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

[ This isn't the first time Arlecchino has been suddenly set upon a wide new world, but the first time, she was gifted with more resources and responsibilities than a girl her age could have imagined. This second time, as an adult, she's been left with fewer resources and responsibilities than she could have fathomed having again. It's a grand twist of fate, and not one she finds particularly humorous.

When faced with frustration, she's always found the sea a capable ally. The waters off Aldrip's docks aren't quite meditative, but in the dead of night the low roar of the waves smooths her thoughts. She slowly walks the length of the docks with the moonlight to guide her way, paying no mind to the eyes watching from the depths of moored ships and black shades. They can stick to their nightly encounters and she will stick to hers.

Namely, her current encounter is with a beady-eyed pink loach that has taken to following her. A naked agent of surveillance, or simply a wayward pet looking for handouts? She stops and muses on the creature with crossed arms. Woman and loach stare at each other silently... ]

[As Arlecchino has her quiet standoff, a drone and a woman are having a conversation during their evening patrol.]

"Hypothesis: there was no hostile figure in the wallpaper."

"Yeah. It was in her head, because she was stuck in that shitty room. Drove her nuts."

"Observation: the woman was not named for the duration of the story."

"Hmm..."

[It continues in this vein, this seemingly familiar rapport, until A2 sees the woman, hair pale as moonlight. She quiets, slows. There's a warning tingle along the back of her neck, her immediate thought being YoRHa, but gradually the image rights itself. No, not an android. Heat signatures were wrong. An organic.

She relaxes, though her face beneath the hood of the tattered cloak she wears is expressionless.

Awkwardly, she ventures a greeting.]

You alright?

[ Mysterious hooded figures aren't rare on the docks at this time of night. Arlecchino has already met a small number of them and humbly repelled their overzealous "advances," though she was not above accepting the "gifts" they kindly left behind.

This time, however, the hooded stranger approaching with her floating mek seems clearly disinterested in ambushing lone fancy women in the night. Arlecchino turns her attention away from the pink loach, and the loach similarly scurries in place to look at the newcomers.

Arlecchino's even expression mirrors A2's as she rests a black hand on her hip. ]

I suppose that depends. Are you familiar with these pink creatures?

[ The pink creature gapes up at A2. Hello. ]

[Up close, the woman's oddities become clearer. Of note are her eyes, which remind her, disconcertingly, of the red glow that overtook the eyes of androids taken over by the logic virus. Those hands, too... strange. It only takes a second or two for her to adjust, however, reassured by the fact that, whatever this woman was, she wasn't a machine or android.

She glances down to the little lizard-thing, tilting her head at it. It tilts its head back. Huh.]

... Oh, these things. They're, uhh...

Ambystoma. A type of reptile, non-native to this planet. It appears to be of little threat.

[Pod intervenes, helpfully. A2 follows up with a,] Yeah. Think it might like you.

[ Arlecchino's gaze slides briefly to the flying rectangle. Talking machines aren't uncommon where she comes from, but this one has a simple design that borders on severe. It's elegant in its own way, and might even appeal to her more than the overly elaborate humanoid designs she's used to. ]

If so, then it's welcome to stay. The moonlight is better appreciated with company, after all.

[ There's a smooth lightness to her voice that suggests a jest, but neither does she shoo the little creature away. It does a scurrying donut before breathlessly gaping up at the present company.

Arlecchino looks back up at the hooded woman and her flying companion. ]

Care to join us? It would be a shame not to capitalize on a fortuitous meeting.

Join you?

[It's still a surprise whenever anyone, particularly a stranger, offers things like this. Even shallow companionship was leaps and bounds beyond what she'd experienced in her world. But to most people here, A2 recognized she was a curiosity at the very least.

So, she nods after a moment's hesitation, eyeing the lizard and the woman quizzically in turn.]

Fine.

[... The lizard is staring at her with its beady little eyes and unassuming face. A2 studiously ignores it, turning instead to Arlecchino.]

... You're new here.

[Queen of making conversation!]

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

action; first week of the month

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