"not here right now.
leave a message. will get back to you soon.
probably."
TEXT
CALL
VIDEO
NOTE: As of 12/2016, Rey has adopted the alias "Fiona Stransky" when working with the Guard. Something to keep in mind, as Rey maintains a low profile with her involvement in the group. Other than what is mentioned in the Guard records, there is no trace of a "Fiona" identified on the network.
[There's no hesitation there. She's had this conversation with others before.]
They like to call themselves synthes, though. As in synthetics. They seem to value individuality more than the Null, though. Except... there are some contradictions to that. [Contradictions that are uncomfortable to Rey. Not that she would let that on.]
[For all intents and purposes, Rey is far too sober to be having g this conversation. She continues to drink and sighs. It'll take a lot more than this to even feel a punch.]
You don't exactly approach them as you would human enemies, for starters. But you also shouldn't think of them entirely as machines, either. Machines that are so logic focused can be unpredictable when they've been driven mad by something as primal as emotions.
[An enemy that Rey has much experience with as well.]
Tried a similar approach as well. Was rather good at pretending.
[She can play up the "dumb robot act" pretty well when trying to keep people at arm's length.]
It's hard to say if they will or not. We don't know how much they know about us to predict our behaviors. And if they're able to establish a connection through our network, they might've been watching us for a time. [A thought Rey doesn't like entertaining at all.]
[Rey is surprisingly good at playing parts, Maketh knows. It's a strength of hers.]
I've considered that as well. I don't think they have the capabilities to observe us completely, or they would have attacked already. But it's safe to assume they've been watching.
[She drinks slowly.]
It could work. If we're careful and don't contradict ourselves.
Maybe. Or maybe they know us well enough that it doesn't take much to sow doubt in those who already resent the gods.
[Rey doesn't look forward to seeing how this plays out. On one hand, the last thing they need is a civil war, and on the other... The gods might not have a much better method of stomping out sedition.]
It can be easier said than done. But, I was at a prison and a city that were full of their kind before coming back here. I know what they can be like. How they think. The way they talked to us recently, the Null can't be much different.
[And it's already been made clear - and very public - that Maketh is one of those people who hates them dearly. Whether that's something they can utilize remains to be seen. Maketh rubs her face briefly.] We can't trust the gods either. They're not our allies.
Not now, but they could be. It's been possible to barter deals with them before.
[She falls into a contemplative silence for a few seconds, eating and drinking before she continues.]
A lot of people seem to believe that the gods control us, but I don't think that's entirely true. Without us, they'd have nothing. They'd still be dead. If anything, they owe us. If we had some leverage to put us on more of an even footing, it might be easier.
Don't think it necessarily counts as slavery if they require a symbiotic relationship with their so-called slaves to survive. In that case, the Null are right to call them "parasites".
[Sounds more accurate than "gods", at any rate, but we're not here to argue semantics.]
Not sure what we could have on them yet, other than the fact that many of us are more adept to war than they are -- and they can't keep running from their enemies forever.
If we had a way of voluntary escape, of abandoning them to be killed, we might have something. [Rey has been interested in being able to leave these caves before.]
Whether they deem it necessary or not, we were not offered a choice.
[Her voice is sharp. Maketh fights down the urge to yell. That's not the point of this and she doesn't want to argue with Rey. Her personal feelings don't factor into this.
She's quiet for a moment, thinking.]
We never did figure out how they're feeding off of us. Perhaps something could be done to block it. If they're weak, they'll fall like anything else.
There's always a choice. Sometimes the options just suck.
[Rey could think of ways to just end it, such as shutting herself off again like she had so long ago. It isn't much of an option, but they aren't going to be favorable every time.
[It's better than conceding to powerlessness, either way.]
You didn't really seem to like the last time I tried blocking it. Neither did Nick.
I didn't mean like that. [Maketh hesitates, then reaches out to touch Rey's hand. Just a little.] I don't want that. But there might be another way, if we try.
[Any other time, with almost anyone else, Rey would hesitate to maintain contact. But she can't bring herself to let go. Doesn't want to leave Maketh in doubt of herself, or Rey for that matter.]
Well, if anything comes to mind, you'll be the first to know. Just don't want to screw it up again.
[And she means that in many ways. Rey doesn't have a decent track record for success, or knowing what people want of her.]
[Maketh nods just once. More than anyone, Rey ought to know how difficult that is for Maketh - to have faith in people. Or in herself. The latter is much more difficult.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[There's no hesitation there. She's had this conversation with others before.]
They like to call themselves synthes, though. As in synthetics. They seem to value individuality more than the Null, though. Except... there are some contradictions to that. [Contradictions that are uncomfortable to Rey. Not that she would let that on.]
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And knowing what you do, how would you suggest we proceed?
[It's a neutral question. It doesn't touch upon where Rey might fit in the grand scheme of things. Maketh isn't that cruel.]
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You don't exactly approach them as you would human enemies, for starters. But you also shouldn't think of them entirely as machines, either. Machines that are so logic focused can be unpredictable when they've been driven mad by something as primal as emotions.
[An enemy that Rey has much experience with as well.]
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Maketh hesitates.]
We don't have to talk about this now, if you don't want to.
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It's fine. Don't really know how useful my experience will be, but... I'd been equipped to deal with synthetics. Destroying them, it's what I do.
[Which made certain friendships and family relations somewhat complicated. But only if she let it be.]
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Given the chance, I assume the Null will betray us. But I have left them with the implication that, perhaps, I might be considered an ally.
[She tips her head to the side.]
Do you think they will see through it?
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[She can play up the "dumb robot act" pretty well when trying to keep people at arm's length.]
It's hard to say if they will or not. We don't know how much they know about us to predict our behaviors. And if they're able to establish a connection through our network, they might've been watching us for a time. [A thought Rey doesn't like entertaining at all.]
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I've considered that as well. I don't think they have the capabilities to observe us completely, or they would have attacked already. But it's safe to assume they've been watching.
[She drinks slowly.]
It could work. If we're careful and don't contradict ourselves.
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[Rey doesn't look forward to seeing how this plays out. On one hand, the last thing they need is a civil war, and on the other... The gods might not have a much better method of stomping out sedition.]
It can be easier said than done. But, I was at a prison and a city that were full of their kind before coming back here. I know what they can be like. How they think. The way they talked to us recently, the Null can't be much different.
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[She tips her head to the side.]
What do you suggest, for the Null?
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[She falls into a contemplative silence for a few seconds, eating and drinking before she continues.]
A lot of people seem to believe that the gods control us, but I don't think that's entirely true. Without us, they'd have nothing. They'd still be dead. If anything, they owe us. If we had some leverage to put us on more of an even footing, it might be easier.
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They're slavers who feed off our suffering. They deserve nothing but death. But. What leverage do you propose we talk?
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Don't think it necessarily counts as slavery if they require a symbiotic relationship with their so-called slaves to survive. In that case, the Null are right to call them "parasites".
[Sounds more accurate than "gods", at any rate, but we're not here to argue semantics.]
Not sure what we could have on them yet, other than the fact that many of us are more adept to war than they are -- and they can't keep running from their enemies forever.
If we had a way of voluntary escape, of abandoning them to be killed, we might have something. [Rey has been interested in being able to leave these caves before.]
no subject
[Her voice is sharp. Maketh fights down the urge to yell. That's not the point of this and she doesn't want to argue with Rey. Her personal feelings don't factor into this.
She's quiet for a moment, thinking.]
We never did figure out how they're feeding off of us. Perhaps something could be done to block it. If they're weak, they'll fall like anything else.
no subject
[Rey could think of ways to just end it, such as shutting herself off again like she had so long ago. It isn't much of an option, but they aren't going to be favorable every time.
[It's better than conceding to powerlessness, either way.]
You didn't really seem to like the last time I tried blocking it. Neither did Nick.
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[She turns her hand to curl her fingers over Maketh's.]
I know. I just don't know any other way.
[Doesn't mean that a way doesn't exist, though.]
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Well.
Maketh ducks her head.]
We're reasonably clever people. I'm sure we can find something. Even if it is a bit unorthodox.
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Well, if anything comes to mind, you'll be the first to know. Just don't want to screw it up again.
[And she means that in many ways. Rey doesn't have a decent track record for success, or knowing what people want of her.]
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[Maketh lifts her head, expression serious.]
I have faith.
[It feels important to say that.]
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Thank you. For having faith.
[Normally she'd advise against it, but... this is different.]
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They have that in common, she thinks.]
Thank you for having dinner with me.
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Anytime. Wouldn't mind having more of these. I like Nick, but you can't exactly have dinner with him like this.
[And that's no fault of his, she knows.]
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No, I suppose not. Though his company is better than most. I hope he knows that.
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[God knows Nick has done the same for her. Only fair to return the favor.]
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