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bakerstreet2016-09-02 01:30 am
emeraldfields) wrote in bakerstreet2016-09-02 01:30 am
Entry tags:
The Random Scenario Meme 3.0
- Post your character, name, and series in the subject. Include any preferences as well.
- Go to RNG and enter 1-6 for a scene type, and 1-20 for a scene to play out.
TYPE OF SCENE.
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Gen → General fun, things that didn't fit in the other categories.
⑥ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑦ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!
ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honor → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.
ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.
CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.
FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?
GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.
SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hate sex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knife play, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?
one non-actiony scene coming right up
It'd started off as spare credits going missing here or there, software mysteriously vanishing from people's desks, lockers being busted open at the shooting range – but over the course of the past few weeks, it had quickly escalated into a finger-pointing situation that spanned multiple departments. Normally it'd be a job for internal security, but with most resources being redirected to deal with what appeared to be a recent attempted hack on their network, there was little else for it. But Chang, now beseiged on all sides by enemies from without as well as within had demanded something be done about it anyway – and because no one really wanted to see their resident hacker have his third breakdown this quarter, Miller had... Well, done something about it.
The proverbial beaureaucratic drain pipes over at Lyon were clogged again which, to Prague's Counterterrorism division, had meant that their current investigation was on hold until further notice. And so, despite there being no lack of other work to do, it meant that those agents had a little bit of free time to devote to solving this mystery. Put Jensen and MacReady on the case, he'd said – surely no thief would stand up before their combined powers of being really really intimidating. And, as Chang had confided in the both of of them that afternoon, there was always the possisbility of the guy being this fabled Janus spy of his. Kill two birds with one stone, you know?
Well. If Chang only knew how right he was.]
Not really seeing a reason why this all has to be the same person. [Says Adam, doing his best to convince his coworker that there's no reason this all has to be the same person. Also definitely not him. He's got a data drive with the IntelliCam footage that Chang had begged they sift through, and plops it on MacReady's desk with the look of someone who knows he's in for hours of "fun."
It would've been a good way to catch their perp, had Adam not known for a fact that there'd be nothing to see. 'Cause, you know, figuring out where blind spots in surveillance are is kind of a day one thing for him.]
aw yiss
[ MacReady gave Jensen a sardonic smile over his screen, well, something close to a smile, before scowling and turning back to his email to finish up.
even one thief was a stretch. T29 had extensive background checks, with counterterrorism having its own, extra personal one done by yours truly. he'd assumed the whole thing was every other department being incompetent as usual: Argento had forgotten to lock things down, Chang had always been neurotic, and Organized Crime was nothing more than an an unorganized shitshow. in fact, the 'master thief' was probably nothing more than incompetency finally rearing its ugly head, and he'd have died on that cross, until things in counterterrorism went missing as well.
he might have written a long, angry email to Miller after a credit chip that had gone missing off his own desk, but he'd never assumed that he'd have to lead the damn case, and be saddled with the person he trusted the least as a double 'fuck you'. the whole thing was ridiculous, but orders were orders, even if it meant spending the next 48 hours stuck in the office with personal suspect #1. after double and triple checking his email, for no other reason than to delay his prison sentence with Jensen, he finally stood up, taking the drive without a word of thanks and displaying the contents on his television screen. ]
Find a piece of floor and get comfortable. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I go back to a case that matters. Chang's thrown in some extra footage I asked for, so if you've got any burning confessions to make, I suggest you do so now.
[ extra footage being the world's most boring and innocuous footage of the front of MacReady's office, because really, that's what mattered most. and yes Jensen, he's got his eyes on you.
it didn't come from a place of prejudice (not entirely), but from armchair psychology. Ex-cop, lone wolf, and well, aug. he'd never know for sure, but he was convinced there was something in Jensen's kit that made him stealthier than any man had reason to be. Miller had only groaned when he'd brought up his suspicions, and of course MacReady had no actual evidence to prove it. he was hoping the tapes would prove him wrong, although pessimism told him the only way he'd ever prove it was by goading Jensen into admitting it. ]
Oh look, late as always, although there's plenty of time for a social visit, hm?
[ and of course, first footage is of Jensen entering T29 at some undisclosed time, walking over to give Aria a hello and how do you do. ]
no subject
Moment over, he turns around and folds his arms, leaning back on his newly claimed space and shooting MacReady a Look. He shrugs.]
Nothing to declare.
[Yeah, he's kind of dug his hole already. He'd be lying if he said the thought of coming clean hadn't crossed his mind at least once, but like hell he'd admit it to MacReady, of all people. The guy'd tan what's left of his hide and hang it on his wall. Or even worse: he'd finally have the validation he needs for the way he treats his least favorite agent.
So yeah. Hell no. Instead, Adam turns his attention to the monitor– and his eyebrows draw beneath the tops of his tinted lenses so far that they practically vanish from view. He shakes his head and bites his lip, holding back what're probably some real choice words.
This is how it's gonna be, isn't it?]
You know me. I like to start my mornings off with a smile. [Says Adam, looking like someone who's had to look up the definition of "smile" in the dictionary. He indicates MacReady with a jerk of his head.] Maybe I should start showing up a bit earlier sometimes, keep you on your toes. Wouldn't want to put you into a routine, or you'll go soft sitting behind this desk of yours.
["If it hasn't already started," the look he gives the guy – drawn slowly from head to toe, and only detectable from the slow cant of his head – seems to imply. He turns his attention back around, watching the back of his own head and shoulders on the screen, a faint frown crossing his features. Didn't remember these morning conversations going on quite this long – but maybe it only seems that way with a goddamned audience.
Just when you thought Adam's voice couldn't get any more gruff, it does.] Why do I get the feeling you think you already know who's doing this?
no subject
he gives Jensen a loud scoff and nothing else, as if he's too immersed with what's happening on screen to even care. the sarcasm's cute, and had it been anyone else, he'd have been impressed by the lip. but all it feels like in this instance is disrespect, and it hits too close to home for him to find amusing. all the desk work was slowly killing him, truthfully. not that he'd ever admit it to Jensen. ]
Your concern is touching, but I'm still twice the soldier you'll ever be, even with your fancy, mechanized crutches. You'll rust before I ever go bloody soft.
[ did augmented soldiers rustle his jimmies in his previous career? totally.
the camera finally pans away to sweep the rest of the building, and MacReady turns to face Jensen, leaning forward to place his weight against the edge of his desk. of course Jensen was suspect #1, but it would have been unprofessional to confront him outright without evidence. a gut feeling wasn't enough, and protocol meant he needed something, even circumstantial, before he could bring forth accusations. ]
I've got my suspicions, same as everybody else. But since you're so curious, a hot shot ex-cop like you should have no problem putting together the same profile. [ trying to get a read on Jensen was like trying to a wall, a stone wall wearing a pair of impregnable sunglasses, but he could still try ] We're looking for someone with no regard for rules, with the skills and know how to navigate headquarters without raising alarm. It's an agent or analyst, one who gives no shits about personal space or belongings.
[ there's extra emphasis on the last one, as he gives his desk a hard tap in an overly obvious attempt to emphasize his point. ]
no subject
Just let it roll off, like water off a duck's back. A heavily augmented duck.
He nods, expression carefully neutral.] Could be. But you did pretty much just describe every thief ever.
[The ones that know how not to get caught, anyway – and, hopefully, how to stay that way. Adam remains silent for a few seconds after that, watching the tiny figures onscreen mill about. When he speaks up again, it's with a voice that matches his expression: controlled, inscrutable.]
Might not be the klepto you're bent on looking for. These are hard times. People get desperate, they end up stealing for all sorts of reasons. [A shrug.] That's my hot shot ex-cop experience talking.
I know no one on INTERPOL's payroll can really say they're hurting for credits, but know anyone who's been having a difficult time lately? [Someone besides one of the only two people at HQ obligated to live in Překážka, maybe?
Gaze still steadily focused forward on the screen, his eyes land on the door of the psych's office, just barely visible in the corner of the camera's view.] Could be worth it to speak with Delara, see if she's noticed anything.
[Even if everyone else seemingly avoided the resident shrink like the plague – at first, Adam had as well – he's found himself in her office more and more as of late. No real reason, no particular need to get anything off his chest, just... She's been easy to talk to. Surprisingly so. A quality which there's a dearth of at TF29, if this home movie session going on right now is any indication.]
no subject
[ dropping 19th century literature references like it's nothing, but Jensen did have a point. no one would risk their careers over a measly 200 credits, not anyone with a brain at least. it's a line of thinking he didn't even consider, and he grudgingly indulges Jensen, going over a mental checklist of anyone who seemed down on their luck or sadder than usual. ...times like this, it would have been useful to actually know more about his coworkers personal lives. his expression settles into a sour look, no different than usual, except for an added furrow of the brow as his thoughts came up blank. his silence is answer enough. ]
Your lead, you talk to her. [ dismissively, because while he dutifully pops in for his mandatory check ins, sharing his feelings and thoughts with a shrink was a little too personal for his liking. there wasn't a problem alcohol couldn't solve, and if there had been, the good doc surely wouldn't have been able to either.
it was beginning to dawn on him exactly how many hours of footage to trawl through, and with slight impatience, sped the footage up to 1.5x speed, watching the little figures zip across the screen. a few minutes of silence went by, with only a small hmph as an analyst bumped into another, sending both their work flying. it's all dull enough that he tries for further conversation, if just to ignore the utter boredom of having to watch the two idiots on camera flirt. ]
Delara, eh? You two on first name basis now? Don't tell me, did she actually break through that ice queen shell of yours?
no subject
If he takes something, it's only because he knows it's going to be put to good use – those credits will pay off a critical informant, that worm software will help disarm a network of bombs in a culvert below the city streets, and when all else fails, that ammo will get him through a shit situation with his life. Does that make him entitled, or come off as being above the law?
Admittedly, it's– hard to really argue otherwise, hearing it put into those words exactly. He may want to believe he's no better than anyone else – may have needed to for the past two years, lest he compromise every other moral he's got and just give into full-blown nihilism – but it's growing harder to reconcile that with this new belief that (now, more than ever) he needs every advantage he can get. Whether it's his old augs, his new ones– or every useful item he comes across that isn't nailed down. He couldn't possibly have explained at the time he'd decided to reappropriate something. Certainly can't now, either.
He just grunts in acknowledgement at the command. Looks like he's paying the doc a visit later, if only to keep up appearances. Pretending to look interested in the wild goose chase on the screen before him (and not really pulling it off, judging by the way his shoulders slowly start to sag) Adam gladly lets the minutes pass by in silence, doing his best not to look like he's stewing.
The sudden question grabs his attention and he turns his head around, trying – and failing – to not give MacReady the satisfaction of a reaction. Even a scowl as faint as his is.]
Really kills you to see me getting along with anyone here, doesn't it? [A pause and then, more levelly:] She's good at her job, I guess. Figured you of all people would appreciate something like that.
no subject
[ the sarcasm was thick enough to cut, because from what he'd seen, most other people tolerated Jensen, maybe even liked him. his own team had come and told Mac to lay off the hate for a while, but old habits were hard to kill, especially when he felt his complaints were legitimate. he might have hated Jensen less if he wasn't under his command, and if he hadn't watched Jensen casually ignore his commands for every mission since ever.
the comment about appreciating Delara catches him off guard, and he shrugs, falling back into his chair and slumping back, trying to find a more comfortable position. ]
It may come as a surprise, but I do appreciate her work. She's the only thing keeping Chang from fully losing it, and that to me is enough. It doesn't mean I go all giddy with excitement every time I have to go in for a checkup. There's plenty of things I don't want dug up, and turns out, you're our favorite point of discussion.
[ because when the conversation is about work and work grievances, the topic of Jensen always comes up. the professional advice he gets is probably along the lines of 'you need to let it go', something he can't and probably never fully will. he turns his attention to Jensen with a raised eyebrow, deciding that watching Smiley run through the office in a panic really wasn't all that important. ]
I think she's taken a shine towards you. Guess we can't all be perfect.
no subject
You two the reason why my ears are constantly burning?
[Mac's gonna have to do something about that complex of his. He nearly says as much, but instead he just adds more quietly, soberly:] Guess I'm going to have to disappoint her.
[Delara's a nice enough woman, certainly easy on the eyes, and obviously something about her keeps him coming back. But there's social connections, and then there's that, which just so happens to be in the region of getting too close for comfort: the distance at which people around him tend to start using him, or dying, or both. Keep everyone around him at arm's length, and that knife in his back won't cut so deep– or that's the theory, anyway. Doesn't always work out that way in practice.
With a sigh (and after seeing his fellow agent be the first one to kick back) Adam shifts his weight and rolls his shoulders, working the stiffness out of the junction between bone and metal framing. Maybe MacReady had a point about the rust. Just for that he remains standing, catching the look he's getting out of the corner of his eye and matching the guy's raised brow with one of his own.]
Maybe you could do it for me, next time you go in to gossip.
[For how much levity there is in his tone, it still only sounds like half a joke. 'Cause seriously – what a hassle.]
no subject
[ maybe that's the sign of a good psychologist, someone who could get Mac to forget the need to stay professional and to spew out everything that annoyed him, from the frustration over the Dubai investigation to everything about Jensen. gosh, it's a good thing everything about Delara was on the level. ]
Coming from a place of expertise, don't shit where you eat. As much as I'd love to see the fallout of your romantic trysts, let's try to keep things at work professional, hm?
[ advice coming from a man thrice divorced and completely unrepentant. ]
no subject
If you wanna know what I think– [and he almost certainly doesn't, but that's not going to stop Adam from saying it anyway] –it's that you're probably the last person I need to be taking romantic advice from.
[And the fact that he doesn't immediately get the urge to smack that smug look off MacReady's face is indication enough of what this is; since he'd started his time here, he's practically had to turn this sort of casual ribbing into an artform. Little bit of give and take is all this is, and since Adam's just had his moment of being put on blast...
Arms still folded, he pushes forward off the edge of the desk back into a full stand, turning his entire body to look down on MacReady kicking back in his office chair. Kinda glad to have some height on the guy for once.]
But if I'm hearing this right– are you implying that there was a time when Duncan MacReady wasn't a model of workplace professionalism?
[Adam's expectant look says everything. Well come on, Clarissa, explain it all.]
no subject
I set the standard for professionalism around here, always have, always will. That, combined with the fact I'm a brilliant fucking operator is reason why I have an office and you have your corner. Keep up the good work, and maybe you'll move up in a few years, yeah?
[ duncan macready, so professional that personal biases never get in the way. he glanced up towards Jensen, squinting slightly in suspicion at what he assumed was a genuine look of interest. well, as genuine as Jensen could get. small talk between them was rare enough, and he could count on one hand how often they discussed their personal lives. but since Jensen so kindly asked, and because he was in a decent mood, he decided to humor him, just this once. ]
I may have had my moments. You forget I was enlisted, Jensen? [ decades ago, but the memories were still as rosy as ever. ] Married a bird in the Royal Army, and learnt the hard way why you never marry into the same platoon. Turns out, pulling rank on your dearly beloved is a fast track to divorce. The hookers and year long deployments didn't help either.
[ actual humor? no way. divorce 2 and 3 were probably just workaholic related divorces, no big deal. it seemed to be a common theme in T29; no one had a personal life that could be described better than 'total fuckup'. it didn't bother MacReady as much as the others, and he'd come to assume that much like death and taxes, divorces and ruined relationships were just an inevitable part of life. the memories are enough to keep him from noticing that Jensen had mysteriously vanished from feed for a suspicious amount of time, and his grin fades into something more contained as he finishes up reminiscing. ]
As much as I'd love to transfer you to another field office, I doubt Miller would accept fraternization as a legitimate reason, so don't screw it up.
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Ouch.
[Coming from anyone else, that delivery might sound sarcastic (and it still sounds kind of sarcastic coming from him) but the nearly indetectable hint of sympathy in his tone makes it a rare display of Jensen emotion. MacReady's a prick, but that's still the sort of thing that's gotta smart. Storytime apparently over, Adam simply shakes his head at the warning.]
When have I ever screwed up? [But then, on second thought – a joke isn't worth MacReady pulling out the Big Book of Jensen's Fuckups he probably keeps under his desk, so he quickly follows up with:] Do your blood pressure a favor, and don't worry about me on this one.
[Is there an unintended implication of his own behind that? It's certainly true that – when it comes to getting involved with women who're really into their jobs – he's made enough mistakes for several lifetimes, but that's a story for pretty much never. Almost as if to nip the potential question in the bud, Adam settles back on MacReady's desk once more, turning his attention on the screen again. There he is, coming back into view – carrying a bit more than he'd left with.
Only forty-seven more hours of this footage to go through.
A few moments pass in silence before he speaks up again.] ...I respect Chang and all, but I'm starting to think this isn't the way we should be going about this.
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[ he brushes it off with a dismissive wave, ignoring any thoughts or concerns about his love life or health. there's a twist of irony that Jensen's the one to worry about his blood pressure when he's the one actively ruining it, but that was partially Macready's fault for letting Jensen get to him. live and let go... hah, as if he ever could. ]
You have a better idea? [ who was he talking to again? ] ... 'Course you do.
[ when did Jensen not? he couldn't go a day without giving his opinion or thoughts on how a case should go. in this situation Mac didn't have the authority to tell Jensen to fall into line when they were made equal partners, and this wasn't so much of a case as it was a complete boondoggle. Miller had put them on it to soothe Chang, and for all Chang knew, the two of them had already made an arrest and put the case to bed.
The easy way out would be to call the entire thing inconclusive and leave it, but when had he ever taken the easy way out? it may be only credit chips and spare ammunition right now, but petty theft always lead to something greater. you give an inch, and sooner or later, they'd start taking a mile. hell, it might have actually been a Janus spy if the random computers hacks were related. ]
So then, what does Detroit's finest suggest we do? Play a game of bad cop, even worse cop with our nonexistent suspect pool?
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[Irony, thy name is Adam Jensen. He doesn't leave MacReady waiting long for his real answer, though.]
Or we could set out a honeypot. Something the thief won't be able to resist – whether they're doing this because they think they need to, or they're just trying to piss you off specifically.
[Maybe something like a nice single malt Scotch, if it's all the same. Not that he wants to escalate things further than they already have – far from it, actually – but potentially getting something out of all this wasted time (besides this "great" bonding experience) might soothe the sting a little. Just one free bottle of whisky, then he's going straight, he swears!
A light shrug.] Just have to wait for the trap to spring, then you get to yell at the culprit for a half hour before you bring them to Miller. [He motions at MacReady, tone wry.] I'll even let you have the credit for this one if it works.
[Mostly because, ha ha, it won't (not unless some other nascent office thief falls for it) but even if this were a legitimate case, it's almost the sort of thing he doesn't want to be recognized for. Be the one to root out a troublemaker among your own, and it'll make people think twice about confiding in you anything they're scared they might get blowback for. Not something he's looking to do, not when he's dealing so heavily in the business of secrets.]
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action was always better than inaction, and hell, it sure beat watching TF29's home videos. after a few moments of consideration, he put the feed on pause, and turned his full attention over. ]
I'd say this line of work is more your style Jensen, if your rare burst of helpfulness is any indication. If petty crimes gets your blood flowing, all you have to do is ask, and I'll write you a glowing recommendation for a transfer over to crime.
[ the recommendation was undoubtedly sarcasm, but there was truth to the former. Jensen did a fine job in counterterrorism, but it was as good of a fit as a square peg into a round hole. team operations didn't mesh well with the lone wolf attitude, and all it did was give MacReady an aneurysm which he constantly reminded Miller of.
but wasn't this nice? Jensen being helpful, even if it was for reasons Mac assumed were to cover his own ass. he finally stood up out of his chair, groaning slightly as his joints whined at the sudden movement. ]
I'll ask Miller if he has something expensive to spare, while you go and pay the good doctor a visit. [ hadn't forgotten about that just yet] If both of these turn up shit, I'd say we have a pretty damning case of it being an insider job.
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Then there's always the other forty-seven hours of this to go through, right?
[Yeah, on second thought, he won't even joke about pulling off one last theft. Clearly there's too much at stake here for him to be pushing his luck like that. Straightening, Adam crosses around the desk as MacReady stands up, putting it between the two of them. Status feeling a little more "quo" again that way, even if they'd literally just come out of a conversation that didn't make either of them want to strangle the other too hard. World's full of surprises, isn't it?
After a moment's pause, he silently moves the coffee cup on MacReady's desk back to its original place before taking a step back. But those papers are going to have to figure themselves out.]
Sounds like a plan. Just be careful– if this ends up a rousing success, they might decide not to split us up.
[He's kidding– but knowing MacReady, it's coming off less as a joke and more as a strong case for complete and utter failure. Suits him just as fine. Waiting by the door, one last thought occurs to him, and he jerks his head over in the general direction of Cyber Crimes.]
Also... Maybe don't let Chang see you out of your office on the way to Miller's.
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I'll be sure to keep my head nice and low, and if I'm caught, I'll tell him I was on my way to take a fucking piss.
[ he gives Jensen a shake of his head as if indicating duh, before jerking a hand in the direction of the door. a subtle sign for 'get moving', because there was no way in hell he was leaving Jensen alone in his office. ]
Time to work, agent. Save your concern for the perp when I get my hands on him.