pc catchall | superhell | rynlan

[engineers]

Comments

[engineers]

The new bar. Starting to make a habit of that, somehow.

[ after the last week, too. if rynlan comes next to him, he'll be able to tell that lu bixing smells a little like cigarette smoke. ] Though, my group was about the size I was expecting. I'm not sure where Cosmos was, but I hope to find that out, soon.

[voidshift]

Worse places to make a habit.

[he notes the scent of smoke, but it's not surprising that he's been around ljh.]

You're planning to ask around, then?

[engineers]

[ yeah his poor space husband. he nods... ]

Yeah. I think... I don't know. We've got a decent record of solving these. I... I'd especially like to solve this one.

[ he liked 'cosmos', after all, and... lin is upset, even if he doesn't show it. ] I feel like it's the least we can do, you know?

[voidshift]

...we're going to have to have at least a couple of fights tomorrow, if we really want to.

[he brushes his hair back from his face, pausing to pet the cat draped over the back of his neck.]

Took us too long to find Four because she was always allowed to refuse, and I think we all know there are going to be some problems if we start insisting on everyone.

[engineers]

I wouldn't say that - I doubt she was hiding anything that would've been of any use to us.

[ considering he was the one who had her do a patdown, but - he seriously doubts it. still, rynlan makes a good point, and he sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. ]

You're right, though. I don't know. In a perfect world, we won't have to make people strip out of their clothing again, but I don't think that matters. Maybe last week will be a lesson. If not, we'll have to convince people, either by carrot or by stick.

[voidshift]

It'd be easier if the bar we use had access to all the drinks, wouldn't it.

[weaponized alcohol usage,]

[engineers]

[










he makes a face that looks like he's seriously considering smuggling a persuasiveness drink into the bar ]

[voidshift]

[


also looks like he's considering it]

Think they'd let us?

[engineers]

I won't tell if you won't tell.

[voidshift]

My lips are sealed. No one else, promise.

[engineers]

I'll be honest, I'll probably tell Lin, but not until it's across the finish line.

[ ie: right before the trial. but he smiles, now a little warmer, a little more mischievous, and holds out his pinky? ]

Pinky promise with me?

[voidshift]

Oh, I only mean beforehand.

[after it's done, it's fine. he won't tell any problem children.

he blinks at the pinky offer, though, and just. matches the gesture? he sticks a pinky out.]

I will, but you'll have to explain.

[engineers]

[ cute. he will take his pinky and link it around rynlan's. ]

A pinky promise is a promise that you can't break. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a finger... well, I guess, I've only got one eye left so maybe not that one.

[ ?????? ]

But it's sealed, now.

[voidshift]

-oh, it's a rhyme-- I see.

[he gives him a pleased little smile, in turn. he also just leaves their pinkies linked? do you let go immediately, he doesn't know.]

Sealed, then.

[engineers]

[ help. he gives their linked pinkies a firm little shake and then lets go. ]

It's not a guarantee - from what I studied, it's not a hundred percent effective, but it might just be more convincing. Maybe a little more of a carrot than a stick. It's a plan at least.

[voidshift]

It's more than we're usually working with, which was probably going to have to be 'fight them for it'.

[engineers]

Hey, I've been very good at convincing people, so far.

[ he's like working with 2/5 which is honestly pretty good considering. also, he points at rynlan. ] And by logic of this pinky promise, you also have to promise to be cooperative, Mr. Part of the Problem.

[ the pinky promise is already over bixing ]

[voidshift]

I was cooperative last week!

[he's making an effort!]

Lavi can just do it again, it’s fine.

[engineers]

Bodies are just bodies, you know. It's not that big of a deal.

[ spoken like a fucking scientist ]

[voidshift]

...it is to some of us.

[he's a former healer, he gets it, looking at bodies is literally part of the job, but. still.]

[engineers]

I know this is bad advice, but try not to focus on it. If it helps, most of the people here are going to feel some form of shame or embarrassment doing this - you're in good company.

[ most people are not lu bixing who is clearly not bothered but he also knows he's a weird little human sometimes. he gives him a smile, a little sympathetic. ] I wish I could offer a magic pill to make it a little easier for you, but I think we're going to be exhausting our uses of weird drinks.

[voidshift]

It's not like that, I'm not-- if I were just shy or something then it wouldn't be an issue.

[...he debates, a few moments, before he exhales a breath. i'm doing time bullshit here bc-]

Alright, Lin knows some of it, gave him permission to talk to you anyway-- I've seen who's been dying here. The problem is that it could make me more of a target.

[engineers]

[ ??? ??? ??? oh he looks so curious, like, immediately. ]

What is it?

[voidshift]

...had to retire early due to injury. Lavi's seen the extent of it, one or two others, but I couldn't really hide it from Lin in the first trial either. Just haven't let him see.

[gesturing to his left leg-] It's a good replacement, obviously, not like most can tell easily, but I don't want to be known as-- not entirely capable.

[engineers]

[ oh... fascinating. the curiosity on lu bixing's face stays, as he tilts his head a little in realization. his own new injury and debilitation is like screamingly obvious, so to have to hide it... ]

...I see. [ wow. ] That's... I can't blame you for being careful. Is it really obvious in its construction...? I wonder if I couldn't help construct something to help you cover it a little easier...