audio; anonymous

[demon_brat]

[Good evening, Keeliai, have your first Damian-as-Robin post. And, yes, it is the slightly different Robin voice, too.]

Considering the level of technology here, there was an item I found on the Mainland that might, I suppose, belong to one of the foreigners. It certainly doesn't match anything native, especially with the organic component in the consoles.

It is a laptop with a glowing symbol on it, and if anyone has something like that, back home, let me know.

[Yes, the specifics of the symbol are left out on purpose. Damian has to have a way to check if the item really does belong to the person who might answer.]

Comments

action.

[sophos]

[She sees him coming quickly enough out of the corner of her eye, but doesn't turn to look at him, merely shakes her head when he sits.]

Robin. [There's a subtle emphasis on the name, because she knows who he is now, and she's almost rolling her eyes. Of course it was him.]

So you found something potentially mine, huh?

[demon_brat]

[... hey, he wasn't hiding being Robin during the post. Only - there are only so many boys that age on the network. And he's not going to go sloppy. Ferreal.]

Very highly likely.

[He watches her for a moment, judging her reactions. Then slowly reaches behind his cape to take the laptop out, eyes still on her.]

[sophos]

[Annabeth spots and recognizes the laptop immediately as soon as the tiniest part of it is revealed, and she has to resist the urge to reach across the table and snatch it away.]

Where was it? One of the cities?

[She taps her fingers on the table. Will it work here? It'll help, it'll definitely help, regardless of how.]

[demon_brat]

[Both the recognition and the fact that she contains herself are in her favor. Damian gives a small nod.]

Not far from where we parted, in fact. Any idea why it might have showed up here?

[because it is a little suspicious. Not the isolated case, either. But the fact that items that belong to people who've been brought in have showed up on the mainland. Not anywhere on Tu Vishan, but in the abandoned cities. It suggests that something else might be in play, and that... well. That makes things complicated. Also worrying, about his concept about this all being somebody's construct where his mind, or all their minds, are trapped. But he's not letting any worry show through. Only the question.]

[sophos]

[She scowls a little, at herself. Had she gone a little further, she would have found it. But then again, she might have missed Eva.]

[Annabeth shakes her head.] I have no idea. Not sure anyone knows why their stuff is showing. Has anything of yours appeared?

[Though she's starting to mull over potential whys with what she's learned, she's not sure what she's going to share about that just yet.]

[demon_brat]

[Clearly she got the best of the bargain, since she is getting the laptop itself, too.]

No. But I showed up with all my relevant equipment.

[And people don't count, right?]

[sophos]

I didn't have my laptop directly with me right before I was taken to this place. That might be part of it.

[She arrived with her cap and knife, arguably bigger priorities than a computer at the time.]

[demon_brat]

... to not having it with you when you came here, or to it showing up now? Though, I suppose, you should feel lucky it wasn't with you when you woke up.

[Because computers and seawater.]

[sophos]

To not having it when I arrived. Everything that came with me was something I had on my person.

But yeah, I'm glad it wasn't with me at the start.

[Yeeeeeah. Because computers and seawater.]

[demon_brat]

[That's where Robin's skills at 'normal conversation' kind of run out. So he. Orders a hot drink. Thick and spicy and very local.]

[And he fixes Annabeth with a look of the white-out lenses. Which... on this kid can look pretty serious.]

You will be careful with what's on it, won't you.

[It's not exactly a threat-- wait, no. It's exactly that.]

[sophos]

[She gives him a look in return. She's not even fazed by the threat - which yes she picked up on - in the slightest.]

No, I'm going to use everything on there to take over the turtle and kill everyone on it.

[So being a smartass is the best way to reply, right? Right.]

[Though that means he looked at it, and suddenly she just needs to have it in her possession, in her hands. It doesn't matter how much she might like the person. People touching her stuff always leaves a bad taste in her mouth.]

[demon_brat]

[Robin's mouth twists.]

That's not very likely to succeed. Even with this.

[But he understands that she is not serious.]

Though, if you try, going after this would be a reasonable move.

[Which is less a threat and more pondering. Leading to wondering what tools the figures of power here on the turtle might be using, with the need to protect the turtle, or at least isolate it...]

[Though he catches the way her gray eyes sharpen and raises and eyebrow at her. Then shakes his head, because he brought it here, he's clearly not going to just leave with it. He flattens his palms on its closed lid for a second, then carefully lifts it and places it in front of her.]

[sophos]

[The prior conversation is put on hold, and she's completely distracted by the laptop in front of her. Her hands reach out to take it, and she pulls it closer, protectively. She's near hugging it against her chest.]

[A piece of home. A new piece of home. After a moment, she looks up at him.] I'm glad you found it. And returned it.

[demon_brat]

[Robin's head is tilted sideways - quite like a curious bird's, in fact. The reaction is... very interesting. And Damian knows he should never allow his emotions thoughts to be that clearly discernible. Ever.]

I don't have interest in stealing things.

[sophos]

[There's a special place in Hades for people who mess with her stuff. Even her siblings won't touch her bunk.]

[Annabeth's usually good at hiding her own thoughts, but she doesn't care as much right now. She'll blame sentimentality, without telling her mother.]

Still. I'm not sure everyone would have sought out the owner.

[demon_brat]

[He's touched, but he hasn't changed anything? Because bats, and having to know, and ... having the skills to do it. It's made some things make better sense, actually.]

[But that statement confuses him a little.]

No? Why not?

[sophos]

[It still counts as touching (bah).]

You looked at it. [There's a slight edge to her tone, because that's still not okay.] You can't tell me there aren't people who would kill for possession of something like this.

[demon_brat]

[Well, yes, it does. Like the stalking, Damian is aware what he is doing, but it bothers him not at all. So long as he doesn't make mistakes.]

[That statement, however, sidetracks him from the subject.]

It is very easy to find reasons to kill, when you are looking for them. Possessions are one of the easiest, I guess.

[sophos]

Even when you're not looking, it can be. For some people.

Besides this - it's pretty important to me. Beyond just how valuable it is as a resource. So all of that - that's why I still appreciate that you've returned it.

[demon_brat]

No, they usually have found them already.

[Robin's head tilts to one side, then nods, slightly.]

It was the thing to do.

[sophos]

[She sort of... awkwardly nods herself.]

Thank you.

[demon_brat]

[Robin's mouth twitches... and he lays money for his order and tip on the table and slips away. She clearly would rather check on the laptop, and he has no problem with that.]

[sophos]

[AND THEN ANNABETH WENT HOME AND SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY ON HER LAPTOP.]

[SHE'D MAKE SUCH A GOOD DW RPER.]