003 :: VIDEO

[stimulations]

[For anyone familiar with Josias from his few months on the Tranquility already, you might notice some small differences in his appearance. His glasses are missing, again, and his hair is slightly mussed, left to fall over his forehead where previously it had been neatly combed to the sides. Altogether he looks far more casual, comfortable in his skin, leaning back from the device lazily as he starts speaking.]

Apologies for any inconvenience in putting out another request on this network, but I honestly wouldn't know where to start in a private capacity. Two things, and I'll try to be brief.

First off, I've been having some compatibility issues with the technology here that I'd like to resolve. Someone familiar with neuro-implants would be preferable, but I know that's likely asking too much, and I believe I know enough to cover that side of things anyway. I definitely don't know anywhere near enough about this tech to make any tries on my own. It'll be hardware and software, before anyone asks. I'll save the rest of the details for anyone whose interest is piqued enough by that.

Secondly, I'm assuming we have some chemists amongst our number? I'm hoping there's some way to create some sort of lightening agent - peroxide, I think that's the most common - from what we have here. [A pause, considering.] Unless someone has some already. I'd be happy either way.

In exchange I'm afraid I have little material goods to trade - unless a couple of suit jackets would be of use to anyone. [He looks off camera at the jackets in question, reaching over to smooth the arm of one out from where it had fallen folded over.] Two ties, as well, though I'd like to keep those. [He looks back to the camera, saying the next with the certainty and seriousness of someone who's said it before:] I'm offering my services instead. Negotiable to individuals and their preferences, of course.

[An easy smile.]

That's all. Thank you.

Comments

( V I D E O )

[cloy]

[ Hello, friend. ]

And me without a pot of peroxide. [ She's no clue what peroxide is, only that Josias wants it and that — in exchange — he's offering services. ] The maesters would blush to have a try at you.

( V I D E O )

[stimulations]

Don't tell me you can't find something else to sway me with. [Not that it would matter much, considering their current arrangement.] I'm sure they would, but without any around, we can hardly test that.

( V I D E O )

[cloy]

[ Correction: hello, tiger. Ros hums to make it sound as if she's giving the possibility a bit of absent consideration, but the truth of the matter is she isn't. (And she suspects he knows that.) ] Oh, I've pots of all sorts, dear. Just not the one you're askin' for.

What's it do, then? This peroxide'f yours.

( V I D E O )

[stimulations]

Just because I'm not asking for it doesn't mean it can't be used as payment. [And maybe he'd like to see what all sorts would mean, for a woman like her.] It's bleach. Hair bleach, specifically, to take some of the colour out.

( V I D E O )

[cloy]

[ She gives a little wave of her hand, like a lazy cat batting its tail to prove how little it actually cares. ] There's far too much paying already, for a woman like me. M'more than used it being the other way round. [ Ros gives Josie a look, like she intends to turn those tables someday. ]

And there's naught wrong with your hair. You'll be brown as a nut, all 'round at this rate.

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[amethysts]

[Did you say implants?]

I do cybernetics. Never put anything in my own head yet but--hard to do brain surgery on yourself.

What do you have to give me?

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[stimulations]

Interesting, and I appreciate your response, but as I said, I'm looking for more expertise on the other side of the connection. And you appear to be a 008.

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[amethysts]

'Kay.

[She's glutted with favours now. She doesn't need anything; her crew is together, she's getting taught, she's fed and clean and well-rested. Everything is right with her world--even the dangers of the ship have a place, keep her sharp.

It's a bizarre feeling. Like being a little kid again. But it means she won't argue or barter.]

I am. What do your implants do? I have some.

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[stimulations]

I've only the one. [Though he knows about the possibility of having others - replacement limbs or organs, usually.] It boosts my ability to process and store information and allows me to interact with the virtual.

[A tilt of his head, curious.]

What about yours?

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[amethysts]

Heart rate monitor, memory card, ear bud, dart gun. I had to put them together myself, so I haven't been able to do any full body part replacements. Unfortunately. Or neuros.

[Proud, obviously. Lying about two things--her shunt, unmentioned, and her dart gun, which is actually a lockpick.]

Yours pro or custom?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

[ Sing-song voice: ] You've been holding out.

As for the hair, there are some ways to do it without chemicals. If you're interested.

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[stimulations]

I've done nothing of the sort.

[Just playing his cards close to his chest: totally different thing.]

I'd prefer the quickest way possible, really.

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[tumbleweeds]

[ Nope, totally the same thing. ]

You so have. And in that case, yeah, hydrogen peroxide's your best bet. Make sure to test it so it doesn't do something fucking weird, though.

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[stimulations]

What have I been holding out on, then?

[Raised eyebrows, Jaye.]

I'll need to have the peroxide first. But yes, I'll keep that in mind, thank you.

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[tumbleweeds]

The fact that you might actually be fun.

[ d u h ]

You could always just stand under the lights in the oxygen garden and see if that does anything.

( V I D E O | PLACEHOLDER )

[wont]

[ To be honest, she doesn't understand most of what Josias has asked for, nor does she truly understand the implication of his final offer. Instead, Alayne appears quietly curious. ] What is the peroxide for, Josias?

Encrypted 98%

[andblockbuster]

[...Ping. God, he needs to quit being a show-off, but...]

It's your lucky day, dude- you're asking just enough. This is kinda my specialty.

What kind of neural implants?

Encrypted 98%

[stimulations]

Implant, singular. Processing, storage, connectivity - it's essentially one of these devices, but inside my head. And currently disconnected from anything, which is my problem.

Encrypted 98%

[andblockbuster]

[Like that is NOT. WEIRD. AT ALL.] So the hard drive's not syncing with the brain. Any side effects? Headaches, black-outs, phantom files, weird nonsensical data threads?

Encrypted 98%

[stimulations]

[He frowns, shaking his head.]

Sorry, I'm unused to explaining these things to people unfamiliar with the technology.

[Everyone has a neuro-implant, where he's from. Such a basic thing, taken for granted, having to put it into words was more difficult than he'd expect.]

I can still access it. I just can't access anything with it.

Encrypted 98%

[andblockbuster]

[So it's not active architecture at all, which was... Topher's thought. God, for a second there, he thought he was a former Doll. A little bit of him deflates, but he's still curious.]

So it's a neuralmod-based techopathy- obviously, a shortbus explanation, but that's it, right? It lets you use your brain to interface directly with the tech?

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[redhotsummers]

...Services?

[Because Alex isn't quite sure what to make of Josias's sudden change in appearance.

First Erik starts pulling his ranting bullshit, and now Josias is changing on him--or something.

So he gets things from home, and seems to be paying in backwards karma.]

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[stimulations]

[It's a rare thing, for a moment: Josias looking actually uncertain. He's never had to explain his virtual occupation to anyone who's known him as Josias before. The split there had worked both ways. He can imagine how Alex is going to react, but he isn't going to lie or attempt to gloss it over, not now. He's never been ashamed - just had to hide his activities for his father's reaction.

The uncertainty in his expression smooths out into confidence, and he answers quite casually,]

Physical and sexual, though I have been hired for simple company in the past.

video; encyption 85% (so late I'm so sorry)

[redhotsummers]

[Alex is pretty damn good at schooling his face when he needs to.

And it's something he needs to do, right now.

Something he's quite sure he's probably failing at, slightly. His brow furrows slightly, as if he doesn't think he's hearing correctly. For a moment, he questions exactly how Josias has been reacting to him, this entire time.

Maybe before things in Promenade, before the beach in Cuba, before a lot of things--he may have blanched. But really--there is only one thing he needs to know, right now.]

...why?

[Why do it? The money, the thrill of it all? If someone is starving, scared, alone, they will do a lot to try and get rid of the problems. But Josias never seemed to be one to have those three things troubling him. So there is another reason, and he just needs to know the why. Even if he doesn't have any right to demand an answer.]

video; encyption 85% (not late at all no worries!)

[stimulations]

[Why isn't a question prostitutes hear often, unless they'd somehow landed themselves in the company of some attempted do-gooder. It was never a life Josias needed rescuing from, though - the same for most prostitutes, in his world. It was entirely legal, in the virtual, with permits to protect the underaged and laws against the truly extreme tastes. Attempts at abuse, extortion, they still happened, but with the ability to actually take them to the police they had become dramatically less prevalent.

The legality of the matter hadn't affected society's view of it much, though, and Josias is entirely aware of the judgement and scorn he could easily face - and how angry and ashamed his father would be, to find out about it.]

Because it's something I'm not supposed to do. [Richboy rebelling against daddy, ridiculous but true, Josias wouldn't deny it. Still, he smiles.] Because I'm good at it. And because I enjoy it.