abandonware | i n [B] o x . // acata.

[She's been in a fight, been nearly struck by lightning, and has had to outrun a storm. Human exhaustion is a new feeling, but it's here now, weighing her down, and she's currently waving off Pod's pestering for her to shut down for maintenance when her weird... bracelet vibrates. Okay. She looks down at it, puzzled. 9S' human friend, the one with the weird "food."]

You're that human. [Hadn't she told him to stay away from her? Why didn't humans listen to anything?] Why would I go on a walk?

[humans never listen to anything. especially not this one]

To clear your head. It usually helps me.

[granted, he doesn't know if she's feeling as exhausted as he is, but. . . it doesn't hurt to throw it out there. besides, if she goes for a walk, maybe he can meet up with her? and then they could talk in person]

[A2 doesn't understand conversations: a novel, a history.]

So you go on one.

[How long will it take her to realize that this is an invitation? Time will tell.]

[. . . .]

[okay. well. time to be blunt]

Sure. Want to come with me?

[She stares at the message for a while, frowning. In her limited experience, whenever she told a human to leave her alone, they found her anyway, somehow, and refused to leave her alone. She can already hear Pod, even though it gratefully has stayed quiet this time, advising her to build a positive relationship.

...]

Fine.

[victory!!]

Cool. Meet me near the first aid tent in ten minutes?

[why is he aggressively trying to friendship A2?? 100% because she told him not to, to be honest]

[There's no response to that, because A2 is a jerk and knows...what he's up to. Humans.

...But ten minutes later or so, she does arrive by the tent, Pod following behind her, as always.]

[HUMANS!!]

[Akira is waiting for her when she arrives, wrapped in a couple of bandages but otherwise looking happy and healthy and whole! one hand rests in his pocket, while he lifts the other to wave at her. android friend! or soon-to-be friend, if he has it his way]

Do you take that thing with you wherever you go?

[When she arrives, her gaze hones in on the bandages — had he been hurt, she wonders? — but he seems fine after a cursory observation. She doesn't return the wave, because what is expressing common courtesy? But she does answer his question.]

It follows me. I can't get rid of it.

[an arched brow, and Akira turns on his heel, gesturing for A2 to follow him as he takes a stroll along the eerily quiet city streets]

Why does it follow you?

[casual conversation, go! as well as learning more about A2 and her pod companion. win-win]

Because it's a pain in the ass.

[Said as she follows behind Akira, obedient for all of her unfriendly behavior. Her footfalls are heavier than her appearance would suggest, one metallic click of her heel after the other.

Realizing that she's probably going to be asked for clarification, she adds....reluctantly:] ...It was transferred to me.

[aha. she cut off the question before he could ask it. but that does lead to another one]

By who?

[he's aware he's being a little nosy, but he's learned that it takes a bit of prodding to get A2 to talk. and she is in no way obligated to answer his questions. if he asks one she doesn't like, he'll clarify that]

[A2 falls silent at that, keeping her gaze straight ahead. It seems this is not a question she intends to answer.

...If Akira were so inclined, he could demand it of her, and she would do so ...if reluctantly, hardwired to obey humans. But it would not be for the best.]

Edited 2018-08-26 05:29 (UTC)

[fortunately for A2, he isn't that kind of person. her non-answer means he moves on quickly]

Does it have a name? I think I heard you call it. . . Pod?

[The ramrod straighness of her shoulders relaxes, if barely, when the topic changes. Grateful to not be pressed on the question of Pod's transfer, she answers without as long of a pause, this time.]

That's what it's called.

Affirmative. This Pod's designation number is 042.

Edited 2018-08-26 21:06 (UTC)

[he can tell that there's a story there, but. . . with time. this Confidant was still only Rank 1, after all]

"Pod" is a lot easier to say than "042."

[he lifts a hand and waves at the floating droid]

Nice to meet you officially, Pod.

[. . .]

[and then he totally holds out a fist for a brofist. do the brofist Pod!1]

[Pod fistbumps! Pod's the cool dad of this cool dad and sullen teenager duo. A2 rolls her eyes, completing this metaphor, but she seems less "get the fuck away from my dumb Pod" than she had been when Simon had touched it.]

Response: It is nice to meet you as well, Akira.

If you like him so much, [A2 breathes out, after a delay,] why don't you follow him around?

Negative. As previously stated, this Pod is assigned to Unit A2.

Worth a shot. Hey. Fluffy Hair.

[That's you, Akira.] What's with the bandages?

It's Frizzy Hair, actually.

[he corrects, a bit cheekily. like the semantics matter (THEY TOTALLY DON'T). her question leaves him blinking in surprise though, as he glances down at some of the bandages entwining his arms]

Oh, these? I got a bit scraped up during the mission. That's all.

Whatever.

[Cue A2 calling him "Fluffy Hair" whenever she sees him, for the rest of time.

His answer seems to satisfy what curiosity she had about it. At least he wasn't an idiot that got struck by lightning, like some idiots she knew.]

Mm.

[...]

Some idiot I know got struck by lightning.

[HE'LL ANSWER TO IT. BECAUSE HE'S LIKE THAT]

[also, he absolutely trips over his feet when she says that]

-- what?!

[what!1]

Are they okay?

He's fine. [Said as callously as she can manage, which is a Lot. She even waves her hand a little, as if dismissing his concern.]

He's just a dumbass.

Just a-- I saw the size of those lightning bolts??

[he sounds relieved and exasperated all in one]

He must be pretty damn sturdy to survive an encounter with one of those.

[She shrugs. Nier's survival despite all attempts not to, apparently, is a mystery she cannot solve on her own.]

Idiots always survive. [She's almost impressed no one managed to come out of it worse off, given how lackadaisical humans seemed to be with their own well-being.] Surprised no one died.

[A2. . .]

[nevertheless, Akira lets out a deep exhale and shakes his head]

I'm glad. [both that her friend survived, and that no one died] But I wonder if that makes us all idiots, by your definition?

[he's teasing. . . . . .]

[The longest pause in human history.]

...

[Her brow knits; she looks up briefly.]

Maybe.

i n [B] o x . // acata.

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