1. Bromeo Must Die

[decryptic]

Characters: 9S | The Scholar, Alfyn | Johnny Appleseed, and you!
Campaign: Hollow Christmas Carol, Act II, Scene 5
Format: [ brackets ]
Open!
Summary: Ebegeeser and the Horseman of Christmas Present debate the life and death of Bromfred. Also, 9S kills time around the manor.



[ A: Scene 5 (closed to Alfyn)

9S's journal lights up red, which means it's time to play the part. He straightens from where he's been leaning on the second story banister, watching the couples dance below. He straightens out the coat of his modified outfit before scribbling out a message to Alfyn. His handwriting is uniform, almost text-like. ]

Hey, Alfyn. It looks like you're my Horseman. Can you meet me upstairs or is your horse going to be a problem?

[ Because 9S hated his own pony enough to start feeling prejudiced about all ponies, apparently. ]


[ B: Warming up (open)

Lacking a sword, 9S equips himself with a floor candelabra almost as tall as he is. It hovers a foot off his back, because magnets. Inside the manor, he finds an empty-enough space and practices with his new weapon.

He doesn't swing the candelabra as much as let it flow from him. He moves in staccato bursts, his form a study of some ancient martial art. With his every punch and twist, the candelabra swings out untouched -- a trick of magnetic levitation he adapted to this unintended use. Though his limbs are shorter and weaker than a combat model's, his entire body's momentum goes into the freewheeling spin of the candelabra as it whirls before him, around him, and stabs at imaginary opponents.

He grunts with exertion, making his presence obvious to anyone passing nearby. ]


[ C: Manor defense (open)

9S's interest in song and dance is purely observational, so there's that much less for him to do around the manor. He defaults to standing outside with his not-very-menacing floor candelabra, extremely prepared to clobber any blots who seem a little too rowdy.

If anyone steps out to join him, he'll mutter: ]

Have you seen that old bearded creep wandering around? I just know he's plotting something.


[ D: Cabin fever (open)

Time is doing something strange and messing with his internal clock. It feels like they've been in this manor forever, and 9S can only fiddle with code and practice his candelabra skills for so long before restlessness catches up with him. Desperate, he picks up his medallion and complains at it. ]

I'm starting to go nuts in here! What do you guys do for fun? I'm willing to try anything to beat this boredom.

Comments

[starseeing]

[ It's clear from her look that she doesn't quite get it, but she's trying to understand.

She starts speaking once more, slowly. ] You are saying that your kind... is made to be one way. And only that way? [ She tilts her head, looking at him the way a student might address a teacher. Yet the hesitation in her voice cannot be denied, either. If she is correct, then the implication is that he cannot grow. And that's... sad. Very sad. ]

[decryptic]

[ Sensing her curiosity, 9S is happy to indulge. ]

That's one way to put it.

[ He can hear that it's an unusual concept to her -- maybe even a pitiable one. But it's never bothered him, nor has he heard of it bothering any other android. He accepts how he was made in the same way a human would accept being born a human. ]

I'm not saying that every other android is like me. There are gruff androids, calm androids, cheerful androids, you name it. But I was programmed to have this personality from the day I was rolled out; it's a No. 9 personality, which is why my name is 9S. The "S" means I'm a Scanner, which also means that I'm built with a strong drive to collect information.

So in a number and letter, you can predict the tendencies of any given YoRHa-type android. If you were to meet a 9B -- with B standing for Battle -- you'd probably get a version of me more into hitting things than analyzing them. There wouldn't be any guarantee that a 9B would be particularly stable, though. If an android's personality doesn't mesh with its function, then errors in its behavior tend to pop up over time. In that case, the android is usually disabled and reconfigured into something else.

[starseeing]

[ Listen she's.

Trying to understand him, understand his world, and understand what he is. But the way he describes himself seems so very rigid.... It's almost as if he's talking about he was constructed and only after the fact giving a set personality. The only thing she can actually compare it to would be: ] Like... a golem.

[ Beings constructed from rocks or elements by powerful sorcerers, given life and a purpose. They could outlive their masters, though, which is why many roam the land still on their own, aimless and-- more often than not-- dangerous. 9S doesn't strike her as dangerous, but then again, what would she know? ] Yet, you seem very... autonomous. [ She looks at him, brow furrowing. ] And aware.

My apologies if this comes across as rude, but. Do you have a master in your world? Someone to whom you are beholden?

[decryptic]

[ Alfyn compared 9S to a golem too. He'll have to see if there's any info on them in the Grand Library...

He doesn't find her questions rude in the least. He knows the nuts and bolts of his existence are hard for people around here to understand. ]

I serve all of mankind. Humans as a species created us androids, so our life's mission is to ensure the safety and prosperity of all of humanity in return.

[ He shakes his head slightly. ]

I know that sounds vague. In practice, I just followed orders given to me by the commander of my military squadron -- she's an android too. I guess you'd say the Storyteller is my "master" now, but if I'm being honest, I feel more beholden to you and all of the other Aspects.

[starseeing]

But you seem so human....!

[ She blurts out, feeling a little overwhelmed as she thinks to their first meeting. And-- even now.

Is she just not getting it? Or is the magic (or technology or whatever it is in his world) that sophisticated to make androids seem that human on purpose? ] I would not have been able to guess, had you not taken off your hand the other day...

[decryptic]

[ He smiles. ] Heh. Thanks, I suppose. Just think of me as your friendly neighborhood assistant. I'm here to support you with any of your needs.

[ It's more of a compliment to mankind for creating the technology, but that's just semantics. And just as quickly as it came, his smile fades. ]

I can think of a lot of ways in which we're different, though. I may look human, but don't make the mistake of regarding me as one.

[starseeing]

[ ...Oh. She doesn't know why, but. She feels both sad and troubled when he says that she shouldn't regard him as human. Ophilia isn't a philosopher, and she has never actually thought hard about what makes one human or not, instead preferring to focus on helping all who need it regardless if they are human or not (or even if they are evil or benevolent). ]

We humans are... fragile. [ She eventually says with a brief, fleeting smile. ] And if it is your duty to protect and assist us, I am sure that those of us humans in your world are especially grateful to you. I know I am, for just having met you. [ She voices her thoughts slowly, raising her eyes to search his face. He always wears that blindfold (or visor?), and she's not quite sure why he does. But even with it on, it's rather surprising she can pick out the different tones in his voice, the subtle shifts in his expression even as he claims to not be human. ]

In that case, perhaps you are more akin to guardian spirits rather than golemns. [ Who are so much stronger than humans in every which way. She rocks on her heels for a moment, thoughtful. ] Like our protectors, there for us when we are in need, for we are so fragile and fallible in comparison.

[decryptic]

[ "I am sure that those of us humans in your world are especially grateful to you." 9S's mouth tightens there with a thought not worth voicing. Ophilia's sentiment isn't lost on him, though; it's just another example of that singular kindness that humanity possesses. He can't manage to school his expression into something lighter -- he keeps looking out into the night to keep from directing it at her -- but his voice at least is carefully gentle. ]

I don't know if I'm anything as grand as a guardian spirit. [ He gestures widely at his candelabra-turned-spear, and at his self-appointed guard posting. ] None of this is what I was made for. And I'm hardly infallible myself.

But... [ A complicated emotion grips his voice. He can't say if it's his programming or his own willful desire; perhaps they're inseparable. ] I promise to fight for humanity with all my strength. As meager as I am, I'll do all I can to live up to your expectations.

[ He finally turns his head to look at her. ]

Thank you, ma'am.

[starseeing]

[ She can't even begin to guess at the complexity of a programmed personality and intelligence dancing along the line of actual humanity, or if a line even exists in the first place. To her, he is a person just as any other, and one who has abilities clearly beyond that of a normal human in the first place. ]

Well... [ Ophilia clasps her hands in front of her. ] I'm not a 9B or an android, but... [ She tells him softly, smiling kindly at him. The humans of his world must be incredibly intelligent and industrious to be able to create someone like him; should she ever meet one of his creators, she would thank them especially. ]

You won't be alone in that promise-- fighting for humanity, that is. [ Meaning, she'll do what she can, too. Teamwork! ] I will certainly stand by your side to fulfill it.

[decryptic]

[ He smiles, more genuine this time. As strange as humans can be, ones like Ophilia exceed his expectations. ]

Happy to hear it. You're a healer, right?

[starseeing]

I am.

[ She gives him a nod. ] ....But I doubt any of my magic would work on.... metal. [ Machinery, that is. Like. Where would she even begin to start on how to heal him?? ]

--Oh! But if you are willing teach me, I would do my best to learn how to, ah.... repair? [ Is that the correct term. ] Yes; repair you, should you need it.

[decryptic]

Oh! That's kind of you, ma'am. Though even if I teach you everything I know about mechanical engineering, applying it to me in a practical sense would be difficult without the right equipment. The most we usually do on the fly is apply staunching gel to stop any bleeding.

[ ... And a logic-virus vaccine to prevent infection from Machine Lifeforms, but that's obviously moot around here. ]

We're built more for replaceable parts than long-term rehabilitation, if you get my drift. Anything minor, we can usually heal on our own. But... if you still want to know more about android maintenance, I'll be happy to teach you! It wouldn't hurt to have someone knowledgeable around in case of an emergency.