[voice | private]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[locked to Soundwave]

Hey, Soundwave.

Would you happen to have a few minutes free?

[locked to Wing]

Wing, could we talk?

[later | locked to Breakdown]

Dude, I've got some stuff to talk to you about, whenever you're free for it.

Comments

[10_20_15_5_50]

I can't fault you for that, and it's a bit of a story so I'm going to try and make it short.

The very first time I talked to him, I was surprised to learn Dirge actually ate. I was even more surprised to learn he'd eat absolutely anything, including people. I tried to explain to him that, for many practical reasons and, importantly on principle eating people was something that should be ruled right out.

He wasn't happy about that. He got testy and declared he would eat whatever he wanted. I wasn't happy about that, so I told him that if this included people he was gonna have problems, and that one of those problems would be me. I made a point of explaining that he couldn't correct that by just stomping on me because I would haunt the hell out of him and wreck... well, really everything. He concluded killing me wouldn't be worth the trouble, and I always stood by not wanting a beef---I wasn't going to give him any grief if he didn't eat or otherwise up and murder anybody, and I said so, and he gave me his word that he wasn't going to try and off me. For a while, all was well...

...but then the bastard tried to melt me.

[popculturecon]

He ate people?!

Okay no what happened next- Wait does this have something to do with him ripping his own throat out?

[10_20_15_5_50]

I don't know if he actually did or not, but I do know he was willing to eat people. He was at one point, trying to figure the plausibility of farming humans, which was what I heard when I came in with 'that idea is fucking awful why don't you raise some tomatoes instead.'

Yes, yes it does.

After he tried to melt me, I took away his ability to taste, which is what I had threatened to do if he killed anybody. I still feel that was fair, because although it was "only" an attempted melting, he still tried to kill somebody. Or maybe he meant to leave me in a living, Ellison-esque hell. That's not really better, but I digress.

Now he's desperate, willing to do anything if only he'll be able to taste again. Willing to leave me alone, willing to not murder anybody at all, etc, etc, only I cannot trust him to do what he says he will once he has what he wants. When I pointed this out, he offered to sign a contract. I don't know if he seriously believes that that makes a difference... which is where you come in.

[popculturecon]

Uh... well uh... I wanna help however I can. So what do you need me to do? It's not like I can scare him into listening to me.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Sam smiles a little, by the sound.]

Trying to scare him into listening is my angle, anyway.

I need you, if you are able, to take a look inside his crazy-making head and tell me if he actually means to stand by whatever he signs.

[popculturecon]

Oh! Oh you... okay so you want me to do that... telepathy trick... on him.

No okay that's fine I can do that-

I mean as long as he doesn't freak out and try to like... stab me to death.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Can you be sneaky, or do people normally notice?

[popculturecon]

I can be sneaky, sure but he still might feel something funny. If someone's ever been in his head before, he'll know what it is for sure.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Okay. Do you have to be within a certain proximity, or...?

[popculturecon]

Well I have to be able to see him.

[10_20_15_5_50]

We've got something in common, then. And, okay.

I'm eventually going to be meeting with Dirge to present a contract and have him sign. When this happens, I'll have one of my emergency contacts coming with for safety's sake. You could come with us? If there is some sort of freakout, it should be safest.

[popculturecon]

Yeah sure. I... I can do that sure. No problem.

[10_20_15_5_50]

You sound like you're maybe not so sure. I wouldn't hold it against you, since it is sort of a big thing to be asking.

[popculturecon]

I mean like.... People don't usually like it when... I do that.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Not surprising. For what it's worth, though... anybody calls you out on this instance, and we both level that I put you up to it. If you are still willing. If you are, I guess there's one thing I really oughtta ask.

[popculturecon]

Well ah... whats the one thing?

[10_20_15_5_50]

---I was wrong. Two things.

First, if you are okay with doing this, how d'you want to do it? You want to try to be sneaky, or would you rather I just present 'verification' as a condition Dirge will have to agree to if he wants to taste again?

Second, what would you ask in return?

[popculturecon]

I'd rather he... know it was coming so it wouldn't be like... y'know like unexpected.

I don't really need anything though.

[10_20_15_5_50]

I can do that.

...are you sure? As acknowledged, it's not a small favour I'm asking you for.

[popculturecon]

I know I know but... I can't really think of anything you should do in return. Like not right now or anything...

Maybe you could just owe me a favor something later?

[10_20_15_5_50]

You got it. Though, I can think of a few things I should do---just not in return. I should thank you, for one. Apologize, for another, for putting you in an awkward position.

[popculturecon]

Well, that's okay I mean... you gotta have the answer.

And you're welcome I'm glad I could help!

[10_20_15_5_50]

I'm glad you're willing to!

I'll let you know just what's going down when there's a time and place agreed on. Are there any which wouldn't work for you?

[popculturecon]

Well it's not like I'm busy here.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Point, but I am already imposing upon you. I would be imposing and inconsiderate if I didn't at least ask.

...and on things to ask. Your mind-reading, can you manage with anyone, or...?