Has the Whole World Gone Mad?

[Will Stanton]

"If...it's coming in hazy, but if I remember correctly, she got drunk and passed out before she could properly fix things.

She had still mucked around with my head when I was on the mission."

[Samantha McManus]

"If you don't want to talk to her, I will. Even if it's just to make sure this never happens again."

[Will Stanton]

"It might be best if I don't, both because of my vulnerability and....other reasons," he frowned, looking up at Sam with icy eyes.

[Samantha McManus]

"It's... okay. I think I kind of... met the person she reminds you of. Or a memory of her, at least."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, fantastic. Are YOU OK? Even if it was just a memory..." he said, looking Sam over.

[Samantha McManus]

"She was thoroughly unpleasant and... might have tried to kill me? I'm alright, though."

[Will Stanton]

"Tried to KILL you?" he frowned.

"Alright, that tears it. You'd best stay out of my head from here on in--I can't be responsible for something bad happening to you,"

[Samantha McManus]

"Well we'll... have to deal with her eventually, won't we?"

"I mean, I know there's risks, Will."

[Will Stanton]

"We've...that is to say, I've dealt with her before. If this is just a memory or whathaveyou, trust me, it's best if it's locked deep away, without anyone poking it," he said, shaking his head.

[Samantha McManus]

"You're still the boss here, but if you ever change your mind, I'm more than willing to help."

[Will Stanton]

"You don't know her like I do, Sam, and I'm not going to put you at risk. Ever."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm not... some child, Will. I can handle myself."

[Will Stanton]

"I'm sorry, Sam, but I've seen what Mel can do. And, to be blunt, you at...the Morrigan in full bloom struggled with her. I don't want to take any chances there."

[Samantha McManus]

"But it's not her. Not really."

[Will Stanton]

"Damn it, Sam, you don't know that. ~I~ don't know that!" he said, looking away.

"This could be another one of her long-term plots. Something she planted. Something that she was waiting to trigger."

[Samantha McManus]

"...okay," she sighs.

"She's... thoroughly unpleasant, that's for sure."

[Will Stanton]

"You don't know the half of it, Sam. You really, really don't. Thank whichever gods you believe in that our Melpenome is just a selfish prat, and nothing more."