maskormenace | text ( mirror network + anonymous )

Entry tags:

† sam ortez | locus

text ( mirror network + anonymous )

[ Since his arrival here, Locus has done a lot of research on various things, like where to get the best deal on shoes is or where the local riffraff hang out or even where to get the best dog food from ( but that was just a sad side effect from working at a dog grooming place. ) One thing he hadn't done a deep study on was weaponry and surveillance. Because he didn't think he'd need to.

But. Things change.

Which is why he's coming here to the mirror network and posting anonymously. Because that's not suspicious at all! ]

I will be brief. I am wondering the best place to procure weapons from. Not the typical kind found in most gun shops. I would rather not have to borrow from the government. Also looking for a little more advanced technology in terms of communications and surveillance. I seek some place or someone discreet with the possibility of repeat business should it prove advantageous. Any insight would be appreciated.

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[ It's probably unnecessary, but he'll also respond anonymously. ]

Do you really think there's anyone here that's willing to give information to someone that sounds so suspicious?

The intelligent ones who want business, yes. I take no issue with revealing myself to a serious offer.

Even if you reveal yourself to them, requesting weapons the way you are makes it sound like in the long run it might not be in anyone's best interest to answer.

To you, perhaps. Not to others. It's the others I'm interested in.

Maybe. There are always opportunists looking to make money when they can. But even if you find someone like that you've probably already drawn attention to yourself from people like me, who are going to be curious what you want with weapons like that.

Edited 2016-11-28 01:55 (UTC)

It's anonymous. You don't know who I am and you've decided to not say who you are. I'm not particularly worried over attention that will go nowhere.

That's true. I'm probably not much of a concern to you in the first place, but even anonymous postings can be tracked to a single device. I hope whatever you need weapons for wouldn't make it necessary for someone to attempt that though.

I'm not concerned with that, either. Anyone is free to decode and figure out who I am if they care to. Ultimately it will be more trouble that it is worth.

I hope that's true.

[ Felix is on his way back when he gets the notification of this post. Because he knows that Locus was going to do this, it's easy to identify him. And since they're trying to be discreet about it, he doesn't respond to try to have a slightly—massively—off-topic conversation. He decides to wait.

Which is why he breezes into the office without a knock, drops the packages he's carried in onto the floor, comes around the side of Locus' desk, and plops his ass on top of it in the obnoxiously too close proximity zone. Then he leans closer into Locus' line of sight like maybe he might have failed to notice his grand entrance. ]

Hi. I'm here now. Pay attention to me.

[ At least he didn't sweep all of Locus' work off his desk!!! ]

[ Because they've been hired for a job and because Locus is Locus, he's trying to get as much information as he can before proper movement. Maybe he's spending more time on it than necessary, but it's a hell of a lot better doing this than living a mundane life day in and day out. Between the restaurant and this, he doesn't feel so much like some sort of useless slug, just slinking along with nothing better to do.

And because he's Locus and this is Felix, he bristles slightly. Because. Maybe not as much as he once used to. He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. ]

If you leave those things on the floor, Leon will just get into it.

[ See? He's practicing patience and not immediately snapping. ]

[ Locus can bristle at him all he wants. After this many years together, Felix is practically immune to it. He does, however, notice that it's a more mellow response than he's accustomed to getting. And because of that, he opts not to ratchet up the annoyance.

Just like he doesn't sprawl out across Locus' desk like whim's trying to compel him to do. ]

Yeah, I know, but I figure I got a few minutes before the Furry Inquisition comes and wreaks havoc. [ He lifts his eyebrows, giving Locus a curious, interested stare. ] How's your day been?

[ If he knows what's good for him, especially in the long run and this whole thing they're trying to do, Felix won't push too far. Locus is trying to change ( no matter how this post may posit differently ) but even he's not made of complete uncaring. He could snap at any moment. And when it comes to his work, he doesn't like it being disturbed. Felix flinging it to the floor or otherwise messing it up will cause an argument.

Especially because right now he feels close to the edge of being in a bad mood anyway. His tolerance for his own uselessness isn't much. And he feels like he's let himself down by not knowing this information himself and having to resort to this.

He looks at Felix and for just one very, very, very quick second confusion flickers across his face. He doesn't know if Felix is asking because he's genuinely interested or if there's some ulterior motive. ]

Unproductive thus far. [ This is why he's borderline cranky, ok. ] I do not predict fruitful results.

[ Lifting a hand he rubs his eyes; the beginning of a headache is likely coming. Which means he needs to stop reading so much for now. His hand drops to rest against the arm of the chair and he looks back to Felix. ]

Did you get what you needed?

[ Or wanted? He's not actually sure why Felix went out and that's probably as close to "how was your day" as Locus is going to get for now. ]

[ Locus needs a break. He can't be a person and a robot at the same time. It's one or the other, and if he's going to complete his transition back into the man he was before the Covenant fucked him up, he needs to learn that. Luckily—unluckily?—he has Felix to help him. ]

Don't sweat it. This place is nuts. It won't be your fault if it isn't. [ He tips his head to the side. ] Won't be the end of the world either. For once.

[ It's a momentary side track. One that he gets himself off of with a blink. ]

Yeah. [ He snaps his fingers. ] Oh! Actually...

[ Pushing off the desk without disturbing the precious Work, Felix heads back to the pile of bags he left unceremoniously all over the floor. Leon has not yet arrived on scene to make a mess of everything. Probably because he's busy working his way through Felix's favorite shoes. ]

I got you a few things too. [ Felix hefts two of the bags loaded with purchases. ] You want 'em now or—[ He waggles his eyebrows, mostly joking. ]—you wanna wait for Christmas?

[ Since that's a thing they can do now. Christmas. It's been forever since Felix actually got to celebrate it and this year, he's thinking he's going to go all out. Make up for a few decades of war and death and trying not to die. ]

[ Well, Felix is right about that. The world won't end if they get nothing out of this. It won't end if they succeed or fail. Anything they do is kind of meaningless in the grand scheme of things and that's what sets Locus' nerves aflame. What is he if he has nothing? If he has nothing to do? It's these kinds of questions that keep him up at night.

So. He can afford not to work so hard because it doesn't matter. But not working hard makes him feel uncomfortable. It's a shit cycle to be in.

With a sigh, he swivels in the chair to face away from the desk and watches Felix with... slight trepidation. Skeptical of this whole Christmas affair. He'd honestly forgotten all about holidays. Because really. What did it matter being out in space or the colonies? Not like they had many reasons for the season. One brow lifts in question, his lips only slightly tight at the corners. ]

Christmas? Why... [ No. No he's not going to do this. His fingers lace together as he sets his hands on his lap. ] No. What did you get?

[ None of the bags seem to be moving or making any noise. So. He assumes there's nothing live in there. ]

[ Maybe he should have gotten something alive. Another friend for Leon. Something to even the animal to human ratio. But one dependent is difficult enough and Felix still doesn't like that he's got competition for Locus' attention now. Later, maybe. If he ever becomes mature enough to handle it.

Or drunk enough to acquire another wild animal. ]

I saw this novelty apron that I was going to get you for work, said "kiss the cook" on it, but then I realized that Traci might take it literally and then I'd have to kill her. [ He sighs as he says it. Trustworthy help is so hard to find when everybody's got a crush on Locus. ] So I put that back and got...

[ He withdraws a black case from one of the bags. It's less than a foot long. ]

This! [ Carrying it over, he slides it across the desk to Locus. ] It looked like something you'd like.

[ Inside is a sleek black handgun with a customized silencer. It's small, but it's more powerful than the standard .22s he's seen in the stores here. Leaving it there, Felix returns to the bags, digs out a pile of clothing boxes, and carts them over to the desk too. Inside are a number of expensive shirts and pants in the tasteful (bland) colors and fabrics Felix knows Locus prefers. ]

[ He just rolls his eyes at the mention of the apron. It's not something he'd ever wear—at work or at home. The last thing he needs is to invite that kind of contact. Especially at work. No thanks.

The case, however, gives him pause. His brows raise slightly as he takes it and sets it in his lap. It's not too difficult to guess what's inside. It's not the first time he's seen a gun case. Were he the sort to, he could laugh to himself that this is the kind of gifts they give each other. He opens it up and stares at it for a moment before lifting it out. It's smaller than he's used to, but it's still a familiar sort of weight in his hand. Even more so when he fits the silencer on. He can't imagine having a huge use for this, but still.

With Felix, he knows it's very much the thought that counts. And, admittedly, this is more exciting than clothes. Because he knows that's what's in the other bags. He recognizes the store name on there as a place he's gotten a few suits from.

Disassembling the gun, he tucks it back into the case, closes it and sets it back on the desk. He looks at Felix for a moment before tipping his head almost imperceptibly to the side in a silent bid for Felix to come closer. ]

Thank you. [ Which still feels weird to say, but it's what he should say. ] We should go to the shooting range soon.

[ As far as Felix is concerned, guns are like knives: always an exciting gift to give, receive, and then use on as many people as possible. He knows there isn't much in the way of possibility of that latter happening now, with Locus trying to atone for his sins or whatever he's doing, but it's still fun to buy guns. And he knows that Locus likes guns and even if he doesn't use it the way it's meant to be used, he can still while away the hours cleaning it and petting it and whatever else he does with his equipment when he could be spending that time paying attention to Felix.

He watches him inspect it without staring too much, hoping that he likes it and deciding that he probably does. That assumption seems like the right one when Locus mentions going to the shooting range. ]

Yeah? [ Grinning slightly, Felix does drift closer and resumes his former position leaning against the desk at Locus' side. ] Soon? Because I haven't been to a range in what feels like forever.

[ He could go, but it's more fun with Locus. Alone, he can hit the targets without really trying. With Locus, it's like a challenge because Locus is as good as he is. ]

You're welcome. For the stuff. [ He shrugs, trying to downplay it. ] Just figured it'd be nice, you know? Getting you something. I get the cat shit all the time.

[ It's up for debate how a gun is supposed to be used, but not a discussion Locus and Felix can have in good faith. But, in spite of Locus' "new leaf," he still likes guns. Loves them. Truthfully, they're one of his favorite things. This world might not have the best weapons like they've been able to get their hands on back home, but a good pistol is still a good pistol. And, if he's honest, he really wants to try this one out.

He nods, once, and leans back slightly in the chair to look at Felix. Not that they needed the practice—what with all the jobs they took—but he can remember how they used to go to a shooting range whenever the opportunity came up. Obviously they'd gotten out of the habit when the job on Chorus came up...

Best not to think about that.

So, to stay away from letting anyone's thoughts go that far, he gives Felix a bland sort of look that borders on subtle exasperation. ]

Good to know I now rank as high as the cat. [ His humor is so painfully dry it sparks without a flint. Anyway. ] How about tomorrow?

[ Felix returns that look like a flat, dusty dry stare of his own. It's the kind of stare that says yes, the cat is soooooo much more important than you. And it's ruined somewhat by the way he rolls his eyes afterward.

The act ends a moment later. Because they're going to the shooting range tomorrow and now he has something to look forward to. Even if they can't actually shoot anyone. ]

Tomorrow's good. I'll get a babysitter for the cat.

[ Traci. Traci's going to babysit the cat. ]

You still busy? [ He nods toward the desk and whatever the fuck Locus is doing on it. ] I can go put your stuff away. Let you get back to it.

[ And maybe that's the real present after all. ]

[ A babysitter.

For the cat.

Locus just sighs at that because... well for any number of reasons. But, leave it to Felix to get a cat that needs a sitter. He looks toward his pile of things on the desk and calculates a few different things in his head. He could let go for now and come back later, but it's going to niggle at him in the back of his mind until he completes a few more trails. So, he might as well just get it done now so he won't have to listen to complaints later.

So, he nods and moves the case with the gun off to the side ( that can totally stay here ) so he can get back to what he was doing. ]

Another hour should do it for now.

[ For reasons that Felix will never understand, work is like some kind of drug to Locus. He says an hour, but he thinks it'll be a hell of a lot longer than that before Locus emerges from his work hole.

It doesn't go unnoticed that Locus keeps the gun with him. At least that gift went over well. ]

Yeah. All right.

[ Felix pushes off from the desk and collects all the boxes. Carting them back over to where he's left the rest of the bags, he shoves them inside an empty one and picks up everything. ]

See you later.

[ Hands weighed down with packages, Felix gives him a nod instead of a wave and leaves the room. First, he's going to put all the shit away. Then... Who knows. ]

and pray tell, what would you do with something like that?

What one normally does with weaponry. Keep it around until it's necessary to use.

that sounds very sensible and not at all suspicious

It is suspicious only if you make it that way.

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text ( mirror network + anonymous )

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