#v. augmented boogeyman

[jsbashirmd]

[[ unplotted starter for @lietwice

Garak, Julian realized, after a month or so of watching him, was like him in some ways. In more ways than he'd expected. And, more worryingly, Garak saw him. He saw more of him than anyone else. Garak suspected something. But there was nothing Julian could do about that, except to restrain his urges until suspicions passed. And to keep his distance, which was much more challenging than expected.

He lasted another seven months, before he knew Garak knew. The man who had attacked them was dead on the ground and Julian never had been able to pretend well at horror. Or at guilt. "Are you alright?"

[sindri42]

Also you might have missed this if you weren't paying attention, but every single "cyberpsycho" you meet or hear about became violent for unrelated reasons. Most of them have serious trauma and no support structures. Others were sadistic bastards or had violent impulses and minimal impulse control before they got their first augment. The chrome makes them more dangerous, and it can be a contributing factor when like, somebody EMPs your eyes and now you can't tell if what you're looking at is real data or a system error until you get fixed up, or your face is permanently branded with the logo of the corp that fucked up your life, but the chrome is pretty much never the cause. The media just likes to lump every cyborg who goes on a rampage together under a single label, because a) this gives MaxTac an easy excuse for slaughtering them in the streets with no questions asked, and b) a big scary boogeyman like that helps keep the population compliant.

So let's look at V again. She goes on a job that goes bad, her best friend dies in her arms, she starts hallucinating the ghost of a washed up rockerboy who keeps telling her to burn the city to the ground, and she decides to kill several thousand people over the course of a multi-week binge of sex, drugs, and ultraviolence in which nobody can stop her because she's just too fucking dangerous to beat. In short? You've been playing the cyberpsycho all along.

Another YouTube comment I see a lot of "why doesn't V suffer from cyberpsychosis! It should have been a feature in the game!" Because ya know davids struggle in the anime.

Ya'll motherfuckers are gonna make them add that shit into the next game. You think I wanna deal with trauma from my fictional fucking character. I already deal with that shit in real life!!

Well firstly the creator already explain that V has a higher than usually humanity. They can just process trauma better. But also just Johnny- (I didn't even know this). Johnny already has miner cyberpsychosis. Johnny adds another layer of protection to V so they can go through any cyberwear without a problem. Besides they are also dying so all that stress doesn't out weight the fear of death.

[jsbashirmd]

Kay I've been watching too much Dexter. So serial killer Julian? Julian who grew up into exactly the sort of monster everyone is afraid all augments are. Who kills because he feels like he has to, because his parents destroyed all hope of control over his own life and he has to take it back somehow. Julian who kills those who discriminate against disabled people just as quickly as he does those who think people like him should be put down. Julian who mercifully aids patients with end of life decisions, then seamlessly switches to killing patients he thinks need to be taken out of the world.

I dunno, I just think it would be neat. Especially put up against Garak and his issues.

[jsbashirmd]

When lunch comes, Julian is wary. Wary enough, unfortunately, that it shows. But with Garak's motivations and willingness to take risks for himself undetermined, a public meeting of any sort poses an unhealthy risk for Julian. He can't bring himself to not show and risk the unknown, though, so he slides tensely into his chair across from Garak and interlocks his fingers on the edge of the table. "Hello. I saw Odo headed your way yesterday. Everything okay? You weren't robbed, were you?" Obviously it was about their missing man, but him bringing it up needn't sound suspicious. Their head of security is notoriously predictable, after all, and any deviation from his something worthy of comment.

He's not allowed to have a partner. Anyone besides himself is too much of an unknown. A liability. A risk he can't afford. He'd been engaged to marry a woman he loved and he still hadn't been able to tell her anything. What could possibly make Garak think Julian can share this with him? He smiles back, but it's sad. Brief. He shoves the device back into his bag and runs his hand back through his hair, which leaves it less managed than before, though at least the piece which had fallen into his face stays back. "There's no point to wondering something like that. If you could bring in those trousers at the waist, I'd appreciate it; you have my measurements. Have a lovely night, Garak."

And then spins sharply on his heel and he leaves, because what else is he supposed to do? Talk about his feelings? Open up? No. He can speak to Garak again when he's gathered himself. Lunch in two days will do.

And in the meantime, he can hope Garak has the good sense to clean up thoroughly.

[jsbashirmd]

He's not allowed to have a partner. Anyone besides himself is too much of an unknown. A liability. A risk he can't afford. He'd been engaged to marry a woman he loved and he still hadn't been able to tell her anything. What could possibly make Garak think Julian can share this with him? He smiles back, but it's sad. Brief. He shoves the device back into his bag and runs his hand back through his hair, which leaves it less managed than before, though at least the piece which had fallen into his face stays back. "There's no point to wondering something like that. If you could bring in those trousers at the waist, I'd appreciate it; you have my measurements. Have a lovely night, Garak."

And then spins sharply on his heel and he leaves, because what else is he supposed to do? Talk about his feelings? Open up? No. He can speak to Garak again when he's gathered himself. Lunch in two days will do.

And in the meantime, he can hope Garak has the good sense to clean up thoroughly.

Normally, everything Garak does is charming, to some extent or another, but in this situation, he finds the way he smiles and transforms into a tour guide to be incredibly irritating. Which may, he realizes, be the point, given he's trying to get Julian to share. He does look where he's pointed to, but he doesn't reach under the desk to touch. Instead, he grimaces, flips open his bag, and pulls out the small device he'd brought. It fits comfortably in one hand, small controls covering the curved top, and though he doesn't explain any of it, he doesn't exactly hide that he's pointing it at the body and making adjustments. After less than a minute, he's apparently satisfied, and with the pull of a trigger, the body dematerializes and he puts the little device away again. "The pattern is already being scrambled and erased. There won't be an obvious point of origin or clear target for the energy. Satisfied?"

[jsbashirmd]

Normally, everything Garak does is charming, to some extent or another, but in this situation, he finds the way he smiles and transforms into a tour guide to be incredibly irritating. Which may, he realizes, be the point, given he's trying to get Julian to share. He does look where he's pointed to, but he doesn't reach under the desk to touch. Instead, he grimaces, flips open his bag, and pulls out the small device he'd brought. It fits comfortably in one hand, small controls covering the curved top, and though he doesn't explain any of it, he doesn't exactly hide that he's pointing it at the body and making adjustments. After less than a minute, he's apparently satisfied, and with the pull of a trigger, the body dematerializes and he puts the little device away again. "The pattern is already being scrambled and erased. There won't be an obvious point of origin or clear target for the energy. Satisfied?"

It's perfectly fair, is the thing. Garak is correct that he's revealed a great deal already, and if this all was based on fairness, Julian would be forced to agree that it was his turn. Part of him wants to agree, and his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag may even indicate that. But fairness to others doesn't really factor into his personal set of rules--not when it comes to this--and Garak must see that, given his next offer. "Well. I won't turn that down. Please, Garak. Show me around your secret lair and all its hidden treasures."

[jsbashirmd]

It's perfectly fair, is the thing. Garak is correct that he's revealed a great deal already, and if this all was based on fairness, Julian would be forced to agree that it was his turn. Part of him wants to agree, and his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag may even indicate that. But fairness to others doesn't really factor into his personal set of rules--not when it comes to this--and Garak must see that, given his next offer. "Well. I won't turn that down. Please, Garak. Show me around your secret lair and all its hidden treasures."

Julian does lock the door, quite casually and with an easy smile that, in this circumstance, suggests practice controlling his expression that few men his age have. He watches carefully, as he follows to the back room, and notes the apparent trigger for the door, as soon as it's revealed to be one. "I suppose we shall." He steps through into what could do easily be a trap or worse, his heart pounding, and when he sees the body, he lets out a brief sigh and finally sets down the trousers, though not his bag. "So. Show and tell, then? I can't say I'm eager to do that."

He watches Garak carefully, looking for clues to what exactly this all is, and when he finds disgustingly little, his nose crinkles slightly before looking down and back towards the body. He should just take care of it and be done with things, but he really does want to see Garak's methods, assuming he has some. And he doesn't want to reveal his own, no matter that he's fetched it and all already. "Have you done this much, then?"

[jsbashirmd]

Julian does lock the door, quite casually and with an easy smile that, in this circumstance, suggests practice controlling his expression that few men his age have. He watches carefully, as he follows to the back room, and notes the apparent trigger for the door, as soon as it's revealed to be one. "I suppose we shall." He steps through into what could do easily be a trap or worse, his heart pounding, and when he sees the body, he lets out a brief sigh and finally sets down the trousers, though not his bag. "So. Show and tell, then? I can't say I'm eager to do that."

He watches Garak carefully, looking for clues to what exactly this all is, and when he finds disgustingly little, his nose crinkles slightly before looking down and back towards the body. He should just take care of it and be done with things, but he really does want to see Garak's methods, assuming he has some. And he doesn't want to reveal his own, no matter that he's fetched it and all already. "Have you done this much, then?"

Julian flushes and looks away, but he has enough mental discipline to keep at least half of his thoughts where they're supposed to be, rather than on that suggestion. The problem here, is that he doesn't particularly want to reveal to Garak his exact method of body disposal and what it looks like in addition to where he keeps it, which has already been heavily implied. And he doesn't want to give up control. To trust Garak with this. He breathes in deeply, hesitates a few moments longer, then nods and, with only one more glance down at their problem, he leaves, looking as casual about it as he ever does.

When Julian returns, it's with a pair of slacks folded over his arm and a casual bag slung over his shoulder. He looks for anything like he's just had a consult with Garak and then gone to fetch the article of clothing in question and corresponding payment.

[jsbashirmd]

Julian flushes and looks away, but he has enough mental discipline to keep at least half of his thoughts where they're supposed to be, rather than on that suggestion. The problem here, is that he doesn't particularly want to reveal to Garak his exact method of body disposal and what it looks like in addition to where he keeps it, which has already been heavily implied. And he doesn't want to give up control. To trust Garak with this. He breathes in deeply, hesitates a few moments longer, then nods and, with only one more glance down at their problem, he leaves, looking as casual about it as he ever does.

When Julian returns, it's with a pair of slacks folded over his arm and a casual bag slung over his shoulder. He looks for anything like he's just had a consult with Garak and then gone to fetch the article of clothing in question and corresponding payment.

It's an enormous, stupid risk. One Julian really can't afford to take, even with a man he knows just watched him choke the life out of someone. But there's something deeply compelling about the intimacy and trust Garak is proposing, and the part of Julian that aches for anything that makes him feel alive can hardly resist. "If I leave and come back," he says carefully, "it will draw attention here." There's several ways around that he can already think of, but he has to at least throw it out.

[jsbashirmd]

It's an enormous, stupid risk. One Julian really can't afford to take, even with a man he knows just watched him choke the life out of someone. But there's something deeply compelling about the intimacy and trust Garak is proposing, and the part of Julian that aches for anything that makes him feel alive can hardly resist. "If I leave and come back," he says carefully, "it will draw attention here." There's several ways around that he can already think of, but he has to at least throw it out.

"Ah," Julian says, "But I'd have to leave to get it, and that would give you opportunity to finish before I get back. Which would be very rude of you." Garak is exceptionally good at this metaphor thing. Far better than Julian could ever hope to be, though he can, at least follow it. He thinks.

[jsbashirmd]

"Ah," Julian says, "But I'd have to leave to get it, and that would give you opportunity to finish before I get back. Which would be very rude of you." Garak is exceptionally good at this metaphor thing. Far better than Julian could ever hope to be, though he can, at least follow it. He thinks.

Oh, that's very attractive. Which he realizes is entirely the incorrect reaction to anything immediately after killing a man, when he's meant to be drowning in guilt, but he can't help it. "Their own projects, hm? And don't I? Have my own projects? I would have thought you'd noticed that." Julian makes intense eye contact, almost unable to look away, and after a moment, he smiles. Also the wrong reaction, but in this case, he thinks, maybe it's also entirely correct.

[jsbashirmd]

Oh, that's very attractive. Which he realizes is entirely the incorrect reaction to anything immediately after killing a man, when he's meant to be drowning in guilt, but he can't help it. "Their own projects, hm? And don't I? Have my own projects? I would have thought you'd noticed that." Julian makes intense eye contact, almost unable to look away, and after a moment, he smiles. Also the wrong reaction, but in this case, he thinks, maybe it's also entirely correct.

He doesn't believe it for a second, of course, but it makes him feel all sorts of ways, that Garak thinks so. Slowly, he wets his lips, dwelling on that feeling. Then he refocuses, because really, he needs to make sure that this is done right. "Oh no, I couldn't do that, Garak. I'm already involved, after all. Wouldn't want to split up now. I can help."

[jsbashirmd]

He doesn't believe it for a second, of course, but it makes him feel all sorts of ways, that Garak thinks so. Slowly, he wets his lips, dwelling on that feeling. Then he refocuses, because really, he needs to make sure that this is done right. "Oh no, I couldn't do that, Garak. I'm already involved, after all. Wouldn't want to split up now. I can help."

Is Julian a customer? It's hard to tell, the way Garak tends to speak, in half-truths and vague statements and riddles. His head tilts curiously again, his eyebrows drawn slightly together and his lips struggling not to quirk up into a smile. "You don't think my hands are already dirty?" What his hands have done is currently sprawled across the floor at their feet, the imprint of his improvised garrote visible on the man's neck.

[jsbashirmd]

Is Julian a customer? It's hard to tell, the way Garak tends to speak, in half-truths and vague statements and riddles. His head tilts curiously again, his eyebrows drawn slightly together and his lips struggling not to quirk up into a smile. "You don't think my hands are already dirty?" What his hands have done is currently sprawled across the floor at their feet, the imprint of his improvised garrote visible on the man's neck.

Hmm. It's a good point, that Garak has a great deal to load from this as well. Of course it's Julian's trace evidence all over the murder weapon, but that could be written off, since he was present, and being in Garak's shop, it very well might have his on it as well. Usually... Well. Usually, Julian is more careful. It's been too long since he last killed, and he's gotten sloppy. That, somewhere deep inside his chest, is thrilling, but that's hardly a reason to lean into it. "And how do you propose we go about this disposal, then?"

[jsbashirmd]

Hmm. It's a good point, that Garak has a great deal to load from this as well. Of course it's Julian's trace evidence all over the murder weapon, but that could be written off, since he was present, and being in Garak's shop, it very well might have his on it as well. Usually... Well. Usually, Julian is more careful. It's been too long since he last killed, and he's gotten sloppy. That, somewhere deep inside his chest, is thrilling, but that's hardly a reason to lean into it. "And how do you propose we go about this disposal, then?"

Julian hums, and after a second, he deliberately tilts his head to match Garak's. "Do we? This is a clear case of self-defense." Except it isn't, because for all that this man had intended harm, he hadn't had a chance to cause any. There's no proof, and it will draw unnecessary suspicion to present this to Odo. But can he really trust Garak to keep his secret? At least if they plead self-defense, he can handle the fallout right away rather than waiting for Garak to betray him. So this is a test, and a question entirely different than the words indicate.

[jsbashirmd]

Julian hums, and after a second, he deliberately tilts his head to match Garak's. "Do we? This is a clear case of self-defense." Except it isn't, because for all that this man had intended harm, he hadn't had a chance to cause any. There's no proof, and it will draw unnecessary suspicion to present this to Odo. But can he really trust Garak to keep his secret? At least if they plead self-defense, he can handle the fallout right away rather than waiting for Garak to betray him. So this is a test, and a question entirely different than the words indicate.

[[ unplotted starter for @lietwice

Garak, Julian realized, after a month or so of watching him, was like him in some ways. In more ways than he'd expected. And, more worryingly, Garak saw him. He saw more of him than anyone else. Garak suspected something. But there was nothing Julian could do about that, except to restrain his urges until suspicions passed. And to keep his distance, which was much more challenging than expected.

He lasted another seven months, before he knew Garak knew. The man who had attacked them was dead on the ground and Julian never had been able to pretend well at horror. Or at guilt. "Are you alright?"