[Network] @hotstud_xxx; video | Day 52, evening [open]

[rubikscomplex]

[The video feed will show the inside of a tool shed where a small, flying robot is moving around in the dim light cast by the tablet.]

Hey, Trinity! Wibblelips! Look what I found. It flies, it screams, it's alive. It also happens to be the reason I'm stuck in a shed for the night. Now, I got a screwdriver.

[The screwdriver is held up into view in a pink-gloved hand.]

And I got a hammer.

[The screwdriver is set down and the hammer is picked up to show.]

It's a hammer of justice. It's a hammer of warning. And it's going to be the hammer I take to that freaking thing unless you tell me how to get it to stop screaming in my face. Hiro, you needed some robot parts, right? Might be able to get you some.

Comments

[phaseshifter]

It's... certainly more comfortable for me to use. Especially compared to what he wants people to call him. Ew. And you're Jane, right?

[cloneprincess]

I am. It's nice to meet you, Angel.

[phaseshifter]

Likewise!

[ Even if the username 'lawbringer' might have given her a minor heart attack because HAHA WOW THAT SURE IS THE USERNAME HER DAD'S GIRLFRIEND WOULD USE??? ]

How in heck did you find his name? He seems weirdly, um, secretive about it.

[cloneprincess]

I overheard him whispering into Dio one night. They seemed close.

[ Another arrow, maybe? Angel should add another arrow. ]

[phaseshifter]

Whoa, um, okay. Everyone here is a lot more romantically entangled than I thought. Bad choice of words, Angel... Um.

[cloneprincess]

These things tend to happen in high-stress environments.

[phaseshifter]

Really? But it's so cold! And everyone has so much more to worry about!

I mean, it's. It's very sweet, though. People finding happiness and all.

[cloneprincess]

Life will find a way.

[phaseshifter]

Yes, I guess it - um - is it true? What he's saying about that - Greg - actually being the name of his barbaric uncle? Because that's - that's really awful.

private

[cloneprincess]

[ Well. Shit. Real talk time. ]

I'd hoped he wouldn't sink quite that low, I'm sorry. He doesn't really like anyone calling him what I believe his is real name; I only told you because I don't like him very much. He's trying to manipulate you using of what everyone here thinks of your father.

[ What Miranda thinks, too, but having been in a situation with her own father, Miranda knows there's going to be no convincing her until she wants to be convinced. ]

[phaseshifter]

I... oh.

Okay.

Okay, that wouldn't actually surprise me all that much.

[ You are a fink, Greg, and if Angel wasn't so concerned about Dumpy she would be spreading this shit like wildfire. ]

He's - wow, he's. An asshole.

[rubikscomplex]

Your hearing's kind of shit, Janey. If you think beefcakes shouting the name I gave him is whispering, you might need Epps to check out your ears.

[cloneprincess]

Well, I was being discreet for your sake. If you want to tell everyone on the network about how you can make a man shout your name, Greg, you're welcome to it. Some of us have a little class.

[rubikscomplex]

Zero class over here. I mean, there were children present for that entire exchange. Those tender and innocent ears.

[cloneprincess]

That is not news to me.

[rubikscomplex]

You should probably know Jane isn't her real name, Trin. She's more secretive than I am. Paranoid, right?

[phaseshifter]

As long as it isn't Nisha, I don't really mind. The only reason I wanted your name was because I refuse to use your username!

[rubikscomplex]

I've got half a dozen others. All you need to do is ask. Let's go alphabetical just for you.

Beauregard
Cameron
Chase
Cuddy
Foreman
Wilson

Pick the one you like best. I'll answer to it.

[phaseshifter]

Whoa. What's so wrong with using your real name? The admin already knows it, and unless you're trying to hide from someone you knew back home I don't see the need to... Iunno. Obfuscate your identity. Other than being an as-- a butt.

[rubikscomplex]

Because I hate my name. Because I'm on the run from the mob. Because it's embarrassing. Because I get a kick out of it. Pick whichever reason fits with the psych profile you've been pulling together. That's it.

[ Because I'm paranoid and don't want people here who find my pills to know what I'm on... doesn't make the list there. ]

[phaseshifter]

Oh, I think the last one plays its part in why you're so blatant in maintaining a host of fake names! You don't just like knowing more than other people, you like other people being aware of that. It's all part of the thing where you want people to dislike you so you don't have to worry about being likable, right?

None of those are why you started faking your name in the first place, though, but I don't suppose I'll ever get an answer about that.

[rubikscomplex]

Wow. I sound like I need a therapist. Go back to filling in your dating chart, Trinity. You're more fun when you're being wrong about that.

[phaseshifter]

[ Sorry, Doctor Totallygreg, because Angel is laughing. It isn't mocking or malicious, just delighted. Which probably makes it worse but shut up. ]

Haha, sounds to me like I got you! You're not as inscrutable as you'd like to believe you are. Anyone who's done enough people-watching can see what's up!

[rubikscomplex]

And you've done a lot of people watching, huh? Trapped on Hera, was it? Or did Dad trap you on Pandora? Because I'm guessing he trapped you somewhere where he could watch you. Maybe keep you 'safe' from those nasty bandits who murdered you, just let you watch from your cage.

[ It's blatantly defensive and wild grasping based on very limited information, but if she wants to play, he'll bring out his claws and see which ones he can manage to sink into her until Captain Killjoy Epps swings by. ]

Or maybe let's talk about your name. Daddy's little Angel. So what happened to Mommy? Daddy get her killed, too?

[phaseshifter]

[ Angel is evidently not the only one who can hit their mark. Still, she's about to say something teasing about using deflection as a tactic until he mentions her mother.

Oh. Her face falls immediately. ]

No. Mom-- no. He didn't. If - if you wanted me to stop, you could just say so, you know. You don't have to lash out. Please.