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Tweak says, "Look, you semi-evolved simian!"

Claudia Donovan (clauds) wrote in makebelievelog,
@ 2013-05-12 01:48:00

Entry tags:

claudia donovan, h.g. wells

Who: Claudia Donovan and H.G. Wells
What: Laser Tag 101 ~~and H.G. in a kind of eh mood~~
When: (backdated) Saturday, May 11th, 2013
Where: Claudia's rooms
Rating/Warnings: Probably very low
Status: Closed/Incomplete

Claudia knew that Christina's birthday was coming up. Claudia was a techie with a good deal at her fingertips. This included the ability to screencap things on their show or, better, go into the Wikipedia and poke around if she didn't have access to it already through her laptop and what files were stored on there.

But that was all the more reason to take a day to give H.G. a "Laser Tag 101" lesson. Claudia had picked several YouTube video clips to show her, had digital and printed photos (and a laser pointer) at the ready, as well as "stickynote tape" that could be used to effectively stick up any of the printed photos. She had a few that she wanted printed out and stuck up for effect when she addressed them.

And there was also cute lil' Dee, Elena's kitten/cat (Claudia didn't know what age the distinction was made at nor how old Dee was) and Roan. The two pets were fairly well behaved, even when she and Elena were out. They had taken to rooming together probably as well as she and Elena had. Roan didn't mind being used as a cat bed, at least thus far.

And, maybe a little, Claudia needed to spend some time with H.G. too. The focus was primarily distraction and amusement for H.G., but Claudia really did like spending time with her and Claudia had been down socially as of late between Jensen's departure and the notable silence between her and Myka. Really, Claudia had been experiencing an opportunity to get to know the Victorian woman like she never had before at home and, really, it was kind of nice. Weird, but most things were weird in her life. And Claudia would take weird with a shot of distracting H.G. over weird and bored, doing nothing.

When there was a knocking at the door, Claudia didn't go over to get it. Instead, she called, "It's open. C'mon in." and continued to stand there and fuss with getting the sticky note tape to unwrap. It was at the start of the roll and, for reasons she had yet to figure out, the tape didn't want to cooperate and rip-off at the marked line where it went from a "protective layer" of one-sided tape to the actual double-sided stuff. Claudia was, indeed, a tech genius having problems with a roll of tape.

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indelibleink
2013-05-12 09:01 pm UTC (link)

Things had been slowly improving after Helena had told her younger self the truth of things that would transpire in her future upon returning to their world. Her younger self had not tried to destroy this world, so there was something to be said about that. After having had the discussion with Anakin and Padmé about how the girl had been progressing, her mood had been improving. At least until she'd realized the date and that Christina's birthday was coming up soon.

Christina's birthday was always bittersweet for Helena. It was perhaps the one day out of the entire year where she could hold onto more of the better memories she had of her daughter, but she also always found herself dwelling on the birthdays that Christina never was able to celebrate, all the birthdays that had been taken away from her. As much as Helena knew she reacted poorly when the sixteenth of May would come around, it was nothing compared to how she got when the fourteenth of July came. The pain of the loss was still extremely potent over a century after the fact, and the two dates always brought the pain she had yet to truly grieve in a proper fashion to the forefront.

As it stood, she was trying to not fall into the same pattern she had previously, but it was difficult. The Victorian woman had started using any excuse to distract herself from the memories even though she knew it was in vain. Not an hour passed where Christina didn't cross her mind in some fashion. Whether it was a memory, or feeling her locket shift against her skin, the memories were always brought back to her. And what didn't come out in her waking life would come out in her dreams. Her sleep was beginning to become troubled again after it had finally leveled out after talking to her younger self. Myka had the ability to calm her and help her focus when Helena felt she was losing control, but Helena also needed to delve into the depths of her imagination. There were things that Helena simply had no words to describe, and the only way she could express herself was through writing or building something.

Or, in this current case, learning about laser tag. In the time Helena had been around Claudia, she'd come to know that the younger woman had a knack for detail. So she was fully expecting some very detailed explanation of this game they would be taking part in. In the time she'd been in the Land of Make Believe, she had also come to know Claudia better, having the time to finally spend time with her without Helena having an ulterior plan of world destruction or being a hologram. Or being dead. She truly enjoyed spending time with Claudia. Even though Helena still had much to learn about how modern technology worked, she loved to see how Claudia's mind worked and see the things she could do.

Stepping inside Claudia's room after being given permission to enter, Helena immediately saw the younger woman struggling with a roll of tape. Arching an eyebrow as she came in, the slightest smirk curved her lips. "Having an issue, darling?"

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clauds
2013-05-13 08:05 pm UTC (link)

Claudia gave H.G. a hint of a look before pulling the tape a bit too far and then ripping off far past the "rip here" line. She walked over toward H.G. and reached to stick the random stray piece of tape onto H.G.'s arm. "When am I not?"

She smiled a little at her own self-depraving question, all the same. It was a lifestyle choice, really, considering her association with the Warehouse. It was a job that was a calling. There was always risking life and limb to work there and, despite having a hint of "invincible" feeling about herself typical of those around her age, Claudia knew she had a tendency toward issues. People around her tended to get hit with things, if not her.

"I have YouTube videos, diagrams, and so on. So - take a seat and let me know if you have questions?" Claudia pointed at the TV. "I hooked my laptop up to the TV, so big screen viewing, actually." She paused only briefly before adding, "Do you have any laser tag questions off the bat?"

With that, Claudia went back to hanging up what she had wanted on the wall, being two life-sized printed out photos of the front and back of the laser tag vests.

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indelibleink
2013-05-14 05:54 am UTC (link)

"I won't argue that," Helena retorted, her smirk widening a bit. She was only teasing, of course, not wanting to delve into unsavory topics right now. There would be plenty of time for that later. Though she arched her eyebrow further as Claudia attached the piece of tape to her arm. She didn't question the motion, merely took it in stride. Removing it from her arm, Helena balled it up, sticky side out, and waited until Claudia's back was turned to her and she flicked it at her, a satisfied smirk crossing her face as the sticky tape attached itself to the back of Claudia's shoulder. Being silly in such a way wasn't something that Helena really did much of, still being quite the proper Victorian woman in terms of presentation and action. But she couldn't help the fact that the longer she was around Claudia, the more free in her playful actions she became.

Though Claudia certainly lost Helena at the mention of YouTube videos. She knew what videos were, obviously, it was YouTube she was still struggling with. She had a vague idea of what it was, of course, but that vague idea didn't help her in this current moment. Though out of everything Claudia said, what stuck out most to her was the laptop being hooked up to the TV.

"So you can connect your laptop computer to the television and see the computer screen on the television? Ingenious, that." Because of course only another technical mind would find that fascinating. "By the term laser tag, I would assume the lasers involved are harmless, hence the term 'tag' being applied?" Helena took a seat and was genuinely curious on this topic. She eyed the photos Claudia hung on the wall. "That is rather curious. What purpose does that vest serve?"

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clauds
2013-05-15 01:49 am UTC (link)

Claudia set her jaw and, after a few moments, started in on doing the twist by reaching behind her back for the ball of tape. It took her two tries, but she finally got it. And, in a move of ultimate maturity, she paused and stuck her tongue out at H.G. before sticking the ball onto the wall next to the vest photos.

The vest photos were to size for a reason. Claudia went over and flopped down onto the couch next to H.G. and pointed the laser she had at the front of the vest. "These four spots, here - here - here - and here-" She moved the red dot along the sides to point out the four main spots where there were targets, "Around the outside of the big lightening disk-like thingy in the middle. The size and shape of the lights can vary from vest-to-vest, as can location, but this is giving you a basic rundown so... for example's sake, we'll go with this kind of vest."

"The same is true on the back. This spot," She moved the laser pointer around a circle around the small light target, "And this spot, this spot, annnd this spot. These are all targets. And you're right, it is harmless and hence 'tag.' When you hit your opponent with a 'shot' from your laser gun, the disk-thingy lights up in the middle and they're unable to shoot back for a specific amount of time. And you get points."

She let her finger off the laser pointer button and looked over at H.G. with a small smile. "Any questions so far?"

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indelibleink
2013-05-15 04:44 am UTC (link)

A chuckle could not be contained as Helena watched Claudia contort to remove the tape ball from her back. There was another chuckle upon Claudia sticking her tongue out at her. It was welcome levity, to say the least. And she did so enjoy teasing people, especially if it was physical teasing by sticking a tape ball to someone's back.

Helena blinked upon seeing the red laser dot, her eyes almost following it more closely than she focused on what Claudia was obviously pointing out to her. Really, the modern age still had many innovations and inventions that Helena found highly fascinating. There were times she could possibly be classified as being ADHD when she was presented with things she had not seen before. But such was the downside of being an inventor, her mind always was drawn to ingenuity.

But the Victorian woman was able to focus on what Claudia was explaining, nodding a bit as Claudia explained the targets. Tilting her head slightly, she studied both pictures with an attentive eye. Games these days seemed to rely so very much on technology that Helena herself was only beginning to come to understand. She was soon going to get some more books from the library on electronics and modern mechanics so she could better understand how modern things worked. Clearly this would also allow her to build more things on her own if she could understand circuitry and mechanics better. She wouldn't need to rely on Anakin or Claudia teaching her. Not that she disliked learning from them, quite the opposite, but she would like to be able to make moving robots on her own now that things could be powered by electricity, or sunlight, as opposed to steam power.

"So the only way you can register a hit on your opponent is when you hit one of the smaller targets on the front or back of the vest?" Helena looked at Claudia for confirmation or denial of that. That's how it seemed the vest worked, but it was best to be certain. She did need to know how good of a shot she needed to be for this game. Not that Helena was a poor shot, she was actually a really good shot when it came to aiming guns, real or fake, she just tended to not like wielding the weapons for multiple reasons.

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clauds
2013-05-15 05:08 am UTC (link)

Claudia would've made a cat joke, had she noticed H.G.'s fascination with the laser pointer. It was likely for the best that Claudia was preoccupied with making circles with the laser, herself, around the various targets.

"Yep! And various places have various targets, like I said. Some smaller, some bigger. Some worth more points, some worth less. They'll explain their specific vests once I pick a laser arena and we go in to get suited up." Claudia explained with a small nod. "Some arenas also have targets within the actual arena. I've yet to decide if we should book one of those types of arenas or make it so it's just moving targets. I almost think - just people would be easier."

After a moment, she held the laser pointer up. (It was turned off.) "Now, lasers like this, even the laser tag guns, people don't point at other people's eyes. Even if harmless, you point at the vest. Eyes are just a general - no. Because lasers, even low power, don't mix with eyes. That's why I took the laser out of the CD player I gave you to take apart. Well, that and because I wanted to play with it."

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indelibleink
2013-05-15 05:39 am UTC (link)

It was for the best that Claudia hadn't noticed Helena's fascination with the laser pointer and thus didn't make a cat joke. The Victorian woman was already certain Claudia would make cat jokes at her for the rest of their lives, so one less she had to deal with was good for her.

The variance in both the size and number of targets was a bit unexpected. So there was certainly need to make adjustments upon seeing the vests of whatever arena they would end up going to. But then there was talk about targets other than people. "While I would normally say something along the lines of where is the enjoyment in only having people be the targets, it may be easiest for those of us who have not played laser tag before. Though in the arenas when people are the only targets, is there some type of terrain that can be used to provide cover? Otherwise it seems a bit silly to just have people running about without some sort of tactics other than frontal assaults taking place."

"Are you telling me that because you think I would underhandedly shine a laser in an opponent's eyes, or are you simply relaying the etiquette?" Even knowing the lasers were harmless, Helena wasn't exactly going to shining them into other people's eyes. In this case, she did like the fair fight.

"Can I just make the comment that the fact the game of laser tag takes place in an arena almost makes it sound like gladiator games in ancient Rome? Only without blood and death, obviously."

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clauds
2013-05-15 07:51 pm UTC (link)

"There is terrain. The arenas vary, like I said. Mostly, I'm trying to decide what arena is best. My current favorite is-" Claudia reached for her computer and picked it up, swapping tabs around and pulling one up onto the computer screen with a few clicks of computer keys. The screen showed a jungle themed layout of "King Solomon's Ruins" that seemed completely inaccurate with any idea of the Biblical Solomon. "It has multi-level, fog, black lights, and creative decorations. It's 7,500 square feet of playing area. Normally for a bigger group than ours, but since there's a Jedi, a few Warehouse agents, a former Secret Service agent, some zombie-survivors, and so on and so forth... it seems like we'll need more space, to me. We can private-rent the place, so it's not like we have to worry about little kids underfoot. It's just a question of deciding on the right weekend and getting the teams secured down so that the deposit doesn't get lost." Because even if the fairly highly-paid Claudia covered most or all of it, she didn't want to pay for no reason.

"It really does sound Roman, only without the whole 'we who are about to die solute you!' doesn't it?" Claudia asked after a pause, smirking a bit.

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indelibleink
2013-05-15 10:47 pm UTC (link)

Looking at the arena that Claudia pulled up, Helena studied the pictures as she explained. It certainly wasn't anywhere near being biblically accurate to King Solomon, but Helena wasn't about to point it out. She simply took it for the entertainment factor that it was obviously being presented as. "Perhaps the larger arena would be best for our group. It does seem as though many who are used to tactical fighting are involved. So I think it would suit us best to have the larger area. We simply cannot have the Jedi feeling constricted, it wouldn't exactly be fair to beat him when he wasn't able to operate to his full ability within the rules." Helena smirked a bit, still highly confident that they could and would beat Anakin's team. "We are going to make certain he does not use his Force abilities unfairly, correct?" Because that would just be cheating when not everyone playing had the same abilities he did.

"That it does. Though given the level of competitiveness we have in those who have expressed interest in playing, there might be some level of blood and hurt ego involved." But again, Helena was still confident her and Claudia's team would come out the victors.

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clauds
2013-05-16 09:02 pm UTC (link)

"There's no way to make sure he doesn't use the Force, but he's said he won't. So - here's to hoping that he sticks to his word. And, if he doesn't, we'll just have to have a few tricks ready to even the playing field." Claudia smirked right back, fully intending to consider retaliation if Anakin did slip and use the Force.

A few more key taps and Claudia had a strategy page up. "And here we have an entire page written by a laser tag lover who covered nearly every angle of it. Shall we begin with the reading and discussion?"

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