Chapter Text
“Typically, when there’s one riot, others tend to spring up shortly after it. That being said, your reports have been coming back quiet, is that correct?” the PROJECT Director of Operations asks.
Jhin nods slowly, half paying attention to the conversation in front of him and more focused on the tie that his superior is wearing — abhorrent. The tricolor tie has the most sickly shades of green, yellow, and a not-so-subtle orange, and the pattern is absolutely offensive. They keep their sight locked onto the tie —
“Understood?”
Well, this is unfortunate. Jhin lost track of the conversation, but again nods in agreement.
“Great, then you’re dismissed. Proceed with your daily duties,” the woman says, waving them off.
Given how closely PROJECT has been observing them today, it would look suspicious if Jhin is seen waiting for the same person daily. Choosing to switch up his routine is the safest option ahead of him.
A marketplace that stretches for a good half of a mile on both sides piques their interest in the midst of an eventless morning.
Leisurely, they stroll down the street and scan each vendor’s stall. Dozens of tasteless and tacky products in endless rows — some certainly obtained under dubious circumstances. None of it would be up to PROJECT’s standards let alone Jhin’s — but a lone stand seats itself at the end of the line. Quiet and solitary, its alluring aura draws them in for closer consideration.
Now these are tech upgrades worth picking up. They are of the highest grade and have been safely transported with minimal risk of any damage. However, their scanners soon tell them that these upgrades aren’t within the company’s list of approved devices. He stands and contemplates the pros and cons of acquiring one.
A sole chip sits directly in the center of the table.
SCANNING…VISION ENHANCEMENT CHIP…PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: EXTENDED PERIPHERAL VISION AND MICROSCOPIC FOCUS
Enticed by the contents of the item, Jhin goes to reach for it when their hand is pushed away.
“You don’t touch it unless you buy it,” the merchant warns.
“That can be arranged,” Jhin tells them.
The item is rung up and paid for accordingly before applying the new upgrade into the side of his head.
Jhin spends the rest of the morning testing out their purchase by studying the fabrics of the clothing on passersby and mannequins of other shops. Each varies in texture, pattern, material, and color but all of them lack a certain individuality that would grab his attention — the clothing too.
He stops short of a flower stand and stares at each singular petal in complete awe. Even though they were the same in appearance, structurally they were all patterned differently. Lingering on the roses, rich in their crimson color and soft in their petals before moving onto a few flowers floating in a large container filled with water— the flowers from his vision yesterday.
SCANNING… ANALYZING… NO DATA FOUND.
Strange for the PROJECT search engine to not have something as simple as a flower’s data accessible. Though they're sure those are Lotus flowers, it never hurts to inquire.
“Pardon me, what sort of flowers are these,” Jhin asks, pointing to the flowers in question.
“Oh! Those are Lotus flowers! They grow primarily in bodies of fresh water, such as ponds. Fairly easy upkeep as long as you can manage to give them plenty of sunlight and nutrients!” the Florist answers with a friendly smile.
DATA RECORDED… LOTUS FLOWER // CANNOT OBTAIN DUE TO NO LOCATION TO MAINTAIN THEM.
“Hmm, yes. Thank you,” They say, now discontented.
Although Jhin can’t buy them, they can at the very least admire them a second longer before having to proceed with making their rounds. While doing so, something in his mind clicks and he freezes.
A mask? It sits against a blinding white background in his mind, making it absurdly difficult to distinguish most of the features. But there is no ignoring the blood splattered across it —
There’s a light tap on Jhin’s shoulder that takes him back to reality. They don’t even have to turn around because they could already see whose hand it was, “Hello, Rakan.”
It’s an immediate improvement from his vision previously — remarkable.
“How’d you even know it was me? You didn’t even turn your head,” Rakan asks.
“An upgrade to my peripheral vision — obviously,” Jhin states, flaunting his purchase from earlier.
“Oh awesome, I always forget that you guys can do that stuff."
He continues to ramble on about the intricacies of PROJECT Cyborgs — something Jhin is already well-versed in. So they take this time to scroll through endless other upgrades using the screen on the inside of their visor while patrolling through the rest of the market. The incessant babbling becomes white noise as they immerse themself in the wonders of the market…or lack thereof. Most of it is just as bland as what was in front of him earlier. This would have to be something he revisits when Jhin returns to his quarters tonight. For now, they’ll just have to make do with the task at hand — Rakan included.
Deep in thought of various ways to access different upgrade purchases and perusing countless websites that help circumvent PROJECT’s filters for access, they’re brought back to the one-sided conversation.
“What d’you think?” Rakan asks.
Jhin stops their scrolling, “Hmm, what? Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“You mean I was talking to myself the whole time?!” the blond nuisance pouts.
“Yes. Just because I was crafted to observe the citizens, doesn’t mean I’m required to listen to them talk at me,” Jhin informs.
“Like Cyborg, like Corporation."
“I’m sorry?”
Rakan scoffs and spearheads into the topic, “PROJECT ignoring the citizens and letting their own selfishness drown those voices out. I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”
Patience wearing thin, Jhin stops and turns to face him abruptly, “While PROJECT may put their self-interests above all else, I still have the ability to think for myself within those guidelines. I certainly have enough knowledge and personal reservations about this wretched place to know when I refuse to engage in a topic about my own body. You can’t simply compare the two. Now, you’re more than welcome to continue following me, but do so in silence.”
Before Rakan could get a word in, Jhin interrupts him immediately, “You don’t even know my name.”
Now that there is no more squabbling to be done, they can finally get on with the rest of their shift. Humming from a certain Vastaya follows behind him throughout the day. It’s a thoughtful gesture, one that fills the head with delight. What Rakan lacks in social grace, he makes up for in music.
“What is your name, by the way?” Rakan stops his tune to ask.
“My model is 4XO."
“But what do you call yourself?” Rakan persists.
“Jhin. It isn’t relevant to anyone but me,” Jhin says coldly.
“It is to me."
Rakan wanting to know their chosen name is nice — but it doesn’t change much now that the damage is done. Everything then becomes quiet once again and they patrol until sundown.
Through the coming days, Jhin spends countless hours exploring a plethora of downloadable upgrades within the confines of his living quarters before and after his shifts. The goal is to compensate for all that PROJECT has failed in his programming. They were built flawed, but they will not stay that way — they will be perfect. It’s a nagging feeling to constantly change and update themself. Yet, nothing is ever enough.