estoria | my oh my such strange supplies

Who:

faceplate & YOU! & w/

specialization
When: IC 8/11 OOC 7/22
Where: One of Zer0's sniper nests, hanging around in creepy locations, just Around.
What: Zer0 is literally an assassin. BUT ALSO, AN ASSHOLE.
Rating/Warning: Discussion of murder, maybe gore.

< a | SEEKING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT. >
[ since their arrival a few months ago, zer0 hasn't technically had a job. the options first offered were all public-performance-based (street poet, enka singer, sword dancer), and they'd become more involved with... less legal pursuits rather than above-board employment.

now given some free time, zer0 is taking the opportunity to look at new jobs. like petting some cybuddies. their four fingered hands are currently carefully cradling a rabbit cybuddy in the pet shop as they crouch in the corner of a small petpen, all folded gangly body-armored limbs.

this really doesn't seem like a suitable job, but they're putting a good ten minutes into the trial period before setting the rabbit down and then literally disappearing from the scene.

having left their hologram behind to hide their tracks, the real zer0 is standing on the roof of the building, looking a bit more hunched and tense than usual. ]

< b | I, ROBOT. >
[ the idea of ocular implants sets a low, burning fury alight in zer0. for someone usually so focused, the anger is an interesting change of pace.

zer0 is spending the night prowling around warehouses, seeking out robots of all kinds (service, maintenance, pleasure, etc.) and whisking them out of sight for further investigation. ]

< c | FAIR GAME. >
[ wildcard/open option! ]

[ some closed prompts below. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ not a name they recognize, but zer0 remembers it for later. ]

Have I done wrong yet? By merely watching, I did not commit a crime.

A crime, no. But I am not like the children and imbeciles in this place, who hail from a safe and comfortable world where people never draw weapons on each other. [with a nod to zer0's gun. His fingers splay delicately above the hilts of the paired swords at his hip.] If I am wary, it is for good reason. I have been followed lately and I'm not enjoying the experience.

[ that, admittedly, is fair. but zer0 isn't lowering their gun just yet, keeping it trained on cao pi in case he charges. ]

Wasn't following you.

[trained as he is, Cao Pi will not move his hand away from the hilts of his swords until the gun lowers, but his shoulders go back and his stance changes to a less-threatening one]

That is a relief. No, now that I look more closely, you do not have that thing's face.

[ zer0 keeps their hand on the gun but doesn't keep it trained on cao pi's head anymore, which is similar to being friendly, by their standards. ]

What thing?

[he's still wary, but this could be a potential source of information - if they like hanging out on rooftops]

That robot who addressed us on the device.

[it's a simple enough answer that any fellow kidnappee should understand, and Cao Pi doesn't feel like risking his health by reaching for his phone.]

[ ...zer0 can sort of understand why someone might see a resemblance between them. sort of. they aren't going to forget this later, though. ]

Did you believe it? It offered information, but also distrust.

[good. confirmed for fellow prisoner of CERES, possible ally.

Cao Pi lowers his hand completely, letting it rest at his side]

I believed only that which it confirmed, which we already knew. I refuse to trust it, which is why I am overly wary of the fact that it seems to be following me - and others.

[ an understandable wariness that zer0 can appreciate. they too have seen the robot skulking around, and despite attempts to hide from it, it's still been seen around more than once. ]

There are facts about CERES, the Flamines, and more. Physical proofs seen.

[ zer0 tilts their head, leaning forward slowly. ]

Curious?

[Cao Pi smirks faintly, and then bobs his head toward the gun]

You could say that. But I will not speak overmuch with a firearm pointed anywhere near me.

[ ...fine. zer0 finally lowers their pistol, posture relaxing slightly as they wait for him to continue. ]

[the frown in his brow eases at last]

I have been among those attempting to find information on the various factions. If you've discovered something, I would be extremely interested in it. Yet, I gather that there would be some sort of price for the privilege.

Repayment in kind.

[ if he knows anything, zer0 would like to hear about it as well. they tilt their head inquisitively. ]

I'm afraid I have little in the way of information. Proof. Theories, only. Strategies, suggestions, ideas. For example...

[hmm, what to say that he's already said publicly?]

...advocating that we trust no one and serve no one but ourselves. CERES be damned. [that's right, if they're listening in on him, that's a declaration he'll stand behind even if it kills him]

Distrust the establishment.

[ among others, but CERES is definitely up there. zer0's never held with large corporations. an alliance in a situation like this, however, is reasonable, except: ]

But I serve myself.

What a coincidence. [so, so dry] So do I.

My intention is to uncover the truth behind this farce and end it, so that I may return to my people. If it means everyone else gets to return to their worlds as well, I'm sure they'll be happy.

[ zer0 listens with their head canted towards him, paying close attention. they're essentially and constantly self-serving, so... ]

Acceptable.

[and that's a deal well-made. Cao Pi shrugs his shoulders, releasing the rest of the tension built up in them, and steps closer, idly pacing toward the edge of the roof, looking for a place to sit for a moment.]

It seems the Sanctuary is the only place where we may speak freely, but I have to wonder just how much they already know we know. They cannot be completely ignorant of the places we've been taken and entities we've met. If they don't yet suspect that we've been clued in, then they are even more stupid than I first thought.

[ sanctuary works, as far as zer0 can tell. their new faceplate, as made by hiro, has similar capabilities from what they've been able to tell from frequency reader checks.

nothing is for certain, but they've beaten a near-omniscient corporation before. it might just be harder the second time. ]

There's dissent within the company itself, too. Or at least conflict.

So they say. The man known as Mosley, yes? I have never spoken to him, so I remain undecided on which face he shows us is the real one - the side of him which participated in human sacrifice, or the side which Lady Athena claims wants to escape.

[of course, he doesn't know that problem will be resolved for them in mere days, but the question still remains.]

[ zer0 nods. they've heard from mosley and been dragged by him to parts unknown, where they found more information than they'd discovered anywhere else. ]

Useful. But not seen.

[ not recently, anyway. ]

[Cao Pi's patience usually runs thin on any good day, so he turns back and faces the masked stranger directly again]

If you have anything to tell me, then do so. [he will file away this potential source, regardless, but he'd like to leave the rooftop with at least something to show for his ally-making efforts]

[ zer0 looks at him for a few seconds longer. ]

Contracts between companies, selling us and more.

[his eyes narrow]

Companies...not just CERES and the Flamines?

my oh my such strange supplies

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