aeryncortazar

[aeryncortazar]

jxnovak​:

“Oh you know, the usual. I’ll probably take ‘em into virtual and rip their fingernails off or brand them with a hot iron ‘til they scream bloody murder. And the best part is, we can go as long as I like. Physically they’ll be fine, but mentally…” He clicks his tongue with a casual shake of his head. “I’ve seen some people lose their goddamn minds after going under.” 

Maybe he was sharing more detail than was necessary for Aeryn to know, but then again, a healthy amount of fear meant he wouldn’t have to deal with something like this happening again. “Anyway, I’ve done it enough times that I’m starting to run out of ideas on ways to torture people. You got any for me, I am all ears.”

Aeryn wasn’t a neurologist, so despite learning about virtual in school, she’d had limited experience with it altogether. Still, she knew what it could be useful for, for the sake of the law, but that didn’t mean she thought it was better. The mind was altogether precious, but she didn’t say that. Instead, Aeryn scrunched her brows together, “I uh...guess no will try anything like that again if that’s the punishment...” she shook her head, returning her focus to her sandwich, “I don’t think I have anything as extreme as that. I’ve always been of the mind that the opportunity for reform is better than corporal punishment but,” she shrugged, glancing back at the Director, “I’m just a doctor. I don’t like seeing people get hurt.”

[aeryncortazar]

creedoftwo​:

why does everyone think he’s going to search them? security was - as far as creed was concerned - for personnel.  not for contraband.  if some crazy fuck wanted to smuggle whatever shite, contrite little token from one zone to another, let them take their chances and then dance like the proverbial puppet on a string when corporate got a hold of them.  

but after that one liner – creed would like to poke her in her fucking sideeye. because YEAH.  he knows. and no - he hasn’t said jack about it to another goddamn soul.  so this little diversion is less for his sake, more for hers ( more for the people who received those meds which seemed to work miracles compared to what passed for medical care within zone 2… ) – a caution, a warning, hell - just a heads up… so playing the ‘unless you don’t believe me’ line - is a pretty shitty move.

if he wanted to pull her with UI then he could have done so a long time ago.   so to her question, there’s just a curl of lip in a barely disguised silent snarl.  better to reveal anger than showing her the disappointment he truly felt.  

obviously that caution was - extraneous to requirements. so there’s just a scuff of boots on the tile ( dust gathering even now, no amount of cleaning or scrubbing could ever keep the place clean against the ravages of zone twos ever encroaching toxins ), creed making space between them once more.  

but he can’t help but deliver the corporate line that she seems to expect him to toe… even if it’s sour leaving his lips.

“enjoy your visit.  please remember that travel in this zone is at your own risk.”

Aeryn truly wasn’t one for conflict, or at least she’d insist she wasn’t but her demeanor and tone said she was ready to engage in verbal sparring at the very least. She gave the guard, Creed, a pointed look, thinking that if anyone had a right to be annoyed for being detained from her work, it was her. Still, it didn’t do to get on bad terms with someone who hadn’t ratted her out yet, so she cleared her throat and adjusted the strap of her bag, gesturing towards the exit of Reception.

“Look, if you’re so...”  uptight, “concerned...you can be our escort today.” Her Traveler companion was already waiting outside for her, ready to go once their escort was ready. But having been side-tracked, she couldn’t locate the security who’d been assigned ahead of time. It was a busier than normal day in Reception of Zone 2, and she imagined it was due to the latest memo, which Creed so kindly felt the need to remind her of. “Up to you, of course.” She wasn’t sure if he believed her and as tempted as Aeryn had been to bring unauthorized medical supplies this time around...she knew better, despite how hard it was not to want to. 

[aeryncortazar]

motionblues​:

@aeryncortazar​

THE OFFICE, AS IT WERE, WAS FREE GAME. There was always someone to see, or something to do, and that made things a little more dangerous when he became bored with whatever tasks he was actually assigned. Today’s victim was the cafeteria, always an easy target, in some sense. Throat was cleared, hoodie purposely hiding half of his features, but honestly it usually was. “I heard they use … alternate means for the mystery meat, how does that make you feel?”  A question asked like it was a simple, how are you? or an inquiry made about the weather, rather than..well, that. He hummed, rolling on the balls of his feet before turning into her a little bit. At least it was less worrisome to look at him dead on. “I’m sure it’s still kosher, though.” 

•

Aeryn was going through her messages, having been in multiple back-to-back appointments. She’d finally found a free second to grab some breakfast, though it was already lunch time, and sat down at the nearest table. Time didn’t usually escape her, but it seemed she’d had more messages to go through than anticipated that she didn’t even realize when someone approached, speaking to her (or so she assumed). Glancing up, Aeryn blinked at the man (had she seen him around before?), registering his question a moment later. “Oh...uh...I mean...doesn’t that just make it super mystery meat? If we don’t know what’s in it anyway?” Still, she pushed the sausage (or what she’d thought was sausage) around on her plate, decidedly less hungry. 

[aeryncortazar]

I’m Anathema Device.  I really am a witch.

[aeryncortazar]

jxnovak​:

“Oh yea, fully. Just had to boot up some porn instead. Netpigs’ll have fun with that one.” He said casually, perching a cigarette between his lips. Anyone surveying Jarek’s projections was bound to get a load of filth. Something he was happy to continue doing, if only to keep anyone from digging into his short-term any further. 

“No idea how it got out, but clearly someone with a hard-on for vidflicks.” He shrugged. He really couldn’t be bothered to investigate the breach further, although it had been enough of a violation to have Severin gleefully issue his damn memo. In truth, it was probably in Jarek’s best interest to resolve this ASAP. He was already smuggling & selling Zero artifacts on the dark web and the last thing he needed was every useless artifact to get screened and their entire inventory re-catalogued. Yep. Finding the culprit was definitely top priority. “So, I guess I should ask you to keep your eyes peeled, huh?” He said.

•

She wrinkled her nose, taking a sip of her water with a shrug, “they’ve probably seen uh...worse.” It wasn’t a job she envied in the least. Aeryn wasn’t nosy enough to care for a job like that. She imagined it was exhausting in its own way. “Of all the ones to circulate though. They could’ve at least picked something more exciting. I mean, not that I’m condoning circulating anything,” the doctor laughed softly, thinking that whomever had gotten a hold of the vidflick was really throwing a wrench into things. “I’ll be sure to –– wouldn’t want anyone else’s retinas getting seared. What’ll happen if you find the culprit?” It wasn’t hard to imagine but she asked anyway, the thought of getting caught resurfacing if she thought about it too long. 

[aeryncortazar]

creedoftwo​:

[ closed starter: @aeryncortazar​  - zone 2 ]

it’s not as though there haven’t been unauthorised items crossing zones before. creed knows this as well as the next guy - hell, he’s even turned a blind eye to it on occasion.

zone 2 wasn’t exactly rolling in the affluence of the one or three… it didn’t have the advances, the production, the supplies.  and here… people struggled, people suffered, and people died for want of those things that ran as freely as water for the ones and threes.  – his people.

it’s not knowledge that he shoulders easily. a weight of silence - crushing…

but there are those who didn’t hold that silence with impotence.  not necessarily taking a crowbar to those rules and restrictions, rather bending them in a subtle hush.  who see the disparity and the inequity and act upon it.  and while creed can’t exactly come out in any overt support of such actions ( 1. he might give them away and 2. if he lost his post he’d no longer be able to… uh… ‘facilitate’ those covert transactions ) - he can certainly appreciate them.

which is why - when the good doctor emerges and steps into reception, creed practically body swerves her to one side.  not a common move - after the ‘incident’ - he’d accompanied her a few times on travel through two… but mostly there was just a quick nod of acknowledgement - never an – intervention.

“you’ve seen the HQ mailer, right?”

“UI and contraband clampdown.  mandatory training.”

UI – unauthorised items… that could save, salve, help or heal.   the words may have more of a bitter taste on his tongue than he intended.  and no, he doesn’t know if she is carrying - maybe she’s being cautious - might have made the trip empty handed this time…  but if she does get caught… then what?

but it’s just about as subtle a way as he can think of to ask.

•

Aeryn knew she was toeing the line each time she set foot in Zone 2. Or, rather, each time she set foot in Zone 2 with medical supplies from Zone 1. It was always a risk but one she took willingly as she thought of everyone who had been forgotten by CHQS. This time, however, the risk felt...riskier, and the danger, more dangerous. With the company’s eyes on everyone coming and going between zones, especially in light of the recent memo going out about unauthorized items, Aeryn knew she couldn’t risk it this time.

When she stepped into reception, the difference between this Zone and Zone 1 was palpable. She could feel it in her bones, the way the air hung heavy, the way dust had never settled and she doubted ever would. Zone 2 was a dying planet. She knew it. CHQS knew it. She wondered if everyone in Zone 2 knew it or had simply bought into the belief that this was how the world was. 

Regardless, she was being careful for once, or so she thought before she was all but directed aside by a guard. Forehead knitting together in a furrow, she went to speak when he cut her off. Mouth shut, she pressed her lips together in a thin line. Yes, she’d seen the mailer. Yes, she knew what he was getting at. No, she wasn’t carrying anything now. 

“I’ve seen it. Like any responsible employee, I’m adhering to all prescribed guidelines, as I’ve always done.” A blatant lie, and they both knew it, but Aeryn wasn’t about to argue anything here. Not with cameras and eyes. “Unless you don’t believe me?” Words uttered quietly, brow raised this time in challenge, as if inviting him to conduct an inspection of the bag slung across her shoulders, with Zone 2 appropriate medical supplies. This time, anyway.  

[aeryncortazar]

jxnovak​:

Open to: Zone 1 | Location: CHQ Media Center & Lounge

“Heard there was some kind of old-school projection making its rounds? I gotta say, I got through half of it and nearly seared my retinas trying to watch it. I don’t know how people used to do it. We got holographic screenings available on the array and then there’s this…eyesore. Wasn’t even worth it. The acting was terrible. And don’t get me started on their fashion sense. You get your hands on that ‘Pay It Forward’ disc, pass it up. Trust me.”

•

“Have your eyes recovered?” Aeryn asked as she took a bite of her sandwich. How she came to be seated opposite the director of her Zone was beyond her. She’d been preoccupied with the recent agency-wide memo that had gone out earlier and had taken the first empty seat she’d spotted. “But uh, I’ll be sure to pass it up if it ever crosses my path.” The doctor glanced down at her food, mind racing with a hundred thoughts of if anyone knew what she and another were doing of late. She looked up at him, brows furrowed a bit, “do you have any idea how it uh started making rounds?” She imagined any artifacts from Zone 0 were kept in secure holding. 

[aeryncortazar]

AERYN CORTÁZAR HIKER | ZONE 1 DOCTOR

NAME: Aeryn Cortázar, MD AGE: 32 PRONOUNS: She/Her ZONE OF ORIGIN: Zone 0 || Currently Zone 1 STATUS: Hiker || Zone 1 Doctor  TRAITS: + Kind, Lionhearted, Vigilant || – Impulsive, Opinionated, Stubborn

BIO

tw: death, illness 

Aeryn was born in Zone 0′s Colorado. 

The United States, and the world, really, were in a state of disarray and chaos, a slow descent into hopelessness and desolation. 

Both her parents died when she was eight, after getting sick which was darkly ironic considering they were both doctors, and she was left in the care of her aunt Isla who worked for CHQS, also as a physician. 

It was clear that the next step was to take Aeryn away from Zone 0 and somewhere safe, like Zone 1.

She hiked there the same year her parents died, before the world could get any worse while they were there and she was officially a hiker in Zone 1.

The years went by and she posed as a Local, her aunt being the only person she could really speak to about anything that happened and despite the adjustment, she was grateful to have Aunt Isla by her side. 

Eventually, she’d start college, diving headfirst into medicine, following in the footsteps of her parents and aunt. She wanted to make the world, whichever world she was in, a better place and thought that medicine might be a way to do it.

When she was officially a doctor, and hired by CHQS she realized that the organization in Zone 1 had the ability to help so many more people than they were. She learned about the other zones in her training and while Zone 3 seemed able to take care of itself well enough, Zone 2 felt like an echo of Zone 0. A place in desperate need of help.

The fact that Zone 1 had so many resources, so many ways to help and yet did nothing beyond the bare minimum boggled Aeryn’s mind.

Eventually, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She didn’t think she’d change a system overnight, but anything she could do was better than sitting idle. So on various trips to Zone 2, under the guise of providing basic medical help for those in need in Amhaven, she began to treat people with more than the prescribed Zone 2 methods. She’d use Zone 1 tech to give people a better shot at recovery, aided by a traveler who shared the same mindset she did. 

It’s not a great system, and she knows there’s a lot of risk involved but she saw how Zone 1 let Zone 0 collapse when they had the ability to help, and if this is something she can do to make a slight difference, she will. 

HEADCANONS

Aeryn has photographs of her parents she keeps hidden, knowing that anything from Zone 0 is technically prohibited in Zone 1. She also knows it’s impossible and dangerous, but there’s still a part of her that wants to travel back to Zone 0, to see what’s left of her home. 

After an incident on one of her first trips to Zone 2, when she was almost killed, Aeryn took it upon herself to start training in self-defense. She is proficient with a knife and carries one on her whenever she’s traveling. She hates guns and will only ever use one if completely necessary. Aeryn is, by no means, top-fighter material, but she’s scrappy enough to get by and will bite you if necessary.

She speaks English, Spanish and Dutch, which has always been very useful in her practice.

CONNECTIONS

ZONE 1 CHILDHOOD FRIENDS: People who believed her to be a Local growing up. This is a bit self explanatory –– just childhood friends, people who made her feel welcomed when she moved to New Amstel.

ZONE 0 FRIENDS: A childhood friend who hiked here too. From Colorado or from somewhere else (Tbh we can make it work). They lost contact when she and her aunt traveled to Zone 1 but now they’re meeting again years later. 

ZONE 1 TRAVELER: Someone who shares similar beliefs about the disparity between zones. Who believes in helping Zone 2 residents and who helps her between the zones on her travels. They’ve known each other for a while and trust each other implicitly.

CHQS COLLEAGUES: Self explanatory, from any department really!

@chqsintro​

[aeryncortazar]

Everything you feel is okay. Everything you feel is okay.

Andrea Gibson, “Panic Button Collector” (via thequotejournals)

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Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.

David Foster Wallace (via quotemadness)

[aeryncortazar]

[aeryncortazar]

Adria Arjona being unfairly pretty as Five in 6 Underground

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Adria Arjona as Anathema Device in Episode 5 of ‘Good Omens’