06 | Audio

[implying]

I'm sorry to interrupt the, ah... that is, this isn't about any of — you know, the recent...

[ well this is a terrible start. A pause, an audible breath out, and he starts again. ]

I'm going to need... a programmer, I think. Anyone good with systems. That sort of thing.

[ LONG PAUSE. ]

Possibly Sollux. [ oh god kill him now. ]

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

Max is great! Go for Max! Or Kira, or even Robin?

[ private; ]

Vanadi, are you okay?

[implying]

How great, would you say?

[ private ]

I'm — going to be.

[whatsupcroc]

She's one of the people working on the spaceship. It's pretty advanced stuff -- to be fair, Kira is too, and that guy talking down there. Sollux is good with systems but he hates you so much that I don't want... to... see anything bad come out of that? I mean, only El seems that kind of mad with you existing than Sollux does.

[ private; ]

Then you're not right now. What's the problem?

[implying]

Mm, thank you, then. I'll consider that.

[ private ]

[ god how do you dodge such a direct question ]

It's... ah, well...

[ .......by just trailing off and never picking up again, apparently. ]

[whatsupcroc]

Mmkay! Good luck.

[ private; ]

Vanadi! Talk, please. I'm going to make a really grumpy face at you and track you down and sing really annoying songs at you otherwise! And if that doesn't work I'll text you all the words to the United States Constitution forever.

( Forever. )

private!

[implying]

Collette — please. When I have it sorted out, I'll go over as much as you like.

[ no he totally won't, but hey at least it'll put this off until later ]

private!

[whatsupcroc]

( She goes quiet for a beat. )

I don't think you're telling me the truth.

( She's pushing, and she knows it, but with how he's been lately -- she feels she has to, or maybe he will shut her out, he's been so weird since the disaster with Elmer's world that he wasn't even involved with. It can't be more of that, so -- what is it?

Man, to be a mind reader sometimes! )

[implying]

[ well... he could always give her a partial truth... ]

...You know what happened to Adam.

[whatsupcroc]

( She's quiet again. )

A lot of things happened to Adam.

[implying]

Mm. And you know why they did, too.

[whatsupcroc]

Can you actually program against that? Program to defend against something hijacking your cybernetic system?

( Because she's scared that program isn't one that keeps Vanadi around. If this is what it's about. )

[implying]

[ yes this is an acceptable version of the truth, this will do. back to fabricating. ]

I think so.

[whatsupcroc]

( Lying, Vanadi, is such a terrible place to fall back to. )

When will you know? What happens if you can't?

[implying]

I'll know shortly — and I'll tell you when I find out, I promise.

[ no answer to that second one, though ]

[whatsupcroc]

( She notices -- but she doesn't want more bad news. It's making her feel pessimistic, and that's really someone else's role. )

Between everyone we have here, and you, you'll get it figured out! I know it. Have faith, or something like that. We've got good people here!

It'll be okay.

[implying]

Mm. Yes, it will be.

[whatsupcroc]

Pinky swear?

[implying]

[ does this sound hollow, or is it just the audio quality ]

Of course.

[whatsupcroc]

Liar.

( must be both. )

Just don't turn it into a habit. Your made up stories aren't half as fun as mine.

( She makes herself sound light at the end. It's just hard, recently, having faith -- but she has to have it. In some form or another. )

[implying]

[ a pause ]

With you — I'll do my best.

[whatsupcroc]

Please do! I don't want to lose... anyway, just try your best. I'll try my best, too. Even for the ugly stuff.

( He matters, and she's -- so sure it's a sign of losing him. She hates how that makes her feel. )