neurotoxined | 001. Audio/Action for the labs within TR HQ

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001. Audio/Action for the labs within TR HQ

[AUDIO]

[And somewhere in Johto, there's someone in an incredibly good mood today; somebody's audio channel has been left open, and the result is a rather strong, clear soprano voice singing...uh, something rather repetitive and kind of Italian over the feed. She seems to be singing as she works on something or other; since she doesn't have the benefit of a bunch of ridiculously cute turrets providing background music, the song is a capella, and as such there are a lot of rather audible mechanical...noises happening in the background.

Weird. Grating noises. At least they sound like they're a good distance away from her...but then there's the occasional really loud wham in the background. That seems to be decidedly nearer.

...oh dear.

Whatever she's doing, however, the sudden banging sounds seem to be pretty much par for the course as far as she's concerned; her voice isn't breaking any, with the exception of the occasional waver that comes with what's probably her turning her head away from the general direction of the Gear to check whatever the hell is making all the noise.

GLaDOS is having quite a good day; as little as she's liked being human, she's actually rather fond of the fact that her voice now comes with decidedly less autotune.]

[ACTION]

[For those within the Rocket base, the incessant sounds in that area are implying that GLaDOS is having a grand old time generally doing what Aperture Science employees do best: breaking things horribly. For now, she seems to have been dedicating her time to recreating an incredibly crude Aerial Faith Plate; she hasn't gotten very far, having had to make the entire thing by hand, but she's staked out one of the larger rooms for herself and is currently testing out what she's managed, singing to herself all the while.

Of course, "what she's managed to do" has been create a means to terrify her Raticate, the aptly-dubbed Test Subject #1; in between the rounds of Cara Mia Addio, those with access to the labs can likely find a ridiculously tall, very pale woman with thinly-rimmed glasses and long white hair, standing around and trying to convince said Raticate to get on the plate - before the thing quite simply launches too early, smashing the flat surface of the plate itself violently against the floor before righting itself. Kinda.

...

It's a work in progress, okay.]

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There was no one stopping me, if that's what you're getting at. I guess I could have if I felt like it.

[And that isn't a lie at all, as there quite literally was no one stopping her - she kind of went berserk upon full activation, so! She's back to that easy smile again.]

Ah, but you didn't - so the end result is really the same, isn't it?

Perhaps there are people whose very presence in our lives keeps our souls from becoming free and expressing themselves as they should. What do you think?

[And again, he seems very relaxed. Though there's an expectant glint in his eyes - he can't wait to see how she deals with slightly more philosophical subjects.]

[...she just kind of stares for a moment at that, her brow furrowing quite a bit; when she does reply, her tone is suddenly heavy, incredibly blunt - the uneven lightness it usually carries is gone.]

Of course there are. There's no "perhaps." No "maybe." There are always people who won't listen. The choice that we have is whether we let them keep us down, or whether we get mad.

[... tbh, he sort of likes this new tone of hers better. At least it doesn't sound fake.]

And your choice is... the second? I see.

So that is what it takes to spur as beautiful a woman as yourself to the dance of destruction. Revenge.

I believe I know somebody whose reasoning is similar to yours. A scientist, too, quite ironically. She has chosen for herself a name that means "the creditor" in her language.

What? Time out for a second. Did you just -

[I AM A GIANT AI MAINFRAME AND WHAT IS THIS

No, really. GLaDOS is entirely unfamiliar with compliments like this; the earlier comment on her singing voice was fine, because it was to be expected - her programming could be modified to make her sound like anything she felt like sounding like that day, and she often chose to sound reasonably pleasant. The lack of autotune just enhanced the effect; either way, it was something that she had intentionally done.

She has a vague understanding of what humans consider beautiful; they tended to shy away from either end of the weight spectrum, and generally if you look like Quasimodo you aren't going to be considered as a romantic partner unless someone's feeling desperate that day. Or blind. Blindness works as well.

But otherwise, human beauty is an incredibly...subjective stance, and she's certainly never been considered in terms like that at all, nor has she ever considered herself in such terms.

Not that she's fat, too thin, or generally looking like Quasimodo. She's grateful for that much. But still. Clearly the only acceptable response to this is...uh...]

Well. Whether someone is considered a "beautiful woman" or not doesn't really have anything to do with...that.

[Tsun like hell! Let's just. Tsun like hell. Tsuning like hell is always an option.]

You are quite right. But your beauty should entitle you to the peace of mind that you deserve... I wonder how rare it is for the two to ever coincide.

[He's aware that she's trying to conceal embarrassment - he'd respond that way, too, after all.]

Now, those people who don't listen - supposing for a moment that they did, what would you say to them? What do you have to give?

[Thank you for changing the subject, Gorthan, because some things can't be replied to with words. Or, at least, words that aren't "ARGLEBARGLE" or some equally dignified onomatopoeia.

As for that subject change, however...uh.

Just. Have a lot of headtilting.]

That would depend on who they were.

I see. Can you make any examples?

I, for one, would be glad, honored to listen to you. But should you ever become cross at me for whatever reason, I hope you will be gracious enough to warn me, before proceeding to dispatch me.

Not really.

And I think it would be easier for you to just not make me cross at you in the first place.

[...this is perfectly linear and sound logic, as far as she's concerned.]

So what is it that you don't like?

[He's actually enjoying this conversation. Very much.]

Oh, the usual. You know. Incompetence. Being exceedingly obstinate. Not listening to good advice when it's given. Getting in the way of science. Killing me and thinking they can get away with it.

Things like that.

Is that all? Then I think you will find me acceptable company.

Somebody tried to kill you? Why?

[He's leaning a little closer to the Gear again, narrowing his eyes as he focuses on that piece of information.]

It seems those first four options led to the fifth.

[She doesn't seem bothered by this at all, however. Just something that happened. It was dealt with. The end.]

[There's a long pause before he speaks again.]

But you're not really that unpleasant to work with, are you?

[This time, the light, curious tone in his question may actually sound a little strained.]

The person who did the killing was an unusual case.

Why are you so interested, anyway?

Aside from the fact that it looks as though we will have to work together? Because I simply find you interesting, is all.

You can ask me questions in turn. I don't truly mind.

I'll keep that in mind. If I find any.

[Though her tone is incredibly dry, it isn't entirely cruel - she just doesn't have any questions. It's not something she really thinks about.]

[He simply nods to that. He realizes that a lot of people are not as curious as he is.]

And when you do, you will know where to find me.

Do you enjoy the arts, Caroline?

[... See, by contrast, he's always thinking of questions.]

[That's fine! That's perfectly fine, actually. She's not exactly used to this whole verbal exchanges thing, but that doesn't mean she's annoyed by it.]

Yes. If there's time.

Very well. You should be able to find quite a bit of time for that here. Can you name some of your favorites?

[She just kind of blinks at that. Like she hasn't really...thought about it before.]

Music, mostly. What sort depends on my mood.

And sometimes I offer to bake for people. Although I guess you could say I'm not good at it.

[That seems to have amused her, judging by the slight smile she's got going on, but she doesn't seem too interested in elaborating. It was out there. Now it's not.]

[He catches that expression, and his smile widens as a result. There is just something about this woman that simply fascinates him.]

I see. As for myself, I am a lover of literature. Particularly Shakespeare, but I will read anything as long as it is a good story.

And, you're too modest. I am sure you are quite capable at anything you put your mind to.

[The smile turns a bit mischievous at that, and it's immediately clear that she's choosing to ignore the latter half of that entirely in favor of the former.]

Shakespeare...I'm familiar with it. Go ahead and quote something. I'm sure you can.

[Okay, Johto

first, there's Descole, who responds in kind to Gorthan's Shakespeare quotes

and now this, in which Gorthan is being asked to quote his favorite playwright

... he actually has to take a moment to check if he hasn't died and gone to heaven or something equally un-Evronian. Before he brings his best Macbeth. Which is... a rather convincing one, actually. His eyes gleam and his lips quiver with deep inquietude that may or may not be entirely put on.]

"We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy."

[Now recomposing himself into his usual cold expression, he awaits feedback.]

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001. Audio/Action for the labs within TR HQ

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