thisavrou_log | september overflow log

(( original toplevel here! ))

(( from here! ))

[If his brow stays arched like this any longer, it'll probably freeze that way.]

If that's supposed to reassure me, it's not.

[It's certainly doing nothing to downplay the threat of "saucy shenanigans," whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. But it's only a few moments later that he breaks his silence with a quiet sigh – as if the possibility of maybe not being a moody loner for two minutes might actually kill him.]

I already said I'd check it out. [He hasn't forgotten. Thanks, Adam from five minutes ago.] Save the cajoling for someone else.

[He jabs a gunmetal-black finger in Lúcio's direction.] But if I catch even a hint of shenanigans...

[Just gonna leave that open "threat" hanging there. Big scary Jensen.

...Unfortunately for him, Lúcio's seen him when he's being legitimately threatening! Surprise: this is nothing like that.]

Edited 2016-09-27 18:09 (UTC)

[lúcio looks bewildered for a split second before he picks up on what's happening and breaks back into a grin.

adam gets a mock salute. he even clicks his heels for good measure.]

No prob, bob! I'll make sure there's a strict no-shenanigans radius around you at all times! One that's at least 5 yards long!

[Jesus Christ. Can't even pretend to be a hardass in the face of something like that...

A simple smile's asking a lot of him, but Adam can spare a snort of something that could maybe be construed as laughter, before turning away and continuing back down the stairs. If a smile does slip through, ain't no one gonna see it – you can be certain of that.]

Trusting you to have my back on this one, pal. [And with a wave forward of one hand, he motions for Lúcio to follow.] Let's go and get this over with.

[Said pretty much no one who's ever looked forward to a party, ever. But hey – he's doing it, so Lúcio can probably count this one as a win.]

(( from here! ))

Think I've had enough of sand to last me at least the next year. I'll take my chances in the jungle.

[Dramatic irony is a literary technique in which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience, but unknown to the character.

Seriously, though– fuck sand. He curls the fingers of one metal hand, the sound of firing servos drowned out by the broken-glass staccato of sand grinding in machinery. The landing might've spared him the ocean, but it put him in this sandy-aug hell. Something else he's just going to have to deal with later.

But for the moment: onward to adventure.]

Edited 2016-09-27 18:10 (UTC)

[The sound of grit in machinery is much quieter from Thane's perspective, seeing as he's not the one attached to the machinery in question, but still audible nonetheless. One small biotic amp can't even begin to compare to the elaborate cybernetics that make up all of Jensen's limbs and - Thane suspects - quite a bit of his torso, too, but he understands the other's aversion all too easily.]

I don't blame you in the least.

[The underbrush is heavy and thick, and for a moment he thinks he may have to backtrack to choose a different entry point, but after pushing aside several large palm-like leaves, the undergrowth thins out a bit into something that looks reasonably passable.

He pauses in his forward progress to politely hold the giant leaves aside so that Jensen can pass through, too.]

Would I be correct in guessing you've spent most of your life in cities?

[It'd make the most sense, given what Adam has told him previously about his profession.

(( from here! ))

[Innocent, sure. Nice try. Adam raises a brow and makes no such attempt at sounding similarly innocent.]

I'm not the one you should be worried about protecting.

[It's as much a snappy one-liner as it is... Just the truth, straight up. If a bug goes crunch against the wall today, it'll be strictly Dorian's fault, make no mistake. Looking back down, his tone drops into something more conversational once more.]

There's the rub. Variety, quality, or money: pick two.

[Quality and money's what he went for – but for the sake of whatever image Dorian has of him, he'll neglect to specify. Tac gear, a coat, and a solid pair of boots serve him perfectly well as everyday (and he means "every day") wear, but he realizes that sort of ~~video game protagonist~~ routine isn't for everyone. If he had ten credits for every time Megan had teased him about that...

Still in the middle of appraising the shirt, his expression suddenly sours, and he shakes his head as if to clear it of some unwanted thought. A brief moment of vulnerability (made all the more obvious with his lenses retracted) but it's quickly smoothed over, and back to trademark Jensen impassivity. Unfortunately for him, Dorian's an observant guy – and if he can't stop him from noticing these little cracks in his facade, he'll just have to settle for... Moving on and pretending like they never happened.]

You sure losing the sleeves won't just attract more of his friends? [He sweeps his arms outwards, as if to illustrate his point. Just picture four or five bug people trying to get at that gun show, and you've got a pretty good idea of Adam's brief vision of hell.

Letting his arms fall back at his sides, he indicates Dorian with a nod and a small shrug.] You seem to have a pretty good idea of what you think works, though. I'll defer to your judgement.

[But Adam, look at this face, it's positively guiltless?]

You mean I cannot do both? I'm quite good at multitasking.

[Does Dorian look like the kind of man who's taken responsibility for anything he's ever done in his entire life? Well there was that incident with the time magic, and all the issues with his country, but if we're going strictly by looks?]

Pick two? Such a cruel choice, but I suppose I would go with quality and money.

[Great minds think alike, don't they? Dorian would rather have armor that held up and looked good on him and enough money to put into that sustainable quality. Variety was nice, a luxury, and who didn't like luxuries? Not essential, however. See, he's practical, he wouldn't be thrilled because he isn't one for strict routines outside of his grooming habits.

True enough, Dorian is very observant, he notices the change in expression, but Adam is like that. He maintains such a neutral visage most of the time that extreme changes are made all the more obvious. Dorian was very expressive, and he found it was harder to read expressive people. Hs sarcasm could be an indicator of good humor or of hidden pain and anger, it's hard to tell. Adam was singular in his ability to convey his feelings, they were such a stark contrast to his usual self that, brief as they are, it's like a beacon.

Fortunately Dorian isn't one to pry into a man's heart, if he ever wanted to talk? Well, Dorian is all ears, he's secretly gentle like that.]

Like I said, I'm good at multitasking. [And Dorian is pretty good at swatting at things with a large stick, but that'll be his last resort.

retrieving the shirt from Adam, he held it up to the man, appraising it.] You've come to the right man. For all of your clothing needs, call on me as you will. Go ahead and slip it on, that will make things easier.

[About as guiltless as a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, maybe.

Great big balls of fire and mended glasses are one thing – so's the lightning, he'll even admit – but he can't help but feel a little dubious about getting zapped with a bit of magic, even something as minor as this. It's a dubiousness that he doesn't even bother to try and hide: it's already out there on his face, in the arch of his brow, in the way he shifts his weight and considers any number of possible excuses. Forget what he'd said, clothes aren't that important after all, etc. etc.]

Why do I feel like I'm about to have a real Cinderella moment here?

[Modern day Earth jokes. Don't worry about it, Dorian– in the end, the levity's more for his own sake than it is anyone else's (though he can't help but feel a stiff drink would do a better job psyching himself up.)

Plenty of time for that later. But since for now he can't leave Dorian hanging, the sarcasm will just have to do. Whatever'll "make it easier," sure. Having apparently decided to stop being such a big baby about magic, Adam shrugs the shirt on and manages not to hold himself too stiffly in anticipation of– who the hell knows what.]

[You think so little of him, Adam, you must think more highly. Dorian would never make you look ridiculous and he'll respect your wish to remain as neutral in your selection as possible, but he would never let you look silly.

As a man who appears as though he might just take flight at any moment, the mage gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.]

Do not fret it, Adam, as the Maker says: magic is meant to serve mankind. I am here to help.

[Granted, not much magic involved here, Dorian simply adjusts his arms so that they are both sticking out, evenly with his shoulders and parallel to the ground. Now he looks more like a bird.

Removing the blade on the end of his staff, which he is rarely seen without, he uses it to loosen some of the thread where the sleeves join the body of the shirt. A few quick tugs and Adam is sleeveless, the magic part comes in to deal with any frayed bits, a bit of heat from his fingers, but nothing terribly exciting.

And voila.]

You're terribly handsome now.

[A bird, sure. A big, mostly-metal bird who looks built more to kick the shit out of everything around it than to fly the coop – but Dorian's assessment is apt enough. If he were any other mage he knows – it's a very short list, to be fair – then Adam probably wouldn't be half as trusting as he's willing to be now (exhibit A: that bug person still lurking somewhere over there...) It's not quite enough trust for him to not look as apprehensive as he does, but it's still far more than he's willing to afford most people. Just take it as a compliment, Pavus.

The magic, for its part, starts off looking suspiciously like someone just taking a knife and – ta-daaaa – cutting the sleeves off... Which is understandable, considering that's exactly what's happening here. Even Adam has to pause in the act of staring stonily straight ahead to cast a curious glance at his side, kind of expecting to find the magic working through the staff-blade– but in a quick flare of dull warmth on the weave of his shoulder, he finally finds it.

...Well that. Was a lot less spectacular than he was ~~fearing~~ expecting. He even has the grace to look a little abashed – yeah, okay, maybe he overreacted a little – but it quickly turns into a quiet snort of laughter, and another one of those almost-smiles.]

Let's go ahead and pretend like I handled that like a badass.

[Letting his arms drop, he takes a second to inspect himself and... Nods slowly, appreciatively. Maybe not his usual style, but it's certainly not disagreeable. Dorian certainly seems to think so, anyway.]

Not a bad job at all. [A pause, and then drily:] Going to have to be careful with the praise, though. Might go to my head.

[Would Dorian ever hurt you with magic Adam? Okay would Dorian ever intentionally hurt you with magic Adam? In spite of his flare for it, he's extremely cautious when using it in close proximity to someone he actually likes. Unfortunately for you there are no pumpkins or mice, it's just a quick adjustment to the arms of your shirt and you are very welcome to it.

Glancing up, the mage contemplates his companion for a second, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he mulled over this word badass, certain it doesn't mean what he think it does, but going with it regardless. He'll eventually get used to the idea that hot, cool, and amazing all mean the same thing, even if they shouldn't.]

I'm not entirely certain how objective I can be about your ass, Adam, but I dare say it's not bad.

[Now ask him what he really thinks?]

Oh? Well I wouldn't mind seeing how inflated your ego can really get if left completely without supervision or constraints.

september overflow log

adam jensen | deus ex | ota

for dj hops

THAT'S DJ HOPS SIR

no subject

for handsome squidward

no subject

for lord of the bug people

not the title Dorian wanted, but the title he got

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject