ataraxion | Ω 2 Ω [Video]

[Alex has decided that until he found a better way to deal with this, he has to use video on this network. Otherwise, no one was going to be able to tell him and the other Alex apart. At least--for now.]

Look, I apologize in advance for the lack of filters on this message. The technology here is a bit more than I'm used to; still trying to get the hang of it.

[If someone wants to teach him, by all means.

Letting out a breath, he works his jaw slightly, again taking time to phrase out his words. Calling people out on the network is always a gamble, and as he hasn't learned how to sort through the system yet, he isn't even sure if these people are here. But hey--it's worth a shot.]

First off--if anyone knows a guy named Eames, Arthur, or a girl named Ariadne [He thinks that was her name] I'd appreciate if you or they got in touch with me. I got some information that might interest them.

[He shifts in his seat, leaning forward slightly.]

I was wondering if there are any sparring groups set up on board already? Working out by myself is fine, but I'd rather have someone to go up against if possible.

[And then the big question; the one that's been bothering him since he arrived here. He hates talking so much as it is (when half the people aren't really going to give a shit, at least), but this one was probably the most important.]

And... does anyone know if there is a secure bunker on board? Like 'survive a nuclear explosion' secure.

[He needed somewhere to practice his powers, damn it, without blowing a hole in the hull.]

So uh..that's it. Thanks, or whatever.

[And he shuts the feed down.]

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They don't call me Havok for nothing, Josias.

[He gives the man a slight smirk.]

Personally, I don't hear 'havoc' and think 'nuclear bunker'. [More messy desks or screwed up coding.] But perhaps colloquial exaggeration has left the word overused.

[He rolls his eyes.]

My power is controlled [Or sometimes very uncontrolled] plasma blasts.

I can blow a hole in the hull if I don't have a secure room to practice.

[He actually looks genuinely surprised at that, quiet for a minute. Then he starts thinking about it.]

That must demand a huge amount of energy. Is your appetite above average? Or do you get it from some other means?

I do actually have a higher core temperature, and a higher metabolism, but I get my energy for my power from cosmic rays.

I absorb it through my skin.

Physics was never one of my real interests, but from what I recall: that either means you may find yourself in excess out here, or grossly lacking.

[Neither of which sound good, and there might be slight touch of concern to his expression.]

I think I'm just charging slower, actually.

[He presses his lips together in a tight smile.]

Rays are getting through the hull, just not as intensely as it would be in the open air.

[He taps the suit.]

This helps me regulate, too.

I suppose our food stocks are safe, then.

[A raised eyebrow at the suit.]

And what happens if you take that off?

My body emits little bits of extra energy--you can't see it.

[He shrugs.]

Just have to watch how I use it, too. It forms hoops instead of direct blasts without the suit.

Hoops. [He's trying to imagine that. All that really comes to mind is hoop toss. Which doesn't really sit well with the necessity of a nuclear bunker, so he scraps it.] I see.

Yeah uh--like giant flying hula hoops.

[Amazing hip action. Really--less...cool in practice though.]

Giant flying hula hoops that warrant a nuclear bunker.

[Josias is still something of the mind that he's in a virtual environment, that the people he's interacting with are either other users or programs - shells. If that latter was the case - something he was growing more unsure of the more people he spoke to - then there was a great imagination at work here.]

That really is quite unique.

...that are made of plasma? Yeah. I cut through metal easily.

[Alex sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.]

I guess.

[Sometimes he still finds himself to be a freak.]

[Not quite the reaction he was expecting, but then, having some dislike for aspects of oneself was hardly unusual. Alex's were just more prominent.]

You don't like it?

It isn't liking it or not--It's just.

[Alex shrugged. Why is he even talking to this guy about it, like this?]

It's a power that can kill without a second thought. That's a big burden.

Ah. [He looks down slightly, something like a nod. Hadn't quite managed to think of it as being deadly despite the discussion of it being destructive. The perils of looking at things too analytically.] Yes, I suppose it would be.

[A pause, considering.]

You seem to bear it well, though. [That sounds like it might stray too much over to the other side though - like he's saying Alex is well-suited to having such a power. Josias remembers how insistent he'd been that he wasn't a soldier. Amends,] Responsibly, at least.

[Alex watches Josias for a moment, not sure if he was being serious or not.

But then he gives him a small flicker of a smile, and nods.]

Thanks.

[Because what else could he do?]

I try, at least.

[He smiles back, maybe a touch reassuring for that initial moment of uncertainty.]

Half the battle, as they say.

Yeah, I guess so.

[Alex debates something for a moment, then--]

Hey uh--you've been pretty cool, so far. Want to meet in person, maybe? For coffee, or booze, or whatever passes for swill around here.

[His smile grows at the idea that he's been pretty cool, but he doesn't let it turn sharp. Just nods, instead.]

I'm not sure the doctors would approve of me putting caffeine or alcohol in my system just yet, but I'm sure we can come to some sort of compromise.

[Alex raises an eyebrow]

You okay?

--I mean, I've been kinda rude, haven't I. Been rambling about myself; I don't even know if you're human or not.

[He laughs a little, shakes his head.]

I'm human. [And he deliberately gears conversations to try and find out as much as possible about those he's talking to, anyway.] Just still recovering from my little incident with the toxin.

It apparently takes four to six weeks for everything to be restored properly after major blood loss, did you know that? I didn't. An enlightening experience all round, it seems.

Huh.

I didn't know that either, actually.

[Alex gave a slight shrug. Well, so he's human. Okay. That's something new he's learned about him, at least.]

I'd say we'd just talk over water, but that sounds pretty lame.

I find the company usually means more than the beverage.

[And he's used to being around people, virtually or actually. It was odd to be alone for such long periods of time.]

Especially when the alternative is to sit alone in your spaceship room and wait for something interesting to come up on your spaceship... communications device thing.

[A pause. Reaching an actual dead end in his vocabulary was a new experience. But back to the matter at hand,]

One of the kitchens, perhaps?

Yeah--can't disagree with that, I suppose.

[Alex gave a small flash of a smile, and nodded.]

That will work with me. Do you mind if I bring Bozo?

I just--kinda hate leaving him alone in this place.

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