video; un: techgod

[brandnewtech]

[ Dressed in clothes that are way too colorful for this setting, the Technical Boy is sitting at a wooden table, arms crossed. The room is dark but not unnaturally so. A stack of papers sits off to his right side, only partially in frame. Observant viewers may notice that the top one is a schematic of some kind, but the details are mostly obscured.

He lifts one eyebrow before he starts speaking. Intending to be an approachable, his facial expression is calm and is almost a smile, but something about it seems a touch unfriendly. ]

At the risk of redundancy, I'm looking to connect with fellow inventors, mechanics, engineers, alchemists, and technicians for a special project. I have four hands already but need more or it's going to take fucking forever to finish.

Don't ask me what it is. That information is currently on a need-to-know basis. What's important is that it's in the city's best interest. Promise.

Intrigued? Like a challenge? Hit me up. Private messages from serious offers only.

[ He leans forward to get closer to the video in a conspiratorial manner. ]

If you want to leave public messages, tell me what you think this place needs. Get creative.

➟ Attached: "video transcript.txt"

[ Anyone who knew Tech Boy from before may notice this is a bit more vague and brief than his usual network communications. And is that a glitch right as he cuts the feed? Must have been your imagination. ]

Comments

voice; un: givemeyourown

[unsheathedfromreality]

[Coolly,] And on what do we weigh the value of your promises?

[There's static overlaid on the transmission.]

[brandnewtech]

[ He'll respond voice-to-voice message, but the static overlay has him tipping his head to one side in curiosity. What could be causing that? Unclear. Could he keep this person talking long enough to figure it out? Who knows? Unseen, he squints at the recording. ]

I knew a guy once who weighed everything against a measure of gold. Knew another guy who used a really heavy feather. Someone else values their word as good as their life. And some people lie.

If you want me to present a case to convince you I'm honorable in my intentions, I'm not going to do that. Take me at my word or don't.

[unsheathedfromreality]

[Very likely he can; the owner of the voice--and the static, as it happens--is a gregarious sort even if he'd pretend otherwise.]

It is less lying, [a pop and a whistle in the noise on the line, for emphasis,] I am worried about than honorable intentions going awry. If they do not work out how you hoped, what will you do to redress the damage?

[brandnewtech]

[ That's actually not an unfair question, but Tech Boy isn't really known for his forethought. What has he done in the past when his grand plans went awry? Suffer, mostly. ]

What? No power of positive thinking? Belief that everything is gonna turn out right can be a powerful force behind achieving the intended outcome. Belief in anything can be, if you apply it to the right place. Or so some people think.

[ Ironically, he only half believes that himself. He's stalling. Currently, all he can come up with is: ]

I'll do what's necessary.

[unsheathedfromreality]

[He gives a rasping laugh.]

I am too old for that. Belief alone will stand when you have no other chance, but to rely on it when you have time and resources for better wastes Generation's gifts. Why mock the god?

[Though he does get the feeling that was more of a rhetorical question.

The static's mostly gone now.]

Mmm. At least you are thinking about it, now.

I am no engineer or machinist, but thinking about consequences and preventing the worst ones is something I have done for a very long time. Perhaps, you talk to me before anything blows up and you have an angry mob on your hands, yes?