thevelmster | duplicity

Oh sure, yeah. I used to build my own circuit boards. It's been a bit because of work, but I enjoy working with that stuff.

[She gives Velma a gentle smile, nodding.]

And good, I don't want to impose, obviously.

{She looks around the room, taking in all the details she can. So she's got someone here with her?]

What are you putting together?

It's been an excellent distraction at times.

[Her expression indicates that while it helps, the tinkering by no means eclipses the reality of their situation, no matter how much focus she shifts there.

If Kate looks hard enough, she may notice that the Dominant wrist cuffs Velma's wearing, while mostly hidden by her sweater, are not the basic ones provided to the uncontracted. This explains the other person.]

Oh, just a few improvements here an there. I'd like to upgrade the security in this apartment for us.

[Kate notes it, but her attention doesn't linger. She's more interested in hearing what sort of projects Velma's working on.]

That seems reasonable. I'd thought about doing the same, but hadn't gotten around to it.

You have anybody from home here?

Oh yeah? Would you like to compare notes sometime? So to speak. Wouldn't want to thieve your designs.

[There's a reason why engineers tend to work in teams, it's beneficial to collaborate, and she's definitely intrigued by bouncing ideas off of her neighbor.

Velma shakes her head at that question, her smile dampening slightly.]

Not that I've seen, and I keep an eye on the network. Do you?

Sure, and thieve away. I'm not too worried about my designs getting out.

[She hardly patents things anymore. Typically Forge does most of the work anyway.]

I do. Uh. Quite a few friends, if I'm honest. Some who've apparently been here for years. Which is a whole level of yikes I admittedly don't want to dwell on.

Me either for most things. Others? Can be evaluated on a case by case basis.

[There's a bit of a pleased lilt to her tone as she maneuvers through the kitchen to pull out a few smaller plates.]

Oh that sounds... Complicated. [A beat.] Yikes is also an accurate conclusion.

[She's not certain as to how she'd react if anyone else from the gang showed up here.]

Would you like some tea?

It is. Folks like family, and...there are weird layers going on I'd rather not think too hard on.

[So! She takes the distraction, instead of thinking about the weird Multiverse shit.]

Oh! Sure, yeah. I'd love some. If you have it, with a little milk, if you don't mind.

[She hopes it's fine.]

How long've you been here?

Edited 2024-11-27 05:33 (UTC)

[There's a thoughtful noise of agreement at Kate's explanation, her thoughts shifting to the what if of her own little group of long time friends arrived here. She's never really thought much of an actual physical relationship with anyone, much less them, but perhaps the reasoning for that was seated in other issues rather. It's quickly shoved aside to worry about another time.]

We may not have cow milk. [There's a note of apology in that comment. She drinks her tea straight with honey on occasion, and her coffee with either oat or almond milk.] If that's alright?

[She starts the kettle regardless.]

A little over a month. I'm still acclimating, to put it nicely.

Yeah, that's totally fine.

[Kate's pretty non-picky as long as the food's kosher, all things considered. She's had to adapt to some pretty weird eating situations, and it's definitely made her pretty easy to deal with.]

And that's fair. It seems like a lot to get used to, y'know.

[There's a nod with a bit of a smile at the first answer, and she busies herself with gathering the necessary supplies for tea service, including a container of oatmilk.

A wry noise that sounds like a chuckle follows.]

I would be worried if anyone started viewing this place as normal. [Her bit of bravado falters slightly.] Not everyone that's brought here has the experience to make adapting... Smoother.

[Kate...stiffens, her eyes narrowing a little bit.]

Your first time was here, wasn't it?

[Ever seen a startled deer wearing an orange sweater? That's the most apt description of Velma in the moment of that statement. She opens her mouth to answer, then closes it again to reconsider what to say.]

Yes and it will be depending on the specific act you're referencing.

[So that cat's out of the bag.]

[Kate's blunt. She can't help it. she's also angry and outraged on Velma's behalf.

She closes her eyes, and visibly quells the anger in her, her hands clenching briefly. When they reopen, she's a little more chill, her tone much softer.]

I know it's probably not helpful coming from a stranger, but I am so sorry.

[She's not quite certain how to manage the intensity of the other woman's anger, though it's a very logical reaction. It's touching that she cares, genuinely. Velma's just awkward with social things sometimes (most times).

Thankfully, the business of making tea's there to busy Velma enough to mask her awkwardness somewhat, especially when the kettle clicks off, indicating the water's hot enough for this type of tea. So, she sets up the chosen mugs, pours over hot water, and then sets a conveniently located timer appropriate for that tea, offering Kate a small smile at her words.]

I appreciate it. But... It's unfortunately something that I've had to simply accept as a constraint to manage here.

[However, it's not something that's always done particularly well, or without extracting an emotional or mental tax.]

[Kate's eyes do soften as Velma busies herself. She knows that she's probably freaked the other woman out a little bit, but that's just how she is sometimes. She's the sort of person who's raised a ruckus at perceived injustices all her life. Whether that's belting out Bella Ciao or other protest songs at hostile political rallies or getting into a fistfight with a racist senator, fighting wrongs is just ingrained in her.]

That's not right, but at least you're looking at it practically.

[That's a positive, at least.]

Sorry, if I came across weird there.

[It's not specifically Kate that's freaked her out, but the reminder of this place and how Not Right it really is even as she tries to operate to the best of her ability within its parameters. Velma's heard tale of what a ruckus here can earn a LIER, so that too adds to her caution on the matter.

That and she finds comfort in approaching things with logic.]

It helps me formulate a path forward, and regulate emotions sometimes.

[She offers a smile to her neighbor before moving to pull the not dairy option out of the fridge.]

Less weird and more passionate.

[Kate offers up a sheepish grin, deflating a little.]

Passionate's definitely me. I'm one of those painfully opinionated types.

[It's a big part of being raised in such a traditionally Jewish household, and then also spending her adult life fighting bad guys. Alas...]

[Velma lifts a hand in apology, expression matching the gesture. She hadn't intended to make the other feel bad.]

It's not a bad thing to be passionate.

[She's just far more logic coded, so her passion tends to delineate along those lines.]

What else are you passionate about?

Oh, stuff that everyone really should be behind. Civil Rights, fair treatment, social justice, that kind of thing. I've been an activist basically since I turned fifteen.

[Kate smiles faintly, shaking her head. She should probably explain the whys. They were important enough.]

I'm Jewish, Bisexual, and a Mutant. The last thing's the most important, but I'm not sure it'll mean much to you. Are Mutants extant in your world?

[There's no disagreement from Velma on that list, quite the opposite as she nods along side each of the mentions. Then Kate provides the specifics and there's more gravity to the why, though her brow does furrow at the mention of Mutant.]

Mutations exist, but I know of no human group referred to as simply Mutants back home. [It might be rude, but she can't help but ask for more information.] Can you provide more context please?

[Kate decides to just demonstrate. She reaches her arm out and pushes it into the wall. Through the wall, really.]

Mutants are people with a special gene that activates at puberty. Each of us has some unique ability or power. Mine is to be able to make myself intangible.

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