[Video] Well this is awkward.

[weapabilities]

[ Oh hey look, it's Drift. And it appears he's finally given up the gun on the whole trying to pretend he's not a giant awkward robot. He sucks at this whole secret thing. So have a giant robot. ]

So hi there. Uhm. Right. So I'm Drift. And I've got just a few questions.

First is that uh. I'm becoming abundantly aware that I'll probably need to find a better way to fit in here for obvious reasons. I do have something called a "Holoform" which allows me to project a solid holomatter representation of a human. But I'm really. Not a human. So there's that.

I guess what I'm asking is for some help in how humans or organics are really supposed to act.

Second, I'm looking for work. It doesn't actually have to be paid work, but anything I can do to help. My skills lie in.

Uh. Lifting heavy objects, chopping things and... well I'm pretty decent in a fight. So you know. Sparring or training self defense? Anything anyone can think of that they need help with. Please don't hesitate to ask.

[ He's a little desperate to make himself useful. ]

Comments

[weapabilities]

Yeah. Sorry, haha. I guess it's easier when it's not- you know. It's weird, that kind of thing.

[ Physical affection and such aren't really his forte', it's easier when you can at least perceive something to be an animal. ]

Heh, thank you, I'll remember that.

[ He figures that must be another human turn of phrase. Standing up, he looks down at her with a smile. ]

Shall we then?

[whatsupcroc]

( She's up an moving as he says "shall." Her tail wags once more, and Collette fights to keep her ears from tuning in to the sound of his alt form as well as anything his holoform makes, sound wise. Does he sound like here's there? eight to steps, anything of that sot? He must, he was physically present in a manner of speaking.

All this was so fascinating! )

< We should start close to here and circle our way out if we don't find anything that looks like it'll work. Sound good? >

( She hoped, since she wasn't sure what else to do. )

[weapabilities]

Sounds perfect.

[ Drift takes the leads and heads off in the indicated direction. ]

I must admit, I'm curious to see your other forms sometime.

[whatsupcroc]

< Want me to trot them all out for you? >

( Teasing as she follows along, coming even to him after a moment. It's odd to think how divorced he is from himself in having two technical, physical forms for the moment. )

< Stick around long enough, you'll probably see most of them! >

[weapabilities]

Aha- I wouldn't actually mind that.

[ He peers in the window of a building. ]

Hey Collette. Can I ask you something a little personal?

[whatsupcroc]

( She jumps up, planting two paws on the grimy sill. Squinting to peer inside doesn't produce much result for her; she lifts her muzzle, breathing in deep. A whole different sort of world spoke to her nose, one she understood only in fractions.

An ear perks and quirks his way when he asks his question. )

< Sure, you can ask. I might even answer! >

( Her tail wags once, following the amused tone of her answer. )

[weapabilities]

[ It earns a soft snerk from him. ]

You do like sassing me, don't you?

[ His tone implies that he doesn't mind in the least. It's nice to have someone to joke with. ]

But ah. My question is...

Do you get homesick much here?

[whatsupcroc]

( Her mind is filled with possibilities and choices. Be honest; be mostly honest; lie. Say what sounds best.

She settles somewhere in the middle, pausing only long enough to account for a thoughtful moment. Nothing like the decision it really is. )

< I miss home. > ( There's the easy admission. ) < I miss my friends, my brother, my favorite pants... sometimes I think that'd be the best thing in the world! Having it all back just like that. >

( She looks over his way, closing her mouth. It's just for the moment. Soon after, she's sporting that canine grin, ears perked forward and overall posture relaxed for all she's leaning against a window. )

< But being here is its own amazing thing, and I think if I went home, I'd be a little Exsilium-sick. If I could remember! So I think it's natural. We miss the things we miss, whoever, and where-ever, they are. >

( She refuses to linger, knowing it'll only lead to dark, insensible places, ones she very much doesn't like to visit. )

[weapabilities]

[ It's funny, on the outside he tries to be sunny, but he hardly ever believes the words he says. She honestly does though, and somehow she manages to make it sound so reasonable that he finds himself nodding. ]

I have met many people here that I did not really expect to become friends with.

I never thought of it that way. But I think if I went home I might miss them very much.

[ He leads them down a street he's never been to before, peering at a bird scolding them as they pass. ]

I think you're a very smart person.

[whatsupcroc]

< I think I talk a lot. > ( Her mental tone sounds teasing, and her tail ways, an indication of her general humor. Really, it makes her feel good, to hear that from a four billion year old alien or whatever. He's been around forever. He called her smart!

Okay, maybe that did make her want to dance a little, and maybe she's not got extra spring in her step. )

< But I might be persuaded to agree on that point. I'd miss a lot of people from here! I already do. But I'm happiest having known them at all, even if just for a short time. >

( An interesting sound lures her to a door in the alley, with a broken window and missing lock. )

[weapabilities]

Yeah but some people. They talk a lot and have nothing to say. Your talking is full of-

Of things. Substance.

[ He follows after her curiously, peering in the window. ]

You kind of remind me of someone. An old friend who used to say things like that.

[whatsupcroc]

< Tell me about your friend! What's his name? What was he like? >

( Nosing at the door, the hinges groan and allow her about an inch. Not enough room to slip inside yet. The idea is particularly compelling right now, invading this secret place. Collette pushes one furred shoulder against the door and strains against the rust slowing the door's progress. )

[weapabilities]

My friend? Ah. He was really probably one of the most important people I ever met.

His name was Wing.

[ The past-tense indicates what you could probably guess. He moves over, helping shove the door open with more force, pretty good for holomatter. ]

He helped me turn my life around.

[whatsupcroc]

( It's enough to allow for Collette to slide on inside, and as she does, to push the door open a little wider and allow for Drift to come inside.

She understands what he means, lifting her nose in the air and sniffing. What was it she was smelling? What had she heard? )

< How did he die? >

[weapabilities]

[ He watches her, a bit at a loss, watching her and peering around, trying to figure out what all the interest was. The question jolts him out of it though and he winces. ]

In battle. Fighting for an ideal.

[ It was my fault. He doesn't say it, but it's definitely there. He quickly turns it around though. ]

But, while he was alive, he was one of the greatest mechs I got the chance to know. He saved my life, took me in and offered me a place to stay for good.

[whatsupcroc]

< So he's living on through you. >

( Her ear twitches, and she trots off into the darkness. It's a bald statement to deliver without affectation. It's the first place her mind goes, listening to what he says -- and what he doesn't say. )

< Hey! There's another door through here! Do you smell oil? >

[weapabilities]

Ah. I don't know about that. It's a nice thought. I rather prefer to think he lives on in that sword I carry. You know, the big one. That was his.

The sword uses the power from a mech's spark to give it more strength, and our spark is our life force, essentially so...

[ It's all very whimsical as he follows her into this abandoned place. He sniffs the air, making a face. ]

Yeah, actually. I do.

[ Definitely not an unfamiliar scent to him. ]

[whatsupcroc]

( Her tail wags once or twice as she wiggles between supports once she's past the inside door. The whole area opens up into a larger room, whose size she can't currently make out on her own. )

< Either way, you carry a part of him with you! Though even if you lost everything else, he'd still be part of you. Even if you forgot everything ever! The people we know leave a pretty deep mark. >

( She tracks her scent to an old stain across the floor. )

< Say, how big does this place look to you? I wonder if they stashed a few cars here for the heck of it sometime in the past few months. >

[weapabilities]

Heh... yeah. I don't think I'd be who I am today without having known certain people.

[ He smiles a little, following her and sinking to a crouch to examine the stain. ]

Pretty damn big, I'd say.

And that's very likely. It smells good in here. I bet this place is even bigger than the garage I'm staying in.

[whatsupcroc]

< You think? >

( Collette leaps up, balancing on her hind legs in a sort of swaying dance as she sniffs the air. )

< So we're looking for places like this for you? Could use a few strans of Christmas lights. Oh! And a thorough cleaning or twelve! >

[weapabilities]

I think yeah.

[ He gives the place another appraising glance. ]

Yeah. Definitely a fixer-upper. But this would be good. It's dry and has good ventilation. Good aura, too.

What are Christmas lights?

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette stops in her tracks to look back at him. )

< Something from a by-gone era, but they're little lights on strings that come in clear or in colors. They're really pretty! You can use them to decorate. Around poles, or across the ceiling and wall joints, or in shapes on the ceiling itself! >

( Yeah, she steps back and looks around. This place would be awesome with the right lighting! )

[weapabilities]

Ohh... hmm.

That sounds. That sounds good really. Peaceful.

[ He gives a sage nod. ]

You think anyone would mind if I took this place over sometime?

[whatsupcroc]

< Drift, buddy? I'm absolutely positive that if you want this garage, it's yours for the taking! >

( She spins back toward him, dropping down into a play bow. Her tail wags twice. )

< Welcome to your future abode! >

( She barks for emphasis, a sound that echoes through the room and almost manages to sound like laughter. )

[weapabilities]

Well! I guess nothing's stopping me, then!

[ He grins at her. Okay, dogs are adorable. He's really liking this form. ]

Thanks for finding it, Colette.