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?
[ 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?
Edited (fixing some wording!) 2023-05-03 02:56 (UTC)
[ 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With how outdated it is?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.
[ a soft hum leaves his throat at the thought of legentifax being modern snake oil, and the mystery behind his new friend. their name simply "sombra" — "shade" says a translator. ]
I know a friend who looks rather youthful because of Legentifax, but I suppose it helps when he's the CEO of the company. [ eduardo silva, the lucky man. ] And far less scotch...
[ he isn't ignorant when it comes to the alcoholic tendencies that he's leaned on due to grief. it's still there with every sip of his drink. ]
Don't suppose I can hire you to find out if he has a different formula?
[ he jests, the way he speaks, but now he can't help but wonder if eduardo gets a specialized version of it. ]
[ not to mention they likely have access to the most skilled plastic surgeons and cosmetologists in Syndicate Space, who probably do more for Ballistic's friend than a drug that carries a risk of "worsening bloodlust." She's sure someone who runs in the same social circles already knows that, though. ]
I could find out, yeah. Goes without saying that it'll cost you, but I don't think you'll have any trouble paying.
[ he might be joking, but Sombra's never been one to let opportunities go by. ]
Money's never an issue. [ and whatever's left is going straight to his family once he passes. ] I'll let you know if I decide to go with the idea, but for now I'll stick to wondering about his secret like the old man I am.
[ august knows he was rather handsome in his youth — how vain he can be thanks to the poison that is fame. both combined is what lures him to drinking legentifax daily while accompanied by exercise and, a not-quite-beloved companion throughout his twenty years: any bottled alcohol he takes out of his wine cellar.
a hum leaves his throat. ]
I will, however, pay you for a copy of my son's report analysis.
[ because he wants to know how he's doing, and what he's done to catch their eyes. what august couldn't witness and say "I'm proud of you, son" if it didn't result in the kind of blood sport that lured him in the first place. ]
[ she raises her eyebrows, thinks for a minute, then says: ]
Can't you get that yourself? Not that I want to turn down easy cash, but it shouldn't be hard for someone who's so buddy-buddy with the head guy behind the Games.
[ through the blurry static of the CCTV feed, the way Ballistic jammed a gun against said guy's skull hadn't looked friendly at all. They both seemed more than okay with the deal afterwards, though, particularly Silva—and why wouldn't he? He's definitely getting more out of it than Ballistic is. But how long—or short—of a leash is he holding? ]
[ eduardo silva, the devil that august makes a deal with. there's something different about him that he can't quite pinpoint. as though something's... changed. different. yet he looks exactly like the man he's known for years before his self-isolation. if he didn't go in guns blazing, august doubts he would have been accepted as nathaniel's replacement.
there's a pause of his movement and voice before he shakes his head. ]
He doesn't need to know my every move.
[ and he won't; august's eyes are at the camera, hands behind his back as though he were talking to someone face to face. ]
Do you accept?
Edited (i forgot to add actions...) 2023-05-15 12:18 (UTC)
I think he already knows you care a lot about your son.
[ though she doubts that matters to a man like Eduardo Silva. From what she's seen of him, he's not a family man. His own son is probably nothing more than a rating boost for the Games, with how regularly he almost kills himself pulling off daredevil moves. Ballistic, on the other hand, walked right into a crossfire to keep Nathaniel out of them. It's touching, but the fact that he'd do something like that instead of actually talking it over with his son says a lot about him too.
Well, there's no benefit in getting involved in that family drama. Ballistic can mope around in private all he wants as long as he keeps being useful to her. ]
[ because he thinks nathaniel and sok leng will refuse to tell him a word. he deserves it, august knows, but he also wants to know how he did. at the start of him joining the games he wonders how they feel with him taking his son's place &mash; the media must be eating them alive.
[ a cool million for what's probably not even a screen's worth of data is a very good deal. Way too good, in fact, which instinctively raises her suspicions... but as with his outdated security, maybe Ballistic doesn't really have a solid grasp of what the going rate for intel among hackers is these days. She'll chance it. ]
Double that. You want it ASAP, you gotta pay the expedited service fee.
[ ooh, they want twice the price he offers. to think august believed a million would be enough to satisfy — well: ]
I'll give you a deadline then: before five tomorrow. I'd be finished with afternoon tea by the time it arrives.
[ because he wants to — no, he has to know how his son did. are they good enough marks like his was...? had he been more attentive to his family, if the tragedy didn't strike, maybe he would have helped nathaniel train for the games instead.
[ well, well. No pushback at all. Sombra laughs, about to say she could get it by five today—but stops herself with a hum. Why set herself that strict an ETD for such an easy job? ]
All right. 5 tomorrow, after your tea. [ an amused huff. ] Ay, you really are an old man. Didn't that kind of thing go out of fashion like a thousand years ago?
[ there's a soft chuckle that comes from him — and, well, now he wants tea. therefore, he begins his move back to the blender as he speaks: ]
Oh, very. Comes with the age. [ with that said, he pulls back a drawer and takes out a cup and a small platter. ] And I happen to love tea. Don't you have some favorites that you enjoy indulging in?
[ tea over scotch; he brings out a small tin container before tightening the scotch bottle shut. ]
Sure. I've got my favorite drinks too. They're way more exciting than tea.
[ like mezcal or tequila—but Ballistic doesn't need to know that. Even something as innocuous as liquor preferences can be used to figure out someone's identity. ]
And they're easier for robots to get right on the first try. [ ;) ]
[ already he knows exactly what they're talking about. a sigh leaves his throat as he thinks about the robot's several accidents and how much restoration has to be done with the east wing of his mansion.
two teaspoons of loose leaf lady grey in the tea pot as the kettle heats up. ]
The robot's a much better squadmate than a butler. His aim reliable and his quickness astounding. [ he taps on the table once and a hologram of a clock appears. once the water's at the precise temperature that he deems perfect, august pours it in the tea pot and starts the alarm for five minutes. ] And despite his mistakes, he can be a good listener — and don't tell him I said that.
[ in spite of her lack of interest in everything tea, Sombra watches Ballistic prepare his with some curiosity. He's so methodical about it, he could probably do it blindfolded. For a second, her fingers tingle with the temptation of making the alarm go off too early or too late. Then it passes. Pranks are better when they don't know they're being watched. ]
No promises. Not for free, anyways. [ she grins. ] Afraid he's gonna think you're his friend if he knows?
Cat person here, remember? Besides, bots and I don't really get along.
[ it's like they have a sixth sense for hackers. Can't blame them, but that doesn't keep the impulse to take a peek at their programming from popping up anyways. Or her from indulging it. ]
But it would be nice to have one around to take care of the little things. [ like meals... and cleaning. ] As long as they didn't wreck the whole place in the process.
I haven't forgotten. He's just that friendly, is all. Even to the murderous simulacrums in the Games.
[ like how a dog may be friendly to an annoyed cat, he thinks. several annoyed cats that would rather slice him, and yet he notices how pathfinder persists. ]
Ah, yes. You have the power to see his mistakes for yourself. [ the fire was recorded after all. ] I should have given him even simpler tasks.
[ Sombra laughs. Usually it's a snooze digging through past CCTV footage, but the domino effect that led to the whole wing burning down had been hilarious to watch. ]
At this point all he has finally learned to do properly is a cup of tea. And manslaughter in the games, to my initial surprise. Thought I'd never see him again.
[ he's so glad he has, truth be told. ]
There's so much work to do still despite it being a while.
Yeah. Some things you just gotta do yourself if you want them done right.
[ story of her life, basically. But she can always count on people like Ballistic to outsource anyways, despite the risks; that's what they're used to doing living their posh lifestyle. That's what makes them vulnerable. ]
And, speaking of... guess I should go get what you asked for. I'll send you a way to pay me once I have it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
I know a friend who looks rather youthful because of Legentifax, but I suppose it helps when he's the CEO of the company. [ eduardo silva, the lucky man. ] And far less scotch...
[ he isn't ignorant when it comes to the alcoholic tendencies that he's leaned on due to grief. it's still there with every sip of his drink. ]
Don't suppose I can hire you to find out if he has a different formula?
[ he jests, the way he speaks, but now he can't help but wonder if eduardo gets a specialized version of it. ]
no subject
[ not to mention they likely have access to the most skilled plastic surgeons and cosmetologists in Syndicate Space, who probably do more for Ballistic's friend than a drug that carries a risk of "worsening bloodlust." She's sure someone who runs in the same social circles already knows that, though. ]
I could find out, yeah. Goes without saying that it'll cost you, but I don't think you'll have any trouble paying.
[ he might be joking, but Sombra's never been one to let opportunities go by. ]
no subject
[ august knows he was rather handsome in his youth — how vain he can be thanks to the poison that is fame. both combined is what lures him to drinking legentifax daily while accompanied by exercise and, a not-quite-beloved companion throughout his twenty years: any bottled alcohol he takes out of his wine cellar.
a hum leaves his throat. ]
I will, however, pay you for a copy of my son's report analysis.
[ because he wants to know how he's doing, and what he's done to catch their eyes. what august couldn't witness and say "I'm proud of you, son" if it didn't result in the kind of blood sport that lured him in the first place. ]
no subject
Can't you get that yourself? Not that I want to turn down easy cash, but it shouldn't be hard for someone who's so buddy-buddy with the head guy behind the Games.
[ through the blurry static of the CCTV feed, the way Ballistic jammed a gun against said guy's skull hadn't looked friendly at all. They both seemed more than okay with the deal afterwards, though, particularly Silva—and why wouldn't he? He's definitely getting more out of it than Ballistic is. But how long—or short—of a leash is he holding? ]
no subject
there's a pause of his movement and voice before he shakes his head. ]
He doesn't need to know my every move.
[ and he won't; august's eyes are at the camera, hands behind his back as though he were talking to someone face to face. ]
Do you accept?
no subject
[ though she doubts that matters to a man like Eduardo Silva. From what she's seen of him, he's not a family man. His own son is probably nothing more than a rating boost for the Games, with how regularly he almost kills himself pulling off daredevil moves. Ballistic, on the other hand, walked right into a crossfire to keep Nathaniel out of them. It's touching, but the fact that he'd do something like that instead of actually talking it over with his son says a lot about him too.
Well, there's no benefit in getting involved in that family drama. Ballistic can mope around in private all he wants as long as he keeps being useful to her. ]
Sure, I can do it. When do you want it by?
no subject
[ because he thinks nathaniel and sok leng will refuse to tell him a word. he deserves it, august knows, but he also wants to know how he did. at the start of him joining the games he wonders how they feel with him taking his son's place &mash; the media must be eating them alive.
the point, however, is that nathaniel is safe. ]
One million sounds like a good price, yes?
no subject
Double that. You want it ASAP, you gotta pay the expedited service fee.
no subject
I'll give you a deadline then: before five tomorrow. I'd be finished with afternoon tea by the time it arrives.
[ because he wants to — no, he has to know how his son did. are they good enough marks like his was...? had he been more attentive to his family, if the tragedy didn't strike, maybe he would have helped nathaniel train for the games instead.
no subject
All right. 5 tomorrow, after your tea. [ an amused huff. ] Ay, you really are an old man. Didn't that kind of thing go out of fashion like a thousand years ago?
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Oh, very. Comes with the age. [ with that said, he pulls back a drawer and takes out a cup and a small platter. ] And I happen to love tea. Don't you have some favorites that you enjoy indulging in?
[ tea over scotch; he brings out a small tin container before tightening the scotch bottle shut. ]
no subject
[ like mezcal or tequila—but Ballistic doesn't need to know that. Even something as innocuous as liquor preferences can be used to figure out someone's identity. ]
And they're easier for robots to get right on the first try. [ ;) ]
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two teaspoons of loose leaf lady grey in the tea pot as the kettle heats up. ]
The robot's a much better squadmate than a butler. His aim reliable and his quickness astounding. [ he taps on the table once and a hologram of a clock appears. once the water's at the precise temperature that he deems perfect, august pours it in the tea pot and starts the alarm for five minutes. ] And despite his mistakes, he can be a good listener — and don't tell him I said that.
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No promises. Not for free, anyways. [ she grins. ] Afraid he's gonna think you're his friend if he knows?
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[ "Hi again, elderly friend!"
"Would you like me to take care of the thorns from the roses again, Mr. Sir August?"
and august ends up chuckling in front of the robot — what an impact pathfinder has made in his life. ]
I'm sure he'd treat you as a friend as well if ever you meet him. Like a labrador, that one.
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[ it's like they have a sixth sense for hackers. Can't blame them, but that doesn't keep the impulse to take a peek at their programming from popping up anyways. Or her from indulging it. ]
But it would be nice to have one around to take care of the little things. [ like meals... and cleaning. ] As long as they didn't wreck the whole place in the process.
no subject
[ like how a dog may be friendly to an annoyed cat, he thinks. several annoyed cats that would rather slice him, and yet he notices how pathfinder persists. ]
Ah, yes. You have the power to see his mistakes for yourself. [ the fire was recorded after all. ] I should have given him even simpler tasks.
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Like dusting off figurines?
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[ he's so glad he has, truth be told. ]
There's so much work to do still despite it being a while.
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[ story of her life, basically. But she can always count on people like Ballistic to outsource anyways, despite the risks; that's what they're used to doing living their posh lifestyle. That's what makes them vulnerable. ]
And, speaking of... guess I should go get what you asked for. I'll send you a way to pay me once I have it.
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I'll leave you to your work then.
[ there's a small tip of his head before he proceeds to pour the lady grey in a tea cup. ]