consultation 007 // [accidental video]

[12second_orz]

 - shut it off, I told you to shut it off, shut it off!!

[Tonegawa's hand yanks back from where it flailed out at the laptop, clenched to knuckles threatening to burst through skin, and the glimpse of his face in profile is twisted with fear and horror and loathing; his eyes are fixed on some far point in the general direction of the door, but what

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Video | Private | Unhackable 85%

[frosty_mind]

[Pleasant but otherwise neutral tone:]

Is this a good time to thank you for all the referrals to my jewelry store?

[Translation: should she comment on what she just saw or avoid doing so?]

[video] [private]

[12second_orz]

[When the video finally clicks back on, Tonegawa is pale and drawn; he's obviously made the effort to straighten himself out, though a more thorough eye would note that his tie is slightly askew, and as he lights up his hands are shaking. In the corner of the screen, the near-overflowing ash-tray gives him away.]

It's fine. I'm sorry you had to witness that... unfortunate accident. [His tone is polite enough, but there's a certain chippiness under the surface that he's obviously struggling to disguise.]

Re: [video] [private]

[frosty_mind]

[Emma, by contrast, looks perfectly composed.]

Oh, no trouble. Is there some restaurant I should be avoiding?

[12second_orz]

[He shakes his head, forcing his jaw to unclench.]

To be quite frank, I'm still not entirely certain what might have caused it.

Video | private

[frosty_mind]

Did you see that someone was drugged at Purgatory last night?

[12second_orz]

It caught my attention briefly, yes. [Very briefly. He hadn't even realised it had been a drugging.] Are you suggesting that it might be related?

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[frosty_mind]

Well, I'm still fairly new to Siren's Port, but in my experience from home it would be highly unusual for more than one new drug to be sweeping a city at the same time.

Both were consistent with the symptoms of a hallucinogen. Though you seemed to be primarily suffering from a hallucinogen and he seemed to be primarily under the influence of a euphoric, and either or both could have been the result of a power use instead.

Re: Video | private

[12second_orz]

[He takes a deep drag on his cigarette as he mulls the possibility over, breathing out slowly. The idea that a drug could simultaneously induce both giddy delight and morbid flashbacks isn't an entirely alien one, but it's been a while since he had anything to do with dealing.]

That's true. If the Core were- [fucking with me]- at the heart of this, it seems odd that it hasn't made the news yet. Do you know how the drug was ingested?

Re: Video | private

[frosty_mind]

All I know is that he said he'd had a couple of drinks at Purgatory, which is of course a classic means of ingestion, voluntary or unknowing.

Dr. Daedalus referenced "some kind of drastic mood-altering street drugs that appear to be making their way around the upper districts, and provoking violent outbursts" in his public broadcast on Tuesday so I am currently predisposed to assume unusual mood alterations are drug-related.

[12second_orz]

Daedalus' broadcast...? [He blinks for a moment, trying to remember what he'd- ah, of course. But hadn't he implied a pill of some sort?]

That's strange. I haven't taken any medication whatsoever today- and it's far too early to be drinking. [Though he might as well start now anyway.] It seems unlikely that any of my boys would want to spike my coffee.

[frosty_mind]

That, of course, prompts the question of whether you have eaten or drank anything at all besides your coffee?

[12second_orz]

I... [He trails off, expression deepening to a frown.] I'd have to think about it more deeply, I'm afraid. My memory is a tad hazy at the moment.

[frosty_mind]

[A nod, and a pause.]

Not unsurprising, under the circumstances.

[She studies him.]

As that's all I know, that's enough unsolicited interference for one conversation. I do appreciate the referrals to my store; thank you.

[OOC: translation: I'm going to go away unless you invite me to continue the conversation; there's a miniscule emphasis on "know", suggesting she has ideas - they're mostly obvious enough she doesn't want to lecture someone his age with the obvious.]

[12second_orz]

[Feeling her eyes on him he straightens his shoulders a little more, chin out as if in casual defiance of his situation. He's already allowed his weakness to be captured on film; saving face is a top priority.]

Not at all. I'm very grateful for your suggestions; I hadn't even thought to connect today with yesterday's drugging. [He'd have gotten there eventually, perhaps, but it's worth talking sweet after his performance.] Anything you can offer is greatly appreciated.

[Business, at least, is safer territory.]

You're very welcome- we do so need to look out for each other here. Perhaps we should consider a lunchdate to celebrate.

[frosty_mind]

I'm certain the possible connection, which is all it is, would have occurred to you in time. But I'm glad to have sped the suggestion along; as part of our business plan referral kickbacks are fixed, but this doesn't mean I don't have some additional personal appreciation for people who kicked in many referrals when we were first getting off the ground. [OOC: That is, it wasn't just the amount of business you gave them, it was the amount of business you gave them as they were starting out and establishing a reputation.]

As to additional thoughts, I apologize for belaboring the obvious with reiterating food and drink, but it's worth asking your people - separately - for a full list of what they saw you eat and drink today. And, with apologies for the unpleasant suggestion, you might want to journal everything you eat and drink for a while. [A frown.] And you might want to completely change your eating patterns for the rest of the day. [Unspoken: he probably still has some of the drug in his system, just not enough of a load to cause

[12second_orz]

Thank you for the advice. I've already had my coffee thrown out, and I doubt very much that I'll be eating anything else today anyway. [Not out of paranoia so much; he still feels queasy from the height, damn it to hell] I'll be sure to ask, at any rate. Unless, god forbid, I'm simply overworked, there must be something I've missed.

Is that so? Then you have my congratulations- though you can have them in person when we eventually meet.