exsilium | ‡2nd Treasure‡

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‡2nd Treasure‡

[This time Chloe's set up in her room instead of the chilly rooftop perch where she'd made her initial broadcast. One, it's cozier, and two-- well, two is that she's still busy enjoying the little collection of trinkets and coins that've been acquired over both the course of her stay in the city and their brief expedition into the past. (The most important of the bunch being Henry's Morgan dollars, currently being rolled over her fingertips as she addresses the net.)]

Well that was a wild ride, wasn't it? Here's hoping we get sent out on destination holidays a little more often. Shame about the mess here, though. Seems like everyone's had a hard time of things this week.

Just goes to show how much we all ought to be watching one another's backs, no matter what kind of a disaster it might be out there.

Speaking of which...[Chloe sets her coin collection down for a moment to hold up a slightly defunct looking digital tablet. Poor thing's seen much, much better days.] Anyone out there know a thing or two about computers? I'm trying to save this one from the scrap heap, but it's been giving me one hell of a time.

I also figured it was about time I put out the call again. If you need something found-- doesn't matter what-- my crew and I are willing to get it for you. Our rates are fair, and trust me, with as lovely a place as this is, you might as well have someone out managing the more tedious tasks for you.

And Koltira, you still owe me. Fifty for the last job, fifty as a down payment on this one. Try not to make me regret placing a little faith in you, yeah?

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[ And he's just doing it to stay on top of things and eliminate threats before they arise okay!! Totally fair intentions. ]

Rewards have never been my primary concern. I won't say no to them, but ...

[ Shruuug again. Since when has he ever been in this for the money, ha ha, poor as he is. ]

The little things. I didn't go into law enforcement for a massive paycheck.

[ And taking another sip, and oh--empty glass now. Well well, now he's gotta pause for a little. ]

So why did you, then? [Doesn't matter if this is part of her current job, there's genuine curiosity when it comes to his past. He's not at all what she'd expected-- no self-righteous, judgmental tendencies, no sense of entitlement, not even the slightest hint of suspicion when it comes to her motives (that she can detect, anyway) though maybe that's because with all those metal bits stuck to him, he doesn't have much to fear from anyone.

Either way, he's made a good enough impression for her to not have to play at giving a damn.]

The same reason most young people do. Ideals. [ A pause. Of course there's always those who just want to feel high and mighty, but thank god those weren't the majority. ] I grew up in a shitty neighborhood--lots of bangers--and I wanted to do something about it. Make it a little safer for everyone. Including my family and friends.

[ He leans back, until he hits the backrest. ]

Of course it's not uncommon for most officers to end up disappointed and disillusioned over time. Most government institutions are ripe with corruption. [ and where he's from, its the corporations pulling the strings anyway, so its twice as bad ... ]

[Ideals. Funny how she knew a similar situation in her younger years and never once thought about a different route. Maybe because she never really had anyone to protect.]

That they are. Funny how the line tends to blur, isn't it?

[Chloe waves down the waitress yet again, getting Adam a refill whether he wants one or not.] And now you monitor things here for the very same reason.

[ How nice. He would've settled for water. Anyway, watch him not touching that glass for a while even if it is really damn tempting. ]

Not much else I can do with my employer gone. Unless you're suggesting I stop meddling.

[ BUT ENOUGH ABOUT HIM. ]

So what kind of things do you usually find for others.

[Now that wins him a very telling grin.] I don't have any plans to stop, I don't see why I should bother telling anyone else to.

I can't list specifics-- matter of privacy, you understand. But so far nothing remarkable. Hell, there's really nothing remarkable to find.

Sort of a letdown when you go from digging up Mayan treasures to fetching scraps of metal, or cheap plastic 'antiques', but it is what it is.

[ Wait is he talking to Lara Croft here. ]

Mayan treasures? You're the Indiana Jones type?

[ snort. ]

I can see how this shithole would be sort of disappointing in that case, then. I'm sure the world beyond this island has more to offer, despite the disrepute.

Uh-huh. No whip, no giant boulders, but everything else is pretty spot-on.

Even so, you won't catch me venturing out into that mess. Not on my own, anyway. Seems like more trouble than it's worth.

Sounds exciting.

And looks like it. If what the Initiative is saying about them is true, we probably won't make it very far.

[ Still damn tempting though. What's the worst that could happen, dying? Please. ]

Hm. [ He seems to be thinking about something and finally reaches for his glass again. ] I'm not exactly after treasure, but 'antiques' might be an apt descriptor. I'm sure there's much to be found amidst the rubble.

No doubt. Not everyone's kind of job, but it's one hell of a way to die.

[She takes a long gulp of her own before bothering to engage his second topic.] There is. What sort of things are you after? More technology to add to the collection, I take it?

[ He shakes his head, slowly. ] Furniture mostly. Wind-up clocks. [ A beat. ] Are you familiar with James Bond? The spy, not the guy running around here somewhere.

[ And he takes a long sip here, looking over his glass and at her. ]

Not...what I was expecting to hear.

[She laughs at the mention of Bond.] You kidding? Who isn't? Lucky bastard must've had some fantastic parents, giving him a name like that.

Sorry. I'm not really looking for treasures, but there are some things I like and which I'm missing. I could give you some more specifics and if you find anything like that, let me know--I'll pay.

As for Bond--

[ oh yes he does have some plans. Drinking again. ]

My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately he seems to be pretty oblivious to the legacy of his own name, so I wanted to educate him a little. So if you happen to stumble upon anything that has his name on it...

[ CASINO ROYALE BLU-RAY/DVD, PLS. ]

Edited 2012-09-23 20:29 (UTC)

No, I meant-- ah, nevermind.

Sure, I'll give it a go. Might take me a while, but we couldn't be in a better place to dig up a little Bond memorabilia.

I'd ask if I should bother contacting you if anything turns up, but you keep such a close watch on things I doubt I really have to, do I?

Well, despite what some people think, I'm not a machine. Sometimes I miss things.

It's not a terribly pressing matter, though. But I'm sure you come across a lot of stuff that might seem useless at first glance during your other jobs. There's probably a good chance I'll be interested in some of that.

You don't seem like much of one to me.

[A sigh] I dunno, I just assumed someone with as much focus as you have would be business oriented.

Don't worry, I'll keep you in mind if anything turns up. [And with that she tosses a bit of money onto the table to cover their drinks, standing up as she gets ready to head off.] Just answer me one thing, cowboy...

Then you're one of the few that think that way.

[ Oh sure, he won't stop her. He might remain here though and drink a bit more IT'S OKAY WHEN HE'S ALONE he just doesn't want to make an ass out of himself by getting drunk while in company. ]

Shoot.

Let's just say I prefer to be objective when it can be helped.

I know you've got the best intentions when it comes to this place, so I won't bother bullshitting you about it: You put something in that program, didn't you?

[ ... Well, she's smart. But his expression doesn't waver, although she's right, sort of. ]

Like what, a virus? [ Pauses for a sip. ] Even if I wanted to, I lack the technical know-how. I didn't put anything in it.

[ Now, if she asked him a different question ... but there's no way she'd know, so. ]

You didn't download it, I take it.

Hell no, I didn't. Wasn't born yesterday.

[A snort] You tell me you lack the technical know-how, but you're capable of managing encryption on that level? Not really buying it, love. Not unless there's something else here I don't understand.

Throwing together a simple encryption like that isn't exactly rocket science. [ There's just a hint of annoyance in his voice. ] I was referring to a library of prewritten codes--I didn't really create anything new.

That's my only 'crime', if you even want to call it that.

[ And that's all he'll be saying. ]

[She could pick a worse time to laugh, but she's not much for holding back on anything, really, so she chuckles and gives him a hard, dude-bro-ish nudge to the shoulder. Who cares about personal space, anyway?]

Crime. Yeah. They'll be beating the door down to get to you any second now.

Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, mate. If there's something I'm curious about, I ask, simple as that. You can't blame me for being skeptical, can you?

[ Hmph. He even tolerates being nudged. ]

I'm not blaming you for being wary or skeptical at all. It'll keep you alive. But you probably also know what they say about cats and curiosity.

[ There is the smallest TINIEST HINT OF A SMILE but it's.... gone right the next second. Sob Adam, smile more. ]

Anyway, you are probably busy. Thanks for the drinks. And the conversation.

[Hey, it's enough. That kind of humor wins you points in her book.]

Which is why we always keep eight other lives stocked away just in case.

[And with that she trots off with a wave over her shoulder. Later, ace.]

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‡2nd Treasure‡

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