likely seeking the house, then we may as well take advantage and do so ourselves."

Sheppard was going to be one of those people. Then he went missing. But that's another matter. At least it won't be two against Dogtown. There'll be an entire squad!