[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 07:42:45 UTC
[Ichigo's glance around won't reveal much, at first sight. This room's a large hexagon, high ceilinged and apparently empty, though the floor on the three closed sides has outlines of light in strangely complex patterns. The doors set into the remaining walls are open for the moment, long corridors stretching out of sight. Distant orange-tinted static is visible through the door next to Rinzler-force fields, from the look of it.
Rinzler's reaction to the topic change is immediate and visible-the mask lifts, rumble shifting-still quick, but edge diminished... or at least changed. Red-orange streaks angle as the helmet tilts, absorbing the data with a short nod.
Though his stance shifts, coiling and uncoiling with frustration, aggression, the program's stare stays fixed through the explanation. This was normal, then. Here. Loss of memory, loss of choice, being flipped from one nature to another at its keeper's whim. Fine. He'll be ready, next time. He's-
[ Good. That was one less thing to worry about, then. Seemingly taking in the dimensions of the room with an analytical eye, he glanced over at RInzler in time to catch the nod. Then, without missing a beat, Ichigo tossed said bar of soap at the program. ]
One more thing.
[ Turning his attention fully to look fully at that opaque helmet, Ichigo knew there were eyes behind it looking right back at him. ]
It's gradual, usually. The memory loss I mean. I know you've explored the city, probably more than I have. You've seen the people we always called "the natives", right?
Those people were the first wave. They were just like you, and me; brought here against their will...and over a long time, and a lot of the same mind-control crap, they forgot who they were. They thought this place was home.
Understand? That's why you can't let the city's tricks get to you. There's ways to fight it, and the way that works best is to keep memories. Pictures, or drawings, or even a journal, whatever works best for you.
[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 08:34:58 UTC
[A hand flashes up in time to catch the object. Then, Rinzler... stares. At the soap. At Ichigo. The helmet tilts in question. He read the data already. What is this, and why does he need it?
He stills at the explanation, though. His eyes are looking back behind the helmet, attention fixed, unblinking. The program's heard some of this before. Guessed other parts. But hypotheses weren't data, and the user who'd responded to his queries before had been vague, mentioned claims, not certainties. The helmet dips, noise stuttering out quietly. Rinzler can't help wondering why the admins use this slower method when they're clearly capable of more. The last week had been complete rewrites, for users as well as programs. Was the duration limited? Something to keep in mind, if their access wasn't total
( ... )
[ Well. It wasn't a flat out 'No' at least? Ichigo frowns, though, not really sure what to make of this line of charades. ]
...Okay, I know the memory stuff can be a lot to take in at first, but I can't read your mind, man.
[ Shaking his head Ichigo nods at the soap. ]
It'll dissolve in water, so use it, or destroy it if you need to.
[ At least, he thinks that's what Rinzler's shrugging about? ]
The rest, it - actually you know what? When things get a little less insane, I'll show you some games, and movies and stuff. Er, not the kind of games you play here, that is. Different kinds.
[ Erm. Well, running a hand through his hair, Ichigo wondered briefly how Rock Band World Tour would go over with Rinzler. Guy could probably play a mean bass. Maybe best at drums? Certainly not vocals. ]
Anyway, don't worry about that right now, just think about a way to remember stuff.
[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 09:03:41 UTC
[Rinzler's noise shifts with something that could be irritation, but his motions are relatively easy as he turns to the access panel by the door. It takes a moment, to reconfigure, pull the display algorithm from the systems higher in the structure. He hadn't expected to need it, here. But after a brief pause, characters flow up from the surface, glowing words in the air above as he inputs the data.]
Image capture acceptable.
[He glances back at the soap.] Identify?
[The program's volume rises at the mention of Games, though the black mask tilts curiously at the disclaimer.
Rinzler stills again at Ichigo's concluding phrase. There's a slight shake of the helmet, gaze rising, then sliding to the side as he inputs.]
[ Be irritated all you want, Rinzler, Ichigo isn't a mind reader. Plus, he couldn't help the feeling of victory in getting this very prickly program to communicate at all right now. ]
Cool. I don't have a camera on me, but we'll add it to the list of games, and movies and stuff.
[ Using one hand to point at the soap, he presses on, however. ]
You've never seen soap before? Um...huh. Okay, well it's used to clean your- er...I mean humans, and I guess anybody with skin, and stuff? Like, I use it to clean up every day.
I'm not actually sure if you would want to use it, though. Anyway, it's all part of the movie reference for Fight Club, and it's a way to pass messages without using the PORTALS, and it'll dissolve in water if you need it to.
[ Frowning to himself, Ichigo was seeing that in hindsight it probably wasn't the best reference to use with Rinzler. He didn't exactly know how well showing the program Fight Club - the movie - would go over. He'd figure it out later. ]And as far as something you tried before, well...now you
( ... )
[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 09:46:23 UTC
[Rinzler's calmed a good bit since Ichigo's entrance. Whether that's a result of the topics of discussion or simply having any kind of distraction from recent (or not-so-recent) events... is debatable. Either way, the irritation he's currently expressing differs substantially from the rigid fury he'd been lurking with before.
He listens through the explanation, faint skepticism in the set of his shoulders, the angle of the mask. He doubted this object had a function he could use. The program catches Ichigo's frown, though his assumption of the topic is somewhat different.]
Low probability of unobserved communication. Or transit.
[The surveillance network was extensive. Even if the data never entered visible range outside a Place of Solace, the sysadmins would notice the group movement towards the arena. Though the program's halfway shrug as he looked back to Ichigo indicated-accurately-that he didn't seem to care.
A hand tightens on the panel at the referenced ineffectiveness. It wasn't a "way" that had failed. It was his nature
( ... )
[ Yes, there was a risk to meeting at all. But in this place, playing by the rules is what destroyed your memories with a quickness. Ichigo never had been, and never would play by any rules he deemed unjust. Still, Rinzler's statement is taken with no more than a scowl, and a shrug; no he really didn't care. ]
Keeping stuff around to remember by helped before. I didn't remember why it was there until later, but that "light cycle" stick-thing made me, even as a little kid, able to recognize you.
[ There's degrees of memory after all. And Ichigo did retain himself even when the rest of the city was fed ten years worth of fabricated history.
It's almost sad how many people proposed to significant others that week. How many were blissfully happy in their ignorance...and how chilling the entire affair had been after the fact. Somehow regressing a few years, and skipping over a lot of memories in that time didn't seem to compare. ]
[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 10:15:00 UTC
[Rinzler's gaze drops, fist clenching at his side, circuitry a dim orange burn. He remembers. And he shouldn't, and he doesn't know-doesn't understand. Redirect tangles itself to useless snarls, control and automation utterly unable to block of the days and days of difference. Change.
Or what it meant.
This is the first such alteration the program remembers. But Rinzler has a hard time imagining anything more distinct, any flip more nauseatingly wrong.
[ It didn't take a mindreader to figure out that Rinzler was obviously wrestling with something very serious. Something he, also very obviously, neither wanted, nor seemed to know how to communicate.
Ichigo nodded to himself, taking his hands out of his pockets. ]
Well. I told you I'd go as soon as I said what I wanted to say.
[ And turning to walk towards the closest solid, if impossibly sheer, wall, Ichigo paused, turning only his head a little to speak over his shoulder. ]
You know the one thing that really, really helps me remember what's important is a lot easier to explain than pictures, or seashells, or 'lightcycles'.
[ Glancing up to level a look at the opaque mask; ]
It's the people who need help. The people who've come here, helped me, and then found the way out themselves.
[action]notglitchingNovember 23 2011, 13:47:06 UTC
[The black mask tips, motion just slightly jerky, to follow Ichigo as the user turns toward the wall. Rinzler glances up, glances back. He'd offer easier exit. But Ichigo seems focused enough on his own method. And Rinzler's frankly curious to see how the other plans to traverse the high, sloped, and more than vertical angle from wall to the central shaft he'd dropped through.
But Ichigo's not done. And Rinzler listens through the rest, sound ticking out uncertainly. Unsteadily. He catches the look-recognizes it. It's a challenge. But not for battle. Not for any kind of fight Rinzler knows, anything he was designed to do or be. It would be easier to say it's not for him. Invalid input, no match found
( ... )
[ Don't start thanking him, yet, Rinzler. You've yet to be subjected to his concept of a game night, his taste in movies, music, and the ever-problematic concept of food. In this case? Junk food.
But, Ichigo has spoken his peace, and isn't going to hang around, making the both of them more uncomfortable than necessary. Rinzler has plenty to think about, but with a little luck he wouldn't start sliding backwards into the automated response of "fight, or die" toward everything, and everyone. ]
Game night. Don't forget, okay?
[ And now backing up several paces to take that sheer wall with a running start. Technically, Ichigo is using reishi instinctively to create footing for himself, and with the more than vertical incline to deal with that ambient pressure in the air does intensify around him. A quick sprint up the vertical incline, and just as he's starting to tip backwards to much, pushing off. It's another long leap from the wall to the geometric opening to the shaft, and Ichigo almost missed catching the lower edge to rebound
( ... )
[ Some time you'll have to teach him about that particular function, Rinzler. Then sit back, and watch the havoc he causes with his first attempts at learning how to drive.
Of course, once he catches sight of the newly made doorway, Ichigo just waves back down at the somewhat-less-prickly-now program, and heads out. ]
Thanks!
[ Hey, at least his goal of saying what he wanted to say ended on a more positive note than expected?
...Now let's see how long that positive note will hold out. ]
So have an open connection, Ichigo. Just. With nothing sent. He's around. Alive. And that's about all there is to say.]
Reply
Rinzler's reaction to the topic change is immediate and visible-the mask lifts, rumble shifting-still quick, but edge diminished... or at least changed. Red-orange streaks angle as the helmet tilts, absorbing the data with a short nod.
Though his stance shifts, coiling and uncoiling with frustration, aggression, the program's stare stays fixed through the explanation. This was normal, then. Here. Loss of memory, loss of choice, being flipped from one nature to another at its keeper's whim. Fine. He'll be ready, next time. He's-
Error-
(noHe's... used to it ( ... )
Reply
One more thing.
[ Turning his attention fully to look fully at that opaque helmet, Ichigo knew there were eyes behind it looking right back at him. ]
It's gradual, usually. The memory loss I mean. I know you've explored the city, probably more than I have. You've seen the people we always called "the natives", right?
Those people were the first wave. They were just like you, and me; brought here against their will...and over a long time, and a lot of the same mind-control crap, they forgot who they were. They thought this place was home.
Understand? That's why you can't let the city's tricks get to you. There's ways to fight it, and the way that works best is to keep memories. Pictures, or drawings, or even a journal, whatever works best for you.
[ Ichigo has a special ( ... )
Reply
He stills at the explanation, though. His eyes are looking back behind the helmet, attention fixed, unblinking. The program's heard some of this before. Guessed other parts. But hypotheses weren't data, and the user who'd responded to his queries before had been vague, mentioned claims, not certainties. The helmet dips, noise stuttering out quietly. Rinzler can't help wondering why the admins use this slower method when they're clearly capable of more. The last week had been complete rewrites, for users as well as programs. Was the duration limited? Something to keep in mind, if their access wasn't total ( ... )
Reply
...Okay, I know the memory stuff can be a lot to take in at first, but I can't read your mind, man.
[ Shaking his head Ichigo nods at the soap. ]
It'll dissolve in water, so use it, or destroy it if you need to.
[ At least, he thinks that's what Rinzler's shrugging about? ]
The rest, it - actually you know what? When things get a little less insane, I'll show you some games, and movies and stuff. Er, not the kind of games you play here, that is. Different kinds.
[ Erm. Well, running a hand through his hair, Ichigo wondered briefly how Rock Band World Tour would go over with Rinzler. Guy could probably play a mean bass. Maybe best at drums? Certainly not vocals. ]
Anyway, don't worry about that right now, just think about a way to remember stuff.
Reply
Image capture acceptable.
[He glances back at the soap.] Identify?
[The program's volume rises at the mention of Games, though the black mask tilts curiously at the disclaimer.
Rinzler stills again at Ichigo's concluding phrase. There's a slight shake of the helmet, gaze rising, then sliding to the side as he inputs.]
Ineffective. Before.
Reply
Cool. I don't have a camera on me, but we'll add it to the list of games, and movies and stuff.
[ Using one hand to point at the soap, he presses on, however. ]
You've never seen soap before? Um...huh. Okay, well it's used to clean your- er...I mean humans, and I guess anybody with skin, and stuff? Like, I use it to clean up every day.
I'm not actually sure if you would want to use it, though. Anyway, it's all part of the movie reference for Fight Club, and it's a way to pass messages without using the PORTALS, and it'll dissolve in water if you need it to.
[ Frowning to himself, Ichigo was seeing that in hindsight it probably wasn't the best reference to use with Rinzler. He didn't exactly know how well showing the program Fight Club - the movie - would go over. He'd figure it out later. ]And as far as something you tried before, well...now you ( ... )
Reply
He listens through the explanation, faint skepticism in the set of his shoulders, the angle of the mask. He doubted this object had a function he could use. The program catches Ichigo's frown, though his assumption of the topic is somewhat different.]
Low probability of unobserved communication. Or transit.
[The surveillance network was extensive. Even if the data never entered visible range outside a Place of Solace, the sysadmins would notice the group movement towards the arena. Though the program's halfway shrug as he looked back to Ichigo indicated-accurately-that he didn't seem to care.
A hand tightens on the panel at the referenced ineffectiveness. It wasn't a "way" that had failed. It was his nature ( ... )
Reply
Still, Rinzler's statement is taken with no more than a scowl, and a shrug; no he really didn't care. ]
Keeping stuff around to remember by helped before. I didn't remember why it was there until later, but that "light cycle" stick-thing made me, even as a little kid, able to recognize you.
[ There's degrees of memory after all. And Ichigo did retain himself even when the rest of the city was fed ten years worth of fabricated history.
It's almost sad how many people proposed to significant others that week. How many were blissfully happy in their ignorance...and how chilling the entire affair had been after the fact. Somehow regressing a few years, and skipping over a lot of memories in that time didn't seem to compare. ]
Reply
Or what it meant.
This is the first such alteration the program remembers. But Rinzler has a hard time imagining anything more distinct, any flip more nauseatingly wrong.
...
He-Tron (ERROR-)
He had hated Rinzler.]
Reply
Ichigo nodded to himself, taking his hands out of his pockets. ]
Well. I told you I'd go as soon as I said what I wanted to say.
[ And turning to walk towards the closest solid, if impossibly sheer, wall, Ichigo paused, turning only his head a little to speak over his shoulder. ]
You know the one thing that really, really helps me remember what's important is a lot easier to explain than pictures, or seashells, or 'lightcycles'.
[ Glancing up to level a look at the opaque mask; ]
It's the people who need help. The people who've come here, helped me, and then found the way out themselves.
...It's my nakama - my friends.
Reply
But Ichigo's not done. And Rinzler listens through the rest, sound ticking out uncertainly. Unsteadily. He catches the look-recognizes it. It's a challenge. But not for battle. Not for any kind of fight Rinzler knows, anything he was designed to do or be. It would be easier to say it's not for him. Invalid input, no match found ( ... )
Reply
But, Ichigo has spoken his peace, and isn't going to hang around, making the both of them more uncomfortable than necessary. Rinzler has plenty to think about, but with a little luck he wouldn't start sliding backwards into the automated response of "fight, or die" toward everything, and everyone. ]
Game night. Don't forget, okay?
[ And now backing up several paces to take that sheer wall with a running start. Technically, Ichigo is using reishi instinctively to create footing for himself, and with the more than vertical incline to deal with that ambient pressure in the air does intensify around him. A quick sprint up the vertical incline, and just as he's starting to tip backwards to much, pushing off. It's another long leap from the wall to the geometric opening to the shaft, and Ichigo almost missed catching the lower edge to rebound ( ... )
Reply
...
He couldn't do that.
Well, as far as breaking Rinzler from his automated patterns goes, good job, Ichigo. For the moment? Completely distracted ( ... )
Reply
Of course, once he catches sight of the newly made doorway, Ichigo just waves back down at the somewhat-less-prickly-now program, and heads out. ]
Thanks!
[ Hey, at least his goal of saying what he wanted to say ended on a more positive note than expected?
...Now let's see how long that positive note will hold out. ]
Reply
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