01 | video

[pomerenian]

[There's a bit of rustling at first once the feed clicks on. The screen is filled with a small snout and tiny paws and it seems almost like it was turned on by mistake by the pet in question on screen. After a moment or two though, a voice speaks up, mechanical and deep.]

My GPS program appears to be malfunctioning, as I am unable to download a map of the island wirelessly. [There's a pause and a mechanical hum before the voice speaks again.]

Please instruct me on a place where I may find a USB connector to transfer information from my tablet. Thank you for your assistance.

[One paw stretches forward to tap the tablet and shuts the feed off.]

Comments

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[pomerenian]

[Ren hops into his arms, curling up. He'll preemptively hide in Aoba's jacket to keep from getting wet.]

Okay. We may leave at your earliest convenience, Aoba.

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[vocalizer]

[ Good boy! Aoba's making sure that he's got a secure grip on Ren and stomps a foot on the ground to make sure the boot is on nice and snug, before moving across the room to get an umbrella. ]

It's convenient now. Though we might not find much today since I don't really know where the shops are.

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[pomerenian]

I know of at least one shop that we can check. If we do not find anything today, it's not a problem. We can look again another time.

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[vocalizer]

Mm, time is probably the only thing we have plenty of here.

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[pomerenian]

It's better soon than later though, isn't it? It's not wise to waste time simply because it is there.

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[vocalizer]

[ A small, awkward chuckle. ]

That doesn't mean we have to rush it either though.

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[pomerenian]

Mm... I want to be back in working order as soon as possible.

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[vocalizer]

Eh? You're already in working order though...

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[pomerenian]

Aside from basic functions, I'm unable to perform any other kinds of functions without the ability to connect to the network here. As an All Mate, I am unable to do my duty.

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[vocalizer]

[ A small sigh from Aoba. ]

It's fine. As long as you're still working the way you are right now, that's what really matters.

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[pomerenian]

[Is it really okay? Ren definitely isn't sure about that.]

A broken All Mate isn't especially useful. Wouldn't it be more convenient if I was able to work like I used to?

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[vocalizer]

[ It is! ]

What's most convenient to me is that you're here with me, no matter what you can and can't do.

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[pomerenian]

[Aoba's words make him feel accepted and warm, and he deduced this is probably happiness. He burrows closer to Aoba. Even if Aoba can't remember validating him, this comes close to it.]

...Understood. My apologies if I was insensitive.

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[vocalizer]

[ Gonna hold Ren close to him. It's nice to have Ren snuggling up close like this. Gonna snuggle back as best he can. It's not easy to do when he's the one holding Ren though. ]

You have nothing to apologize for. Just keep yourself safe, okay?

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[pomerenian]

[That's alright, Ren can do all of the snuggling. Make the most of it now, Aoba, cause in a few months he's going to turn into a cagey asshole about it.]

Roger, I will do my best to stay safe. Shall I give directions to the shop now?

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[vocalizer]

[ Aoba is not gonna like it when the time comes. :( He is gonna enjoy what he can get now though. ]

Mm, sounds good!

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[pomerenian]

[Sorry for his self-awareness, even he doesn't know what to do about it.]

Understood. Turn left and- [Ren proceeds to give a series of directions to the shop in question that does not require the player to actually bullshit them out.]

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[vocalizer]

[ Not much you can do about it. Aoba spends much of his life being painfully self-aware and uncomfortable tbh

And he'll just follow Ren's directions and... TADA! Here they are. ]

Does this look like it should be the place?

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[pomerenian]

Yes, this looks like a place that would sell parts. Should we enter?

[Though it's more like Aoba will be the one entering since Ren is still bundled up in his jacket.]

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[vocalizer]

[ They're both entering at the same time if you think of it that way. ]

Mm, this is what we came for.

[ No point turning back now. Gonna just... slowly walk inside, kind of suspicious of the stores around here. ]