White Hat or Black Hat?

"This place shows you who you truly are" [Independent William/Man in Black blog]

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Trainee Programming | Felix and William

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bodyshopsolo‌:

You’ll be great, kid. Just shoot as many as you can.

Talk about whiplash.

Felix wasn’t sure if he wanted to thank William or freak out a bit at the request. He swallowed, trying to make sure he didn’t choke on his own breath. Is that why you are the person that you are?

“Thank you for the advice, William,” he replied, careful not to slip back into calling him sir and doing his best not to show exactly how much the idea of taking a gun into the park and killing hosts unnerved him. No, he wanted to help them work, not destroy them.

Still, he nodded, making a mental note to, at the very least go. “I have wanted to see the park. I’ve never been.”

William was a little surprised that the kid had never made it to the parks. Once upon a time it was part of training, just so the new employees could see what they were working on. He guessed some visitor experience manager or something had banned that, wanting to make the experience as exclusive as possible. Maybe he should override that rule. 

“You’ll get in there someday.” He said, half as a promise as he looked at Felix. “Actually get to meet the hosts in context. It’s one hell of a ride.” 

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Trainee Programming | Felix and William

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bodyshopsolo‌:

Welp. He definitely didn’t have a poker face, not by any stretch of the imagination. Felix swallowed and nodded, keeping away from the glass for now. When William was gone and no one was looking, he was definitely going to down that whiskey to steady his nerves. But not now. He didn’t want to look like THAT much of a newbie.

“Thank you, William,” he said quietly, grateful that his lapses of judgement weren’t causing too much of a bad impression. Now he just had to make sure that whenever William came back, he had improved.

He took the words of wisdom with a nod, trying to ingrain them into his memory. The hand on his shoulder was a bit disconcerting, but he tried not to jolt from the touch.

“Any suggestions for getting used to it?” He asked before he could talk himself out of it.

“You’ll be great kid, just keep going and you’ll get there.” He said, trying to be supportive before pulling his hand away again, musing the question. 

He remembered the moment he’d stopped caring - the moment he’d become too obsessed with Dolores to care about the other hosts. It had simply been a case of starting and being unable to stop but he imagined a similar technique would work for Felix. 

“Just get into the park, get yourself a gun and shoot as many as you can find. You’ll get used to it quick enough once you realise they just keep coming back.” 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

He does not say it again. He does say:

“Still?” A little bit petulantly. But it is mostly hissed under his breath, and he does not actually expect William to answer. He isn’t truly offended either, it’s just the sort of response that is simply in his nature. Or what he thinks of as his nature anyway.

He stares ahead; tries not to look nervous. Tries to look like he doesn’t quite see the men pulling up in front of them. They shouldn’t look like anything to him.

They look like Death.

But then, so does William.

“I hope you got a helluva plan,” he manages to mutter back, before trying to look as inoffensive as possible.

William moved up nearer to them, raising a hand. “Didn’t expect to see any of you in these parts.” He said, pushing through his pain to try and pretend nothing’s wrong. “Something wrong?” 

He wasn’t sure if this would work but there were 4 of them and he had 6 bullets in his gun. The odds were pretty good and that wasn’t counting Lawrence’s weapon. 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

“If’n I thought I cared, it’s ‘cause I did at the time.  Don’t see how that makes it any different,” Lawrence mutters.  But he nods at William to let him know he isn’t really put out.

“I know.  S’just: frustratin’.”  

This is an understatement.  His entire world has been upended.  But he has no other word for it.

He reins his horse to the side and nudges it forward, letting William’s horse move again as well.  The animal’s ears flick forward, and Lawrence glances at the trail ahead, straining his own ears.  He sees it as soon as he hears it.  The growling engine of one of those strange vehicles.  There are three black-clad men in it, and they are gaining on them fast.  It is clear their machine could out run a horse with ease, and the men’s weapons are large.  And they have spotted them.

“Fuck,” is what Lawrence croaks.

“I’m sure it is.” William mused as he followed Lawrence, the man’s voice bringing him back to attention. He looked up and his eyes widened a bit. 

“You can say that again.” He said, not entirely sure what to do now. They could always try running but the odds of them being shot down were much higher, especially if they didn’t see who was running. 

Perhaps if he feigned ignorance, pretended that he and Lawrence were just on their own little path. He figured his wounds were covered up enough and he had a little bit of energy that, put in the right place, could see them through. 

“You’re not conscious. Pretend you’re still dumb.” William muttered quickly, plan forming in his head as fast as the approaching car.

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

“I been under the impression I was a man for…well, all my life now,” Lawrence declares, dryly. “Whatever it is you think you know about you, y'all can assume I thought I knew it about me up until just a bit ago.”

He stares ahead as William explains the chip, but cannot grasp the concept. He has no basis for comparison. He does look sharply at the other man after his next explanation. He nudges his horse forward, so he can pull it up short in front of William.

“So what, you sayin’ you think all this is still some…some programmin’?” He demands. “You’re a damned asshole, you know? It don’t occur to you that I recall all we been through, and that I give just a little bit of a fuck about you?”

William nodded at Lawrence’s explanation, not wanting to push it. There were limitations to the programming that he didn’t feel the need to go into right now. If Lawrence didn’t understand the chip, he wouldn’t understand the technology that went into creating someone like him and the many flaws it could accumulate over the years. 

“Even when you couldn’t recall everything. You probably thought you were saving me then because you cared.” William replied. “It’s not your fault and I do genuinely think you care. Fuck knows I need someone who does.”

He sighed a little. “All I know is what I know Lawrence.” 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

His hand reaches reflexively for the back of his neck.  His fingers run up and down it, but nothing feels strange; nothing protrudes.

“What the hell’s a, a chip?” He asks, voice tighter than he intends it to be.  “And yeah, I know people ain’t supposed to have no bullshit in their necks.  You don’t gotta explain to me about your kind.”

Unless this is William’s way of admitting that he isn’t human either.  Lawrence wishes he’d out and say, if so, but William has always talked in circles.  Lawrence doesn’t suppose there’s any breaking the man of that, whatever he is.

“So what’re my cracks?” He asks.

Because harder does not mean impossible.

William raises his hands a little in apology. “All I know is what you’re programmed not to know, I have no idea what you’ve gathered over the years, figured it was safe to cover all bases.” He said, knowing now not to bother Lawrence with facts about humans. 

“A chip’s just a little piece of technology, bout half the size of a fingernail.” He said, wondering if that would explain things. “It helps track and monitor hosts.”

He then chuckled at the next question. “Well I’m alive ain’t I. No human in your situation would still be here and there’s no way I’d be around to still talk your ear off.” 

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Trainee Programming | Felix and William

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bodyshopsolo‌:

That was…unnerving to watch. Felix had known that he would see hosts die and in various other stages of the life cycle, but it was another thing to watch one burn to death along with everything else in a room. He swallowed, gripping the tablet for a moment, and tried to put it out of his mind for now. 

He tried to focus on something else, anything else, but William’s words distracted him. James? Was that the host’s name? But…wasn’t James Delos the founder of the company? Something like that. Felix had read the biography of the company when he was hired. 

…definitely not something he was going to ask.

On a note that might either be too presumptous or just the right amount of ass kissing, Felix found a small glass that someone had set aside and poured a small glass of whiskey. He’d never poured one before but…it looked right. So he just put the glass near where William could reach, saying nothing about it.

William looked at the glass then at Felix. He chuckled a little. “I appreciate the offer but I don’t drink...not out here anyway. You look like you might need it though, I’ll make sure to miss it out of my recommendation to your superiors.” He said, motioning for Felix to take it if he needed it. 

He reached out and patted the young man’s shoulder a little. “You’ll get used to it. It’s a bit harsher in the lab, not as disconnected as it is in the parks. It takes time but you’ll get there.” 

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Party Planning | Lasair and William

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polyphoniie‌:

“You’re fine,” she promised. “The fact that you’re doing this at all will mean a lot to her.” 

She took the phone and put in her information, then sent a quick text to herself so she had his phone number in exchange before handing it back. “There you are. Send me a list of restaurants, and I’ll keep you updated. Anything else?”

“Presents? How many should I get? I’ve not really done presents for significant others before and I don’t know what or how many to get.” He said, a little sheepish but Las had been very helpful so far and he trusted her. 

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Changes | Juliet and William

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polyphoniie‌:

“You won’t hear me complain about any lack of beans,” Juliet replied with a laugh. “Given their reputation, you know.”

Her phone buzzed. A reply from Lasair.

[Las:] Not home yet, but i’ll let you know. Billy have a good time?

Juliet frowned. William had said he thought Logan had left before him. Maybe he was mistaken… [text:] think so! made a beeline for the kitchen as soon as he walked in, so maybe the food wasn’t so great, hahaha. 

[text:] think he and logan got separated though–he said he thought Logan left before him? idk…

The reply came almost immediately, and Juliet leaned against the counter as she looked at her phone.

[Las:] Oh weird…no he’s not home. I’ll keep you updated though

Juliet shot off a thanks and set her phone down before crossing the kitchen to William. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder. “All of the above? Sounds delicious…” She kissed his neck lightly. “Need help?”

William got to work in the kitchen, too distracted by the idea of a decent cooked meal to worry about the pinging of Juliet’s phone. He grabbed all of the above and started to cook, leaning his head into Juliet’s a little bit. “Hmm no I don’t think so. Grab a drink and rest, maybe tell me what’s been happening here.” He said, turning to smile at her. “All the little details. I missed too much.” 

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Hesitation | Juliet and William

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playersinthebackground‌:

She clinked her glass with his before almost emptying it. “Enough about me.” Juliet went to grab the bottle but had to steady herself. It seemed she was already feeling the wine. Perhaps she shouldn’t have drank it so fast. “Speaking of invites, Robert Whatshisface from marketing had invited us to his engagement party. I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone.” And Juliet usually knew all of the company gossip.

“Wigmore? Or was it Wigshore?” He asked, wondering why they’d even been invited. Neither of them really knew him too well but he guessed it was probably a ‘invite everyone’ kind of deal and then base everything on the RSVPs. “So, are we going?” 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

Lawrence watches him mount warily, unsure he’s actually going to make it.  But he does.

Lawrence wonders, suddenly, if the man is actually human.  It isn’t the first time the thought has crossed his mind.  He had done things which seemed impossible; god-like.  But Lawrence does not believe in gods, and he’d had no concept previously of things that look like men but are built of stronger stuff.

It seems rude to put these thoughts into words though.  William would have said, if that was the case.  He’d seemed human enough when he was patching him up.

Lawrence mounts his own horse.

“Those soldiers,” he says, as he turns his mare in the direction they had been heading before stopping at the homestead, “that shot me.  How’d they know to; that I wasn’t one of your kind?  How do you…know?”

He eyes William as he asks this, but he’s also more aware of his own movements than he has ever been.  Is it, he wonders, obvious somehow?  

“I remember you said, once, that…the cracks show.  How’d you mean?”  

William sighed a little as he shifted in his seat, moving so he could be more comfortable on the horse, deliberating a response. It was tricky to explain but he could try. 

“The soldiers know cause you’ve all got this chip right there.” He said, pointing to the top of his own spine. “Lights up when they scan it. My kind don’t have them.” He explained as he moved to grip the reins again. 

“The cracks are different. Things you pick up over time. They’ve done a great job of ironing most of them out over the years but they’re still not quite right. Still that need to help people, that “Good Samaritan” complex. Even the ones that set out to kill you have it. It’s harder, with you...and the others that have gained sentience. Guess at this point it’s just cause I’ve know you all so long.” 

[monochromehats-blog]

WELP

Guess who finally got their life together and is online for the first time in way too long?? 

I’m going to get to replies now. I’ll probably just dump them as I write them so they’ll probably just spam your dash for a bit. 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

Lawrence eyes him.

“Yeah…” he says, carefully.

He’s reluctant to leave the other man, lest William die while he’s away, or disappear in a cloud of dust, which Lawrence is half convinced William might be able to do, shot or not.

“I ain’t gonna…whatever us…quittin’ is, anytime soon,” Lawrence explains, clumsily.  He knows they…something.  A deep and dreamless sleep.  Freeze all motor functions.  He is wary of saying the words out loud, just in case they still work on him.  They might as well be death.

“You got the energy to get up on a horse if I do find ‘em?” Lawrence asks.

But he does surrender William to the wall of a small shack eventually, then makes his way towards where they left the horses.  He does not let himself look back.

They are, thankfully, more or less where they had been left, and look no worse for having been left to their own devices.  Lawrence’s little chestnut mare is making short work of the leaves or any nearby trees, and William’s tall black beast is grazing more gracefully and appropriately.  Lawrence’s grab’s the black horse’s reins, then drags it over to his own mare, and swings into her saddle.  He sets off, back towards William, keenly aware that they have little cover out here.

William responded with a nod. Yes his energy was failing but he’d spent years getting on horses and it was a much easier option than walking. 

He watches as Lawrence goes round the back and as soon as he’s out of sight he leans against the cabin, letting the wall support some of his weight. He had too much pride to collapse in front of the man. He couldn’t see himself getting out of the park this time but did he really want to. Honestly only Emily would care and after what happened with Juliet he doubted that would very much. The only thing he needed to do first was destroy the forge and with Lawrence’s help that should be manageable. Destroy the forge. Then let whatever was going to happen happen. It seemed like a good plan to him. 

Somehow he managed to stay up and he stood like that until he heard Lawrence returning, the sound of horses hooves a comfort. Thank fuck for that. He pushed against the wall a little to stand tall, taking a few steps away and towards where he assumed the horses would be shortly. 

“At least something’s gone right for us today.” He pretty much grunted as Lawrence came within earshot. He moved over to his own horse, the one he’d had for nearly two decades now, and mounted her, groaning a bit in pain once he was up. 

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Trainee Programming | Felix and William

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bodyshopsolo‌:

The other technicians gathered around to watch the scenario, although they seemed more inured to the whole process. Felix, on the other hand, was absolutely gobsmacked by the whole scenario. The host behind the glass - James, which appeared to be his name - was so lifelike at first that Felix swore he’d seen the host in real life somewhere. But then the breakdown came and it was…

Disturbing. 

So, so disturbing.

For a moment, Felix actually forgot to take notes, just staring as this well spoken man fell apart in front of him. Then he frantically took notes, trying not to miss anything while also trying not to freak out about how uncanny valley that whole experience felt.

He looked up when William spoke to him and nodded, making that note. God, giving them children? Yes, that was an important part of a personality, but dead children? That was almost cruel, and he said so quietly, almost without thinking. Then he shook his head and made a few extra notes before closing the tablet.

“I understand that the experiment is terminated at this point?” He half asked, half stated. He tried to keep looking at William, but his eyes kept sliding back to the scene behind the older man.

William watched Felix take a few notes, hearing a whisper of a comment but too tired to request it to be repeated. He looked up at James, watching him destroy the room around him, smashing and venting the anger that seemed to be this host’s default reaction. 

“Yes it is.” He said, turning back to Felix, one of the other technicians inputting the code to fill the room with fire. 

It was an odd emotion, the one felt watching your father in law burn to death...yet again. It had been over 100 times now and yet every time there was a slight twinge of something. William saw it almost as a reminder that there was still something good in him after all these years and perhaps that’s why he chose to stay to watch every time. 

“I sometimes wonder what James would have said if he could see what we’ve done. Some days I think he’d be proud, support the programme and increase funding. Other days I just hear him call me a fucking idiot. I suppose we’ll never truly know.” William spoke aloud, almost with no intended audience but he knew the technicians would hear. He didn’t expect a response as it was more just a voicing of his personal thoughts....it just felt like they needed to be aired. 

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Hesitation | Juliet and William

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playersinthebackground‌: 

Juliet shrugged. “More like it’s Wednesday, and I feel like it?” She chuckled before sipping her wine. “You know me. I try not to be too picky about things. My parents and my brother are picky enough. I try to balance things out at least.” Which was partially a true statement. James Delos wanted everything his way. Logan was very similar, though he would never admit it. And Catherine, her mother….well, everything had to be just so. Juliet supposed there were a few things she was like that with but not too many.

William knew better than to protest. Juliet was a Delos after all. She may not be so obvious with what she wanted her way but there were a few things he knew not to push her on. “You do a wonderful job of it.” He replied instead, lifting up his glass in a little toast to her. 

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Consequences | Lawrence and William

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twobitmotorfucker‌:

Lawrence rolls his eyes, but allows the comment to slide.  He hadn’t expected anything less, despite his warning.  He knows William too well for that.

He lets the older man rest as much of his weight as he needs to on his shoulder.  William is taller, but either he doesn’t weight much (he has always been lean, as Lawrence recalls, and his black clothing seems to thin him out even more), or Lawrence is stronger than he realized.  It’s probably a little of both.  Lawrence isn’t weak, by any means, but his cousins (…the men built to be and told they were his cousins…) are all taller and burlier.  But Lawrence has always been the quickest.

Except there never was an always.

He almost loses himself to that.  His legs come close to freezing up and he’s almost back there in Las Mudas with them.

But they’re dead (ish) and this is now. 

“Findin’…findin’ horses, you know, ain’t ever been much a problem for me,” he slurs and little sluggishly.  “But you think ours ain’t where we left ‘em?  They wouldn’t go ‘round shootin’ horses down, would they?  I mean: what’d be the gain?”

William wondered if Lawrence was glitching out as he stalled mid step. He frowned a little, glancing at the host, wondering why he was genuinely concerned. 

“They went a bit quiet but I’m guessing they could just be grazing.” He said, wondering if they’d have left the horses especially if they expected the two of them to be dead. He hoped Lawrence was right though. 

“You able to go round back and check? Not sure I’ve got the energy to get round there quite yet.” He looked around, trying to see if there was anything he could lean on while Lawrence went to investigate the status of the horses. 

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