[Despite Raimi's absence, he still somehow manages to sport that been-through-Hell-and-back look... or some variety of the kind. It's not just apparent because of the fresh cuts on his face or the newly cracked lenses of his glasses, either
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[Oh, we already know what happens to this guy when those wires in his brain are set off. Much like the sound of forgiveness, it involves a lot of screaming and then silence.]
We've made use of each other, to an extent. The pay was good, for one thing, and when you're in the city then money is where it's at. As that one adage goes, you know -- he who has the gold, sets he rules.
[Who's the cutest kitten? CLU IS.]
I think the general idea was to divide the puzzle into an equal three-dimensional space. I don't really care, personally. It gives my hands something to do while I think.
[As he flips it into a rhombus. A brow raises.]
Noted, huh? For what? Trying to decide whether to take me out to dinner or study?
[He means this in an entirely joking way, of course. Entirely.]
I'm familiar with similar cases as well. Judging by the time lost and the time gained in my situation, it adds up to an approximate, if not equal, number of days in between, so really, no time was lost at all. Not really. Though the transition is what makes it fucked up.
As for the time that I did lose at the station... I'm don't really know what I would've done had I been here the whole time. On one hand, I keep telling myself that I could've done something. Make myself useful somehow.
Wishful thinking, I guess.
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...Oh. Really? Better to be careful with the knowledge, then. Clu is curious, it's true--and driven, all about implementation. He may very well try to touch, to see what they will do.]
...Yeah. [He seizes on that with a mellow hum of approval. Apparently, Raimi's good with color, too.] It can definitely do that. I find it depends on the market forces, though.
And, as we've established, you're a very thoughtful guy. [Less than an inch from asking if Raimi's involved in speculation in a ludicrous tone of voice.]
You know, now that you mention it... [And he leans, and steeples his hands, grinning.] 'Both' is often a satisfactory outcome. I mean, if you're interested.
[That word holds more weight and warmth than it probably should.]
Change can be a difficult proposition. [He knows that too well.]
Hey. Hey. [Quietly] We all do what we can, and that's all anybody can ever ask.
[And there, it's back, that persistent warmth--bright and just a little too slick.] I'm sure you have resources the rest of us can only guess at.
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[Good thing Raimi isn't quick to explain that his episodes are triggered by extremely low frequencies, then.]
This is true. Unless if you're out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere living in trees... Gotta earn your bi-weekly allowance to live comfortably. Perfect leisure and perfect harmony.
[Perfect sarcasm, too, apparently.]
Of course I am. I sure as fuck didn't get where I am by looking pretty, that's for sure. [Yeah, Clu. You stroke that ego.
[...
[Whoa there sailor.]
Funny. If I had half a right mind, that'd almost sound like a date to me.
[He then falls silent for a moment. Clu certainly does have such a sugary way with words, he knows -- but words themselves are familiar and relatable. Maybe it's the aftershock, and maybe his brain is still fried... but he really can't bring himself to give two flying cow fucks. It's in his nature to know, and it's even more so in his nature to share.]
You have no idea.
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...Yes, that's probably better for Raimi's health.]
Like the credit system, here? It only seems orderly on the surface. Pretty much asks people to beg, borrow, and steal.
[Perfect is his very favorite word, oh yes.]
And modest, too. [This ego? It's been neglected, hasn't it. Let's see if we can't make it a little bigger.] Y'know, I've got a good feeling about you.
[...Sorry, were you expecting this ride to slow down?]
Really. Because. If it were, I'd probably suggest tomorrow at eight, eight-thirty, but since it's hypothetical, we have to be flexible about boundaries like time and date.
[Clu can share, if pushed, and for good reason. It's just that he tends to get...possessive. But intense focus on something he wants? That's just his nature.]
Oh? I'm no good at guessing, it's true. You'll just have to show me.
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[Patterns within patterns. Plans within plans.]
I don't see how those begging and borrowing and taking is necessarily a bad thing. Keeps life interesting if you're willing enough to give. Shit, Coast City's practically paved with scum and beggers. Makes it feel like home.
Of course. Apparently you missed the memo -- I'm just the fucking poster boy for modesty. [He then looks up. Because eye contact? What's that?] Hey man, watch it. You're gonna start making me blush.
[More sarcasm? You decide.]
Hmm, now let me think about it...
[Pause:] No. Don't have any plans on plumbing shady corporations or getting my ass fried around that approximate hour. Sure. Why not? I'm flexible.
[It shows. Doesn't help that Raimi would certainly like to pick at a program's brain sometime as well.]
All in due time.
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Yes.]
Oh, just that it gives the wrong impression. They'll go on and on about how clean and efficient it makes things, but no, there's still a disrupt in the supply lines. [Slight pause for Oh User, stragglers wandering everywhere without a disc D:] Goes well with the beaches, then, huh?
...Hey, I can see that. [That, too. It's so interesting when your skin changes color like that.]
Excellent. [All hundred thousand of those watts in that grin, all for you.] Here, why don't you pick the place? Since I've penciled us in, here, already. Don't worry about the tab. [Softly] Come hungry.
[Well, turnabout is fair play, and so on.]
Of course!
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In a way. You find people who either hopelessly preach to the choir or they just pretend that it doesn't exist. Nobody really tries to save face, though. There's no real impression to give when you already know what stereotype falls into where.
Is it that obvious? I've really got to work on my subtlety. [Man, Raimi's not even the blushing type, but it can happen once every rare occasion -- and it's almost always with you damn programs and your damn flattery.
[Ooh, Clu, ooh. It's in the way you talk.]
I hear there are some decent places I haven't checked out yet in Zone 07. [He pauses.] And come hungry... right. I'll be sure to remind myself to fast on both my daily data and MSG intake until then.
[How Raimi loves a good game of turnabout!]
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That's an interesting take on it. [It's one of about three dozen User sayings Flynn had explained in detail, in the earliest days, so he understands mostly what's going on--and just glosses right over the fact that his reaction would be to reduce the offending units to their components. Solve the problem.] Hadn't thought of it...quite that way before.
Oh, come on. Subtlety's overrated. [Says the guy who basically embodies that viewpoint...Besides, red looks good on you, baby.]
I look forward to it. [He really does; is there something keen and predatory in that grin? Nah.] See you then, Raimi.
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Well, it's not like our worlds have got much in common, anyway, so feel free to take it with a grain of salt.
If that's what it takes to get me off the hook, then sure. [Raimi uses red shirt to distract! It's... marginally effective?]
Yeah... see you.
[Wow. Why is Raimi getting the strangest sense of déjà vu all of a sudden again? You could kill someone with that grin, grandmother. Such big teeth you have, too.]
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