It's the only way to be sure [Open]

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

So many people had recommended the Media Library to Soren that it ended up being one of the first locations on-ship that he paid a visit to. As promised, there was plenty of information to be found in convenient, electronic format.

Convenient for everyone who wasn't essentially from a medieval time period and thus had no framework for understanding computers, let along databases.

Losing patience, Soren began mashing the controls on some kind of instrument panel, and was rewarded with a moving picture featuring humans being menaced by floating tin plates, a woman singing about less-than-optimal romantic encounters, and some sort of storybook featuring a blue-skinned 'space explorer' and his evil nemesis (both with rather improbable hair).

"Infernal machine," he hissed, hitting the table with one small, bony magefist. "I'll show you a bad romance."

As far as he was concerned, the future should be destroyed. With fire.

Comments

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

Right then. Avoiding all computer-related terminology.

"What did you ask the device to search for?"

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

"I was trying to find some reference materials about the various technologies that have been invented since my time period. Offensive weaponry in particular, though not to the exclusion of all else."

He'd avoid mentioning that he'd tried to type something along those lines into the !!horrible!! device, and essentially gotten nowhere with mispresses and wrong choices before he'd managed to get himself into a bizarre state.

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

Hei stared at Soren for a moment. How in the world did he get alien movies and pop songs from offensive weaponry?

"I can pull it up for you," he said, gesturing at the device. Of course, doing so would mean that Soren wouldn't be learning how to use the thing, but it seemed like the other should probably start with an even more basic lesson in computing before taking on the search engine.

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

To some species, pop culture was weaponry, Hei. Just ask the Zentraedi.

"I would... appreciate it," said Soren. He'd learn how to use the infernal thing later. Maybe after smashing it a few times. "A shame there's no librarian about."

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

Hei came over and started inputting what he assumed would be a set of appropriate keywords. After seeing the results pop up and deciding that they'd be good enough, he turned his attention back to Soren.

"What about these?"

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

Soren looked the list over. Well, it seemed that the results this time had still been quite inclusive (the 'cotton gin'? Was that a weapon?), but Soren would rather have a little too much information than not enough.

"I think that should do. Thank you." That concern addressed, Soren glanced back at Hei. "...But what are you doing here? Do you have something of your own you wish to investigate?"

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

"I make it a point to explore any place I'm staying at."

Mind, most places Hei stayed at were not gigantic ships and didn't require such extensive exploration, but well, it wasn't like he had anything else he really wanted to do in any case and old habits died hard...

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you ask?"

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

"I see. I suppose you could say I'm on a similar mission." After Soren obtained for himself a nice long compendium of useful information to occupy himself with, he'd continue his exploration of the ship.

He raised an eyebrow at Hei's question. "It is common courtesy to show mild interest in the affairs of those with whom you're speaking."

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

"Common courtesies don't always make sense in uncommon situations," Hei answered, unmoved. If others wanted to view him as paranoid, that was fine. The opinions of others rarely made it very high on his list of priorities.

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

"I see. Well, in that case, I was trying to determine your next course of action in order to best destroy you once your concentration was directed elsewhere. You see, I've been plotting your downfall since we first met."

Soren was revising his previous opinion of Hei. Hei was more like that Sothe character Ike had picked up during the Mad King's War. Suspicious, lacking in manners or tact, and thus tedious to talk to.

Perhaps not the most fair appraisal, especially considering how difficult Soren himself was to interact with. But Soren wasn't a particularly fair person.

[unpaidcontract.livejournal.com]

"Do what you want," Hei replied as he stepped aside and away from the other. He was fairly sure that Soren had just said that out of irritation, but even if that was a genuine threat, he'd be ready for it. His occupation demanded it after all.

Hei didn't bother to give Soren another look before disappearing further into the media library.

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

Soren resisted the urge to roll his eyes, then returned to his reading.