ACT VII - Video

[crapbearer]

[ Hi, guys. You remember this kid from a couple days ago? Now he's looking far more somber. ]

So apparently we're not 'supposed' to leave the city, except for using the porters, which doesn't help much.

One of my powers is portals. They span all across the country. If you need to get somewhere else, let me know. My name is Max.

[ Yeah... too bad he didn't have the foresight to use the Mirror Net. ]

Comments

[text - locked]

[electromedic]

[Points for initiative, Max, but there's one glaring flaw here that Mina immediately catches.]

Is this network secured?

[text - locked]

[crapbearer]

...I don't know.

[ crap crap crap crap crap ]

[text - locked]

[electromedic]

Okay... make sure that you don't give away too much information publicly. Especially with the possibility of the network being looked at.

[text - locked]

[crapbearer]

Right. good plan. will do that from now on.

[ text ]

[enucleation]

I don't think it's a good idea to advertise to the network like that.

[ text ]

[crapbearer]

yeah im starting to realize that.

Thanks though. I'll be careful.

[text]

[timecapture]

Max, be careful.

[Says the pot to the kettle.]

[text]

[crapbearer]

Look, i want to help however i can. My main power is really useful right now, im gonna use it.

[permalock]

[timecapture]

I meant the network.

[Do what you gotta do, name-twin, but be stealthy about it.]

[permalock]

[crapbearer]

...yeah. That.

Didn't really think that one through.

[timecapture]

Where are you? I can help.

[crapbearer]

Im at my place. Should i leave?

i mean the russians could probably teleport me anyway but still.

[timecapture]

No, I'll come over.

Let's hope that doesn't happen.

private

[resipiscent]

Oh, you do that too.

[Locked only because he doesn't want to go just blabbing his own powers, even though amongst imPorts they're not a big secret or anything.]

Re: private

[crapbearer]

you can do portals?

[resipiscent]

Yeah. That's how I do my job. They're not -- good for sending people through, though. So they're kind of useless in that sense.

[crapbearer]

Heh. That's pretty much all mine are good for — people. Getting from point A to point B usually involves a couple layovers, so someone's gotta move the cargo to its destination.

[resipiscent]

Guess so. I mean, technically a person could go through them. But it's not safe in there, so I don't use it as a means of travel. Or I try not to, at least.

[crapbearer]

Hey, when all this is over, we could team up and move people and cargo!

[resipiscent]

Well, I've already got a partner -- and technically we're a delivery service. You could probably open a transportation business, though.

[crapbearer]

[ Max waves a dismissive hand. ]

Nah. When work and recreation mix like that, it stops being fun. I don't mind my job being in a single place I can get away from.

[resipiscent]

Yeah? I kinda like it this way, actually. Means I can slack off whenever I want.

[crapbearer]

Eh, everything's got pros and cons. It's all about what you're willing to work with.

i thouoght i replied to this :|

[resipiscent]

This is true. I don't mind it being an all-hours kind of thing, because I'm awake most of the time anyway.

[crapbearer]

What, don't you get those lazy Saturdays where you just wanna stay in bed and sleep another six hours?

[resipiscent]

Lazy Saturdays, certainly, but no wishing for sleep. I try to -- fill my time with other stuff.

[crapbearer]

Aw, come on! What kind of self respecting person doesn't wish for more sleep? You're making the rest of us look bad with that work ethic.

[ He's clearly joking, with that grin on his face ]

[resipiscent]

Work ethic, huh? That's what you think it is?

[crapbearer]

[ Max's expression sobers a bit. ]

If you'd like to correct me, I'm all ears.

[resipiscent]

I don't like sleeping. It's not enjoyable.

[That's about the size of it.]

Sorry, I don't mean to get all heavy on you. But that's how it is.

[crapbearer]

Don't be. Nightmares can be a bitch sometimes. Is that what it is? Or something else?

Either way, I mean, if you need to talk about it or something...

[resipiscent]

Not just nightmares, but yes.

Ah... I don't know about that. Not here, at least, and not right now.

[crapbearer]

Is there a where and when that might work better?

[resipiscent]

[He's a little surprised -- it's not like they know each other all that well. Max has no obligation to listen to him, but he's offering anyway.]

Hm... well, if you're that interested... I can make myself available. Deliveries happen whenever, after all.

[crapbearer]

We can figure something out. I just want to help.

[resipiscent]

[His mouth curves. Sounds like Sora.]

... You're a good guy. Tell you what, come visit if you like.

text; private/encrypted

[superposition]

[Oddly, there's no admonitions this time - not even for the gaping lack of security. Since... a bunch of people beat him to that.]

Good of you to offer. But if for any reason you don't feel safe getting someone out, I want you to call me instead. All right?

... On Mirrornet, obviously.

[Okay maybe just a little admonition.]

text; private/encrypted

[crapbearer]

[ Honestly, he expected it from you in particular. ]

i will. thank you.

...on mirrornet, yeah. How are you holding up?

private/encrypted

[superposition]

Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?

[crapbearer]

[ Max shrugs and smirks. ]

Funny thing about conversations, they can go back and forth. We both can ask questions!

[superposition]

[siiiiiiiiiigh.]

Well, I'm fine. Generally irate about the whole situation, but that's nothing new.

[crapbearer]

[ YOU WILL BE CARED ABOUT WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT ]

Yeah, that's reasonable.

Meanwhile, I'm thirteen, and authority's telling me not to do something. You can imagine how that's making me feel.

[superposition]

[WOW RUDE]

All too easily. It's hard enough when the authority's legitimate.

[Whaaat? Qubit, a rebel? STOP THE PRESSES.]

I don't want you getting yourself hurt, though.

[crapbearer]

Well, that makes two of us. I sure as heck don't like getting hurt.

But, y'know, sometimes it happens.