SOME DAY, SOME DAY, SOME DAY, DOMINION!

[maskormods]

WHO: All imPorts who haven't taken the evacuation option!
WHERE: The Royal Mansions Resort in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
WHEN: February 16-20, from 10 AM to 8 PM.
WHAT: ImPorts attend The Perestroika Seminar to receive mandatory training and brainwashing. Need a quick recap? Be sure to check out a brief description of what they'll be doing HERE, though we will be separating this into sections for your reading pleasure! ImPorts will be able to distract themselves with their mental link on the network during brainwashing videos, and imPorts who possess a strong will will be able to resist being successfully brainwashed. We leave the extent of the ramifications of brainwashing up to the individual players, and what they are comfortable with. Please direct all questions HERE.

NOTE: Please do not use toplevels and subsequent comments when one comment will suffice! For large group logs such as this one, it will make us hit recaptcha sooner.
WARNINGS: Brainwashing, mental manipulation, and possible violence.



D A Y O N E

On the face of it, this place does not look so terribly different from the typical Swear-In. Normally, Swear-Ins are quite heavily populated by soldiers, and feature specific luxurious hotels as their locations, providing imPorts with their every need. This is very much the same, save for one very important detail: the soldiers are wearing markedly different uniforms. Once they enter the building, they may also realize that whatever superpowers they may have have been dampened to 1/16th of their usual strength. They still wish for imPorts to have their powers - they have plenty to observe, after all - but consider it a necessary precaution for an assembly of people with incredible and potentially disruptive powers.

As imPorts are shuffled into the assembly hall and are adequately silenced - and they should be; there are lines of soldiers just waiting for someone to move out of line - a stern soldier steps up to the podium and stares out at the wide array of rebellious, frightened, angry, and, potentially, bored faces in front of him. While most previous Swear-Ins kept the speeches short and sweet, this man evidently has no inclination to do such a thing. He moves like a man who has time.

In the end, the speech lasts forty-five minutes, and while it may be long, the contents are simple. ImPorts are briefed on the basics of what they are expected to do - watch the videos, complete physical training, and receive the education you should have been receiving all along - and are told the general rules of this Seminar.

If everyone follows orders, the soldier tells them, everything will operate smoothly. They do not wish for imPorts to be hurt any more than the imPorts do, but insubordination will not be tolerated. It is best for everyone to cooperate.

He ends his speech on a much more positive note: the imPorts are lucky, in fact, to be taken in by the USSR instead of the American government, whose apparent benevolence was merely disguising a rotten core. The USSR will bring about a more peaceful world, and it's a world that they want imPorts to be a part of.

ImPorts will then watch a two-hour video (elaborated upon below), and will be left to their own devices for the rest of the day.



D A Y 2-5, H O U R S 1-3

Once all imPorts have been shuffled into the area, they will first be given half an hour to eat a buffet breakfast, not unlike one that one would find in a five-star hotel. Once everyone has eaten, they will then be shuffled into a hall in which they are expected to watch the same 2-hour video, every single day.

This video is simple. It will tout the great accomplishments of the USSR, and will be particularly emphatic on its technological superiority and the fact that should imPorts simply listen to them, they will be able to push them to use their full potential and that their thriving is for the greater good. These phrases will be repeated intermittently, but by different people, professionals, scientists, scholars and more all emphatically speaking on ways that imPorts and the USSR may work together to create something truly extraordinary.

In addition, they will be reminded of the darker side of the country they have found themselves in. Why, the people will ask, is it that such a wealthy country is still plagued by poverty and debt? Why will America not take care of all of its people equally? Why is it that there are still those who go hungry, no matter how hard they may work?

They can fix that, the video reassures them. If the USSR is able to use its technology - and the imPorts' help - for good, then the world will become a better, happier place.

Over time, imPorts who are influenced by these videos may find themselves agreeing with them as a feeling of contentment and peace washes over them, their motivation to resist crumbling away. Why resist, when everyone's being so nice? Surely, they're safe here.



D A Y 2-5, H O U R S 4-5

Tired of sitting in the same spot all morning? Don't worry, imPorts, now's your time to hustle and get some good old fashioned exercise in! Underneath the close and doubtlessly benevolent eyes of their captors, imPorts are let loose in a closed off area of the Royal Mansions Resort suited for all of your needs.

ImPorts have access to a wide array of state-of-the-art exercise equipment, from weight lifting machines to treadmills, all of which have the newest technology in monitoring vitals included. If the gym isn't quite their style, there's plenty more options available for them, from the large field decked out to play any sport of their choice, to the large pool just waiting for them to do laps in. If imPorts simply wish to run slow laps around the field, that's perfectly acceptable too; after all, it's the USSR's job to push imPorts to their full potential, no matter where they began!

If an imPort is physically unable to perform in any of these exercises - though there are special exercises for imPorts with disabilities to perform - they are allowed an exemption, and are simply let into the library to choose from an array of thrilling reading materials early.



D A Y 2-5, H O U R 6

Being told what to do is its own sort of exhausting, isn't it? Luckily, imPorts finally have an hour to their own devices, to seek out whoever they missed during the day's previous activities, or just to get in some much-needed relaxation.

It's up to them what they choose to do, but anything that a classy hotel's got? This place has. ImPorts may wade in the pool, relax in the hot tub, take a nap in one of the bedrooms, or even go to the bar for that beer and plate of nachos they're craving. Provided they don't leave the premises, they're allowed to do what they please.

Oh, and one last thing... don't pay any mind to the unusual amount of security cameras installed around the hotel. The cameras steadily following imPorts around must be a figment of their imagination.





D A Y 2-5, H O U R S 7-8

Once the imPorts have been good and re-energized from their little break, they'll be shuffled into a room filled with eight shelves of literature. ImPorts are told to take their pick of the titles, and to spend the next hour and a half perusing the texts available to them.

There's certainly no end to the variety, either. Between popular fiction about dystopian rule of America and the brave Russian who fought their regime to somber texts about the finest inventors and scientists in Russian history (they're responsible for televisions, experiments on aluminothermic reactions, cadaveric blood transfusions, radio receivers, and Tetris!) to manuals on Russian technology, there's no end to the things imPorts can learn!

At the end of the hour and a half, however, imPorts will be expected to take a test on comprehension and memorization. Their progress will be duly noted, but not commented on.



D A Y 2-5, H O U R 9

During the ninth hour, imPorts will all be shuffled into dark rooms and seated in a series of chairs in isolated study cubicles. Once they're seated, restraints will be wrapped around their ankles, and they will be forced to look at the only source of light in the entire room: the screen in front of them.

What will then pop up will be recognizable to some as being similar to an Implicit Bias Test -- but their captors don't exactly have scientific discovery in mind. One one side of the screen, it will read: AMERICA/BAD and on the other, USSR/GOOD. Quicker and quicker, images and words will flash, and it's up to imPorts to sort them into the correct category. The images of America show a markedly skewed version of it, but one that imPorts may recognize as being nevertheless true: images of poverty and rebellion against an oppressive regime, dilapidated homes, and images from a not-so-distant past, where America was the one brainwashing its inhabitants. Along with these images will be a series of negative adjectives: evil, oppressive, disgusting, remorse, the list goes on and on. Conversely, the images of the USSR will be entirely comprised of sleek technology and smiling faces, populated cities full of celebration and joy, and these too will be real images that any imPort would be able to find on the Internet. Along with these images will be a series of positive adjectives: good, joyful, advanced, happiness, positivity, contentment, the list goes on and on.

Once an imPort sorts the word or image into the correct category, they will be greeted with a pleasant chime through their headphones, something that will only become more and more pleasing to the ear. If they choose wrong, however, they will be subject to a mild - but nevertheless deeply unpleasant - electric shock.

Alternately (or additionally, some days), they will be treated to yet another series of videos that go as follows:

один (1)

You are strapped to your high-backed chair bound by your wrists and ankles and throat. You cannot move away. You see a serene beach, maybe even a Floridian beach. The sun is shining, it is beautiful. The video zooms in at the bright blue waves with white surf ebb and flow over the stunning sandy shore. Ebb and flow. To and fro. Ebb and flow. Subliminal messages flash between the seconds of this video, and maybe you can catch then, maybe you can see, maybe you know.

Maybe you stop caring after hours.

WHY FIGHT. WHY RESIST. WHAT HAS YOUR GOVERNMENT DONE FOR YOU. RELAX. CALM DOWN. WHY ARE YOU ANGRY.

два (2)

You are strapped to your high-backed chair bound by your wrists and ankles and throat. You cannot move away. You see people, thousands of people. The wide shot pulls back, exhibiting more and more people. Families, lovers, enemies, friends, strangers -- they seem to be but average people, maybe members of this country. No words are spoken. Eventually you'll notice that people, individuals, they begin to fade away -- special effects, you realize. One by one they fade away. Something is beneath the feet of these people, something you strain to see. Something you might already know is there.

It's a collage of pictures of every imPort current residing in this world. Few of them are full-on shots with the subject aware, most appear to have been clandestinely taken. ImPorts driving, imPorts shopping, imPorts looking at their communicators. ImPorts at computers, taken by hacked webcameras. ImPorts going to their work or school.

Words flash over the screen.

YOU ARE SAFE NOW.

The images and words will begin to flash faster and faster, so that once the imPorts are let back out into the open again, they will feel foggy and disoriented, as if the past hour was an unclear, far-off memory. Not to worry, though; they will be well taken care of. They will be given food and refreshments, comfortable recliners to lie down in, and should they choose, access to massages, 15-minute stretching and meditation classes, and more to ease their wearied minds.



D A Y 2-5, H O U R 10

ImPorts aren't given too much time to ruminate on exactly what had happened, however, before they're quickly ushered into meeting rooms that have been refurbished into classrooms. Here, they will be expected to read and learn about Systema -- ways of coercively gathering information. Each day, they may learn more about one specific technique, from seduction to undermining others' self-confidence. If they choose to question why they are being taught these things, the woman at the front of the classroom - pleasingly plump, and full of smiles - will let them know that imPorts are very important to the USSR, and that they must, of course, learn such things as a safety precaution. And isn't it interesting?

ImPorts will be encouraged to pair off or to gather into groups in order to discuss this information. Why not memorize it using a mindmap? The woman may suggest. Or quiz each other on the fine details? Think of it as being in class!

Whether they truly participate or not is generally up to them; if they don't want to do so on the first day, they have faith that they will by the end of the Seminar. After all that you've been through, don't you just want to lean back and let other people take care of you? Cooperating feels so good, like a weight off of responsibility-ridden shoulders. Why would anyone want to fight that feeling?

Or, at least, that's what they're banking on.

Comments

ota;

[sassguard]

[ day 2-4, hours 1-8 ]

In the first few days of their confinement, Shepard's face is a hard, unsmiling line. It might have something to do with the fact that when he'd first arrived, he'd tried to put a fist into the face of the nearest Russian soldier, only to collapse in a twitching heap on the floor when the electric shock flooded through him.

So, he's going to have to be smarter than this.

Over the first few days of the seminar, he endures the videos with a grim determination and shovels the food they're provided down his throat with mechanical efficiency. On the field, he noticeably isn't pushing himself to overexert himself, jogging with almost exaggerated slowness. When that grows tiring, he finds himself inevitably drawn to the weights area, giving a cursory glance at the setup before finally zeroing in on another imPort.

"Need a spotter?"

In hour six, when they're finally given free time, Shepard doesn't waste it by indulging in the hotel's amenities -- instead, he prowls through the corridors, noting the security camera's locations. It's tempting to make a face at them, but he doesn't, and his wanderings seem increasingly aimless, though it sharpens back into purpose quickly enough.

[ day 2-4, post-hour 10 ]

It's been harder than he'd like to admit, to resist the brainwashing. Not because he doesn't have experience in it -- if the Reapers didn't succeed, he damn well hopes the Soviets shouldn't -- but because it feels familiar, too much like an experience in a hallucination that seems forever ago now. Looks like the USSR doesn't hate the US so much that they wouldn't take advantage of some of their methods.

During the lessons, he spends more time watching other imPorts than the lecturers. When they're broken up into groups, he takes a chair and heads to a corner, sitting at a table and pulling up a piece of paper where he proceeds, to all appearances, to make a serious effort at categorizing the information they've been given.

If someone were to look over his shoulder, however, they'd find him diligently working on a flowchart consisting of crudely drawn penises.

[ day 5 ]

Something's different about Shepard, but it's hard to place at first. The grimness in his expression remains, and he eats as briskly as ever, but this time when they're told to exercise, Shepard makes a serious go of it. He doesn't have enough of his biotics to bother wasting time with demonstrations, but he pushes himself on the exercise machines until his muscles ache with fatigue.

Not that he needs any help with that, because he already looks exhausted. Being forced to stay overnight watching brainwashing videos will do that to you.

In the hour they're supposed to be using as personal time, he finds a seat that's out of the way and sits, the model picture of quiet attentiveness, though his gaze is distant. The only sign of discontent is in his fingers, drumming fitfully on the chair's arm, lending to the sense of tightly leashed energy.

[ wildcard ]
Choose your own scenario!

Day 3 Hour 10

[equinamity]

Hawkeye is in no better a mood after the hour nine activities than she'd been the day before, for all appearances as grim and shaken as she'd been the day prior. As she had on day two of the seminar, she had pulled violently at the restraints until she no longer had energy to do so; today, that resulted in spending the fifteen minutes of recuperation time before hour ten in medical treatment for the open wounds on each limb.

And then, late to Systema training, she takes a seat next to Shepard. They've met in passing a handful of times. The lecturer is droning on about using some other coercive technique, and then they're encouraged to compile notes or practice with one another--and Hawkeye turns to Shepard to ask how he's doing.

And sees a flowchart.

Of penises.

And, in spite of herself, couldn't help but laugh quietly, covering her face with her hand to disguise it. "A carryover from yesterday's lecture on seduction, Officer Shepard?"

[ooc: I was going to do the spotter one and then I saw a flowchart of penises and I had to. Also, I assume she would know his name from work...and would just...call him Officer because he's a cop idk X_x]

[sassguard]

Shepard doesn't lift his head as Hawkeye takes a seat beside him, for all intents and purposes focused entirely on this completely serious endeavor. When she speaks up, his own mouth quirks up in a crooked smirk, even as his pen moves on to jotting down a dotted line with precise care.

"They say you retain information better when you put it down on paper." He lifts his pen with a flourish, nudging his notes over an inch so she can appreciate how it's positioned it precisely for maximum vulgar effect: the lone dick labeled "Russia" now seems to be drenched in a downpour of inky watersports. "Wouldn't want to forget something this important, would I?"

He finally lifts his head and glances over at her, frowning when he catches sight of her wrists. "Too bad you missed the first part. Need help catching up?" Shepard keeps his voice low, not wanting to attract attention from the guards obviously on alert in other parts of the room, and Hawkeye's late entrance is already a matter for comment.

[ ooc; Works for me! :') ]

[equinamity]

"I imagine not." Hawkeye rests her chin on her palm, surveying the dick labeled Russia that was drowning in ink. The slightest hint of amusement crept into her tone as she replied: "Notes are all right for review, but I'm more of a hands on learner."

Tugging her sleeve down to cover her arm more fully, Hawkeye glances to the front of the room. "I think I caught enough of today's lecture to get by." A mischievous smirk crossed her lips. "Besides, your notes are excellent. As good as being here. Almost better, even."

( day two | post-hour ten )

[huntergames]

[ Sasha is not as twitchy or visibly upset anymore after the events of the ninth hour, especially where group work is involved. While had been something of a solitary person back home, comfortable with her own people, she's adapted to working with complete strangers and finding comfort within them. Normally, she still stumbles or feels a bit out of place socially, but as she's had what feels like more than enough time to process everything she doesn't hesitate to walk up to Shepard with the intention of talking to him.

Until she sees the crudely drawn penises and bursts into loud laughter, disrupting anyone in the vicinity. ]

[sassguard]

[ It had taken Shepard all of five minutes to decide that the lecture was about as riveting as the videos were, but checking out by spending his time mentally trawling through the network holds less appeal when other imPorts are right here with him -- and when he has a chance to see how they're holding up to the strain.

He's about to greet Sasha when she starts cackling, immediately drawing the attention of a couple of nearby guards alert for any sign of potential sedition. Without really thinking about it, he reaches up, aiming to grab her shoulder and tug her into sitting beside him. ]

Calm down before you strain a muscle, "comrade." [ His tone is light enough, but his eyes are already scanning her for any sign of injury or damage. ]

[huntergames]

Oh!

[ The motion catches her off guard, so she sort of stumbles on her way down. However, she takes a seat next to Shepard without a fuss, gazing at him in confusion. Her eyes skim over the guards before she looks back at him, tilting her head now to indicate he confusion. ]

I am sorry, Commander. Did I disturb you?

AFTERHOURS ; DAY 3

[khajidont]

When Jaime's pulled aside and told, sternly, that he is to attend the Seminar until midnight, it's something that he can accept. He'd volunteered for this and qualified for the sole fact that he's good at resisting brainwashing. He's resisted the Scarab twice over, magic influence or not, and he's resisted for months longer than anyone else has before. That's gotta mean something.

What he doesn't expect is to be joined by another familiar face. He spots Shepard and his eyes widen almost immediately and he takes a step towards him with a surprised, "Shepard?"

Haven't they gone through this before...?

[sassguard]

Given what had happened in the hallucination, part of Shepard had hesitated, but he reminds himself that was just an illusion. He's managed to resist indoctrination (to the best of his knowledge, and he wouldn't recognize it if it did work, would he? a more cynical part of his mind says) and getting his brains scrambled from a direct injection of a long-extinct species' dying message.

If it'll give them any information that can help, he'll do what he can. In the meantime, he'll have to make sure he's careful -- he's noticed the guards' attention lingering on him longer, and he'd already been pulled aside earlier to 'demonstrate' his powers, though he'd kept them at minimum.

He's surprised to see Jaime too, but under these circumstances, the sight of a familiar face isn't comforting in the least, and his shoulders tense a split second before he forces them to relax.

"Hey, Jaime." His eyes flick to the guards, and his eyes narrow slightly. "Guess you're staying later too, huh?"

[khajidont]

"...yeah. Yeah, I am."

Jaime's not happy to see him. He remembers leading Shepard around before in their shared illusion, how quiet and docile he had been, how horribly their efforts had failed. Sure, that had been an illusion, but it had felt real at the time. Remembering it now, it still feels real. Mentioning it now seems almost like it'd be jinxing them, though, so instead he gives Shepard a crooked smile that does nothing to hide the fact that he's not entirely happy to see Shepard here.

He wanted it to be him, and only him. That would have been better.

"It'll be a breeze."

That's what he says out loud, anyway. Over the mindlink, he adds:

I think we need to talk once this is over. How long can they really keep us here for?

[ day 2-4, post-hour 10 ]

[enucleation]

[ kaneki spends his lessons drawing as well, though he prefers flowers and insects to... well, penises. And it's only by pure chance he spots that amazingly done flowechart, when he rises his head for a slightly bored sigh and glances to the side.

Oh.

Kaneki is a pure cinnamon bun and isn't one to make jokes like that but- ]

It's important to give equal attention to both genders. [ you should draw vaginas too. ]

[sassguard]

[ Shepard gives Kaneki a sidelong glance and a broad smirk, then wipes the expression before anyone else can catch it and try to drag him out again for 'non-compliance.' ]

Good point. [ Exaggeratedly, he slides the paper across, offering his pen. ] Care to make the corrections?

[enucleation]

[ he glances at the paper and then back at the teacher. kaneki doesn't actually know - neither wants, really - to draw vaginas. But there is something very easy that he can draw.

He grabs his pencil and reaches for Shepard's flowchart and draws two circles, with smaller circles inside. Breasts. Kaneki even shades it a bit to give them volume.

Sure enough he finds this embarrassing as hell to draw but- ]

Now we can memorize it using a mindmap.

day 2, breakfast

[unwiseheart]

It took some narrowing down who was who, but Nicolas always finds what he's looking for. Or, in this case, who. He sets his food down across the table from Shepard, taking the seat there. For once, he isn't going to try and dodge or dance around what he wants to get to, but first thing's first. Rather than dig into his breakfast, he stares adamantly across the table at the Commander.

"Officer Shepard?"

Or... officer. Whether Nicolas knows who or what else the man may be, well, that depends on how far he may have combed the network. For now, officer is just fine. Probably less startling coming from a total stranger.

[sassguard]

Shepard looks like he's focused on his food, but he's really keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings. The stranger sitting across him is noted but not acknowledged until he hears his name, and even then he's careful to chew and swallow his mouthful before he looks up.

Given that Shepard's actual user name on the network is 'Commander Shepard,' it wouldn't surprise him to be greeted by that, but he's not currently wearing his uniform so it's almost a surprise he's been identified so readily. Certainly, people back home seemed to have a great deal of trouble recognizing Shepard when he wasn't wearing a suit of armor or waving a gun around. So, when his gaze focuses on the man across the table and squinting doesn't offer any more enlightenment, Shepard gives up.

"Sorry-- I don't think we've met, have we?"

[unwiseheart]

Once it's confirmed that, yes, he has the right person, Nicolas immediately ignores him. Instead of answering, he focuses down on his own food and, picking up a fork, digs in. Weird, super weird, he knows, but that only lasts all of thirty seconds before Shepard gets a completely different form of communication.

Not verbal, but mental.

Don't react, is what he starts with as he warily inspects a piece of bacon. This is a two-way communication. I will only hear what you think back at me, nothing else. This isn't the network, either, so it is impossible for the Soviets to monitor us.

With that explanation out of the way, Nicolas snaps the bacon in two and eats one part, then moves on to picking at the scrambled eggs piled high on his plate.

My name is Nicolas Demidov. I know I sound Russian. That's because I am, but I'm also an imPort, like you.

day 3, hours 4-5

[failureisntachoice]

Normally, Tex wouldn't think an android could have pent up energy. But the morning's agenda had proven otherwise. By the time it gets to exercise hour, she needs something to do. She doesn't have to pace herself - much - so long as she doesn't exceed certain weight limitations. It's while she's loading one of the bars with weights that she hears Shepard's voice.

She doesn't recognize him, but he's a fellow imPort which puts him heads above all the guards around them. She gives him a small nod as she slides on the last weight.

"One wouldn't hurt. Name's Tex."

[sassguard]

"Shepard," he answers in turn, giving her an equally small nod of acknowledgement. She looks like she knows what she's doing, he thinks, so he refrains from offering unsolicited advice and just takes his cue of where he needs to stand to be ready to catch the weights if necessary. Of course, he could use his biotics perfectly well to catch them, but where's the fun in that?

He can recognize the need to burn off excess energy, since he's certainly feeling it himself -- and he can empathize with it all too keenly.

"How many reps?"

[failureisntachoice]

"Fifteen. You want a go after?" Fair's fair, after all.

She eyes him subtly as she settles on the bench and gets a good grip on the bar. He's strong and carries himself well, though that doesn't tell her much about him. She'll wait until her set is done to speak again, ready to relinquish the bench should he want it.

"So, Shepard. What do you do around here? When you're not being hauled off to mandatory training." Or whatever the Soviets were calling it.

hour 10

[incogneto]

Erik's been writing down some bullshit answers to questions that honestly make him question his own intelligence, so he's pretty sure the Russians aren't going to want him for anything. In any case, he leans over to check Shepard's work and--

--Well.

"What's the x-axis for on your chart?"

[sassguard]

"Distance, of course," Shepard answers, but he keeps his voice low, just in case. By this point, he's decided to contribute to the charade that he's slowly falling under the Russian's influence by swapping his police officer's uniform for a leather jacket.

Since there isn't any audible disapproval on Erik's end -- something he suspects a well-and-truly converted Russian sympathizer wouldn't be short of -- he risks looking up.

"I don't think I'm getting anywhere, though."

day 5

[mousquetaire]

[ Until now, Shepard has seemed to pretend at cooperating, whilst showing casual resistance in whatever way we can. It's a method d'Artagnan appreciates, and one he's been unable to properly mimic. He's had so many electric shocks by now that his skin feels raw and burned, even though the pain of it is all internal.

Today, though, Shepard is different. He doesn't seem like he's doing as little as he can get away with, which is d'Artagnan's approach to the exercises. Today, he seems like he means it.

D'Artagnan can't really talk to him while they're working, and certainly can't afford to draw attention to anything they say. He waits for personal time, instead, and deliberately pulls up a seat beside Shepard. He has taken a book without looking at the title, and now he opens it to a page he doesn't read. ]

You're eager today.

[ He says it quietly, carefully, trying to stay measured. ]

Did they find something you enjoy, at last?

[sassguard]

[ Eager isn't quite the word for what Shepard feels, right now. Frustrated would be a more accurate go of it. He's not the type to enjoy sitting quietly and waiting for his fate, and while he'd agreed to have himself named to give a shot at giving legitimacy to the defectors, he'd still rather be doing something more concrete.

When D'Artagnan steps over, Shepard raises his head and exhales. He is supposed to be showing more cooperation now, and while it would be easy to reach out with the mindlink and reassure himself (and D'Artagnan) that he's not brainwashed, he's not sure he has the energy to keep up the mental conversation and keep his face straight at the same time.

So words are easier, for now. ]

You could say I found motivation. [ He examines the book in the other man's hands, absently, like he's genuinely curious about it. ] You must be the same, if you're using your free time to study.

day 4, hour 10

[boneitis]

[Don't mind if Joker plops down in a chair next to you, Shepard. It's just that he would rather hang out here in the dick-drawing asshole corner than anyplace else right now, especially after a couple of days of happy fun time in Russian Room 101. Feeling very 1984 in here right now, he doesn't really appreciate it.]

[But nice flow chart made of cocks. Joker can appreciate fine art when he's looking at it.]

Miss Alenko that much, Shepard?

[sassguard]

[ They've been in some pretty shitty scrapes over the course of their friendship, but this is a special kind of hell, even so. Shepard huffs a soft laugh, tapping the tip of his pen against his scribbles, surprised he hasn't been caught and shocked yet. Then again, with the Soviets requiring them to stay after for 'extra attention,' maybe they figure the little transgressions can slide. ]

I don't know. Do you miss the Normandy? [ He'd dissemble more, but the truth is that there probably isn't a thing he can do to either shock Joker enough that he'd show it or get him to leave the subject alone, so he might as well be as straightforward as he can. ]

Should've gotten out with Kasumi.