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open post 2.0;
[She doesn't flee. Doesn't cower. She doesn't even really tremble, just lets out some kind of tired sigh like she's seen the business end of a weapon enough times that it's stopped being something concerning and holds her own with some mouthy reply, calling him out on his bullshit.
Just as much as there are ways to scan for heat signatures where someone might have their ONI offline, there are ways to hide in plain sight. His sister's now RD'ed enforcer being but just one instance. Still, the technology isn't cheap or especially prevalent, so it's much more likely that Daisy has scanned the hotel for other signs of life, or gone the old-fashioned route and snooped its floors. The Nevermore isn't exactly the height of luxury, so security measures are fairly scant. It's a far cry from the way things had been in Bay City. Color him curious.]
He did? Did he?
[Leave it to Poe to roll out the metaphorical red carpet despite explicit instruction otherwise. He knows that these AI's usually crave company like an addict craves their latest hit, but Kovacs senses that this must not be one of those situations. Up until now he'd been fairly accommodating of the strict set of rules to avoid detection. Whoever this woman is, she must have some sort of inherent value. Maybe she'll be useful while he's here.]
You haven't tried to lay me out, so I'll let it slide that Poe's made an executive decision without consulting with people who know better.
[Poe chooses that moment to look away from them both and clean the already spotless glasses at the bar. Kovacs takes the moment to take a few large strides toward Daisy until he's within arm's reach.]
But people don't usually come to Harlan's World unless they've got business with the founding family, the Yakuza, or are looking to hide from someone else. So which is it?
Just as much as there are ways to scan for heat signatures where someone might have their ONI offline, there are ways to hide in plain sight. His sister's now RD'ed enforcer being but just one instance. Still, the technology isn't cheap or especially prevalent, so it's much more likely that Daisy has scanned the hotel for other signs of life, or gone the old-fashioned route and snooped its floors. The Nevermore isn't exactly the height of luxury, so security measures are fairly scant. It's a far cry from the way things had been in Bay City. Color him curious.]
He did? Did he?
[Leave it to Poe to roll out the metaphorical red carpet despite explicit instruction otherwise. He knows that these AI's usually crave company like an addict craves their latest hit, but Kovacs senses that this must not be one of those situations. Up until now he'd been fairly accommodating of the strict set of rules to avoid detection. Whoever this woman is, she must have some sort of inherent value. Maybe she'll be useful while he's here.]
You haven't tried to lay me out, so I'll let it slide that Poe's made an executive decision without consulting with people who know better.
[Poe chooses that moment to look away from them both and clean the already spotless glasses at the bar. Kovacs takes the moment to take a few large strides toward Daisy until he's within arm's reach.]
But people don't usually come to Harlan's World unless they've got business with the founding family, the Yakuza, or are looking to hide from someone else. So which is it?
[ Calling people out on their bullshit is what Daisy Johnson does, and she's just gotten better at it over the years. She notices more now, is better at observing and strategizing, but she'll probably never be all that great at knowing when to hold back her choice remarks.
The way Poe looks away and pointedly goes about his own business speaks volumes to the relationship between the two of them. The AI might run the hotel but he's not the one in charge; at the same time, the guy isn't issuing orders or being cruel to the digital soul working for him. It reminds her a bit of how Coulson had spoken of Stark and JARVIS — she hopes it proves to be an apt comparison.
Asshole Guy moves closer and she stays right where she is, not physically readying herself for a fight but still mentally preparing for one. No powers, she reminds herself. Not unless it's a last resort type of situation. ]
None of the above. I didn't choose to come to this planet and I don't want to be here any longer than I have to. I'm just biding my time until I can find my way off it.
[ Not a single word of it is a lie, which is the best way to keep things. Vague enough to be true while letting people assume whatever they want in between. She straightens up, ready to grab the backpack at her feet and either head into the hotel or back out the front door, whichever way this conversation pans out. ]
I don't want any trouble, just somewhere to stay while I figure things out. But you say the word and I'll go.
The way Poe looks away and pointedly goes about his own business speaks volumes to the relationship between the two of them. The AI might run the hotel but he's not the one in charge; at the same time, the guy isn't issuing orders or being cruel to the digital soul working for him. It reminds her a bit of how Coulson had spoken of Stark and JARVIS — she hopes it proves to be an apt comparison.
Asshole Guy moves closer and she stays right where she is, not physically readying herself for a fight but still mentally preparing for one. No powers, she reminds herself. Not unless it's a last resort type of situation. ]
None of the above. I didn't choose to come to this planet and I don't want to be here any longer than I have to. I'm just biding my time until I can find my way off it.
[ Not a single word of it is a lie, which is the best way to keep things. Vague enough to be true while letting people assume whatever they want in between. She straightens up, ready to grab the backpack at her feet and either head into the hotel or back out the front door, whichever way this conversation pans out. ]
I don't want any trouble, just somewhere to stay while I figure things out. But you say the word and I'll go.
[Even before joining the ranks of the envoys, he'd learned to read people fairly well. Not all of his CTAC training was about weapons and following orders. Kovacs watches her carefully, checking for tells, any sign that she's hiding something. He doesn't find any, so either she's telling the truth here or she's good enough that his concerns have grown a lot more complicated than just an unwelcome guest.]
Someone drug you and dump you here?
[The fact that she's made it here of her own free will has him questioning further still. This planet's too far to do anything other than needlecast.]
Interesting.
[He pauses a beat. Motions for Poe to bring two glasses and one bottle over. The AI does as so desired, filling the glasses with minimal interrupting. Kovacs downs about half of the liquid.]
Why don't you just needlecast out of here?
Someone drug you and dump you here?
[The fact that she's made it here of her own free will has him questioning further still. This planet's too far to do anything other than needlecast.]
Interesting.
[He pauses a beat. Motions for Poe to bring two glasses and one bottle over. The AI does as so desired, filling the glasses with minimal interrupting. Kovacs downs about half of the liquid.]
Why don't you just needlecast out of here?
[ The first question doesn't get an answer, nor does she say anything in response to his commentary on the idea. Sure, pal, find it interesting that she's been dumped on a backwater planet in the middle of nowhere space. Focus on the what rather than the why, that's a much better arrangement for her.
Daisy eyes the second glass as Poe sets it out, but it's obviously not for himself. Said glass isn't even touched until her interrogator takes a drink from his own, though — can't be too cautious when death feels like so much more of a risk here. ]
Not everyone relishes the idea of changing their skin like a pair of clothes. [ She picks up the glass, tilting it so the amber liquid within catches a bit of light. ] I happen to like this face. Don't you get tired of changing yours?
[ Again, true statements that don't commit her to an outright lie. Dancing around the truth is a skill she hasn't had to use in a while; she just hopes she's not too rusty at it. Lifting the glass to her lips, she breathes in the smell of the alcohol before taking a small sip that's followed by a larger one. It's not top-shelf by any means, but it's sure better than most of the stuff she'd been slinging all day. ]
Daisy eyes the second glass as Poe sets it out, but it's obviously not for himself. Said glass isn't even touched until her interrogator takes a drink from his own, though — can't be too cautious when death feels like so much more of a risk here. ]
Not everyone relishes the idea of changing their skin like a pair of clothes. [ She picks up the glass, tilting it so the amber liquid within catches a bit of light. ] I happen to like this face. Don't you get tired of changing yours?
[ Again, true statements that don't commit her to an outright lie. Dancing around the truth is a skill she hasn't had to use in a while; she just hopes she's not too rusty at it. Lifting the glass to her lips, she breathes in the smell of the alcohol before taking a small sip that's followed by a larger one. It's not top-shelf by any means, but it's sure better than most of the stuff she'd been slinging all day. ]
it is not clear why we choose the fire pathway, where we end is not the way that we had planned(♫)
[ It's always the seemingly simple missions that go the most pear-shaped. Just a quick stop to introduce themselves and establish a new connection for SHIELD. Easy. Absolutely no potential for trouble whatsoever.
She should have known better.
Somehow, a fight broke out. She was separated from her team and had come face to face with another of those damn alien monoliths, which had sucked her up to who knows where. She'd been spat out the other side and deposited on a random planet that was apparently incredibly far away from Earth, and the locals had dropped her in a jail cell when they found her passed out.
Waking up on a freezing cold stone floor with a splitting headache is delightful, truly a high point of her life. But at least she's not drugged like the last time she'd woken up somewhere with straw all over the floor. She can still use her powers and move her body, it just... takes her a while to get past the nausea and disorientation. Long enough to have a few visitors demanding answers that she responds to with questions. They go a few frustrating rounds before she's left alone again to put together the pieces of the puzzle.
She's not back on Earth, that's for sure. They look human but there's something in the way they speak and dress, little eccentricities that seem to be the norm. But humans don't have a large presence off of Earth yet, so what gives?
The crash of the quaked-open cell door ricochets off the stone walls and she doesn't wait around to see if the old-timey dress comes with pitchfork accessories. She emerges into an equally old-fashioned little town, in which she sticks out like a sore thumb in her suit, so she keeps running. Out of the town, through a winding forest path, and into a clearing with a—
Giant metal circle thing. Okay. Sure. Why not. ]
This was supposed to be a calm and quiet planet. Quiet enough that he'd been left on his own in the ruins without the rest of the team.
There is, of course, the rest of the base personnel - but this is the Beta site, and he's investigating temple ruins here - there's hardly much expected of it. Specifically, there's not a lot of violence expected - so very, very few soldiers.
He's heading back to the gate when he sees her. The woman who absolutely doesn't belong. It's sudden, too, as he emerges from the treeline, less than ten feet from where she does.
Immediately, out of instinct and - oh so many incidents - he goes for his pistol. Because she does not look calm and eager to talk.
There is, of course, the rest of the base personnel - but this is the Beta site, and he's investigating temple ruins here - there's hardly much expected of it. Specifically, there's not a lot of violence expected - so very, very few soldiers.
He's heading back to the gate when he sees her. The woman who absolutely doesn't belong. It's sudden, too, as he emerges from the treeline, less than ten feet from where she does.
Immediately, out of instinct and - oh so many incidents - he goes for his pistol. Because she does not look calm and eager to talk.
It takes her a moment to notice the new arrival, she's so wrapped up in the adrenaline-fueled panic of trying to figure out what to do. She doesn't have comms, and even if she did, she could be anywhere and anywhen thanks to that damn monolith. The realization that she might never see her team crashes into her and tries to drag her under.
But then there it is, an awareness of another person near her, honed by years of training and her powers growing with time. She turns, sees the weapon in his hand, and raises her own without a second thought. The pieces of the pistol shake apart in his hands and tumble to the ground in less than three seconds. Only when the immediate threat has been taken care of does she notice that the guy isn't from around here either.
With her hand still raised toward him, she frowns and asks almost accusatorily, "Are you from Earth?"
But then there it is, an awareness of another person near her, honed by years of training and her powers growing with time. She turns, sees the weapon in his hand, and raises her own without a second thought. The pieces of the pistol shake apart in his hands and tumble to the ground in less than three seconds. Only when the immediate threat has been taken care of does she notice that the guy isn't from around here either.
With her hand still raised toward him, she frowns and asks almost accusatorily, "Are you from Earth?"
"Woah, ok!"
He shakes his hand in disbelief, holding up both hands to forestall anymore violence.
"Uh...yes, yes I am. And you don't have to hurt anybody, you're not going to get to Earth with violence..."
He shakes his hand in disbelief, holding up both hands to forestall anymore violence.
"Uh...yes, yes I am. And you don't have to hurt anybody, you're not going to get to Earth with violence..."
Her frown deepens as a burst of anger boils up inside her. Seriously? He's seriously accusing her of violence when he'd just—
"Me? You're the one who brought a gun into this!" she tosses back, fire in her words. It's been a really shitty day and she is extremely Done with being accused of things by people on a strange planet. Even the relief of finding someone from a planet she recognizes is overshadowed by how Done she is.
"Me? You're the one who brought a gun into this!" she tosses back, fire in her words. It's been a really shitty day and she is extremely Done with being accused of things by people on a strange planet. Even the relief of finding someone from a planet she recognizes is overshadowed by how Done she is.
"Uh, yeah, because -" he points back behind her, at the rising smoke from the distance.
"Pretty sure that was you," he said. And, strangely enough, perhaps, his voice was equally done. This many years in the program helped to generate that.
"Gonna guess you were the unconscious guest who showed up yesterday."
At least they knew she wasn't a Goa'uld, from the initial medical scans - but lord knew that only slightly narrowed down the list of possibilities.
"Pretty sure that was you," he said. And, strangely enough, perhaps, his voice was equally done. This many years in the program helped to generate that.
"Gonna guess you were the unconscious guest who showed up yesterday."
At least they knew she wasn't a Goa'uld, from the initial medical scans - but lord knew that only slightly narrowed down the list of possibilities.
suffering is easy when i'm sleeping through the pain (♫)
[ The days tend to blend together when you spend them sequestered inside concrete tunnels, the hours spinning into each other as information is piled up, analyzed, and manipulated by new strands of code. If she thinks hard about it, Daisy could count how many days have passed since her arrival at the Shatterdome, but does it really matter? The searches she's had running in the background still haven't turned up anything, so throwing herself into this new mission is really all she has.
At least, she isn't alone anymore.
Newt's done a decent job of getting her up to speed on things in the lab, showing her around and humoring her questions when she doesn't understand half of the science stuff that comes out of his mouth. Sure, she can pick up a good amount through context, but when she's responsible for data analysis, the finer details tend to be pretty important. Newt has also gotten to hear her rather colorful complaints about the programming they've been working with, some of which she's had to rewrite from scratch because whatever hack put it together before had left so much digital ducttape everywhere that it's a wonder they've been able to get anything done. It's made for long nights and little sleep — which, to be honest, is how she likes it.
This is one of those days. She'd wandered off to bed maybe five hours ago and lasted only three before waking up from a nightmare that nearly left her quaking. A round on the treadmill helps, somewhat, but she doesn't even try going back to bed, just heading straight for the lab. There are two mugs of coffee on her desk (one empty and one sadly lukewarm) where she sits hunched over with her legs tucked up into the chair, huddling in the warmth of the hoodie she'd zipped on over her workout clothes. Her fingers fly across the keys and she's completely oblivious of anything else beyond the code cascading down her screen. ]
[It's ass o'clock in the morning when Newt stumbles his way into the lab looking shaken and disheveled. His eyes are wide and sleepless with the beginnings of dark circles forming beneath and his face looks pale. His hair is in a state of disarray, made worse as he runs his hands through it and tugs at it. His clothes too are looking extra rumpled as though he woke up in them moments ago and came directly to the lab after rolling out of bed. One side of his shirt is untucked and hanging loose out of his pants; his sleeves are rolled up unevenly over tattooed forearms and the top two buttons on his shirt are undone, exposing a V of inked chest skin and collar bones. His tie is MIA.
Newt blinks his eyes owlishly in the light of the lab as if he wasn't expecting them to be on at this hour and he looks visibly startled when he sees Daisy sitting there at her desk. His voice sounds rough but relieved when he speaks.]
Oh, hey, Daisy. You're up pretty late... Or early.
[He smiles awkwardly, both because he's actually relieved by her company and because he knows he looks like he's half mad and is trying to act perfectly normal in these wee hours of the night/day.]
Newt blinks his eyes owlishly in the light of the lab as if he wasn't expecting them to be on at this hour and he looks visibly startled when he sees Daisy sitting there at her desk. His voice sounds rough but relieved when he speaks.]
Oh, hey, Daisy. You're up pretty late... Or early.
[He smiles awkwardly, both because he's actually relieved by her company and because he knows he looks like he's half mad and is trying to act perfectly normal in these wee hours of the night/day.]
[ It's not until he speaks that she notices him there at all, looking over expectantly and then frowning slightly. Damn, Newt. ]
And it looks like I'm not the only one who's had a shitty night.
[ She reaches for the not-empty cup of coffee and then grimaces down into it, thinking better of the decision to take a sip. Instead, she turns to fully face him, giving Newt a good once-over and taking in all the signs. He's never seemed completely put-together, something always a little disheveled about him that she actually kind of likes, but this... There's something more to this. It's clear as day, which she hasn't seen in far too many hours, and it makes her want to do something about it, because as usual, it's easier to worry about everyone else instead of herself. ]
I need more coffee. And food. How about we go scrounge something up before getting back into it? [ It's too early for breakfast but surely they could find a snack somewhere. If he's not sleeping well, then he should at least eat something. ]
And it looks like I'm not the only one who's had a shitty night.
[ She reaches for the not-empty cup of coffee and then grimaces down into it, thinking better of the decision to take a sip. Instead, she turns to fully face him, giving Newt a good once-over and taking in all the signs. He's never seemed completely put-together, something always a little disheveled about him that she actually kind of likes, but this... There's something more to this. It's clear as day, which she hasn't seen in far too many hours, and it makes her want to do something about it, because as usual, it's easier to worry about everyone else instead of herself. ]
I need more coffee. And food. How about we go scrounge something up before getting back into it? [ It's too early for breakfast but surely they could find a snack somewhere. If he's not sleeping well, then he should at least eat something. ]
I'm really that obvious, huh?
[His smile turns sheepish, gaze shifting away as he rubs his forehead. Subtlety has never been a Newt skill and it shows.]
I could go for a scrounge, yeah. Just gotta make a quick stop here first...
[He crosses the lab to his desk/music studio which is surrounded by various musical instruments: an upright piano, some keyboards, a guitar and even a small set of drums. It's a wonder how he got all this stuff into a military base but apparently he is dedicated to his hobbies. After a moment spent rifling through the top drawer, Newt pockets a bottle of Tylenol and a handkerchief and then he's ready to scrounge.]
So what's got you up? The bed too stiff? Unfortunately they're all like that but you get used to it after a while.
[He sniffs once like maybe he's got a bit of dust allergies. Nothing unusual to see here.]
[His smile turns sheepish, gaze shifting away as he rubs his forehead. Subtlety has never been a Newt skill and it shows.]
I could go for a scrounge, yeah. Just gotta make a quick stop here first...
[He crosses the lab to his desk/music studio which is surrounded by various musical instruments: an upright piano, some keyboards, a guitar and even a small set of drums. It's a wonder how he got all this stuff into a military base but apparently he is dedicated to his hobbies. After a moment spent rifling through the top drawer, Newt pockets a bottle of Tylenol and a handkerchief and then he's ready to scrounge.]
So what's got you up? The bed too stiff? Unfortunately they're all like that but you get used to it after a while.
[He sniffs once like maybe he's got a bit of dust allergies. Nothing unusual to see here.]
[ Oh, Newt, it's more than obvious. She'd have to actually be blind to miss it.
Watching him move to the desk, she marvels for maybe the hundredth time at all the stuff he has crowded around it. How he gets any work done... No, she knows how he gets work done: he doesn't sleep, as evidenced by their present situation. And what else is there to do to pass the time in the Shatterdome but dive headfirst into your work?
Noting the bottle he tucks away, she leads them out, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her hoodie as they hit the hall. ]
The bed's fine. I lived in a van, remember? I can sleep anywhere. [ It's the staying asleep she has trouble with. She shrugs and glances over at him, concern still in her expression. ] I just don't sleep well.
Watching him move to the desk, she marvels for maybe the hundredth time at all the stuff he has crowded around it. How he gets any work done... No, she knows how he gets work done: he doesn't sleep, as evidenced by their present situation. And what else is there to do to pass the time in the Shatterdome but dive headfirst into your work?
Noting the bottle he tucks away, she leads them out, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her hoodie as they hit the hall. ]
The bed's fine. I lived in a van, remember? I can sleep anywhere. [ It's the staying asleep she has trouble with. She shrugs and glances over at him, concern still in her expression. ] I just don't sleep well.
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