disrupts | NOCTIUM IC INBOX

[A brow eases its way over the rim of his shades, and Johnny deigns to lean back and take a long drag of his smoke before replying.]

You gonna tell me it’s not? Lemme hear it.

Nope. 'cause doesn't matter what I say, you're gonna do what you want anyway.

[ It's not an accusation, just a statement of fact. One delivered with a casual shrug of a shoulder and V's expression relaxing into something resigned. He's got other battles to pick over this one, and part of him's still not sure he trusts himself to do this well on his own.

What a fucked up position to be in; not trusting in his own skills to just do this one simple job without keeling over like a gonk. ]

Gonna take a wild guess 'n say Vik's face-scramblin' soft ain't gonna cut it here. Means we're gonna need gear to hide our faces.

[ Though the more he talks, the more he slides into work-mode. After-hours means less risk in the way of anybody getting hurt, but extra security measures to deal with he's not actually sure he can hack into and power down. Not to mention he's already seen the softer end of the Diamond's version of reprimanding gembonded who step out of line if they somehow get involved. ]

Notice any access points we could use? Back office window? Anythin'?

Glad you know me so well.

[A statement of fact, indeed. But Johnny keeps on talking, like it's nothing.]

Figured as much. Don't need anything fancy; figured a mask might have some flair to it, though.

[As flippant as Johnny sounds, it's a sincere suggestion. Next to V, who's sliding into experienced-merc-mode, he'll let him take the reins even if he acts otherwise. Johnny taps his organic fingers against the table, rat-a-tatting idly.]

Went 'round the back. No window, but there's a door. Non-descript, but probably harder to get in through than the front. Though- [a casual lean forward] -when I was in there, noticed there was a skylight right in the center.

[He gestures up, like he's expecting V to imagine the store's ceiling.]

Just big enough for a man to slip in, if you're hopin' to break a window instead of messin' with a lock to a door out back.

[ Quirking his eyebrows at the suggestion he knows Johnny, V's brain supplies the answer. Except seconds later he remembers that thinking answers doesn't work anymore. The moment passes and he's adrift on the feeling of feeling around the edges of that void inside him again.

Johnny's gesture upward tugs him back to the present, and his gaze lifts with it until he realizes that there's nothing to see here. Call it a habit; maybe he's always this suggestible, or maybe it's just because he can't help trying to live Johnny's words like he used to.

The skylight would be a good backup if he can't pry the door at the back open with his chromed up hand. More risk but when have either of them ever been risk-averse? ]

All right. Gonna leave it to ya to find us masks.

[ Something he might in fact live to regret but whatever. ]

Skylight's good intel. Backup for the door 'round the back. Last thing we need is you twistin' a geriatric ankle dropping down from a height.

[ Shooting Johnny a smirk as he slides off the counter top, V crosses the floor to drag out another of the chairs from the small table and sits on it, both hands resting on top of the flat surface. And then he's using it to almost map out a plan with his fingers. ]

So - we try the back door. Failin' that the skylight. Gonna need to make sure you can get back out if we gotta drop in from above.

[ Less of a problem for V since his legs are still heavily augmented with cyberware to make his jump far beyond the usual ability of humans. ]

You're gonna get the masks. I'll find the rope.

[ And then he pauses, hesitating slightly. ]

Gonna say I'm hopin' we don't run into anybody. But if we do... no iron, Johnny. Nobody gets hurt. Not over an axe.

[His smile stretches a little wider at the corners at the mention of masks, and the fact that he’s gonna get to choose. Does that bode well? V’ll find out eventually.]

I’ve already got somethin’ in mind. You’ll love it.

[And he’ll leave it at that, letting V map out the plan on the kitchen table. It’s simple enough — definitely not as complicated as some of the other job’s he’s pulled while Johnny rode shotgun in his brain, but then again, this is just a guitar. Nothing particularly sensitive, or criminal, or in need of discretion; a veritable smash and grab, though hopefully the “smash” part’s a lot less quiet.]

Not gonna sprain shit. You could always just be a hero an’ catch me.

[Princess-style. That is, of course, a joke. The rest of it isn’t.]

V, I’m not gonna zero somebody over a fuckin’ guitar. Jesus. Might feel compelled to knock ‘em out if it suits me, but don’t worry. I won’t be packing anything — don’t got anything to pack.

[ Honestly, V doubts he'll love it but giving Johnny something to do if he wants to tag along's something he's learned helps. The plan's so basic V's starting to feel more confident about it. 'Keep it simple, stupid' rattles around in his skull, something he heard a lot when he was a young nomad learning the ropes.

Catching Johnny, or the idea of it at least, lights his features up in amusement. It's so far-fetched that he'd have anything but a spitting rockerboy in his arms that he laughs. ]

Know I'd catch ya. Want me to haul ya over my shoulder too, make it real convicing?

[ But he doesn't linger on the gentle teasing for too long, the fact Johnny's not got any means of defending himself here something that sticks. ]

Wasn't sayin' you would. Just...

[ Shaking his head, he doesn't know what exactly he's getting at other than this place doesn't seem like Night City. No reason not to be prepared, but he just doesn't want to be the source of somebody else's pain - or death - if he can help it. ]

Got somethin' you can have if you ever need it. 's upstairs.

[ A shotgun he'd arrived with. The gun Kerry'd given him's up there too. And a baseball bat. But giving Johnny an idea of where he can find iron if he needs it makes him feel a little better. ]

So - we good?

[Johnny leans back even more, just enough to kicks his boots up and let them plunk on the table. He rests them there, taking another long drag of his smoke. Inhale, slow exhale.]

Already know.

[As if Johnny wasn’t aware of where the iron was in the house. As though he hasn’t quietly gone surveying to see just how his housemates got their rooms sorted, decorated, what they’ve got stashed away. He does what he wants, after all.]

Appreciate the info, if I need a boomstick then I know where to look. But won’t be necessary for this; we can agree on that.

[A flippant wave of one hand.]

So yeah, good. When you wanna give it a go?

[ He shouldn't be surprised that Johnny'd already taken a look - he'd never mentioned what kind of iron though apparently Johnny already knows. For him, he's less bothered by it than he figures others might be. Hard to reach for privacy when the man in question has seen more of him than anybody else ever has, or likely will.

He's got a feeling Kerry probably wouldn't be surprised either, but maybe less forgiving. Either way his hands unclasp from the table top as Johnny's boots appear without invitation. And then he shoves, hard, to slide them back off again with a shake of his head. ]

After camp. Which you're comin' to, by the way.

[wow wow heckin rude? Johnny's boots slide of the table and land on the kitchen floor with an equally loud thunk.]

Am I?

[PUTTING HIS FEET BACK UP ON THE TABLE, THANKS]

Got a choice in the matter? A little told to be goin' on field trips, V.

[ Eyebrows knitting together, V's hands twitch briefly like he's going to rinse and repeat. Except at the last second he holds off, decides that the conversation is actually an important one. ]

Don't think it's like summer camp from your era.

[ At least not from what he gleaned from the invitation. Mostly he just feels aware of the fact that he doesn't feel ready to be hours away from the irritating gonk with his boots on the table. ]

You don't want to get better at starting fires?

[And Johnny's not sure he wants to be too departed from a certain merc, either; be a bit like leaving a piece of his own spirit behind, though maybe that strong predilection towards co-dependency in this situation should probably be something taken into consideration.

Not like he will, naturally. And not like he won't grumble about it, anyway.]

Feel like I'm pretty good already. [He raises a hand and with a small delay, a little flicker of fire dances in its center. Guess he didn't really need that lighter in the first place.] You tellin' me you aren't impressed?

Cant say I'm not.

[ It is impressive because neither of them come from a place where it's run of the mill. In fact, the flame is mesmerizing in a way that keeps V's focus for long seconds until he blinks out of his daze. ]

'cept I didn't realize you'd want to stop at party tricks. Don't wanna know what else you can do? Way I understand it, camp's gonna help with that.

And what's not to like 'bout spending more time with me?

[ A quick, charming grin flutters across his lips before he leans back in his own chair, the boots forgotten for now. ]

What's the worst that could happen? That maybe you gotta tell me you were wrong and that it's a good idea?

[And here, Johnny does rolls his eyes. He clamps his hand into a fist again and puts that fire out.]

Over my dead body.

[Yeah, he's aware of the irony. But V's got a point, as always. Would be better to turn his flame-conjuring into actual flame-throwing, and without accidentally setting fire to the whole townhouse in the process.]

Fine. I'll go. But right after we get back, we're kleppin' my axe.

[Assuming, you know. The city doesn't go to hell or anything in the meanwhile.]

...well, fuck. That was easy. Was gonna be my next move, too. Tradin' this gig for you comin' to camp. Thanks for bein' that guy, Johnny.

[ Grinning like he actually doesn't care how it happened, the point is that Johnny agreeing loosens some tension he's had coiled up in his stomach. Maybe the only point of reference Johnny's got for that is the way V exhales slowly, as if he'd been holding his breath this whole time. He hasn't, just feels like it. ]

Admit it. You'd miss me if I wasn't around.

[ A point hammered home with the way V swipes Johnny's boots off the table again and finally gets up to stand. ]

I promise we'll go get your axe soon as we're back.

Yeah, miss you bein' a fuckin' gonk.

[He says as his legs slide off the table a second time, boots landing on the floor with a definitive thunk. He doesn't make the effort to place them back, but instead flips V the bird with his 'ganic hand as the merc stands to leave.]

Pencil it in. [Gives him time to find the masks he has in mind, anyway. His cigarette hangs from his lips, leaking smoke, as he finalizes their intent.] Lookin' forward to your first successful job on this rock.

[ Exhaling his amusement, V knows he deserves it. He's just happy existing in this space that feels right. More full, somehow. ]

Speakin' of work... Cloud told me what you're makin' 'im do. The uh... hand holdin'.

[ He doesn't think he needs to say anything more to explain what he means, just jams his own hands in his pockets and the grin melts into a smile. ]

And I thought to myself... no fuckin' way Johnny wouldn't be balls deep already out there now he's got his allegedly impressive cock back. So...

[ So it's a decent thing to do for somebody else, and what he thinks he maybe should say but is relying on Johnny being able to read his thoughts - or remembering enough of them - is that he's glad the guy hasn't just reverted back to being a selfish asshole. ]

And the fuck am I supposed to do? Let the guy turn into a rock?

[Hey, this is the part where he deflects the attempt to make him look like he’s some helpful guy.]

Y’know, I’m not the only one livin’ here. You could take up the burden yourself, too. Hold the guy’s hand — he acts all tough, but I think he’s as big of a gonk as you.

Wouldn't wanna step on ya toes. Fingers. ...whatever.

[ It's a lie, plain and simple. If he's needed for hand-holding he's probably the more likely candidate than Johnny at first glance. But actually, seems like Johnny's got this all tied up. ]

Makes ya feel any better, think you were goin' soft way before you got here.

[ Something that V's a fan of; better than the seething version of a man who wanted to kill him to get what he wanted, at first. ]

But if you turn into a rock while we're here? I'll flatline ya myself.

Goin’ soft?

[Excuse you! Maybe it’s true but it’s nothing he wants to hear spoken aloud like that!!!]

Say that again and I’ll turn into a rock just to spite you. I ain’t goin’ soft, V, just ‘cause I’m not trying not to let the world revolve around me as much as before.

Or you already forget about the bar fight we got ourselves into already? Nearly knocked that guy’s teeth out — funny as hell.

[ Get used to it Johnny! ]

No, you won't. 'cause if you think I wouldn't hold your hand too...

[ Dragging his hands back out of his pockets he spreads them, like he's saying 'I don't make the rules'. ]

'sides, didn't say you're a pushover. Why's it such a bad thing if you got people you're soft with anyway?

[ Aside from Night City being the way it is, and how hard it makes people, V never asked that. Not that he remembers, anyway. ]

Uh-huh. ‘Cause, V—

[He pushes himself up to his feet, kitchen chair squeaking as it slides across the floor. Time to make his exit, not because he’s taken any real offense, but because it’s about as far as he’s going to humor the convo for now. He doesn’t have the ability to just blip out of existence anymore.]

—some people can’t tell the difference, and I’d hate to give ‘em the wrong impression. Better off thinkin’ I’m a selfish jackass, leave it at that. Easy for me to act like it; like slipping on an old coat.

[He huffs smoke, heads out towards the kitchen’s exit. Raises a chrome hand in a little wave.]

Like now. Talk to ya when I feel like it. Gonna find a mask for that ugly mug of yours.

[ Johnny having to use a door's still a novelty, but V'd watch him even if it wasn't. There's a barely there roll of his eyes, a subtle shake of his head. He'd call Johnny out on walking away from the conversation, but no part of him thinks that'd be helpful. ]

Yeah. You do that.

[ And he'll... do something else. ]

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