blondtactician: (Default)
Armin Arlert ([personal profile] blondtactician) wrote in [community profile] maskormenacelogs2014-07-02 10:08 am

hopeful hearts are moving targets [open]

WHO: Armin Arlert and YOU.
WHERE: All over Heropa.
WHEN: 7/1 - 7/7 or so
WHAT: this loser going places doing things talking to people
WARNINGS: possible discussion of canon/spoilers, descriptions of anxiety/PTSD

7/1 - Tuesday Afternoon at the Library - Closed to Skye

[Armin doesn't know much about computers, and there's a lot to know. He has the basics down, at least, and can use google and Wikipedia like a seasoned pro. He even surfs all the messages from imPorts on his free time, attempting to learn more. But he could hardly be called an expert, especially considering most kids his age have grown up using it.

The woman set up her laptop and was using the Wi-Fi and technically it's against policy to bother people about that, even if they're vagrants just hoping to have a wank by streaming porn. Right to privacy laws are pretty restrictive. Still, Armin can't help but wonder what she's up to - glancing at a screen full of numbers that didn't seem like anything most people got up to here.

Couple that with the numerous complaints from other patrons that the bandwidth was all being used and he found himself wondering.

On his break, Armin sits himself down next to Skye, and says,]
Hey. I won't kick you out of here for doing that if you'll show me how.


7/2 - Wednesday Afternoon at the Library - closed to Sansa

[Armin recognizes the red-haired girl from seeing her around on the network. At the time she'd been dressed as a noblewoman. Armin's own dislike for monarchy had made him hesitant to help her, even though, he assumed, she was probably as confused by this place as he'd been at first. After skimming those messages, he'd determine she wasn't in need of his help, as many imPorts offered her insights. He'd been struck at the time by how collected and capable she seemed, but promptly put it out of his mind. Armin had plenty of other things to worry about that month.

Still, she seems to be looking around, and Armin is an assistant to the librarians here. He approaches her and offers a polite smile.]
Is there something you're looking for, miss?



7/3 - Thursday evening at the Mall - closed to Kotetsu

[It's just an ordinary day at a local shopping mall. Armin tries to avoid the crowds when he can, but he couldn't resist a rather impressive sale on skin care products he'd wanted to try. Plus, it would be better to get all of this sort of thing out of the way before the weekend and holiday hit, something he's very much not looking forward to. It still strikes him as ironic that anything involving a war or conflict would be celebrated by what sounded like artillery rounds, but there are some things Armin's made peace with not understanding.

He's in a fairly good mood as he heads out the door, when a loud, bright explosion of noise sounds off in the entryway he's headed out. Without a second thought, Armin hits the deck, diving behind a potted plant as some young men about his age set off a chain of firecrackers.

The smell of fire and gunpowder. A loud commotion, and people frightened. It's only for a few moments - and the boys are quickly chased out of the mall for their dangerous disruption - but Armin can't bring himself down from the spurt of adrenalin that's surged through him.

He's sick to his stomach, afraid, and can't think straight. He's shaking too badly even to get out his cell phone and call someone for help, so he just sits there, his hands over his ears. He dropped his bag, too, one of its bottles rolling slowly away.]



Saturday morning on the Bus - 7/5 - OPEN to the first reply

[It's early morning and already starting to get hot. Armin is reading a huge hardback volume he has to rest gently on the seat in front of him, his ears covered by headphones blasting something loud and guitar-heavy. He's perfectly contented in his own little world until the bus lurches to a stop, and a team of police officers swarm the bus, hauling off a screaming suspect in hand cuffs. A scene plays out on the side of the road as he struggles.

Armin glances to his cell phone for the time. It's too far for him to get to work on his own at this rate. Nothing left to do but hope things are resolved quickly. He pulls off his headphones, trying to hear what's going on a little better.]


What is going on....


Sunday - 7/5 - OTA

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!


Monday Afternoon at an Indian Restaurant - 7/6 - CLOSED to Jean

[There's something about buffets that always both awe and depress Armin a little bit. So much food, freely available for cheap, and all of it delicious. It would be easy to eat oneself sick. But seeing the locals waddle over to the ice cream machine for yet another cup of vanilla mango swirl can put a damper on one's appetite. Still, Armin enjoys this place, happily situated between both the library and Jean's place of employment. Much of the cuisine from the continent of Asia avoid dairy, a boon for Armin's delicate stomach.

He's happy to see Jean - technically, he ambushed the guy and insisted on taking him to lunch - even if he's still getting used to spending time with his friends in these sort of contexts. There's something about the electric lights, the tinny, ever-present music that makes it all seem surreal. Armin sops up some curry with a corner of naan, glancing up at his friend.]


So. What have you been up to?
hackitude: unsure, conversational (but I won't bow down)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-17 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
... Oh. Well. I guess that's... fair enough. No wonder you're loving the library, then.
hackitude: eyebrows raised, informative (but you've given me the wheel)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-18 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's nothing new. That's been going on since the idea of government first took root in someone's mind like five thousand years ago. Young people are a country's greatest resource! Gotta brainwash them to love their country early, y'know?
hackitude: contemplative (where is this higher love?)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-20 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Some are, sure. Some will buy into it, though. Even if it's only a few, that's enough. And the longer it goes on, the more it'll happen.
hackitude: eyebrows hella raised (i know I will figure it out)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-20 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
You mean like, seventy percent of the population, right?

Okay, I just pulled that number out of thin air. And it probably changes depending on what state you're in. I mean, Texas is probably way higher. [She grins, even though she knows the boy won't get the joke.]

The imPort community here actually has an uncommonly high percentage of intelligent life, compared with the rest of the US.
hackitude: unsure (standing out there alone)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-22 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Pffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttt yeah right.

I work for the government back home, and I still have a healthy distrust for them. They're probably keeping information even from their own people. Reap the benefits of working with them? Sure. But I wouldn't trust 'em further than I could throw 'em.
hackitude: unsure, surprised, re-evaluating (well you're the star of right)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-26 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh-- no, I don't work for them here. Are you nuts? Just back home.
hackitude: snark, eyebrows raised (or as i call it: THE DEATH STAR)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-28 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
I was an anti-government hacktivist when they picked me up and offered me a job. I'm pretty sure they already know how I feel about them.
hackitude: wry smile (i wanna let go)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-28 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. Computers are kind of my thing.

[She doesn't even sound boastful saying it, just like it's a fact.]

A hacktivist is someone who hacks things for an activist cause-- like for example, hacking into government servers to retrieve vital information that they've been hiding from the public.
hackitude: head-tilt fake smile (and i'm floating in the sea of wrong)

1/2

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-29 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey... I could totally do that! Just call me 007.
hackitude: unsure, surprised, re-evaluating (well you're the star of right)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-07-29 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Which... I realize, belatedly, is a reference you're not going to get, so... uh. Never mind. He isn't really a thief anyway. Just a... cool... secret agent dude.

I'm going to stop now.
Edited 2014-07-29 15:28 (UTC)
hackitude: smile, grin, laughing (watching the storm passing)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-08-03 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Skye grins easily; she likes this kinda thing. She really gets a kick out of bringing the medieval kids into the world of technology.]

It's cool, I can do that no problem. It's really easy, actually. You don't need to give me anything.
hackitude: conversational, happy, surprised (there must be higher love)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-08-07 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Uh, I don't think that's how it works, buddy. I'm working full time, you're still a student.

You can do something for me if you really want, though, so long as it doesn't cost any money. Make me a mix tape of songs you like, or something.
hackitude: smiling, smug (i was just trying to be myself)

[personal profile] hackitude 2014-08-07 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
Sure. I'll listen to just about anything. Anyway, it's about expressing something about yourself, or the things you like. That's what music's good for. So don't worry about my tastes.

(no subject)

[personal profile] hackitude - 2014-08-08 02:04 (UTC) - Expand