re_alignment | AUDIO;

Entry tags:

✘ princess mononoke | ashitaka

AUDIO;

I'd like to also start a project in growing trees on Cybertron. I don't know how well that would work, to tell the truth. Perhaps around the garden would be best. It would take sometime, but in the end, their growth would help improve organic life.

I... do have a question for everyone here. Is there any kind of spiritual presence on Cybertron? Is such a thing possible?

Perhaps that's a better question for the Firstforged. I don't know if asking the Cybertronians or humans would answer something like that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, I don't want you to feel insulted if I called you something that made you uncomfortable.

What is your name?

That word isn't discomforting.

... Kagerou. Who are you?

Then I do not take it back.

Kagerou. ...Shadow. An interesting name.

I am Ashitaka.

I -- thank you?

[He's startled into silence by that. The first person to recognize what his name means...?]

You know? You know its meaning?

Ashitaka. [A beat.] Where are you from?

You're welcome, I think.

[You can't see it, but he smiles a bit sheepishly.]

I do. The language is like where I'm from.

I'm... afraid I can't speak much of that. I'm sorry.

Japan? Is that-- like where you're from? I was... made there.

Why is that?

[That seems to translate close enough.]

You were made there. I see.

I'm forbidden to say specifically where I'm from, but we seem to be from the same country. There is that.

Yes. It... was the only place I'd ever known. Until here.

There are others, from the same country. You're the first to recognize the meaning.

[And you get serious points for that, Ashitaka.]

Why would you be forbidden?

Edited 2012-08-26 06:45 (UTC)

I'm a little surprised to hear that.

[There's a soft laugh.] If I could tell you why, then it probably wouldn't be so forbidden, Kagerou.

Edited 2012-08-26 06:46 (UTC)

You are?

[Whoops.]

So I should stop asking...

I am, that more would not have picked up on it. Is it a name with great meaning for you?

You can ask, but I can't answer. So I'd hate to waste your time.

Yes. It is. It's... a connection, in a way. A reminder.

What would happen, if you did tell?

[DO YOU EXPLODE? IS THAT WHY IT'S FORBIDDEN?]

A good reminder?

I can't say what would happen. But I can tell you it is because I took an oath, Kagerou. I promised that I would not say.

A reminder of what I truly am. So... yes.

Promised... I won't ask any more. Promises... must be kept.

Then it's a good name to have. I'm glad.

I appreciate it, Kagerou. I would share if I could, but this is an oath I cannot break.

Thank you.

[He means that, too.]

No, it's all right. I wouldn't make you break a promise. I wouldn't ask that of anyone.

You're welcome.

Mm. That's respectful of you. [He says that approvingly.]

You said you were... made in Japan, Kagerou. Are you like one of the giant metal people? I was under the impression they were not from our world.

A promise is important. I know that much.

Yes, I was. And yes, I am. But different. [He hesitates.] They are their own race. Their own kind. They... say they have souls.

Humans created me.

You don't think that you have a soul? But you talk like a living creature.

Because I have AI. Emotions, thoughts, those are a part of it.

But they are also nothing more than data. Something that can be copied. Altered. Erased.

Not like a soul.

I don't... understand all of that entirely. That kind of technology is beyond what I am familiar with.

You have emotions, Kagerou. A personality. I don't know much about machines, but... you sound alive to me.

Data... files... notes in a book? That can be... torn out? Copied? As needed.

[He's trying to make a comparison at lower levels of tech.]

Sounding alive. I'm meant to. But... simply living? That's different than having a soul -- as these robots do.

[Isn't it?]

I see. That sounds... distressing.

[To put it mildly.]

Kagerou. Do you want to live?

It's terrifying.

[Blunt as a spoon there, Ninjabot. And then, instantly:]

Yes.

It's all I ever wanted.

Then you are just like me.

Do I have a soul?

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