001 ⇉ video (un: envoy)

[resleeves]

[ the communicator that he'd been given was close enough to the oni that it doesn't take kovacs very long to figure it out. the tech is still a little behind what he's used to but it does the job.

when the video flickers to life, kovacs is wearing his default expression: boredom with a side of 'i hate everyone'. what he's really feeling is the almost overwhelming need for a fucking cigarette. but, those, like many other things, appeared to not exist on this station. booze only went so far. ]

Anyone have any drugs?

[ his lips draw into a thin smirk and he snickers. while he wouldn't necessarily say no to some good reaper, he's rather not spend any time in some drug induced fog while he's stuck on a station that he doesn't know. he's already run into someone who'd talked about eating him (nevermind that kovacs had brought that up) and he'd rather not wake up with a kidney missing. ]

Now that I've got your attention, anyone have a cigarette or is this place lacking in good vices as well as everything else? Haven't seen any dolls running around here either. More's the pity.

[ there was a fair amount of mystery surrounding the locked doors and corridors that piqued kovacs curiosity but that was about the only saving grace of this place. besides, he didn't have any real motivation to figure things out since he wasn't getting paid. ]

Pretty sure the fact that I was going to have to go cold turkey off something wasn't in the brochure for this place. But, neither was the fact that I can't fucking leave so I guess I was just asking for too much.

[ he hates being stuck. it's like being on ice except he's fucking aware. if he wants to stay in one place for any amount of time, he will make that choice. having it taken away from him grates. it pisses him off. ]

So, any of you Meths? Just trying to figure out how who I should cozy up to. I miss having friends, you see.

[ the laugh that follows the statement is one of sarcasm. he definitely wants to know but not for any friendly reason. kovacs figures that no one's going to know what he means but, if they answer, he can probably judge them well enough to decide on his own. ]

I really hope we're not being set up to try and save whatever world they were talking about on that recording when I woke up. I'm really not up to that. Think someone'll get pissed if I sit that one out?

Maybe I could cheer you guys on from the sidelines.

[ fuck, he really needs a cigarette. maybe he'd be a little more optimistic about things after that.

but, maybe not. #winning ]

Comments

[resleeves]

and let me guess, you'd buy it for other people to make sure they're all okay? to be the hero and save the day?

[ surprise surprise that wasn't his thing. ]

[spinals]

not to be the hero
but if it helps people, yeah

[resleeves]

even if they're not going to give you anything in return?

even if they don't deserve to be helped?

you'd still sacrifice your life for someone like that? someone who wouldn't appreciate it?

[spinals]

aren't we only talking about sacrificing my nose?

[resleeves]

got a little carried away.

point stands, i wouldn't sacrifice my nose for someone like that either.

fuck them. my nose is important.

[spinals]

i would, if they needed the help
unless they were the kind of people deliberately hurting others, then i wouldn't
so if that's what you mean with they don't deserve my help, i guess not
but otherwise, yeah

[resleeves]

that sort of attitude is gonna get you killed on your worst day.

gonna cause you to lose your nose on your best day.

most important person to protect is yourself. can't do shit if you let yourself get dead.

[spinals]

yeah, maybe
but if i never do anything, what's the point

[resleeves]

point is that you're alive and in possession of your original nose.

duh.

[spinals]

do i want to be in possession of my original nose if so many others are suffering?

[resleeves]

do you want to be in possession of someone else's nose?

[ that seemed kind of gross. said the guy who was on his fourth body. ]

might get one that doesn't fit your face.

[spinals]

no
but i also don't think my nose is more important than other people

[resleeves]

never known someone who was so willing to get rid of their nose for someone else before.

must not liking smell all the good stuff in the world.

also, imagine how you'd look with a hole right in the center of your face.

[spinals]

it's not that i don't like my nose
but if it's between getting punched in it or helping people i know what i'm picking

[resleeves]

rip your nose.

i'll be sure to throw coins in the empty hole there when i see you.

[ charming. he was so charming. ]

[spinals]

at least you'll be able to recognise me easily

[resleeves]

good point.

it'll probably be terrifying.

[ but now he kind of wants to see it. maybe not on her but someone. ]

i'll take a picture.

[spinals]

( she doesn't want to see it on anyone, thank you very much. )

i don't have cigarettes by the way

[resleeves]

[ honestly, he'd pretty much forgotten about the cigarettes in light of this conversation about her nose. now that she'd reminded him, that nicotine craving kicked on up again. ]

well, that is a bummer.

this is gonna be a shitty way to quit smoking.

[spinals]

( and she wasn't even trying to get revenge or anything. )

not smoking is healthier though right?

[resleeves]

healthier but less fun. everyone's gotta have their vices and that's one of mine.

[ so, he couldn't have cigarettes and couldn't have drugs and barely had beer. all that he was left with was the ability to get into a good fight and maybe sex.

slim pickings. ]

[spinals]

okay

( so cigarettes are no healthier where he's from than where she's from, good to know. )