xp_logs | Log: Artie and Darcy

xp_artie posting in

Meanwhile, in Germany, Artie and Darcy check out the creepy damn brains scientists are making.

Artie was wearing a suit and looked at Darcy while giving her a closed mouth smile and fastening a slightly ostentatious looking pendant around his neck. It was a little incongruous but held a text to voice synthesiser that allowed him to pass as speaking, as long as he mouthed the words and projected directly into it.

The other him, in the alternate reality, had used it and sometimes, there was benefit to passing.

"We're American journalists who normally cover the music news in Berlin," he said. "We work for an indie press that you probably haven't heard of, based out of Portland but also freelance to a few papers in the Pacific North West on their European desk. Budget cuts and a push for long form journalism, you know? Not entirely our wheelhouse but we've got student loans. This means that we're going to have to go in unarmed to avoid blowing our cover. This car" he slapped the gear stick for emphasis, "is our base."

Darcy smoothed a hand down her dress as she listened to Artie, raising an eyebrow as he slapped the gear stick. "Good thing I can drive that. In an emergency." She grinned slyly at him as she dangled a set of keys. "And I wouldn't say completely unarmed, but I never like having to use sparky. Went poorly last time. So... the car is our base. What else do I need to know about it? Features, quirks?"

Artie laughed. "It is a VW Up. I hired it because it was the cheapest car I could find at the rental place near the train station. It has a solid safety rating and 5 gears. It is considered to be a sensible and economical choice to hire when you need to drive in a city." He looked at Darcy seriously and added, "you know where our safe houses are. There's absolutely nothing unusual in this car - no weapons, no gadgets, nothing - because that could compromise our identity. If you have to cut and run, you do it and don't second guess yourself."

Her face was serious for a moment. "I remember where they are, I'll bail if necessary, and it's probably for the best that I can't press the wrong button and end up hitting the turbocharge... also that we don't need a lot of legroom. So. Where are we headed first?"

"We're American journalists who've travelled down to Munich from Berlin," and honestly, it never got less weird, hearing himself speak like this. He freaking hated it. "And these are really solid identities. So we're going to go on a quick tour so I can get some photos of the Viktualienmarkt for a travel piece I'm selling to a content aggregator because that's what this ID would do here for the day. Seriously, these IDs are good and half the reason they're so solid is that every time we use them, we do the work - write the articles, follow up with the the appropriate people and all the rest. It's not a black ops op yet. It's a paperwork op."

That made sense, even if it felt a little patronizing. "I don't know if my German speaking will hold up to the market, but I can at least hold things and take notes." She looped her arm into his with a smile. "Tour time let's gooooo, I'm ready to eat all the good food and see the best sights."

Artie flushed and said "Sorry, not used to being the one in charge and all that. I'm normally either flying solo or second. You don't need to speak German. We're Americans. We speak English. Speaking anything else would be breaking character."

"You're good, dude. Better to be thorough, right? You wouldn't be stuck in charge of me otherwise. And hey, maybe if we have time we can stop by the Ohel Jakob synagogue? I want to get pictures for my aunt."

Artie grinned. "Of course. Have you had currywurst yet?" He got out of the car and straightened, stretching lightly. "Lets go steal some creepy brain intel."

"Are we getting the intel first? Probably should save my new dining experiences for later, in case the lab is stomach-turning."

"Tourists first. Intel second. I want to enjoy today and, you know, it's 50/50 that I might have to do terrible things to scientists later so let's just... Let's take a moment first." Artie felt like he was a thousand years old. There were two ways today could end and. Fuck, you know?

"Enjoying the day sounds good. Show me the currywurst and the sights, dude, and we'll tackle the dark side of science later." She squeezed his shoulder lightly, lowering her voice. "If terrible things happen... there's a point where the good from playing at being gods is outweighed by the horrific ways humanity will use the knowledge. We'll take care of it and unwind after. Drink, watch trash TV and cuddle, whatever." Darcy was trying to be pragmatic instead of dwelling on it, because she knew she'd get twitchy if she overthought things.

Artie gave her a tiny smile and then closed his eyes momentarily. When he opened them, he was able to smile cheerfully and waved Darcy forward. "There is this one beer garden we have to go to."

They walked through the market slowly, Darcy darting between the stalls as things caught her eye. She lost sight of Artie at one point, caught up in haggling with a delightful older woman over a scarf and hat. She left a few euro lighter but triumphant, spinning slowly until she caught sight of him, and made her way through the crowds. "Get any good shots?"

"A few." Artie linked arms with her and leaned in to say, "ready to go?“

"Beer garden? I could use some food, and we can figure out the best way to get to the other place." She kept a grip on his arm as they walked, free hand enthusiastically pointing out things that caught her interest.