4508/Give me my Christmas Bonus, Mr. Kord

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Revision as of 01:57, 28 December 2020 by Shelley (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2020/12/27 |Location=Penthouse - Kord Co |Synopsis=Holiday bonuses at Kord Co. |Cast of Characters=1109,354,2192 |pretty=yes }} {{Poses |Poses=:'''...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Give me my Christmas Bonus, Mr. Kord
Date of Scene: 27 December 2020
Location: Penthouse - Kord Co
Synopsis: Holiday bonuses at Kord Co.
Cast of Characters: Ted Kord, Douglas Ramsey, Alyx Vance




Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord is in a crouch. What is unusual is he is inverted, hovering near his high ceiling via aero-disks. Ted remains in his spider-like pose (!) watching an analog clock holo screen for a few more seconds before releasing his aero-disks. The hero falls downward landing on his couch with a whump, the disks floating down to land on the coffee table. Ted removes his hood and goggles and is quite red-faced. He breathes deeply. "I am goin g to figure out how Batman does this for so long without the blood rushing to his head. I almost got it."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
    "...Rumor has it, it's because he trained with John Zatara." Doug says, from the doorway. He's dressed in civillian clothes right now, which is a peacoat, slim-fit jeans, chelsea boots, gloves, scarf, and a hat with a pom-pom on it. "I just came by to wish you a happy holiday, and drop off a present." ...It's a Jell-O salad. "Sort of a Ramsey family holiday tradition. Mormons, you know." It looks like it's lime Jell-O with pineapple and orange slices in it. "Nana would make a tuna salad aspic every Christmas. I got really good at surreptitiously making it look like I ate a slice, till I could sneak off and flush it down the toilet."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord backflips off the couch and walks to Doug, shaking his head to clear it. "I redesigned a g-suit to wear under my costume. It keeps the blood from rushing to my head. I made it ten minutes this time. I'm using these aero-disks a lot right now, to keep up with Spidey. I'm not sure when Bug 5.0 will be up and running though. The whole company wants to help with it and I'm getting neat ideas to sort through. Plus, I'm spending time patrolling with the Spider Folks."

Ted extends a hand to Doug, "Thank you for the salad. I have your bonus here... under the disks sorry. I also have your gift, a Kord Less. With heads up glasses and multiplexor for all your gadget needs. You got the executive model. Triple encryption and untraceable unless you want to be traced. That big metal pal of yours could step on it with little effect." He hands Douglas the box.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
    Doug tilts his head, and says, "That's a really nice gift, and it's making me feel a little embarassed about the Jell-O." He rubs his chin, and says, "Well, let me- here." He adds, "I'm still not sure where I'm going to wind up, or what the new year holds. I'm still trying to find my niche in life - wherever that might take me." He shrugs his shoulders, once.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord dismisses the protest with a wave. "Nonsense. Think of it this way, it's a homemade gift like your jello salad. We both put thought and craft into our presents. You're fine."

Abruptly Ted pulls Doug into a hug. He holds him tight for a moment before releasing him, only to place his hands on the young Mutant's arms. "You've done exemplary work, and more importantly, you've been a friend. I will always have a place for you here, whether to work or just crash. You're a courageous and resourceful young man and if you need a letter of recommendation or an out of date vigilante to mount a rescue, give me a call. I know what it means to be without a niche. I think I may have found mine. It's hard reinventing yourself." Ted pats Doug's arms and lets him go.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug is momentarily taken aback - but he returns the hug, warmly, and then he says, "When I was a boy, which was only a few years ago but feels like about forty -" He says, "I had a very close group of friends - a family more like. I struggled with my place in that family, but it was always there. But families grow up and grow apart," He says, "And you have to figure it out for yourself, and that's been hard. For what it's worth, among a bunch of technocrats, you stand out as the only real humanitarian of the lot, Mr. Kord. The Tony Starks and Lex Luthors of the world might get more attention, but you're the one with his head in the right place."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord rubs the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Oh uh... well... I was always taught to help those less fortunate than me without seeking attention or reward. It's kind of a tradition with the Kords. Even Uncle Jarvis in his warped way tried to make things better... by cyborging people. aI should say 'Kord.' There's just me now. Your head is in the right place too Doug. You could be a better leader than that Magneto when you realize that. Remember you're every bit as good if not better than him. I'd like Mutants like you to be heard more."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
    "...Just remember, there is such a thing as a win-win." Doug says, before he looks down. "I know how to say the things that'll make people see things my way. The right word, with the right inflection, at the right time, and you can lead people by the nose whatever way you want. But I'm not an anarchist or power-hungry. I don't want to do that to people." He sighs, and clasps his hands together. "But if you have the power, you have to acknowledge not using it is the same as using it irresponsibly. Don't you." He glances back up at Ted. "One thing I've learned is that family is more than blood - it's the people you choose to share your life with. You're a really great mentor to that Peter kid. He seems nice, I haven't really had the chance to meet him."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord nods, rubbing his head and the old scar harder. "Peter is a great protege. I'm learning a lot from him. You do know you can keep working here, move in downstair if you need a place or even have Booster or Vic's room. You're a great flight engineer, your piloting needs some work... Peter is scared to learn. I told him the dang Bug flies itself. And I have a Bugatti I'm willing to loan to a responsible young man who can decode the timing of traffic lights."

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
"It's just a matter of learning the systems and how they work together. Once you understand how they speak to each other and how to speak to them, you can make something do whatever you want." Doug muses. "Bugatti. That would be the car you'd drive. I actually have a Cobra - you know, the little sports car - up in Westchester I'd been working on restoring, but that's going to take years. And I have a house in Maine I bought using some money I made off of Bitcoin - but that's more of a getaway. But it'd be nice to have a place to stay out here - real-estate is expensive."

Alyx Vance has posed:
    On another floor, there's some kind of disagreement. Loud crashes and screams manage to echo through the interiors of the walls. From the sounds of it, a woman is very, very angry at someone named Isaac and is not at all afraid to express it. Perhaps violently. The sounds begin to get louder...and louder...until it seems like they're coming from just outside the door. And then...

    *BANG*

    The door to the penthouse flies open and one of Ted's drones -- perhaps his favorite -- Bobo flies in with wreckless abandon! Clinging to it with two hands is a young woman, just about twenty years old -- she is just along for an angry, loud ride! The drone has a small electronic component held in one of its forward claws. The young woman intermittently lets go with one hand and hangs on with just one. With one hand free, she lunges forward, reaching...reaching... trying so hard to grab that ever-so-important electronic piece.

    "ISAAC!" she shouts. "When this is over... I'm going to give you a reprogramming session that you will never forget!" The drone's name is Bobo, not Isaac, but... well...

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord steps forward and snaps, "B.O.B 0.1 stand down. Good drone. Now give. Give! Isaac, what the hell?" He turns to Alyx, "The nworst he ever did was tear up a take out menu. One week with you... and this! ... Bobo... get me a flathead and philips screwdriver. Stat!" The drone whirls off to comply, rooting through Ted's desk. Ted holds up the component then takes a closer look at Alyx.

"He flew you... all the way up? Not even a princess carry? Sit down. I'll make you some coffee... And Bailey's. Oh Alyx, this is my friend Douglas. talk guys, I'll be right back." He heads off into the kitchen.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
Doug blinks, and then he looks at Alyx, and sticks his hands in his pockets. "Hi, I'm Doug." He looks at the drone and then says, "He's being ornery, huh?" Then he clears his throat, and says something to the drone in Binary, before he listens intently to any response. "He's bored. Just like working dogs, Artificial Intelligences need things to do, or they get destructive. Have you been giving him any tasks he can complete on his own? Any games he can play? Maybe a set of crayons and some blank notebooks so he can draw."

Alyx Vance has posed:
    Through her teeth, Alyx replies with some strain. "...Its name...is....Isaac..." When the drone is ordered to stand down, it stops suddenly in mid-air, which causes Alyx to swing forward and lose her grip. "Augghh!" Alyx crashes to the floor, landing on her behind. Ted's fault, per usual.

    From her position on the floor, Alyx Vance looks up at Doug. "Alyx..." she says quietly, sitting up suddenly. She brushes her legs off and stands. "It took my zero-point rectifier," Alyx explains with a sigh. Her green eyes shift to Ted and makes a flicking gesture with her hand. He'd feel a mysterious tug at the electronic component in his hand.

    "Ted, do you ever notice how all of your friends are my age?" she points out, looking back at Doug as she does.

Douglas Ramsey has posed:
    "I have an old soul." Doug says, crossing his arms, and tilting his chin upward and slightly away. "Also don't hate on me because I'm cute. This face is cash money." His phone rings. "Gotta answer."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shrugs. "Booster and Vic and Huntress were older," he says. He goes to the drone. "Countermand the last instructions. Set up some coffee for us, Isaac." Feeling the tug he releases the zero point thingy. "Peter and Douglas were new hires. I don't have any friends outside work. Here's your present." He points at a large box on his desk. He sees Doug getting ready to jet and waves a good-bye to the young man.

Well this hasn't become awkward at all.

Ted removes his aero-disks from the table and starts cleaning up his desk, replacing the items Isaac threw from the drawer.

Alyx Vance has posed:
    The zero-point rectifier flies through the air and is caught by Alyx's waiting hand. She watches Doug zip off to take a call, which brings Alyx's eyebrows to rise a little as she watches. "...Something I said?" she wonders. Alyx stuffs the part into the front pocket of her hoodie and walks over to the desk.

    Alyx stares down at the large box for a few seconds before looking up at Ted, puzzled. "You got me a present? Why?"

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord stares at her a moment from across the desk and says, "Friendship." A moment later Isaac returns bearing a tray with two coffee mugs. Each mug has a screwdriver in lieu of a spoon. Ted smirks a little at the drone before patting its... head? "Something you said? To Doug, not at all he was leaving when you came in."

Alyx Vance has posed:
    Alyx stares at the box, puzzled. "Okay..." she agrees, hesitantly. "...I didn't get anything for you..." Apparently, Alyx didn't know about Friendship Day. With a shrug, she reaches out to open the box and reveal whatever treasures might lie inside.

Ted Kord has posed:
The box contains what look like ice skates. In place of blades each has a trio of tiny hover fans on its soles. A toe and heel brake also adorns each. Of curse they are blue and dark blue. In answer to her disclaimer he shrugs. "I didn't ask for anything. Hover skates. You can ice skate anywhere. Happy Holidays."

"What did you... never mind."

Alyx Vance has posed:
    Alyx stares down at the skates, giving them a curious look. "...Well, I didn't ask for anything either," she replies. Alyx looks up at Ted, tilting her head to the side. "...Hover skates..." she repeats, staring down at them.

    "Thanks, Ted," Alyx adds, eventually. There's a moment of conflict and then a sigh. "Don't read into this," she adds before moving to position herself to give Ted a hug.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "I think you made sufficient disclaimers and we discussed our arrangements at length and very clearly." Ted almost steps back but is hugged regardless. He lets her hug.

She might as well hug Isaac who, unobserved adds a screw driver to Ted's cup, replacing the one Ted removed.

Alyx Vance has posed:
    "Yeah, well, I think you'll agree that repeating it can't hurt," Alyx points out, giving Ted a brief hug before returning to the box and its skates. She picks up the box with both hands and lifts it from the desk.

    "See ya, Ted," she calls out before taking a few steps towards the door. Alyx stops and gives Bobo/Isaac a rueful glare. "You and I aren't done," she says to the drone before turning and making her exit.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord watches her go in silence. He stirs the coffee with the screwdriver before removing it and taking a sip. Then he looks at B.O.B. 0.1 and pats its casing. "She's all yours pal." He smiles as the drone flees to its recharge kiosk.

"Repeating it... is not necessary. That's why it hurts."