headandhand: (Default)
the head | the hand ([personal profile] headandhand) wrote in [community profile] dualislogs2019-09-09 10:14 pm

i've been bitten by the bug ...

WHO: Open to all residents
WHAT: Inoculation Season, plus your regular monthly NAPs session
WHERE: Throughout the city, with NAPs held at The Ax Hole.
WHEN: Sept. 10-30 for plague shots and associated side effects; Sept. 10-14 for NAPs
WARNINGS: Please use if applicable!

So tell me, what do you prescribe for these symptoms?

Remember that awful plague that wiped out the city's entire original population? You know, the entire reason you've been brought here? Well, the medical science community of Dualis has been hard at work concocting a cure for as long as anyone can remember, with minimal results. But during the morning of the 10th, news of a breakthrough is announced is a special city-wide bulletin. All media channels are overtaken with this message, and alerts hit every citizen's phone. The best part? Science needs your help!

There's no formal approval process for new vaccines and medications, just a series of volunteer trials before it's determined whether what's being tested is effective. All residents are invited to participate in these trials, with a bonus of 200 extra duos as compensation for their time and possible suffering. Simply head down to your nearest MedDualis clinic and inform the MedDroids supervising that you're reporting for your civic duty. Participants will be given a quick, easy, and practically painless inoculation shot in the arm, and will walk out the door 200 duos richer. Neat, huh?

Participants will be warned that like all experimental drugs, there may be side effects. A non-comprehensive list of those possible side effects includes: minor appearance changes (hair/skin/eye color), enhancing or reducing senses (smell, taste, hearing, sight, etc.), sudden mild development of extranormal abilities (telepathy, super strength, super speed, etc.), the ability to share dreams (if you're not tired of that sorta thing after last month), and/or loss of control over abilities you already possess, or those abilities misfiring. Hey, at least death isn't included on this list!

Any intrepid Dualizen who comes down with a case of weirdness as a result of doing their civic duty will find that weirdness will wear off by the end of the month. The Head thanks you for your sacrifice!

Don't you feel the fever like I do?

Look at all of these bright, shining new faces! There’s even a few less bright, less shining faces - maybe even a few folks without faces - but hey, this city welcomes all types. Chances are, if you’ve just arrived, you're seeing some pretty crazy things, unless you're used to an eye-blinding amount of neon, robots, weird-ass technology, magic, and an omnipresent police force...and hey, if you are, congrats, you're gonna settle in juuuuust fine. But for the rest of you, the Head knows this has gotta be pretty overwhelming, right?

Well, since your quaint individual processing units are probably having a hard time, why not link up with another one? By which the Head means...

Hello, new citizens of Dualis,
and welcome to your monthly Network Adjacency Protocol~!


NAPs are a monthly community networking event similar to the Earth concept of speed dating! Two citizens (new arrivals and old hands alike) are placed at a table together with a handy cue card of queries to help break the proverbial ice. Ask queries and receive results, or ignore the card and yeet yourself straight into a brand new friendship! But don't be too shy, you've only got ten minutes together, and if you just sit in silence for the whole ten, the Network Admins are likely to come supervise and try to repair the uplink through a mild shock to the ol' central nervous system. You might find yourself saying all sorts of unintended facts about yourself if that happens...probably better to just make friends, right? Who doesn’t like friends?!

This month’s event is held at an exciting new establishment called The Ax Hole! The 'Hole is an indoor ax-throwing range plus bar plus mid-price grill-type restaurant, the first of its kind to find a home here in Dualis. You must be at least 18 to drink and/or throw axes, and if you are throwing axes, there is a limit of one drink per hour. The bartenders are very strict about enforcing this rule, and employees are available to give safety instructions on proper ax-throwing technique and supervise activities.

This is a family-friendly establishment, so anyone under 18 is welcome in the restaurant section and the viewing room between the restaurant and range to watch the ax-throwing action, but they are absolutely not allowed inside the range, even just to watch. In fact, anyone who wishes admittance to the range must sign a waiver stating that they understand the risks of participating and agree to hold the Ax Hole free of liability in the event of any accidents that cause injury or death.

If that hasn't scared you off yet, come on down and meet your new neighbors! Oh, and do try to exit with at least as many fingers and limbs as when you entered, OK?
sociallychallenged: (1 1 7)

[personal profile] sociallychallenged 2019-09-21 10:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Not met the iterations yet, huh? I don't know if their tasers are set to 'god', but if they arbitrarily decide they have a problem with people's behavior they'll put 'em down. I'm uh... I'm a patrol officer with the Dualis Police Department. I'm barely a glorified fuckin' meter maid at the moment. But I've met the cops that are actually people at the department? You ever need the police? Go to the ones that have an emotion."

And then he gestures over Loki. "Not that the god of mischief's gonna need or want the cops. But you know, the offer's there."

He looks around at everyone perfectly nailing the targets. So many people way too good at this. "Seems like the Head wanted people recently with good aim."
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (Tired of This Shit (Worn Out))

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2019-09-21 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Soul what?"

David is left starting, because the concept doesn't make any sense. Asgardian technology hasn't filtered down toward humanity yet, so he's left with no real idea of what that should be.

"You're definitely going to explain that to me."
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Default)

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-09-21 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Did he live it, though? But the question is whether they would give Fern a chance. Or if they would see him as nothing more than part of Finn.

"When you go home, treat him like a brother. I think he's lonely."
notalive: (demon wants his pound of flesh)

[personal profile] notalive 2019-09-21 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
There's that feeling again - like he has a task to complete, but he doesn't know what the parameters of it are, and without knowing that, he can't do it. But he has to do whatever it is - he wants to, and he recognises the emotion that comes with it: frustration.

His head tilts minutely into Hank's thumb as it brushes his LED - the tiniest sliver of Hank's skin touches Connor's own, and he feels something like a spark, like static electricity passing between them.

As Hank draws his hand away, Connor's head moves a little with it, as if chasing the sensation before remembering himself.

"That's not the reason you're annoying, don't blame that on me," he says in a sudden fit of daring, following Hank out the door.
fuckregularpeople: (jane: disbelieving)

[personal profile] fuckregularpeople 2019-09-21 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Hammerhead almost always needs calming down and is definitely danger to those around her. That's why Penny is here, she's not got an ounce of Hammerhead's aggression and doesn't want her loose with so many people around.

"Thank you, sir." Hands drawn close to herself, she grasps at her fingers. "S-suppose that's the p-place for me now." Which was a terrifying thought, considering Penny didn't really belong on the surface at all.

That was Jane's job, and after another shift she stands up straighter and looks between Connor and Hank with a look that suggests she's far over this shit. "Are you guys arresting me?" she asks, stutter and accent alike gone. The rest of her looks the same as Penny though. "'cause I already had a real shitty day and that's the last thing I need to deal with."
sociallychallenged: (0 2 2)

[personal profile] sociallychallenged 2019-09-21 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Continued here]
notalive: (connor3)

[personal profile] notalive 2019-09-21 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was just surprised, is all," he says, waving off her apology. "Where I'm from, that's completely impossible. I'm still getting used to seeing all of these impossible things."

As he glances at the axe still embedded in the target, the LED on his temple cycles - still blue, but the circular light ticking steadily round.

"It's not that interesting," he admits, "But most people start with that, so that's what I tend to do as well."

He has the hint of a grin at hearing about this other Connor she knows so well, then tilts his head briefly. "I've never heard the name Arkady, but I'm the only Connor I know as well. I wouldn't know it was weird if you hadn't told me."

He's seen a variety of names in his four months active, but since one of those months is here he's lost all concept of what normal names are anymore. People have regular old nouns for names, he's lost all expectations.

"What would you rather ask somebody you just met? Something more interesting."
punchpunchkisskiss: (frown)

[personal profile] punchpunchkisskiss 2019-09-22 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Finn thinks the world of his friends, and naturally assumes that they would all take Fern as he is. But even if they don't, now that he knows there's bad blood there he can do something about it. He'll show them how awesome Fern can be, and he'll show Fern too.

"I will," he agrees with steadfast determination. The butterflies return, though slowly at first, to their initial flight pattern.

"And I'll make sure Jake does, too. And we'll go see Jermaine, and we'll all hang out best bros style."
soundspeed: (betting he panics for sure)

[personal profile] soundspeed 2019-09-22 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
(To be fair, accents aren't really Marvel's strong suit either. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Being called motherfucker right out of the gate has Pietro raising an eyebrow, but for someone who seems ready to fight the world, he takes it in remarkable stride and doesn't retaliate. He simply pushes off from the wall and takes a slow, easy step closer to Jane, more curious than angry.

"What makes you think I am not serious?" He thought he'd been pretty straightforward in answering the question. "If you think this is all like a storybook, that's something that I need to know."

Mostly so he can judge if she poses any kind of threat.
magneticfields: (look down in anger)

[personal profile] magneticfields 2019-09-22 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Erik's expression hardens at the young man's rejection of his empathy. As well as his presumptive assertions. He leans back, his hands back in their original position in front of him on the table. ]

Do you tell everybody how they are supposed to behave? Or it is only those you pretend you know because associating yourself with their celebrity makes you feel more important.

[ He's finding the prospect of hurling axes at targets more appealing than he had. ]

I didn't hate my wife, boy. Perhaps you should judge your own rationality before making assumptions about others.
magneticfields: (mad)

[personal profile] magneticfields 2019-09-22 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Erik listens closely, holding Connor in place. He's mostly satisfied with the answers, though they do bring with them more questions. He relaxes the grip as Connor is complying, prepared to tighten again if he turns recalcitrant. ]

Were you reprogrammed? What is determining your behavior now? And do you still retain your interrogation skills?

[ How much do I need to fear you? ]
magneticfields: (side eye)

Of course!

[personal profile] magneticfields 2019-09-22 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's something familiar about the woman. She's shorter than his memory wants her to be, which is how he knows she's not who he's thinking of. Though he's finding it difficult to put his finger on exactly who she brings to mind. Perhaps it's just a coincidental resemblance. When she speaks, the accent is familiar as well. ]

That is surprising. I have no living relatives.

[ He can't help the soft note of sadness in his tone at the statement. Not that he has any desire to dwell on that at the moment. He tilts his head slightly. ]

Maximoff, though. Are you any relation to Peter?
sociallychallenged: (0 3 7)

[personal profile] sociallychallenged 2019-09-22 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
"A couple of minutes," Hank mutters to Connor. More than he'd like. He keeps his hands out.

"I don't wanna arrest you, I really don't. I don't like arresting people that are scared and confused. But there are some big tasing asshole robots that might decide otherwise if they think you're a threat. I just figure we can answer some questions for you as best we can and sort things out that way.

"You'd rather that, right? Know the fuck about what's going on and find a place to get so so you can get the uh... Alright, I don't wanna know what's on you. Whatever the fuck happened to you off. By the way-" he nods to Connor with a side-tip of his head, "-He's not one of the big tasing asshole robots. He's just an android twink. He's fine." The most reassuring thing Hank has ever said about his partner. "He can help answer things, too."
helpdesk_hero: David Alleyne  / Prodigy - From Young Avengers (End Of The Journey (Poise))

[personal profile] helpdesk_hero 2019-09-22 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[It isn't rejection. It's confusion. So much confusion. This isn't what he was expecting. And immediately he feels bad for his shock. Looks away awkwardly because he knows he's made this bad. That wasn't what he'd meant to do. It wasn't at all.]

I'm sorry. I'm so very, very sorry, Mr. Lehnsherr. I just... Where I'm from you didn't learn you were a mutant until after... You didn't know you weren't human when you married. So that wasn't on my mind. And there are a lot of mutants back home that judge me because I'm human now. Either because they envy that, or because they feel like I don't belong as part of the community anymore. I don't just pass for human. I am human. So what right do I have to be welcomed by them?

[It was bad. He should have learned in meeting Wanda. But he was so shocked to meet Erik that he's thrown off. More than he had been with Wanda.]
fuckregularpeople: (jane: bitchy quip)

[personal profile] fuckregularpeople 2019-09-22 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
He'll get called more than that if he keeps talking to her, that girl has a filthy mouth. She's ready to fight the world too, and watches him approach with both wariness and casual coolness.

"Uh, because you're making fun of me, LiteBrite?" Yeah, he was straightforward, but he sounded like a sarcastic douche. It was a serious question. "Crazy is not a synonym for stupid. Serious question, it's not hard. Do you hear a voice describing what you're doing, yes or no?" She isn't, which is a good sign, but if anyone is, it's important.

There's nothing to suggest that Jane is a threat, although she is clearly unamused and keeping as close an eye on Pietro as he is on her.
magneticfields: (pout)

[personal profile] magneticfields 2019-09-22 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Erik's generally good at reading people. But he's also still a little sensitive in certain weak spots. Feeling like offers of emotional connection are being rebuffed is something hard for him to rationalize.

Why he doesn't do it very often. ]


I've known I was a mutant since I was fourteen. I didn't know there was a word for it. I thought I was the only one. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I met another. And I got married in my forties.

[ He takes a drink of water. ]

Now, why don't you tell me about people you loved who were murdered. Fair's fair.

[ He'll circle back around to the human thing in a moment. ]
notalive: (141 - szsUmJf)

[personal profile] notalive 2019-09-22 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
[He's felt fear before - both when he wasn't supposed to be able to feel any emotions at all and after he broke free of his programming - but not like this, not in a maelstrom of shock and utter helplessness. His system takes a few seconds to give a verdict - some insanely powerful magnetic field is holding the metal parts of his body in place. That's what moved him without his knowledge.

His LED cycles rapidly red.]


I wasn't reprogrammed. I realised my programming was wrong and I broke free of it. I had to help my people - the androids.

[He wonders if the bit about his people will humanise him to Lehnsherr or just paint him as anti-human, a danger to everyone. He tries to relax, to speak normally - but it's hard to balance relaxing with not showing fear.

It's only when his hands coil about each other on top of the table nervously that he even realises he can somewhat move again.]


I still have all of my old skills, but I decide when and how I use them. I determine my own behaviour - I'm still working out what that means.
notalive: (connor4)

[personal profile] notalive 2019-09-22 09:35 am (UTC)(link)
Connor doesn't even have consciously think about the time - a countdown appears in his vision as soon as he hear's Hank's response, ticking down steadily towards the earliest possible time the iterations could show up. But he doesn't want to make the girl - any part of her - panic, so he doesn't mention it. Maybe to Hank if he gets a chance.

...After the difficulty he just had making anybody move on because he just doesn't look threatening enough, he's starting to regret his design team's decisions a little bit. But that doesn't mean he doesn't cast Hank a slightly flat look anyway.

"You'll know the iterations when you see them - I'm not like them," he agrees, not wanting to be another source of fear for this girl if she knows he's synthetic. "We just need to get off this street out of their way."
silentnarration: unknown artist (grumpy)

Roof

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 11:41 am (UTC)(link)
With his new head injury, Squall has had to minimize his explorations. Not that it's stopped him from going out of the city that one time but that's besides the point.

The roof is a decent place to hang out even with the chocobo stable that's under construction taking up half the real estate. He tilts his head to the side curiously when he spots the glowing boy first. The sight weird enough to take away from the telescope.

When he finally takes a step forward again, hoping to just mind his own business, a gust of wind blows and slams the rooftop access door shut with a loud bang. He jumps and grimaces. Oh for crying out loud.
Edited (retconning bandage! derp) 2019-10-02 12:38 (UTC)
silentnarration: unknown artist (ponder)

Axe hole

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Sure he's supposed to keep drunks from getting access to it but what about someone who's studying the axe a little too intently, almost like he's having trouble making sense of something. Lingering symptoms from head injuries are great.

He looks up when Thane approaches and eyes him suspiciously.

"I don't need that," he says, eyeing the waiver.
silentnarration: unknown artist (hmph)

NAP

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Squall finds himself pushed into a seat by an overenthusiastic staff member trying to 'get him out of his shell'. It's irritating because he couldn't get a word in before he finds himself sitting in front of this well-mannered(?) gentleman.

He stares at the hand offered to him and ignores it.]


Squall.

[He offers sourly and studies the cue cards. He sighs at how childish they all sound. 'What's your favorite color?' Really? He sets them back face down.]

... I've been here a few months. I can answer some questions.

[Might as well try to make some friends, if not allies. Even though he'd rather be doing anything else right now.]
silentnarration: unknown artist (beads)

NAP

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Squall didn't look like he particularly wanted to be here. He kept looking around as if trying to look for a chance to escape. When Steve spoke, he stared at him like he'd forgotten Steve was there for a moment.

He nodded dumbly. Right. Playing along might be faster. He'd have an easier time absconding when the ten minutes are up. He doubted he was going to get very far when he was still easily confused. He should consider himself lucky he avoided NAPs for this long.

"Triple Triad. It's a card game."
silentnarration: unknown artist (why me)

Ax hole

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Squall was leaning against a pillar close to the viewing room. He managed to get in but he'd been banned from touching the axes after apparently showing signs that he was not fit to throw axes. (Rude.)

The question caught him off guard and he stared at her in confusion for a good while before answering with an incredulous:

"What?"

And he thought he was the one who got hit in the head.
silentnarration: (gah)

[personal profile] silentnarration 2019-09-22 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
The best thing about being confused was that he was easily startled.

No, that wasn't a good thing at all.

It took him a second to react when she appeared right next to where he was standing with a drink. He jumped, stepping to the side and splashing his soda. His eyes wide as he turned to her.

"Where the hell did you come from?" It sounded accusatory but he didn't need that heart attack, okay?
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Mike Chang in Glee (*Well That Happened (Welp))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2019-09-22 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, Nida doesn't know who those other people are, but it's definitely a start. And he's not going to be a downer that points out Finn might not remember. He's tired of being a downer.

"Good. Now... what's with the butterflies?"

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