cuddletalk | 001. video; un: the illusionist

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001. video; un: the illusionist

[Eli's face can be seen for the first time being publicly broadcast to the network, he looks both upbeat and happyto be showing himself to the city of Cadelle on video. Behind him you can see the busy backdrop of The Colonel's in the evening visible behind him as he lifts a drink and takes a long pull before clearing his throat, the hand that had been holding the glass now coming up instead to wave.] Well hey there, Cuddle City- cute name by the way, I dig it.

[He let's the hand fall into his lap as all his attention focuses instead on the video feed.] So my names Elijah Moore, but we're all gonna be familiar enough soon so everyone should just call me Eli. I'm new here, just blew into town recently and I think its high time I start generating some of this positive energy. [He wiggles his fingers in the air the same way one who's talking about mystical energies would totally do.]

I've got a mutually beneficial way of helping things go down- whoever comes down here and buys me a drink gets a free illusion. [His eyes twinkle a little bit in amusement at the suggestion and the pink tint in his cheeks say he's probably already had a couple.] Its been a while since I've been so alone, I guess I'm looking for some company.

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[He's still getting used to all this technology, but it's not like Vasquez is stupid either, especially when things are going to directly help his survival. He's learning about these videos and audios, though texting still annoys him. Too many little keys, too much English]

You know, sometimes when people ask for drinks to be bought for them in exchange for payment, we call them very different things where I come from. Especially when offering tricks in return.

[The video isn't quite squared, mostly it's half of his face, but it's one big improvement given how he'd been when he'd arrived]

[Eli just sighs a little, not unhappily.] Let me guess, pleasure workers where you're from aren't held in high regard? [There's an expression on his face that says he's been called a lot of things based on what he does for a living.] You can call me a whore if you want, though... I promise I won't cry. [It was inferred that he'd done a lot of things in High Tower after all- even if his illusions weren't physical in nature.]

I didn't say it was a bad thing, just that it sounds very familiar.

[To be fair, it's not like Vasquez has used that anytime recently because women paid to have sex are often greedy for coins and if they worked out who he was, that's more trouble than he needs. Touch-starved is a good way to say it, not that he'd ever say it aloud]

What are you offering? And what kind of payment are we talking about?

[He's interested, this can only go well.]

Hey I don't think being a pleasure worker is a bad thing either. I like being able to say I give all my clients a bit of pleasure at the end of the day. [He says it with a lot of mirth now, some of the ugliness gone from his tone.]

I'm offering the real deal, full sensory immersion- anything you want, any scene, any sight. If I know it, I can make it... if I don't know it, you can describe it and I'll tweak it until its perfect. [He shrugs about the payment though.] I like fruity cocktails, does that count as payment? Listen- back home this is my job, like twelve hours a day bending people's realities... I'm almost scared about not having that job anymore.

[ He hasn't really seen fit to ever use their services, mainly because when someone does a job for money and you have a bounty on your head, it doesn't really have the prospect of ending well. ]

Bending reality? That sounds like something you made up to steal money from people. How do you do it?

[ That's what it has to be, right? Some kind of magic trick, just like those idiot card tricks of Faraday's where there's supposedly magic involved, but really, it's just a lot of flash and show in the end. ]

I'm curious enough that I'll buy a drink in exchange for something. Maybe just to see if you're not loco.

Its got something to do with my DNA, my Augmentation- [He smiles.] Its not a trick and I don't really deal in money... I mean I pick up a pay cheque the same as anyone else, but I don't take extra handouts just because what I do is different. [There's a little twinkle in his eyes.] Gifts though? That's another question.

[The how though, that was the difficult part to answer.] I just get inside your head, that's how I do it... its why I said people should come buy me a drink, I can't do it through a computer. [He grins widely though, happy the stranger was taking him up on his offer.] You will, great? Come on down to Colonel's, and hey... if I am just loco, I'll make up for it by buying you a drink or two.

Your what? Augmen...?

[ For all that he's not Faraday and apt for being teased for being stupid, English is still his second language and there's still words that he doesn't know very well. Augmen-whatever that he's talking about? It's very strange and Vasquez is starting to wonder what he's getting himself into. ]

Colonel's? You got directions? Still learning about all the different bars.

[ Mostly because he tends to stick to one until it kicks him out, but he never minds getting to know other of them. Maybe soon, he'll even have a job that lets him drink more. ]

Though, I don't know about getting inside my head. Maybe you can show me on someone else.

My Augmentation... like, my gift? [Who knew how to discuss an augmentation after all. It depended who you asked, after all.]

Yeah, head down the main street, head right on the corner of Paco's Tacos, you'll know that place just 'cause it smells amazing and keep going maybe a block, Colonel's is on the end of the street. [He grins though because yes, good, finally going places.]

And uh-uh big guy, gotta be you or nothing... they gave me some rules when I got here, no playing in someone's head unless I ask nicely.

Maybe I'll stop for a taco, first.

[ He's still not sure about any of this, but he's moving because there are some things that he wouldn't mind to see again, maybe, and he ends up moving with the camera still on, the phone still running, even when he does end up stopping at the Taco shop, speaking to them in Spanish because it's easier and comfortable, before heading onwards. He didn't pick up anything for his new friend. ]

Okay, I'm outside Colonel's. Are you inside?

Sure thing, boss...

[Eli just gets himself another drink in the meantime, sipping at this one because a tipsy illusionist was known to be a ridiculous one.]

I am! Just go in, turn to your right, I'm the guy with a neon sign over his head. [Which sounded like a pretty normal statement, until Eli came within line of sight and it was obvious he actually did have a neon sign over his head, an arrow pointing to him that flashed the guy that does illusions in huge lettering.]

[ Neon isn't a word he knows, but when Vasquez steps inside with a half-eaten taco in his hands, it becomes very clear who the man is. Grimacing, he wonders if all white men are this annoying as he wanders closer and balls up the wrapper the taco had come in, sitting down beside him, gesturing to the sign]

Can't you turn that off? It's not very attractive, you know.

[ That's more than a little of an understatement, he thinks, seeing as it's still hurting Vasquez's eyes, having to stare at the thing. ]

You're saying my sign isn't pretty? [He sighs a little and shakes his head, waving a hand and dismissing the neon sign.] I don't think anyone's ever called my illusions unattractive... but I guess it depends on what you wanna see.

It's brighter than anything I've seen before. Not very pleasant.

[ it makes his eyes hurt like a lot of things here do, honestly, but Vasquez is still getting used to lights that aren't candles to lead the way. He lifts a hand to order himself a drink, glancing to his companion warily. ]

Do I order you something now? Or do you drink after you do your magic show?

[Eli waves a hand.] Okay first things first, its not a magic show, its something else... and I think it'd be better to get yourself a drink first... we're both gonna need it. [Because Eli was getting the impression he was in a little over his head with this one; the ambience to the whole situation was quite the leap away from his gallery back home.]

Anytime someone claims they have powers or can do something no one else can, it sounds like magic to me.

[ Which isn't to say there aren't real kinds of magic out there, there probably are, but Vasquez has never run aground of them, trying to keep his head buried down in the practical. Now that there's no more bounty on his head, he can expand his horizons. ]

Any drink? It won't mess with your little show?

Okay fine you can call it magic, I'm not mad about it... considering we don't even know how to explain an Augmentation, it just is what it is... [He smiles though it was clear that none of it was rubbing him up the wrong way.]

Ask for something that's as fruity as it is strong! You might've noticed bright colours are kind of my thing. [He shakes his head in dissent at the question.] It shouldn't... I mean, I'm usedto working parties.

[He's still staring at the man warily, not sure whether he's so trusting of all these bright signs and drinks, but he's the one who came out to find out what this is about. Raising a few fingers to the bartender, he asks for the brightest, strongest thing he has. And for himself, whiskey neat. ]

So you work parties in exchange for your talents?

[He's not going to bring up the P word, but maybe Vasquez is thinking it a little.]

Who gave you these little tricks and talents?

I work a lot of things. [He frowns, thinking about it.] I mean I have a Gallery where a lot of the work I do starts. [He runs a hand through his hair, a wistful expression thinking of the gallery.] Then sometimes, people ask me to come to parties... sometimes meetings. Hell sometimes people just want me to come over for dinner. Depends on who it is and what they need. A lot of the time there's alcohol though, I developed a thing for it.

[He lets out a little peal of laughter at the question.] Who gave them to me? My mom... I guess? Her power is a little different- she can make drawings, plans, come to life.

I've never been so popular that anyone has invited me to a party before, not for work. [He thinks he could be fairly entertaining once he has enough tequila in his system, but he doubts that he would be paid for such things.]

This is something born with? You've always done this, even as a baby? Your poor mother.

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001. video; un: the illusionist

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