transfusionem | •daybreak inbox

I suppose that was a slight exaggeration. But where we went last time.

[ 'Usual place' just sounded cooler. ]

I'm free 19:00 to 21:00, if you are.

We can probably start calling it the usual place after this time.

[Twice is probably some sort of usual.]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm free.

Hopefully we won’t need too many more.

[ or hopefully they will, said Toki. ]

Then I shall meet you there. Snacks optional this time.

That'd be nice.

[Toki can never learn of these meetings.]

See you soon.

[And of course there's going to be snacks. Adelaide's been spending too much time baking to not have things to bring Rex. This time she's brought him a whole tin of handmade shortbread cookies, because it seems like he liked those.]

[ He meets her in the lobby as before. He’s had a haircut! He did it himself! It’s a rather short, practical cut but somehow just as messy and for some reason he’s left that one long dangly bit in the middle, except now it’s equal with his nose rather than below it.

He’s got the backpack and gets into stride with her, holding up his hand as a combination wave and showing the key hooked on one of his fingers. ]

You’ve been okay?

[Adelaide gets the feeling that pointing out the haircut or saying it looks good is just going to make him try to yeet himself from this conversation, so she keeps quiet on that.]

Okay is...a word you could use, yeah.

[She's been better. She's also definitely been worse. Okay is fine.]

You've been busy though, huh?

[ Pointing it out is fine, it looks good is scary. Depends on the phrasing if he jumps out a window though.

Okay is the best he can ask for and gets a nod. Good is a distant memory. Not as distant as it used to be following baby Rex reappearing. ]

Only slightly more than usual.

[ He opens the door for her (what a gentleman!!!) and lets her settle as she wishes. ]

[Rex, it's fine. It's okay to accept you're not the worst thing people see.]

Sorry about that.

[And she is. She's not exactly sure the uptick in busyness is her fault, but it feels like it is.

She sets down the tin of cookies, before taking a seat on the bed.]

Those are for you, by the way. A little thanks for doing this for me.

[She could really do more, she thinks, but she doesn't know exactly what she could do.]

[ Objectively untrue. He is scientifically proven to be hideous and also, being liked is horrifying. That too is science. ]

Oh, no. Not that. Student council.

[ He’d be doing the Phantom stuff anyway, after all. Mostly out of curiosity he pops open the tin and seeing the contents takes a quick intake of breath. Aww yiss. He has one in his mouth and one in each hand before he knows it. ]

[Your science is bad and you should feel bad.]

Oh, yeah. You're running too.

[For a position that's much more prestigious than being the money guy.

Not that being the money guy isn't important.

She smiles, shaking her head as she watches him eat, and leans back on the bed.]

Do they taste alright? I've never made shortbread before.

Dffdffhfhcicis.

[ Hold on. Gulp. ]

Delicious.

[ He runs his hands around his mouth now the three have disappeared, to make sure he doesn't miss a crumb. It does occur to him he's being weird again, but that doesn't stop him snarfing down another even with a light pink dusting on his cheeks. ]

You've quite a skill.

[Rex. Please.

She smiles, though, happy to have made something good. Shortbread was simple enough, sure, but...it's still nice knowing she didn't fuck it up.]

Well, thank you. I'm glad you like it!

[Also, this is the least weird Rex has ever been.]

[ He doesn't have a smile himself, but he isn't as miserable as usual. Good job Adelaide. He has gotten better about not eating any put in front of him compulsively, but he still does go full hamster face for a moment before he seals the tin again.

He munches away as he roots around in the backpack. First, a case which he lays out on the bed. That's the first version of her suit. Second, that same flask as before.

Gulp! ]

The suit is as done as it can be without testing by the end user. And I've a quarter dose of the artificial blood, in case there is a negative effect.

[ Or a way too positive effect, oh-ho. ]

Where would you like to start?

[Even if he's not smiling, he's eating the cookies, and that's all that matters. It's satisfying, because he enjoys it, and she feels like she's managed to do something good. With everything that's been happening lately, she'll take any good feelings she can get.

She's surprised to see a case, and she leans forward to poke at it curiously.]

I wasn't expecting the suit to be done - or partially done, at least. Can I try it on?

[A pause.]

Which I guess means we're starting there, hah.

Yes, sorry it's late.

[ fucking late

He pops the case open and there she is- the suit! It's not full black, more of a dark charcoal. Slightly better for fading into shadows, but stealth isn't the main focus of Adelaide's suit. She has the powers for that herself. It's very form fitting but padded out for comfort (also it zips up from the front so whilst it's not a conscious design choice she can totally do the absolute cleavage zipper thing if she wants). The gloves and shoes are separate pieces, with the gloves going to the elbow but meant to be tucked into the sleeves so there's overlap on the forearms. That's because the other layer on the forearms is thicker, for defensive purposes and the gloves thinner for fine movements. The shoes are boots but clearly influenced by running shoes, though the soles are covered in a multifaceted surface and small hooked claws are on the toe tips.

It isn't overtly bat-themed, there's a subtle implication of a bat wing's, wrapped around as if roosting with the fingers of the 'wings' along the ribs. And the helmet, which covers her face from the nose up, has a suggestion of bat ears with the ridges along the sides and the two small points which sweep out the back continue the theme, like a bicycle racing helmet. The case contains a belt covered in pouches and a few others that can be strapped to the upper arm or leg for preference. ]

The bodysuit has almost zero air resistance- it diverts air behind you and actually produces thrust. Which means the faster you run, the more it produces so it will take some practice, I imagine. The shoes will too. I designed the soles to have adjustive friction to give you the most thrust per step as possible. The spikes dig in and out for the same purpose and should help you turn when at high speeds too. It also has an... I couldn't think of a better term than 'airbag.' But I couldn't think of a way to make it automatic that wouldn't go off at inopportune times- if you press your palms to the opposite shoulders, it will wrap you in a spherical barrier that should reduce impacts.

And.

Uhm.

[ He pulls out a choker, pretty simple black band design with a dark red stone embedded in it- pressing hard on it with the finger of a glove causes a fucking cape to unfurl from the thing, easily big enough to reach down to her ankles. Pressing it again has it all wind back in. ]

...They're more useful than people think, honestly.

[ He loves capes okay. ]

You didn't have a deadline.

[Which is true. They never actually discussed when it was going to be made, just that there would eventually be something. You can't be late if a time frame was never established.

She takes it, though, and heads off into the bathroom to change into it. She has some shame, at least, and Rex isn't getting a free show today. Not that he'd probably care, but it's still embarrassing to get naked in front of someone else, Adelaide thinks. Even if he wouldn't ogle her.

It doesn't take her long to change, though, and she strikes a pose as soon as she's back in the room.]

What kind of uses does a cape have?

[Asides from making her feel really dramatic.

[ Rex would be more liable to care that she wouldn't mind him seeing than the actual sights. As established, he knows Adelaide is a very pretty girl but he's got those settings turned off right now. On the other hand, a show would imply that either she found him so non-threatening she didn't mind him seeing (which is kind of okay in his book, really) or she wanted him to see (which is Not Good, she deserves far better taste no matter what Toki and now Maverick think).

The suit feels tighter than it looks, thanks to being several layers. The one closest to the skin clings but moves fluidly it's not comfortable but takes some getting used to. The middle layer is mostly softer but has rigid rods, the batwing patterns, which are defensive, then there's the top layer which is slightly dimpled like a golfball. ]

Looks like a good fit. Not too tight anywhere?

[ He doesn't ogle, technically, but he does give her a long, discerning look. Like her with the shortbread, he'll feel like he's done something right with an invention works.

To illustrate a cape use, he whips the cover off the bed and drapes it over his shoulders. ]

For a start, you can't see what I'm doing with my hands, or what's in them. I've been able to get a shot off before anyone realised I was playing dirty many times.

[ Lewd. ]

[Adelaide is trying not to think about what Toki thinks - and she has no idea about Maverick.

Which is probably a good thing, because she is spending time alone with Rex on a fairly consistent basis. Or at least more consistent than she would have expected.

Anyways. Enough about that.]

It's a little snug, but... [She does some stretches, testing the give of the fabric. It's a little strange to wear, but after getting used to it...She doesn't think it'd be so bad.] It's not the worst thing I've worn.

[She smiles at the blanket cape, nodding.]

Right, right, so it's for more than just being super stylish. Nobody will expect anything I do.

[ It's fine. Maverick has just started and Toki isn't smart, nothing to take seriously here. All of their time together is strictly business, they're certainly not forming a connection or anything. Surely she merely tolerates him for his usefulness (and thinks his face is hot????) and he is merely using her to learn vampirism inside and out (and she makes him laugh????). ]

There's more to it than that. Observe- [ It's not as cool as it would be if he was using his actual cape, but he steps forward with a certain twist of his shoulder. Looks like he's about to throw a punch with his right, except suddenly he has his left foot at head height. ] I'm not much of a fighter, but a little misdirection can even things out.

[ He says all that with his leg in the air, but the razzle-dazzle passes when he tosses the cover off. ]

It can make a decent makeshift shield, help carry items, a blindfold, tear it up for bandages, the hem of mine is weighted for strikes, it obscures your outline for stealth- there are lots of uses.

[ He actually cracks a smile. He likes building things and the recent thrill of people liking what he makes is new and surprises him. ]

It does look stylish though, right?

[There's no funny business going on here. Clearly. They are just maybe friends??? That sounds good.

Adelaide claps, like Rex is the one putting on a show, but she seems suitably impressed. Very flashy. The razzle-dazzle is much appreciated.]

So dazzle them with how flash you are, and give them the ol' one-two while they aren't expecting it.

[She nods, considering - and she's surprised when he actually smiles. It's kind of nice to see, honestly. (But it's fine. She just think that, objectively, he has a nice face. She certainly doesn't think anything of it over how nice it is to see him looking pleased with something.)]

It's very stylish. This whole thing looks better than I thought it would, honestly.

[She pats herself down, even though there's no mirror in the room for her to look in. She feels like she looks like a complete badass.

And also maybe hot? She feels like, objectively, she looks hot.]

[ He gives the smallest bow possible, basically just a wobble at the shoulders, but he's at least participating! ]

Not exactly how I would phrase it, but... yeah.

[ He works out what her patting is for and pulls out his phone to take a picture and sends it to her. Complete badass is a given, hot... Rex isn't one to ask but almost certainly. Like. Objectively. It's science. ]

There's a certain intimidation factor to be had in being striking.

[ Yes, that's why he made the combat suit look kickass and kind of sexy, because it's intimidating. And he's constantly Rextra too, of course. ]

...Do you want one with the helmet on?

[ He offers up said helmet, showing her the on-switch at the temple. It's got a sporty visor, a shade darker than the rest of the outfit. Naturally, it has a head's up display. He'd normally have made it more mechanical with separate lenses but Adelaide doesn't need night vision, right? Instead, it has data on her speed and barrier charge percentage up by default, but with the little radial menu button on the opposite temple, she can jump to other options. Polarised to deal with bright light, distance calculator, directional microphone. Also, it can sync to a phone if she wants to look at funny cat videos. Or call people I guess. ]

I wasn't sure of your senses, so let me know if anything is overwhelming... or underwhelming and needs improvement.

[It's Better Than Nothing, and that's all that matters.]

It's good enough you know what I mean.

[Oh shit, selfies. She completely blanked on those. That is an excellent idea, though.]

Striking definitely covers it - but I'm sure you've got a way easier time being intimidating.

[She takes the helmet from him, grinning, before sliding it on. Her hair sticks out the bottom, but that's a problem she can deal with later when she's not excited over the existence of all of this stuff.]

Probably won't be able to get a good feel for how this compares until I give this a better test than standing in an inn room.

[But so far nothing is overwhelming her and making her want to curl up into a ball and cry, so...success?? Possibly??]

[ He nods when she mentions he's probably got a knack for appearing intimidating. ]

You'd be correct. I don't need to try most of the time.

[ She probably knows there's a great deal of eager to please puppy under the terrifying grizzled feral dog look he sports. At least he looks a bit neater with the fresh haircut, on the other hand, he's put on muscle since he got to Daybreak, so he's even larger than before. Scary boi.

She gets another kickass combat suit shot. Do a pose! Put it on facebook! ]

Anyway, please do experiment with it as much as possible. Testing it to destruction when practising is fine- it means I can improve on it. And if you make it look cool, more people will want their own.

Must be nice - though I guess if everyone is afraid of you it'd probably get pretty frustrating.

[She knows he's got some sort of soft, squishy center. She's not necessarily certain how much he knows he has a soft, squishy center, or how much he wants to have that squishiness...

Well. It's there whether he knows or wants it.]

So it's beta testing and advertising all in one. [She's definitely going to at least show the pictures to her friends.

Which probably means sharing it with Mav and Toki.]

It'd be a shame if this got all beat up, even if it makes version two point oh better.

[ He makes a quiet 'mm' at the idea being scary is frustrating. He's used to it. He's cultivated it, when he wears his mask and speaks with the voice of the devil and its been so long since he's thought of Rex as the real him... so it's just kind of a dull sensation of inconvenience, which is life itself.

So that answers that 'if he knows' question. ]

That's the nature of early models. Their brief existences promise better things.

[ He can wax philosophical on the design proccess, why not. On that note though, he decides to reveal the last goodies in the case. Looks like a rather large bladed knife, when he pulls it out of the sheath. Not quite a machete, just a little smaller. He holds it up to let her see it from a few angles, to see the trigger on the handle and the odd ring shape on the end. Pushing the button and pulling on the ring simultaneously reveals the grip around the hilt is in fact, a very thin bag of holding and it turns out the knife is a spear. Or the knife has a very long handle. Depends on your perspective. Once it slides out a little- enough it'd be clear the user does want the spear, it springs out instead of having to be pulled. Probably good for a surprise attack itself. ]

Both suit a high-speed combatant so I decided to give you both in one- I know you've been more interested in swordswomanship but... A back-up is always a good idea. Useful if you're cornered too.

[ Putting it back in is a similar process. Hold the trigger, push the bottom of the shaft enough and the handle is sucked up- slurp! Like pasgetti. ]

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