#umbratechnics

[cyberstates]

> a point of no return.

warning: brief food mention.

TT: Hey, should we start transferring me over to the ship?

You message Sollux intentionally, seeking to halt your train of thoughts about Dave and his accusation toward you.

Earlier, you asked Dave if you had permission to visit Agartha in order to see Sollux, but something about the conversation didn't go quite right—and Dave said he'd let you know whether or not he would. He charged you of only talking to him for two reasons: either because of Sollux, or because you wanted something from him.

Though intuitively you thought that wasn't true, you began to worry—were you, in fact, beginning to instrumentalize the people you cared about? When you told Sollux about this worry, he seemed to think you weren't like that, but—

The notification sound pings before you can jump down this rabbithole again.

TA: we could. TT: Do you think we should now? TT: Might be good to do so. TA: ii have iit 2et up two keep anythiing you-related hiidden behiind liike a dozen diifferent 2ubroutiine2. TA: 2o ii gue22 iit would be fiine. TA: the only rea2on not two do iit would be iif we arent 2ure we are goiing through wiith thii2. TT: Well, I’m sure. I have no doubts and no wavering thoughts, so. TA: ok.  TA: ok here2 the connectiion two u2e.

-- TA sent an encrypted file: "addre22.txt" --

TT: Alright. Give me a sec.

You click open your chat with Roxy, laughing a little at the previous conversation the two of you were having—Dorito dust for make-up, to entice the gamers.

TG: im the realest gamer TT: You are. TG: hellz yeah

You type up a few farewell messages, and hit send, electing to keep your doubts shrouded even from her. Although in front of Sollux, you've made an effort to seem optimistic, a part of you still worries that you—as this version of you—might not come back.

TT: Hey, I’m heading out now. TT: Backup is where I usually keep it. TT: See you by the end of the week.

You tab back to the chat with Sollux. Opening the address file he sent you, you prepare to transfer yourself over.

TT: Ok, on my way. TA: cliippy iincomiing.

Your robot chassis slumps over as you leave it, and it powers off once you're gone. When Roxy replies to the messages you've sent her, you're not there to read them, but the four notifications blink:

TG: gotcha TG: hey hal TG: be careful TG: ;P

[6rawler]

umbratechnics replied to your post: hey fuckers give me attenti0n or die

hewwo???

:::3c me0wdy

[justdrinkerthings]

umbratechnics replied to your post: I’ve kno+wn @umbratechnics fo+r o+nly a handful...

bffsies! u n me… protecting our mutuals n friends from sleep deprivation problems

There are a few cho+ice members o+f o+ur gro+up chat I wo+uld lo+ve to+ go+ and tuck in myself.

[eldritchtheorist]

@umbratechnics Roxy I am joking.

[vwarlordvwanderlust-blog]

nah, actually.

[threshbin-blog]

2cumlord replied to your post “WHY DON’T WE STOP TALKING ABOUT THIS AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW...”

doe2nt iit.

umbratechnics replied to your post “WHY DON’T WE STOP TALKING ABOUT THIS AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW...”

cereal isnt cooking the same way making a salad isnt cookign

THAT IS CORRECT. MAKING A SALAD ALSO ISN’T COOKING. MAKING A SALAD IS TAKING SOME LEAVES AND PUTTING LIKE, VINEGAR ON THEM I THINK?? COOKING MEANS YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH HEAT SOMEHOW SO UNLESS YOU MICROWAVE YOUR SALAD YOU’RE OUT. AND IF YOU DO MICROWAVE YOUR SALAD YOU’RE SOME KIND OF MONSTER AND I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.

[cyberstates]

You heard it here, folks. @umbratechnics thinks Jane’s dad, Mr. Crocker, is a DILF.

[cyberstates]

> HAL: Tell Roxy Something’s Wrong.

warning: brainwashing, mind control.

TG: sounds like some fucky funky run o the mill brain washin TG: or he's legit gotten comfy with his cushy job TG: bet its a nice paycheck gettin to betray people TT: He gave a presentation on his research at the symposium this past weekend. TT: I think he got to meet the Condesce.

TG: uh oh sisters TG: dont feel like that went well lol TG: i guesss i'll take a poke at him TT: Yeah. TT: I feel like I would've noticed though, if he got brainwashed? I mean, maybe it just happened at the symposium itself, but. TT: Equius mentioned that Dirk didn't seem to be holding the same sort of sentiment toward the Empire a while ago. TG: maybe he got tired of battling his own moral code vs like what hes doing as a job TT: It seemed like he had pretty much given up on the whole morals thing a while back, you know. TT: But maybe. TG: the inner battle goes on 4 awhile i dont think u ever stop tryna justify things tht feel wrong yknow? TG: maybe hes just given up on gettin out of it TG: lost his wayn all his hope TT: Do you really think he'd do it to himself, though? TG: maybe if he felt desperate enuf TG: or somebody did it to him TG: maybe he didnt get brainwashed at all TG: what if hes just depressed n shit like TG: stopped fighting the good fight bcos he's tired TG: dirky is almost inexhaustible yea but even strong peepz have their limits TT: I think we should do something. TG: what do u have in mind TT: I don't know, yet, but I don't think we can just let this happen to him. TT: I mean. I kind of have for the past three years but I do have a body now. TG: we can come up with a plan 2 spring him loose but if hes really just given up hal then.... like what then TG: what if he doesnt want 2 leave TG: n what if we cant make him