You're My Computer Guy Now

[Kyle Underly]

Ugh, computers. Kyle almost wanted to wince just looking at the things. Okay, yeah, he sort of knew the basics. You pretty well had to if you wanted to exist in this world after all. Kyle even knew a good deal beyond the basics: he ran his own YouTube account and all. But he didn't have intimate knowledge of stuff like that. Why would he? That's what other people were for.

"Just gotta find one that'll be doable," Kyle muttered, stroking his chin contemplatively as he looked throughout the computer lab. There had to be someone here who was too into computers for their own good. Better to find a girl: part of the target demographic and all. Just look for one that would obviously rather be somewhere else, preferably one that looked at least a little---

"Well hello," Kyle said as his eyes landed on just the perfect target. He ran his hand through his hair, drew his thumb over his lips to wet down his brows and sauntered over, sliding into the seat next to her, not quite getting into her personal space, but definitely close enough to be noticed (and would she ever notice Kyle). "Hey there," he said, putting on his sexiest voice (advantage of the pitch, yo), "I'm about to change your world for the better. You get to help me out, and I get to spend some time with you. Win all around," Kyle gestured with his hand as he finished that, adding another wink and a smile, knowing he'd just nailed it.

Erin Hackett

[Erin Hackett]

Part of the whole getting out of her shell and trying to make more friends meant that she had to spend a lot more time out of her room; which she had gotten good at. Sure most of those places were inside and in a location where she was familiar with, but at least she was outside of her room. Plus she didn't want to be in her room or she felt like she would just want to sink into her stuff animal collection and cease being for a little while. That didn't mean she was okay with this random guy just sliding on next to her.

It had in fact made her jump a little and almost flicker but thankfully she had been working on getting that a little but under control. His voice was odd, not at all sexy to Erin who was all about the ladies but she didn't say anything as she just looked at the boy and blinked several times. He was talking to her? Why was he talking to her? What did he want? Why did the way he was talking make it seem like he was offering her up some sex? Oh, now things were cleared up as she paid half attention while he mind wondered all of these things. "Uh...I'm uh...not sure how it’s a like...I mean I don't mind helping out but umm...what is it that you need?" Erin said, trying to be polite and not be all 'I like girls' right off the bat.

Perhaps she was overthinking things and he just talked that way and didn't really want anything like that from her. She didn't know, there was still a lot she had to learn about these whole social cues and hidden meaning people had. First she needed to see what he needed and then she could go from there and find out what it was he was going to do for her in return. She didn't mind help but deep down she really did things with a purpose.

[Kyle Underly]

Excellent: he'd unsettled her in just a few sentences. Kyle could practically read how very cowed by his sheer charisma she happened to be. No doubt she'd be bragging to all her friends about him later, but first he had to make sure to get through the rest of the conversation. Had to be careful: too much may overwhelm, too little and she'd skitter off and he'd have to try and find another nerdling to do his bidding.

"Right to business, huh? I can dig that in a woman," Kyle replied. He leaned forward slightly, extending a hand. "Kyle, Kyle Underly. If you don't know the name: Google me. If you do, then you know why this is going to be the day you tell your children about," he added another quick wink, but didn't want to give her time to respond besides maybe taking his hand. "See, I still want to keep up an online presence, and I can of course do the basic stuff," he waved a hand, "comments, some basic vids, Facebook, but I need someone to help with the technical stuff," he spread his arms wide, "'cuz left on my own, I'll just be hopeless," he gave her his best pout, tilting his head slightly. "And you look like someone who knows her way around a computer. I'm right about aren't I?" He gave her a smile and a nod that very clearly stated the "of course I am."

[Erin Hackett]

Erin would indeed not be bragging to any of her friends about this, hell she didn't know if she was going to be able to remain around this guy for too long. He was already too close for her liking and the only reason why she had not run or put a lot of distance between him and her was because he was a guy. If he had been a girl, it would have been a whole other story. Was...was he hitting on her again? No, she had to be overthinking something because there would be no way that he was hitting on her. He had to be one of those types that thought his looks would win over all the ladies and make them swoon or something.

Pffft, how wrong he is. Erin could not help but to think to herself as she raised an eyebrow when he introduced himself. The name did seem familiar but not something that she cared about because she was not really into anything that didn't involve video games, technology, woman, or japan. He was not hitting any of those requirements so it seemed like she was going to have to look him up after all. Her children about? She didn't say anything and just simply blinked as the guy spoke on what he specifically needed help on. She almost checked out at a point but managed to keep her focus mostly on him as he revealed he needed technology based helped.

"Well you are...are right about me knowing my way around a computer. I could help out with that sort of thing, but for a price. I don't do things for free." Erin pointed out. It was true, if it was not benefiting her in some way, she didn't do it without compensation. She might of had a job when she was done with all her school and had plenty of allowance money, but she did a lot as well to make money on the side. Money was how she got to buy things that she enjoyed and things for those she enjoyed being around.

[Kyle Underly]

She was one of those, huh? All proud of her skills and determined not to be taken advantage of. Kyle had to pause here, studying her. If she was good, then it could very well be worth it. On the other hand, he could probably convince someone to do this for him for free or maybe for some kind of favor. Then again, she hadn't exactly said that she wanted money in exchange for her work. The door had been nudged open and Kyle had every intention on pouncing on it.

"So what did you have in mind?" He asked, but before she could offer up something as an example: "I could probably get you in a few YouTube vids. I can't promise that they'll go viral or anything, but my views always hit at least the six digit range, so that'll give you tons of exposure and free advertising and whatnot. Probably can make you known as, like, the computer babe in this school."

There, that should entice her. Who didn't want to be known as "the" something? Particularly something that they held so close to their identity? Yeah, that would totally work. That or the being in a vid thing. She seemed like the sort who would go all starry-eyed just thinking about being recorded...

[Erin Hackett]

Erin was very much one of those that was proud of her skills, and she felt like she had a reason to considering it was not only a result of natural born talent but hard work. She did have her father to thank for her lot of skills and understanding, but there where things she figured out on her own and even created a virus; or two, in the past. So she was not willing to do any kind of work for free, not unless she was getting something out of it. Had this guy been her friend she would have been more inclined to help him.

However she didn’t know him and he had not really given her any room to build up the desire to talk or make friends with him. What did she have in mind? She was about to say as much since she had already thought of several things that she typically asked for, but the guy was already talking. Suggesting what he seemed to think she would want in return for her services. Yet again, this guy was so wrong and just reminding Erin about that one category of guy she had read about in one of her many guide books to making friends and understanding people. “I…I don’t want that.” Erin spoke up as she looked back at her computer screen.

While it did sound nice to have ‘The Computer Babe’ title, it was not one that she felt really fit her, and that was mostly because of that Babe part. She was not a babe; that was not putting herself down or anything, just a simple acknowledgement that she didn’t really think she fit into that category of ‘babe’ types. “I was thinking money or you owing me a favor.” Erin responded, still looking at her screen as she pulled up another window with a list of video games to come out this year. Money was always nice to have and someone owning her a debt was even better but she would let him choose.

[Kyle Underly]

Great, so terminally shy that she didn't even want some attention. Kyle nearly rolled his eyes at that. they never really got what they really needed, did they? "C'mon, just think about it: you'd have some exposure which would--" he paused, mostly because she'd started up again. Money or a favor. Well, Kyle was definitely going to avoid that first one until he finished up with Selina, that was for damn sure. Which really only left:

"Favor'll work. I'm telling you though, you should really go for the vid thing. Think of the popularity you'd get? Some guy you trying to impress? Ask him to YouTube you, and then bam," Kyle threw his hands out wide as if gesturing toward a spotlight, "there you are. They'd be all over you. It's a total... guy magnet."

Not that Kyle cared about that sort of thing. Not at all. But he knew she probably did. Or, wait, had she said something about liking girls? He couldn't quite remember. Maybe? He'd been kinda focused on getting her to do this without having to actually pay her...

[Erin Hackett]

Yes, Erin was very shy and saw no point in doing something that would result in her having to deal with something that typically caused her to have even more difficulty with being shy. Erin did have her own YouTube channel, on its which she would just show her gaming on it. By her gaming that meant that she was not in view of the camera and it was just game play or an imagine; either still or moving, in replacement of her when she was doing reviews or something along those lines. She had confidence when she was not seen, only heard and not the other way around. Not in the other way yet, was probably the best way to say it for now since she was indeed working on it.

He was still talking about how it would be good exposure, only to stop when she was pointing out what things she wanted for him. Of course he would pick a favor like most people did because they were cheap. Everyone always wanted something good but they never wanted to have to pay for it. He was then speaking about how he really thought going to the other plan he had would be really good for her. Talking about things that she really didn't need and clearly this guy didn't know of her on YouTube if he was saying all of this. He obviously was not a gamer, so she would not have expected him to be aware of her.

"I don't need popularity that way, I have a decent amount with my gaming...and I'm also a lesbian. So not trying to get any guys attention." Erin just came out and said it. She might not have been running around with a gay pride flag or anything like that, but if someone asked or she felt it needed to be known, she would speak up about it. In this case he kept brining up trying to impress guys and acting like he was the sexiest thing on the planet so she figured making it clear she liked girl would get the other guy to understand he needed to change up his tactic with her.

[Kyle Underly]

"Really?" Kyle asked, before leaning back to get a look at Erin. She didn't look very lesbian to him, and he liked to think he was pretty good at figuring that bit out. He did silently agree with her on one thing: he was definitely going to have to change up his tactic. And since he really didn't care that much for the female attention he actually garnered, he didn't see any problem with that.

"Well, I'll just have to throw all the babes your way then," Kyle said, nodding. Then he snapped his fingers, smiling broadly and pointing at her. "Heeey, that's actually a good idea! Glad I thought of it!" Kyle leaned forward, raising his brows. "What do you say to my helping you out in the lady department? I've got lots of skill and confidence to spare, and I'm betting we can work with this whole, cute, shy nerdy lesbian thing. Girls just eat that sort of thing up in a guy, and I'm not thinking it's the attached penis that has them doing it."

Kyle was already thinking ahead of the game. He was willing to bet he could convince Selina to go out with Erin for practice, and that would definitely count as a favor, right? Okay, it might cost him a little, but a lot less than paying for a computer guy directly. And he'd be doing a good deed to help his rep. Win/win.

[Erin Hackett]

"Yes, really. Since I was like..." Erin said before her mind wondered off for a moment as she tried to recall when she first realized that she liked girls. It had to be when she was threaten or so, maybe earlier. Eh, it didn't matter because she just knew that she liked girl and that girls were all that she was ever going to like. Yay, girls! He was looking over her now, apparently not thinking that she was a lesbian. He soon seemed to accept it and was speaking about his new plan to throw babes her way.

While she didn't mind the idea of getting tall the babes, it still didn't seem like it was a good idea for her skeptically. Kyle was then talking about what he had in mind and how things could work out for her being the cute and shy lesbians. Erin was quickly putting her hands up and shaking her head no at hearing all of this. It sounded wonderful and interesting in several ways but with the kind of person she was it was terrifying to think about. "N-no...I don't want that as a favor. I'll just...let me get back to you on what I would want you to owe me. For now I'll just help you with the things you want and ask for something in return when I think up what I want." Erin responded.

Still...would it hurt to allow him to try this whole plan that he had to get her some babes? Babes were nice. She was still a virgin. Perhaps getting a babe and losing her innocence would allow her to just jump into her confidence. Nah, she was overthinking things way too much. She was already taking a deep breath and trying to think back on computers and not women.

[Kyle Underly]

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Kyle replied, adding another of his confident, charming smiles. "It's okay; you don't want to admit it. The hardest part is admitting that you need help after all. That part's definitely true. And confidence. And how do you get confidence?"

Kyle stretched his arms wide. "You get someone who has tons to spare to show you," because on that, he was fairly certain. This poor girl just seemed like she was almost overwhelmed by the world around her. That wasn't the way to convince anyone to be her lover. Kyle could definitely work his magic and make things happen, particularly with the right target. Just think of the success story.

"C'mon, I'll even throw in some for free," Kyle leaned in slightly. "How do you usually approach girls? What's your thing?" Kyle didn't even wait for a response: "You know, your catch. Like with me, it's the confidence and the fact that I'm famous and awesome." Kyle then gestured expectantly toward Erin.

[Erin Hackett]

Erin almost let out a grown at that line, having flashback to drama class and how she really didn't understand why she needed that class. Just yet another reminded why she didn't like school when so many things she had to learn were not relevant to what she was going to do for the rest of her life to make money. She supposed she could see the benefit in terms of being able to talk about things not related to her field and just general knowledge. Erin could not help but to slightly glare at Kyle for a moment as he spoke about how she didn't need to admit it and that it was hard to admit that you needed help.

She did need help but also she didn't, because why get help if even with that help you were not going to get anywhere. Yet...did it hurt to try? What if his help did help her win a girl? There was a question but not enough time to answer it since Kyle was gesturing and soon giving the answer to the million dollar question. She wished it was a million dollar question. Was that true? Erin was already thinking about if he had a point with how to gain confidence by getting it form someone who had a lot of it. It seemed to make sense on some levels.

"I..." Erin was about to say something but then he was offering her some for free. Nothing in life was ever for free so she had some doubt. Erin's expression quickly turned to one of confusion at his question. How did she approach girls? She didn't. Was that a valid answer? He explained how he did it and then was looking at her expectantly. "Uh...I don't...I tend to only ever talk to them if they start it or I like...have another motive to...er...I'm a natural red head?" Erin responded, all her answers coming out more like a question.

[Kyle Underly]

Kyle could hear the doubt but, well, he didn't have any problems about throwing a little advice out for charity's sake. Plus, he was starting to feel a little sorry for the poor thing. Probably one of those shrinking violet types who never really got anyone to notice her. He waited impatiently for her to follow up with something that he could actually use.

"That only works if they've got something to come to you about," Kyle pointed out, gesturing. "Like, the computer thing can work pretty well, especially in this day and age. So if you've got some pretty decent hacking skills, you could maybe plant a little bug and stuff. The redhead thing's a pretty decent start too," Kyle pointed at her, "but it's only something that can work if, like, you're going to be comfortable being all sexy and stuff, which you're clearly not," and no, he didn't care if that hurt her feelings; pull off the Band-Aid now. "What you need to do is grow on them slowly, like moss or something. Or find some way to be all meek and make them feel sorry for you. Works more than you'd figure, and see, here's the thing about pity dates," he leaned forward, bringing a hand up to stage whisper, "they're still dates."

[Erin Hackett]

Erin listened as Kyle explained how such a thing would only work if they had something to come to her about. That was true and it was not like they always came to her even when they needed help, which just made her wonder if it was because of her that they were not coming for the help. Yet another thing that she didn't understand about people was their hesitation to get help or accept something from someone because of their gender or whatever. If someone knew something or had the capability to get you something, why not just go to them and accept it so you could be a happy. People, so weird.

"I mean...I am very good at hacking and it’s not like I don't do that sort of thing already...just not like. Not unless they piss me off and typically just too like find things out about them." Erin admitted. Yes, she had sort of admitted to being a hacker and one that did in fact hack into people’s computers to get revenge or find out information about a person. She had already done it to several students at the school but was decent at covering her tracks since she had been doing such things for years. Plus when your dad worked at a security firm and you basically did as well, you kind of knew how to get pasted a security program.

She was quickly shaking her head no to the words about going for the sexy thing because that was no way in hell that would work. She had been sexy 'once' and that was on prom which she basically snuck into and then left afterwards. He was suggesting trying to get someone to grow on her or the other way around; it was confusing, but she was sure she was trying that already. "No." Erin quickly spoke up when he started talking about a pity date. "I don't want that. I want them to go out with me because of me, even if nothing becomes of it after...I don't want it be because they feel bad for me." Erin responded.

She didn't want or need pity; she could get enough of it from herself when she would get into a slump. He said they were still dates but if she knew it was out of piety, and then she would not have counted it.

[Kyle Underly]

Ugh, why do some people have to get so wrapped up in the technicalities? that's how they didn't end up getting what they wanted, that, right there. They got all worked up about stuff like how they "didn't do that sort of thing" or they started protesting about how they wanted people to go out for them because of them. That was just missing the whole point, honestly.

"Okay, yeah, that's awesome and you're great," Kyle said, holding out his hands. "But that strategy? not working. Otherwise you wouldn't be telling me about how you're all single. You get them in with the pity and stuff, and then when they get to see how great a person you are," said with a straight face, go Kyle, "then they want to keep going with you. It's your foot in the door, and everyone needs that."

Kyle paused to place a hand on Erin's shoulder, leaning in. "It's a game, Erin, and you've got to learn the opening moves if you want to play."