cold_dry_pieces | |[ 005 ]|

Entry tags:

|[ 005 ]|

[He turns on the video accidentally, careless in his distraction. The feed doesn't last long and is difficult to make out, a jumble of apparently unrelated images-- a fragment of his face, lips firmly set in a frown; a flash of a speckled white ceiling, and an incongruous expanse of... colored feathers. And that's it, because he manages to get it on the voice setting. He clears his throat, tone strained when he does speak.]

I'm not-- [he begins, but pauses. There's a strange rustling in the background.]

Is it normal for curses to present in the middle of the day?

[ooc; Powerswitched with

holymadonna annnd just managed to accidentally sprout wings :3 apologies if I screw up the canon cause idk it at all ♥♥♥ also delayed comments for a while sob. ilu]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's silent for as long as she is, stock still. Normally he isn't an imposing figure. Normally, he makes an effort to be as unremarkable as possible-- charming, helpful, but certainly not threatening. Whatever is in him now suggests there's no need for such a show of innocence. He likes the idea; and unlike most people, feels no guilt for the fact, which makes her command chafe a bit. The borrowed pinions twitch, betraying his restlessness-- not quite mantling like a bird, but nonetheless evidently ill at ease.]

What are they?

[Knowing that they are something foreign-- something that should belong to his colleague, a fact which piques his interest-- does make him feel less out of control. Still-- most people are tempted by power. He's no different in that respect; he's not entirely sure he wants to silence them, so he stalls instead with the question.]

Krsnik Nanomachine 04.

[Lilith keeps her eyes focused on him with an unwavering gaze. She walks to the desk, reaching for a paper knife to offer him.]

If you cut yourself, you would regenerate. But every power has a price.

[His eyebrows arch at that, and though he takes the knife he doesn't immediately do anything with it, turning the blade over in his hands absently.]

So I've heard.

[He shifts a bit; at the least he looks a little more relaxed, a little less wild. Nanomachines, eh? He'd had no idea. He musters something of his usual demeanor, trying to seem concerned and curious for Lilith's sake. After all, this is a major revelation; someone more inclined to sympathy would certainly feel for her, coming to know the burden she bears. The voices don't stop whispering.]

What's the price for yours?

It's nothing you have to pay, Doctor Cooper. That's why you should deactivate them with a command. The voices will become more bearable.

[Lilith presses her index finger to her lips. She is worried about Rudy, but she's also worried that they will take control and try to destroy the City.]

[He tilts his head, considering the comment.]

Just... tell them to stop? What, aloud?

Repeat after me: "Deactivate Krsnik Nanomachine, back to 0%. Acknowledged."

[He doesn't flinch or hesitate, though something of his wariness is still evident in his pose. At least he can infer something about his current condition from the proposed solution.]

Deactivate Krsnik Nanomachine, back to 0%. Acknowledged.

[Honestly, it's a little disappointing to give up the wings. But a relief that her suggestion works, and he does feel more himself. Less likely to lose control, more able to pick out the impulses that aren't really his as they occur.]

[ Since he's unused to the nanomachines, he would have to voice the command. Her will is usually enough to keep them at bay. ]

How are you feeling?

Strange.

[It's an honest answer. He places the paper knife aside and pushes off his seat. If nothing else it's nice to have his balance back to normal, lacking the feathery appendages. He gives her a look of some concern, largely feigned.]

Nanomachines... I had no idea, Dr. Sahl.

I would appreciate if this remains a secret between us, Doctor Cooper.

[ Lilith comments with an easy smile. She's relieved that he no longer presents the Krsnik features. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

|[ 005 ]|

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]