(no subject)

[a1enzo]

"I have... for several hours now, I have... since the time of Daemon..."

There's a file window open in front of Enzo. It contains about a paragraph's worth of text, but Enzo is neither reading nor writing just at this moment. Instead, he is murmuring to himself with closed eyes, a furrowed brow, and an impending headache.

For the love of code, someone help him, please.

Comments

[command_dot_com]

She stopped being annoyed with him some time ago...and he'll probably realize that the moment he catches 'scent' of that burger and spicy microchips with a large energy shake being put just a few inches from his elbow.

"Speech to write?"

[a1enzo]

This earns Dot a brief glare—she knows darn well what he's been tasked with—before her brother snags a chip.

[command_dot_com]

"Don't give me that look...I didn't think Turbo would make you give the speech to the entire academy," Dot raises an eyebrow right back at him before settling on the other side. Not that she doesn't approve of this form of punishment. It uses Enzo being input deep in, to train him for what he's going to be doing much later in his runtime.

"Here...let me see what you've got written, maybe I can help."

[a1enzo]

"The entire Collective," Enzo moans, passing the document over. His list of talking points covers the essentials quite well, but much of it is still just that, a list.

[command_dot_com]

...She doesn't envy him in the least... Dot briefly looks over the document before looking at Enzo.

"...Enzo...take five nanos and eat the burger to calm down. I think you should start with how you're going to present yourself to the Collective."

[a1enzo]

For that, at least, Enzo does not need telling twice.

As soon as his mouth is slightly less full again, he asks, "What do you mean?"

[command_dot_com]

"...How do you want them to think of you, after this is done? Calculating, thoughtful...rebellious, secretive...or someone who can be used, a willing officer of the Guardians." Dot hands the document back to him, leaning with both elbows on the table, and steepling her fingers in front of her face. "You're obviously going to be their first and only choice for the diplomacy."

[a1enzo]

"Yeah, uh... the last one, I guess. I just don't want 'em to think I'm nuts or making it up," he mutters.

[command_dot_com]

"That's what evidence is for. You might get some ideas studying Tron, the user-level movie." Dot tries to soothe. "Using that will also prove you're not lying or insane."

"Back that up with the highest resolution evidence you can. But not from Milliways. Any other world, BUT Milliways."

[a1enzo]

"Yeah, Milliways is... it doesn't really count. Not as one thing or another. It's great, but it's total spaghetti code. It won't help to explain anything."

[command_dot_com]

"It would just make things more confusing...just list it as a private and secure hub." Though she doesn't doubt that some Guardian cadets might try to weasel access out of Enzo. "I haven't seen Suzi or Whistler in a long while, or I'd ask them to help you compile some evidence."

"Now then... I think you'll do well making yourself look like willing and commandable officer. Users know how many times you tried using that trick on me..and how it sometimes worked."

[a1enzo]

"Hey, I meant it every time."

Until he got distracted.

[command_dot_com]

Suuuure you did, but that is beside the point.

"I think you will be safe in saying that, for security reasons, during Daemon's invasion, I forbade you from mentioning anything about the Users outside of the circle of people who already knew. That should enforce that you can follow important orders."

[ami_imperfect]

"Hi!"

That greeting and the sudden appearance of hands on his shoulders probably aren't much help, are they?

[a1enzo]

Maybe not the kind of help he had in mind, but they help him a great deal nonetheless. After the initial startlement.

"Hi!" Enzo places his hands over her own and twists his head to kiss whatever's handy.

[ami_imperfect]

Oh, she'll make sure that there's something handy for him to kiss.

"What're you doing?"

[a1enzo]

His face falls again.

"Writing a speech. On Users. To present to the entire Guardian Collective."

[ami_imperfect]

"Oh, boy." Dani exhales.

"How's it coming?"

[a1enzo]

"Better than it was. Dot helped me with it. I've just got some... stuff toward the end to figure out." He hesitates. "Look, you're probably not going to want to, I wouldn't if I were you, but I've got to at least ask..."

[ami_imperfect]

She can tell what he's going to ask before he gets the words out. And she knows she's not going to like it one bit.

"No. I didn't have a problem coming to see Turbo, but I draw the line at playing Exhibit A for any group, Guardian Collective or not."

[a1enzo]

He squeezes her hands. "I figured. That's fine, I can show them movie clips or something. Just, y'know. Couldn't hurt to ask."

[ami_imperfect]

Dani nods. "I can probably get some news clips of me and Danny in action if you want them; I've got an in with the mayor, after all." She grins and winks at Enzo.

[a1enzo]

"Hey, sweet." He grins back, then ponders. "It might be more help for them to see you as regular humans, though. Not that I don't totally want to show you off, but I can always do that later."

[ami_imperfect]

"Good point." Dani goes silent for a moment, thinking. "What if I videotaped a statement or something at home, just me?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo brightens. "That'd be perfect! Thanks."

He aims another kiss at her mouth, though given their current position, he's more likely to hit her chin.