heavy is the heart

atlas director

[rosesandrorys]

“Yeah, I could scare a couple of the little ones from trying to do the same to the routers. Now, I understand all those words separately, but when put together, they form gibberish. But again, you don’t have to apologize. I could listen to you talk technical jargon for hours if it meant a break from the usual. It is very, very far away, but paradoxically, closer than you would think. Also, I fancy myself a coffee purist, but can never really help myself when it comes to those sugary frappuccinos. Nefarious may be….stretching it. It’s just a bad feeling. The only reason I’m listening to it is because I’m a spy, and these feelings save my life sometimes.”

[atlasism]

“I will stop myself from apologizing again. Hours? Truly? I would much rather listen to you talk of your exploits and the like, rather. I rarely drink coffee, or frappuccinos. That is certainly true, Selene, and a good survival instinct to have. You may be right. My suspicions are high. The only thing that concerns me is this... is it an internal affair, or not?”

[um-reese]

“Okay, I get that. But just say the connection comes back, would I be able to change it then? Maybe even rename what the Wi-Fi’s called.”

[atlasism]

“I cannot think of a valid reason not to allow it. Yes. What will you rename it?”

[houseless]

I was actually here to ask you if you wanted any help….with anything really. The medical bay is uncharacteristically empty. And the two new recruits seemed very eager to try running things on there own for an hour or two. You just seem very…frustrated, and I figured if anyone could use a little assistance at this time, it’s you.

[atlasism]

“I... seem frustrated? My apologies, I do not intend to be. I am uncertain of how exactly you could assist me, Themis, but give me a few moments and perhaps I will think of something. Empty? Are you certain Epione does not need your help with anything? Hm. Of course... she does not, however...” 

[oferisx]

“You’re welcome. Of course I’m keeping an eye on my recruit. What kind of mentor would I be if I didn’t? You’d be happy to know that we get along very well.”

[atlasism]

“Good. A few... have been perceiving this as something less than serious. It is disconcerting. Gaia will not be pleased. Interesting notion, from you. Give me a quick evaluation of your recruit, Eris, I would love to get my mind off of the problems for a moment. Do you mind?”

[epiohne-blog]

                        She had noticed his small pause.

She also ignored it as well. Maybe if he’d eaten when everyone else had, he wouldn’t have had to hear what she had to say while eating.

At his questioning her comment, Epione nodded with a grin forming on her face as she started to speak again. Her chair stood still now, turned to face him as she rested her hands together against her stomach while she slouched lazily.

                        “Yep. Technically. The desecration of a body is very illegal.                         And also, of course, murder’s a legal no-no as well.                         But, eating another human? Isn’t.”

A hand went up to play with her hair absently as she spoke. “For example, say you came to me and offered to cut off your arm so I could eat it— never mind that the arm wouldn’t be very good, but just suppose that you did— so long as you were consenting and you were still alive after I ate your arm, I wouldn’t get in any trouble.”

She had been talking ninety miles per hour, as per usual when she was with him; trying to fit as many words in as she could was something she’d perfected over the last half decade she’d known him. Epione only took a breath when she paused, peering at him with narrowed eyes. 

                        “That’s not to say I want to eat your arm, though.”

[atlasism]

Epione was not terrible company. She was not completely ( --180 degrees ) spinning incessantly in her chair, questioning every action Atlas took to resolve the technical issues. Perhaps it was because she didn’t care, perhaps she knew she wouldn’t understand the details. 

                            The interesting dinner topic of conversation was another reason. 

Sitting back in his chair, Atlas listened to her explanation, his eyes training on the flickering static on the large-paneled screen before him and put down his fork. His work. 

Despite appearances and the rapidity of her words, the Quartermaster caught everything. His eyes did not meet hers, instead returning to his food. He hadn’t realized he’d skipped breakfast and lunch. “... Legal if it is consensual,” he stated, as if saying ‘of course’. Another pause, longer this time. Atlas had long since developed an immunity to humor, but Epione had been his recruit once.     “Are you certain I would not taste delicious?”

[electramina-blog]

          A pause and then— brows furrowed. 

         “I knew that. I was just wondering if           you knew where my mentor could            be hidin’.”

[atlasism]

Atlas took a moment to reply. “---You think your mentor is hiding... down here?”

[epiohne-blog]

                                 Tick, tock.                                       Tick, tock.                                          Tick, tock.

                     The clock on the wall was irritating her.

It was loud, too loud for a clock. Or maybe the room was just too silent. With the company she currently kept, it was more likely that the latter was the cause, and not the former.

                  Epione looked over to Atlas,                   pleased to see he had finally taken the food she’d brought him,                   and she ran her tongue over her teeth.

                                    It was too quiet.

So, not caring that he had just taken his first bite, or that the topic she’d decided to bring up was rather… macabre. Epione piped up from her chair, spinning it lazily as she spoke.

                  “Did you know… technically, cannibalism is legal?”

[atlasism]

The cafeteria served a variety of food and tonight’s choice dish, according to Epione, was Chinese. The Quartermaster let a soft sigh leave his lips before opening his mouth to eat a bite, realizing he wasn’t even thankful that the food was actually and miraculously warm rather than room-temperature. 

               ---The electricity wasn’t completely out. 

Pausing mid-chew, Atlas cocked an eyebrow after the relatively small brunette’s notion and then continued eating... at a slightly slower pace. He peered into his plate, imagining an eyeball or two hidden under the tangle of noodles. 

                        “...Technically?”

[reaganspies]

“Google it? Why would I Google it? That’s ridiculous.” She shooked her head at his accusation. slightly offended. “No, I’m adding it to my list of bullshit excuses they’ve given me at my stay at Olympus that try to prevent me from having any fun and— Wow. Yours is actually at the top of it, nice job.”

[atlasism]

“Ah, of course. I should not have doubted your intellectual prowess for a single moment.” He raised his eyebrows, a rare expression of amusement crossing his features. “Tell me, what exactly is your definition having ‘fun’? Are you aware that you are training to become a spy here at the Olympus Initiative? ---My apologies, I nearly began to doubt you again.”

[gydeon]

                   “Oh, no —— that’s not….I wasn’t             going to…never mind.”

                         “Look, I know you’re busy, but I need           to know —— is this something we should                be worried about?”

     { … }

 “I know I’m a pessimist and everything, but don’t                         lie to me! I have that weird Bewitched skill,                                            okay, I can always tell.”

[atlasism]

“...I am not one to hide the truth, as you know. The fact that you feel lied to, however, is mildly disconcerting and I apologize. To anyone who has asked, I say this: I am unsure of exactly how to resolve the problems we have been experiencing... and uncertainty is always troubling.”

“Perhaps, what you meant to ask... was... am I worried.”

[brendonyoung]

“I know. I think it’s your eyebrows.” She mused. “You look permanently grumpy, and that tone doesn’t help either.” 

“As well as I can be with this lighting situation, I’m about five seconds away from going into an epileptic fit.”

[atlasism]

“...My eyebrows? I do not understand how my appearance affects... Ah, now I see. How might you suggest I behave, Aletheia? If you have epilepsy, I truly think you should pay a visit to the infirmary, I’m sure Epione has something to help.”

[oferisx]

“Whatever you say. Oh, that’s alright. All that technical mumbo jumbo does is confuse me, anyway. That does sound strange, but I guess it’s not so bad. Everyone looks so miserable, it’s kind of amusing.”

[atlasism]

“Thank you for your assistance, regardless. As I thought. I suppose it is not so bad, true-- are the recruits simply making it out to be a bigger issue than it seems? You finding that amusing does not surprise me in the slightest, Eris. Have you been keeping an eye on your recruit?”

[um-reese]

“Think of it like this, you don’t want people going up to you asking for the password and I don’t mind people. If I created the new password, all you would have to do is send everybody asking to me.”

[atlasism]

While that does indeed make sense, logically, Recruit, I am afraid you may perhaps be missing the point. The Wi-Fi isn’t the issue-- the connection is. Therefore, even if the crowd was redirected your way and given this new password... it still would not work. I commend you for your effort, however, you have always been extremely helpful to me.

[brendonyoung]

“Someone’s grumpy today.”

[atlasism]

“You told me that yesterday. I am simply tired of repeating myself. How are you? Well?”

[agenthades]

I just.. I know you’re good at what you do, so perhaps I’m just having difficulty comprehending how on Earth the electricity is still being wonky. Let go of the past? Really? Oh – that’s rich coming from you, D a m i a n. Oh please, I don’t act any differently now than I did back then. Yes, actually, you can..                                       —- what’s the new Wifi password?

[atlasism]

Are you aware of how vast this facility is? And it is not just the mansion, Hades, it’s the 200 mile radius surrounding it, as well. Finding the source of the problem on the premises is not as easy as you seem to think, especially not with the interruptions and lack of help. Touche. Though... is that not in poor taste? So, you do not like me anymore? Rather childish notion. Perhaps I will finally be free of your incessant come-ons. ---I am changing the subject. How is your recruit? 

[evethorn3-blog]

Lack of internet is driving them in ways I haven’t seen before. Some are even willingly training, because they claim they have nothing to do. 

[atlasism]

Perhaps we should keep the internet’s connection down indefinitely. I have not gotten a chance to question your well being, Pandora. They call me Atlas, but you seem to fit the part more, as of late. You dealt with our enemies in the field in quite an aggressive manner when we were in D.C.-- more aggressive than usual, that is.

[freemiracle]

“You… —you’re getting nudes from someone else? What about us? What about everything we’ve been through? I thought I was your one and only, man— now I know I’m just another one of your dirty whores. I’m telling Hermes. Definitely redirect ‘em to Gaia, though. Share the wealth. It would be my pleasure to turn on her personal hotspot. —-Ouch. I value things. 24 hour delis, cherry flavored lube, Netflix… I’m not a robot. Rendered you speechless, huh? It’s alright, y’know— I tend to have that effect on people.”

[atlasism]

“We have not been through anything. If I were to have a ‘one and only’ she would be a she, as you seem to continuously keep forgetting. ---Are you implying that Hermes and I--? Ah, I had forgotten why I have not done that, and there is why... Gaia would realistically have you assassinated. Netflix? The internet outage must be crippling for you. If only someone had that effect on you.”

[um-reese]

“I don’t think you’re hearing me, Atlas. I’m not asking for the new Wi-Fi password, I want to change and have it created by me.”

[atlasism]

“Why... would I allow you to do that?”