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

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?

...

Humans do. These other robots do.

[A roundabout way of saying 'yes'.]

In my eyes, you have one too. Even if you disagree with me.

I'm... grateful for that. But I have to ask you something.

... Can your soul be reformatted? Be... changed by something... out of your control?

Until there's nothing left of you?

[There's a moment of silence.

Then a reluctant admittance.]

Yes. It can.

[And then it's his turn to fall silent. Whatever he was expecting to hear... that wasn't it.]

It... what?

I mean what I say.

We are truly no different.

But that isn't... that isn't supposed to be possible for humans. Your data -- it's supposed to be safe.

You're not supposed to be altered like that.

How can you be different?

...I'm sorry. I'd rather not discuss it on the Link.

... Another promise?

Not really.

I could explain better in person is all.

Is this something you really want to explain?

I never want to. But sometimes I have to.

It's up to you if you wish to hear it or not.

I want to know.

I want... to know how a human can be reformatted -- erased.

[Like he was.]

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