voice; some time after arrival

[longshadow]

[ It's a slow, careful drawl, like someone's trying very hard to make themselves clearly understood. ]

Not that I don’t appreciate free jewelry full of tiny talking voices,

[ He doesn't. ]

But I don't suppose that none of you know how to get this thing off?

I’ve tried prying it, and cutting it, and slamming it on the wall a few times, and even asking it real polite, but no dice. Melting it's off the table, I like my skin, but otherwise all suggestions are. [ A huff of breath. ] Seriously welcome.

Comments

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[leanandgreen]

Sorry dude, pretty sure you're stuck with it.

I'm constantly shape-shifting and even then it still sticks with me. Why are you so keen on getting rid of it, anyway?

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[longshadow]

[ Light save him, but working on the keys takes a while, even with the recent upgrade. Why do people do this. ]

Because most folks save handcuffing strangers for the third date.

[leanandgreen]

Err... Right...

I think it's really just for safety and stuff tho. And it's got a lot of useful features too, so... I dunno, I'd just leave it? You'll probably get used to it pretty quick. I forget it's even there half the time, now.

[longshadow]

[ Hi, kid. Sorry, kid. He has no idea you're a kid. ]

For our safety, or for theirs? Forgetting it's even worse.

text

[kickbancaboose]

you could cut off your arm? because i'm 99% sure that's the only surefire way to remove it

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[longshadow]

Funny enough, the skin thing also applies to my bones and all the squishy red bits inside.

You got any clue why they do this?

[kickbancaboose]

dude i don't even know
i'm used to being blown up at random intervals so having what basically equates to a fancy phone attached to my arm is like the least shitty thing that's ever been done to my body.

it's pretty harmless anyway. what's your problem with it?

[longshadow]

[ What the hell is a phone. ]

There's an unknown magical device attached to my wrist by complete strangers that's apparently impossible to remove. No more tight sleeves in my future, for one.

[ Look, fashion is important. And it's easier than explaining any actual objections. ]

Were you getting blown up here?

[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

It wouldn't be effective as a tracking device if we were able to remove it at will.

[This is his assumption, anyway, of why you'd create this kind of non-removable communication object. Maybe he's cynical, or maybe it's experience talking, or maybe both -- one doesn't preclude the other. It's also just possible that it's non-removable primarily so that its owner won't lose it. In any case, his tone is deadpan.]

voice

[longshadow]

[ You're not helping, L. But at least — finally — someone who seems to understand one of the many reasons that he wants it the hell off. ]

People made this. That means there's gotta be a way to unmake it. [ Observe, a rare moment of logic. And — watch as it's gone. His voice rises, sharp and obviously strained. ] I mean, what the fuck do they need to track people for? None of us are even supposed to be here!

[ Supposedly. ]

Re: voice

[ryuuzaki]

It's a big ship, and it makes stops... tracking might be for safety purposes. I'd rather not be abducted by locals on some planet somewhere and miss my chance to go home.

[Certainly, when he's helped track communication device signals over the past few years, it's been in the name of safety. The fact that a tracking function could have other applications was entirely beside the point, until it wasn't. It's the sort of thing he'll do to other people, but resents having done to him without his own agency... because who can you trust, really?]

But you're right: there must be a way to unmake it. I suppose one route might be finding out how it was made to begin with.

[longshadow]

Yeah, I'd hate to be abducted from my abduction.

[ He huffs again, but some of the panic drains from his voice. L's approaching this — calmly, but seriously. It's a nice change. It's enough to get him to simmer down. ]

Can't tell what kind of metal it is. Don't have much experience with this kind of tech, can't even figure out how it's powered, [ There's a sound like wary tapping at the keys. And muffled cursing, as abruptly, the background breaks into a chorus of cheery music and bright meows. ] Fuck —

[handing]

Even if you were amenable to heat-based methods, it won't melt either.

[Trust her on that.]

I'm afraid it's another mandatory aspect of your stay here. A frustrating one, but the MID is actually a fairly useful device once you become familiar with it.

[longshadow]

[ Oh. Good. At least someone's tried it. Pepper ratchets up a notch in his approval. ]

Is there anything here that isn't mandatory? [ He mostly strains the irritation from his voice. Mostly. ] And.

[ Hesitation. He doesn't want to admit to any weakness with this MID garbage. But he's not sure how to turn certain functions off, and the background chorus of meows chirping from the device is steadily growing more audible. ]

...Can you tell me why it's now flashing pictures of cats.

[handing]

[Well, she hadn't tried it specifically; more like her own circumstances made her certain of it. But hey, she's not about to correct him, because that would mean going into details she's not sharing.]

Very little, I'm afraid. They did give us a choice when it came to eating the mind-altering desserts though. It was appropriate, given that they were the Captains' way of "treating" the crew.

[Pepper still doesn't hold a high opinion of that one.

The question about the cats, however, does warrant a grin.] You probably activated one of the games by mistake. I can tell you how to turn it off. [The steps are easy enough for Pepper to detail, which she does with all the comfort of someone familiar with technology.]

I'm guessing there's nothing quite like this where you come from?

[longshadow]

Mind-altering desserts. [ If he sounds incredulous, it's not disapproving. How'd he miss the fun, not-permanently-bound-to-limbs stuff? A rattling intake of breath. ] Well, there's one piece of home.

I've seen — [ He searches for a word that fits as he dutifully follows the steps, the tinny background music of Bonsai abruptly fading away. ] — Communicators, before. Mechanical, more basic than this. Unreliable.

[ It's the kindest thing he can say for engineering. Prone to explosions might be more accurate. ]

My people avoid it. Scrying's simpler. [ A verbal shrug. ] Take it you're more familiar.

voice; i'm not sorry at all

[ex_forcechoke292]

You could try cutting the whole thing off if it bothers you that much.

[The hand, he means. So helpful, he knows. You're welcome.]

are you ever

[longshadow]

Hilarious. Why didn't I think of it. You're the height of wit, you know that?

[ The meows in the background are growing louder and louder. There's a sound like someone punching clumsily at keys. ]

That work out okay for you? You know, when they stuck it on your dick?

[ ah yes the fine art of educated, reasonable debate ]

OH MY GOD

[ex_forcechoke292]

Some of us get along just fine with prosthetics, you're the one complaining.

[The hypocrisy can be heard light-years away, likely.]

And not that it's any of your business, but it's doing just fine.

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[heart_breaking]

are you talking about the MIDs?

i've tried cutting mine to. Nothing works. can you tell me if you find anything?

[longshadow]

Unless you've got some other crazy shit attached to your arm, yes. The MIDs.

But sure. We can swap techniques. What'd you cut it with?

[heart_breaking]

Knifes, kitchen sizors, garden clippers.

toenail clippers are to small, and I coldn't use the jumpjet maintnance toolbox saw without getting my arm, so I put it back.

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[takeitslow]

Why would asking it help?

[longshadow]

[ It takes him a moment to figure out the video function. When he finally does, a pair of scrunched white eyebrows flicker into view. His expression is faintly irritated, but most of the vehemence is gone from his voice.

Thank you, Pepper. ]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and figure you've never used an enchantment before.

[ He's human. Even then, that kind of isolation from magic is weird — but it's at least less unheard of. ]

[takeitslow]

Ding ding.

[He makes a jazz hands sort of gesture, giving a quick smile.]

You would be correct. Let me guess, some kind of witch or something?