08 △ VIDEO

[neveraskedforthis]

[ This is a video post! But you don't actually see the scruffy guy talking this time, aside from maybe parts of mechanical limbs and a trail of cigarette smoke—yeah, some cyborgs can pull of tricky feats like broadcasting what they see with their own artificial retinas. Cool shit. He seems to be looking outside the window—not a whole lot of festive decorations in the street, phew—, so probably nothing interesting here for you guys, which means you're more or less forced to listen. ]

So, Christmas. Doesn't seem to be a big deal in this time and place compared to 21st century America, which I'm actually kinda grateful for. Bigger problems, after all... [ Because wow Christmas sure sucks when your family is dead and you don't have a partner. ] Bet the majority of you don't even know what it's all about. Personally I just care about eggnog right now -- and so should you if you like having something good to drink.

[ Priorities. Adam's downplaying this a lot but he still got a select few people gifts... speaking of gifts. ]

Oh yeah, I think somebody forgot this at my place...

[ And with this, he means a black lace C cup bra, which he's dangling in front of his own eyes. ]

Unless this is supposed to be a gift. I'm not sure what to do with it. Might wanna come here and pick it up before I get rid of it or give it to someone else -- it being Christmas and all.

[ Adam sounds remarkably indifferent despite the implications. He's so gonna get spanked for this and that's actually exactly what he wants AHEM. Anyway, there's a private text message tacked onto this later—for Vanadi. ]

You too.

[ Yeah, just that. ]


(( ooc: also, linking Adam's CASIE permissions post again c: ))

Comments

[neveraskedforthis]

Or perhaps some people don't feel the need to brag about 'heroics'.

[deathwarder]

A man without an ego? That's a real novelty, where I'm from.

[neveraskedforthis]

Oh I won't argue that they're a rare subspecies, depending.

[ a pause. ]

More importantly though, I resent the notion of treating women like they're something to be conquered and then worn like a medal. Where -- no, when are you from, the dark ages?

[deathwarder]

I am a lord of the courts and a servant of the kings that rule them. Affairs with women are simply another matter of politics, no more worth batting a lash at than anything else.

[ He dons a suggestive smile. ]

I see no harm in indulging what is offered to me freely. Of course, I would never just take... I am not a lord without manners.

[neveraskedforthis]

...So, the dark ages.

[ To sum it up. Of course, being from ~the future~, Adam is used to something else. And a girlfriend that was significantly higher up on the career ladder and more successful than himself. ]

You might not have much luck with that mindset in this day and age, just as a heads-up.

[deathwarder]

Hmmmm.

[ His eyes narrow, wandering away to some invisible point off-screen. ]

You might be surprised. But I won't disagree. Dark is certainly an apt term to describe them...

[neveraskedforthis]

...

[ He has to wonder. Even without the AR display of his social interaction enhancer, Adam's just been getting bad vibes from this guy the whole time. Beyond general prickliness. ]

Dark in more ways than one, I assume.

[deathwarder]

[ His gaze flicks back to Adam's, studying him. Cryptically, after a moment: ]

We are all products of our times. Such is the way of the world.

Such is life.

[neveraskedforthis]

Wise words. You're a real poet.

[ ... default kneejerk response. But--]

Being a fine example myself, I guess I can't disagree on that.

[deathwarder]

I am His Majesty's highest counsel. My wisdom means the difference between victory and death... no room exists to consider the graying shades of morality. What must be done will be done.

But I have a feeling you already know that.

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Hmmm... ]

I do what I must to get the job done. Justifying that can of course be a bit tricky -- and tiresome. Guess that's why I never really fit in with the law enforcement agencies.

You didn't have these problems, I take it?

[deathwarder]

I have no such problems because I make attachments to no one, save my king. Women, men, what does it matter? Everyone has a use. A purpose. And in my position, I must make the most of the resources I possess. Surely you understand that beyond this...

[ His face darkens. ]

...there is no point in overly investing yourself in the affairs of others. It is a sacrifice made of one who is sworn to duty over personal desire.

Perhaps, then, the so-called dark ages are not as backward as you might believe in their attitudes.

[neveraskedforthis]

[ A brief moment of silence, which may come off as contemplative. On the side he's running a little background check in the archive (which means previous posts) and any connected private conversations he might attempt to hack later, black dragon magic permitting. For now though, he sticks with a more straightforward approach, although he really has to hold himself back here from saying the things he really wants to say. ]

Really now...

[ That bit is said with disdain and here it might look like he's ending the conversation abruptly, but he's actually just slapping a filter on it. A really good one. ]

Sorry about that. I was just recently hired by the police department -- well, more like their poorly executed attempt of it -- so I can't just go and say, 'oh wow, I thought it was just me' where everyone can see. I'm not overly invested in history, admittedly, so it's interesting.

[deathwarder]

[ Prestor hardly seems perturbed by the announcement; in fact, he seems amused more than anything else, that infuriating smile returning to his lips. The sudden shift to a filter does catch his attention, however, and so he'll be leaning back the slightest bit...

And subtly making certain in the background that any such attempts at hacking will be met with a nasty surprise, all the while speaking in a smooth tone that betrays none of this. The man could follow the scent to his heart's content, but he would not like where it ended. That much he was certain of. Everyone had their uses.

It was time to discover his. ]

Oh? Should I start calling you officer? Constable? It does have a certain ring to it.

[ It's said playfully enough, but... ]

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Yeah, he'll take his time with that one. Better to proceed with caution, but you can hardly blame a guy for looking up info on his fellow transports. ]

Nah. Too much paperwork and I'd be fired again before long. I take care of office security, and that's it. It's at least somewhat entertaining and occasionally insightful, if nothing else.

[deathwarder]

[ Prestor certainly can. Rifling through his personal dossier is a no-no, Adam. You'll find out just how much of a no-no if you delve too deeply.

Prestor makes a neutral "mmm" sort of noise at the small talk, then opts to cut straight to the chase. ]

I'm not sure a filter was truly necessary here. You would not be the first to voice complaints of the Initiative's authority, regardless of your position. Worse has been said of their ability to police the population, and far worse has certainly been done.

[ An ever so polite way of putting I'm onto you. ]

Is there something else you're after, by chance? Something you're seeking?

[neveraskedforthis]

[ What are you gonna do, slap him on the hands? ]

I'm aware of that. I'm sure a man of your rank knows a thing or two about keeping up appearances, and that's all I'm going to say on the matter.

[ Look at me, going on the defensive. ]

--Strange question. I mean, everyone's after something.

[ there's materialistic things and then ideas--]

[deathwarder]

[ Try curse you with magic that burns so badly you'll be washing off the charred skin for days. That's the nasty thing about magic wards, really, they're so hard to trace, so hard to detect until the moment the trap has been sprung, and by then...

Well, you are going to behave yourself, aren't you? ]

My, it sounds like you're accusing me of being a politician. That's low.

[ Chuckling. Some nerve he's got, but that just makes this all the more interesting. ]

If you are so keen on having this discussion, an Initiative-operated network is not the ideal venue to do it. If you're still interested in a drink, I've more than plenty to sate your appetite here.

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Adam. Behave. Yeah right. ]

You don't need to be a politician to keep secrets. Just need a sharp, criticial mind, because of how judgmental people are. Including that chick I'm banging.

[ Sorry, Samus. ]

I'm not too worried about the network, given the ah... [ he trails off. sort of deliberately, like there was something he wanted to say but decided against in the last second. ] That's a nice offer. Got more wordly wisdoms to share, huh.

[deathwarder]

I always have plenty of things to share with my friends.

[ Friends being enunciated very deliberately. It's really all that needs to be said here. ]

[neveraskedforthis]

[ good. time to get himself into trouble. ]

Hm. I should be having a lady visitor in a bit, but I'll be free after that, in a day or two. I just need a time and place.

[deathwarder]

[ The same one, or... you know what, no, not having this conversation again. ]

No need. I will summon for you.

Assuming you haven't worn yourself out by then, of course.

[neveraskedforthis]

[ There's a brief, dry chuckle. ]

'Summon for me'?

[ That sounds only a little bit creepy. ]

[deathwarder]

[ What are you talking about? Prestor's practically a Boy Scout. Honest. ]

You really didn't think I was just some pencil-pushing bureaucrat, did you?

[neveraskedforthis]

... Not really, no.

Even so, given you're not my boss, I would rather not be 'summoned' at your whim, however you were planning on doing that.

[ yeah by now adam's kind of worried. but he's playing it cool like the cool guy he is. ]