mental link | Day: 38

[earthborn]

( Some of you may have noticed a fire, not too long ago. Or maybe you were busy, fair enough. )

[Shepard's broadcast is just that; open, conversational. Let's have a little chat, all of you. The fire last night burned through a fair portion of the Descendants' dormitory, destroying property and causing distress. Deaths? Don't worry about it. Shepard certainly isn't.]

( I would like to formally take responsibility for that incident. Don't worry, we didn't get caught, this isn't my first time setting fire to something-- no, Sam, it was fine, I had it under control. More to the point, we happened to acquire a bunch of junk, including some tech Pidge has been making good use of-- You're welcome, by the way. ) [This addendum delivered with no particular malice. All the blame and none of the credit, that's how it always goes. ( As for the rest, I have it; decent haul, some of which might be relevant, some of which might just be that I've stolen somebody's junk mail for all I know. )

[Always a risk with smash-and-grab]

( Anybody who thinks they might have some insights, feel free to have a look. )

Comments

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ This turn of events is not the least bit surprising. Rogue might not know Shepard very well, but the impression of her being someone who gets things done no matter the cost was quite a solid one. And, truth be told, she kinda likes it that way. ]

( So you're a thief and an arsonist. What else do you have on your resume, sugar? )

[earthborn]

( Long story. )

[Let's not beat around the bush-- this is business. And Shepard at work is not a joke, nor is she any kind of soft.]

( I'll tell you about later. For now, let's just say that I don't tend to make a lot of friends. )

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ Ah, one of those types. She should have guessed. ]

( You get things done. Trust me, that's something I can appreciate. And something I'm always willing to help with. )

[earthborn]

( I wouldn't make that promise so quick, Rogue. But I appreciate the vote of confidence. )

[She usually has to do more than instigate a small-time, if flashy, burglary before someone gets this impressed, but Shepard's not the kind to spend too long looking a gift horse in the mouth.]

( I mean, if that's really what does it for you... you are definitely in luck. )

[theycalledmeacurse]

( I like unique people. You fit that bill perfectly. )

[ She used to be surrounded by them; it's nice having someone like that in her life again. Nevermind the part of her that occasionally worries about how it'll all turn out. ]

( And I meant what I said. Sabotage, infiltration, interrogation - I've had experience with all of it. )

[earthborn]

( It's always good to have a diversified team. I like to handle my own interrogations, usually, but I'll grant that you do have a particular talent that makes you well-suited to the job. )

[How it all turns out? Shepard, buoyed by good fortune and her own sense of at least having moved something forward, doesn't seem to care.]

( Would you say that counts as torture, what you do? I like to keep it clean, as much as I can, but... Y'know. Circumstances, best to know my options. )

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ Torture. Even the word makes her uncomfortable, stirring up things she refuses to think about right now, so she shoves them all back down into the dark depths of her mind where they belong. ]

( It's not a pleasant experience, but it doesn't hurt. It's pressure more than pain, and it's quick. A few seconds is all it takes to knock someone out and get plenty of information. )

[earthborn]

( Huh. I'm not gonna lie, I don't usually end up depending on witnesses, but it's good to have you around. )

[The memories float in an aimless clump, confusing, interconnected. Kelham's ugly face made uglier by fear. The pained, unhappy expression on Jedore's mercenary, injured but defiant in his bloodstained Blue Suns armor. An expressionless helmet I have nothing more to say to you. Well, how about goodbye? Shepard tamps them down almost before they've floated to the surface of her mind. Focus.]

( You tried it on one of the locals, yet? We could get some good intel, if it works on aliens too. )

[theycalledmeacurse]

( No, not yet. I'd rather have someone specific in mind before trying, in case it works. It's hard enough to manage everyone I've got in my head now. )

[ As much as it might help the mission, Rogue isn't quite ready yet to just go around touching everyone she happens by, hoping to get some valuable piece of information in passing. If someone else turns up dead, perhaps she'll resort to that method, but until then she's going to hold on to what sense of self-preservation she still has left. ]

[earthborn]

( Well that sounds...unhygenic. )

[Shepard tries not to think about the ghosts of prothean screams, Javik's memories living in her head even still, vivid as life in a deeply unsettling way. Night terrors that belonged to someone else, the death-wails of an extinct species.]

( Still, let's keep it in mind. A controlled test is preferable, but I'm hoping the situation's about to see some development. You might need to just cope. )

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ Unhygienic. It's funny, applying that word to her situation. She's amused almost to the point of laughing, but not quite. It's still a rather accurate description, anyway. ]

( It wouldn't be the first time, and it sure won't be the last. )

[ She's always gotten the short straw when it came to these things. The messy missions, the jobs no one else wanted, having to grin and bear it through hard times. It's what she does, that isn't going to change anytime soon. ]