( video )

[drizzle]

[The new year is usually a time where everyone can relax from their hard work over the holidays. It should be a time where friends hang out and have fun. It definitely should be Nike’s favorite way of beginning the new year, but… it wasn’t. A new network post will begin with a close up of her face that has a very forced smile, one that almost yelled ‘she was going to eat someone alive in less than a minute’. It becomes even more clear the moment she begins to speak in an exasperated voice.]

Happy new year, everyone. I know I should’ve asked this before, but I never thought I’d need to do this. [And what could it be? It won’t be long until she answers.] A new year’s resolution. I heard about them. I made a few. Like for one, I will try to be more patient and not do anything too drastic, but…

[Of all the things to be done towards him, Kagami never expected this. His hands and legs all tied up in rope. Try as he might, he can’t even make a Corridor with the way his hands are bound, so there was no escaping his predicament. All he could do is sit on the couch with a very pissed off expression and make snarky remarks at her.]

Oh yeah, because this isn’t drastic. [His eyes then roll back.] I take you to Vegas and you treat me like this.

Be quiet, you! This wouldn’t be an issue if you just behaved! Who in their right mind punches someone for no good reason!?

I punched a tree in your backyard! It’s not like I hurt anyone!

But you almost hurt Sorey! That’s bad enough! [No, really, she is definitely upset he hurt the tree in their backyard. Not just that, but her bird and squirrel feeders too. Soon returning her attention to the network, she’ll decide to get back on track.] As you can see, this kid clearly needs some new playmates.

But I didn’t! So shut up! [Now he’s glaring very hard and looks ready to beat the living daylights out of her.] I don’t want friends. I’ll get you back for all of this too, just you wait.

[Before he gets another word in, Nike will nonchalantly wrap a white cloth around his mouth.]

Hush, baby face! I’m not done yet. [Back to the network she goes.] If anyone wants to come over and help him burn off some energy, please do. Whoever comes over, I promise to reward you with all the rice crispy treats I’ll be baking. Just. Please. Be his friend and take him out! Please!!!

[Kagami is far from happy at this point being tied and gagged. So while Nike is talking to the network and pleading, he attempts to flee by wiggling his way off the couch. Yet instead of getting anywhere, he falls right off the side said couch with a loud thump which can be heard/seen in the background if people pay enough attention.]

O-Oh? Ah! [There will be a moment of amazement until she decides to point the camera towards him, everyone will now notice he is on the floor. ] Amazing. It’s pretty amazing that you’re still able to move. I’ll help you in a minute. [By minute, she means after she is done talking. With a shake of her head, she’ll return the communicator’s attention to her.] As you can see, he’ll be a very good friend to play all types of games with. That is, if you can even get him tied up It took me a few hours to. If you’re not interested in being his friend, then advice on helping him find some will be much appreciated too. So thanks for your time, and hopefully you’ll consider adding Kagami to your new year’s resolution.

[And that’s when the feed ends.]

Comments

[darkimitation]

[This person was already being weird to Kagami, but he won't say that and instead replies with his usual bluntness.]

I have one already, it's called fighting or hitting things.

[shipmaster]

Admittedly, not an entirely bad way of doing it. Care to try something productive with it? I happen to have a small security group... I could use more fighters.

[darkimitation]

What kind of security group? I'm not about to jump into something I don't know anything about.

[shipmaster]

[ Bel looks please that it wasn't an immediate yes, actually. ]

We handle small to large problems for the native population, and occasionally imPorts. Missions are full disclosure, opt in and pay up front.

[darkimitation]

What kinds of problems? I'm not against being paid to fight, but I want to know what I'm doing first.

[shipmaster]

No great causes, honestly. People who need protection, mostly. There's some guard work, but it's cheap and boring. The bodyguard detail tends to be the most interesting. We occasionally get the special mission filtered through. And occasionally the ridiculous.

But it pays well, depending on what skills you might have.

[darkimitation]

I can do better than being just a bodyguard. How does also being able to become someone else and use their powers sound to you?

[shipmaster]

[ Oh. That had USES. ]

Anyone?

[darkimitation]

Allow me to demonstrate.

[Setting down his communicator for a moment, what Bel will see now is him closing his eyes and concentrating for a moment as what appears to be a bubble of darkness surrounds him before he changes into Nike completely and looking exactly like her. He then picks up his communicator again to talk, his voice even matches hers when he speaks.]

Well? What do you think?

[shipmaster]

[ The person on the other side of the line sits up, attention sharp. The joking, sharp mannerism they had used earlier was gone under a rather businesslike evaluation. ]

You're right. That would be terrible for bodyguard work. But perfect for high risk protection gigs, bait and switch setups for kidnappers and the like.

[darkimitation]

[He changes back and likes the sounds of this business deal the more he hears. But there is one thing he needs to address, thus he does so.]

So how much pay would I get for those? It better be good.

[shipmaster]

[ The figure Bel gives is not a small amount, given their plans run to the combat pay. ]

- Per job baseline, sometimes there's a commission as well, depending on the client. Free access to medical, the ability to put in requests with our science department. Anything else I can't offer without contract negotiations, really, but I'm sure of that as a standard.

[darkimitation]

[The more Kagami's hearing, he's beginning to actually like what he hears. So why not he thinks, a job is a job after all.]

Most of that doesn't sound half bad. All right, you got yourself a deal. Just let me know when I can start working.

[shipmaster]

There's a cafe in Heropa called the Lucky Cat. Stop by and we'll rough out the details over lunch. I have one or two on the docket that might suit you very well.

[darkimitation]

All right. When do you want to meet me for lunch? Any specific day?

[shipmaster]

[ Their fingers trace over something on the comm just to the side of the camera, shifting through programs to find what they're looking for. ]

Oh, Friday good for you-? Ah, I believe the young lady mentioned your name was Kagami. Any surname?

[darkimitation]

[He'll nod from his side of the camera.]

Friday's good. And no, I don't have a surname. Blame my brother for that one.

[shipmaster]

[ There's a raise of an eyebrow there, but no comment until they have the occasion saved. ]

There we are. That's a date.

Is it that important to you? It's really only useful in hereditary types of society.

[darkimitation]

Isn't it considered weird by most people to not have a last name?