017 ♐ Audio: Huff and puff. Or maybe more stomp and snort.

[musclebeast]

[There's a kind of mechanical whining on the feed when it opens at first, as if from a smaller machine, a higher pitch whir and him which eventually silences, only to be replaced by a few taps and once again more whining. After a few moments there's a sound similar to a sigh though- seems to border on the more frustrated end. An adjustment- perhaps to the mic, and the small mechanical sound seems to have drawn closer to what's being spoken into, or visa versa.]

I'm finding it to be exceptionally distasteful- the lack of culture here at times. The lack of something with tradition and true exceptional craft. I admit though, that I've been aloof to the the network lately, so maybe I haven't noticed some kind of creative stirring in this usually excremental pool of iniquitous and sassy degenerates.

[A pause, more mechanical whining, a breath.]

So I guess I'll give it a chance- though some I am aware of, minimal, so extremely so- of a few examples- but those who I'm not aware of- those that harbor some kind of artistic worth in this jambled mess of space and time riff raffs and stolen hoi polloi. To you I command to make known to me what types of artistic sway you or your worlds have. Preferably something held with extensive regard.

And don't start anything, let's keep this professional. I don't want to be made angry.

Comments

[uncops]

[Dirk is instantly intrigued. More so by the noise in the background.]

How's about I ask you what you're working on instead?
Show off your digs a little you know flex your mechanical jargon.
That doesn't kick a notch or two in your rage meter, does it?

[musclebeast]

[This text, he's familiar with it.]

D --> You
D --> What do you call yourself, that's an order

[uncops]

An order, huh?
That's pretty kinky, are we going to have to start establishing safe words to tag along with this arbitrary charade?
The name is Dirk.

[musclebeast]

D --> What the dickens
D --> No, not, that
D --> 100k, I just want a name

D --> Dirk, yes then it's confirmed
D --> Ro%y has told me about you and your e%perience with roboti%
D --> Which brings me to what you asked
D --> Since what I am working on is just something like that

[uncops]

Roxy did?
So you're a friend of hers, I assume. From when she was around.
I can't tell if you're asking for help or company but as long as I get to see it I don't mind either way.

[musclebeast]

D --> I'm not asking for your company
D --> I barely even know you, I hardly think you deserve such a thing
D --> I was just answering your inquiry

[uncops]

All right, master, I forgot we were still going with the scene here.
What exactly are you working on, then? If you would be so kind as to answer my undeserving question.

[biwinning]

2eem2 you've made a new friiend.

text;

[limitstorm]

I carve and stain wood. It's a pretty big deal where I'm from, since it's in a lot of traditional coming-of-age ceremonies. I play an instrument from my world and sing a little too.

Are you asking just to know? Most people don't offer up what they really care about for everyone to see. It's probably on purpose, that you don't see all the... creative stuff you want to. Some stuff is personal.

[Filtered Voice]

[speakveryclearly]

[She pastes in a few lines of code; "filtered to network users KANAYA MARYAM and EQUIUS ZAHHAK" is something like the manifestation. This shouldn't pose a challenge to even the early intermediate student of hacking, nor is there any accommodation for more than one recipient, but there's no indication to the layperson that anything has been posted.

Now to talk with that done. Her voice is cool, the only emotion a slight curiosity.]

Have you ever been to any of the showings at the cinema? There have been two so far. I attended the most recent one myself, "E.T." I'm not sure I'd defend their repertoire's artistic merit, but it's certainly an arena for media otherwise unavailable.

[Filtered Voice]

[musclebeast]

[Her filter is a little weak, even by Equius's standards who specializes with hardware. But he values privacy so he'll fortify the filter a bit more. He programmed a damn heart to love him, he can definitely handle a little code.]

No, I haven't. Their titles are inexpressive and lack effort so I found it difficult to find a reason to waste my time in doing so. [A pause.] But if you found it a reasonable expenditure of time perhaps I'll look into it.

[musclebeast]

D --> Yes, it behooves you to listen to me so e%pertly
D --> I greatly appreciate that
D --> I'm working on a prosthetic limb
D --> It's becoming quite e%quisite, not that that should ever be brought into question when concerning my e%pertise

[musclebeast]

D --> What are you talking about

text;

[musclebeast]

D --> You make work for ritualistic purposes on your planet
D --> Yes, I can see that as a useful artistic pursuit, I commend you
D --> Describe to me what a coming-of-age ceremony is to your culture
D --> I want to know
D --> If it's personal then they can omit what they need to
D --> I don't need anyone e%presses deep parts of their pump in here, though I think I'd definitely acknowledge the passion of it
D --> If it were to get that intimate

text;

[limitstorm]

When you're a certain age, you get to do a certain thing. In my world, if a family's really traditional, people carve themselves a bracelet or anklet to remind them of their family before they go get married and start a new family. There's old legends and myths that're carved for luck, protection, harvest, too. It gives you status, I guess.

"Their pump"? You mean... their heart?

text;

[musclebeast]

D --> Many human traditions seem to be centered around forming a family and this marriage event
D --> It's interesting when things aren't
D --> Though I understand the importance of e%ercising your genetic rights and forwarding your race
D --> I find it silly that something like that would give you much status though
D --> Status should be inherent
D --> But
D --> I guess the potential of gaining a better social standing is
D --> Nice
D --> Sort of
D --> Yet still f001ish

D --> Yes, I do

[Filtered Voice]

[speakveryclearly]

To be honest I go when I can for my own cultural education more than entertainment per se; I'm not sure how you'd feel about the activity from that perspective.

[There's a beat as she glances over the improved coding, thinking of whether she can try to go back and copy that for herself later, and when she speaks again it's with the slight shift of tone that accompanies a potential change in subject.] ...Have you been fairly pressed for time lately?

text;

[limitstorm]

Why is it foolish to you? Wouldn't you like being rewarded for something you put a lot of work into?

Never heard it referred to like that before. Either way, there's a lot of people who aren't really the sharing type. Are you?

[Filtered Voice]

[musclebeast]

Not terribly. While the humans are inferior to us, I'm interested in learning more about them, so maybe I'll pursue it in the same fashion eventually. Maybe. When I have the time.

Hm- yes, lately. Though that won't be for long, I'm nearing the end of an important project. [Infact you can still hear the tinkering away here and there in the background.]

text;

[musclebeast]

D --> Not in the same manner
D --> Status isn't something to be earned, not where I'm from
D --> But again
D --> I appreciate that hopeful way of thinking
D --> I can be
D --> Depends on what e%actly

text;

[limitstorm]

So you can't earn your way out of your status? I dunno. Sounds frustrating, to me.

What's all the whirring about? Sounds like some sort of machine.

[Filtered Voice]

[speakveryclearly]

Oh, I see. [Or... she hears, anyway. Thinking about how to broach this topic.]

Does that mean you'll be looking for new work afterwards...?

[Filtered Voice]

[musclebeast]

Yes. [Subtle, Maryam.]

[Filtered Video]

[speakveryclearly]

[Hey. She tries.]

In that case -- I might as well let you know now so you have time to think about it.

[She turns the camera on; the view is not of her face, but instead held over a black couch cushion. This poses a striking contrast with the subject of the shot, a white key with a grub face on it. Tied snugly around each of the horns is one end of a thin white string, forming a large loop.]

This... necklace is as you can see somewhat improvisational in nature, so recently I developed the desire to change it into something more secure, such as a metal chain. I know it's a somewhat delicate project, so I completely understand if you defer - but any advice or help you could give would be dearly appreciated, and financially compensated should you actually agree to work.

[uncops]

Yeah?
That's actually pretty flippin' sweet.
I've constructed a few fully-functional and autonomous robots myself, but never a piece meant to attach to an organic being.
No one really around to test it on.