Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease (OPEN)

[outofthepast]

Who: Nick Valentine and YOU!
When: Throughout April
Where: ADI HQ and apartments, Gloucester, various
Summary: Nick acclimates himself to a world before the apocalypse (for now, anyway.)
Warnings: General identity melancholy, other warnings to be added as needed



OOC: Brackets or prose, your preference goes. Nick appears human away from ADI facilities (first two prompts.)

1. Shopping Spree

The general store in Gloucester is a far cry from the Diamond City market, that's for sure. The shelves are clean, tidy, and well-stocked. They take paper currency. All the products are brand new and in their original packaging. Myrna's not screaming at him to stay ten feet away from her. There's no noodle-dealing robots speaking Japanese, and shoplifters probably won't get their legs broken by security.

Even with this human disguise on, Nick can't shake the feeling he's being scrutinized. Maybe it's the anachronistic fashion, a nice, clean, well-pressed suit and fedora like he just fell out of the classic movie channel. Or maybe the items in his basket might raise eyebrows: cigarettes, six boxes of miscellaneous hardware, four bottles of glue, a case of duct tape. The clerk definitely makes some sideways glances at him when he checks out.

"Got a big night planned later," he quips. The look on the clerk's face is worth it, but he'd rather get out of here sooner than later, afterwards.

The rush makes him uncharacteristically clumsy on his way out the door. He collides with an incoming customer, tearing his paper sack and spilling his items all over the doorway.

"'Scuse me. Beg your pardon." He tips his hat and crouches down to gather up the items before somebody asks him what any man needs with two gallons of motor lubricant.


2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

His discomfort at the human disguise that's been forced on him won't get any better if he spends all his time lurking around HQ and avoiding it. So Nick does his best to go out often, poke around Gloucester and try to get used to blending in with everyone else.

It's rainy tonight, misty and cold. The bar didn't end up being his kind of joint, so he stepped out a while ago to have a cigarette before heading back. Under the awning, in the dim glow of a streetlight, he watches night fall and gets lost in his thoughts. Lost in Boston, his home, there across the harbor, right down the road and an entire lifetime away from him.

At last, he throws in the towel. Shakes his head and opens his umbrella, propping it on his shoulder for the walk back to the apartment.

Under an awning up ahead, he spots a familiar face. Someone he's seen around ADI, at least in passing. Probably looking to get back there without getting too drenched.

"You headin' back to ADI?" Nick approaches, the very image of a midcentury gentleman. "We can share an umbrella, if you're keen." He can probably use the company, honestly.


3. A Helping Hand

People who frequent ADI HQ have to be at least a little desensitized to unusual sights. Or so Nick keeps telling himself. It doesn't make it any easier when he's gotten himself into the awkward position of needing to ask for help.

Off in the corner of the cafeteria, the old synth sits at a bench, a toolbox sitting beside him and a grim look on his face. His right hand taps nervously on the tabletop, and his left hangs at his side, unusually rigid.

Ugh. This is humiliating. But they look agreeable enough...

"Excuse me. Could I borrow you for a moment?" Nick swallows his pride and flags down the passerby. "I seem to be in a bit of a scrape and I need an extra set of hands to, uh... straighten something out."


4. All-Nighter

Nick finds himself drawn to the courtyards at the apartment building. It's sad that green plants and well-kept landscapes are such a novelty for him, but it does make a guy appreciate them more. Late at night, when he gets bored of sitting around the apartment, he's made a habit of heading outside for a smoke and a walk. It's nice to enjoy the fresh air and the views, and he doesn't have to worry about waking up George or anyone else.

Normally he's got the place to himself, but his movement sensors pick up someone else about midway through his first cigarette. Nick turns around, yellow eyes glowing bright in the dark, and spots them a short distance behind him.

"You're up late." It's said with a pleasant, friendly tone and a smile, but honestly, that's probably not going to help how alarming he looks, unexpected and in the dead of night.


5. Wildcard

(COME AT ME. Happy to plot, theggnator or Discord!)

Comments

4

[henchgal]

"Just getting back from work. I've been up to my neck in it lately, heading up a project for Aelwyn." The woman walking across the courtyard is in a sensible blue blouse, a dark red necktie (loosened), and a grey pencil skirt. Her shoes are sensible flats, and she's walking with a cane.

She definitely notices Nick's appearance, but after...what, nearly 9 months here?...she's hardly about to be shocked away from housing by a fella with glowing eyes. If the big pink cow didn't scare her off, Nick's not going to, either. Still, he's unfamiliar, and she may as well make nice with the new faces.

"I'm Meredith. Apartment B2, from an Earth, 2021 before I got here."

[outofthepast]

Nick greets her with a smile and a tip of his hat. "Pleasure's all mine, Meredith. Nick Valentine. Apartment A3 and, uh... Earth, 2287." Introductions sure go differently in a place like this.

"Must really have you burning the midnight oil if you're working this late."

3

[failedpromise]

At least it's a familiar face this time?

"Hey Nick." She actually begins to head toward him of her own volition, curious as always about the only other artificial being she's seen here though she slows down, frowning, when she sees the toolbox and the odd way he's holding his hand.

"Sure." She says at his question, and gives a tiny smile. It's not like Cortana has anything better to do. Seriously, what use does she have for a lunch break?

She's pretty sure she already knows what he's about to ask. "How'd you damage it?" She's looking pointedly at the obviously injured limb.

[outofthepast]

It makes sense to ask Cortana. She'll probably understand better than most folks will.

He smiles gratefully as she comes over, but it melts quickly into a sheepish sort of look at the question. "Initially, or at this particular moment?" Because he definitely can't remember the former. "It was bound to pop out sooner or later. The last fix I had on it was sort of improvised, and I hadn't had a chance to get it properly sorted out before I showed up here."

He shrugs off his coat as best he can one-handed. "Ought to be a quick fix. I won't need to get too indecent..."

1.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm gets knocked back out the door in the collision, his phone clattering to the ground as he sprawls on the sidewalk. Maybe he should have been watching where he was going.

"Sorry," he responds to the man whose motor oil and duct tape have tumbled all over the ground. He scrambles to his knees. "Let me help you," he adds, grabbing scattered items.

[outofthepast]

"You all right? Sorry about that. Guess I was excited to bring the haul back home."

Nick gets down on his knees as well, picking up whatever's within reach, which includes the man's phone. He takes a quick look, hoping it isn't damaged, and buffs the screen off on the shoulder of his jacket before offering it back. "Here. Looks okay at least. This one of them ADI models?"

► a helping hand

[vrituom]

She was looking for coffee, just coffee, food was something she'd try and figure out later. She'd not yet had a lot of luck in the cafeteria over the past couple of days, though that was mostly because Quill was stubborn and she hadn't tried a lot of Earth foods previously. Cooking was... still new.

So coffee it was.

She'd done a quick scan of the room when she'd walked in but hadn't paid the man too much attention, starting to look for her coffee. She'd probably wish she had gotten a better look at him after he spoke, a frown on her as she turns from the cupboard she'd been rummaging in.

"A hand for what?"

She's curious and after another moment abandons her search for the minute to walk closer to him.

[outofthepast]

"Mine," he quips, gesturing to his rigid left arm. "Had a little... misalignment. It's happened before, but it's easier to fix it if I can have somebody pull from the right angle."

He appears to have been midway through getting his coat off before she arrived (pretty tricky with only one hand.) A bit clumsily, he yanks it off, leaving him in a button-down dress shirt. That'll have to go too, he mentally laments, Maybe he can manage just pulling one arm so he doesn't have to bare it all out here in front of everyone.

3.

[worthallthis]

Good choice on who to pick, though, Nick. Winter pauses on his way to sit down with his tray of simple fare. He's wearing his usual tac gear, like he always does on days he works, so his robotic left arm is on full display.

He's also usually game to help somebody out, though hopefully it won't involved too much touching.

So he stops and veers over to Nick's table. "Of course. What do you need."

[outofthepast]

"You look like a nice strong fella. If you're keen, I'm gonna have you yank my shoulder joint out of position and squirm it around 'til it catches the assembly."

Already, he's working on shrugging off his coat one-handed. "It sounds way worse than it is, I promise. This happens more often than I'd like to admit."

four

[demonicmiracle]

The rain has never been his favorite thing; too much of the snake in him, too reminiscent of that first, drenching rain. Heading out was probably a mistake, in retrospect, but he'd needed the air and space, and now he's stuck under a bloody awning until the rain lightens up. Maybe he ought to just give up and call a taxi, but he's trying not to spend money on pointless things. He can either wait it out, or get drenched.

Being approached by someone asking about ADI isn't what he expected, and he squints at Nick, recognizing the voice, but not the face. Not when he'd associate that voice with a robot. "Sorry, who're you?"

[outofthepast]

"Oh, right. I forgot." Nick briefly pulls a face with a much more versatile range of expression than he's used to. "It's me, Nick. Valentine?" In case there happens to be another Nick kickin' around the place.

With another somewhat sheepish look, he gestures at the human guise. "Whaddya think? I guess it suits me, but I'm never gonna get used to this."

2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

[setthetone]

At first, Carter enjoys these rainy days, especially after his long stay in the Congo. This here, this is a climate he grew up with, that he's accustomed to, an air that's easier to breathe and a different kind of humidity. And yeah, maybe the first couple of times he walked around without an umbrella on purpose.

Something, something, Toto reference.

But the novelty soon wears off and this time it's not on purpose - meaning he's just as grumpy and miserable as all the other people in Gloucester. So the offer comes as a surprise, but not an unwelcome one.

"Thank you."

He doesn't recognize the man but that doesn't have to mean anything. Already faces are beginning to blur, especially after the last incident. He treated so many during Dunne's attacks, trying to drive the darkness out. Good chance he was up in the med bay at some point.

"I don't think we've met?" he asks anyway and offers his hand, sounding preemptively apologetic in case he's wrong.

"John Carter. I work in medical."

[outofthepast]

"No, I don't think so. I'm fresh off the ol' turnip truck, as they say."

There's always the slightest of hesitations before Nick responds to a handshake. Usually, it's second-guessing how folks will react to the skeletal metal of his worn right hand. Now, it's that, combined with forgetting that right now, as far as anybody can tell, it's just a regular ol' human hand.

He does try to whip past the hesitation quickly though, accompanying it with a friendly smile and tone. "Nick Valentine. I, uh... don't think I've been assigned quite yet, but the tech team showed some interest." Whoops. That's a joke that doesn't really work at the moment.

He holds up the umbrella high enough to accommodate both of them. "So whereabout are you from, Mister- Doctor Carter?"

2

[whisperedone]

The rain posed a bit of a problem. Like snow, it changed the sound of the world around him, made things louder where it's colder counterpart made things quieter, and so it made walking home more difficult. He'd ducked under the first overhang he found and resolved to stay there until it at least lightened enough for him to walk back confidently. At least the pressure in the air had made him reconsider not bringing the traveling cloak he arrived in.

The heavy foot steps in the wet catch his attention and clouded eyes turn towards their approach, his expression tight and clear he's listening. The voice, at least, soothes some of his apprehension. It sounded different again, smoother, but it was familiar. "Ah...Nick, yes? I would be in your debt, I'm afraid I'm stranded otherwise."

At least unless he wanted to risk getting lost.

[outofthepast]

"That's right. And Mr. Garner, wasn't it?" Nick comes closer, holding up the umbrella to accommodate both of them. "Happy to be of service. I'll get us back in one, less soggy piece."

Now, how to go about this. "I'll let you get us set to go. You want an arm, or...?"

4;

[halfdecay]

While most people might yell bloody murder at Nick’s appearance, Owen elects to sneer at the sickly sweet, friendly neighbour remark. Without missing a beat, Owen retorts, “Yes, Daddy. Give me a mo’ before I pop off for a warm bottle.”

There is a sour note to his tone. Not exactly directed towards Nick, but a general miffiness that is difficult to channel elsewhere. He crosses his arms, already feeling the cooler temperature creeping up his lithe frame.

“Shouldn’t you be recharging?”

[outofthepast]

Well, alright then. "Good, since you clearly missed your nap today."

He takes a drag on his cigarette with a little trace of a smirk around it. If the guy wants to be a pill, that's his business. And hey, a bit of verbal jabbing sounds amusing, if nothing else.

"You'd think, but the last time I plugged into an outlet, I caused a city-wide blackout. They don't make my voltage yet."

4

[brunonono]

"Oh...didn't realize anyone else was--"

Bruno's tired voice cuts off in an abrupt squeak as those bright eyes turn on him in the dark, as he sees what he'd missed in the first moments, the ragged edges of Nick's skin so faintly illuminated in the glow of the cigarette. The squeak is followed by a choked-off little sound as he tries and fails to catch his breath, staggering back and feeling along the wall for the door back into the building. He's missed it by several feet.

[outofthepast]

Well, it's far from the first time.

Nick is quick to lift his hands in the universal motion for "I come in peace." "Easy there, fella. I know I'm not much to look at, but I won't hurt anybody. I'm a nice robot."

4

[thedoctorsmate]

Donna freezes. She's clutching a blanket, a thermos, and a little telescope. It's nothing nice like Grandad's, but she's finally pulled the funds together to make a purchse. Getting 'caught' on her first late-night foray is has her panicking for just a moment. And then it's the eyes... and the everything else connected to them. She's seen aliens at this point, but some of them are more alarming than others.

At least he doesn't have a squid face. She makes herself relax.

"Yeah, all right, Dad. You say that to everyone up past 10 PM?"

[outofthepast]

"It's a real chore being half-alarm clock," he replies without a hitch. He takes a long drag on his cigarette, then taps away the ashes off to the side.

"What, is there a curfew or something? I won't tattle, if that's your problem."

3!

[lavorreable]

"Oh, hi Nick!" Jester prances over with her tray of disappointing lunch - though she supposes she can't expect every kitchen to be staffed by a full jellicle array of cats - and sets herself down in the seat next to the aeormaton.

"I'm pretty strong, I can probably help with whatever. Plus I can heal and do mending! Or, well, if my magic was working I could..." A shadow of frustration flits over her expression for a moment, but it passes quickly back into her usual radian smile. "What do you need me to do?"

[outofthepast]

"Well, don't think the healing will help much in my case. But luckily, I think a good jostle'll get the job done."

Nick gestures at his rigid left hand and arm. "Bit of an awkward angle for me, though. Would ya mind lending me a hand real quick? It'll be painless for both of us, I promise."

1!

[lowficharm]

There's not a ton of reasons for Martin to go out shopping- food is handled by ADI and he isn't much of a clothes person- except for when there's something he or his roommates want. It's also just nice to have certain preperatory items which also make very little sense sometimes. He's pretty sure he's known to this general store person as 'the guy who asked a lot of questions about Christmas lights once' and 'buys a lot of fire extinguishers for some reason'. It's fine. He's fine. Everyone has their things.

He's thinking about what he's here for this time when he collides into Nick, sending him stumbling backwards and almost off his feet. Martin isn't a small guy, so he naturally thinks this is his fault, and as soona s he can stand properly he's scrambling to try and help. "I'm-- I'm so sorry, didn't see you there but, uh, k-know I should have, apologies--"

Maybe he's babbling too hard to even notice what he's grabbing, if Nick's lucky.

[outofthepast]

"Hey, don't worry about it. It takes two to tumble. I wasn't watching where I was going." The lanky gentleman doesn't seem bothered, even as he scoops up a uniquely weird assortment of items scattered around the floor and replaces them in the remnants of the sack. That's obviously not going to work, so he'll have to get a replacement from the register.

"Say, have I seen you 'round ADI? You look familiar."

4

[aelwyn_aberration]

[Aelwyn approaches, only mildly surprised by his appearance. She has a computer bag slung over her shoulder, but it's certainly not a computer inside it. Besides setting up for her own false flag operation, she does need to feed in order to keep her powers.

It's not desperate, though. She can't say she's met a metal man, especially not one that looks like an uncanny mix between human and machine, but she's at least heard of them. The dwarves built them as servants, but they became sentient, and Soulforger demanded they be set free.

Probably a different scenario here, but the same principle she imagines.]

Not particularly. Humans just demand a full eight hours of sleep, supposedly. It's very greedy of them. [She glances at his cigarette, pulling one of her own from her jacket pocket.] Got a light, metal man?

[outofthepast]

Sure, sure. [He smiles, dipping a hand in the pocket of his trenchcoat for his lighter. Wordlessly, he lights her cigarette for her, then returns it to the pocket.

"Metal man" doesn't bother him. It's just a neutral descriptor, really.]

So would that imply you're not human yourself?