Goddamn Teenagers (Worm, AU/time travel)
The Shape of Things to Come, Part 10
New
"Oh, uh, hi?" Alec said upon entering the room with the not brain thing. His work has settled into a nice routine where he played video games on the handheld while making periodic notes about neural activity.
"Hello," said the teen girl. She was wearing one of those utility uniforms, like the facility staff wore, along with a lab coat. Although she didn't wear a mask, she was clearly a parahuman.
Her build and general demeanor put her in that awkward stage he recognized from his sisters. Toward the younger end of that, from the condition of her skin, so likely in the Aisha to Taylor age range. Underage kid + mad science facility equals parahuman, didn't need thinker powers for that.
"Oh," the girl continued, looking at Alec more closely, or more specifically at the stickers he had used to accessorize his boring PRT sweats. "Impulse, was it?"
"Yeup! Nerve guy, that's me."
"I'm, ah, Riley," she said. "Implants and interfacing." She nervously eyed the door. "I don't want to be in your way, so I'll wrap up and come back later?"
"Eh," Alec replied, taking out his handheld. "Don't mind me, just here to take some observations and finally get this fucking gym badge."
The girl twitched at his profanity, looking even more unsure. Finally, she shrugged "Well, if you're sure?"
Note: I'm sure no one will regret this scheduling snafu
"Hello," said the teen girl. She was wearing one of those utility uniforms, like the facility staff wore, along with a lab coat. Although she didn't wear a mask, she was clearly a parahuman.
Her build and general demeanor put her in that awkward stage he recognized from his sisters. Toward the younger end of that, from the condition of her skin, so likely in the Aisha to Taylor age range. Underage kid + mad science facility equals parahuman, didn't need thinker powers for that.
"Oh," the girl continued, looking at Alec more closely, or more specifically at the stickers he had used to accessorize his boring PRT sweats. "Impulse, was it?"
"Yeup! Nerve guy, that's me."
"I'm, ah, Riley," she said. "Implants and interfacing." She nervously eyed the door. "I don't want to be in your way, so I'll wrap up and come back later?"
"Eh," Alec replied, taking out his handheld. "Don't mind me, just here to take some observations and finally get this fucking gym badge."
The girl twitched at his profanity, looking even more unsure. Finally, she shrugged "Well, if you're sure?"
Note: I'm sure no one will regret this scheduling snafu
BethofDeath
Girls just wanna have pun
- Location
- Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Ah, Pokémon. Enjoy it while it lasts, Alec -- you've got one, maybe *debatably* two, more good games (B2/W2 and S/M) before the franchise shits the bed.
Edit: TBH the only problems I had with Ultra Sun (the one I have and played) is the dang Rotom phone thing and how the Pokemon care thing makes the game an absolute joke thanks to the built-in Focus Sash.
"Just don't use it then!", you say. But that makes me feel like a bad/mean Trainer!
Edit: TBH the only problems I had with Ultra Sun (the one I have and played) is the dang Rotom phone thing and how the Pokemon care thing makes the game an absolute joke thanks to the built-in Focus Sash.
"Just don't use it then!", you say. But that makes me feel like a bad/mean Trainer!
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Considering his reaction to Accord, wen Alec figures it out he's going to run for the hills.
Ace Dreamer
Verified Reality User
- Location
- Between The Unknown & The Known
Bad result? They get on like a house on fire, bonding over complaining about their parental figure?
The Shape of Things to Come, Part 11
New
Glancing up from his handheld, Alec did a double-take before pointing at his surprise colleague and exclaiming, "You're the sticker girl!"
"Eep!" The girl said, caught applying a sticker to the underside of a shelf.
"I wondered who had stickered the drawer, and the trashcan, and--"
"I didn't do anything wrong!" The girl exclaimed, glancing frantically between Alec and the door. "The doctor said it was okay!"
Alec laughed. "Oh, don't worry about that, god knows this place could use something lighthearted what with all the," Alec made finger quotes, "'things-man-was-not-meant-to-know' and 'surprise villain' and 'weird brains'."
"Oh," the girl said, expression slowly, drifting from alarm to bafflement. "Uh, thanks?"
"Can I see?" Alec asked approaching slowly.
"Sure?" She passed over the colorful sticker.
Alec looked at the multicolor smiley face appreciatively. "Where do you get these? I like the variety."
"I, uh, make them?"
"Ooooohhhhh, did you bring any more?"
The girl glanced around nervously. "I print them as I need them?" She held up an arm awkwardly, and Alec saw a small port on the underside.
"Is that a sticker printing implant?!"
"Eep!" The girl said, caught applying a sticker to the underside of a shelf.
"I wondered who had stickered the drawer, and the trashcan, and--"
"I didn't do anything wrong!" The girl exclaimed, glancing frantically between Alec and the door. "The doctor said it was okay!"
Alec laughed. "Oh, don't worry about that, god knows this place could use something lighthearted what with all the," Alec made finger quotes, "'things-man-was-not-meant-to-know' and 'surprise villain' and 'weird brains'."
"Oh," the girl said, expression slowly, drifting from alarm to bafflement. "Uh, thanks?"
"Can I see?" Alec asked approaching slowly.
"Sure?" She passed over the colorful sticker.
Alec looked at the multicolor smiley face appreciatively. "Where do you get these? I like the variety."
"I, uh, make them?"
"Ooooohhhhh, did you bring any more?"
The girl glanced around nervously. "I print them as I need them?" She held up an arm awkwardly, and Alec saw a small port on the underside.
"Is that a sticker printing implant?!"
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Ace Dreamer
Verified Reality User
- Location
- Between The Unknown & The Known
Alec is going to want an implant. All the trolling implants!
(And a game-controller implant, of course!)
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"Good work, me! Gold star for Riley!"
*print print*
The Shape of Things to Come, Part 12
New
"How do you get your designs in?" Alec asked, peering at the sticker output port. "I don't see a screen or UI?"
"It's an induction thing," Riley said with growing excitement. She shifted her arm to better catch the light, and Alec could just make out some dark shapes under the skin. "There is a bio-electromagnet to help with alignment, and the receiver on both sides has enough cushion to allow a loose enough fit. It goes on a strap thing, and talks to a phone or laptop."
She made a face. "My power wanted me to use a direct neural interface with heads up display and integral OS. The doctor is helping me better understand and manage the power impulses though. Thinking back, putting something like that in now is just asking for problems, what with, uh, growing and stuff." She shuddered. "Especially since I would have to do the brain surgery on myself."
Alec nodded. "Know what you mean, learning how powers influence us definitely freaked me out."
Riley shrugged. "The sticker implant was a sort of compromise with my power, something for us to fiddle with for now." She gestured to the creepy mad science tanks of brain and shit. "All this helps too, of course."
Alec grinned. "Have I told you about my pet Nazi experiments?"
"It's an induction thing," Riley said with growing excitement. She shifted her arm to better catch the light, and Alec could just make out some dark shapes under the skin. "There is a bio-electromagnet to help with alignment, and the receiver on both sides has enough cushion to allow a loose enough fit. It goes on a strap thing, and talks to a phone or laptop."
She made a face. "My power wanted me to use a direct neural interface with heads up display and integral OS. The doctor is helping me better understand and manage the power impulses though. Thinking back, putting something like that in now is just asking for problems, what with, uh, growing and stuff." She shuddered. "Especially since I would have to do the brain surgery on myself."
Alec nodded. "Know what you mean, learning how powers influence us definitely freaked me out."
Riley shrugged. "The sticker implant was a sort of compromise with my power, something for us to fiddle with for now." She gestured to the creepy mad science tanks of brain and shit. "All this helps too, of course."
Alec grinned. "Have I told you about my pet Nazi experiments?"
Splattered Cloak
Recovering Line Editor
The more they interact, the better this pairing feels. It's especially fun that Riley is afraid that he'll run if he learns about her past, while he just decides to show off the most morally grey thing he's currently doing. And of course we know that he'll have less of a reaction to her former cape name than to her sticker printer.
That they could each have a power-based hold on each other in due time is kind of comforting in a grimdark way. I don't know that anyone else would have intentionally picked either as the first line of defense against the other, but canon included a more one-sided deal.
And I love that she describes her power as "Implants and interfacing." I've occasionally wondered whether she isn't more of a cybernetics tinker than a straight medical or biotinker.
That they could each have a power-based hold on each other in due time is kind of comforting in a grimdark way. I don't know that anyone else would have intentionally picked either as the first line of defense against the other, but canon included a more one-sided deal.
And I love that she describes her power as "Implants and interfacing." I've occasionally wondered whether she isn't more of a cybernetics tinker than a straight medical or biotinker.
Ace Dreamer
Verified Reality User
- Location
- Between The Unknown & The Known
Alec? Have you already worked-out that this is the person who can help you build a cyborg Nazi body, that looks like a pig-dog? That you can take for walkies???
This really shows off Alec's thought processes.
He flipped out about Accord cause he didn't know the score yet. Now he knows that Scary Godmother is the Scariest, and won't put up with people pulling shit. So anybody he meets through 'work' isn't a threat to him unless he starts shit. Therefor not worth worrying about.
For me, the true 'aha' moment was thinking about how Riley and Amy would create a Pokémon.
Amy would take a vat of algae, go into a fugue state, and when she goes out, bam, Pokémon.
In contrast, Riley would basically kitbash something out of existing organisms. That is, she would make disparate organisms interface with each other in ways foreign to science, logic and reasons…
- Location
- Philippines
Don't worry, I'm pretty sure that Arceus was also foreign to science, logic, and reason when he made some Pokemon anyway. I mean, sentient ice creams, trashbags, chandeliers and what not... And don't get me started on Minior, the poor things.
The Shape of Things to Come, Part 13
New
"That's a really persistent master effect," Riley said, as she fiddled with her phone.
"Almost feel sorry for him except, you know, all the human trafficking and murder and being a Nazi…"
Riley nodded decisively. "My power, Chirry, thinks that invasive brain surgery might mitigate the effects, even though," she sighed, "like everyone keeps telling him, just because he can doesn't mean he should."
Alec laughed. "Someone else on the project had a similar thing happen, except their, uh, power's idea somehow involved copying their mind and then vivisecting it or something."
Riley snorted. "And they say we need to grow up."
"It was more fun," Alec observed, "when I could just go 'but he's a Nazi' and do whatever. Then they had to go and teach me this stuff about 'ethics' and 'mental habits' and 'power-influenced psychological driving'."
"You too, huh?" Riley said, not looking up.
"Think a lot of people are getting some version of it.," Alec said, appraisingly. "From what I've heard even the for-realz Protectorate is getting it now, or at least part of it. Not just people with 'spooky master powers'."
"Oh, wow, and here I thought they'd never admit powers influenced us back."
So she is from Bet. Wonder why she's dressed like the offworld Valkyrie capes then?
Still, Alec carefully maintained a light tone. "Part of the whole 'new management kindergarten gentler' thing."
"Hmmmmm," Riley said absentmindedly, focusing on her phone. With one final nod, she unplugged her phone from the induction armband and began putting it away.
"OK," she said with a grin. "The new design is loaded and ready. Now we just need to find a good place to put it!"
Alec, as is his habit, completely derailed this scene. It was supposed to be fairly short, leading up to a funny bit with {spoilers}.
Then Riley showed him the sticker-maker and, well, Alec gonna Alec…
"Almost feel sorry for him except, you know, all the human trafficking and murder and being a Nazi…"
Riley nodded decisively. "My power, Chirry, thinks that invasive brain surgery might mitigate the effects, even though," she sighed, "like everyone keeps telling him, just because he can doesn't mean he should."
Alec laughed. "Someone else on the project had a similar thing happen, except their, uh, power's idea somehow involved copying their mind and then vivisecting it or something."
Riley snorted. "And they say we need to grow up."
"It was more fun," Alec observed, "when I could just go 'but he's a Nazi' and do whatever. Then they had to go and teach me this stuff about 'ethics' and 'mental habits' and 'power-influenced psychological driving'."
"You too, huh?" Riley said, not looking up.
"Think a lot of people are getting some version of it.," Alec said, appraisingly. "From what I've heard even the for-realz Protectorate is getting it now, or at least part of it. Not just people with 'spooky master powers'."
"Oh, wow, and here I thought they'd never admit powers influenced us back."
So she is from Bet. Wonder why she's dressed like the offworld Valkyrie capes then?
Still, Alec carefully maintained a light tone. "Part of the whole 'new management kindergarten gentler' thing."
"Hmmmmm," Riley said absentmindedly, focusing on her phone. With one final nod, she unplugged her phone from the induction armband and began putting it away.
"OK," she said with a grin. "The new design is loaded and ready. Now we just need to find a good place to put it!"
Alec, as is his habit, completely derailed this scene. It was supposed to be fairly short, leading up to a funny bit with {spoilers}.
Then Riley showed him the sticker-maker and, well, Alec gonna Alec…
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- Location
- The Internet?
Code didn't quite work, unfortunately.
Coding fixed in the text! Thank you very much!
Ace Dreamer
Verified Reality User
- Location
- Between The Unknown & The Known
'appraisingly'?
(not sure about this)
This was quite difficult to read - would adding an extra couple of commas help?
---
They're bonding. Tremble, world.
- Location
- The Internet?
I think it's because the word 'should' is in there twice. My two cents? Change the first one to 'ought to' or something. That aside, the memery of it all tracks, and I'd like to think that Riley took Jurassic Park as a cautionary tale.
Fixed in the text! Thank you very much!
I've tweaked the paragraph slight, should read better now I hope. Thank you very much!
Alternate title for the fic: The Power Of Friendship (And This Gun I Found)
The Shape of Things to Come, Part 14
New
Alec watched with interest as Riley carefully removed the light fixture and passed it down. He accepted one-handed, making sure to always keep the other solidly gripping the back of the rolly chair.
It was almost like they didn't want people getting at the light.
The light fixture was, as expected, significantly improved with the insertion on the bar plate of a small, innocuous 'ouchie' sticker, complete with little lightning bolts forming x's where the eyes would normally go.
Alec was particularly proud of the little beret they'd given it.
Before Riley could finish printing the second sticker, however, Alec stiffened. "Shit," he said. "New plan, you get down and we pretend the light was taken apart when we got here.
"Huh?" Riley asked, even as she began to lower herself carefully. Alec approved of her decisiveness.
"Dr. Weaver is coming and she's not alone."
"Sugarpuffs," Riley said with feeling, lowering herself faster.
It was almost like they didn't want people getting at the light.
The light fixture was, as expected, significantly improved with the insertion on the bar plate of a small, innocuous 'ouchie' sticker, complete with little lightning bolts forming x's where the eyes would normally go.
Alec was particularly proud of the little beret they'd given it.
Before Riley could finish printing the second sticker, however, Alec stiffened. "Shit," he said. "New plan, you get down and we pretend the light was taken apart when we got here.
"Huh?" Riley asked, even as she began to lower herself carefully. Alec approved of her decisiveness.
"Dr. Weaver is coming and she's not alone."
"Sugarpuffs," Riley said with feeling, lowering herself faster.
Cardiovascular Exercise
New
"Now look busy!" Alec said, helping Riley get settled back on solid ground.
Riley rolled her eyes. "Boys," she scoffed. "Always make things too complicated."
"Huh?"
"Oops!" Riley replied brightly, tipping a tray of instruments onto the floor.
"Warn a guy!" Alec said, jumping back.
A moment later the door opened. "... the 'shouting across a chasm' stage of discourse. Helpful as a proof of concept, but not what we need."
"Impressive nonetheless," replied the formally attired young woman who followed Dr. Weaver through the door. "Now that you mention it, I can sense it myself..."
Riley inhaled suddenly and jumped to attention. Confused, Alec looked more closely. Was something wrong with the lighting in the hall? It would be ironic, what with what they'd been doing to the light, but--fuck that was a ghostly figure, and there were three of them, oh god, there were three of them.
Dr. Weaver had brought THE FAIRY QUEEN for a casual visit, motherfucker.
Dr. Weaver, with a glance, took in the fallen instruments, drifting office chair and obvious panic on the face of Alec and his companion. "As you were," she said crisply, before turning back to THE FAIRY QUEEN and going on about relays and network permissions and ports or something, he wasn't sure what was so interesting about the wifi or whatever, but he wasn't going to ask questions. Not with THE FAIRY QUEEN HERE!!! Sure, she was ignoring them, but one of those ghosts was watching and Alec didn't doubt she saw and heard all in her vicinity.
He couldn't even be mad because Lisa had warned him and he hadn't taken it seriously.
Fuck, she probably knew about the sticker too!
Note
A: Fuck, she probably knows about sticker!
Also note: Thinking about it, I'm not sure which of them Riley is more wary of. Could see it going either way.
Riley rolled her eyes. "Boys," she scoffed. "Always make things too complicated."
"Huh?"
"Oops!" Riley replied brightly, tipping a tray of instruments onto the floor.
"Warn a guy!" Alec said, jumping back.
A moment later the door opened. "... the 'shouting across a chasm' stage of discourse. Helpful as a proof of concept, but not what we need."
"Impressive nonetheless," replied the formally attired young woman who followed Dr. Weaver through the door. "Now that you mention it, I can sense it myself..."
Riley inhaled suddenly and jumped to attention. Confused, Alec looked more closely. Was something wrong with the lighting in the hall? It would be ironic, what with what they'd been doing to the light, but--fuck that was a ghostly figure, and there were three of them, oh god, there were three of them.
Dr. Weaver had brought THE FAIRY QUEEN for a casual visit, motherfucker.
Dr. Weaver, with a glance, took in the fallen instruments, drifting office chair and obvious panic on the face of Alec and his companion. "As you were," she said crisply, before turning back to THE FAIRY QUEEN and going on about relays and network permissions and ports or something, he wasn't sure what was so interesting about the wifi or whatever, but he wasn't going to ask questions. Not with THE FAIRY QUEEN HERE!!! Sure, she was ignoring them, but one of those ghosts was watching and Alec didn't doubt she saw and heard all in her vicinity.
He couldn't even be mad because Lisa had warned him and he hadn't taken it seriously.
Fuck, she probably knew about the sticker too!
Note
A: Fuck, she probably knows about sticker!
Also note: Thinking about it, I'm not sure which of them Riley is more wary of. Could see it going either way.
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...does Alec know who Riley was, is that going to cause another freakout?
Dr. Thunder
Philosopher-King of Florida
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/They
Non-zero chance he realizes that Bonesaw is here in the PRT and is scared of Dr.Weaver which will just make the freakout even worse
