scien [spacecoast]

[verminous]

meme later

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week zero, monday

[egodist]

[so here's scien, minding his business, playing suika on his I.R.I.S. the way that his man genuinely enjoys puzzle really kicks my ass. but there's this moment where he does it, he gets a watermelon and his points surge—

and even though there is a hint of amusement, of delight, it is muffled. it's like it's been put through a filter, the emotion dissipated into something that isn't quite there. a facsimile of happiness

when he looks to gregor, he tilts his head]

You. Does your world possess games such as this?

[verminous]

Oh? Let me take a look.

[affable enough, as usual, though through the emotion transfer there's definitely a background sort of wariness as he peers at the interface.]

I've seen a couple like this. Not something I've usually had my hands on, though.

[egodist]

It's the best thing about this place.

[HELP ME SCIEN NO!!!!! the feelings of amusement and joy continue though, which is so funny, even though they're all still slightly off-kilter.]

Is your wariness for me, or for the situation as a whole?

[he's not kind enough to turn a blind eye to it! he's curious!]

[verminous]

Eh-?

[oh. well. now that scien calls him on it, there's definitely something here that's off. that's not... his feelings, right? he doesn't feel like anything is particularly amusing, and it's a little weird...

speaking of being called out, though.]

Well, it's a little of both. Mostly you.

[egodist]

Understandable. I won't tell you not to be wary of me.

[the amusement carries over again, this time a little twisted. it's kind of funny to see everyone so cautious of him.]

I can't say I'm fond of being misunderstood, though it's still entertaining enough for now.

[verminous]

Most of us have only known each other a couple days. I'd say misunderstandings are pretty likely to happen.

[there's nothing like chagrin or guilt in the responsive vibes, exactly-- they're just a little muted in turn.]

You remind me of someone.

[very surprising that local bug man has not had historically great experiences with scientist types, i know.]

[egodist]

[scien shrugs]

It doesn't matter to me. In the end, human malice is expected with what I do.

However, I don't play with people's lives, whether it be how they're ended or how they continue on.

[verminous]

I'm sure people have different definitions of what counts as playing with someone's life, though. Where's your line happen to be?

[egodist]

Nothing about what I do entails 'play'.

There is purpose—and I don't bother with anything that strays away from my purpose.

[verminous]

Being here must ruffle your feathers pretty bad, then, if it's dragging you away from it.

[which-- he's not unsympathetic, at least.]

[egodist]

Not entirely.

I can advance my research by being here. After all, I'd never left the country before, and it is the country that has condemned us to our short lifespans. Meeting others who aren't from the country also lets us see what people's biology looks like when they aren't plagued by our so-called curse.

[hence the blood collection alongside a bajillion other reasons. also why he's so fascinated by gregor's age and not his arm]

Though I don't plan on cutting any of you open just to see inside, if that's what you're worried about.

[verminous]

Good, 'cause that one might be a problem.

[it definitely would become a problem.]

Does no one get to leave this country of yours?

[egodist]

It would be a problem. It goes against my ideals.

[he'll just say it! scien is a fucked up dude but he has limits!]

But no, they don't. Travel to and from is arduous, and I don't care to leave it until I'm able to save them.

[verminous]

Right, that curse.

[there's a little flicker of curiosity.]

You sure you wouldn't find anything to help with it outside your country?

[egodist]

Perhaps if I could see a normal person's genes.

[which is admittedly why he's content getting blood samples from peeople]

But other than that... It would be too dangerous to involve the outside world, until our society is able to repair itself.

[verminous]

So that's what you're up to with the blood.

[this doesn't make it much less weird, but it's a little more on the side of what he's used to...]

I guess a situation like that is something you don't necessarily want others getting too interested in, especially with what's going on.

[egodist]

[he sighs]

That's not all I'm up to with blood. Too many of you are too calm about nanites being in our system. You're aware that they could use that to control us at any moment, don't you? How can anyone be satisfied with being a puppet?

[seriously he doesn't think it's that weird to try to eliminate an unwanted entity]

There are too many factors in it. It's solvable with only our power. And if they discover our technology, that is an entirely different headache I don't want to deal with.

[verminous]

Military'd love something like your tech, I'm sure.

[a more solid flicker of discomfort, there, at the mention; it sticks around afterward. satisfied with being a puppet, huh.]

And listen, I'm not thrilled with the situation, but I'm not losing my mind over something I can't fix.

[egodist]

[oh

scien's emotions aren't quite right, slightly processed wrong. but the one that arises at the mention of military using reliver tech, his distaste is so palpable it almost feels like the real thing]

I'd sooner destroy it myself than allow military use.

[and then they even out, back to neutral - an almost blank slate]

But I can fix it.

[no you can't it's a murdergame]

[verminous]

[that gets a definite flicker of something more like approval. not fully, but seems like there's agreement there.]

Even with them in charge of what kind of supplies you've got access to?

[egodist]

If they give me machines with parts, there's nothing stopping me from developing my own technology. It'll take more time to do so from scratch, but it shouldn't take too long.

[arrogance is wild]

[verminous]

...y'know, I can't decide if Faust would like you or if neither of you would be able to stand each other, but I think she might feel about the same way.

[arrogance is a HELL of a drug.]

[egodist]

Your coworker has said the name already, but it means little to me.

[other geniuses around..... imagine....]

[verminous]

She's one of our coworkers. Real genius. She invented the bus our company uses, and it's absolutely impossible to get a straight answer outta her... half the time she just looks at you like you're stupid.

[egodist]

[the silence that follows

is

definitely one of contemplation because he has the self-awareness to recognize that sounds exactly like him]