Text || May 14

[3rdbest]

Last few days were so much fun.

Black Mesa is back in business. For those who don’t know what Black Mesa is, it's a House Call Technician business, and we fix computers, broadcasting and wireless systems, business equipment and security systems. If anyone is interested or just wants a job, call me maybe.


[ PRIVATE TO: BLACK MESA EMPLOYEES ]
We are going put up cameras all over the city. More, at least. Ones that will actually capture when few people are being kidnapped on the streets after being chloroformed.

The Detective Agency will supervise this since it’s for them.


[ PRIVATE TO: DUO ]
I have a proposal. Not marriage, but close.


[ PRIVATE TO: NEAR and MELLO ]
Thanks for breaking into my place, setting off the alarm and starting the program to erase everything I had in my three computers. That was really awesome and completely necessary.

Near, we are also ready to start setting up the cameras. Whenever you are ready.


[ PRIVATE TO: SOLLUX ]
Hey, let’s go on a mission tomorrow or the day after?

Comments

[3rdbest]

The alternative isn't as amazing as everyone makes it out to be, you know? It's a matter of weighting what bothers you most. And loneliness doesn't bother me all that much comparatively with being social.

[consider8]

What does "being social" mean to you?

[3rdbest]

Uh-

being with people. Contact. Intimacy.

[consider8]

Being touched?

[3rdbest]

[ he looks at her for a second. ]

Hm.

Well. I get used to it with some people, eventually.

[consider8]

[She wants to ask why, but her consideration holds her back. Instead she holds her knees together and looks at him curiously. If there was anything that she wanted to convey it was concern and compassion. That, at least, she felt, he would be able to be comfortable with.]

Do your injuries hurt?

[3rdbest]

[ Matt reaches for his own jaw, caressing it ]

Well, yeah. They went pretty crazy on my face, I guess. [ he shouldn't have called them names. ] But it's nothing too serious.

I'm already planning on going to a mission in two days or something. [ if he can find Sollux ]

[consider8]

So soon? That's rather ambitious.

I don't know whether to commend your bravery or call you an idiot.

[3rdbest]

Both - call me both. [ he laughs ]

[consider8]

Alright, brave idiot! [smirk]

[3rdbest]

Aha, it's a good nickname.

[ and NOW he remembers ] Do you want something to drink?

I'm a really bad host, I know.

[consider8]

Sure, that sounds good. I'll take anything.

[3rdbest]

[ he has Cola, so that's what he will be getting her ]

After all this mess with the kidnappings - what are you planning on doing? [ if anything ]

[consider8]

[She meant anything, even if it would dull her fangs.]

Investigate. I think. There is too much I don't know about the origins of madness and weapons in this world that makes me comfortable. Common information, taken for granted, quickly hides important details that needs illumination.

[3rdbest]

[ he nods ]

Yeah, and Shibusen isn't exactly explicit about it. They usually give pretty vague answers to our questions. [they act as if themselves don't know about it either ]

Are you going to missions?

[consider8]

Not really, no. Should I? I have no need for money. And...

[...well, she's still not going to eat a soul.]

[3rdbest]

To get stronger and protect yourself better?

[consider8]

I'm a pair of glasses that doesn't have any combat abilities. I think I'm as strong as I am going to get.

[3rdbest]

Actually, you'd be surprised. I use my weapon form to protect myself, for example.

[consider8]

I have my applications and am a good facilitator, but I don't believe that I possess anything worth making stronger or better.

[3rdbest]

I'm not going to be the one telling you about your worth or lack of it. [ Matt isn't a Meister, nor he is the kind to support someone without knowing what they are capable of, only to make them feel worthy. ] If that's what you believe, that's what you will believe.

[consider8]

[Aranea, meanwhile, is. Though she is unnervingly candid in what she is and isn't capable of, a part of her also is more concerned about what needs to be done than lamenting about what isn't good about herself.]

It may be that you are right that through battle I will become more powerful. I simply don't know if the end that everyone is hoping to achieve is the outcome that will be what is needed.

[3rdbest]

[ Matt eyes her for a second and the itch for a cigarette suddenly comes to his lips and fingertips ]

Ending this war will send us back home. That's what BREW will do. No matter how Shibusen promises us we can stay, after - they can't control BREW, so they can't promise we will stay. They are giving us false hope.

... I admit, I don't have much desire to end the war. I'm pretty selfish and I don't want to leave. So, no, I don't think the end everyone wants is what is needed; not to me.

[consider8]

My understanding is that the interpretation of the wish provided by Kid was that this temporal-dimensional imbalance will be resolved at the end of the war. However, no one knows for certain. It is my belief that the intentions of the people may be clouding the actual act that would establish resolution, as this is the hope and desire of the people of this world. Yet, for all this time, BREW has remained silent.

It heartens me... [her tone softens] ...to hear that despite your selfish desires, you have not taken steps to sabotage the efforts of those that do wish to return. I would think that the temptation would be very great.

As for myself, I am needed where I am from. There is a role that only I can fill. But I am in no immediate hurry to return there right away.

[3rdbest]

I think BREW finds all of this really amusing. [ he scoffs. If BREW is indeed sentient as many say, then it really has a way with humor Matt doesn't want to understand - specially the "gift" it gave him, he is very bitter about that. ]

I don't want to return, but I'm not that much of an asshole asshole. Besides, I was told to help win this war. [ that's the only reason why he is doing it, honestly. Because L told him to.

It makes Matt wonder if following is indeed his best trait, in a way. ]

Yeah. Me too. [ he doesn't want to be dead, after all ]