18 ☀ Day; Video
[ When the feed opens, it might be strange to see Ichigo looking so...despondent. Even stranger? He's broadcasting from Lior's old Place of Solace. But just like any Place of Solace that remains after the owner is gone, there's something....off about it. Some vitality gone from the place. ]
...I think...I think Lioriley is gone.
[ He looks down, ( Read more... )
...I think...I think Lioriley is gone.
[ He looks down, ( Read more... )
Network signature not accessible.
[Encrypted]
[And since it's not as if Genero doesn't know already that he's been watching...]
No unusual activity (Unnatural) observed. [He saw your discussion with Nepeta.]
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[ And because he's been using the video function all day, he just forgets, and leaves it on. Rinzler can see how tired, and just plain sad he looks at the moment. Even though Ichigo would prefer him not to. ]
If it wasn't the Unnatural, then that's good, though. I guess the big question is how many are gone, and how the hell they all found the door.
[ Lame attempt at humor is lame. ]
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Previous subjects left, returned. No memory of method.
Probability: failed to detect mechanism. Or data removed prior to replacement.
[What is humor?]
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Tavros, and Lior are some of the only people I ever knew that actually wanted to be here, and now they're gone. It's messed up.
[ Oops. Well, now he knows Rinzler can see him. Trying to at least look calm, and composed then. Ichigo are you trying to impress Rinzler? ]
Oi, are you living in that big arena place now?
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And he knows Ichigo's not calm. Seriously. He competes with Rinzler for 'least subtle' award.]
Yes.
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Stay there for a second, I'm coming by.
[ He actually considers using the baton he got as a souvenir, but...nah. Shunpo is faster. And Ichigo is completely unphased by the concept of speaking face to mask with a murderous program. ]
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Acknowledged.
[The feed cuts. Rinzler goes to wait outside, the same platform he'd given coordinates to before.
Was it 'later' this time?]
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Oh, cool, a platform. Skidding a little bit ( again, damn these smooth surfaces ) Ichigo blurred into view, and scowled at his feet.]
Oi, can't you get treads or something on these? And for the record I'm not letting those ladies cut my clothes off me anymore.
[ Sup dude. You keep thinking this "talk" means something a lot bloodier than Ichigo means. ]
Can we go in somewhere?
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The black helmet tips towards Ichigo's approach, tracking movement as best he could. He'd seen the speed before, from both this user and the other. It's still impressive. Difficult to follow. (threat)
The first question gets a curious tilt of the mask, an almost amused skipping in the unbroken rattle, though there's faint readiness still visible in his stance. Rinzler nods to the second, turns to the structure rather than the lift. He steps towards a smaller side entrance, recognition code keying it open as he leads the way toward one of the observation rooms facing the main arena space.
Peripheral sensors stay active as he moves, wary tension in the curve of his spine. He doesn't really expect this user to attack from behind.
But no, he doesn't think this is just about "talking".]
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...What the fuck am I going to do with you, man.
[ Sighing, he turns enough to look at that reflective mask as though searching it for some sign of life. ]
You're strong, and fast, and smart. You're quiet, and good at fighting.
My friends and I...we need people like that. We've been working for as long as I've been here on getting out. We try to keep it together as much as we can, but it's a lot of little cells working together. I'd vouch for you, but I don't know who the hell you are really.
[ Gesturing emphatically now, as he starts to pace. ]
You hurt my friend, then save my life. I mean, what am I supposed to do with that?
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But the stillness isn't quite complete. The program shifts slightly at the user's stare. Uneasy. Uncertain. He doesn't know what's being looked for. There's a faint skip in the continuous noise as the words continue. Acknowledgement. Rinzler knows some of what they're doing. He's searched the network enough, and they're not terribly subtle. Not that he's done particularly well on that front himself.
Who he is. The helmet dips faintly. Lifts again, sound quickening with frustration. He hasn't lied. He never lied. He told them what he is. There's nothing else.
Orange-lined hands twitch slightly. There's an interface near enough. He could respond. 'Talk.' He's just... not sure what there is to say. His head turns aside at the last part. Lowers. That wasn't-he shouldn't-
Rinzler doesn't know what that was.]
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Look at me.
[ And now Ichigo has closed the few steps between them to peer at the mask. The Resistance had never been subtle, no, but having serious dissension amidst all of them had lead to murders in the past. Ichigo was prepared to stick his neck out for Rinzler if the program could prove he was capable of understanding right from wrong. ]
You stopped hunting Quorra-san. You stopped hunting anyone at all.
...Can you promise me you'll be able to tell the difference between protecting, and hurting someone?
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The black helmet twitches faintly in dissent, though he doesn't break his gaze. Rinzler didn't stop. He'd hunted the ISO, won. He could do it again. Wants to.
But Clu wasn't here.
He nearly looks down again. Catches himself, noise stuttering out quietly unsteady. Clu's not here. And he's not meant to protect, not made for it. Follow. Destroy. 'Hurt.' That's his purpose. Rinzler hesitates. His form tenses (braces), a strange sense of failure twisting through his processing.
And he shakes his head. He can't-can't promise that.
(He doesn't know anymore.) ]
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...But losing it, and attacking their own? That's something else entirely. ]
...Then would you at least make an apology to the people you hurt?
[ Untested waters here. He knew Rinzler was single-minded, that he was too obsessed for a long time that "Clu" would tell him what to do. Well without this "Clu" around, Ichigo wanted to see what Rinzler could be on his own. ]
You said you didn't like hurting people before. You acted ashamed of hurting Quorra-san. In fact you've only ever said you liked games, and stuff.
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Didn't say that.
[The hand lowers, clenches partway before returning to the half-open rest position at his side. He doesn't have full memory access-not even for all that's happened since coming to this place. But Rinzler doesn't believe he would have stated an aversion to "hurting people". It's not true.
That's what he's made for, after all.]
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Being good at hurting people, or being made to do it is definitely not the same thing as enjoying it. And don't try to give me any of that "not relevant" stuff, either.
[ Complete with air quotes made with his fingers. ]
This is all really relevant. Trust me.
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