[MISSION LOG] BRAVE NEW WORLD

[onemind]

CHARACTERS: All
WHERE: The Station + Concordia
WHEN: Day :000 - ???
SUMMARY: Leaving the Station; the arrival and first days on Concordia. Concordia pt.1.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary.

IT'S EARLY IN THE DAY and something feels strange. It’s not unlike when a new Host - not one of your brood, but close enough to feel the tug - comes awake on the Nesting Deck. But it’s just the initial tug. There’s no noise, no hum of confusion or volume. Today, it’s just there: a sensation of presence that a moment ago wasn’t. Soon after follows a prickling awareness of urgency. A small electric bolt through the mind. Cathaway doesn’t use words in the mind, but her meaning is nonetheless easily understood: come to her on the hangar; your presence is required.

On the hangar there is a sleek, low profile transport ship. Before it stand Cathaway and Prince and in their company is a stranger: a short woman with warm skin and dark hair, wearing unfamiliar colorful clothes and a quick, pleasant smile. You’ve never seen her before, but you know she’s a Host.

“This is them?” Her voice is light and sweet. Prince, occupied by a databank, glances up at her then nods once. There’s a tension in his shoulder and through his jaw - a distinct contrast to Cathaway and the stranger who lack both.

“Lovely.” Her tone is breezy and easy, delighted. “Hello, it is so nice to meet you all! My name is Carata. My partner and I have been away on duty for a few months, but it’s become clear that we need backup on our assignment. We are hoping you can help.” Carata motions to the mission equipment in neat kits at her feet. There is one for each young Host.

Prince folds his pad down into its smallest form. His expression is set and serious.

“You will be joining Carata and Nirad on the planet below to assist them with their mission. Your datapbank will provide you with information about the planet and the city where you will be stationed. This mission is covert and the planet itself has no contact with other planetary races, so you will need to do your utmost to blend in.”

Cathaway sharpens slowly beside them: a dull pencil being sharpened to a point as her attention curves back to this place, this instance. She unfolds her hands. “You’ll be provided with an earpiece that should allow you to interface with the local technology and a fake identity for your cover on world. Please mind both carefully and be sure to keep your databanks offline. It would be inconvenient if they were networked while on planet.” From the way she says it, it sounds like ‘inconvenient’ might be an understatement. “This mission shouldn’t be inherently life threatening. Your primary goal is to investigate the anti-android movement. Carata and Nirad will be able to tell you what your databanks do not.”

“You should listen to them,” Prince adds. “Rely on their experience and knowledge to help you succeed in your task. Be mindful, and treat them with the respect they have earned.”

At this Carata laughs. It’s a bright, joyful sound, her hands coming up to clasp in front of her chest, “Please, teacher, you are too serious. I am sure they will do very well. Come along then! Gather your things; we must leave as soon as possible. I do hate to leave Nirad alone for too long.”

Turning her back to the Hosts, Carata takes Cathaway’s hand for a moment Nothing is said, but there’s the distinct impression of something passing between them. They release their grip, then Carata turns to Prince. She places her hands on his shoulders and goes up to her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. He doesn’t return the gesture, but those with sharp eyes will note he does lean down slightly to make her job easier.

Gather your gear, get anything from your rooms you might not want to leave behind. In two hours, everyone attending the mission will be buckled or strapped into the transport as Carata readies the ship for takeoff. She explains, neatly and concisely, what they believe the enemy to be doing in Concordia. Then, with a turning of the deck, the ship is freed from the embrace of Station 72.

It will be a long time before you see this place again.

     I. THE WHEELS ON THE BUS
The flight to Concordia is surprisingly short. By the time Carata's finished her explanation, you've passed into a new universe. It comes with a strange wave of something akin to nausea. Outside the transport's starboard viewports lays Opia in all it's glory: a beautiful blue marble speckled with sixteen landmasses and swathed in thing clouds like spun sugar. From this distance, clusters of light burn from specific points on the continents like a map of grounded constellations. As one of the great megacities of Opia comes curling from around the edge of the planet, the transport ship begins to descend.

Atmospheric entry is smooth. The transport drops at the outskirts of Concordia on what is, hilariously, some kind of large parking garage. It has engaged the most sophisticated of its cloaking technology to do this and Carata urged everyone to disembark quickly so the ship can return to orbiting the planet before it's detected.

"It will be back," she says flippantly. "When we've finished our job."

The ship departs. It's quiet and still for a handful of minutes; Carata seems unconcerned and gives little in the way of direction or instruction. The city flashes around them - bright lights and neon masking the fading of natural light - and nearby, a roadway hums. Eventually the sound of a car pitches louder. A set of headlamps shear from the long line of cars and in moments a long, squarish transport van pulls up and parks at the top of the garage. The side door slides open to admit everyone. In the driver's seat is an android - shining metal and cheerful as it greets every host by name. Beside the android in the van's passenger seat sits a tall, dark skinned man who - much like Carata - is obviously a host.

Welcome to Concordia.

     II. HOME SWEET HOME
It's a long drive into the city. The buildings get taller, the lights get brighter, the streets get busier. There are throngs of people on the street, dogged by endless rows of neon bright advertisements. Traffic is either miserable or flowing depending on the neighborhood and trams run on tracks fifty feet or more above the roadways. Streams of people files from the pavement to the subways, countless numbers of escalators leading down.

When the bus finally stops, it's in front of a building as tall as any others. The signs here mark this section of the city as BETA BLOCK and when you get out and into the building lobby you find that the door opens for you automatically. A chime rings through the interfacing ear piece and when you enter the elevators, the only floor accessible to you is NUMBER EIGHTEEN. When you disembark, a kind voice welcomes you by home in your ear. There are a large number of rooms here in Bearing - stake your claim, everyone! Nirad and Carata already have a couple of rooms in the Southwest corner of the building, but the rest are open. Time to settle in!

     III. FEET ON THE GROUND
You're given the rest of the night to sleep (or...whatever), but by 9AM the next morning everyone is awoken by Carata's voice in their head. She's clearly not shy of using her symbiotic connection.

( Good morning! I know this is quite a lot to get used to. I believe this is your first true assignment? But I have always believed that the best way to learn something new is to jump right in. ) The words are accompanied by the sensation of someone clapping their hands together, a cheerful kind of practicality. ( You’ve been given a credit card. I encourage you to go out today and learn what you can about this place. Talk to people. Listen to the news. Be sure to remember your cover identity, and don’t hesitate to call if you find yourself in trouble. )

There is nothing pressing to the suggestion, just the sensation- light. Airy. Fun. She switches track after a moment, a thoughtful addition: ( There is also a rally in town today. It’s being run by The True Children of Opia, some minor little hate group-- ) She seems to wave off the unsavory aspects as she forges ahead, ( They aren’t affiliated with Humans + Humans 1st, but they do have very similar ideologies and it is quite probable that there is overlap in their membership. If you would rather, it is also quite likely that there will be protestors there as well, both members of Mind Life and those who are adamant about pursuing digital resurrection. Please do be careful, though, sometimes those rallies can be a little... ) An image of an oily substance catching flame, quickly and hotly.

( Whatever you chose, simply do your best to get your bearings. ) She seems to realize the unintended joke there, given the name of their current residence, and a bright happy flash of color accompanies it. What a delightful surprise. ( Prepare yourself for what is to come. Nirad and I will continue our investigation in the meantime. )

---

((OOC Notes: This is the catchall log for the first stages of the Concordia mission. You'll notice there's no set ending date, so use this log however you like - alternatively, feel free to start your own logs in the setting! Don't worry; we'll be keeping a close eye on things, so if something big starts to happen that necessitates a new long, we'll make sure to keep our bases covered and all of y'all updated. Just be aware that dating forward farther than :010 may get a little dicey.

If you have any mission specific questions, direct them to the OOC post here.))

NAVIGATION • SETTING • FAQ • MOD CONTACT • GLOSSARY

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

Comments

lexa | ota

[adamance]

I

[A single thought resonates in her mind from the moment they leave, only straying from the forefront when the nausea hits, and it returns again once she feels steadier: And treat them with the respect they have earned. The statement is at once presumptuous and demanding, and it echoes again and again, making her feel uneasy. The revelation that there are Hosts outside of the Nest is a new one, and one that makes it almost impossible for her to keep her gaze off Carata for the first part of their journey, and then both of them for the second part. Her discomfort radiates off of her.

That is, until she begins to play catch up. There is much that she doesn't know, and after her time on Avera-9, she at least has a firmer grasp on how to utilize the datapad for her own purposes. Her lips purse, uncertain about how to truly take this mission, and she glances toward one of the other hosts to ask,] What do you think about us being here?

II

[Perhaps the most unexpected part of being here isn't the technology (that is still in the process of flying over her head) but how it makes her think of home. Very little of this planet is like her home, but the tall buildings make up for it. The moment she sees one, and then another, and then another, she finds herself swept away by the sentiment of it. Polis had been her home from the point she had become a novitiate until she had become Commander.

It is still her home, though some part of her will always ache to be among the trees of her people.

Her steps are just as much with purpose as always, and she claims her room the same way. But she keeps the door open, actively making a point to invite people inside as she looks out the window. The cityscape is nothing like the world outside of Polis, but she can still imagine the life down below.

She won't turn if someone comes to join her, but there's a sense that she's more relaxed than she has been since she's come to the Station.]

Did you think there were other Hosts out there? Doing work like this? [It's a thought, one that isn't anywhere near the peaceful ones lurking in her mind. But if someone's present, she might as well make the conversation useful.]

III

a: tech tours

[Philosophy is not enough to offer Lexa the bearings she certainly needs in this world. Between the Station and Avera-9, she learned a bit. Angel is helping a lot, but it's still not enough for her. Before long, she seeks out one of the ... businesses involved, hoping that one of the tours available will offer her what she needs. Wasting time isn't wise, after all. She shouldn't do that.

The problem with the I&D Tour is that she isn't allowed to take it. She's kicked out immediately. Hoping that it was a fluke, she tries another tech giant before long, and finds herself encountering the same problem. Unaware of the chip in her neck, she reaches out to the other Hosts, frustration evident in both the emotions she's sending through the link and her tone:]

( Has anyone else attempted one of the tours? )

[True to Lexa's habits, she doesn't indicate precisely what's bringing about this frustration. That would be revealing too much.]

b: rally

[It's only after visiting a bodymod parlor for more information (which she requires, because not only has she been kicked out of several businesses, she still knows very little) that she gains the information she needs. She first learns that there's something that qualifies as "Other" inside of her, and it's more along the lines of technology than the symbiote that she first wrote it off as. After denying further assistance with it, Lexa asks as many questions as she can about life here, trying to ignore her discomfort over what lies inside of her.

She's always known about the Spirit of the Commander inside of her, but she had never known of it as technology. As anything like what exists in this world. Either way, the Spirit had always guided and helped her people. Wasn't that good? It had always helped her, providing her guidance in times of meditation of sleep. All of the previous Commanders waited to offer her assistance.

Because of this, she feels as if there's a demand to go to the rally, to see what those who oppose something like ... the Spirit ... would say. It's weird to categorize it that way, and she's hesitant and stiff when she reaches the rally, remaining on the outskirts.]

( People always make the mistake of seeing things in black and white. The world never is like that. ) [An odd thought, perhaps, coming from someone who's so technologically backward, but she sends it out toward the others just the same.] ( Be careful. ) [If they are there to help, if they are a part of a business themselves, then they might be identified as part of the problem.]

c: returning to the highest heights (at the bearings)

( I'd like to hear about everyone's findings. Join me up top. )

[Yes, "up top" means "the roof." Lexa knows that it's a major demand to ask of the others to just join her, and she only expects a portion of people to follow. Her initial findings are almost too much to handle alone, though she only intends to share them with a very small minority. A very, very small minority.

When someone joins her, she is sitting on the edge looking out, a little fearless when it comes to her life. She is not afraid of falling, and instead seems just as calm as she had been when she first arrived and looked out her claimed room's window. There is nothing child-like in how she sits, and if there's a long lull between people seeing her (or period), she will pull herself back up to sit cross-legged and meditate.

There is much to think on for the day, and part of that involves what lies inside of her.]

(( her alias is going to be Anya Phun, a woman in her mid-twenties who basically works security detail. That's her way of dealing with her cluelessness regarding technology should someone ask: she's not asked to know everything, and she can at least, even under the guise of someone else's face, act like a security person. ))

b. rally

[decommission]

[ Name... Steve Rogers

Occupation... 3D artist

Background...

It's not a lot to memorize, but he's read it all over more than a few times before heading out to the rally with the others.

In place of handwritten signs are bright holograms projected into the air. The crowd is restless and loud. No one gives him a second glance as he strains to pick out individual conversation around him over the buzz, catching Lexa's mental warning instead. ]

( Once you decide people are acceptable collateral damage just to get what you want, it all starts looking pretty black and white to me. ) [ They have never had a conversation mind to mind like this, she wouldn't notice the slight change in his communication - less clipped than it used to be, more patterned to his speaking voice.

He remains standing where he is, sandwiched between two taller men barking back and forth between each other about media bias. ]

[adamance]

[It's an interesting interpretation of her words. Not wanting to draw attention to Steve or herself, she remains where she is, mentally reaching out to him to strengthen the link. Communicating this way isn't exactly easy, but she's grown more comfortable with it. It's a tool. She's willing to utilize tools.]

( Some people call 'collateral damage' necessary sacrifice. What do you think of that? ) [Some people may (no, do) include herself, but she keeps that stray definition from entering her mind. The people here have a way of helping humanity (or what appears to be humanity) move forward. It's important, and she now understands that she's just as much of a tool in that force.

But at the same time, his words strike a contrary chord within her. Being Lexa, she approaches it as a debate.]

[decommission]

( I think that's one hell of a slippery slope. ) [ He shifts a few paces away from the men as they become more animated. His other stance is more firm. ]

( If innocent people need to die for your cause, that's murder. )

[ Even if these biochauvenists have an argument, they lose the last leg their standing on if the mission briefing is at all true. This the privileged fanning the flames because of their own fears and greed. ]

[adamance]

( Innocence and guilt are two thing that depend upon perspective. ) [If Lexa were one to use the term "playing devil's advocate," she'd be using it here. She knows precisely what she's doing, trying to serve a greater cause within their Nest than just this mission.

On this mission, she agrees: these people only want to preserve themselves and to survive.]

( What really depends is where fear comes into play. These people are afraid. But why? What makes them afraid? )

[decommission]

[ He'd disagree. The objectively innocent get steamrolled all the time by people more powerful than them. The thought buzzes in his mind, not quite spoken in words, but the dissent remains against her argument even as the topic shifts closer to the heart of the rally. ]

( Their souls. ) [ There's a higher aspect to all of this, one that Steve himself hasn't quite wrapped his own head around. But it's there, and it's getting leaned on by folks that have less interest in the question of man and more interest in their wallets. ]

[adamance]

( So they say. ) [Here, she would nod, but there is no room for that. Instead, there is a stretch of silence that holds as she considers the idea of souls. She believes that her soul is one that has been chosen and will be passed on. But knowing how it is passed on has recalled for a dramatic change of mindset.]

( We would do well to learn precisely how they define the "soul" here. ) [So they can cause a breakdown in that very thinking.

If she can adapt, so can they.

But will they?]

[decommission]

( Sounds like we oughta go find a priest. ) [ Concordia must have places of worship - well, even if he's not one to make daily prayers anymore, it's hard to imagine a city without some fashion of church or temple. A place without religion. ]

[adamance]

[The sentiment she offers in return is one that's puzzled. Lexa isn't unfamiliar with the concept of priests. She's read about them in books, but all aspects of Christianity and Catholicism were wiped away by nuclear bombs about a hundred years before she was born.

The idea of a soul is, again, not unknown to her or her people, but they define it differently. And the philosophical idea of the soul is something different altogether. She's read about that in both religious and philosophical texts, but they never offered a grounded answer.

Her response is hesitant, but she finally says,] ( If that's where we may find our answers. How they define these things may be present elsewhere. It may just be a matter of searching for a definition. )

[decommission]

[ What he sends back is a wordless sense of agreement. Not a guaranteed lead, but something they should get a better context for.

His physical space demands his attention again, the noise of the rally and the press of bodies shuffling around. He lets the conversation end there for the moment. ]

omg her alias is anya, i'm not crying you're crying ALSO C

[dbag]

[ Rhys doesn't fancy talking mentally — he's only done it with Angel so far, and only plans to, as she's a special circumstance — and is averse to letting Lexa anywhere near his mind, on principle. Having her words barge their way into his thoughts is irritating, but his curiosity gets the best of him. He gives no response, but does make his way to the roof.

"Up top," Lexa, are you trying to be cool, is that what's happening. ]

AAAAAHHHH!!!! [ he yells as he makes his way onto the rooftop, hoping to scare her (but likely not doing so). Just to be annoying. ] Just kidding, don't fall. Or do, I'm not your keeper.

[ He's very chipper, very in his element today. It's hard not to be when your cybernetic implants match everyone else's. However, he's well aware that sort of personality clashes terribly with Lexa's, so he tones it down slightly (as much as he can actually tone anything down) as he questions her. ]

Okay, I know we're all excited to be here, let's get this over with. You first.

i clicked the generator like six times and was finally like "she won't use any of these" cheats

[adamance]

[Lexa is definitely very cool. Wait until she buys a whole new wardrobe and dresses better than Rhys. (But that's in another another day's time.)

The attempt to scare her doesn't work, because again, she's cool. Her eyes meet his face impassively, and she doesn't say much. She debates telling him, blandly, that there was no chance of her falling, but that would mean reacting to him, and she gets the sense that not reacting is better than reacting. It probably irritates him, which in turn empowers here.]

I attempted to take tours to play catch up. I met continued resistance. [It's not much to share, but if others have found the same problems, she'll need to know.]

A private dealer provided me with the information I sought. [It's clear that there's information she's withholding.

She is also consciously making the choice to keep it from Rhys. Part of that conscious choice is just to irritate him, but also because she doesn't want him to know.

(The irony being that like Angel, he could probably help.)]

[dbag]

[ Her lack of reaction is irritating, in fact. Because he has emotions, unlike Lexa, you stone cold jerk. Still, what's more irritating is how completely unhelpful her information is. ]

Wow.

[ He slow-claps it out, so sarcastic it loops around to genuine and then sarcastic again. (It's really sarcastic, is the point.) Makes a show of it, as his dramatic tendencies never take a vacation. It sounds a bit off, his hand hitting metal instead of another human hand, but 'off' fits him. ]

You've got a real knack for storytelling. On the edge of my seat, here.

[ The loud applause turns into a golf clap, then ceases entirely as he crosses his arms, slumping into himself a bit. ]

Is that seriously it? You called people up here so you could share that little synopsis?

[ It's not even the wasted time that's bothersome — it's not like he has much to do all day, save for things like this — but the unnecessary telepathy. As much as his inner nerd is shaking with excitement at telepathy, his outer nerd still getting used to not having a voice in his head; the ever-present mental connection is one thing, but intentional broadcasting is another. ]

[adamance]

I was hoping to see if anyone else had a similar experience. Being unable to take the tours may limit our progress here. Not all of us have the technological experience that comes from worlds like your own. [She assumes that he has experience, after all, because he has a robotic hand. Her people wouldn't even bother to affix something there, simply leaving the stump to be covered and hidden (and that's in the case where it's a warrior's wound—deformities would obviously lead to the individual being exiled).]

It wouldn't be the first time we were sent on a mission with little training and information about what we should expect ahead of us. Comparing what we've found is important. We are essentially scouts. [If Rhys wanted emotion, he got it: there's a swell and depth to her voice that mixes with anger when she's frustrated. She isn't all out yelling (she's nowhere near that), but she is speaking with agitated authority.

She just also doesn't bother to stand up.

Among her people, she would never be challenged this way. Those around her would piece together exactly what it was she was looking for. The members of the Nest are inside of her head and yet, >and yet, they still fail.

But she's probably more irritated because it's Rhys, who seems destined to be a pain in the ass.]

[dbag]

[ To be fair, he's doing his best to pretend he isn't in her head.

He's spent his entire adult life sucking up to his superiors as they stepped on him on their way to the top. Forcing laughter at their (usually incredibly offensive) jokes, biting his tongue at every demeaning remark, sitting in an office surrounded by motivational posters of a mass-murderer. (Admittedly, the last was his own choice — Jack had seemed like everything he wasn't yet wanted to be; powerful, confident, respected. Worthy of idolization.) There comes a point, though, when one can't help but snap. For Rhys, that moment was Senior Vice Janitor Rhys to Sector D451 for trash clean-up, because that is your job now, to clean up trash with your bare hands.

So, you know, his relationship with authority is strained at best. ]

Well, yeah, no shit. [ He breathes out slowly, attempting to think happy thoughts. (Seeing Vaughn alive against all odds. Pinky-swearing with Sasha. Gortys trying to drive the caravan despite being a tiny, legless robot. Fiona's stupid hat she loves so much that actually looks cooler than he'll ever admit to her.) He won't show her the respect she seems to expect, but it isn't the first time he's worked with someone he didn't care for to achieve a common goal, so he continues, ] Anyway.

Technology is kind of my thing. [ He taps the corner of his gold eye, far more luminescent than his regular brown one. That's right, he has an implant in his eye, it's gross. ] This thing— okay, you probably wouldn't understand it, [ he says, actually not intending to be patronizing but coming off as it all the same, ] but it can analyze my surroundings, so, like, technology and stuff. [ And people. He uses it on people a lot. They hate it. ] What I'm saying is, if you ever need tech support or whatever, I can probably help. If it's their tech keeping you out of the tours, I could figure out how it works, maybe how to circumvent it?

[ There's mild insecurity and uncertainty in his tone, like he isn't entirely comfortable offering this to Lexa, like he's already prepared for a negative response. ]

Just. If you ever need help, you know. Just with tech, I mean, I'm not going to do your laundry.

[adamance]

[The only acknowledgement of his different eye is a shift of her own, moving toward where he's indicating without moving her head in the slightest bit. She considers it for a long time, wondering how and why she hadn't noticed it before, but realizes that it's simply because she hadn't been trained for it. Just as the others don't have any means to connect with the Flame inside of her head, she assumes that it's the same with his technology. If they were more connected or more willing to be connected, things might be different.

Still, her consideration of him lasts an unsettling length of time after that, though there's the sense (as there's always the sense between two in the same brood, much to her chagrin) as if she's making her mind up about something. Rhys is irritating. That much hasn't changed. What has changed is that he's presented a use to her.

Her eyebrows raise after that long, long moment before she says, very simply:] Scan me.

[After these two incredibly straightforward words, she rises up, and her hands come to connect behind her back, shoulders thrown back. In a way, she looks both prim and proper, and young. The youthfulness of it fades as her features harden, and she waits for him to act on her words.

If she has technology inside of her, he should be able to find it—to confirm that it's both there and present.]

[dbag]

I know this might be surprising to hear, but you're a little pushy.

[ Still, if there's anything he's good at, it's following the commands of pushy girls. It's right up there with not following the commands of pushy girls. He knows a lot of pushy girls. (Likes them, too, but Lexa's not there yet. Possibly won't be there ever.) When he activates the implant, the eye glows brighter, emitting yellow light as it moves mechanically — somewhat unnaturally — focusing on Lexa after a moment.

He waits for a moment, just staring, until he sees Analysis Complete. It's the usual things: name, age, current status. It's all normal; good, even, as far as her health goes. There's only a couple anomalies, really. ]

—Oh, hey, cool, you've got an implant.

[ He gestures to the back of his neck, where hers is. ]

I didn't know you had cybernetics. That's cool. [ The corner of his mouth turns up slightly, although he's more interested in the fact that she has tech — unlike most people in the Nest — than he is in her. ] I've got the eye, and the head port [ tap tap tap on the round port on his temple ] and the arm, obviously.

[ Said as if Lexa will give a fuck. ]

Looks like we have more in common than you think.

[ Annnnd said just to piss her off. ]

[adamance]

[The good thing about the link she shares with other people is that she can tell when they are lying or obscuring information. With those more distant from her in the Nest, it's far more difficult. But Rhys is part of her brood, and as such, she has reason to believe in his confirmation. She also uses it as confirmation for what she had learned earlier in the day.]

That piece of technology is why I've been rejected, [she says, and there's the sense that she doesn't wish to add anything else.

About the Flame itself.

Rhys does get another reaction out of her.] We are broodmates. It doesn't matter if we have anything in common, because that forces a link. Technology isn't what does it. [Lexa mostly says this to irritate him in turn, to remind him that there's a bigger picture at play.]

[dbag]

[ He pauses for a moment, wonders if his cybernetics would get him rejected as well, but doesn't ponder on the reasons behind her implant. Plenty of people had them on Helios — those wealthy enough to afford them, anyway. The only thing that actually makes him care is the fact that she doesn't expound on it, the feeling that there's something she doesn't want to tell the only thing of interest.

It doesn't hold his interest for long, though, not after she decides to be irritating again. ]

Oh, yeah, big link here. I'm really feeling the love, when are we making friendship bracelets?

[ A petulant eye roll. ]

I was just saying we both have technology in us, I wasn't trying to form a link with you or become besties. I just think it's interesting. You're, like, one of the only other people here with cybernetics. Not here here, but— you know what I mean.

[ He pauses, before saying, reluctantly, ] Maybe I can try to figure out how to get you past them. I mean, I'm probably going to have to figure it out for myself, anyway. So.

[adamance]

[There is a long moment where she considers that. The thought of having to act with any amount of subtle grace around Rhys sounds like an impossible act. He's petulant, and more than that, he doesn't let things drop when she's willfully stepping around them. Of course, she's also choosing to drop what he says to irritate him, but he never seems to go along with it.

In that way, he's willful, too. But in a bad way.]

If it proves necessary, [she finally says, and then looks away from him.] Do you have any experience with hunting or scouting? It may be best if you go in alone, rather than risk both of us being detected. It may not be necessary either way. I didn't understand much of what we're encountering here, and only wished to change that.

[Lexa realizes that's a contradiction to what's inside of her body, but she doesn't draw any attention to the fact.

(Thereby making a point to not do so. Their link, unfortunately, probably adds big red sirens blaring around it. So to speak.)]

[dbag]

[ That long pause feels like an eternity, and he thinks about taking it back several times. (She was supposed to jump at the opportunity.) Giving her more opportunities to showcase her distaste wasn't the plan. But she finally replies, dismissive as ever, and he doesn't know what else he expected. ]

You don't understand technology, but you had it literally implanted into your body?

[ He shoots her a judging look; the whole point of cybernetics is to utilize them. They're meant to improve on the human body. His right arm — the metal one — is far more useful than his left, his ECHO eye capable of seeing and interpreting things his regular one can't. From the beginning, he'd made sure he knew how to use them, how to get the most out of them. Lexa, however, seems to have not even read the owner's manual for hers. ]

I'm not telling you how to live your life, but— come on. Even when you know how to use your stuff, things can go... well, to shit, basically, trust me. I don't want to have to deal with it if something in your tech goes rogue.

[ It's #toosoon. A subject he feels pretty strongly about, even if he's sure his exact circumstances will never be replicated. (God willing, anyway.) If she doesn't understand it, there's so many more opportunities for things to go wrong. ]

I mean, I can go in alone, that's not a problem, but you should probably figure that stuff out.

[adamance]

[There's a sense that while she listened to everything that Rhys just said, that she doesn't entirely care. It's not that he doesn't have a point. Lexa's people are as dubious as they come when it comes to unknown technology, having managed to forage in a land for goods that would keep them from depending upon it. Even when it comes to the radio that Indra had, it was a necessary evil, and a means to communicating with Skaikru so that they could negotiate and pass information.

Still, she would worry if it weren't passed among her people for so long, and if it weren't something that protected them. But since it does protect them, since it's a part of who she is, she doesn't give any weight to his words. She worries more about what it means to have a symbiote inside of her than that the Flame can do to her.

So, she dismisses his concerns.]

You didn't answer my question, [she says, carefully stepping around how he's just shown concern for her. She won't forget. She just hasn't chosen to acknowledge it just yet.]

Can you scout or hunt? It you can bypass technology, that may prove useful for us here. [Lexa recalls how difficult it had been to get into Mount Weather, and how it began to seem ... impossible. It was that sentiment that led her astray, when their final moments of hope were slipping away.

(Of course, that's just an excuse. Even with the door open, she might have still taken the deal.

Well, no, she likely would have. One led to more assurance of her people's lives than the other.)]

[dbag]

[ Narrowing his eyes, he searches her face for a moment, like she can't really be completely dismissing everything he'd just said. After a moment, though, he comes to the conclusion that she can. ]

Really? You're just choosing to ignore everything I— [ He throws up his hands. ] Okay, fine, whatever. [ For a second, it looks like he's about to let it go, but then he holds up a finger. ] Listen, I'm just saying— [ The finger curls back to join the rest in a weak fist, and he exhales, lips pressed together tightly. ] You know what, never mind, let's talk about your thing instead of my thing.

[ Muttered bitterly under his breath, still loud enough to easily make out: ] My thing's more important, though.

[ Closing his eyes, he takes a breath, like Lexa's lack of reaction has him rattled. (It does, because somehow, she has immediately figured out the best way to push his buttons.) After the breath is over, he opens them again, looking away from her. ]

So, your question. Short answer: no. But, [ he adds, not wanting to seem incompetent. (Even though he is.) He can tell she doesn't think much of him, probably sees him as an albatross around the brood's metaphorical neck. Despite their clashing, he can't help wanting her regard. ] Long answer: technically, maybe not, but I'm a good improviser.

[adamance]

These companies aren't our enemies. But we may need their resources down the line to stop the movement that threatens their lifeblood. If we can't get them to act independently, we may need to send someone in to get what we need. [An individual who can act on the inside, or even get a job there. It's an idea, though the idea of employment is still confusing to her. With his proposed skill, he might be able to manage it.

All of this has to do with her acting as a leader, and considering their options. The fact that the Nest doesn't act as a cohesive unit irritates her. There should be a strong, unified goal, but they don't seem like they're keen on proposing it. Instead, they wish for people to hand themselves over, because it rids them of the possibility of hesitation. She can understand that choice. She can see the value in that choice. But there are other means of gaining that without giving up yourself, and they aren't starting at the base.

Lexa breathes out, and then adds:] As for your concern for me, don't worry. I'll remember that you care, but there shouldn't be any issues. [That's a way of twisting it around on him (and doing so without giving him any amount of the same care in return).]

[dbag]

[ I'll remember that you care. It's like she specifically chooses the most irritating way to respond. No thanks for your concern, no yeah, sure, I'll be careful, nothing. Just something that places the burden of caring on him. ]

I just— [ A scoff. ] I don't wanna be troubled because you don't know how your cybernetics work.

[ Rhys shrugs noncommittally, like he doesn't really care, and it isn't a big deal. It is a big deal, and for more reasons than Lexa's own personal safety; a flash of Jack runs through his head, but he shakes his head and it disappears quickly. It's not going to happen again.

It would be nice to have Lexa's assurance that it isn't, though. ]

Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it. [ A pause. ] Within reason.

[ It would've sounded better if he left it, but he can't have Lexa thinking he'll jump off a cliff at her command. (Since it seems she's already appointed herself leader of this ragtag band of misfits — he doesn't like it, but it's clear there's no changing that. If he has to, he'll just go rogue and do his own thing.) ]

Just let me know. Uh, preferably in person, not through the telepathy thing.