exsiliumlogs | (no subject)

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Date: November 1st
Location: The Observatory.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Observatory after their initial briefings. The zombie plot will not spill over into this area, this area is safe and unaffected! To face zombies, characters must leave the area, and please move to the event log with those threads.
Warnings: None.

Your arrival here has been very unceremonious. One second you were somewhere else, and now, very suddenly, your feet hit the glowing white of the Transporter pad, and you're here. You aren't alone, either. There's a crowd of others around you, each seeming just as bewildered, angry, or confused as you might feel. At the head of the group is a woman in purple robes, solemn and taciturn. She hurries over a quick overview of your intended purpose here, and gives direct answers when asked for them, but to most things she simply shows you how to access the tablet you've just been given, or tells you that the DITR's greeters will explain everything. On the tablet, you can find the history of this place and a record of what your new cohorts have experienced — although it won't have Network access for another 8 hours. Someone stands on hand to give you a weapon, and though the armory is now greatly reduced, you should be able to find something to suit you.

You're shepherded down a walkway tunnel and into the Observatory, where you will find screens mounted on three sides of the wide room. It's night outside the great wide windows, and the lunar landscape isn't much to look at right now; the only lighting comes from dull red emergency lights, but there are… noises. Listen carefully. Over the voices of your fellow Transports, now and then you might catch the sound of a scrape, or a low and muffled cry. It doesn't sound human. Are there animals up here?

You're free to explore the base, visit and use any of the VR rooms, or discover your new room and roommates, but try not to step out of any airlocks if oxygen is a requirement for your system.

Welcome to the moon base, and to the remains of Exsilium.

[[ ooc; As a note for players of current characters: please keep your root comments confined to the various groups and organizations that set up root comments to greet new characters! We highly encourage tagging around here, but since it's a log meant for new characters specifically, we ask that they be the ones to set up root threads to the entry. Thank you, and happy playing! ]]

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[He pulls his arm back at the transformation again. No, he's still not used to this even if Ren seems calm about it and Beni seems excited about this.] They didn't ask me shit! That's not fair! I shoulda demanded a weapon if you only let me!

[Most of Beni's squabbling is lost as he composes himself because a thousand more things just hit him in the face. Rhyme? Weapon?] Rhyme form? Like when Aoba got caught up in the drive by? Still it's... I can't say it's not startling to see you in this form. [He looks up and down at Ren, his voice still sounding on edge a little.] Not to say it's a bad look! It's something I never could've imagined.

[For the sake of both of them, he wants to try to make things less awkward.] Let's go inside. Standing out here, I'm sure we'll draw some unwanted attention.

Ah... [Ren seems thoughtful.] Perhaps it was because I arrived separately from Aoba? The Initiative does not have as many weapons now that Exsilium has been destroyed, so I do not know if they have the ability to give out this sort of weapon freely now. It is worth asking them, at least.

[Ren looks up and down the hallway. Unwanted attention? Is it because it's weird that he looks human? But he's used his weapon several times in front of people...] My apologies, I have been a bad host. Please come inside and make yourself comfortable.

[He uses a finger to silence Beni before the little robot bird speaks.] Let's just say it's a relief and it makes my life easier. [He's not going to even start to think about Beni in a human body -- that's a pandora's box he doesn't want to get into.]

You've been a great host and a great help, Ren. [He enters the room, looking around. Well... he isn't sure what to expect but this is very underwhelming.] Is it just you and Aoba here? [As he says that, he swears he saw some sort of animal tail.]

We share the room with two other Transports and several pets. At times it can seem very cramped. [And the room seems a lot smaller when he's in this form. He sits down on what can be assumed to be Aoba's bed, given the puppy shaped impression in the pillow.]

It is not like the housing we were provided back in Exsilium. We are not always in the room at the same time, however, so it is manageable.

[Wow that's... very cramped to say the least and Ren wasn't exaggerating. Not that he'd think Ren is the type to, but maybe he understated it a little. He still looks around, and it doesn't feel much like someone's home -- more like some place someone had to live in.] Hopefully Aoba's getting along with them, but I'm sure you've won their hearts over. [He smiles at Ren, thinking mostly the cute puppy part over... well the human body but alas Ren still is very nice, loyal, and helpful no matter what form.]

So you moved recently? [He asks, and it seems Beni has spotted one of the cats and isn't too happy about it. He flies onto Ren's shoulder.]

Aoba gets along well with Asbel, I believe. I'm not certain if he gets along with Celebrian, but I have never met her properly.

[One of the cats sniffs around Ren's leg before climbing on him. It's different from waking up to a pile of cats on his tiny pomeranian form. He pets it awkwardly. He's never had to be on the giving end of a pet relationship.]

Correct. Exsilium, where we were housed before, was destroyed by the United Earth. We were forced to migrate to the moon to avoid dying. It wasn't a choice for us.

So this truly is a war zone. [He gives a little nod to show he's listening. This is still a lot to take in, and he still isn't sure what questions he should ask Ren. Maybe he should take it easy for the day and ask around later. Whatever Ren hears will probably pass to Aoba, and he wants to be careful with that. Not that he doesn't trust Aoba, but he doesn't want him to worry.]

I'm just glad Aoba and you are safe. [Either way, he takes a seat near Ren and pets one of the cats.] That one's got a evil look in its eyes I can tell! [It seems Beni isn't as fond of the cats as the other two.] Don't tell me you're jealous, Beni? [And the little bird looks like it wants to peck Koujaku's eyes out, but it stays on Ren's shoulder.] As soon as I get my human body, I'm gonna punch ya right in the jaw for that!

I wake up with that one sleeping on me often.

[Ren smiles a little at Beni's comment. He wasn't too crazy about the cats when Asbel first brought them into their apartment, mostly because they wore on his patience because they were young kittens then and wanted to play too much. Part of it might have been a dog's programming too, to dislike them. But they've come to an understanding. Kind of.]

It can be very dangerous here, but I do my best to protect Aoba. I will do my best to protect you and Beni as well until you've acclimated properly. My apologies that you were recruited into such a dangerous place.

It sounds like you have competition, Beni. [It's hard to tell what Beni is thinking/feeling, but the little bird still looks upset. It's nice to have the banter as a distraction and possible focus point, though.] Hey you, ya damn cat, you ain't sleep on Ren anymore, got it?

Protect me? [It's not that he doubts that, it's just... he's not used to having someone protect him. If Ren was still a puppy he would have gone with it, laughed, and scratched his belly. Yet he's in human form, so instead Koujaku pats him on the back.] You don't have to apologize, Ren. I'm not used to someone saying they'd protect me, but hearing that's very honorable of you.

[The cat doesn't seem to be listening since it seems to be... Actually falling asleep on Ren again. He picks it up and sets it aside on the bed and holds his hand near his shoulder to see if Beni will jump on it instead. He's never been around Beni in this form before, so it's weird. Honestly, it feels strange sitting around in this form as opposed to using it just to train. He's been a dog for so long that he doesn't know how to be anything else, but he wants to be.]

There are many kinds of enemies here that you might not be prepared for. That is why I offered. [Then enemies that Aoba had told him about that he's seen in the UE, what he'd heard about from other Transports... It's all a little too similar to the kind of things Toue was doing.]

[Beni climbs on Ren's hand, looking up at him. ]

What sort of enemies? [Koujaku's got fighting experience and he's good with his sword, but he's no soldier or some sort of specially trained fighter.] Have any tried to harm Aoba? [His face goes serious here, and he couldn't help but ask. What if the answer is yes? He's glad Ren is protecting Aoba, but if anything did happen, big or small, he could't help but blame himself.]

[Ren uses his free hand to poke at Beni's beak with a finger. This is definitely strange. But he isn't sure if it's a strange that he doesn't like. Maybe it's a good different? Maybe he can use this form a little more often than he does... Would that count as using his weapon, or did it specifically mean using his abilities? Maybe he should ask someone from the Initiative.]

Aoba mentioned the United Earth was making clones... They had powers that belonged to people in Exsilium. I believe they're trying to make super soldiers of some kind. Aoba did not seem to have trouble taking care of himself while he was there.

[Even if it involved him using Scrap, but Ren doesn't mention that.]

[Beni nuzzles the finger, liking the affection. For a little shit of a bird, he can never get enough attention.]

Dammit. [He bites his lip and presses his palms into the bed. The curse is mostly muffled, and he's able to keep most of his composure, but this isn't something easy to take. He knows Aoba isn't some defenseless weakling, but hearing this stuff about clones and whatnot, it sounds. Then he realizes his little outburst, and he feels awkward about it.] I'm sorry, Ren, don't feel bad about telling me. I want to know the truth about what we're getting into, and hopefully, we'll find a way home.

[Ren goes on to scritch Beni's throat curiously. There was a time that he would have unabashedly enjoyed this kind of attention, but lately it's been making him annoyed.]

The Initiative seems to believe the only way we'll be able to return home is to win this war against the United Earth. The odds are not in the Initiative's favor. When the Initiative attempted to send someone home, the United Earth invaded and destroyed that person's entire world. It was before we arrived, but I was told about it by other Transports. It could prove more dangerous to force our way home.

[Koujaku tried to go about not siding with either side, but hearing more about the UE, it pissed him off. They sounded like the type of people he couldn't stand. starting anew is something he's wanted, and he got that chance, but he knows what not going home for Aoba means. He relaxes his body, trying to think about this rather than let his emotions get the best of him. Taking this out on Ren isn't going to help anyone, and he needed to hear this.] Then we'll flight for peace until we can all go home, but for now, we'll try to make this our new home.

We're trying to restore Exsilium so we can return there. That is the plan, at least, but I do not know how successful it will be considering the Initiative's previous rate of failure.

[Ren honestly seems a little detached from it all, like he isn't quite as bothered by it as he should be. It might be typical of an All Mate, and maybe that's part of why. Or maybe he's just guarded about it still.]

The odds might be against us, but we can't give in. [Not giving in -- that statement means a lot to him. Memories from the past flash through his mind. He has to keep a positive outlook for not only his sake, but Aoba's. He doesn't fault Ren for a lack of reaction or emotion. After all, he still thinks of him as an allmate.] You, me, Aoba, we aren't giving up so easily, right?

[And Beni wakes up a little from all the excitement.] Don't forget me!

Roger. [It's such a trained response from him, but he seems to stiffen up when he says it. It's a typical All Mate reaction, like responding to a command. He stares at Beni, mouth set in a line. He doesn't look at Koujaku when he speaks again, and he even looks away from Beni. He knows this is all just his own problems, but he can't help himself.]

...You always leave Beni out. Isn't that... wrong?

[Wow, that catches him off guard. He really doesn't expect that, and he looks at Beni who... actually looks surprised. He isn't sure what to say, actually.] Well, it's because Beni's with me and-[Luckily he gets a pass and the atmosphere lightens up when Beni speaks.] Because he knows he needs me to save his sorry ass! I'm always there for him like a good allmate should be!

[Actually, Beni summed it up well. He always pictures Beni with him. Not like a companion or best friend, but not merely a tool that's used. He's not sure where this all lies, but he never meant anything malicious by it -- no one he knows does anyway. He never really gave thought to what or who Beni is in his life.] We'll need Beni's help of course. [He's not sure why Ren asked. Maybe because the two of them are friends? Allmates have friends and friendship behaviors programmed so maybe Ren is basing it off that.]

......

[There's a troubled hum from his chest, and he stares down at the cat lying next to him. Just an ordinary pet. No one expected anything more of it except to be a pet. But what about All Mates like Beni, or like he used to be? Were they really just tools for their owners, with no true emotional attachment? He doesn't want to think that, after all the times Aoba had told him how much he mattered - not that Aoba could remember any of that from their time in Platinum Jail. But the way Koujaku seems to brush Beni off makes him think that maybe... All Mates were never meant to be important to people beyond the usefulness of their programming. He knows he's different but he doesn't like thinking that All Mates don't matter as much as people do.]

What are All Mates to you?

[That question hit like a ton of bricks smashing right into him. Did he say something wrong? Maybe even do something wrong? He feels like this question just isn't about him because it's a loaded question. There's for sure more going on, but he's being put on the spot. He could try to back out of this, even deflect it. Yet Ren looks serious about this, and with such a serious look and question, it sounds like he's asking Koujaku for insight.

He's not sure what's going on that head of his. Koujaku gives Beni a look, and Beni looks sad for a few seconds, but that quickly changes. The little bird gets worked up once again.] What kind of question is that, Ren!? If he did something to piss ya off, you take it up with me!

[His faces becomes serious looking, showing he's not messing around.] It's fine, Beni. [Yet the small bird doesn't settle down.] You know what we are, so why are ya getting worked up all over this! We said we'd help and then you go off-[He raises his hand and raises his own voice, cutting off Beni. It's stern rather than angry.] Beni, enough.

[the little bird goes quiet, looking away from Ren and Koujaku.] I know some people say they're tools or just like pets. [He pauses, trying to stall just a little.] Some are closer to them than others. I'm not sure where I stand. You and Aoba have a different relationship than what Beni and I have, but that doesn't mean I think of allmates less. [His nervous habit of fixing his bangs kicks in.] I'm not sure how to describe what I think they are. In the end, it's how we treat them and how close we feel to them that matters. There are humans who treat other humans like garbage -- so simply putting things in labels, I don't think it's that easy. [He looks back at Ren, a deep breath out.] Does that answer your question? [Now he's really worried for Ren now that he's said all of this.]

Edited 2013-11-11 09:10 (UTC)

[Ren doesn't say anything in response for a while, digesting what Koujaku said. Different relationships... So, it's sort of like how people have different relationships with each other? But it doesn't take away the fact that new models of All Mates are always coming out, encouraging people to replace out-dated models. That people do that, that at one point - even if it was mostly the virus affecting him - he had though Aoba would be like that.]

Would you ever replace Beni with a newer model? Or if he broke and couldn't do everything you needed him to do? Is Beni useful to you because he's precious to you, or is it because of convenience?

[Ren seems to shake out of whatever's come over him, shaking his head and clenching his fists.]

Sorry. It is not my business.

[ Would he do these things? Well he can't say yes or no for certain. They're all hypotheticals, and he might be a huge hypocrite for he's thought and dwelled on hypotheticals, he knows it's not a good thing to do. ] I can't say for certain when it comes to getting a new allmate, but I wouldn't think of it like replacing him. Beni is Beni, and he'll always be the spirited allmate of mine. [He extends his fingers out, and Beni goes to them, perching.]Dwelling about what could happen isn't good for anyone. When the time comes, I'll do what I think I need to do.

[He lets out a relaxed sigh, things easing as the atmosphere isn't as tense. He moves Beni to perch on his shoulder before he puts a hand on Ren's shoulder.] I don't want to pry, Ren, but just keeping things locked up isn't good. I'm sure you've gone through a lot -- more than what you ever expected. I have a feeling these questions you asked weren't just about how I treat and feel about Beni.

[Ren just feels like running away all over again. He's still not used to dealing with the problems of having emotions and knowing that they're real, and that they're his own. They aren't some malfunction caused by a virus or a bug.

He's already said it's not his business, so he should stop prying himself. But Koujaku has an All Mate, so maybe he's the best person to ask about this aside from Aoba, since Aoba can't remember any of it.]

What if it turned out that your All Mate wasn't what you thought? If they were... more than an All Mate? Would it change how you feel? Would you treat them differently?

[It's obvious now this is something between Ren and Aoba. Should he be direct and ask Rne directly? Or should he let this line of questioning go on? Whatever helps Ren and Aoba, he tell himself, but he's not sure if he's helping or making things worse. What if he's making it worse? Should he tell Ren to talk to Aoba? He doesn't know what to do. What if he messes up? What if Aoba heard Ren talk like this? He can't get these haunting questions out of his mind. It reminds him of his own troubles with his past. What if they found out what he really did? His past? Would they leave and reject him? What should he say?

He once again nervously fixes his bangs before answering.]

It's not what we are, but the strength in our friendships and bonds that create the feelings we have. That is what we remember the most.