video | oo1 | τ = 1.

[topology]

[ The feed clicks on and, for a while, all you get is the shift of a hand writing something on a page. The paper in question isn't in view, but the curl of his hand is — a short scrawl, tight but not illegible, from the way his wrist shifts. Arthur thinks about not picking up the device at all and deleting what's been recorded so far but he doesn't, instead choosing to set the pen down angling it so he can speak directly and clearly to the screen. He looks rough but it's not in his overt presentation, not with his tie neat and the collar secure and his cufflinks done up. It's in his eyes, the pinch of his brow — Arthur looks tired. But that's really not any of your business. There's a reason for all this face-time too. Demon-free, and all that. ]

I need to know how this— [ His brows draw together; it isn't exactly his field of expertise beyond using it as some on-the-nose symbolism. ] demon possession happened.

[ He taps the pen idly on the surface of his desk, tap-tap-tap. After a beat, he adds: ]

And how to stop it from happening again.

[ Another long, long beat. He sets the device down and it's almost like he's forgotten that the feed is on. He hasn't and, eventually, Arthur huffs out a laugh. ]

I also need a new pen.




( ooc | all replies will be in perma-text unless otherwise marked! )

Comments

text | ENCRYPTION 100%

[wiretap]

002 » 200.

[ Then, after a few minutes. ]

a pen.

[not here]

[constructum]

[ obviously she doesn't have much to add here – you know as much as she knows.

so instead of asking you about mal, she will just lurk like a mofo here, hoping to learn as much as she can.

also. You might just find two pencils and a sketchbook lying right outside your door when you finally do come out of hiding arthur.

(just take it easy arthur she honestly worries about you.) ]

video

[became]

[ oh hey there, Guy With Nice Pants. ]

Good to see you survived fine. Any luck on the dry cleaner?

[ and now, almost as an afterthought. ]

Will a pencil do? It's not quite the same thing, but if you don't care I don't.

text.

[topology]

[ sup, Mr. Saville Row :') ]

Not yet.

I prefer a pen, [ because pencils can be erased and shit motherfucker what if somebody changes something in his super secret moleskine what if ] but a pencil's fine.

text / action.

[topology]

[ It takes him a little while to decide on whether to go. (He's not entirely sure a pen from Aberdeen actually means what it says on the tin. The universal limit is usually just the one freebie.) ]

Sure. Give me ten minutes.

[ And, just like he said, in ten (technically eleven) minutes there's a knock on her door, a polite rat-tat-tat. Open sesame, Aberdeen. ]

text.

[became]

[ bb we want to see yo' pretty face, why you gotta be this way ;;

but fine, neal will match. ]

Keep me posted.

I feel like something out of Chandler now, but: the pencil I can give you, the pen is going to cost.

...Okay, that was fun.

[ MAYBE TEXT IS OKAY because arthur can't see him grinning like an idiot and flipping his fedora around like frank sinatra on crack. ]

text.

[topology]

Cost.

[ fuck ugh pokerface pokerface pokerface ]

I think I left my wallet back on my home planet. [ ha ha ha you see arthur has a sense of humor ha ha ... ha. B| ]

voice;

[goingsilent]

[ Look, you look much better than you did when you were all +300 demon points. ]

Back to work already?

AUDIO;

[widowing]

It probably caught you off-guard at a moment of weakness or vulnerability.

[ she'd ask when it happened, but it doesn't really matter. ]

Any specific type of pen?

voice;

[topology]

[ Yeah, he liked his life before all these spaceship points started to stack up too. B(

Also, voice mode: engaged. (Begrundgingly:) Quid pro quo when it comes to the space ninja that saved your cojones. :< ]

Got a lot to catch up on.

text.

[became]

I have enough pencils not to care if I never get one back, for now. Pens are a little more dear.

Floor's open to: cigarettes/coffee/paper/a book I haven't read a million times by now, with options open for suggestions or an open-ended IOU, although something tells me you might be less inclined towards that one.

voice;

[goingsilent]

[ Oh don't give her that :<. You will secretly like it or she will make you secretly like it. ]

You know what they say about all work and no play. Hint: Why do one when you can do both?

text.

[topology]

No, not particularly. [ Arthur's not one for being rude to a woman who offers him stationery but let's be honest, the recent demon fiasco is making him a little stir-crazy for answers. ]

It happened after the jump. Why now?

text. WIPE THAT SMUG GRIN OFF YOUR FACE CAFFREY

[topology]

[ P O K E R F A C E ]

You want me to go treasure hunting for you?

text.

[widowing]

[ all right, she's rather amenable, text it is. ]

i'll see what i can do.

i couldn't tell you, but that's generally how that kind of thing works. they wait until your guard is down, then shove themselves inside and try to push you out.

i don't think they were aboard before this jump, if that's what you were referring to.

voice;

[topology]

[ Arthur's exhale sounds almost like a laugh, two parts dry and one part frustrated. ]

Not enough time.

[ All work and no play makes for a perfectly functioning human being, okay? Arthur's life is calibrated for high-stress environment!!!!! ]

text.

[topology]

[ Sorry, Natasha. Homeboy isn't feeling so charitable at the moment. :< ]

Do you know who can?

And yeah, it was. How do you know that? —How does anyone? I'd like to know what set them off, if that's true.

voice;

[goingsilent]

Really? From where I'm standing, it looks like all the time in the world.

[ Because they're trapped? Or vague thinly-veiled reference to that thing where you guys apparently think this is all a dream? Or or or just Kasumi teasing??? Only (ha ha) time will tell. ]

voice;

[topology]

[ C'mon Miss Soto, don't do that to his poor heart B|

Flatly: ] We have differing worldviews.

voice;

[goingsilent]

[ Okay, okay, but only because you've been having a rough week. While still cheerful, her tone grows a little more thoughtful and genuine. ]

I know. It's part of what makes life interesting.

[jilt]

Pens.

[ one of these things is not like the other... ]

text.

[widowing]

[ it's cool bro, she understands. ]

dean winchester was the one who made the announcement about the demons being aboard, he's likely to have more detailed information.

i don't for sure, it's just as possible that they were aboard since the beginning and waiting for their moment to strike. either way, i'd like to know, too.

[andblockbuster]

[It's okay, Arthur. Topher looks enough rough trade for the both of you. It was not an excellent day for an exorcism.]

You and me both. [A beat] Demon thing. Not... Not the pen thing.

[video]

[the_vishual]

....

You're Ariadne's friend.

[ She's never met you, nor the other Arthur that dissappeared--Chase just knows, and she smiles. ]

I like Ariadne. I hope I like you, too.

action.

[wiretap]

[ The rat-rat-tat on the door immediately gives way to a pop-hiss-click of machinery, followed by the swing of the door on its hinges. It doesn't go far, though, opening just wide enough to reveal Aberdeen's face through the crack (ever vigilant). ]

Eleven, [ she says. (Not a criticism.) ]