Hi.
Can you see this?
Isn't it amazing?
[ he's EXCITED, it's a nice little distraction from everything else ]
Can you see this?
Isn't it amazing?
[ he's EXCITED, it's a nice little distraction from everything else ]
[ He switches to audio next, testing everything out. ]
No. Definitely not. [ He laughs. ]
I mean, we're likely not that far behind. Their tech is based on similar principals... [ he will now yammer on about the differences he's learning so far between Kartia's magitech and hextech unless she stops him ]
No. Definitely not. [ He laughs. ]
I mean, we're likely not that far behind. Their tech is based on similar principals... [ he will now yammer on about the differences he's learning so far between Kartia's magitech and hextech unless she stops him ]
[ Yeah, she's gonna let him ramble for a minute or two. It's adorable and it's...familiar, and lets her pretend for just a few moments that they're not where they are.
Well, that, and she does value his opinions, because if anyone knows what's possible back home-- ]
It's lucky that our technology isn't so dissimilar. It's making the transition bearable. [ It doesn't help her gnawing curiosity that there's some overlap but they'll get to that another time. ] How much of the device have you been able to get a handle on?
Well, that, and she does value his opinions, because if anyone knows what's possible back home-- ]
It's lucky that our technology isn't so dissimilar. It's making the transition bearable. [ It doesn't help her gnawing curiosity that there's some overlap but they'll get to that another time. ] How much of the device have you been able to get a handle on?
I still need to crack it open. Have to get my hands on some tools...
[ He received (1) hammer, so far. ]
I'd like not to break it trying, anyway.
[ He received (1) hammer, so far. ]
I'd like not to break it trying, anyway.
[ Oh. Hmm. ]
I guess it's possible.
[ From what he understands about the network itself, it's very possible...
Speaking of shady things - his voice takes on a grim tone. ]
They brought Silco here.
I guess it's possible.
[ From what he understands about the network itself, it's very possible...
Speaking of shady things - his voice takes on a grim tone. ]
They brought Silco here.
[ Oh, right. She probably should have told him about that... ]
I ran into him when we arrived. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
[ Not just what they spoke of, either. ]
To bring him, of all people. And that they were able to bring him back from the dead.
[ It's unsettling beyond belief, frankly. And, sure, they already could understand the depth of Patho-Gen's capabilities by using things like interplanetary travel, but this feels...deeper than all of that. ]
I ran into him when we arrived. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
[ Not just what they spoke of, either. ]
To bring him, of all people. And that they were able to bring him back from the dead.
[ It's unsettling beyond belief, frankly. And, sure, they already could understand the depth of Patho-Gen's capabilities by using things like interplanetary travel, but this feels...deeper than all of that. ]
Or the point in time just before he died.
[ Considering how none of their timelines synch up. Patho-Gen's mastery in that realm of quantum mechanics shouldn't be less worrying than their ability to resurrect people, but in this case...
Concern slips into his voice. ]
What did he say to you?
[ Considering how none of their timelines synch up. Patho-Gen's mastery in that realm of quantum mechanics shouldn't be less worrying than their ability to resurrect people, but in this case...
Concern slips into his voice. ]
What did he say to you?
He knows how to talk like a politician. He said a great deal of nothing because we both assumed we were being watched.
[ So, you know, posturing. Mel knows that game well enough, to speak a lot while only saying enough. ]
He did, however, offer up an alliance with me. Information for information. At the time, he was under the impression I was alone and with no allies, and likely desperate.
[ And that'd been part of the reason why she said yes. But now, it might just be the tether that helps her keep tabs on what he's doing - and what type of intel he's seeking out. ]
[ So, you know, posturing. Mel knows that game well enough, to speak a lot while only saying enough. ]
He did, however, offer up an alliance with me. Information for information. At the time, he was under the impression I was alone and with no allies, and likely desperate.
[ And that'd been part of the reason why she said yes. But now, it might just be the tether that helps her keep tabs on what he's doing - and what type of intel he's seeking out. ]
time is a weird soup, always reorganize however it makes sense 4 u
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wondrously
2025-04-02 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He almost interjects in the middle of that, but manages to keep his mouth shut long enough for her to finish. ]
I'm sure he enjoyed that. [ There's a hint of real venom in his tone, quick to fade. A pause, and he just sounds tired. ]
He's on the back foot. Trying to make deals with him isn't worth the trouble this time. He was making threats the second he opened his mouth, Mel.
I'm sure he enjoyed that. [ There's a hint of real venom in his tone, quick to fade. A pause, and he just sounds tired. ]
He's on the back foot. Trying to make deals with him isn't worth the trouble this time. He was making threats the second he opened his mouth, Mel.
Edited 2025-04-02 15:04 (UTC)
He threatened you?
[ Listen, she'll come back to telling him what she did, but she's going to just pause there a moment. So Silco had the audacity to make a deal with her and then knowingly turn around to have a go at Jayce?
Why did she even presume he'd do otherwise? ]
When was this? What happened?
[ Listen, she'll come back to telling him what she did, but she's going to just pause there a moment. So Silco had the audacity to make a deal with her and then knowingly turn around to have a go at Jayce?
Why did she even presume he'd do otherwise? ]
When was this? What happened?
The morning after they sent us to the arena.
[ After which, admittedly, he wasn't in the best state of mind (or body). There's a deep breath from his end of the audio. ]
I told him to keep away from us. [ - and made some threats of his own.
Reluctantly: ]
I let him get under my skin.
[ He shouldn't have. ]
[ After which, admittedly, he wasn't in the best state of mind (or body). There's a deep breath from his end of the audio. ]
I told him to keep away from us. [ - and made some threats of his own.
Reluctantly: ]
I let him get under my skin.
[ He shouldn't have. ]
He has a habit of doing that.
[ It's the smugness, the way his voice sounds so grating, like a knife scraping over bone. It was unnerving even for the short time she'd spoken to him. Jayce has met with him before, too, so she can only imagine what could've been said. ]
Don't blame yourself. He likely tried to get a rise out of you so you'd say or do something he wanted.
[ He did the same to her, insulting her intelligence. ]
[ It's the smugness, the way his voice sounds so grating, like a knife scraping over bone. It was unnerving even for the short time she'd spoken to him. Jayce has met with him before, too, so she can only imagine what could've been said. ]
Don't blame yourself. He likely tried to get a rise out of you so you'd say or do something he wanted.
[ He did the same to her, insulting her intelligence. ]
[ Jayce doesn't understand whatever happened between Silco and Jinx that led to his death - the most frustrating part about all of it is how close they actually got, just to have it all go up in flames - for more lives to be ruined.
He never should've joined the council. Silco's just another reminder. ]
He got what he wanted. [ A beat, a slip of regret in his tone as he admits: ] ... I slammed him into a wall. It didn't go over well with the ServiTon.
[ To say the least. In the aftermath, he's slightly rattled to realize this place would treat both Silco and himself the same. ]
He never should've joined the council. Silco's just another reminder. ]
He got what he wanted. [ A beat, a slip of regret in his tone as he admits: ] ... I slammed him into a wall. It didn't go over well with the ServiTon.
[ To say the least. In the aftermath, he's slightly rattled to realize this place would treat both Silco and himself the same. ]
[ Honestly, it sounds like it was deserved. For all his wisdom, Silco should've at least calculated that some kind of real damage might have been done to him. She's going to need to get in front of him at some point, though she's debating even now if she wants to openly name Jayce as her weakness to him.
It's good that this isn't video. Mel rubs briefly at her forehead. ]
Did the ServiTron do anything to you or to him?
[ She'll address that part first. Jayce doesn't need to be told that it was probably a bad move; she can hear it in his tone. ]
It's good that this isn't video. Mel rubs briefly at her forehead. ]
Did the ServiTron do anything to you or to him?
[ She'll address that part first. Jayce doesn't need to be told that it was probably a bad move; she can hear it in his tone. ]
[ On the other end of the line he hangs his head between his shoulders. ]
No. It threatened to get the authorities involved. I backed off.
[ That seemed enough for the ServiTon. ]
No. It threatened to get the authorities involved. I backed off.
[ That seemed enough for the ServiTon. ]
[ So if she causes a scene next time she's around Silco, maybe she can get a ServiTron to call the cops.
Noted.
(Maybe.) ]
I didn't see any guards. They might be able to make those kinds of calls quickly.
[ All right, not helpful. She sighs. ]
I'm glad you weren't hurt and you weren't arrested. That still leaves Silco as a large problem, though. [ Because he's going to likely keep pushing buttons one way or another. ] I did agree to a tentative alliance with him. At the time, I thought it better to leave the door open, if only to keep an eye on him.
He said we could negotiate better terms once we'd acclimated ourselves a bit more. [ There's something flinty in her voice. ] But for the moment, I have no leverage on him.
Noted.
(Maybe.) ]
I didn't see any guards. They might be able to make those kinds of calls quickly.
[ All right, not helpful. She sighs. ]
I'm glad you weren't hurt and you weren't arrested. That still leaves Silco as a large problem, though. [ Because he's going to likely keep pushing buttons one way or another. ] I did agree to a tentative alliance with him. At the time, I thought it better to leave the door open, if only to keep an eye on him.
He said we could negotiate better terms once we'd acclimated ourselves a bit more. [ There's something flinty in her voice. ] But for the moment, I have no leverage on him.
Not a leap to assume they're connected to a similar network as these devices.
[ Which means near instant communication at all times, unless disabled. ]
Right. [ Another pause as he rubs his face, frustrated. ]
I think... I don't know. [ He promised they'd figure everything out together, though. He tries again: ]
We can't stay here. In this building.
[ Which means near instant communication at all times, unless disabled. ]
Right. [ Another pause as he rubs his face, frustrated. ]
I think... I don't know. [ He promised they'd figure everything out together, though. He tries again: ]
We can't stay here. In this building.
Agreed. I don't think it's safe for any of us to linger longer than we need to. There's just the issue of money.
[ And no, she's not volunteering him, just stating facts. ]
I'd like to see what jobs are on offer for people like us, or what their plan is around us being able to fend for ourselves. Whatever will help us to get out of here quicker. [ A beat. ] Viktor too.
[ And no, she's not volunteering him, just stating facts. ]
I'd like to see what jobs are on offer for people like us, or what their plan is around us being able to fend for ourselves. Whatever will help us to get out of here quicker. [ A beat. ] Viktor too.
[ He's been wondering the same about work opportunities, the issue of money...
His tone lightens a bit, warming: ]
Viktor too. We could get a bigger place if it's the three of us splitting the rent. [ then, quickly clarifying: ] If that's what you meant, I mean -
[ These are NOT the circumstances he envisioned asking Mel Medarda to move in with him. ]
His tone lightens a bit, warming: ]
Viktor too. We could get a bigger place if it's the three of us splitting the rent. [ then, quickly clarifying: ] If that's what you meant, I mean -
[ These are NOT the circumstances he envisioned asking Mel Medarda to move in with him. ]
[ In all actuality, she'd meant a broader idea of the three of them simply getting out of dodge. Jayce's suggestion, however, gives her pause...because she hasn't even considered the full cost and what a living situation might look like. She likely can't afford to live on her own, can she? Not unless she finds something smaller. And she'd make do with that but--
She can hear it in Jayce's tone. Mel looks at the device for a moment, considering. ]
It's a smart plan, if he's agreeable. If not, we can look into other options. You and him will need some kind of lab space, wouldn't you?
[ Is it more cost effective to find some kind of space they can build out? She's going to need a map to look at properties... ]
She can hear it in Jayce's tone. Mel looks at the device for a moment, considering. ]
It's a smart plan, if he's agreeable. If not, we can look into other options. You and him will need some kind of lab space, wouldn't you?
[ Is it more cost effective to find some kind of space they can build out? She's going to need a map to look at properties... ]
[ Talking about this only on audio doesn't feel right, so he switches his device to video. She'll see his face pop up on the screen - ]
Oh, right - that would be ideal. [ It's not that he's surprised, exactly, that she's asking what they would need/want to get work done, but it makes him feel a certain way - comes off as a kind of sheepishness in his expression. ]
... I don't think he'll be agreeable. But - we have some time.
[ To figure out the best approach. ]
Oh, right - that would be ideal. [ It's not that he's surprised, exactly, that she's asking what they would need/want to get work done, but it makes him feel a certain way - comes off as a kind of sheepishness in his expression. ]
... I don't think he'll be agreeable. But - we have some time.
[ To figure out the best approach. ]
[ Ah, there he is. Mel smiles for a moment at the picture before she turns her own camera on. The smile stays, too. ]
I think he'd agree to live with you.
[ How many times has she heard they'd be working well into the night in the lab? She'd never really asked if they slept there but assumed it. She doesn't think Jayce is the factor here. ]
No matter what we decide on, we can make it work. Even just finding something close by, where we aren't far from one another-- [ She doesn't realize at first that she's making assurances with him. It's not placation. It's just... Something about seeing him that way makes her want to assuage his concerns. And to stand behind what she says. If it'll make Jayce happy, then it's fine.
Although, she's never moved in with someone before. That'd be...new.
Mel looks askance for a moment, as if needing to collect herself. She's catching herself sticking to something pragmatic when this is...not the time for it. Her gaze returns to his face. ] It'll depend on the budget. But we should tour the city. Get a better idea where we'd like to live.
[ Spend time together. ]
I think he'd agree to live with you.
[ How many times has she heard they'd be working well into the night in the lab? She'd never really asked if they slept there but assumed it. She doesn't think Jayce is the factor here. ]
No matter what we decide on, we can make it work. Even just finding something close by, where we aren't far from one another-- [ She doesn't realize at first that she's making assurances with him. It's not placation. It's just... Something about seeing him that way makes her want to assuage his concerns. And to stand behind what she says. If it'll make Jayce happy, then it's fine.
Although, she's never moved in with someone before. That'd be...new.
Mel looks askance for a moment, as if needing to collect herself. She's catching herself sticking to something pragmatic when this is...not the time for it. Her gaze returns to his face. ] It'll depend on the budget. But we should tour the city. Get a better idea where we'd like to live.
[ Spend time together. ]
[ His smile softens and warms when she turns on her video, though it becomes a little strained when she says Viktor would agree - things have been awkward, and he'd be lying if he said a part of him didn't regret telling Viktor about using the Hexcore. He still hasn't told him about the corruption spreading to the Undercity, or what they found in the hexvault... it all feels too tenuous now.
He'll tell her about that later, and also about what Patho-Gen told them - how the Augmenters were originally tested on the terminally ill. Their promise that it would heal Viktor, too. ]
Let's go for a walk later.
[ His smile shifts, more earnest again. He's been out already, trying to get a lay of the land from the maps they were given. But it'd be nice to go together. ]
He'll tell her about that later, and also about what Patho-Gen told them - how the Augmenters were originally tested on the terminally ill. Their promise that it would heal Viktor, too. ]
Let's go for a walk later.
[ His smile shifts, more earnest again. He's been out already, trying to get a lay of the land from the maps they were given. But it'd be nice to go together. ]
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