NOCTIUM IC INBOX

[disrupts]

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TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION
V ✦ CYBERPUNK 2077

RESIDENCE ✦ Chez Eurodyne, Silverhand, Strife & V

GEMBOND ✦ Sapphire
"This is V. 'pparently 'm busy right now so leave a message."


INFO ✧ PERMISSIONS ✧ KINKLIST

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[engrams]

[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.]

[disrupts]

...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.

[engrams]

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.

[disrupts]

[ 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. ]

[engrams]

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.

[disrupts]

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.

[engrams]

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.

[disrupts]

[ 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. ]

[engrams]

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.

[disrupts]

[ 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. ]