Food for Thought

[Bjorn]

"As far as I know, I don't have one."

[Brian]

She looks at you oddly, then shrugs, and turns her attention back to the road.  "If he wasn't your partner, he was definately there when we took Ashnod back.  Ashnod was the PK you were with on the highway.  I imagine this is pretty confusing for you, though.  Any questions, so far?"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn smiles briefly.  "I'm pretty sure I know who I am.  Beyond that, though, there isn't much I don't have questions about.  But let's start with who this person you thought was my partner, and with -- Ashnod?"

[Brian]

"If...."  She shakes her head.  "Ashnod was the PK.  He's obviously pretty dangerous, but you get that at ... this level.  I can't explain how he does what he does, because we don't really know.  But he's pyrokinetic.  I imagine that sounds somewhat outlandish, but you saw it, right?  It's not like he's the first person to have abilities beyond what you and I would consider normal, but the general public doesn't know about people like him.  And they shouldn't have to, all things considered.

"Anyway, I was asking who you worked for, and I suppose I was somewhat confrontational about it.  I'm sorry about that, but I got the idea that you might be from an organization that was trying to capture him for your own use."

[Bjorn]

"All right, then.  Who do you work for?"

[Brian]

She says nothing for a long moment, eyes on the road.  "Are you sure you want to know too much?" she asks.  "You're in pretty deep, regardless of if you want it or not, but the more you know, the harder it's going to be to get out.  Knowing that an organization exists is one thing.  Knowing what it calls itself, and what they do is another entirely."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn snorts rather indelicately.  "I'm already in, but don't know what I'm in, or why, or how to get out.  If knowing some answers is only going to get me in deeper trouble, well, at least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing something first.

"So, yes, I'd like to 'know too much.'"  He hurriedly adds, "Sorry if I sound a bit rude.  I don't like being confused."

[Brian]

"Most people don't," she replies dryly.  "Look, let's get something to eat, and I'll explain it over breakfast.  My treat."  You're in a relatively unfamiliar section of town, and she pulls into a parking lot, stopping in front of a vietnamese noodle soup resturaunt named "Pho Shizzle".

After stoping the SUV, she opens her door and climbs out, leading the way inside.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn rolls his eyes heavenwards at the name of the restaurant, and then follows Miss S. Agent in.

He has a sneaking suspicion that starting the day off with Vietnamese soup is not, in fact, going to be the worst thing that happens to him today.

[Brian]

"You know, pho is traditionally a breakfast food," she remarks after the bowls of soup have been served, and the waiter backs away into a quiet corner.  "It's also great when it's so freaking cold, like it is here."

She shudders slightly, looking out at the still-falling snow.  "Anyway," she says uneasily, lowering her voice and keeping one eye on the waiter.  "This place should be safe enough for the moment.

"I work for an organization called the Workshop.  We try to isolate meta-humans, and keep them from harming others.  Mental instability is tragically typical of paranormal power."

[Bjorn]

"And the Workshop is... a government agency?  How do you go about isolating metahumans?"

[Brian]

"Heavy tranquilizers," she replies dourly.  "We also try to teach those who are reachable enough to listen to reason how to contain their own powers.

"We're not affiliated with any government, but you'll notice, what with the US army crossing into the Canadian border, we're probably somewhat more effective."

[Bjorn]

"So if you're not a government agency, where do you get your money?  Do you have any legal authority at all?"

[Brian]

"We get our money by selling technology to companies that wish to utilize it," she said with a shrug.  "Given our means, it's easier to come by for us than it is for some people.

"We'd need to be known to have legal authority.  But we're not the only people out there.  Some people are trying this for destructive purposes ... and it's not like we're doing anything to people against their will, unless they're dangerous to others.  Like I said, though, the real authorities can't handle most of these people without killing them."

"Or dying in the attempt," she adds with a frown, pushing her bowl towards the center of the table.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn blinks thoughtfully.  "Okay.   Now, if you don't mind me asking... why me?  So I happened to be around when you were -- recapturing? -- this Ashnod.  Why do people think I'm anything other than a bystander?  

"And for that matter, why are you here?  Don't get me wrong," he hurriedly adds, "I appreciate this.  But... to be honest, you weren't this forthcoming yesterday.  Charming as I might be, I don't think that answers: why are you taking the time and risk to help me here?"