Oh, this? This is more than enough, buddy! This'll keep me busy for a couple of months at least.
[Stewing in your emotions instead of breaking things, scheming nefariously, or lashing out at people? Wow, sounds healthy. Simon has no idea what that's like.]
And hey, if that's the case- Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I'm still tryin' to get myself to stand on my own two feet here.
But everybody I've met has been such a great help so far! Not sure how I feel about the whole Displaced thing, I mean, like, can we talk about that name for a second? Gloom and doom much, am I right?
[He may be putting on his best phony voice, but Simon continues to prattle on because a part of him does legitimately miss trading barbs with his best friend. Introverted as he is, he does miss people.
If it were up to me, I'd at least have gone with somethin' cooler. Don't get me wrong! It definitely stinks bein' in this situation, but y'know what they say! Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
[Yeah, if he sounds to chipper about that it's because... Yeah.]
Oh! Um, so, there's a big group of us 'round here, that much I know.
Is there, like... Any kind of organized system to keep people together? Like, a hierarchy! Ranks, or maybe even, I dunno...
( he knows there's some people with a little bit more sway than others but he wouldn't call them leaders and he doesn't think they'd call themselves leaders either. )
There's a few people with Morningstar that help us but they're not really leaders either. Not really how it works here.
Marcos will probably be able to catch Simon's left eye twitching. The motion is quick though, before Simon continues his whole I'm a Good Person™ routine.]
So this is more of a "All for one, and one for all!" sorta crew.
[One of his hands balls into a fist, which he crosses enthusiastically over his chest and to the other side.]
( it paid him what he needed and that was enough. he had a big place to live courtesy of someone who was no longer there and he'd saved frugally. when you were used to living on the street or living hard, you cut corners. )
You found a job? Figured out what you wanna do yet?
( new amsterdam didn't lack for choices, at least. )
Simon facade fades momentarily, his concern about employment palpable.]
You could say I'm pretty handy, I guess? I can do repairs and things like that, but uh...
I'm not really familiar with a lot of the tech in this place, and I haven't ever worked with cars or computers. Honestly, I haven't even seen one of those things in-
[A wince. No! Being on the train was a privilege, not a punishment-]
( he's not really sure what kind of job might work for him. a lot of this place is dependent on the tech and if he doesn't know much about that, it might be hard to get something going. )
Huh, mostly... Weapons and artillery, anything that runs on standard circuitry, some furniture... Just.
Anything that breaks? I dunno. I've done a lot of patch-up work here and there. Mostly I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out.
[He can do a few wound repairs too, though nothing on the level of an actual medical professional.]
I like games, too? Mostly tabletop, but video and board... Like! I'd be down to work at a place that sells those, I just... Don't know any of the ones they've got here, and I feel like that's probably one of the requirements...
Simon knows full well that being alone with his thoughts is dangerous. He's not a huge fan of having to simmer within the depths and recesses of his own mind. It's a dark place, after all.]
I hear ya on the whole passin' time thing.
That and I'd rather not be bummin' it at the safehouse for very long.
Marcos seems like a nice guy. Normal, well-adjusted. Handsome, even. He's helpful, seemingly with no agenda of his own, and pleasant. Even during this brief exchange, Simon notes that the other man has done everything possible to make him feel comfortable, without even overcompensating. There was nothing irritating about it. His head is probably not nearly as suffocating or full of anxious thoughts, and unlike Simon, he's also not doing a bunch of mental gymnastics as to why everyone's being so goddamn nice right about now.]
Yeah, I'll be sure to take a look around.
[Denial may be the name of one of Simon's many games, but alas, he knows who he is.
Unpleasant. Insecure.
It's why he lashes out so much.]
Thanks, Marcos.
[Surprisingly, this last bit is actually sincere.]
[Simon opens his mouth to say something, closing it just as quickly. He fidgets with his fingers, grabbing his left elbow with his right hand, squeezing tightly.]
But that's the thing...
[He could make a move, make the right choice. Be vulnerable and trust a person he barely knows.]
Everyone I've met here has been really nice so far, and I...
[I'm not used to it.]
I've been in this kinda situation before. Not exactly, but...
[The thing that finally gets to Simon the most, is, well. As frustrating as it is, Marcos isn't promising any quick fixes. Ironically, that makes him seem more trustworthy.
No. Rule number whatever of the Apex- Never trust an adult passenger. And yet Marcos isn't a passenger, he's just an adult.
Simon shakes his head.]
I'll let you know if I need anything else. Say, I've got one more question for ya...
Something mundane and ordinary, and yet he can barely recall the last time he entered one. The most he can remember is a various assortment of fruits and vegetables, along with the sensation of holding his mother's hand. Everything had looked so big back then.]
You're right. You're right! Of course, what was I thinkin', silly me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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( a day where nothing really happens and he stews in his own emotions. because that's how he rolls these days. )
This enough for you? I won't be able to consistently give you stuff but I had some extra.
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[Stewing in your emotions instead of breaking things, scheming nefariously, or lashing out at people? Wow, sounds healthy. Simon has no idea what that's like.]
And hey, if that's the case- Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I'm still tryin' to get myself to stand on my own two feet here.
But everybody I've met has been such a great help so far! Not sure how I feel about the whole Displaced thing, I mean, like, can we talk about that name for a second? Gloom and doom much, am I right?
[He may be putting on his best phony voice, but Simon continues to prattle on because a part of him does legitimately miss trading barbs with his best friend. Introverted as he is, he does miss people.
His person most of all.]
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( he's not much of a fan either but it works well enough. so, he shrugs. )
What kind of questions do you have?
( he's been here long enough that he can probably help him out. )
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[Yeah, if he sounds to chipper about that it's because... Yeah.]
Oh! Um, so, there's a big group of us 'round here, that much I know.
Is there, like... Any kind of organized system to keep people together? Like, a hierarchy! Ranks, or maybe even, I dunno...
[Simon's voice sounds so soft, serene.]
A leader?
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( he knows there's some people with a little bit more sway than others but he wouldn't call them leaders and he doesn't think they'd call themselves leaders either. )
There's a few people with Morningstar that help us but they're not really leaders either. Not really how it works here.
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Marcos will probably be able to catch Simon's left eye twitching. The motion is quick though, before Simon continues his whole I'm a Good Person™ routine.]
So this is more of a "All for one, and one for all!" sorta crew.
[One of his hands balls into a fist, which he crosses enthusiastically over his chest and to the other side.]
Great!
[There's a lot of pain in that one syllable.]
So, what do you do? Day to day, I mean.
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( it paid him what he needed and that was enough. he had a big place to live courtesy of someone who was no longer there and he'd saved frugally. when you were used to living on the street or living hard, you cut corners. )
You found a job? Figured out what you wanna do yet?
( new amsterdam didn't lack for choices, at least. )
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Simon facade fades momentarily, his concern about employment palpable.]
You could say I'm pretty handy, I guess? I can do repairs and things like that, but uh...
I'm not really familiar with a lot of the tech in this place, and I haven't ever worked with cars or computers. Honestly, I haven't even seen one of those things in-
[A wince. No! Being on the train was a privilege, not a punishment-]
A long time.
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( he's not really sure what kind of job might work for him. a lot of this place is dependent on the tech and if he doesn't know much about that, it might be hard to get something going. )
What can you do? Repairs? What kinds of repairs?
( maybe he can make suggestions. )
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Anything that breaks? I dunno. I've done a lot of patch-up work here and there. Mostly I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out.
[He can do a few wound repairs too, though nothing on the level of an actual medical professional.]
I like games, too? Mostly tabletop, but video and board... Like! I'd be down to work at a place that sells those, I just... Don't know any of the ones they've got here, and I feel like that's probably one of the requirements...
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( because people still bought their food and drinks and such despite the advanced tech of the world. )
You don't have to get a job, if you don't want to. I got one because it helps pass the time. And I needed the money to do what I wanted to do here.
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[I got one because it helps pass the time.
Simon knows full well that being alone with his thoughts is dangerous. He's not a huge fan of having to simmer within the depths and recesses of his own mind. It's a dark place, after all.]
I hear ya on the whole passin' time thing.
That and I'd rather not be bummin' it at the safehouse for very long.
[Quietly:]
Can't say I like it there.
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( he hadn't hated it but he knows that it's not the most comfortable place to be. it's hard to be there when you wanted privacy. )
Good reason to try and get a job or find a roommate, you know. A lot of people might have space for you. That's what I did for awhile.
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Marcos seems like a nice guy. Normal, well-adjusted. Handsome, even. He's helpful, seemingly with no agenda of his own, and pleasant. Even during this brief exchange, Simon notes that the other man has done everything possible to make him feel comfortable, without even overcompensating. There was nothing irritating about it. His head is probably not nearly as suffocating or full of anxious thoughts, and unlike Simon, he's also not doing a bunch of mental gymnastics as to why everyone's being so goddamn nice right about now.]
Yeah, I'll be sure to take a look around.
[Denial may be the name of one of Simon's many games, but alas, he knows who he is.
Unpleasant. Insecure.
It's why he lashes out so much.]
Thanks, Marcos.
[Surprisingly, this last bit is actually sincere.]
You've helped me out a lot.
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( he hates asking for help but sometimes you just have to especially in a place like this. )
They'll help you. I can help you.
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But that's the thing...
[He could make a move, make the right choice. Be vulnerable and trust a person he barely knows.]
Everyone I've met here has been really nice so far, and I...
[I'm not used to it.]
I've been in this kinda situation before. Not exactly, but...
[The thing that finally gets to Simon the most, is, well. As frustrating as it is, Marcos isn't promising any quick fixes. Ironically, that makes him seem more trustworthy.
No. Rule number whatever of the Apex- Never trust an adult passenger. And yet Marcos isn't a passenger, he's just an adult.
Simon shakes his head.]
I'll let you know if I need anything else. Say, I've got one more question for ya...
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( he doesn't think he can force the guy to ask for help but at least he knows people are there.
and when simon says he has another question, marcos nods. )
Go 'head.
( he'll do his best to answer. )
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D'you know where I could find any lipstick? Red.
[The best lies are steeped in a bit of truth, so he comes up with something close. Something believable.]
When I first touched down here, I made a lady friend who was kind of a big help to me.
[Not a lie. Shinobu had been incredibly helpful.]
I was lookin' to maybe get her a little somethin' to repay her.
[It wouldn't be for her.]
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( he scratches his head, trying to remember where caroline might have picked up lipstick when she was here. )
I don't really go shopping for lipstick but I think any grocery store's going to have a makeup section, right? At least a small one?
( he hopes. )
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Something mundane and ordinary, and yet he can barely recall the last time he entered one. The most he can remember is a various assortment of fruits and vegetables, along with the sensation of holding his mother's hand. Everything had looked so big back then.]
You're right. You're right! Of course, what was I thinkin', silly me.
[Simon feels tired, for some reason.]
I'll uh, catch ya on the flip side, then?
[is that... is that a thing that people say]
Thanks again for everything.
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( you're a strange guy, simon. marcos nods though, letting him go on his way. )
I'll check in with you when I can.
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You too!
[He sounds like he means that, but does he?]
I'll be waitin' for ya.
[Simon turns on his heels and walks in the other direction, making sure to take the supplies with him.]