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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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[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.

[It doesn't really answer his question, or soothe any of his turmoils, but Ren knows he shouldn't be bothering an uninvolved party with all of this. Still, he's known Koujaku for a long time, so feels like he can trust him more than others. That he might have more insight into it because he's from the same place where All Mates are a part of every day life.

He still looks troubled, staring down at his hands. He knows this is just his Rhyme body, but it makes him feel more... Human. He probably never would have voiced these kinds of things in his All Mate body. Like this he feels a little more confident, and like he has a leg to stand on. He eventually looks up, mouth set.]

I see. I will remember that. Thank you.

[He doesn't know if he can bring himself to tell someone about his existence without being directly asked. Is he even allowed to? It involves Aoba too, and it's not his place to say everything.]

You're welcome. [He still feels like he hasn't helped or caused more problems. Something happened to Ren and Aoba and now he feels even more lost. When he returned and reunited with Aoba, he felt like he didn't know him. Aoba had grown up so much, so feeling this lost feeling, it's something Koujaku has felt before.

Should he pry more? What if this was Aoba? Would he just let the conversation end here? Would he smile, pat him on the back, and tell him he'd take him out and have some fun together? What if he did pry and was rejected?]

I'm glad I could help. The topic is was pretty heavy, but I don't mind. Though, talking about happier things is easier on the mind and heart. You should tell me about the fun parts of this place, you know. There's fun things to do, right? Or maybe back before this moonbase -- what was that like?

[He doesn't pry. He doesn't push. He keeps things as the status quo. This makes things easier for everyone -- that's his justification.]

[Ren isn't sure he made anything better for himself, or if he just made everything a lot more awkward. He wishes he hadn't brought it up in the first place. It wasn't really his place to inquire about Koujaku's relationship with Beni anyway. He was definitely just deflecting his own situation onto them without explaining why. Should he be honest? But Koujaku's already changing the subject so...

Maybe it's okay to let it go for now, until he thinks he's ready to be honest with what he is. He wants to ask Aoba if it's okay first too.]

Many Transports had opened businesses in Exsilium, even though Exsilium was very worn down. It was always raining there. [A thoughtful hum. Fun things? He can't recall many...] There was a mission that sent us to the beach, it was a nice break from there.

The beach? How did that go? [Now this is something he can work with.] Were you in your-[he pauses because he's about to say "normal" form because he's used to thinking of Ren as a puppy still. Instead he reaches his hand out and measures out a short height.] Smaller form or your current one?

Ah... I don't use this form very much because it is my weapon. I was in my All Mate form then. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, I was with Aoba mostly.

[Ren can definitely see the change in Koujaku, and he thinks he feels grateful for it. Maybe his outburst did do some good.]

Edited 2013-11-13 08:32 (UTC)

You don't have to be in this form if you don't want to be. [Beni looked happier now, too.] Yeah! We like ya in any way, Ren!

So these missions, they can be fun? Usually missions mean work.

[If he's being completely honest with himself, he doesn't really know which he would prefer now. Being an All Mate is definitely much more familiar, but is he really happy like that now? Hearing Beni say he likes him either way makes him feel a little more at ease. Besides, it's probably selfish to use his weapon form like this...]

...Then I'll return. [And he's shrinking back into doggy form, complete with his gang hoodie. He lies down, paws in front of him, with his tail flicking occasionally.]

It would seem so, yes. I believe they're more often work instead of fun. Missions now that we have fled here are usually to retrieve supplies since everything is very limited in this facility.

[It's still weird watching this whole transformation occur. He's seen some things, but this is out of some fictional plot line. He's a little biased for puppy form because he's what he's used to.]

So Aoba's off getting supplies? [And Ren said he is safe, so.] Maybe we can have a little party if we can gather some stuff together. You don't need too much, after all, just good company.

Correct. As far as I was told, Aoba has gone to retrieve additional supplies. Because supplies are extremely limited here, everyone must ration food and water portions to make it last for as long as possible. If Aoba would like to have a party, though, I wouldn't mind.

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