[b][I]Mikhail Chekhov[/i][/b]

[b]"I could, but I don't trust them -"[/b] was Mikhail's answer to Laurence's words about collaborating with the police and forensics before the literature student just departed, [b]"Hey, I'm talking to you!"[/b]

Note that the exclamation part was not too loud, more of a sudden halt in the sentence than a shout. Mikhail respected libraries, after all. Speaking of respecting libraries, it seemed the heavens had opened up and given Mikhail a new opportunity in the form of Philip Leonheart, [s]an actual[/s] a fellow genius. Putting on his best game-winning smile, Mikhail ignored Philip's tone and words and instead tried for charm.

[b]"Philip Leonheart, just the man I wanted to see!"[/b] Mikhail said. [b]"Despite your skepticism, as well as the fact that my large ambitions are high enough to warrant a judgement of 'insanity', there are things here that warrant an intellectual titan like you."[/b] A smile. [b]"I should have known someone who had gotten the silver medal at the International Physics Olympiad would gravitate to this subject, despite their already-expressed skepticism."[/b]

Mikhail paused. [b]"As I said, I don't trust the Police, forensic scientists, or most adult authority figures in general. They failed my father and they will fail me. But we are of a different caliber, although I will admit that you [i]are[/i] my better."[/b]

A calculated admission before Mikhail looked at Philip's face and realized he was probably unmoved by the subtle attempt at flattery. Sighing, he said, [b]"Okay, perhaps what I said earlier doesn't work. That went too far even for me. But I do need your help, Philip Leonheart. You are one of the people I am looking for and much as I hate to admit it, one of the few with the intellectual chops to make a serious try at what I want. I know in my heart that I am not as capable as I puff myself out to be, but the fact remains: I want to decipher the chemical code for the toxin that killed my father. That much is true. Same for me mistrusting the failures in the police force - That's also true."[/b]

He knew the next admission might slightly hurt Merja, but it might also resolve a few of her worries. [b]"In fact, had I known you'd be here, I would have talked to you first. I know you're a physicist and an engineer and not a chemist, but someone who can win the Physics Olympiad is more useful than a son of a fashion designer plus lawyer."[/b]

Yes, he couldn't help but insert another barb towards Alex there, [b]"So please help me, Mr. Leonheart."[/b]

[i]Or I'll continue on anyway and blunder. Or I'll continue manipulating people. I can do a lot of damage, you know.[/i] But somehow, Mikhail didn't say those words. Instead, he hoped that his rare show of honesty was recognized for what it was - A boy reaching out for help.

Because if it wasn't, then all the more reason to keep manipulating and scheming and destroying himself.

[@Savo][@LetMeDoStuff][@Typical][@FalloutJack][@Conscripts]