[audio]

[thxforthememories]

[Behold! A new voice on the network. And... it sounds decidedly uncertain. Maybe a little shaky.]

[Hey, when you get electrocuted by thousands of volts out of nowhere before waking up somewhere you've never seen, you're bound to sound a little off. Not to mention completely overwhelmed.]

[And quite honestly, he doesn't know what to say right now. Asking the empty air for help? In a place he's never even heard of? Surrounded by sights and sounds and robots utterly foreign? That seems... odd. But what choice does he have?]

Someone... please. [He hesitates.] I don't understand what's happened.

I --

[And here is where the first bit of real panic seems to show through. Sure, he got the explanation, but--] I don't remember coming here. Or ever hearing of such a place.

Please answer me.

Comments

[thxforthememories]

Kindness. For someone you've never met... [He shakes his head slightly.] That is... difficult to believe.

[But then he draws himself up. He actually looks a little upset by the question.]

No. I'm not part of them.

[winged_knight]

I suppose I simply default to that. [He shrugs, it's simple enough in his mind.] There is not enough kindness in the world. And I try to treat people as I would wish to be treated.

Is kindness that rare a thing in your experience?

[He'll make note of that certainly.]

I see. But, are you from the same universe as they are? Your construction seems a bit similar...? I apologize for making assumptions, if that's incorrect. [Japanese robots, you all look the same! ]

[thxforthememories]

And how has that worked?

[It's a fairly mocking phrase. And yet it comes out... curious. He genuinely wants to know.]

From a stranger... yes. Those I'd met wanted only to capture me. To kill me. They wouldn't listen. Wouldn't leave me alone.

[He nods, stiffly.]

We were all built in the same place, the same city. But their purpose, and mine, are entirely different things.

[winged_knight]

I've gained more friends than enemies. Inspired others to meet challenges with compassion instead of violence.

[He cocks his head in gentle understanding, because the mockery of this subject is not new to him.]

It doesn't always work, but it's better to try and fail than not at all.

[He nods gravely.] I'm sorry...that your experience has not been better. What was their reasoning? If I may ask?

[And he feels like perhaps he's getting to the crux of the awkward stiffness here now.]

I see. So you were created by the same humans? Are you willing to share what your purpose is? And how it differs? I apologize if I am too bold with my questions, I'm merely trying to understand, since understanding facilities compassion.

[thxforthememories]

... It sounds as if it's done more good than it hasn't. That's... better than nothing. Right?

[Kagerou are you trying to reassure this guy? Well. You're trying. That's something.]

[He ducks his head, shoulders drawing in.]

Their reasoning for capturing me? They were ordered to. And never thought to question the command.

[At least, that's how he thinks it happened.]

I... was, yes. But they...

I am a prototype stealth model. The basis for the design of another. A more improved version. I... was to train him, when they built him. Test him.

And when that was finished, I was to be erased.