[Voice]

[most_unwanted]

[There's a quiet crunching sound before Mulder speaks up, sounding thoughtful.]

Show of metaphorical hands. Or antennae, whichever you're partial to: Who here has been kidnapped for a special one-on-one date with our captors? I'd like to arrange an off-journal meeting to speak about your personal experiences if anyone happens to have some free time. It shouldn't take long, just a few minutes. I'll be hanging around the shops in town most of the day, I've got some... supplies I've been meaning to find. [Still looking for a basketball, woe and alas.] We can always head elsewhere from there, though.

I understand that it's a sensitive topic for most people, and it's all right if you'd rather not talk about it. Or if you'd rather be anonymous, just slip a note under my door detailing anything you can remember about the experience itself. Anything at all, before, during, after. Your answers will be kept in confidence. I'm in Community Building 7, Floor 2, Room 10.

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[survivethesiren]

[She gives him a smile, taking the time to get a good look at him, before moving inside, finding a seat on a nearby couch.]

Humans...enjoy clutter, don't they?

[It isn't a judgement, just an observation]

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[All the stacks of papers and books he has scattered around... yeaaah, he can see what she means.]

It's probably a comfort thing as much as anything else. Though I've met a few humans who keep things surprisingly tidy.

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[survivethesiren]

[She nods]

Clutter isn't something we have much of in the Grid. Most things are...utilitarian. Everything with purpose, even if just for aesthetic reasons.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Has it been hard to adjust to being around us humans and all the clutter?

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[survivethesiren]

[She paused, and after a moment, nods. Might as well admit the weakness.]

I struggle with Us--humans. I'd only met two of you before coming here. And I knew little of your world.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

We'd be just as out of place in your world, I'm sure. But we're not so bad, at least most of us... Do you always appear in a human form, then?

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[survivethesiren]

You fit in better than you think. Users were once worshiped as Gods. And why would you not? You held the power to create and destroy at will.

[She nods]

Yes. Here...let me show you.

[She pulls her disc off of her back, and slowly starts to let her fingers play out against the holographic display that shows up. It almost looks like DNA, in a way--the coding. She holds it out, letting him watch it over]

This disc holds everything I am.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[It all makes sense to him, and Mulder watches now with fascination. He knows enough to get an idea of what it looks like, though he'd definitely be itching to ask his geek buddies their opinions. Too bad they're all home.]

Now that's a cool piece of equipment. It... appears almost biological, though it's in coding...

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[survivethesiren]

It was the way he thought things up, I suppose. I am made of pixels, regardless. Hurt me badly enough and I'll shatter.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

That's a really fascinating set-up... [Looks at her, not sure he wants to picture that, but...] Shatter? Really?

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[survivethesiren]

[She shuts her disc down, placing it on her back--her eyes flash as it syncronizes, and she nods]

Yes. Imagine smashing a plane of glass...it is like that.

[She shrugs]

Happens quite often, actually.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[Mulder watches, still fascinated.]

Well, I hope it never comes to that happening.

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[survivethesiren]

I'm sure it already happened.

[She watches him back, her blue eyes studying his face]

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

You mean... when you were- what was the word, derezzed?

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[survivethesiren]

Yes.

[She looks down, suddenly quite interested in her hands]

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry... I know it's probably hard to think about. Someday, if and when we get rid of the Malnosso, you'll be free to enjoy this new chance at life you've been given.

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[survivethesiren]

Or we shall all be sent back because of it. [She tilts her head, smiling softly--something knowing and playful]

You might worry that I am working against my better interests.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Now that you mention it, I am wondering about that. You'd still be willing to work toward that, knowing what could happen to you?

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[survivethesiren]

[She nods, once.]

I would.

But the real question is...

[A smirk.]

Can you trust me?

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

After all of our conversations, I really think I can. We're in the same position, and after the same thing.

[His paranoia is directed in particular at those in authority... so he's found it a lot easier to trust in other villagers.]

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[survivethesiren]

There was a time that you'd be a fool for doing so.

[At least she's honest.]

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Oh? I'm guessing there's a story behind that?

[Curious agent is curious, since so far he hasn't gotten a bad vibe from her or anything.]

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[survivethesiren]

Survival at any cost.

[She shrugs, watching him]

Sometimes collateral was sacrificed.

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[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

Collateral? Such as?

[He's admittedly curious to know more specifics. Whether or not he agrees with it entirely... well, that remains to be seen. It's not like he's going to hold the past against her though. In here they can't afford to.]

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[survivethesiren]

My leader tended to find the rebels and turn them into the other side. I was the one who would find them.

My programming doesn't allow me to deny requests from him.