outofthepast: (Silhouette)
Nick Valentine ([personal profile] outofthepast) wrote in [community profile] apocalypsehowcomm2022-04-16 06:47 pm

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

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, [plurk.com profile] theggnator or Discord!)


failedpromise: (Oh?)

3

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-04-17 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
failedpromise: (Face)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-04-20 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
You know, looking at Nick, an improvised fix isn't all that surprising. She has to wonder if any of his repairs aren't improvised to some degree.

Okay, the last bit gets a laugh: she's pretty sure if anyone would be considered indecent here, it's definitely not him. Even without the coat, he'll still be wearing more clothing than she is. You know, considering she's not wearing anything at all. She sits down next to him and reaches to take his hand in hers once he's got the coat off in order to examine it.

"Just how often does this happen?" Her tone is light, but there's a hint of concern there.
failedpromise: (Look)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-04-20 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Both, actually." She's pretty sure she can guess the answer, and of course, she doesn't like it.

She frowns. "For now it can probably be popped back into place, but if this is happening repeatedly, you might want to look into replacements." For the moment, that's all she has to say about that. "So, what do you need me to do?"
failedpromise: (Face)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-04-27 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
She snorts at his comment.

"Got it." And she'll grab his wrist and do as instructed, looking thoughtful as she does. "You know... I'm pretty sure the 21st century had the technology to custom mill or print parts. A replica might be possible." It's something to think about, at least.

She doesn't want to watch another AI degrade like this. Not when it doesn't have to be that way.
failedpromise: (Face)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-04-30 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Unless you have files specifying the exact materials and dimensions of the parts in question, they'd need to be removed and measured in order to make replicas, yes."

He'd likely lose use of the limb in question for hours or days while that was being worked on, but it beats falling apart all the time. At least, in her opinion it does.

Once he's got things snapped back into place she'll let go and watch as he moves his fingers.
failedpromise: (Profile)

[personal profile] failedpromise 2022-05-12 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"While I agree it's not exactly a good time, the knowledge might come in handy." If there's an emergency, knowing the details of how he works could save his life, or at least make repairing him easier. She won't force him though.

"I'll keep that in mind." For now, she's just glad he's in working order.