exsilium | 06 △ VIDEO

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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[She looks away for a moment, brows raised, lips pursed, and cants her head; an expression of mock-disbelief.

--Yes, she was just about to get a quip in. Smooth, Adam. She gets him afterwards.]

I come over here to knock some sense into you and I get drinks, a hot shower and a free meal in exchange.

[And a half-naked guy, but she'll keep that opinion to herself as she strides past him.]

It's almost too good to be true.

Perhaps you just need to suspend your disbelief, then.

[ Because Adam can be a gentleman on occasion. Apparently. Flirting with her also is a very nice distraction even if he doesn't expect it to go anywhere, but hey.

So while she claims the bathroom Adam will occupy himself in the kitchen. Preparing pasta is easy enough (can you burn pasta?!), although Samus should probably not expect anything too fancy.

He'll also try to clean up... at least a little... while he waits for the water to boil. And not use a certain augmentation to peek into the next room. ]

[It's difficult to miss the ruined mirror in his bathroom. Her many shattered reflections frown back at her and like before she doesn't debate long what caused it. It served as a reminder how she even got here, stripping her clothes and taking advantage of his shower. This evening had been something of a mood roller coaster (not necessarily a bad one) with the most recent moments of it questioning the current nature of her relationship to Adam.

Samus had to question it because she couldn't easily figure it out, especially with both of them being so deadpan about it. Uncertainty and lack of clarity with all those implications and innuendo ironically only made her want to pry further.

She could at least assess that she enjoyed his company, had things in common, was concerned for his well-being and she felt comfortable around him enough to ease physical barriers, not that Samus was very ashamed of her body to begin with. Not arrogant or vain, but confident with who she was (and obviously to parade around in a skin-tight blue bodysuit without giving any damn). That didn't mean that Adam had earned a free pass with her, but subtly was probably an effective way to worm under the proverbial armor she wore. Tonight had demonstrated quite a bit of that, whether either of them was completely aware of it or not.

She's deep in thought, shifting weight from one leg to the other as the beads of water roll off her skin and as the steam builds around her in thick billows--not unusual for Samus.]

Edited 2012-11-17 11:21 (UTC)

[ He can hear the water running--by now it's clear she's taken him up on his offer. It's not exactly the first time she's here or using his bathroom, so he doesn't feel as self-conscious about it. Besides, she's seen him at his worst and almost naked, so there's really very little he can be ashamed of anymore at this point.

And that's kind of nice. It doesn't usually end well when he tries to be something he isn't. Be like James, for example--he'd probably just walk into the bathroom now and try to fuck her. Adam, meanwhile, is struggling even taking so much as a look--despite the fact that he wouldn't even see anything new (her suit really had left nothing to the imagination, like a second layer of skin).

So, he's simply concentrating on what he's doing, even though that's another thing he's not very good at--but he won't be trying to cook a multi course dinner anytime soon anyway, which might or might not end up impressing someone.

He leans against a kitchen counter, waiting for the pasta to cook, mulling things over and inspecting one of his own hands for what feels like the umpteenth time. He harbors disgust but also a certain kind of fascination for it. Some people even find these attractive and instriguing. He wonders what Samus thinks.

... Feels good to have someone around, anyway. He had always started to feel lonely quickly when Megan's projects had kept her away from home for extended periods of time, and he would be there in an empty place, alone, after a rough day at work, with no one to talk to except the equally abandoned dog--sitting with Kubrick in front of the TV, waiting and falling asleep.

But of course, he was always patient and waited. He'd already waited for years before--what were a few more weeks or months.

By the time Samus is done, so will be the pasta and Adam is preparing some sort of... tomato sauce. Of course he's got no real tomatoes around so he's improvising by using a can of tomato soup because tomatoes are tomatoes, right.

He'd be using the shower after they were done eating--he probably still reeks of booze. ]

[She's not picky. She'd eat dead things off the ground provided they weren't dead very long, and preferably if she was the one that killed them.

When she finishes she does her best to towel dry her hair, but she knows tying it up while wet will just keep her head heavy. She comes out dressed (coat disregarded as she entered, so only a simple shirt and pants), hair down and with the towel around her neck. She's not sure if Adam has a towel for himself but she suspects he'll make it known if that's not the case.]

[ Oh, he should still have one around here... somewhere. If not in the bathroom, then somewhere in his bedroom, probably on top of a huge pile of dirty clothes.

She returns just in time for him to serve to dinner. He acknowledges her with a look, though it lasts a few seconds longer than usual because of her hair. ]

... I hope you eat pasta.

[ Because if not he's got a problem. He places both plates down on the table. Once they're both situated, he'll ask the following in an attempt to pick up conversation again, ]

How old are you? I know you don't usually ask a woman that, but you're not exactly... usual. So I hope you don't mind.

I'm not picky.

[It's... very strange being served food, and doesn't dig in immediately despite a moderate hunger making itself known as the aroma makes its way to her nose. Samus is very independent and has always prided herself on being self-sufficient. Not that she suspects he's poisoned it or something that dramatic but she's simply aware of the notion that this was... nice. It was nice.

Eventually she does dig in, purposefully lingering on an answer as she chews her food. No, you usually don't ask a woman that, but she doesn't seem to mind.]

Twenty six.

[She's never put deep thought into how her genetics might affect her age--she was imbued with a species who's very plight was their longevity. She would probably look (and feel) youthful for a very long time.]

I was about sixteen when I joined the Federation. Usually they don't accept them so young but I was... exceptional.

[She twirls her fork around the pasta and puts another helping into her mouth, before pointing at him with the cleaned fork. Table manners aren't a thing she's ever been very acquainted with either--again, for living such a solitary life.]

You're a little older than me, aren't you?

[She wasn't sure by how much exactly.]

Edited 2012-11-18 00:17 (UTC)

Yeah, I can tell.

[ To the 'exceptional' part. But exceptional is good, because 'normal' was seldom enough and his relationships with ordinary girls had never lasted long for this reason.

Although he's not sure how much importance the career part has these days, for him. Back then he'd been pretty proud of how high he'd climbed the ladder. ]

I'm gonna be thirty-five next year... I think.

[ Who knows how that works in this screwed up place, anyway. Truthfully he expected her to be a bit older, even if she doesn't look it. Like this she's almost ten years younger... ]

My youth wasn't very eventful. Went to highschool, then college. Joined the local police department when I was done with my education.

[ He's staring at his plate as he says this, eating slowly. ]

[Nearly ten years... Not that this bothered her. Samus was somewhat robbed of her childhood--a young girl thrust into an adult world very fast, caught up in orders and responsibilities and the knowledge that she would one day have the weight of the universe on her shoulders. It shouldn't come as a surprise then that she would naturally be drawn to and generally associated with men (and other species for that matter) much older than her--admired and respected their age and experience--more on her level than most individuals her age might have been.]

You'll have to tell me your birthday then, so I can embarrass you.

[Not that she really would; teasing is harmless and embarrassment enough, she figures.

Samus observes his lack of eye contact. It seems like that's more of a touchy territory than her parents, though she is rendered very curious.]

After that you went into private security, right? You must have had an impressive record.

If you tell me yours. It's sometime in March.

[ He pokes at his pasta. It's not nearly as bad as it could be, but then again it's probably really hard to screw up pasta. ]

Not exactly. I quit SWAT. That's Special Weapons and Tactics.

[ Though the news liked to put their own spin on it and claim he was fired. Didn't matter. ]

There was... an incident, involving an augmented kid. He was out of his mind because he suffered withdrawal symptoms. Usually, you need to take a drug called Neuropozyne or your body will reject your augmentations, but it's not exactly cheap.

[ A beat. ]

Hurt a number of civilians, and it looked like it was going to get worse. In the end, my superiors gave me the order to shoot to kill. Which I refused.

[ A humorless smirk, and he's pausing for a while to feed himself and let that sink in. He's sure Samus can imagine the aftermath herself. ]

The only reason I even got another job after that was because of my then-girlfriend's contacts.

... Soon. [Like two days ago but she has found the date meaningless and would be reminded of the fact it passed without her realizing it, yet again, without a calendar right in front of her to consult.]

It's soon.

[Samus idly wonders if he needs this Neuropozyne, but saves that question for later, as it is all too easy for her to imagine the ramifications of his actions in a situation like that. Her most recent mission went resulted in something like that. The Federation held their trials and tribulations after she did what she did, which hurt, especially given how many years of loyalty she had given them otherwise.]

...Then I think you have an impressive record. [It's said slowly and without any sarcasm; there's even a smile on her lips, tiny but sincere.]

Sometimes it takes a stronger man to not pull the trigger.

[She stares off for a moment, lips parted, as if she were to elaborate and recount her own experiences. She's dirtied her hands before, and it never gets any easier knowing when it is and isn't for the best to pull that trigger. Shooting a child was something she could never attest to doing, even a dangerous one. Her lips close.]

You had a girlfriend?

[ENTIRELY INNOCENT QUESTION.]

[ ... Well he didn't expect her to ask about that, of all things, and it throws him off for moment... so he keeps poking at the noodles. Somehow he thought the Neuropozyne or his job might have been more interesting to ask about.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP AT THAT AGE ISNT EXACTLY... UNUSUAL. ]

... Well, yeah. The one I was going to marry. [ Okay let's make this sound innocent although he's already drunkely rambled more details to other people, hopefully Samus didn't see that. ] But she was more in love with [ his genes ] her work than with me, so it didn't last. [ He shrugs--nonchalantly, and quickly tries to change the topic. ]

I take it you don't have time for relationships either? And I'm not gonna be left guessing when it comes to your birthday, I hope.

[Digging up details is a favorite pastime of hers, and she'll be sure to return to his post after she leaves to finish the job. This was a nice way to get him to elaborate a little more on her very innocent question and she almost wishes she hadn't.]

Nn... [She frowns and looks away, muttering.] No time... and collateral damage. [Everyone she knew DIED... the subject change is of course welcome.]

The eighth, actually.

[She shovels more food in her mouth and then cranes her neck, looking around his apartment for a clock, a calendar a--oh.]

...two daffs agoff.

[Samus finish your food. She looks mildly disappointing for all of about two seconds then shrugs it off.]

Edited 2012-11-18 02:57 (UTC)

[ He's almost tempted to tell her how he can't imagine that she doesn't have SOMEONE following her around like a puppy, but she seems uncomfortable and like she's hiding something so he isn't going to prod. The CASIE might be more precise about it but he can tell at least that much on his own, so it's probably best to drop that subject altogether. ]

...

[ Samus did nobody tell you that a lady isn't supposed to speak with her mouth full. ]

And here I thought I was the only one who manages to forget about his own birthday. Does that make you twenty-seven, then?

[ A small smile. ]

There any wish I could grant on the spot? Happy belated birthday, by the way.

[She's ironically not very lady like, as her Adam would eventually note. While Samus doesn't quite care for the date any more or much of its meaning, she can appreciate birthday wishes.]

Thanks.

[She returns the smile then stares down at the pasta and twirls her fork around and around, in thought. She wasn't a materialistic woman at all. She commended actions, not possessions.]

A nice home cooked meal, for once.

Got the 'home cooked' part down at least. As for nice...

[ Adam shrugs. It's certainly edible--despite his improvising--, but even he can tell that it's sort of... boring. ]

I'm still working on that.

[ Or not, because he's lazy and will never ever have enough stuff in his kitchen to actually attempt a decent meal.

He finishes up eating after a while. ]

There's still some left if you want more. [ Or maybe she wants a CEREAL DESSERT. ] I'm gonna get a shower. Make yourself at home.

[ So that's when he gets up to head for the bathroom. ]

[It's certainly not impressive, but she wouldn't be eating it if she didn't like it to some degree.

She nods as he leaves for the shower, finishes eating and deposits the dishes in the sink.

After she hears the water come on it slowly dawns on her that hadn't really expected to stay this long. Then again she wasn't exactly sure what she was expecting coming over to a drunk man's home.

Naturally, she's drawn back to his workbench and hovers over it. The projects he seems to have going on are a little more archaic than his own technology. She has a similair fondness and interest in mechanical tinkery, though hers was born more out of necessity and then over time grew into something more resembling of a hobby (for whatever free time she actually managed in-between missions). It was fun trying to figure things how things worked, and why; machines had clear cut purpose and intentions. They could be modified, refurbished, rebuilt, repaired, redesigned...

People weren't like that at all, and consequently much more difficult to figure out...]

[ Being augmented does have a few perks. For example, he can keep tracks of Samus' movements and even outright watch her while he is standing in the shower. Somehow, it doesn't feel wrong at all to do it if she's not in the bathroom herself.

He stops anyway, after a bit. It's not like there's anything interesting or too revealing for her to find, anyway, and he should concentrate on washing the smell of booze off his own body.

And get a clear head.

After about fifteen minutes, he's done and emerges out of the bathroom--unfortunately not much more dressed than before, seems like he's comfortable walking around like this in his own home even when he got Samus as a visitor now. He's only got an added towel around his neck now, much like she did before, and is still pretty... wet. ]

I thought you would have gone home by now.

[She twists around, eyes flitting over his wet, bare form very briefly. She seems to catch herself doing it too and averts her eyes, responding with a quick quip.]

That was hardly a long shower, Jensen.

[ Look at all that shiny, wet black metal. ]

It was, for a guy.

[ Though he wonders if he caught her in the act with something because that question seems kind of odd. ]

Adam is fine.

[ Wow, that's the first time he offers someone the first name basis. Everyone else just calls him Adam without asking! (And yes it usually bothers him.) ]

[Right. For a guy. Uh huh.]

...Adam.

[She tries the name out, and it unsurprisingly rolls off her tongue with ease, and for that very reason she frowns. Using someone's last name was a convention of sorts for her to remain impersonal. Professional. Distant. If you read between those subtle lines, you could usually tell how close Samus was to someone by what name she called them by. She assumed this was a typical convention of anyone with a background similair to her own, and finds this offering of his first name... warm.]

My former commanding officer's name was Adam.

[She offers as an explanation for the frown, sure he wouldn't miss it, or that past-tense. His was a name she referred to closely.

In spite of that she doesn't seem to let it affect her too long, managing eye contact and with a sort of bittersweet reprieve in her voice.]

It's a good name.

[ ... Oh. Well. That certainly explains the frown, though there's no way he could have known... but from the sound of it, Samus seems to have been on good terms with her commander, so maybe it's nothing to worry about. ]

Glad you think so, though I hope you're not mentallly comparing me to him.

[ Now he frowns. There was something about the way she said it. ]

You liked him?

[ Saying this, he wanders past Samus to pick up his pack of smokes--hope Samus doesn't mind. ]

[She scrunches her nose, expression twisted into something unreadable, but very marked in response.]

...Adam Malkovich was a gruff, harsh, man with a brilliant military mind, and was relentless in criticism... but he was not a machine obsessed with duty. He was... almost like a father figure.

[There's definite begrudging respect in the way she speaks of him.]

I ultimately defected from his unit to pursue a more flexible career. One where I wasn't constricted by orders or rules.

That doesn't answer my question, you know.

[ But he'll let it be. He can tell she thought about this a lot though, if the guy wasn't somehow important, she wouldn't have brought him up to begin with. A name was just a name, after all, and Adam isn't a particularly uncommon one given some people's obsession with religious themes. ]

Can't blame you, anyway. Sometimes rules just get in the way of what really matters.

[ He pulls a cigarette out of his pack, to place it between his lips and light it. ]

[He would know all about that too, wouldn't he?

She's going to cross her arms and favor being vague and mysterious with a subject that heavy, for now. She lets her eyes drift over his body very briefly again, though her eyes settle on his cigarette. Alcohol was her vice of choice, and that tended to come with hazy smoke-filled bars so she didn't mind it, but it was kind of, you know, unhealthy. Adam.]

That doesn't tar up your augs?

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