No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor)
Chapter 98: End Game (Part 8)
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Steve Rogers said, "can you describe your connection to him?"
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His connection to Victor Von Doom. Ok, that was… easy. Ezekiel tried to ignore the sound of someone randomly eating popcorn beside him, but the notion of that was getting hard to do.
The Jackal finally took a moment to look toward his left, and he didn't care how Wade felt about it. The two of them behaved as if they were far more than "together" so… the mercenary had nothing to worry about.
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"I've known Doom since I was very young, and I've been learning from him for as long as I can remember. My father put me through strict schooling, but his lessons felt very separate from my work, so..."
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Ezekiel's answer could be described as being very short, direct, matter-of-fact, brief, and to the point. The answer satisfied some of the individuals who were actually listening, but someone else in the "audience" needed a bit more info than that.
In fact, the mercenary fixed his mask up super quick, then he fired off a mountain of questions before anyone else could graciously speak….
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"Hmmmm, let's see… did this guy teach you everything you know? Whose bedroom was that? Is he a real Doctor? Have you seen his scalpel? Do you two know the song, Don't Stand So Close to Me by the Police?"
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And that was only the first round of Wade's epic questions, fuck only asking four. He shot those questions off at the speed of light, but Ezekiel heard every single one of them loud and clear.
The baby Jackal didn't know anything about some stupid song, but he did know that Wade's set of questions only managed to piss him off.
He glared at him instead of answering, but Wade clearly wasn't done. He could be a real dimwit… sometimes, and Ezekiel's body tensed up at the thought.
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"HEY SEVGILI, please give me the meaning behind the song Don't Stand So Close to Me by the Police, provided by Wikipedia, please…"
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Ezekiel almost grit his teeth. Again with some stupid song. He actually wanted to punch Wade right on the mouth. The Jackal felt that way for a number of reasons, and the person who was least affected by his behavior was Victor Von Doom.
He was glad to watch that vile pest as he epically dug his own grave. It was actually entertaining…
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"Sir, according to , the song deals with the mixed feelings of lust, fear and guilt that a school teacher has for a student and the fallout when the inappropriate relationship is discovered by other adults."
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YOU SEE? Wade just held his arms outward and upward, then he waited patiently for everyone else in the room to agree.
Small laughs could be heard after the fact. They came from Clint Barton's side of the room, but Ezekiel was clearly not in the mood for Wade's behavior.
It was hard for the Jackal to understand his language half the time, on top of all his bizarre remarks and random references.
Now it seemed like Wade didn't trust him, or, it seemed like he thought… no… it began to feel like….
Ezekiel wasn't sure, so he rolled his eyes and turned away from Wade entirely. Steve Rogers slowly closed his eyes, then he said he was happy to accept the response that was given.
He didn't want to press the subject any further, and in the scheme of things those details didn't necessarily matter….
Was he upset with Wade's crude questions and his random outburst? YES, but time marches on… so the soldier boy did his best to gain control of the room.
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"The final question has to do with your Surveillant Council. How long would you like us to monitor your progress and keep you safe? That's why this Council was originally established, if you recall…."
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It wasn't designed to violate Ezekiel's sense of freedom, privacy, or free will at all. Everything they did on the Council was done in an effort to support Ezekiel Stane and keep him ALIVE.
All five members wanted him to succeed. They all cared for him, especially Steve. It was a long road to build the connection and trust that they currently had, and the blonde didn't have any interest in taking backward steps…
Ezekiel was surprised to hear that question, and the feelings that came with it overpowered what he was thinking in that moment. Did Steve Rogers just suggest an… end date?
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"I don't understand what that means…"
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The concept of "freedom" didn't come easily for some people, and Ezekiel Stane had never experienced freedom before in his life… he truly didn't know how to answer Steve's final question, so the blonde decided to give an example.
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"Someone has suggested giving your Surveillant Council a timeframe of two years. After that, we can do things on a voluntary basis if you want. All of that is up to you as we go forward."
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Ezekiel was forgetting how to breathe a lot lately. More often than not, he found himself getting tongue-tied and emotional at the slightest thing. Hearing the idea of a two year timeframe sparked a deep reaction within him, and to handle that he just closed his eyes.
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"There are things that I still want to accomplish through S.H.I.E.L.D, so I'd like to think that over a bit more, and present a solid exit plan before I decide."
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The Jackal liked the idea of two years, but he couldn't map out all of his ideas in that moment to give Steve a definite response. The blonde smiled at him regardless, and he said that was the end of their meeting.
He also told Ezekiel that he didn't have to meet with Charles Xavier afterward if he had other plans, and he was free to set something up another day.
Hearing that also did something to Ezekiel's mind, body, and soul, so he failed to suppress the small smile that suddenly formed on his face.
He needed to speak with Charles Xavier tho, about sooooo many things, so he focused on the mutant and explained that to him with ease.
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.