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[brinkman]

DROP IN PROMPTS, PICTURES, OLD THREADS, A POST OR EVEN TFLN BRING IT.

<small>( 🔫 from <a href="">here</a> )</small>

Comments

@clasificado

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

I'll be fine, but thank you for your concern. I've always made sure to keep in shape up to this day so I never encounter the broken hip problem myself. Never have either, if I may add.

Do let me know if ever you end up trying my suggestions. As someone who's tried it, I hope it's to your liking.

[ should sombra look through the other cameras quick enough, she would find august in the kitchen — music plays in the air, it's clean, with empty bottles of various alcohol in the sink — blending a pack of legentifax. additionally instead of a refill, he prepares to pour the scotch in the blender. only he stops before any is poured in.

his hair is neatly combed and no longer disheveled as it was before. ]

[clasificado]

well, i can't exactly run out and get any right now. way too much work to do. :'(

[ she really should write up a program to handle all this data, but it's a little tricky when she has to piece most of it together to begin with. Might as well look through it while she's doing that.

On a whim, she opens up a second holoscreen that shows the camera feeds around Ballistic's mansion, swiping through them until she finds the man himself in his kitchen. With a slight smirk, she taps out another message. He doesn't know she has access to his cameras, as far as she knows, but what's he going to do if he finds out? Increase his security? She'll just hack her way back in. ]

you know legentifax is a scam, right?
also isn't it a little early for you to be drinking?

[brinkman]

[ he was supposed to reply about how putting work aside for five minutes would do her good, but the next two lines have him still for the briefest moment. so she's spying on him — on the other hand, august should have suspected that she could have gone through his security without a problem.

he looks as though he lets out a soft chuckle before walking over towards where he knows a camera is set up. no drink in hand for the moment. ]

Was my security that easy to go through? [ august offers a smile towards the camera, for her. he thought he paid good money for it too, but looks like it isn't easy enough. maybe he should hire crypto to repair the issue. ] Besides, legentifax needs just a little extra kick for me to truly enjoy it. What did you hear about it?

[clasificado]

[ she snickers. Surprising people when they're alone in a place they think only they have the keys to never gets old. With a pair of quick gestures, she switches on both the microphone for the kitchen camera and a voice changer program to distort the way she sounds into something more androgynous. Can't be too careful. ]

With how outdated it is? It was basically like walking through an open door. Tech doesn't stand still and wait for you to catch up, amigo.

And I didn't hear anything special about it. I just watched the same commercial as you did. [ she clears her throat dramatically before continuing in an overly chipper tone: ] "Combined with exercise and healthy eating, Legentifax has been clinically proven to improve symptoms of muscular dystrophy and aging." [ a laugh, then back to her "normal" voice. ] Like, c'mon. You can't really believe that's what's responsible for you feeling better.

@detoxes

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

[ finally, something he can pay her for. ]

Within two weeks. And as I am the owner of the place, I'm free whenever I desire to be.

How about around 3:30? That would be tea time.

[detoxes]

ok so what r we talking?
im good w/ p much any medium
paintings might take a bit longer
depending on what u want :)

i can meet u yea
then we can discuss!

havent done commissions in a rly long time

[brinkman]

Paintings would be lovely. I'm looking for grace and beauty in particular, but perhaps visiting the cafe will show you more of what I'm looking for as well.

I've seen your art before. They're eye-catching, and I hope it shows in your paintings.

I'll see you later then. Be well.

@chemtech

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

A pity, that. How did you end up with your job in the first place? If you don't mind me asking.

[chemtech]

I'm a chemist.
Here I'm more involved with quality control.
Chemistry factors into it sometimes but it's not the same.

[brinkman]

[ that doesn't answer the question exactly... ]

Quality control, and you make sure the workplace politics are in order. My thanks for your discretion once again, dear.

I'd say I wish you to consider a vacation, but I know why you can't.

@bellends

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

Hardly. I'm more disappointed than concerned. Did I not train you well enough?

[ the truth is he is, but. ]

:)

[echomama]

hi mr brinkman
just wanted to apologize again for echo
i shouldve told you he goes with me everywhere
he's my partner and best friend

there are two babies in that icon

[brinkman]

I've seen the way you two fight in battle before. A symphony of flight with movement and bullets.

No trouble beyond being your enemy's trouble, or if he decides to chew on my coat. Too expensive for a young bat's taste.

two of them

[echomama]

yea about that
i keep trying to tell him he cant do that
chew on my coat instead!!

@madmaggie

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

Do you not like your name?

[madmaggie]

that ain’t my name anymore
hasn’t been for a long time
u best respect that if u know what’s good for u

[brinkman]

I see. My apologies, Maggie. I thought it was only a title the people gave you, or were you inspired?

@clasificado

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

the one person i know on gaea who can.

[ the bright dot that sombra keeps an eye on speeds through fast; august's foot is on the gas as he drives through the night. he doesn't follow traffic regulations and he loses a police car with ease. impossible to get his plate when he's customized this specific car to not be found — the whole reason he picks it for the drive ahead. there's always a back up plan when it comes to battle against him. if only he did the same for his team before...

it takes several more minutes before he enters another neighborhood of the city, and then eventually stops in front of a closed store with glowing neon and a bright pink R. like his driving he's quick on his feet when he gets out of the driver's seat, shifting to grab pathfinder in his arms, and heads towards where he knows the entrance to the owner's home is. it doesn't matter that his extremely expensive clothes get wet. what matters is that pathfinder gets help.

immediately he repeatedly rings the doorbell. he doesn't stop until he hears:

"All right, all right I'm comin'! Hold your horses."

a minute later, ms. ramya parekh opens the door.

"You know, I do answer house calls. But you didn't call nor is this your house —" ]

Fix him.

[ august emphasises by raising the robot's body up and forward towards rampart, whose eyebrows raise as she unlocks the door. the MRVN is undeniably pathfinder with his look, the paint job, the way he says he-he-hello, ramy-ya! between glitchy tones.

"What the hell happened to him?" she says, leaving past the entrance of the door as she pulls out what looks to be a keychain and her trusty wrench. her lovely problem solver. ]

Fix him now and I'll tell you what I know.

[ his words are quick and demands; despite his calm exterior, august is fortunate that some of the shaking — the way he tightens the lid of his emotions — hides behind his coat. to him it's like a man is dying in his arms, the oil being his blood... pathfinder's blood is in august's hands if he doesn't make it. if only he'd arrive faster then maybe there's a better chance. should have done better. must do better. all of his training and the chance of another person dying again because he's not quick enough.

"Let's get going then, mate. I'll even put it on the house for this one."

he doesn't say anything else beyond following behind, watching rampart open up the front of her shop. already his patience wears thin when he thinks the doors don't open fast enough — immediately he takes in a sharp breath. rampart is here to help in the early morning. he's grateful, but those familiar memories attack his soul all over again as he walks past the doors. ears pick up the mechanic's instructions telling him to place the robot on the table.

"All right! Doctor Rampart's going to work on him for a while. Go ahead and sit somewhere." she motions towards the seats and tables near the entrance. "Can't tell you how long this is going to take. You'll have to be patient while I work on my patient." ]

... Very well. [ a pause as he takes a seat. perhaps he can finally rest his mind. ] And thank you.

[clasificado]

[ Sombra watches the dot blow through one intersection after another. Wow, that thing's really moving. She glances at the bottom right corner of the map where the specifics about the bug's current location are displayed. The number indicating its speed rises and falls, but it never dips below a breakneck pace. Yeah, this definitely goes beyond worry. It's... desperation. All for a robot who can't actually die.

She shakes her head. So sentimental. The terse conversation after Ballistic arrives at his destination ( of course it'd be Rampart's shop; she's the best modder around this side of the Outlands, after all ) only emphasizes it more. Slouching deeper into her seat, she settles in for a wait. With any luck, Doctor Rampart won't be long⁠⁠⁠⁠—and then she can get to work finding out if Pathfinder saw anything he wasn't supposed to when he decided to play hero. The ops team should have cleared out by then, but you can never be too sure with Mauga involved. It wouldn't be the first time she had to clean up after him.

And if she has to, well⁠⁠⁠⁠—worst case scenario, Ballistic might have to make that manic drive back to Rampart's shop a second time.

—as if on cue, a metallic sound scrapes through the silence. Rampart's voice follows, a quiet mutter—"now what's this?"—along with some tapping noises so sharp she winces. "Cute little thing, ain't ya? But hitchin' a ride with Pathy here while he's conked out..." Rampart tsks. "That's just not on."

Another series of taps, almost like the bug's ricocheting off glass or metal. Then there's a very loud clunk. Rampart's words become much more muffled and distorted. Sombra has to strain to make out "that should do you for now" and the start of an electrical thrum—right before the connection cuts out completely.

Huh. With a wry scoff, she tries sending a few commands to the bug. None of them go through⁠⁠⁠⁠—as expected. Rampart sure knows her stuff. Not surprising either, given her reputation, but it's still a little annoying to have someone catch on so quickly. Especially within earshot of Ballistic. Still, what else would he expect a hacker to do⁠⁠⁠⁠—not hack?

But she's never been in a rush to fess up, either. As if she hasn't been listening in the entire time, she sends: ]

soooooo
good news or bad news?

@chemtech

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

[ how unpredictable, he thinks; august's eyes follow the cat run away into the darkness and loses her from there. maybe later he'll be graced by her presence when he isn't looking. again. a lovely resident of the apartment just like her owner.

a hum of acknowledgement leaves his throat as he listens to wendy's suggestion, and takes a seat on the sofa. there's nothing else he brings that requires his hands. cellphone and wallet in his jacket pockets — unfortunately he's going to miss some calls — as he watches her leave. ]

How much wine have you consumed exactly?

[chemtech]

[What August doesn’t know is that Rosie’s decided to hide out under the other chair in the small living room space. One of her usual spots. But she keeps to the shadows while he makes himself comfortable, quietly observing him.]

Uhh… the bottle’s on the table. [Right in front of him, actually. There’s a nearly-empty bottle of white, a glass with a few sips left sitting next to it. Her phone is there too, having been haphazardly placed somewhere near the edge before she got up to answer the door. Blanket half on the sofa cushions, half on the floor.]

Maybe two of those? [A pause, and then a snort of amusement.] Almost two I guess. I’m fine.

[When she joins him, everything he’s made for her is on a plate, and the “tea” is tucked beneath an arm. She needs both hands for the plate. Other than that - she is in stellar condition for someone who’s wine-trashed.]

I can’t believe you cooked for me again. You’re so sweet. Beyond sweet? [Wait.] Perfect. [That sounds better.

And she carefully sets everything down on the table so she can sit beside him.]

[brinkman]

I'd like to think it's because, as a friend, I want you to be all right. [ because they're friends now, right? or close to it. whatever they have now isn't only locked between intimacy anymore. ] Don't forget to fill your fridge and whatnot.

[ august knows that wendy is a grown adult woman who can do whatever she pleases and he can't force her to change. however, he would like for wendy to take better care of herself beyond being occupied with work — a hypocritical thought, he knows, considering what he's done in his youth. still, the responsibility to live beyond breathing and drinking wine like there's no tomorrow... another hypocritical thought yet he doesn't care. listen to him, do not do what he does, etc.

eyes shift to the plate she brings before they return to her as he leans back on the couch. ]

I hope my arrival today will remind you for tomorrow. [ and now, a question: ] How is it?

@madmaggie

[brinkman]

( 🔫 from here )

I could, but you have something of mine. Unless you have plans for it then I will take what belongs to me.

As for my clothes, its lack of durability is made up for comfort. And now I suppose ease for you to destroy on occasion.

[madmaggie]

is that a promise?
should i expect u to come round again?
exciting
a repeat visit from ballistic

much too easy
u know how much i enjoy a challenge
but there’s somethin about the way that shirt just shredded ain’t there

[brinkman]

To pick up my underwear, yes. Unless you're willing to send it off to my estate instead, which would be a bit odd.

As for that, I do. First hand even with you armed with a shotgun. Not surprised it extends to late nights as well. Should I have worn armour instead?