exsilium | 06 △ VIDEO

[ Video--coming from Adam's tablet for once, and not his retinal enhancements. it shows him, obviously in his messy apartment, and obviously... different from what one might be used to. he's neither properly dressed nor his usual stoic, composed, monotone self.

but most notably, the lenses of his shades--which are mounted to his head--are retracted. his eyes are visibly artificial. here's the usual gravely voice: ]

...And they keep dragging more and more people here. Or is that the machine malfunctioning again? Can't be sure anymore.

Anyway, hello. My name's Adam Jensen and I'm -- [ insert vague, dismissive gesture here--his hand, too, is artificial and looks like it's made out of black metal. ] ... who the fuck even cares. I'm the local oversized can opener. Hi.

[ if it wasn't obvious before that he's drunk, it's sure as hell now. ]

Given the uh, premise under which you all arrived here as well as the popularity of thought-provoking surveys lately, let's talk about a topic each of you surely can contribute to with a story or two. Since I couldn't help but notice that we're quite a miserable bunch of misfits. Exceptions prove the rule by the way.

[ pause, during which he reaches off screen... for his smoke. ]

So, broken dreams. There's a pretty catchy song on them by Green Day which I can only recommend. But before you scurry off to find it, why don't we share with the class why we're all so damn bitter, and not only since we ended up in this shithole. Though I guess the shithole made it worse, in some cases. I don't know. Getting it off your chest might have a soothing effect, or something.

[ another pause, and he seems pensive for a moment. ~~he might be able to offer alternative treatment methods for your troubles which may involve punching~~ ahem. ]

Here, I'll start. I was planning to get married not too long ago, start a family. I had the perfect girl, a decent job I liked and paid well, and then--then science happened.

[ a dry, humorless chuckle. ]

Gotta love science. Your turn.

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[Amal gives Adam an odd look at that, but doesn't press it. They just met, and he's dimly aware of already shitting all over his first impression as it is.]

Yeah, a lot of something, actually. Don't you?

Edited (typos) 2012-11-10 20:10 (UTC)

... I don't think so, no.

[ just a watery grave and a bitch of an ex-girlfriend... ]

[and then it clicks. oh. OH. this guy had problems well before he got here. it wasn't the Institute's "science" he was complaining about.

he knocks another back, then nods at the screen.]

So... what's your story?

I already summed it up quite nicely, I think.

Aside from that --

[ frowns, and looks at something off screen ]

Well, look at me.

Yeah, I noticed, with the... [gestures vaguely] Robot parts, or...?

[it sounds so absurd when he says it out loud. he can't quite bring himself to laugh about it, though.]

S... sorry. I probably sound like such an asshole right now.

Robot parts, yeah.

[ it is what it is. he shrugs. ]

Though most people would prefer the term augmentations. Or cybernetic enhancements.

[Amal still has the decency to feel bad, even if lucidity is becoming a rare commodity as he drinks.]

'S that what you prefer? I don't really know, I've never met anyone with anything more extreme than a few regular profs-- press-- Pluh!

[and a moment to get his tongue back under control...]

Prosthetics.

It would be more politically correct. Though I don't really care what you call them.

Anyway, that's my story.

[ talkative, isn't he. he just wanted to listen to other people's stories. ]

Well at least it's interesting. I mean, I was just on a road trip before I got sent here. Though I guess... if they weren't kidding about it really being the year 30-something now, it doesn't really matter if I get back to America or not.

'Interesting' isn't what I'd call it.

And before you try to get back to the US, you'd want to get back to your own time. If the guys in charge here are to be believed, there's nothing worthwhile out there right now, anyway.

Yeah. If they're to be believed. For all we know, people in the States found some way out of this mess, an' the... the Initiative are basically prison wardens. This whole fucking thing is just... aaaah.

It's all such a mess. There doesn't even seem to be a set time people are obligated to be here and help out, it's... I mean, how long have YOU been stuck here?

[ a mess alright. ]

About three months, give or take. Others have been here for almost a year.

06 △ VIDEO

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[video] late tag is late, so sorry!

[video] np!

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