(no subject)

[agentnewyork]

[York lifts his hand in a kind of wave to Washington, before setting off to get to the lounge. There's an announcement overhead, though.]
'Agent New York report immediately to the lab, full armor.'
[York's brow furrowed.
The lab?
Well, if he was being called, he didn't have a choice but to go.
So, he ran down to his room to quickly grab his suit and pull it on before dashing out and going to the lab to see what he was needed for.]


[An... AI? Named Delta. Who was carved from and filled with logic. When asked his thoughts on it, York just stared into space for a moment.]
It's... weird. There's gonna be someone else inside my head?
[York was then told it wasn't really a person, but there would indeed be a new voice and presence residing in his mind, able to offer advice and even strengthen the enhancements in his armor.
Even though it would be helpful, it was still weird. York wasn't quite warming up to this idea. But he didn't really have a choice. Who knows? Maybe it would be fun.]


[It didn't take long at all, and soon there was a glowing green light at his face. The left side of his face, near his bad eye. He had to turn his head to look at the little holographic suit of armor.]
So, you're Delta, huh?
I am. And you are Agent New York. Position two on the leader-boards. You are an infiltration specialist, and you enjoy picking the locks presented to you.
I prefer the term 'breaking and entering'.
[Yea. This was definitely weird. There was... a whole new being in his head, sorting through his thoughts and filing them. York felt like he was being violated. Which, he kind of was. Right? Did it count if it was a computer program doing it?]

Comments

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash is just sitting down at a table in the cafeteria when he hears the announcement overhead. He blinks, wondering what's going on. Why was York being called down to the lab, of all places? Was it...no, it couldn't be about the AI that they'd all heard whispers about. Right? It was probably nothing. Maybe they were just...checking up on his armour, or something.

Regardless of what he's thinking, Wash hurries his eating, wanting to know what's going on at the first moment that he can. He's surprised at the speed with which he manages to finish his meal, and promptly stands and rushes from the room, not even bothering to clear his plate. ...He skids to a halt a moment later and backtracks, though, because he feels bad leaving his mess for someone else to clean up. Once that's sorted though, he resumes his rushing from the room and hustles down the hallways, heading for York's room. York has to get back there at some point, so he'll stand outside of the door until he does.

It occurs to him, as he sprints down the corridors, that he's maybe more concerned about this than he should be. But... No, he and York are best friends, of course he's a little concerned about...whatever is going on. This was normal. He just wanted to make sure the guy was okay, and he's curious as to the reason that his friend had been called down to the lab. Simple as that.]

[agentnewyork]

[York just stayed sitting for about twenty minutes, listening as some people told him more about Delta. Delta was quiet in his head, but York was still aware of the AI being there. It would take a while to get used to. Finally, though, York was allowed to leave. He left the lab and walked slowly down the halls, keeping his helmet on as he looked down at his feet, knowing perfectly well where he was going despite the fact he wasn't watching.]
'I apologize if I make you uncomfortable.'
Delta, few things can make me uncomfortable.
'And this is one of them?'
This is definitely one of them.
'Perhaps if I don't show myself...' [Delta flickers, before disappearing completely. But York knows he's still there, because he's not alone in his thoughts. Even if Delta is staying completely silent.

York rounds a corner, heading for his room, and is surprised to see Washington standing there. He walks over, stepping up to his door and opening it, looking to Wash as he does so.]
What's up? Somethin' wrong?

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash is leaning against the wall, waiting as patiently as he can for York, and straightens up when he spots the other freelancer approaching. He looks fine, but then, he is wearing his armor, so it's more difficult to read how he's doing. The questions are casual though, so maybe it really was nothing and Wash is standing here, worried for nothing.]

No, I... I just heard you got called down to the lab, so...I just wanted to know what was going on.

[agentnewyork]

[York shrugs. Wash seems kind of concerned, but he tells himself it's nothing and to just think nothing of it.
Nothin' big. I mean, there's voices in my head, but that's about it.
[Delta decides to light up near his shoulder and present himself.]
I am not just 'voices.' I am the AI known as Delta.
Yea. Surprise. I got loaded up with an AI. Pretty sweet, huh? Watch this.
[York raises his hand, flapping it through Delta, who turns to face York.]
Stop that.
[York pulls off his helmet and sticks out his tongue to the AI, before walking into his room and tossing the helmet onto the bed.]

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash blinks as York mentions voices in his head, and opens his mouth to inquire, but when a green light appears at York's shoulder, he jumps and loses his train of thought. What the fuck is that?!
Before he can actually ask the question, the light speaks and essentially answers for him. As he looks closer at it, Wash realizes it's not so much a light as it is a hologram. And he's just confused as fuck now. His head turns back to York when he starts speaking, his eyes following more slowly. An AI? Really? With no preparation, no word beforehand, the just called him down and bam, popped an AI in his head? Jesus, that was a terrifying thought. They wouldn't do the same for him, right? He wouldn't just get a call out of the blue one day, right?
No.
Okay.
Focus.
Wash watches the interactions between York and...the thing that's apparently now living his his head, and follows the other freelancer into his room. He's still baffled, and it definitely shows.]

You--it--they--Just w--an AI? I don't--

[agentnewyork]

Take a breath, buddy.
[York tells him, putting his hands on his hips as he stares at Wash.]
He's just my new partner in battle. ...It's really weird, though.
[He sits down on the side of his bed and raises a shoulder, dropping it in a kind of shrug.]

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash falls silent for a few moments, and takes that breath that York suggests. It's just...startling news, is all. And even more startling to see firsthand. But he imagines it's definitely more so for York.]

So...that thing...is in your head. [He's more coherent now, and he points to the little hologram as he speaks, glancing over at it, then back at York.]

[agentnewyork]

Yes. Delta is in my head.
[York nods to show that Wash is correct.]
And god is it weird.
[He doesn't think it will never not be weird to have an AI in his mind. It's just unusual for your own thoughts to no longer be your own; to have to share them with someone else. Even if Delta wasn't really a 'someone.']
...I still have yet to start a test-run. I should probably get to that soon.

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash nods slowly. Right. Delta. The thing--er, AI--had a name. He has to admit, he's a little curious about it; about the AI itself, and what it's like to have it...you know, in your head. York said weird, and there was little doubt in Wash's mind that that was entirely true.]

I bet. Is it... [He pauses, then steps a little further into the room, toward York. His eyes continue to flit back and forth between the freelancer and the AI, but they rest on York when he starts to speak again.] ...What's it like?

[agentnewyork]

[York doesn't answer right away, taking a moment to think on that.]
It's... I mean...
[He's not too sure how to reply.]
I'm not alone anymore. There's... another voice in my head. It's just as strange as it sounds.
[He looks to Delta, but continues to speak to Wash.]
And I don't mean to sound rude, but I kinda miss no longer having my thoughts to myself.

[notcrazyokay]

Huh.

[Wash nods slowly again, taking York's reply in for a moment. He wants to say that he understands, that he gets what York's saying, but...he doesn't really. It just...well, yeah, it sounds strange. He figures it's something you can only fully understand if you've experienced the same thing.]

That...I mean, yeah, that...sounds really weird. It can hear your thoughts? And, you can hear it in your head? [He'd be worried that York had lost his mind if there wasn't a hologram floating there with them, visible to both of them.] That sounds... Wow, I don't... I don't think I could do that. Having another person in your head? Sharing everything? Jesus.

[agentnewyork]

I know. It's worse than a girlfriend.
[York smirks. Then he stands up, once again putting his hands on his hips as he raises a questioning brow.]

So, why were you waiting outside my door, anyway?

[notcrazyokay]

...On the plus side, it looks cool? ...Kind of small, though.

[He taps at his chin thoughtfully as he inspects Delta again. He's trying to maybe take York's mind off of the weirdness of having someone else in his head, or at least trying to get him to see the bright side. He stops though, when York stands and asks a question.]

Oh. Well, I told you, I didn't know what was going on. I just heard you got called down to the lab and I wanted to make sure that everything was okay. [They're friends, after all. Friends made sure each other were okay.]

[agentnewyork]

[Well, that was nice of him. York gives a few slow nods of his head.]
Well, everything is A-okay. Nothing to worry about. Besides, I can handle myself. You should know this by now.
[He smirks.]

[notcrazyokay]

Yeah, I know that.

[How could he not? Wash shrugs again and looks away for just a moment. It's not like he'd thought there was something wrong, he'd just wanted to know what was up. And hey, something could have been wrong, one could never be sure.]

I was just curious, okay? No one gets called down to the lab. Who knew what they wanted from you?

[agentnewyork]

This is what they wanted.
[York points to Delta, who's still hovering above his shoulder, thankfully staying quiet.
York goes quiet, too. Just staring at the little AI. Delta turns to face him, and they just look at each other for a moment. York decides that, well, if he's going to be stuck with Delta, he might as well make the best of it.]
So, you're gonna help me out, right?
I was made to do so.

[notcrazyokay]

Well, I know that now.

[Obviously.
When York's attention is turned to Delta though, Wash finds his is too. He watches the AI, then watches the two stare at each other, his focus shifting back and forth between them when they then speak. Then, he grows curious again, because while this is weird and he can't imagine what it's like, he's interested and honestly just a little bit fascinated.]

Wait, help how?

[agentnewyork]

On missions, and stuff.
[York shrugs, turning back to face Washington. Delta gives a single nod, and speaks to York.]
Perhaps I can keep watch on your left side for you.

[York looks to Delta.]
Yea, that'd be cool, actually. Thanks, D.
'D'? Are you speaking to me?
Who else?
I am just making sure.

[notcrazyokay]

[On missions and stuff.
Well, that explained it well. Wash doesn't push the question further though. ...Mostly because York is speaking with Delta again and he doesn't want to interrupt. They have to get along, right? What with sharing a head and all. Might as well let them talk without cutting in. So, Wash waits until they seem to be finished, a hint of amusement playing on his face.]

York nicknames everyone. There's no point in fighting it, or anything. ...I mean, if you were even going to. I don't know--I... [He trails off because he's not really sure where he's going. He starts off speaking normally, but as he realizes that he's talking to an AI, he realizes that...well, he's not sure how to talk to an AI. It's weird. So, as is his custom, he gets awkward and eventually slumps his shoulders over, giving up on trying to correct or explain himself.]

[agentnewyork]

[York and Delta just watch Wash for a moment, before again looking to each other.]
Yes, he's always this awkward.
I was not going to say--
Well, you got an answer anyway.

[York is grinning again, and he reaches over to give Wash a pat on the shoulder.]
It's fine, dude. Just relax. Delta doesn't bite. ...At least, I hope not.
I am incapable of actually 'biting'. You do not have to worry.
See?

[notcrazyokay]

[Under the gazes of both York and Delta, Wash fidgets a little. ...Or a lot. Then they're talking again, and he splutters a little because he is so not awkward. ...He likes to tell himself that, anyway.

He's done spluttering by the time York pats his shoulder, and he looks up at that grin. That stupid grin... And again, he listens to the banter between York and the AI.]

I didn't think that he does. ...I just--I don't know, it's just kind of...weird. ....And I'm not awkward. [Liiiieeeesssss.] I...just don't know what to...or how to...I mean, it's--he's--a computer program. I don't know how to talk to.... You know what, I'm just...gonna stop talking now.

[agentnewyork]

Told ya.
[York smirks in Delta's direction, proving that he was right about Washington being awkward. Delta just brushes it off, choosing not to comment.

York then turns his sight back onto Washington.]
So, you came all this way to visit me. We might as well hang out, right?
[Yea, because the last time they hung out worked so well. But, hey, they don't have to stay in York's room. Not if Wash doesn't want to.]
We can either chill here, or go train some more? Or make more pudding. You can show me how good a pudding-maker you are, since you're so much better at it than me.

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash huffs, but he doesn't argue the point further. He knows there's no point. When York turns back to him, he nods because yeah, they might as well hang out, he guesses. It would help get past the weirdness, though he realizes now that they've been doing pretty okay so far.]

No, no more pudding. I'd rather do something that we can't get in shit for. ...You said Delta is supposed to help you on missions, right? Well...I mean, it might be a good idea to get some training in with him, so you know what you're doing? [York is already good, and Wash imagines that with an AI to assist him...he'll be an even tougher opponent. But hey, he can at least offer him some help in getting used to fighting with an AI in his head now, right?]

[agentnewyork]

I told you yesterday, Wash.
[York begins with the first mention of yesterday.]
Never think I don't know what I'm doing.


[York was fully armored again, standing in the middle of a training room. Delta was looking around, taking in his surroundings.
York cracked his knuckles, waiting to start.]

[notcrazyokay]

[Wash steps up to stand opposite York again, but this time he's wearing his armor. This is a relief to him, especially with the form of training he's planning to suggest.]

You want to do lockdown paint this time? [He knows he's going to get his ass handed to him this time, unless on the off chance that York's too disoriented to fight as well as usual. But with the way he's been talking with Delta already, Wash is pretty sure that's not going to happen, and that York is just going to have an even easier time defeating him.]