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meadowlarklogs2020-02-15 11:16 am
- !arrival log,
- dc comics: cassandra cain,
- dragon age: marian hawke,
- kingdom hearts: riku,
- kingdom hearts: roxas,
- kingdom hearts: sora,
- original: ginia,
- original: hama sun,
- overwatch: soldier 76 (jack morrison),
- red vs. blue: agent carolina,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- the 100: clarke griffin,
- the magicians: eliot waugh
ARRIVAL LOG 018
WHERE: New Amsterdam
WHEN: March 7-8
WHAT: The eighteenth arrival
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Coercion, loss of autonomy, alcohol usage, and drug usage. Further notes at the end of log.
Awareness comes to you in blurred snatches, cloudy fragments of sound and light, color, sensation. Hazy and difficult to grasp on to, but slowly aligning into focus. A series of regular, rhythmic beeps. A medicinal, astringent smell. Your eyes are heavy, hard to keep open, but in the glimpses between slow, dark blinks you see a set of people in front of you: one dressed in a set of light armor, while the rest wear medical garb. The area around them is dim, and barely lit, as they set the newcomers up. There is a barely-present feeling of an IV pulled from your arm as you're left sitting up.
There is a sound of rustling outside, of rowdy people showing up for a special occasion. Once everyone's set up, the woman dressed in armor steps forward to give a spiel. "This isn't where I'd leave you, but apparently it's a 'special occasion.' Or an 'apology,' it's hard to say. Either way, don't leave the park until you're ready to head back to the safe place. Don't go looking for anyone to help you, unless they've come to find you. When someone turns up—and they will—ask them to show you the glow. Everyone out there will be too stoned outta their minds to notice it. Don't steal. Don't get into trouble. Avoid the drugs, actually, yourselves. Don't look for the cops." She pauses, looking at the medical people who are ready to leave. "Think that's got it covered?" She doesn't add anything more.
Just as they funnel out, there is a rhythmic thrumming in the distance—a sound check, as well as numerous people struggling to set up tents and campsites in the area around you. You try to open your mouth to speak, perhaps even to ask for help, but it's as if your tongue is coated in tar, and you manage nothing more than an empty parting of lips.
As the sedation begins to fade, you'll be able to take an inventory of your surroundings. You're in a bright yellow tent on a patch of green groundcover (some kind of Dichondra for those who are plant savvy). Clothing wise, you're dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, as well as a large, oversized hoodie zipped up the center. There is also a heating unit built into the tent to keep everyone warm. You can get up and start to move, and even head out of the tent, but you'll find that you won't be able to betray any of the orders given by the guard on her way out.
Where are you? A music festival. Think 2512 Coachella.
◉ Though entirely capable of independent action and thought, new characters will find themselves completely, unquestioningly compliant to any verbal statement which could be taken as a command or request – and that includes the message passed on from the mysterious patron.
This time, the message doesn't come in from El, but by way of a ticket for the Stony Weather Music Festival being transferred to your ID, including access to the Main Stage. It seems there are different levels of these tickets, and these are definitely VIP. How did the Displaced, utterly unprepared to attend a music festival of this caliber, end up with these tickets? That's just another mystery for our oversized Scooby Gang to solve. Any information of what account these came from is seriously lacking. Want to make a quick buck? Selling your ticket could load up your bank account with plenty of credits.
The message itself is short and concise:
Find the yellow tent and enjoy yourselves.
- PM
The Stony Weather Music Festival is yet another one of the annual events that takes place in New Amsterdam. While it's popular among a certain demographic in New Amsterdam that includes those dressed to make a statement: bright colors, buckles, zippers and clothes that look impossible to move around in. Somehow, everyone seems to be managing despite their clothes, ready to dance. Tickets are hard to nearly impossible to come by for the average person. It doesn't help that attending is not the brightest of ideas considering the current weather patterns. It's bitterly cold at night, involves camping in one of three sky parks in the northern part of New Amsterdam, and at least one or two people (if not more) end up hospitalized because they don't make it back to their heated tents thanks to a massive amount of drug and alcohol use. And those tents? They aren't cheap or easy to come by, so there's sure to be one or two people who try to brave it without an especially well-heated unit.
Still, the festival is the place to be for those two days in early March. It always falls on the same days of the month, whether it would be a weekend or a weekday. Attending has been the spark to launch many influencers' careers. It's a combination of things: adding photos of the performances that take stage to their Cooltalks, the novelty of just being there, as well as the other influencers around. It's a way to be known, should anyone want to be known.
Of course, it's also a place to have a good time. There's alcohol and drugs aplenty even if someone doesn't know where to look, with dealers not asking too many questions for anyone who might be interested while shifting credits to different accounts. Many of the wealthier attendees will be eager to share what they have on hand, as well as any food that they get delivered from the local businesses. It's like a two day party, with people decorating their tents with any personal style that they see fit, producing a maze of a mishmash of camps that someone could very easily get lost in. There are people everywhere, dressed in everything from long, flowy dresses, the newest mid-calf boots, to various shades of blue lipstick. It's also a place where people don't seem all that shy to show their body modifications. Anyone deciding to attend might want to look the part to blend in. In the early mornings the outsides tents are covered in a thin layer of frost, glimmering without the need of strings of lights.
All you need to do to enjoy the show is make it through the bitterly cold nights. It's just one, really, unless you stay for the afterparty with the bands the second night. It goes until dawn!
One thing to note, however: no one's job is going to be keen to let anyone take these two days off. Better come up with a good excuse and hope you don't turn up on anyone's social media if you decide to play hooky.
The performances go on throughout the weekend between the three stages split between the sky parks, connected by temporary bridges strung with elaborate lanterns. The tickets that the Displaced have been granted allow them access to a stretch of land in the main sky park where the main stage has been set up. That bit of land is ready for them to set up tents if they should choose. There are some available for rentals on site, and for those who want something more upscale, more complex, heated tents can be purchased for a hefty sum. Incidentally, this stretch of land is right around the bright yellow tent where all the newcomers will sit sedated and waiting for someone to come get them.
> MAIN STAGE
The hardest place to get any kind of standing room to enjoy the headlining shows, included in the Displaced's special VIP access tickets. Anyone who's anyone at Stony Weather will want to be here, and will be vying for an opportunity to get some space. It's no time to care about body contact. Did you think mosh pits were done by 2512? By and large, they are for health and safety reasons, but depending on the band playing, the place closer to the stage has the opportunity to get high energy, and not far from a mosh pit. It's easy to get seperated, lost, and even stuck in the middle of crazy fans with no regard for others' personal space.
The one catch of the Main Stage is that there isn't a set schedule. When will one of the four acts perform? It's hard to say. Could be 8AM. Could be 9:17PM. They could even perform once or three times, depending on their whims.
THE NINE NINES
The Nine Nines are fronted by a set of twins—Lucy and Landon—who started out as social media influencers thanks to their mother's decision to start posting about them as far back as when they were six years old. For the next ten years, they gained a massive following around the world. Now that they're 21, both Lucy and Landon have escaped the clutches of their stage mother (both sentimentally and legally) and have been known as the face of The Nine Nines for the past year. While quite talented, music reviewers have stated that they've clearly not quite settled on a sound that suits them. They're a mixture of folksy rock and pop, without ever settling on one or the other. Their most popular song is "Mia," though most fans know that this song is actually about Makana—a social influencer who dated both Lucy and Landon and broke their hearts. This didn't happen simultaneously, of course—and Makana lost a lot of clout (and sponsorships) thanks to their choice to mess with the twins.
NEW NEW NEW
A ten member, always rotating boy band out of New Venice. Even 500 years into the future, boy bands are still a thing—in fact, they've perfected the corporate production and marketing of idol groups, to the point where it can almost be considered a conveyor belt industry. These pop stars are barely known beyond interviews and expertly crafted social media posts, and they're heavily monitored and controlled in their daily lives. New New New rotates out their older members for new ones when they reach the age of 22. Some of their most popular songs include a ballad called "The Breach," the guttural "My Heart is a Prison," and the recently released rap ballad "L U V."
ANOTHER META
Think One Republic meets Blink 182—pop music with an obnoxious, puerile edge—and you've got Another Meta. This group got their start playing esports events around the world, appealing to a certain demographic before their first big hit "Pop There IT IS" went viral. Originally based out of New Oslo, they now call New Prague home. They're loud, obnoxious, drink a lot on stage, and have a lot of fun. They have a very dedicated following of fans. Remember that mention of mosh pits? Another Meta's fans keep making an attempt at bringing them back.
CHERRY SENDER
"Cherry Sender" is actually a one woman act originally from New Tokyo, but she's known around the world for her Gothic appearance, operatic pop music, and incredible height (she stands at seven feet tall). Some people have said that Cherry models herself off of vampires, but she has been rather outspoken about the comparison, believing that it's more important to express herself how she looks best. Somehow, she firmly believes that people should embrace their vanity, and she does rock a mean white and black getup. Most recently, Cherry has done the theme song for the popular mecha anime, Vestica: Aeon.
> THE SIDE STAGES
There are few differences between Stage A and B, with the exception of the acts that are present. The side stages' attendees set up shop (so to speak) and spend much of the festival trying to find their way into the Main Stage area. The side stages are far more crowded than the park with the Main Stage, with facilities that aren't as up to par. Everyone here clearly used all of their savings to show up for the festival. There tends to be more socializing here, and anyone who wants to take a picture this may be the place to do it! The more elaborate fashions here are on display as influencers and attendees chat amongst each other. There are plenty of places to grab a drink or take a breath.
★ SIDE STAGE A
THE PADS ON CATS' PAWS
The Pads on Cats' Paws are an all female metal band based out of New Amsterdam. Although they've been together for just two years, they've put out six EPs, and have developed a cult following among those who enjoy the 2512 version of metal music. All of the women wear their heads shaved, and their heads are heavily tattooed. At some point, the lead singer had cybernetic surgery to alter her vocal chords, expanding her range. Their music is oddly bright despite the metal, with heavy violins coursing through their songs.
INFANTRY oracle
INFANTRY oracle are one of two acts that got into the Stone Weather festival thanks to winning the annual Stone Weather Premiere contest. It gives two bands every year an opportunity to get recognition on the big stage. However, INFANTRY oracle has been playing the club circuit around the world for the past decade, and only recently put together an EP that appealed to the Stone Weather crowd. Their music is largely EDM, and while they do have a following, they don't do a lot to stand out from the very cluttered EDM scene around the world.
THE CYBERNETICS BLINDNESS
In a world where masks don't serve much of a purpose, The Cybernetics Blindness are a group that goes all in on the masked appearance. Think Robocop meets Batman: they like a lot of faux-leather that's tight-fitting. Their music is raspy and eclectic, and surprisingly meaningful. They're based out of New Venice and little is known about the people behind the masks. There are suspicions for who's behind the masks—and obviously the cops and the UNA both know—but it's a surprisingly well-kept secret. It probably helps that aside from being musicians, they dedicate a lot of time and resources to PRESERVE.
BEEHIVE FUMES
Think blues and indie and Mumford & Sons all in one, and you have the Beehive Fumes. Unsurprisingly, their logo is a cartoonish beehive logo with a cute bee that's sticking out. They're a charming group fronted by two women and two men, and draw a lot of presentation inspiration from Fleetwood Mac (which had a resurgence six years ago, and inspired the formation of Beehive Humes). Despite their sleepy, unoriginal sound, they do put on a good show, and it'll be hard to find standing room when they're on. Another fun fact? Beehive Fumes are all married to each other, having enacted contracts 10 years ago (before they even started making music together!).
POSTmortem MALnutrition
Let's get political! What kind of show would it be without someone who is outspoken about the political mess that's very apparent in 2512. Rumored to be supportive of Morningstar—never in words, but with some of the imagery on their social media, subtle and inconclusive—they're recently railing against the government for claiming to have made peace on the Mars colony. Their message is that all of the colonies should revolt and break free. Their sound is eclectic, melodic, and they always tell a story—though their music is such that they change up the order of their songs, changing the story in the process. They're based out of New Lima.
★ SIDE STAGE B
GREEN MONSTER
An unusual all percussion band that focuses on reusability and sustainability based out of New Warsaw. All of their instruments are made out of recycled goods and handmade themselves. Sound-wise, they do a lot with what they have in stock, leading to a booming, exuberant experience. While they have been around for nearly a decade, they recently rebranded, with their entire message revolving around the image of the monster that hit New Amsterdam in June 2511. Their claim? The monster did damage, but nothing like what humanity does every day through carelessness.
SANDRA MCKLAINE
Sandra McKlaine is a trans woman from New Bangkok who specializes in folksy music. She actually got her introduction to the music business when she was fifteen years old as a member of the popular boy band Ocean Waves. Now that she's thirty and no longer crafted according to a certain image, Sandra has started putting out music again in the last six months. Her sound is mellow, welcoming, and chill.
Both LOBES
The other winner of the annual Stone Weather Premiere contest, Both LOBES are an experimental music group that changes their style of music every six months. Based out of New Prague, they've recently completed a tour opening for Another Meta—and many people believe that Both LOBES already got enough exposure before getting a chance on this stage. Their current style of music? Jazzy folk.
KURO COLT
Soulful and extremely attractive, Kuro Colt is a non-binary artist based out of New Beijing. Always flanked by a talented group of dancers, Kuro Colt (never just Kuro or Colt) defies the expectation of a stage performance. What does that mean? Outlandish, often dangerous special effects. Kuro Colt's on a side stage for a reason: they recently recovered from a long, long run of injuries, from which they showed a surprising reluctance to get any cybernetic limbs to help them progress (and an opposition to the medi-unit). Recovery took three years, but they're back and ready to perform! Are they any less bombastic in their showing? Not at all!
CHUBBY DOLL-FINS
Think Gorillaz in the form of the Muppets and you've got the Chubby Doll-Fins. Although they're rumored to be backed by the famous band Piers Grasp, they're a social commentary on the long-running tendency to put together boy bands. The thing about the Chubby Doll-Fins is that they're anthropomorphic and surprisingly attractive animals. They dance, they sing, they play instruments, and their music is incredible. Though there are hints of influence from Piers Grasp's mainline music, they're brighter and more sardonic in nature.
Located under an abandoned hover-bike garage, access to the safehouse is a hatch in the floor beside a rusted set of metal shelves that used to hold tools and supplies. The immediate area is similarly abandoned: full of rundown and dilapidated warehouses and forgotten businesses, where numerous people squat in hopes of having some stability because they can't afford a place themselves. Gaby will be around, ready to greet as many of the new arrivals as she can and get them settled in. Brusque and no-nonsense, she'll be open to questions, but will advise the newcomers to ask the people who brought them in for the beginning bits of information. Newbies can also contact El through zeir inbox, if needed.
The safehouse is a large space with multiple rooms for storage, with the largest of the rooms filled with rows of basic cots set up to sleep a large amount of people. Basic, but outfitted with everything necessary for daily life. A few doors lead to back rooms for storage, medical care and a large communal bathroom, and past the long rows of cots there is a communal kitchen, fully stocked, and an eating area. Privacy is at a minimum.
◉ New characters will be asked to pick their beds, and provided with a change of (second-hand, mismatched and somewhat threadbare) clothes and basic toiletries.
◉ There is a mini-bar set up in the kitchen. The quality of the alcohol inside is akin to what someone might get from the well at a bar, but it's well-stocked.
◉ While the kitchen has basic foods and necessities, anyone looking for a jolt of caffeine from coffee or tea will find themselves sorely lacking. The only tea present is herbal in nature, and caffeine appears to be almost nonexistent in most of the beverages lying around.
◉ Gaby will make it clear to all new arrivals that if they have any requests or queries, they should contact her or El. Either she or El will explain that they've been given a modest stipend of credits to help them get by until they can find a job. This will be enough to cover their living expenses for about a month while they hang out in the safehouse, if they're careful with budgeting.
◉ The drugs making new characters compliant will remain in their systems for a few hours after their arrival at the safehouse before finally beginning to fade. They will be gone entirely after a night's rest. In the meantime, they may want to be careful of what others say to them.
◉ New characters will be given rudimentary access to the network on arrival in the safehouse, but will not have their ID set up yet. They will be able to make posts and replies, but their messages will be anonymous and they do not have inboxes yet.
◉ New character do not have access to the internet until their ID is setup. They only have limited access because they're present in the safehouse, but they can't surf the rest of the internet, check out Cooltalk, or watch the equivalent of Netflix until their ID is made.
◉ New characters will not be allowed to leave the safehouse until MARCH 11 (FEBRUARY 23). These 4 days are for them to adjust, learn about the world they've arrived in from their fellows, and for El to speak with them and work on setting up their IDs.
You're now free to post to the network and logs comms. To reiterate, your characters will have no IDs or inboxes, nor be allowed out of the safehouse until MARCH 11 (FEBRUARY 23). At that point it's expected they'll have gotten a good idea of their new situation from their fellow characters, and will have discussed their background and job potentials with El in order for their false IDs to be set up.
If you have any questions or ideas about how you'd like to get your character involved in the world, please head over to the plot engagement post and drop us a comment! For questions specific to this log, there is a thread below.
Please check out our February calendar rundown for a look at things happening this month, as well as some additional notes from the mods.
As a reminder, Jenna will be posting a log for a charity and dating auction on February 29. We've pointed a few people that way via Plot Engagement, and there will be opportunities there to schmooze (off-screen or on) with some NPCs!
As a reminder, AC for new characters accepted in February will be 10 comments across 2-4 threads, while current characters will need to provide the full AC of 20 comments across 2-4 threads. AC will be posted on March 1 at 12 AM UTC and close on March 8 at 12 AM UTC. If you do not reply to AC, you will be considered idled and dropped from the game. We will not post a warning list.
no subject
[ Ephemera huffs a bit. He'd hated it in the beginning. ]
You wanna see?
no subject
[ He grins, then it turns into a smirk. ]
Do you have to punch me..? That seems to be a thing for some people's.
no subject
Take it you've met Angela.
[ Not surprising. She likes to keep a handle on things. Ephemera shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. ]
Nah. Just need something...ah.
[ There's an empty glass by one of the other cots. Ephemera snatches it up, turning it over in his hands. All he really needs is a flat surface. It's easier when he can touch the thing with his hands, but he can do it from a distance if he needs to.
He breathes out. Concentrates. The glow is muted somewhat by the layers he's wearing, but there's no disguising the way the ink flows from his hand, lines spiraling out and forming shapes. He focuses on geometric shapes, the lines he's seen from Angela's origami animals. And when he's done, he pulls his hand back. Nods just once at the result, and then tosses the glass over to Drake.
There's a a shark printed on the surface, rendered in bold, choppy angles. The ink is just starting to dry. ]
It's not that useful. But it's growing on me.
no subject
[ He somehow gets the feeling Ephemera is the one she was sparring with when she discovered her ability... might've asked, but then the other man is picking up a glass and focusing, using his power. Drake wonders if it's something with fire or heat, that he's going to melt it or something, but... no. When it's tossed to him he catches it and admires the shark, is careful not to smudge the drying ink. It's beautiful in that harsh way so much of Ephemera's art is, this more stylized than Drake's used to but skilled all the same.
His smile falters a little, that flash of grief in his eyes again, and his breath is shaky for a moment as he stares down at the glass. Pull it together, man. ]
...it's a good power for you. And it is useful.
no subject
[ His tone is fond. He doesn't have a lot of friends here, but Angela is one of them. He almost says more, but catches the look on Drake's face and stops himself. That—
Well. That could mean a lot of things. Ephemera twitches a little, flexing his hands. There's so much he doesn't know right now. Drake knew him, or at least a version of him, but there's context that Ephemera's missing and so he doesn't quite understand the weight of it. Why one gesture matters and another doesn't. ]
You okay?
no subject
Yeah. I'm good, just. You're an artist in every reality, huh? It's a good power.
[ Slow breath. Keep it together. ]
Your place in Hadriel was a work of art. Every wall a mural or collection of portraits, I loved it.
...
This is weird, huh?
no subject
His hands twitch. He jams them into his pockets. ]
....yeah.
[ It's admitted sheepishly. ]
I just....I don't know. [ Ephemera shifts again, watching Drake curiously. There's something about the man that feels—not familiar, no. Not that. But steady. Close to comforting. ] It's a lot to wrap my head around.
no subject
[ It's a weak joke, and he looks back down at the glass in his hands. He shouldn't ask to keep it, but he wants to. Even if he has nothing to offer in-- wait. He does. And he's even got practice at this, although it was a different mechanic so to speak. He's pretty sure he could rein in anything else, just show Ephemera the walls of their apartment. ]
You don't have to just trust me, I could show you. Maybe it'd be less weird if you could see what I'm remembering.
no subject
But he nods, in the end. Offers out his hand. ]
Okay.
[ He meets Drake's eyes. Hesitant, but not afraid. ]
Show me.
no subject
Before the memory cuts in there's a moment where it's just the empathy bond, though, and for as calm as Drake seems on the outside (if vaguely and understandably sad) there's a lot more going on underneath the surface. The sadness is actually more like grief, not just loneliness at missing a friend but the sense of loss that comes from losing someone who means far more. Frustration at the unfairness, and a world-weariness because it's just his luck. Things are only allowed to be good for him for so long, before the universe goes and screws him again. Also a quiet anger that's clearly not directed at Ephemera, but with pure empathy there's no way of knowing what exactly he's so pissed about. The kidnapping? The experimentation? That's not all of it.
It's gone quickly enough, though, replaced by a sense of wonder and pride as the memory takes over. The latter is a bit of a strange emotion to feel about someone else's work, but it's there nonetheless, as Ephemera gets a tour of an alien apartment through Drake's eyes, the walls covered in galaxies and cityscapes and one that's portraits of his team, and several other people he won't remember but that clearly meant something to him -- or Drake, from the emotion coming through. The apartment itself is fairly neat, art supplies and dropcloths and sketchbooks around, as well as weaponry set out on the table that's nothing like Ephemera's ever used. There's cookware out in the kitchen he can catch a glimpse of when Drake looks up at the ceiling in progress there. Little glimpses of a life he never lived, but another version of him did.
Unfortunately for them both the convenience of this particular memory, a walkthrough of the place, comes with a price.
"Hey. We've gotta start packing," comes Ephemera's voice, and Drake's view turns to show the other man, so this Ephemera can see himself through his eyes. His hair is longer, his stance and expression more relaxed. There are other little differences to be caught -- a new tattoo, a ring on his finger, different scars on one of his arms -- but only if he's paying close attention.
"I know," Drake answers, "I just want to remember it."
It's about then that Drake realizes there was more to that moment than he first intended to share, and pulls his hand back hoping he timed it right. It's just Ephemera is walking closer in the memory that it cuts out, and this Ephemera will be back in the safehouse with Drake tilting his head and trying to read the other man's expression here and now. ]
Did it work?
no subject
That man smiles. Seems to mean it more than Ephemera ever imagined he could. The two of them are doing something, collaborating. There's no hesitation in how they move around each other, a familiarity that only comes with trust.
He trusted Drake, or one version of him did. Possibly even lived with him.
And then the memory ends. Drake pulls back first. Ephemera takes his hand back slowly, flexing his fingers to work some of the stiffness out. He hasn't been sleeping well lately and his joints have been bothering him in something like sympathetic pain. That was — a lot. He's not sure he understands everything Drake was feeling, though the anger edged onto familiar. But it didn't feel like it was directed at Ephemera, or at least not him directly.
Ephemera shakes himself. Part of him wants to see more. He feels like he's missing details, possibly very important ones, that he focused on the wrong things. Spent too much time looking at all the paintings that version of him did that he missed other things. But that feels unfair, somehow. To ask Drake to look through a memory of a person, a friend, who isn't there. ]
Yeah.
[ He tries to think of something to say to that. Runs a hand through his hair and huffs. ]
My hair got long, huh?
no subject
He smiles, despite the ache. ]
Yeah, it did. I used to cut it for you, then you decided to let it grow. I think it was just... control, you know? You could do what you wanted with it. Like the tattoos.
[ He huffs softly, not quite laughing but remembering something with great amusement. ]
I made a deal to get you some bobby pins when the bangs were an in between length and getting in your eye -- it looked ridiculous.
no subject
Something changed for that version of him. Something...
Ephemera huffs a little. ]
Bobby pins. Fuck. Chica would've laughed her ass off.
[ His expression is fond, if a little sad. He supposes that Drake knows who Chica is. The man seems to know a whole lot of things. ]
Thank you. For doing that. It wasn't —this me. But. I think it mattered.
no subject
[ Drake does talk like he knows these people, or at least knows of them enough to make that call. But then he sobers as Ephemera thanks him... for the bobby pins, he realizes, for the other Ephemera. Something tightens in his chest. ]
Look, man, I know you're not him. We are who we are because of our experiences, so I'm going to do my best not to treat you like him because we were there for over two and a half years, we faced a lot together. We weren't the same people we showed up as, in a good way, for having known each other. But I hope this doesn't settle wrong for you. Doesn't freak you out after you leave or anything. I'd show-and-tell you whatever you want, but I'm not trying to make you him. Promise.
[ He's still holding the glass, doesn't trust himself not to rub at the spot where his ring is meant to be if he lets go. ]
You remind me of somebody pretty awesome, I guess. I'd like to get to know you, too.
no subject
And then, one day, it hadn't been enough to be angry. He had to be more. ]
It's. Hard. Having people who know me.
[ The one underneath the front he's put up. He can play polite when it suits him, he can play a whole lot of things. But the people here are too sharp, and in some cases too kind; he's been found out. And the insidious thing is he doesn't hate it. Not entirely. Having that connection again. Being able to touch people, even hesitantly.
His mouth twitches. He pushes that thought away. ]
I haven't done that for a long time. And you....ah. You probably know a whole lot.
[ But that's not Drake's fault. It's just this place, being insane. Per usual. ]
But. Maybe we could start from the beginning. Maybe...maybe that'd be okay.
no subject
He smiles in relief and nods, grateful. ]
I do know. We had that in common, actually, the whole... not letting people know us thing. Thank you for being willing to try it.
[ And since he opened with something else that was hard to wrap a mind around... ]
Got any more mundane questions? I'm trying to think of stuff you should know right away but I'm not used to having to catch somebody up. I usually just let it happen naturally.
no subject
Sure. What'd you do, before all this crazy shit?
no subject
Undercover cop, actually. Major crimes, but by way of being in the system myself awhile back. Not the straightest path, I guess you could say.
no subject
[ Normally that would get his attention real fucking quick and not in a good way, given his track record with authority, but there's something about Drake that has Ephemera at ease already. The man isn't like any of the military police officers he's run into over the years, and that matters. The lack of arrogance. The ease in which Drake talks to him. There's trust there, even if Ephemera can't remember the cause. ]
Shit. I used to rob convoys.
[ Used to do a whole lot of things. He supposes Drake knows that, too. ]
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[ Drakes smile is easy and genuine just like his words, and he leans back on one arm thoughtfully. ]
Might not have busted you anyway, depending. Not everyone deserves to be, some just need a better shot at things. Another chance, or the right one, or the right people. I only went after the ones who really hurt innocents. At the point I first got kidnapped, I was going for Seattle's big crime lord... man was he a piece of work. Had his fingers in pretty much everything bad, you know the type? Monsters more than people.
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Despite the weirdness of the moment, it feels good to sit here. Talking. Letting it play out. ]
I do know the type.
[ Fought them, worked for them. The whole spread. Ephemera tips his head to the side, watching Drake curiously. ]
That's a hard thing, holding the line like that. Most people wouldn't.
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[ He goes quiet for a moment, then shrugs. Might as well be honest. ]
And I might have a thing or two to atone for.
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It didn't take. His family died because of it. ]
Sometimes that's all you can do.
[ He's quiet again. Flexing his hands, watching how the tattoos shift with the scars. ]
Made a deal with a friend of mine, to try and do better. Jury's out whether it's working or not.
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His smile this time is a little sad, colored by loss, because if this man is sitting in front of him, the one he knew can't be. And he just has to learn to deal with that. ]
It's not always a straight path up, you know. Cut yourself some slack, I've got a feeling it'll work.
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I think that's for other people.
[ He tried the redemption thing once. Tried like hell. Spilled blood for it, lost his family to it. Probably lost too much. Now he's got the mission. And if he can forget it sometimes, if he can have moments where it doesn't hurt to touch people, then that's not so bad, is it? ]
That's okay. It's not so bad here. Food takes some getting used to, but most of the people are decent. I've been in worse places.
Well. The kidnapping's not great, but apparently those are new.
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