exsilium | △ 02

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△ 02

My name is Adam Jensen, and I've been with the Detroit Police Department and its SWAT division for almost ten years. The last two, I worked as a Private Security Specialist. Earth, 2027, no major deviations.

With that out of the way, I've [ hacked through everything ] read up on past events since the transports started and noticed that the security measures around the compound, the city in general and especially the transport apartments are insufficient; and I think it's in everyone's best interest that we maintain a safe and secure environment for ourselves because I don't think the Initiative gives much of a shit. I'll try and do something about it provided they let me mess around with their precious security systems and joke of a network.

Until I sorted that out, I can at least provide you with an impromptu code I whipped up a little while ago that should make your online communications a tiny bit more secure. Feel free to use it—you just need to download and unpack it, then apply it to any transmission.

>> DOWNLOAD (icarusencrypt.exe)

[ so, using this encryption will make all your private conversations about 25% more unhackable and it will also PING YOU when someone tries to hack through it. On the downside, using it will enable Adam to stalk all the private conversations you apply it to UNNOTICED because hell, he wrote this shit and is still too nosy for his own good. ]

*

[ the following is edited in about twenty minutes later ]

addendum;

Is there someone among you who would consider themselves knowledgeable with prosthetics. Or cybernetics. Preferably both.

[ There's a video attached of a rather dark, gloomy place; but after two seconds this thing comes into view, SANS BLADE, of course. Just looking at it, it seems to be made of sleek black metal and moves absolutely naturally... if it weren't for two fingers being locked into rather unnatural positions, like they're dislocated. This'll teach Adam not to do too much weird shit with his hands when he can't be sure if any specialists are around, sigh. There's a low rasp, just two words lacking any emotion, ]

It's stuck.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Yeah yeah he's gonna ignore that comment for now. ]

Huh. As I thought.

[ His curiosity seems to be sated at this point; he's not really interested in the brand or type of Vanadi's prosthetic, or even if he has more... but he suspects so, and that mask is probably not simply a fashion statement, either.

So this is where he turns around and wanders back into the living room, just expecting Vanadi to follow. Once there, he flops back down onto the couch. ]

[ Vanadi tucks the pulled-off gloves into a pocket and follows after, hesitating just for a second on where to sit. But he doesn't want to be too far off from his object of interest, so he invites himself to a perch on the arm of the couch. Which groans a little under his impressive weight, oops. ]

An accident, I believe you implied earlier today. Is that true?

[ Well, his own prostheses--and he has four of them!--are at least light. Adam doesn't even weight 200 lbs in total, so the couch doesn't seem to have a problem with him. His good arm is reaching for his drink, the other--resting rather awkwardly on the couch right next to his lap.

The fingers are still stuck--this isn't really supposed to happen. It had, once or twice, during his six months of recovery, but after some adjustments it never happened again. And there's no LIMB clinic around, which is just great. ]

Yeah.

[ Hah, you don't get more than that without prying. ]

Ah.

[ He doesn't mind the bare minimum of an answer. Vanadi isn't very forth coming himself, after all. After a second more of study, he hops off of his perch to drop to a crouch next to Adam instead, and this time doesn't hesitate before running a finger along his forearm. They'd been over that part already.

Eventually, he adds: ] Mine was intentional, although not voluntary.

[ Sigh. Good thing he's used to people staring and touching him curiously, though he's mildly surprised that someone who has the same 'problem' does it, too. ]

Explains why you sounded really disgusted back there.

[ He's not surprised, really, and takes a swig. ]

[ Even having been in another world, with access to all sorts of worlds, Vanadi still hasn't seen anyone else with metallic replacements like he has. So he's not giving up too easily on this study, working his way down to the fingers to lightly trace those, as well. ]

I'm sorry, that was— rude, I suppose. [ His hand flattens over Adam's, and the soft noise metal makes as it hits metal is weirdly familiar. ] What happened?

[ He didn't really mind. He's used to people suddenly cutting off conversations and looking at him like he's some kind of freak.

Also, he's just gonna assume here you are examining his hand, and not just touching it for the sake of touching. Adam isn't feeling much of it it, anyway: just registers pressure.

How did it happen. Is that really important? ]

I was attacked, crashed through thick glass and impaled myself on a console, then shot in the head.

[ Yeah that about sums it up. He manages to sound pretty casual, too. ]

I'm sorry.

[ More definitive this time, not just a flowery apology. Sorry he'd suffered, sorry he'd changed. His hand lifts, to carefully trace one of those odd ports in his chest, and from there to the metal at his neck. He can only guess at the uses of things like that — he's no mechanic, he barely knows what his own parts do. ]

I'm afraid I won't actually be of much use. That was just a small lie, for the sake of getting a closer look.

...

[ Oh wow Vanadi did you just give Adam two good reasons to punch you square in the face? Or rather, punch that nose beak of yours. Yeah, I think you did.

So Adam turns his head and scowls at Vanadi touching him, this is going a little far and then when the confession of sort comes, it just happens.

Right in the face. And off the couch. ]

[ Wow, Adam. Vanadi thought they were having a moment. But apparently not, because suddenly he's a few feet back and landed on his butt on the floor, with his head ringing and a stinging pain in his lip. Oh, he's bitten it. That's nice. He lifts a hand to his lip, finds the tip of his fingers bloody— and then notices that the few down the nose of the mask isn't quite looking the way it ought to.

He sweeps it off abruptly, with just a muted click of metal, and stares at the pitifully bent nose of it. ]

Adam! [ Long ears, suddenly freed from the mask, sink in sharp disapproval as he scowls. ] A little warning would be appreciated!

Oh, excuse me. I wasn't aware you usually give a heads-up before doing this sort of thing. In my world you definitely don't.

[ IS HE SORRY? Nope, and he remains sitting right where he is; staring at Vanadi and certain that the guy definitely had that coming. Of course this had been a bad idea.

On the other hand, he found out that Vanadi has a metal prosthetic himself AND he got to see his face.

And he just instinctively activates his CASIE to collect all the data before you put it on again, why thank you. Exasperated sigh. ]

[ The hand holding the mask sinks to the floor, while the other rubs his jaw. He can't put that back on again. Wearing a bent mask is even worse than going without one. He lets a slow breath out and ducks his head, one hand sweeping through his silvered hair.

He's not used to being angry. It feels foreign.

In a few seconds he looks up again, a little plaintive. ]

What did I do to deserve that?

[ Well, aside from the fact that Vanadi was badtouching Adam... this is something he can tolerate though, some people are just curious and touchy-feely, he can't really blame them. ]

You lied. If you simply wanted to take a look, you could have asked.

[ And Adam really treasures his own privacy! But now he's given Vanadi his address, assuming he could fix stuff now and then maybe again in the future but, now the chances are pretty good he's just going to be annoying most of the time.

Adam stands, and picks up that dumb mask, carrying it over to his work table--

He's going to fix it for you, you stupid ass idiot. ]

And you just punch anyone who lies, do you! Everyone lies. —What are you doing?

[ There'd been a quick little flare of anger with that, but it dissolves almost immediately into an urgent concern. Hey, man, that's his mask. He pushes himself immediately to his feet, following closely after Adam. ]

Really, I think you've done enough to it as is—

Yes, I know.

[ And wouldn't you know it, he's really damn tired of everyone lying to him and jerking him around. Also, a good punch to the face never hurt anyone before. Too much, that is.

Though it's very interesting to watch the change in attitude.

> Charismatic, Extroverted, Flirty
> A little flighty and with a short attention span, but any positive response to his flirting is guaranteed to snag his attention for good. Generally desperate for attention, and he doesn't care where he gets it.

Oh well then, that's good to know, he supposes. If Vanadi doesn't like the fist approach, maybe he should try the pheromone approach. Not yet though. ]

Do you want me to fix it or not?

[ He hesitates, hovering behind and watching his mask with obvious concern. But he is going to have to find someone to fix it... if it can happen right here, then there's no need to leave without it. He glances up at him doubtfully. ]

Can you?

Only one way to find out.

[ goes to find himself some tools, and while you're here anyway... ]

Didn't you say you were a decent chef? I'd sort of prefer it if your trip to my place wasn't entirely pointless.

You punch me, break my mask, and then want me to cook for you?

[ ...Which isn't to say he won't, just that he wants to bitch about it. Vanadi sighs, glancing away, and runs a hand through his hair again. Being angry doesn't achieve anything of value. ]

What supplies have you?

[ you're right--they did have a moment there, it's just that vanadi ruined it when he got too close and than revealed that he had lied about something pretty important just in order to get close. it was a knee-jerk reaction which meant nothing in the end, and Adam's not really in the mood to argue or let this linger.

so hold on a second as he picks the right pheromones for your personality type and prepares his smooth-talker act. whatever he says now is going to sound absolutely reasonable and honest in your ears.]

Look--I can understand you're angry, but I didn't punch you or broke your mask intentionally. The thing is--you had me backed into a corner, and lied to me about something important in order to gain access to my private space and receive the attention you so desperately crave. One step at a time. If you don't adhere to that principle, people will become defensive and reflexively lash out at you. I'm sure you're smart enough to understand that and not hold a grudge over it.

[ yes perfect. As for the supplies..... how about cereal. and milk. and booze--but no, he has some stuff there, though only the basics. why don't you make some really amazing pancakes or something? ]

[ ...Oh. Well. When he puts it so convincingly like that, Vanadi can't help but feel a wash of guilt. That's true, really, all of it. He's been awfully rude — and anything unpleasant had only begun after Vanadi himself had kicked it off with a lie. His ears droop and he glances away, any last remaining stiffness of annoyance fading out. ]

...Ah, yes. You're right. I'm sorry for the lie. [ He glances up again, looking a little pitiful. ] These— additions, they're very experimental in my world. I've never met someone else with anything like them, you see. I was only worried you'd refuse to let me nearer, if I was upfront.

[ Well looks like that worked. Now maybe he can sit down, work on getting that mask back into its proper form, and have a normal conversation. ]

You could have told me your real reason, told me that you're curious because you have something similar yourself. But for some reason you didn't. What is it? Are you worried about people backing off, even judging you if they knew what you were?

[ which he can understand to some degree; however it makes no sense if it's a person like Adam who's like that himself.

Anyway, he's examining the mask now-- hmm, he can probably just use his own brute strength to get it back into the right form... ]

[ He hovers a short ways behind Adam, watching the mask with some lingering nervousness. What if he bends it even more out of shape? What if he snaps the nose of it? He chews his lower lip, stomach twisting— and not just for the mask. ]

Of course I am. [ Like it's simple, like he's not sure why Adam would even ask. ] It— and I, by extension— [ Is hideous? A travesty, painful to look at? ] —Well, we're not pretty.

[ --Again, he can understand. But at some point Adam just stopped giving a shit. ]

You are what you are. Anyone who has a problem with it can go fuck themselves, to be frank. Would it make you feel better if I told you a lot of people in my world have a fetish for those with mechanical parts?

[ It's true--he thinks back to one brothel in particular that mostly offered augmented prostitutes, and those were really popular.

Hmm, a dent is probably going to remain but Adam's moving the mask into the right position to have the right grasp on it--and despite knowing better he dislocates his fingers again and it looks quite grotesque, but he's guaranteed to exert the right amount of pressure at the right points like this.

So yeah. Forcing it back into the right form, and he's not even breaking it. Vanadi will probably still have to find an expert to work on the the obvious dent (just say you ran into a wall or something) but at least he can wear it again. ]

Edited 2012-08-22 09:24 (UTC)

I suppose it would, if we were in your world. Ah, but nevermind that.

[ He watches with interest despite himself, moving a little closer to rest a forearm against Adam's shoulder and lean against it. He can't help some level of touchiness, it's just what he does. ]

Quite the trick. [ his don't do anything but pop out blades. :( ]

[ Well geez as long as it's just his arms... and Adam has cool ceramic blades too. Maybe they should compare whose are longer. ]

Hn.

[ He's not super happy with it yet so he fumbles a bit more with the mask until it's as close to its original shape as he can make it ~~like it's clay~~. He talks while doing so, ]

They're military grade. My prostheses, I mean. Their strength is augmented among other things. [ Fortunately, his other fingers don't remain dislocated once he's done. ]

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