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['What.' 'Who.' It's all varying language for the same concept. There's a reason she reads every file, personnel or otherwise she has access to and it isn't because she's much of a bookworm.]
Invading their space, mostly. [Which is a raw, humorless kind of a joke but still one by technicality - some vague attempt to soften that note of anger in him, maybe.] Asking a lot of questions helps, but the more important thing is being available when someone wants to talk. In my experience, everyone wants to say something eventually. You just have to make sure they think to come to you first or you're in the right place when they start.
[Is that even helpful advice? She doesn't know - it's unquantifiable, gut instinct that she doesn't really get how to communicate. Not a learned skill, not really; maybe if it was, she'd have better luck applying it here.]
Invading their space, mostly. [Which is a raw, humorless kind of a joke but still one by technicality - some vague attempt to soften that note of anger in him, maybe.] Asking a lot of questions helps, but the more important thing is being available when someone wants to talk. In my experience, everyone wants to say something eventually. You just have to make sure they think to come to you first or you're in the right place when they start.
[Is that even helpful advice? She doesn't know - it's unquantifiable, gut instinct that she doesn't really get how to communicate. Not a learned skill, not really; maybe if it was, she'd have better luck applying it here.]
[ His frown deepens slightly, not really liking what he's hearing, Even if it is honest, good advice. ]
So be available to talk and get lucky... alright.
[ No, he clearly does not know the connotations of what he said just then at all. He's still glaring at the ground as he says it, and when he looks back up at Shepard, he's still serious. ]
I'll start by readin' all their files soon as I'm back in the rover. Before that, there anythin' I can do for you?
[ Still firmly serious, but he becomes less so when his ears perk and head tilts slightly. ]
Need a shower or some food or anythin'? I still got some jerky, and some khesau meat from a hunt the other day.
So be available to talk and get lucky... alright.
[ No, he clearly does not know the connotations of what he said just then at all. He's still glaring at the ground as he says it, and when he looks back up at Shepard, he's still serious. ]
I'll start by readin' all their files soon as I'm back in the rover. Before that, there anythin' I can do for you?
[ Still firmly serious, but he becomes less so when his ears perk and head tilts slightly. ]
Need a shower or some food or anythin'? I still got some jerky, and some khesau meat from a hunt the other day.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
You'd lose the million credits. And that's the end of that.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
But Warriorhead and Armada are left together, and maybe they've got others from their first crew running around. I wouldn't measure everyone by Gliese.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
I'm training people as I can, working with them as I can. And I know what would make things easier, and it's the higher chance of answers that I had before.
You'd lose the million credits. And that's the end of that.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
But Warriorhead and Armada are left together, and maybe they've got others from their first crew running around. I wouldn't measure everyone by Gliese.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
I'm training people as I can, working with them as I can. And I know what would make things easier, and it's the higher chance of answers that I had before.
['Tough shit,' she wants to say. Maybe 'Do they not teach statistics on Palaven?' Because let's not pretend the Gliese is an outlier. Warriorhead and Armada might be left together, but there's no accounting for when someone might drop ground side and decide to get the rest of them blown up. That math is bad no matter what data you're sampling.]
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Well you don't have it. And focusing on it isn't doing anyone any good, including you.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Well you don't have it. And focusing on it isn't doing anyone any good, including you.
[The files are a good start, though enough of the crew is squirrely about their existence that she makes an effort to close her teeth around the encouragement on at least that point. He's already decided to do it - doesn't need her backing a move he's already fixed. But the rest--]
Someone beat you to it, but thanks anyway.
[Because as appealing as the idea of sitting in a compartment shower for the next five hours and ignoring the things she needs to get done, that's not actually going to do anything about getting her up to speed much less out in front of any potential crap headed her way (because let's not even pretend that there isn't always something coming).
And she could leave it there easily enough. Instead, forearms across her knees, she studies him for a beat. Nothing but time is going to fix the raw note in her voice, but there's nothing especially rough when she asks:]
Do you need anything?
Someone beat you to it, but thanks anyway.
[Because as appealing as the idea of sitting in a compartment shower for the next five hours and ignoring the things she needs to get done, that's not actually going to do anything about getting her up to speed much less out in front of any potential crap headed her way (because let's not even pretend that there isn't always something coming).
And she could leave it there easily enough. Instead, forearms across her knees, she studies him for a beat. Nothing but time is going to fix the raw note in her voice, but there's nothing especially rough when she asks:]
Do you need anything?
[ The moment of studying is returned, as he turns his head up long enough to stop glaring at the ground and look her in the eye. He's mentally debating asking... no, telling her something important. It's a debate that doesn't last more than a few tense seconds. It's like she said - everyone has something to say eventually, and right now Shepard is in the right place at the right time. He hadn't been ready, when Aeryn questioned him. Now, in the light of recent events, he doesn't have time to wait until he's ready. ]
There's... somethin' else that happened, that I didn't draw. My father came through here while I was in stasis, with the temp rescue recruits. Tried to find me, maybe to kill me. I dunno. He left before I woke up.
[ It's all very low and quick, as though he's afraid of being overhead, and there is an effort being made to keep his voice flat and calm. It's an effort, but it doesn't disguise all of the anger simmering beneath the suface. ]
If he comes back with anyone new, I need to lie low for a while. Figure out a plan. If you see another elf with long white hair and blue eyes, let me know. But don't kill him.
He's mine.
There's... somethin' else that happened, that I didn't draw. My father came through here while I was in stasis, with the temp rescue recruits. Tried to find me, maybe to kill me. I dunno. He left before I woke up.
[ It's all very low and quick, as though he's afraid of being overhead, and there is an effort being made to keep his voice flat and calm. It's an effort, but it doesn't disguise all of the anger simmering beneath the suface. ]
If he comes back with anyone new, I need to lie low for a while. Figure out a plan. If you see another elf with long white hair and blue eyes, let me know. But don't kill him.
He's mine.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
You're assuming I'm still focusing on it.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
When I lost it, I was. But that was days ago, Shepard. I know what I'm doing now and it's the same thing I've been doing. I'm protecting.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Wish I had the freedom to shift around, yeah. But I'm not standing around, waiting for it to get returned. It might. It might not be. We'll see.
You're assuming I'm still focusing on it.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
When I lost it, I was. But that was days ago, Shepard. I know what I'm doing now and it's the same thing I've been doing. I'm protecting.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Wish I had the freedom to shift around, yeah. But I'm not standing around, waiting for it to get returned. It might. It might not be. We'll see.
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
I heard you're, and I quote, "crazy, efficient AND badass" and that I needed to contact you.
I heard you're, and I quote, "crazy, efficient AND badass" and that I needed to contact you.
[They haven't spoken since the incident on the Neheda, but he'd told Corvo he would help anyone he thought might need it. Corvo had asked, and so here he is.]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i have something i need to ask you
FROM: anders@cdc.org
it might be a little personal. but hear me out
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i have something i need to ask you
FROM: anders@cdc.org
it might be a little personal. but hear me out
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
Blame Tali. She sent me this way.
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
Name's Sheva Alomar and I'm a new recruit. Figured I should start networking as soon as possible. Hit the ground running so to speak.
Blame Tali. She sent me this way.
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
Name's Sheva Alomar and I'm a new recruit. Figured I should start networking as soon as possible. Hit the ground running so to speak.
FROM: anders@cdc.org
have you been having nightmares?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
specifically, about whale songs and rats and drowning. maybe someone standing over you while you sleep
[He can't be sure that her dreams would manifest the same way that Jasper's did, but it's all he has to go on.]
have you been having nightmares?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
specifically, about whale songs and rats and drowning. maybe someone standing over you while you sleep
[He can't be sure that her dreams would manifest the same way that Jasper's did, but it's all he has to go on.]
[Somewhere Shepard is thoughtfully tapping her thumb along the side of her blackglass in consideration before she realizes any pause in communication on her end is probably more telling than the answer is. Still, a long beat then--]
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Is this some kind of security issue?
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Is this some kind of security issue?
Edited (same iconitis) 2015-04-04 21:29 (UTC)
FROM: anders@cdc.org
no. medical, if you want to call it anything
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i might be able to help, if youre interested. its not a permanent solution, but it might be better than nothing
FROM: anders@cdc.org
assuming you are having nightmares
no. medical, if you want to call it anything
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i might be able to help, if youre interested. its not a permanent solution, but it might be better than nothing
FROM: anders@cdc.org
assuming you are having nightmares
FROM: anders@cdc.org
there are some types of magic that work themselves into your mind from exposure. dreams like those, theyre a side effect of that kind of magic. i have a spell that can separate it out
[He doesn't feel like he needs to mince words with her quite as much, but he also isn't sure how much Corvo has or hasn't told her. His instinct first is to protect the mage involved.]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
temporarily, at least. its been enough to help another recruit with a similar experience though
there are some types of magic that work themselves into your mind from exposure. dreams like those, theyre a side effect of that kind of magic. i have a spell that can separate it out
[He doesn't feel like he needs to mince words with her quite as much, but he also isn't sure how much Corvo has or hasn't told her. His instinct first is to protect the mage involved.]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
temporarily, at least. its been enough to help another recruit with a similar experience though
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
I didn't know logic was a commendable action.
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
I'm working through them, slowly. Most of my time since the drop has been allocated to camp necessary tasks and getting in some training, all the while I've been actively meeting other recruits.
[She's been busy.]
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
Any files you'd recommend off hand?
I didn't know logic was a commendable action.
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
I'm working through them, slowly. Most of my time since the drop has been allocated to camp necessary tasks and getting in some training, all the while I've been actively meeting other recruits.
[She's been busy.]
FROM: alomar.sheva@cdc.org
Any files you'd recommend off hand?
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
You'd be surprised.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Anything on the officers or the ship but that goes without saying. Recommend familiarizing yourself with all the team leads. Here's a list.
[attachment: tul.epxs]
[Can she get a hell yeah for offline copies of comm data?]
You'd be surprised.
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
Anything on the officers or the ship but that goes without saying. Recommend familiarizing yourself with all the team leads. Here's a list.
[attachment: tul.epxs]
[Can she get a hell yeah for offline copies of comm data?]
FROM: shepard.lydia@cdc.org
How invasive is the work you're talking about doing?
["Magic." Some kind of biological energy manipulation. Whatever. If she asks a series of logical, sensible questions she can ignore the creeping feeling at the base of her skull that this whole conversation causes to prickle.]
How invasive is the work you're talking about doing?
["Magic." Some kind of biological energy manipulation. Whatever. If she asks a series of logical, sensible questions she can ignore the creeping feeling at the base of her skull that this whole conversation causes to prickle.]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i wouldnt be able to see into your mind, if thats what youre concerned over. it doesnt open your thoughts up to anything, or give me any kind of control. i wouldnt even need to touch you
i wouldnt be able to see into your mind, if thats what youre concerned over. it doesnt open your thoughts up to anything, or give me any kind of control. i wouldnt even need to touch you
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