As soon as the meeting was dismissed, Jan stood up from his seat and left the briefing room. He already had something in mind there was to do. This Percy fellow needed someone to really release his anger at. He was of no use in his current emotional state. Though it would be clear to him that he wasn’t the only individual with the idea as he noticed Stein some moments later as he searched the corridors for Percy, herself looking like she was looking for someone or something— that is until she noticed him as well.

[color=0076a3]“Van Gent.”[/color]

“Yes? I presume you noted Moore’s… outburst earlier too?” He stepped up besides her.

[color=0076a3]“He seems emotionally compromised. That could endanger field operations. I believe he needs to have words from his comrades.”[/color]

“I agree, It’s not in anyone’s favor for him to suffer a similar episode while out in the field.”

[color=0076a3]“That would be… problematic, I agree.”[/color] Stein replied as the two continued their pace as they discussed the task at hand. 

She moved her sight for a second down to the file in her hands as she ran over where his specific quarters were located. [color=0076a3]“His barrack is located this way, close to the hangar entrance.”[/color]
  
[hr]
As for Percy, he had made his way to his barrack located near the hangar so he could just be alone. He really didn’t MEAN to get worked up like that, but he did. His heart was still pounding and his thoughts were a scattered mess of wondering why he even signed up for this shit if all it’s gonna do is hurt his kid. She didn’t want him to leave today, even. That should’ve been a sign to just quit, but he didn’t. He’s doing the best he can, and nobody is ever satisfied with that.. At least, that’s what he thinks.

His moping was interrupted by the slam of the door being thrown open. Jan entered the room, flanked by Stein. “I thought we should have a word about your… feelings.”

Percy had nearly jumped through the ceiling when the door slammed open. Before that, he WAS actually starting to calm down. [color=d3d3d3]“...Did you [i]have[/i] to slam the damn door?”[/color]

“Well, it isn’t much less rude than the way you handled the briefing just now,” Jan simply retorted.

[color=d3d3d3]“If you’re just here to fuck with me, then get the hell out of here.”[/color]


[color=0076a3]“Officer Van Gent is only concerned about the precedent that the briefing revealed.”[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]“He seems more worried about money to me,”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“He is worried about his life. As I am concerned with my own.”[/color] Stein commented before she shot a glance to Jan; why was he so aggressive over a matter that needed to be discussed?

“Son, if you have an episode like that in the middle of a mission, the enemy is going to tear you apart like a school of piranhas.” Jan said rather more calmly.

[color=d3d3d3]“Don’t ‘son’ me,”[/color] Percy snapped. If it wasn’t obvious by now, talking to him like he’s a child having a tantrum probably wasn’t helping.

[color=0076a3]“He’s not incorrect. Emotional instability can cause serious injury or [i]worse[/i] to not only yourself but to the [i]entire unit[/i] during combat.”[/color]

Percy actually paused to let that sink in, even if for just a second. 

“Well, Percy, I’ll just pose you a simple question. I gathered you have someone to take care of? Well, imagine if some go-getting opponent decides to blow a hole through your cockpit while you’re distracted by your worries… who’s gonna take care of the home-front then?”

[color=0076a3]“It is likely the child would be abandoned and left to the devices of the environment.”[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]“I KNOW. I KNOW that! God damn it, why do you think I’m scared? I-I’ve been dealing with this shit for months! The one guy I [i]could[/i] talk to is a fucking idiot that doesn’t even remember the shit that happened.”[/color] Percy had tears in his eyes again. [color=d3d3d3]“I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I don’t know what possessed me to think I was even cut out for this shit!”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“It is impractical to be afraid.”[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]“Jesus fucking [i]Christ[/i], I KNOW THAT.”[/color] Percy exclaimed, [color=d3d3d3]“BEING SCARED JUST MAKES IT WORSE! I KNOW. B-but just cause I KNOW it’s stupid doesn’t mean I can STOP IT.”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“Tch. I do not know how you want your [i]unit[/i] to handle your emotional breaks, but I will tell you this. Emotions will make you crack, they will make you bleed, and you will be nothing but a skeleton in a mech’s graveyard.”[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]“So, what, I should become an unfeeling [i]robot[/i] like you?”[/color] Percy couldn’t stop that train of thought from coming out.. and the slight blush along with the ashamed expression showed he really didn’t mean for that to come out that way.

Stein’s voice cracked a little at Percy’s irritation-caused remark, [color=0076a3]“Are you content with being foolish? You can be concerned about this person you care about, I am not saying otherwise, but you need to be [i]focused[/i] and [i]clear[/i]. I do not want to be calculating if you are going to risk the unit. Do you really care about that individual you care for? or do you fear death more than your desire to protect them? Are you a [i]coward[/i] or a [i]pilot?[/i]”[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]”Are you seriously implying I don’t [i]love[/i] my daughter? She’s the whole reason I haven’t just quit [i]living![/i]”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“I’m implying you [i]fear[/i] more than you love. Otherwise this conversation would be not occurring.”[/color] Stein spat as she moved a strand of her blonde hair out of her face.

[color=d3d3d3]“You’ve already said that if I die, she’s [i]fucked[/i]! Even [i]with[/i] Zach taking care of her-”[/color]

[color=0076a3]“Then don’t DIE, you cowardly piece of civilian rubbish! If you are focused and have your team behind you, you won’t have to worry about any of this! Are you so insanely [i]idiotic[/i] you can think only like a twelve year old? I’m done. My words are spent.”[/color] Stein turned to Jan, [color=0076a3]“I have concluded my thoughts, I will be in the hangar. [i]Working[/i]. Like a [i]pilot.[/i]”[/color]

Stein turned and made for the hangar as she left the two to their thoughts. 

“She’s right you know, your languishing in your own worry isn’t serving anyone but yourself.”

[color=d3d3d3]“Just leave me alone. I don’t need you hounding on me too.”[/color] Percy sniffled, trying - and failing - to hide that he was definitely losing any semblance of maturity he might’ve had before this exchange.

“Sure… I’ll be in the training room, running scenarios. I find it to be quite a calming exercise… you should come sometime too. Release some more of that deep-seated anger in a more productive manner.”

With that said, Jan turned to leave too. He had done enough to at least claim to have done his part, though he wasn’t going to pretend Stein’s polite tirade hadn’t caused quite a bit more impact.

It didn’t take too long for Jan to hear Percy’s footsteps behind him - lagging behind a little, but nonetheless. Maybe it’s the start of something, maybe not.