[ VIDEO ]

[embellishing]

[When the video transmission starts, there’s a rather neat and tidy man in a suit, seated in one of the passenger quarters.]

I’ll give it to this place, this has to be one of the oddest awakenings I’ve had. Still doesn’t beat Nepal though…

[The last part is muttered, almost to himself, before he turned back to the camera, all business.]

Not to ask the same question twice, but I’d like to go home as much as the next person, so perhaps I’ll save on some of the legwork and reach out. How can I help make sure this ship reaches its destination in one piece? I do have military training and my information gathering skills can be useful.

[There’s a small pause, and then he smiles, a small almost innocent look.]

Also I’m rather decent at poker, if that will help us any. So, who’s recruiting?

Comments

[embellishing]

I'm glad.

[That might be the most sincere sentence he's uttered since he got here. It must be the fact that this man already knows him and will still deign to speak with him.

That aside, he'll keep the mood light.]

Though if you've known me, surely you knew you should have gotten a poker night started. I'm a bit dismayed, truth be told.

[redhotsummers]

[Alex smirks.]

You had just started teaching me. Wasn't really looking to see these people clean my pockets out like you used to.

[embellishing]

[That'll get a chuckle out of Eames.]

Well we can pick up the lessons where you last left off, if you like. If the people here are any good, then it'll be better to have a pair.

[redhotsummers]

That works for me. [He smiles.] Definitely up for it.

[embellishing]

Fantastic.

[And then a small, thoughtful pause.]

Though it's a bit odd that you know my name and I don't know yours.

[redhotsummers]

Alex Summers. Some people just call me Havok.

[embellishing]

Havok? What is the story behind that nickname?

[redhotsummers]

I run with a group that has codenames. [He shrugs.] Not much different from the Extractor, the Architect...the Forger.

[embellishing]

[Eames is the last one to judge on odd group names, most definitely.]

It sounds a lot more dashing and deadly at any rate. Do you prefer Havok or Alex?

[He should probably know these things.]

[redhotsummers]

Alex. None of us really go by our code names, here.

[embellishing]

It's a pleasure meeting you, Alex.

[He hopes such a standard phrase can be forgiven, since it is technically his first time meeting him.]

Oh? Are there a lot of your team here?

[redhotsummers]

Yeah--not all of us are from the same time, but there are four besides me.

[embellishing]

Is it better or worse having them here?

[He's curious. He's not sure how he'd feel if he had people he knew and cared about here. For one he's glad there doesn't seem to be, but he knows himself. He forms connections despite his better judgement.]

[redhotsummers]

Depends on which one of them you're talking about.

[He has some bad relationships with a couple of them.]

[embellishing]

[Since Eames doesn't know any of them to his knowledge:]

All four, just out of curiosity.

[redhotsummers]

Two of them I'm happy to have here.

...the other two...

[He shrugs.]

Sometimes I hate them, other times it's not so strong.

[embellishing]

It sounds like any working relationship.

What are the names of the ones you like and the names of the other two?

[Alex should know how nosy he is right? He can opt out at any time.]

[redhotsummers]

Hank, Raven, Erik, and Charles.

The first two are the ones I'm closest too.

...Hank is blue and furry, Raven is blue and had scales. And is ridiculously pretty.

[embellishing]

[Eames will chuckle at that, soft and low.]

I'll be sure to greet them if I see them.

[He would tease Alex about having a crush but he's better than-]

So blue and scales is your type?

[redhotsummers]

Hey--no. I'm with someone.

[Who isn't her.]

I'm just saying that she's--she's pretty. It's a fact. Not really an opinion.