➢ 002 | VIDEO

[looksfine]

[It has been a very interesting two months for Aya thus far. The young not-so-Artificial Intelligence has already learned so much. About Keelai. About the multiverse. About her fellow Foreign "visitors" and, perhaps most importantly, about herself. And how little she actually knows about herself, and the circumstances surrounding her apparent unique creation.]

[Which is what brings her to the Network for a third time. Her eyes are shining with their usual curiosity, although this time, they are enhanced by a certain...hesitation behind them. An uncertainty that emphasizes her surprisingly (and deceptively) young age.]

There is something I am curious about. As your localized Network System appears to be the best place to make such public inquiries, I have chosen to make mine here as well.

[Somehow, when she preempts with this rather innocent statement, it sounds like she's apologizing for wasting everyone's time. Despite the importance to her, personally.]

I have had several conversations regarding...memories. In particular, those that people are able to access, and those they are not. It has been drawn to my attention that, upon departing from this world, any and all memories of this place are to be deleted from one's memory banks without fail. [She is not okay with this, of course, and yet this is still not the main focus of her post.] It has also been drawn to my attention that there are certain memories in which the majority of organic beings are capable of retaining as well as forgetting.

I was programmed to never forget. And yet...I have been made aware that there are certain events which must have occurred in my life that I cannot remember. I find this both curious and disconcerting. Which is why I must ask:

Is it common for one to possess no memories of the circumstances surrounding one's birth?

More so, I am also curious as to precisely what kinds of memories everyone appears to retain best.



[[PRIVATE MESSAGE - TONY STARK (MCU)]]

[Shortly after her more public message, one in a drastically different change of tone will appear on Tony's screen. For either him or JARVIS to encounter first]

I have completed the designs of the sweaters--[here, a small image of said sweater will appear on his screen for visual]-- you requested for the office. Pending your approval, and a total count of sweaters necessary, I shall proceed to create one for each member of the company.

009; joint video;

[washitaway]

[When the feed starts, it’s on an empty suite, showing a slept-on couch, a clean kitchen, and a very snazzy guitar. Astute viewers will recognize it as Booker DeWitt’s guitar. And his suite. Off-screen, voices can be heard.]

C’mon. You just have to ask. It’ll take five seconds. [That would be Elizabeth, apparently back to living with Booker in his suite. It’s a far cry from when we last left our heroes.]

I don’t see why I have to show my ugly mug to half the city, though. [Booker’s voice is lower, but actually not slurred with drink for once. Apparently, Elizabeth being back has sobered him up considerably.]

Because, [Elizabeth begins patiently,] it was your idea, and you need to ask. No one’s going to hate you, and you are not ugly, don’t say that. If you wanted to do an audio-only- y’know, like a voxophone- you should have said something before. Now go sit and ask!

[Very reluctantly, Booker walks into view of the screen and sits down, looking rather abashed. He’s also looking cleaner, fresher and more sober than he has in weeks. He just shaved yesterday, folks, it’s a miracle. Elizabeth trails along behind him, looking quite proud of herself. But she won’t be taking her eyes off of Booker, until the message has been sent. It’ll be a long time before she trusts him with something even like that.]

Anybody know of nice restaurants around here? Um. The rich sort. I had a bit of a windfall recently and. Well, I’m just wondering. Any that might seem like they could be Parisian?

[He frowns and turns back to where Elizabeth is standing, shrugging as if to say ‘do you have anything else to add?’]

[Why, yes, she does, how kind of you to ask, Booker. Actually, at the mention of the restaurant in question being vaguely Parisian, Elizabeth, brightens up considerably. When he’s done, she wraps him in a quick hug, then turns to the screen.] Thank you so much in advance! [And then, back to Booker, almost a whisper as she reaches for the control panel.] And thank you, dad.

[The feed switches off.]

----
[ooc: specify whom you wanna talk to, or both, whatever!]

14F12 [VIDEO: ANONYMOUS LOCATION]

[lostundercover]

[Costigan's a mess, seemingly unperturbed about appearing so terrible in public as he sits at a local cafe in the Wood Sector. He's a little pale and sickly looking, like he hasn't slept in days. Sweat dots his forehead and one of his hands is clenched in a fist that never relaxes.]

Arthur's gone, if you knew him.

I have his files. I worked for him for months. If you want me to continue his services, Security or otherwise, you tell me and we'll figure something out.

[He says it pointedly. Costigan is not opposed to shady work, some of which he knew Arthur was doing and some of which he suspects and hopes to follow up on now that the man is gone.]

For the rest of you, well.. I've been at this shit over a year now and I have news for you: It doesn't get any easier. It only gets worse. I'd say find a way to save yourself the trouble, but there isn't a way out.

It's Billy Costigan, by the way. For those of you who are new.