Needless to say, he was already well ahead of her.[break]
Imagine telling someone to do their specialty. God.[break][break]

”Yes, Mom,” he groaned, clicking his tongue and narrowing his eyes beneath the selfsame mask he’d donned at the beginning of the operation, altogether. ”For fuck’s sake, dude— I’ve literally been sittin’ here, tappin’ away ever since we got here.”[break][break]

He furrowed his brows as his hands brought themselves to an abrupt pause, and after a moment, he gave another, sighing groan before tapping the backspace button several times.[break][break]

”It’s like tellin’ a fish to swim, man…”[break][break]

He shook his head in an ongoing sense of exasperation, but tilted his head up to eye her only moments after. With a small nod towards the tower, he only spared her a faint glance before looking down towards the device cradled within his lap.[break][break]

”Get ya comms up ‘n ready, though. Security systems should be down in half a minute, so haul ass to the entry point, like, now,” he added. ”They should be able to get everythin’ back up in a couple minutes, so make everythin’ quick and painful.”[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER (70 MP)[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

• Postdormitum Mission Participation (comms, 1/2) (+50 MP)
• Assisting another character (comms/hacking security) (+10 MP)
• IC Post (+10)

ARIADNE MAUCH [break]
outfit. on the nose, i know lmfao

☉

Hah, she could laugh at the sarcasm. [break][break]

She doesn’t so she snickers instead with a smirk on her lips. Her hands raise up, palms open with a shrug, while going back to waiting. A hand lowers to path the top of the twitching pokemon’s head, who’s still raring to go, excited for what carnage they’re able to cause in the name of communication breaches. [break][break]

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll let the expert do his thing~” she raises her hands to begin playing with the arms of the digital pokemon, before humming softly and counting the seconds down. “I’ll be doing it on the dot.” her tone is relaxed as the porygon-z lets out a hearty cry, before allowing the pokemon to lead her towards the entry point as quickly as they could. It’s not too far, thankfully. [break][break]

“And all I do is shove the little guy in to scramble and fry connections?” she hums into the microphone, giving an absentminded glare towards the terminal before her.



[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER

70 MP

> Mission: Comms (1/2)
[break]> Postdorm Mission +50 MP
[break]> IC Post +20 MP

Inigo del Rosario

☉

Her only response had initially been a glance from the corner of his eye, though the bulk of it had been a passive aggressive wave of the hand, almost as if saying to be quicker.[break][break]

”Less talkin’ and more doin’, then,” he sighed, clicking his tongue as she began to finally move. Without so much as an idling pause, he continued to watch the screen before him and press upon the keys as needed. ”I ain’t against talkin’ and fuckin’ around, but the sooner we get outta here, less of a chance we got bein’ caught.”[break][break]

He pursed his lips beneath the mask he wore for a brief moment, however, while mulling over the latest question posed before him.[break][break]

”But yeah— the abridged version, basically.” His brows furrowed softly as he continued to tap along the keys, only lifting his gaze for just enough time to ensure the coast remained clear before looking back down. ”Feed ‘em in. Let ‘em do his glitchy shit. Should be protected, but make sure he gets out ‘fore the minute’s up. Might get fucked up if ya don’t.”[break][break]

He took a deep breath, scanning the screen and its texts for a couple more moments before sighing and leaning back.[break][break]

”That said, ten seconds ‘til showtime.”[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER (90 MP)[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

• Postdormitum Mission Participation (comms, 1/2) (+50 MP)
• Assisting another character (comms/hacking security) (+10 MP)
• IC Post (+10)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

ARIADNE MAUCH [break]
outfit. on the nose, i know lmfao

☉

She's not sorry for being informal. [break][break]

But she will keep herself quiet, just so she can count down the seconds and get this right. A minute isn't a long time, but she imagines it's more than enough for the porygon-z. "Try not to be too overwhelmed in there, alright?" She softly coos to the pokemon, whose flippers raise in the air, proud and rearing to go. [break][break]

The time ticks, and the pokemon is immediately thrusted into the cyber-scape of data. It's surrounded by lines of communication, and tangible coding and strings of messages that, otherwise, would be something so, so irritating to disrupt. But, alas, they can, and now they're here to cause absolute, massive destruction.[break][break]

Within seconds, the porygon-z has started scrambling messages, disrupting lines, hijacking streams and doing everything in between. The blue and red pokemon flickers in and out, travelling and infecting some streams with the same data that makes it so erratic and eccentric - like the virus it is. [break][break]

While the trainer waits. Not anxious, mind, but with the tiniest hint of anticipation and nervousness as the timer ticks down. "Almost there.." She mumbles, tapping her fingers against the thigh of her leg. [break][break]

"How's the lil guy doing in there?" He probably wouldn't be able to see the porygon-z zipping around, but "you can see how much damage they're doin', right?"



[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER

70 MP

> Mission: Comms (1/2)
[break]> Postdorm Mission +50 MP
[break]> IC Post +30 MP

Inigo del Rosario

☉

He opened his mouth for a moment, hearing her words.[break]
It closed before long, only allowing a long sigh to escape.[break][break]

Though his persisting watch and attentiveness had been necessary to properly ensure the safety and success of the procedure, the bulk of it had been finished before the Pokemon had cast itself into the system— and so, in light of that, he’d brought his hands up and against his face for just a few moments, tiredly rubbing the ridges of his cheeks. He shook his head softly and to none other than himself before resting a hand against the keys once more, all while the remaining stayed pressed against his face; the heel covering his mouth, and the fingers tapping against his cheek.[break][break]

”Look, Cuz— if I could watch the ‘lil guy like a goddamn video game, I would,” he sighed, leaning further against the wall he’d holed up against. His eyes followed along with the code upon the screen as it constantly paused and changed—most of it undoubtedly due to the creature wreaking havoc where he worked best—as he crossed his arms. ”Just gotta trust ‘em, a’ight? He’s got directions. Just hope he can carry it out.”[break][break]

He quirked his lip, humming idly.[break][break]

”’Cause, y’know, if he doesn’t, he may get outta there all…fucked up. Glitchy. Virus-y. Prolly would turn into, like…I dunno a real would equivalent of Linda, wanting a booty call from three-point-four miles away.”[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER (110 MP)[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

• Postdormitum Mission Participation (comms, 1/2) (+50 MP)
• Assisting another character (comms/hacking security) (+10 MP)
• IC Post (+10)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

ARIADNE MAUCH [break]
outfit. on the nose, i know lmfao

☉

She's not anxious. [break][break]

At least, she'll say she isn't. So hearing that she can't see how the little guy is doing in the sea of code twangs a string in her heart, somewhere. "Yeah.." she hums, softly, leaning back towards a wall as she gathers her nerves. All the meanwhile, the Porygon-Z does as it could, glitching in and out of different channels, scrambling code, and scrambling signals, until each one it masses turns to pitch darkness. [break][break]

His attempt at lightening the mood during work comes to a surprise - especially since it's coming from him. Is he trying to cheer her up a bit with the snarky remark? Her lips curl into a smile in response, a gloved hand reaching up to tug at the mask below her chin. "Hah~" She laughs instead. "if he came out as another Linda, I'll have words to say~" [break][break]

The lights on the screen flicker as the time ticks down seconds. As the final screen turns dark, the Porygon-Z ejects itself from the terminal, harmlessly still tumbling onto the ground, rolling until it comes to a stop at the man's heel. The trainer perks her ears up, looking in the direction she hears the little pokemon falling. [break][break]

The ball of red and blue hums, still glitchy and twitching as it slowly levitates back into the air. Ariadne approaches the pokemon, with her head slightly tilted. [break][break]

"So," she asks, reaching her hand to look for the digital pokemon. "How glitchy is the little guy? Is he Linda levels unhinged?~"



[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER

90 MP

> Mission: Comms (1/2)
[break]> Postdorm Mission +50 MP
[break]> IC Post +40 MP

Inigo del Rosario

☉

Pfft. Get a load of this chick.[break]
Thinking he did it for her. Man.[break][break]

Even if there was a sliver of truth to the thought—which, let’s be real, there was, since he was an asshole, not heartless—it had really been a normal display of personality, plain and simple. Had this been an active mission? Absolutely. Was there a risk of being caught like with anything else he’d done throughout the day? Also absolutely.[break][break]

Hiding out and keeping watch was leagues (hah) different than actively outrunning personnel, busting cargo busts that were happening to them, or literally anything else.[break][break]

Simply put: he wasn’t nearly as hard pressed, so naturally, there wasn’t much of a reason to be professional.[break]
Especially not when they were on their own, for the moment. No one to watch. No one to judge.[break][break]

”Fuuuuck if I knoooow, Cuz,” he sighed through their communications link, briefly furrowing his brows and rubbing his face as he tilted his head up. ”Ain’t like y’all are close right now. Kiiiiiinda hard to be the judge of that. Just a ‘lil bit.”[break][break]

He sighed a second time, already beginning to get up while shutting his laptop and tucking it away.[break]
He took the moment to glance across the way.[break][break]

”First glance from afar, though?” he went on, squinting. ”...Uncomfortably spazzy and glitchy, but, like…in a healthy amount for a Porygon, I guess? I don’t fuckin’ know.”[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER (120 MP)[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

• Postdormitum Mission Participation (comms, 1/2) (+50 MP)
• Assisting another character (comms/hacking security) (+10 MP)
• IC Post (+10)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)

ARIADNE MAUCH [break]
outfit. on the nose, i know lmfao

☉

When she touches the pokemon, she hums, softly, with a smile to her lips as the pokemon guides her, glitchy as it is. [break][break]

"Oh, come on~" She chimes, snickering softly as the billed virus twitches when it levitates through the air. It's trying its best, truly, and she appreciates the thought "you've seen the little guy enough, right? I'm sure you'd know~" she hums, before tugging the Porygon-Z over to cradle in her arms once she gets a feel for direction. [break][break]

When she catches up, an arm lowers from the cradle to lightly hold onto the sleeve of Inigo's shirt. At this point, it'd become a bit of a habit whenever they were on a job, or just walking together in general. The last thing she'd want is to get lost - like she did while they were stuck in that (hell) dreamscape he hates so much. [break][break]

"Nice work~" she chimes, gently nuzzling her cheek against the top of the billed pokemon's head in praise. It's still glitching, and its voice is still distorted, but the little abomination is happy all the same as it hums in her arm. Then she glances up to her partner here, humming and ready to walk in a stride. [break][break]

"and nice work to you, too~."



[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER

200 MP

> Mission: Comms (1/2)
[break]> Postdorm Mission +50 MP
[break]> IC Post +50 MP
[break]> Completed Mission +100 MP

Inigo del Rosario

☉

”Yeah. I know,” he sighed, lifting himself upon his feet once more after properly securing the contents of his bag. He inhaled deeply while giving their surroundings a swift glance once more—a final means of ease—before shifting his attention towards her, as well as the creature within her arms, as they approached.[break][break]

He stared at the Pokemon for a few moments before giving it a single pat upon the head, turning heel and beginning to walk at a brisk pace soon after.[break][break]

”Wish everythin’ else we’re gonna have to do today was just as easy, but fuck me, I guess.”[break][break]

---

MP TRACKER (230 MP)[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

• Postdormitum Mission Participation (comms, 1/2) (+50 MP)
• Assisting another character (comms/hacking security) (+10 MP)
• IC Post (+10)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Assisting (hacking) (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)

---

• IC Post (+10 MP)
• Mission Completion (Cargo) (+100 MP)

ARIADNE MAUCH [break]
outfit. on the nose, i know lmfao

☉