touchscreens | 001 ✗ video + action.

Oh, hey - I bet it's working, this time!

[ To the technologically impaired, these terminals are a little daunting - who knew you had to take your gloves off to work a touchscreen? Not to mention the thought of hooking up to some nebulous and well-populated network. He may or may not have spent the last ten to fifteen minutes talking to nobody, slowly realizing he was talking to nobody, and then trying again to figure out how to get to the Help tab.

Anyway, it's definitely broadcasting, now. Maybe. Probably. He's not trying again if it isn't. (He might.) ]

Am I really talking to all the other, uh, visitors out there? I guess that's pretty handy. Though... It feels like I've been doing a lot of talking, lately, and not a whole lot of actually getting to know the people I'm stuck with. [ Which more or less translates out of polite doublespeak to: he's tired himself out trying to figure this place out one way, how about FAQ round #2? ] So I thought, why not just ask? A little old-fashioned, I admit, but... I've got nothing to lose.

[ He shrugs, smiling thinly. ] So tell me about yourselves, okay? Or your 'worlds,' or whatever. And just 'cause it's no fair if I don't start, I'm Zack. I used to wanna travel, when I was a little younger. [ A pause, and a little more genuine humor leaks into that smile. ] I guess I sure got my wish, huh?

[ There's only so much aimlessly (but alertly) wandering around a foreign city a guy can do, so Zack's taking a break from that to ...aimlessly wander around the common floor of building #1 (having significantly more luck with the video games than with the terminals) and along the walkways between buildings (for the view, naturally).

He's not in great shape - it's actually a lot harder to remember to maintain contact with total strangers than he would've expected it to be - but he isn't exactly falling on his face, either (not that he'll be turning down any free hugs, regardless). And, of course, anybody who crosses his path - and doesn't make themselves too busy for him to accost, post haste - will most likely be finding themselves in a conversation. However one-sided. (He's not picky.) ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Nikola only ventures out of his apartment when absolutely necessary, whether he's looking to meet his weekly quota of physical contact or spend his monthly stipend on the wine that makes it all bearable. Today, it's wine. And maybe a few other necessities while he's at it. He needs something to keep him busy.

And unfortunately for him, he's directly in Zack's path as he makes his way out of the building.]

[ Well, this guy's clearly on his way somewhere. Doesn't look super friendly. Might not be a good idea to interrupt him.

Who cares, though, Zack's gonna do it, anyway. ]

Hey! Visitor or native? [ Spoiler alert: there's no right answer, he's still planning to ask questions. ]

[How unamused he looks. Why must these children constantly interrupt him?]

Neither. It's only visiting if you can leave.

[ Zack shrugs on approach, smiling easily. Unamused Look is not very effective... ]

The way they tell it, we're all going home, eventually. No reason to make a bleak situation look bleaker.

And you believe them?

[ He shakes his head, no need for a lot of deep contemplation, there. ]

I don't know what I believe. But I hope they're telling the truth, just the same. What about you? Any better idea of what's really going on?

[As least he isn't a complete idiot. There's a relief.]

They can solve their little power problem on their own. If they wanted real help, they should have asked.

Desperate people don't always make the best choices. [ And if he seems sympathetic, it's more a condition of the last few years of his life than his naturally generous disposition. ]

It might not be forgivable, but it's easy to understand. I don't think they'd have brought us if they really didn't need anything from us.

You're one of those, aren't you? Always looking for the best in people.

Uh, sorry? You got me.

What does that make you, though? Somebody who's always looking for the worst?

[That might have been a very undignified snort. He finds that assumption inexplicably amusing.]

Someone who sees things for what they are.

Edited 2013-08-13 01:31 (UTC)

[ ...Well. Laughter is progress, right? Even if that explanation doesn't really alleviate Zack's concerns. ]

I've heard that one, before. Doesn't it mean pretty much the same thing?

[Nikola gives an almost casual shrug.]

If the shoe fits. Not everything is sunshine and roses.

Well, anybody who thinks that way is really naive, right?

[ It's a touch sarcastic, but not enough to suggest Zack doesn't actually agree. He does; he's just sick of both extremes. ]

I guess I'll just never understand the wisdom in expecting everybody I meet to stab me in the back as soon as I turn around. There's plenty of middle-ground.

You'll think that. Until someone stabs you in the back.

[Always better to stay on your guard.]

It's a big back. I can take a few hits.

[ He's had enough of being paranoid, too. It wasn't even for much, in the end. ]

You have it all figured out.

[He clearly feels otherwise.]

001 ✗ video + action.

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