((OOC: Backdated to the same evening as this post; therefore, before this post.))
Sofia. Are you there?
[Alex's voice is a monotone; it's the flat, resigned dread of someone preparing to go into battle, driven only by a reluctance to admit that the odds are hopeless.]
[Lamb nods, but there is also a HEAVY SIGH, eyes being closed and opened again for dramatic effect, a look that shows quite clearly that this is not at all what she wants and of course the tiny yet ever-popular side-order of ~GUILT RADIATION~]
All right, Alex.
[AUDIO//PRIVATE] have I gone a single thread without getting the format wrong? sheesh.
[Alex stands with one hand still on the doorknob, next to the camera that's been set up as a first guard directly opposite the door. His expression is waxen.]
...What?
[This encounter needs to go quickly. His room isn't safe.]
[ACTION] Smiling, dancing - everything is free! / All you need is... positivity!
[The gesture is not inviting by any means, but she pushes past him regardless and forcefully sets a red bottle down on his table.]
This is a Plasmid. It is made from a substance called ADAM. I can explain its history to you another time, if you wish; for now all you need to know is that this is what kept our city going. A... wonder drug, if you will.
[She produces a needle from her bag and puts it on the table.] Upon injection it will grant its user abilities beyond anything you have ever seen. [A weak smile.] So the slogan goes for people who have never been to Wonderland, at least.
Alex, I have seen how helpless you felt after the last event, how angry you were, because you could not fight back. I do not encourage violence, as you well know, but I will not leave you at the mercy of somebody else again, not if I can help it.
This, Alex, will allow you to defend yourself.
[She pauses.]
It does not come without a price, mind. Amongst other things it requires a steady intake of ADAM to stabilise its effects. I can provide as much as you need, of course, but you should know that once you start you will depend on it.
[More pause.]
The choice is yours, Alex.
[ACTION] So you're saying it's not safe to go alone, and I should take this.
[At first he just stares blankly from the bottle to Lamb, wondering where the hell this is going. This continues when she brings out the needle. Especially when she brings out the needle. Drugs and syringes just have unfortunate associations, with crack junkies and strung-out, prospectless heroin addicts.
Then again, insulin and stuff - real medicines, helpful things - are injected too. Needles don't have to mean living death.
And if he could defend himself... there's a flicker in his wooden eyes when she says that, a stirring of that part of him that still refuses to resign himself. Not to the Operator, not to Diogenes, not to any asshole who thinks he's so big and mighty.
There's a sizeable pause as he tries to sort this all out in his head, the pros and cons, the questions, the fact that Sofia's going to the trouble of making this offer. Then, finally:]
...What abilities?
[He's seen too much weird shit to doubt that what she's offering is possible. The idea would be exciting, in a different time and place. But he's careful. He doesn't like the sound of dependence one bit.]
[ACTION] No, I'm saying Colours of the world - SPLICE UP YOUR LIFE!]
Some merely improve your physical abilities. They make you faster or stronger. Others alter your body completely, giving it features... powers which some have called God-like.
[Hey, lightning bolts are a popular export!]
The number of Plasmids and Tonics is too vast to name them all, but this one, for example, is called Winter Blast. In simple terms it allows you to shoot ice from your hand.
[...Alex would be lying to himself if "Godlike" didn't sound appealing these days. Movie convention says that's a bad thing, but movie convention also says that good guys get happy endings and the guy always gets the girl, and those don't translate into real life either. Maybe you have to become something unnatural to defeat something unnatural.
He's starting to look less like he's retreated into himself, less like a sleepwalker, a little more like he's in the room and focusing on this.]
Ice.
[He sounds like he's testing the word, seeing how it sounds, imagining it. Picturing what it might do against a guy with no face and creeping, grasping limbs.]
Solid ice? Or does it freeze things?
[ACTION] I see my stunning proposal has rendered you speechless
[She wants to add 'giving you ample time to retreat', should probably add '...or smash them to bits', but decides to leave it at neither. She looks at him patiently, waiting for more questions or a decision.]
[ACTION] I'm just overcome by the openness and frank honesty of your delivery.
[For the record, in Alex's mind, he goes with the smashing.]
...All right.
[That phrase, breathlessly delivered, indicates that the speaker is impressed and delivers a preliminary verdict of 'I endorse this product and/or service'.
A shade louder, more steadily:]
All right.
[Yeah, he likes this idea. No more being helpless. No more Alex-the-victim. You can't vanish and flicker around when you're frozen solid. You can't stalk or attack people or kidnap them or make them forget things if you're in pieces, asshole.
But there's just one thing--]
...how bad's the dependence? That's the only side-effect, right?
[It's not a dealbreaker, not for this kind of opportunity. He's already working out how much he's willing to put up with for it.]
[ACTION] That's what I'm known for, after all. That and the worst pies in Lond- ohwaitnotagain.
The cravings are bad, but there are means to keep them under control.
In excess amounts ADAM can... and will damage your body and mind, but if you use it in moderation the worst you might experience is some dizziness or nausea.
[That's the theory, anyway. Nobody has ever really tried the 'in moderation' thing in practice. She also wonders if the hallucinations apply to ADAM that has been magically produced in closets and does not technically contain the DNA of specific people. Oh well, that's for Alex to find out if he tries...]
[ACTION] Who can blame you, with the price of meat what it is?
[Oh. That, uh, sounds like a slippery slope kind of thing. Alex looks at the bottle again, hesitating, its glow faintly visible on his face in the low light. Time for another lengthy pause.
If he does it, he'll be at risk - but it'll be controllable risk, and he'll be able to protect himself from the considerably more immediate and uncontrollable danger of the Operator and Diogenes. If he does it and then gets home, it sounds like he'll have some painful detoxing to do, but he can handle that - and, a nasty little thought adds, who's to say he'll even get home, especially if he doesn't take steps to survive here? (It should be noted that no-one's filled Alex in regarding the many deaths.)
It's a long way from ideal, but it gets closer than the current situation does.
He might ask if Sofia's done it, if she's used this stuff - but that's the kind of question you ask somebody you don't trust.
Yeah. Yes. He'll do it.]
Is that needle clean?
[ACTION] Yeah, when you get it. I mean, /if/ you get it.
[Slippery slope? Oh no, nooo! It's more like... a sharpe, vertical plunge downwards, really. UHIMEAN-]
Of course it is, Alex.
[...she says with just the right amount of offence taken. Out of all the things to worry about! Sure, her speciality is psychiatry and complicated spinal surgery may be beyond her, but she knows how to keep her equipment clean.]
I can fetch a new one from the closet if you like, but I'm afraid they don't come in smaller sizes.
[Not for this lovely product, oh no.]
Listen, Alex, I needed to make the offer immediately, but your answer is not a decision that can or should be made on a whim, so if you would rather think it over...?
[I hope you're not hoping for a better answer again, because the shiny red bottle is all I've got. As such I will take your questions to be an intricate paraphrasing of 'just sign me up already'.]
You should sit down. It tends to feel a little unpleasant the first time.
[ACTION] I think this thread might earn him a whole new tag for really bad decisions.
[Alex is very conscious of not letting the upcoming unpleasantness discourage him. He nods, and sits uncomfortably on the arm of the squashy sofa; that unloved piece of furniture finally came in useful for something other than making Lamb stand up from it.]
Intravenous or in my shoulder?
[ACTION] You meant to say 'brilliant decision'. Oh you and your silly subject line mistakes...
[He gives the syringe a look that says why the hell are you so big?]
...I guess I'll get used to the size.
[It's warm in the room, with all the cameras humming away, and he's wearing short sleeves. Finding a vein is as easy as glancing at the crook of his elbow.
He holds his left arm flat against his knee, underside up, trying not to tense it quite so much. The muscles are flexing convulsively; it's trembling a little. Signs of fear.
Well, he won't be afraid much longer, he thinks with savage satisfaction as he lines up the needle. (Crap, that really is a really big needle.) He grits his teeth, then pushes it in and quickly presses the plunger.
Alex is braced for slight unpleasantness, a bit of discomfort, maybe that dizziness and nausea she mentioned. What he's not prepared for is pain, spreading quickly from the injection site and through his entire body, like something is chewing through flesh and bone. Alex snatches the needle out, flinching. He swears he can hear the cracking and crunching.]
Aaaah - is it supposed to h-aa-aaaahhh--
[His vision is suddenly red, veiny, as though blood or the plasmid has flowed into his eyes, and the pain keeps getting worse. He can see the veins of his hands and arms glowing, and waves of blue flowing over his skin like the beginnings of frostbite. Oh god, did something go wrong? Then Alex drops the needle and doubles over, eyes screwed shut, because the pain feels like it's filleting every one of his bones.]
Gh - aaah -- aaaaaaaaagh!
[He stands, then stumbles, collapses onto one knee, then - it's gone, the pain is gone, draining away. The dregs collect as aches and stings and ripples of cold across his skin. His hands feel tight; they keep flexing and twitching independantly of him.
Alex stays where he is for several long moments, stunned, his breathing quick and shallow.]
[When Alex puts the needle in position Lamb takes a few steps back, watching the rest of the scene from a safe distance.
She throws in a few helpful hints along the lines of 'It's okay Alex, that's all perfectly normal, just keep breathing', but she expects them to go largely unnoticed.
For now at least it seems he has taken the 'keep breathing' advice to heart, which is a very good start, better than can be said for some. Hey, not everyone can hold their ADAM, did she forget to mention that?
Anyway, it's looking good so far, but let her observe quietly for a little while longer, she wants to make sure the transformation is done before approaching.]
[He breathes, then breathes, then says shakily, incredulously:]
What the hell was that.
A little unpleasant!
[...and folds his hands on the floor into fists to stop them from clenching and shaking. The skin feels stiff, raw. Like an ice burn.
Alex opens his eyes. He focuses on his hands. And he stares at them, at the frost they're dusted with, at the semitransparent icicles that have shoved their way out, at the little flecks of blood that came out with the ice and then froze to his skin.]
[She scans the room for objects that can be easily replaced. The cameras would make a terrific target, but she feels that Alex might not appreciate the suggestion. Her gaze finally stops on a potted plant near his bed.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[VIDEO//PRIVATE]
All right, Alex.
[AUDIO//PRIVATE] have I gone a single thread without getting the format wrong? sheesh.
There's a long pause. Then Alex speaks again, his voice thickening, like he's pushing it out through a tight throat.]
Thank you... for everything.
[Before he loses his nerve and asks for help, or loses his self-control and crumbles, he reaches over to turn off the feed.]
[VIDEO//PRIVATE]
[Her hand reaches for the screen in reflex as if to stop him, but then she realises that she can't, that there is nothing more to say, although...]
There is something else I can do.
[And then it's her who turns the feed off, because she will explain later and she will not have a discussion now.]
[AUDIO//PRIVATE]
He snaps off the microphone on his end and goes back to the cameras, checking and rechecking them for the hundredth time.]
[ACTION]
Alex? Are you there?
[ACTION]
After several seconds, the eye withdraws, and there's the metallic clunk of locks being undone.]
[ACTION] When you're feeling sad and low / We will take you where you gotta go
You told me to stay distant and I will, but first there is something I need to give you.
[ACTION] Not high as a kite, hopefully. He's tried that already.
...What?
[This encounter needs to go quickly. His room isn't safe.]
[ACTION] Smiling, dancing - everything is free! / All you need is... positivity!
This is a Plasmid. It is made from a substance called ADAM. I can explain its history to you another time, if you wish; for now all you need to know is that this is what kept our city going. A... wonder drug, if you will.
[She produces a needle from her bag and puts it on the table.] Upon injection it will grant its user abilities beyond anything you have ever seen. [A weak smile.] So the slogan goes for people who have never been to Wonderland, at least.
Alex, I have seen how helpless you felt after the last event, how angry you were, because you could not fight back. I do not encourage violence, as you well know, but I will not leave you at the mercy of somebody else again, not if I can help it.
This, Alex, will allow you to defend yourself.
[She pauses.]
It does not come without a price, mind. Amongst other things it requires a steady intake of ADAM to stabilise its effects. I can provide as much as you need, of course, but you should know that once you start you will depend on it.
[More pause.]
The choice is yours, Alex.
[ACTION] So you're saying it's not safe to go alone, and I should take this.
Then again, insulin and stuff - real medicines, helpful things - are injected too. Needles don't have to mean living death.
And if he could defend himself... there's a flicker in his wooden eyes when she says that, a stirring of that part of him that still refuses to resign himself. Not to the Operator, not to Diogenes, not to any asshole who thinks he's so big and mighty.
There's a sizeable pause as he tries to sort this all out in his head, the pros and cons, the questions, the fact that Sofia's going to the trouble of making this offer. Then, finally:]
...What abilities?
[He's seen too much weird shit to doubt that what she's offering is possible. The idea would be exciting, in a different time and place. But he's careful. He doesn't like the sound of dependence one bit.]
[ACTION] No, I'm saying Colours of the world - SPLICE UP YOUR LIFE!]
[Hey, lightning bolts are a popular export!]
The number of Plasmids and Tonics is too vast to name them all, but this one, for example, is called Winter Blast. In simple terms it allows you to shoot ice from your hand.
[ACTION]
He's starting to look less like he's retreated into himself, less like a sleepwalker, a little more like he's in the room and focusing on this.]
Ice.
[He sounds like he's testing the word, seeing how it sounds, imagining it. Picturing what it might do against a guy with no face and creeping, grasping limbs.]
Solid ice? Or does it freeze things?
[ACTION] I see my stunning proposal has rendered you speechless
[She wants to add 'giving you ample time to retreat', should probably add '...or smash them to bits', but decides to leave it at neither. She looks at him patiently, waiting for more questions or a decision.]
[ACTION] I'm just overcome by the openness and frank honesty of your delivery.
...All right.
[That phrase, breathlessly delivered, indicates that the speaker is impressed and delivers a preliminary verdict of 'I endorse this product and/or service'.
A shade louder, more steadily:]
All right.
[Yeah, he likes this idea. No more being helpless. No more Alex-the-victim. You can't vanish and flicker around when you're frozen solid. You can't stalk or attack people or kidnap them or make them forget things if you're in pieces, asshole.
But there's just one thing--]
...how bad's the dependence? That's the only side-effect, right?
[It's not a dealbreaker, not for this kind of opportunity. He's already working out how much he's willing to put up with for it.]
[ACTION] That's what I'm known for, after all. That and the worst pies in Lond- ohwaitnotagain.
In excess amounts ADAM can... and will damage your body and mind, but if you use it in moderation the worst you might experience is some dizziness or nausea.
[That's the theory, anyway. Nobody has ever really tried the 'in moderation' thing in practice. She also wonders if the hallucinations apply to ADAM that has been magically produced in closets and does not technically contain the DNA of specific people. Oh well, that's for Alex to find out if he tries...]
[ACTION] Who can blame you, with the price of meat what it is?
[Oh. That, uh, sounds like a slippery slope kind of thing. Alex looks at the bottle again, hesitating, its glow faintly visible on his face in the low light. Time for another lengthy pause.
If he does it, he'll be at risk - but it'll be controllable risk, and he'll be able to protect himself from the considerably more immediate and uncontrollable danger of the Operator and Diogenes. If he does it and then gets home, it sounds like he'll have some painful detoxing to do, but he can handle that - and, a nasty little thought adds, who's to say he'll even get home, especially if he doesn't take steps to survive here? (It should be noted that no-one's filled Alex in regarding the many deaths.)
It's a long way from ideal, but it gets closer than the current situation does.
He might ask if Sofia's done it, if she's used this stuff - but that's the kind of question you ask somebody you don't trust.
Yeah. Yes. He'll do it.]
Is that needle clean?
[ACTION] Yeah, when you get it. I mean, /if/ you get it.
Of course it is, Alex.
[...she says with just the right amount of offence taken. Out of all the things to worry about! Sure, her speciality is psychiatry and complicated spinal surgery may be beyond her, but she knows how to keep her equipment clean.]
I can fetch a new one from the closet if you like, but I'm afraid they don't come in smaller sizes.
[Not for this lovely product, oh no.]
Listen, Alex, I needed to make the offer immediately, but your answer is not a decision that can or should be made on a whim, so if you would rather think it over...?
[ACTION] ... ... ... ... ... ... /Ah./ >:)
Also: hmm, well, yes, from certain angles Sofia is right, but--]
What if he finds me tonight? What if Diogenes decides he's gonna have another crack at me tomorrow?
[ACTION] Good, you got it!
You should sit down. It tends to feel a little unpleasant the first time.
[ACTION] I think this thread might earn him a whole new tag for really bad decisions.
Intravenous or in my shoulder?
[ACTION] You meant to say 'brilliant decision'. Oh you and your silly subject line mistakes...
[She takes the syringe and draws up the red liquid. Rapturian monster needles are easy to handle, even with one arm. She walks over to the sofa-]
Intravenous.
[-and hands Alex the injector.]
[ACTION] ...that can have a tag too. Happy?
...I guess I'll get used to the size.
[It's warm in the room, with all the cameras humming away, and he's wearing short sleeves. Finding a vein is as easy as glancing at the crook of his elbow.
He holds his left arm flat against his knee, underside up, trying not to tense it quite so much. The muscles are flexing convulsively; it's trembling a little. Signs of fear.
Well, he won't be afraid much longer, he thinks with savage satisfaction as he lines up the needle. (Crap, that really is a really big needle.) He grits his teeth, then pushes it in and quickly presses the plunger.
Alex is braced for slight unpleasantness, a bit of discomfort, maybe that dizziness and nausea she mentioned. What he's not prepared for is pain, spreading quickly from the injection site and through his entire body, like something is chewing through flesh and bone. Alex snatches the needle out, flinching. He swears he can hear the cracking and crunching.]
Aaaah - is it supposed to h-aa-aaaahhh--
[His vision is suddenly red, veiny, as though blood or the plasmid has flowed into his eyes, and the pain keeps getting worse. He can see the veins of his hands and arms glowing, and waves of blue flowing over his skin like the beginnings of frostbite. Oh god, did something go wrong? Then Alex drops the needle and doubles over, eyes screwed shut, because the pain feels like it's filleting every one of his bones.]
Gh - aaah -- aaaaaaaaagh!
[He stands, then stumbles, collapses onto one knee, then - it's gone, the pain is gone, draining away. The dregs collect as aches and stings and ripples of cold across his skin. His hands feel tight; they keep flexing and twitching independantly of him.
Alex stays where he is for several long moments, stunned, his breathing quick and shallow.]
[ACTION] Well, it's a start.
She throws in a few helpful hints along the lines of 'It's okay Alex, that's all perfectly normal, just keep breathing', but she expects them to go largely unnoticed.
For now at least it seems he has taken the 'keep breathing' advice to heart, which is a very good start, better than can be said for some. Hey, not everyone can hold their ADAM, did she forget to mention that?
Anyway, it's looking good so far, but let her observe quietly for a little while longer, she wants to make sure the transformation is done before approaching.]
[ACTION]
What the hell was that.
A little unpleasant!
[...and folds his hands on the floor into fists to stop them from clenching and shaking. The skin feels stiff, raw. Like an ice burn.
Alex opens his eyes. He focuses on his hands. And he stares at them, at the frost they're dusted with, at the semitransparent icicles that have shoved their way out, at the little flecks of blood that came out with the ice and then froze to his skin.]
...oh my god.
[ACTION]
It does take a little getting used to.
[She scans the room for objects that can be easily replaced. The cameras would make a terrific target, but she feels that Alex might not appreciate the suggestion. Her gaze finally stops on a potted plant near his bed.]
Would you like to give it a try?
[ACTION]
[ACTION]
[ACTION]
[ACTION] OH GOD, NOT PLANT BOB! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!
[ACTION] CHEER UP! THINK OF THE PLANT ICE-CREAM!
[ACTION] I WON'T EAT MY BEST FRIEND! NOT AGAIN!
[ACTION] Oh, please. I've seen you with those buckets of Kentucky Fried Chums.
[ACTION] THOSE WERE ONLY FRIEND-SHAPED VEGGIE STICKS, I SWEAR!
[ACTION] VEGGIE STICKS DON'T SCREAM LIKE THAT.
[ACTION] OF COURSE YOU'D SAY THAT, PLANT MURDERER!!
[ACTION] STOP TRYING TO PASS THE BLAME!
[ACTION] NEVER! *POINTS FINGER OF BLAME AT YOU*
[ACTION] ...I read that as "nevar". I've been internetting too hard. :(
[ACTION] 01010010010011110100011001001100010000110100111101010000010101000100010101010010
[ACTION] 001110110101111100111011
[ACTION] 001010100110010001100101011100100111000000101010
[ACTION] 0100100001110101011100100111001000101110
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[ACTION] where doin this bro. where makin this hapen.
[ACTION] I have no more subject line to spare.