Fifth | Audio

[strategic_guile]

[The feed cuts on and a voice starts up almost immediately.]

Soooo... [He pauses.]

I was gone for a week, like the Initiative said I would be, but I get back and it's been more like- [Hums a little, as if he's calculating it] -six weeks give or take, according to the network date here. It looks like everything caught on fire while I was gone, too. Go figure.

Not only that, but there's a flood of newbies, too, as well as people I missed from the last one. Anyone willing to give me an update? Or link me to where another thread that explains it would be fine, too.

Anyway, I'm Blaine. Good to meet the new people, and for the old crowd, I'm back.

[Feed cuts off]

[[Action available for Roommates or people who would seek him out to speak in person. All responses will be in Audio unless it's text.]]

Comments

[strategic_guile]

Too bad it doesn't work on anyone within a certain range. [Thoughtfully.]

I don't know if practicing more would help, but if you don't have that as your ability, will the control of your charm lapse?

[charming_jerk]

It might. But it ain't like somethin' easy to practice with.

I dunno. Probably. And I really don't wanna have that problem again.

[strategic_guile]

Well, you have to have people to practice on, especially if you want another power and have to learn to control your power without the Initiative's help.

[charming_jerk]

I asked for someone to help me practice once, and it turned into a big fuckin' deal. I mean, I can't blame anyone for not trustin' me. I sure as hell wouldn't trust some random asshole with a power like this. But I mean, people ain't exactly fallin' all over themselves to let me charm them intentionally.

[strategic_guile]

Yeah, I know. But now you know a few people you can ask personally instead of the population at large. You might even ask some of those mind-readers to stand-by in case something happens.

[charming_jerk]

Maybe. The last time I did this, the lady showed up with a lot of back-up. I only made her do some simple stuff, anyway.

[He thinks it over for a moment before shrugging.] I still think I'd rather stick to gettin' stronger at fightin', anyway. I'm more interested in that than charming people anyway.

[strategic_guile]

Not surprising.

[Waves a hand vaguely.] Well, yeah, but you need a backup. You don't have to choose either or. Have them both.

[charming_jerk]

I guess. I'll do whatever to make sure I don't die again. [On that thought, it was time for him to get another drink.]

[strategic_guile]

...die again? [His eyebrows lift as he watches Johnny get another beer. His own is full still.]

[charming_jerk]

[He flops down in his chair again, looking sullen.] I'm gonna give ya some free advice: don't die. It fucking sucks.

[strategic_guile]

[A small grunt. Don't need to tell him that.] That why you wanna learn guns?

[charming_jerk]

Part of it, yeah.

[A pause.]

We were really outclassed out there, man. If we don't all step up our game, we're done for.

[strategic_guile]

We're going to have to do more than step. Maybe some flying leaps.

[Finally takes a good pull from his bottle and sets it back down.] They're playing around with us. Once they get whatever it is that keeps them from blowing this place sky high, we're all gonna be dead.

[charming_jerk]

I don't even know what they're waiting for. We clearly proved how incompetent we are. Maybe they don't wanna bother. Maybe think they can sway us all to their side.

[strategic_guile]

I'm guessing they want something we have or we serve some kind of purpose for them. Maybe their AI has a sick sense of humor. Ours seems to be developing some sarcasm, and that was a month ago the last time I read it's replies.

[charming_jerk]

Maybe. My guess is we're useful to 'em. Like leadin' them to a whole planet they can take.

[He rubs his eyes.] I really hate this place sometimes.

[strategic_guile]

...yeah, we did do that, didn't we? [Rubs the bottom half of his own face where the five o'clock shadow is rearing its head.]

[charming_jerk]

Yep. Welcome back, huh.

[strategic_guile]

Fucking cheers to that. [Somewhat sarcastically as he lifts his beer in an unenthusiastic toast before take a few gulps.]