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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 10, 2012 17:36:58 GMT -5
Amura noticed the apprehension in Nebula's voice and flicked her wrist, as if swatting the whole thing aside. "Oh come now. I was merely joking, don't get so worried. Besides, you're not my type, so it's all fine." The succubus then laid her head back, fully relaxing her body. After all, she was still injured and forcing herself to sit up so she could talk better was rather stressful.
She whispered to herself: "I wonder...what little old Winter is doing right now."
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Post by Advix on Jul 10, 2012 21:36:35 GMT -5
After a fair amount of time, Winter had returned home, covered in dirt. He walked passed his room, and found Nebula in it with Peppermint and Amura. Nebula was wearing a white corset over a pink and white frilled bra, with a matching, puffy short skirt.
"...I see you've acquainted yourself with Peppermint's wardrobe," the green-eyed aren noted.
"Winter! You're back! Why are you so dirty? ...You look sad. Sadder."
"It's nothing you need to worry about. I simply had the urge to do some planting."
"Planting? I don't get it."
"That's why you shouldn't worry about it." He smiled, but it was a fake smile. "I'm going to take a shower. Nebula, I want to talk to you afterwards." Winter headed in the direction of the bathroom, leaving the three of them alone again.
"...Winter is lying." Peppermint finally spoke up. "He did something, and now he is sad. And he isn't telling me..." She pouted as she sat on the floor. "Why is he keeping secrets from me?"
Winter had entered the bathroom, and discarded his clothing. He ran the water and washed himself in the droning sound of the water. As he washed himself, he couldn't help but look at his hands, and contemplate his actions. He had just put one of his dearest friends to rest. He knew that it was not a service that he should have done, especially by himself. But what could he do? Amura was injured, he had a guest, and there was no way to call her husband. There was no time to hold a formal funeral, so he did what had to be done. In a way, he felt an odd sense of pride. He was the one who sent her off on her journey after life. He was able to fulfill one final act of devotion for her.
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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 10, 2012 22:53:43 GMT -5
Amura sighed quietly as she saw Winter, immediately noticing his profound sadness. After he had gone towards the bathroom she forced herself to get out of bed. The succubus staggered as the room spun for a moment, placing a hand on the bed to keep herself up. She gently patted Peppermint's head as she walked by the small android.
"He is probably not telling you because he doesn't want you to feel sad too. Winter doesn't like it when you feel like that...I'll go talk to him, okay?" She continued on out of the room, heading towards the bathroom and stopping in front of the door. The silver-haired beauty considered just walking in, but given her friend's current emotional state she decided that wasn't the best course of action. She knocked lightly and pressed her mouth close to it, speaking just loud enough so Winter could hear.
"Winter, it's Amura. Something else is bothering you now. Your heart is...heavier. The smile you gave Peppermint was merely a mask to conceal your pain. Please, talk to me. Tell me what happened out there."
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Post by Greed on Jul 11, 2012 16:35:48 GMT -5
Nebula casted a worried eye after Amura, and wondered what was going on for a moment. Then again... she wondered. Was Jessica worried for her safety right now? The android shook her head, looking at the unusual garments on her body.
"... P-Peppermint, uh... do humans really wear these sorts of things?" Fair question, but then again, Jessica's wardrobe was incredibly limited.... Nebula didn't really have a lot of knowledge, judgment, or even opinion in the field of fashion.
Silently she tried to work her thrusters, but for some reason, they still didn't seem to work... and her rebuilt hand felt less responsive, as well. Was whatever was interfering with the wireless signals in the area affecting her nanite regeneration as well...?
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Post by Advix on Jul 11, 2012 20:06:22 GMT -5
Peppermint pouted as Amura left. "Why does Winter have to feel bad alone?" She folded her arms and puffed her cheeks until Nebula asked her about her clothes. "Huh? Sure! Humans wear all kinds of things. Some humans wear REALLY funny things! If people didn't find them fun to wear, they wouldn't exist." Peppermint smiled until she noticed that Nebula was having a little trouble with her arm.
"Nebu? Is your arm alright?"
Winter heard Amura from behind the bathroom door. He didn't answer her until he was quickly done his shower. "...I buried McKensey," he finally spoke to her. "She's finally been put to rest." He wrapped a towel around himself, and slumped against the toilet with a thud. "...She was smiling. I could tell she had died exactly how she wanted: With her heart pounding and her blood rushing." Winter held his head in his hand, covering his eyes with his palm. It was still too much for him. Every so often, she could hear Winter hiccup in pain. His heart ached with sadness.
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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 12, 2012 22:47:00 GMT -5
Amura silently nodded at Winter's words. At least there was some kind of comfort during the burial. But she could still hear great pain in his voice. Of course...regardless of how McKensey died, it would be painful. She wasn't going to leave her friend alone in his misery. Especially since it was her fault McKensey died. She wasn't able to reach her in time.
The succubus opened the door to the bathroom, a small segment of her cloak forming into a hand and closing it shut behind her. The gorgeous demon had a sad smile upon her face, her red eyes looking down at Winter as he sat slumped against the toilet. Amura sat down next to him, gently rubbing his shoulder.
She whispered to him in a tone full of kindness, gentleness, and sympathy. As well as a hint of apologetic. "Winter...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She stopped rubbing his shoulder and placed one arm over his shoulders, leaning her head against him.
"I'm sorry..."
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Post by Advix on Jul 16, 2012 16:47:18 GMT -5
Winter wrapped his arms around Amura in return, holding her close and tightly as he released just enough of his sadness with Amura's comfort. "Don't apologize, Amura," he sniffled. "You tried. That's more than I can say for myself. And there is someone who is much more at fault than either of us." Winter rubbed Amura's back as he comforted her as she comforted him. After a while, Winter stood up, pulling Amura up with him as he hugged her. "I should get dressed now," he finally said to her. He rubbed her back some more, before letting go of her. "Thank you, Amura," he said before leaving the bathroom with naught but a towel. He had forgotten to grab a change of clothes, so he entered his room, walking right pass Nebula as he opened his drawers, grabbed a set of clothes, and walked right back out into the living room, closing the door behind him. Peppermint simply looked back and forth between Nebula and the door.
"...Nebula," the android girl finally spoke up. "I don't want to... be mean, or anything, but... Winter is my life partner, okay?"
Winter quickly dressed himself in the living room. As he did so, though, he observed something, peculiar. There was a figure, a woman, who seemed to be stalking a lone lamia, wandering the ruins of Grand Divide. As he watched more intently, the woman attacked the lamia, tearing at him until his light faded from Winter's perception. The woman seemed to bite into her victim, feasting on a particular part of him, not unlike a vampire. But, why would a vampire feast on lamia? Desperation? But lamia blood shouldn't appeal to vampires at all. Something was disturbingly wrong.
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Post by Greed on Jul 18, 2012 13:11:27 GMT -5
"Uh... okay?" Nebula reacted with confusion towards the girl, cocking her head to the side. What was Peppermint getting at? Did she think that she was attracted to humans or something? Nebula sighed, looking at her self repairing arm. Unfortunately, the nanites were being interfered with, so her recovery was taking twice as long.
"I wonder... if Jessica will really come for me out here?"
Devoid Tower
"... What... what do you mean, sir!?" Jessica was in disbelief. She had been preparing to go and find Nebula, bring her back, repair her, and give her a big damn hug, but... now. Now she was being told she couldn't. It was conceivable.
"Mr. President, I still think-"
"No, Jessica. We do not reinstate androids that have been disconnected by the network. Period." It was harsh, and final. Even still...
"B-But sir, she's..." It didn't take long for her to get cut off again.
"I. Don't. Care. If you bring her back here, she will be dismantled, her AB will be wiped, and whatever is left will go into completing Galaxy." Jessica knew she shouldn't argue with him, but she had to try still. Her heart told her to keep trying.
"... But..." Had to keep trying. Even if it was useless.
"This conversation is over, Jessica."
*click*
Jessica slumped to the floor in her lab, her eyes blank and teary with the sharp sting of defeat in her heart. She knew Nebula was alive out there, but now she also knew that the poor girl could never go home... and being a scientist... she couldn't just leave, either.
"... why is... there nothing I can do...?" The silver haired scientist curled up against the wall, forehead to her knees, as she whispered a desperate plea, "Someone... help me. Help her... just... I need help."
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Post by Advix on Jul 18, 2012 19:44:26 GMT -5
Winter soon opened the door of the bedroom again, looking at Nebula and Peppermint in their... mismatched outfits. "...Nebula, there is quite a bit I want to discuss with you, in private. Some particularly important things. If you feel more comfortable talking to me without Peppermints attire, I'll give you time to undress. I'll be waiting on the back deck, or what's left of it." Winter closed the door again, leaving a curious Peppermint with Nebula.
"...Soooo, wanna get naked?"
Winter stepped out onto what was left of his back deck. There was a giant crater and pieces of wood and drywall where his neighbors used to be, and the destruction continued onto his backyard and the side of his house. Winter righted two of the fallen chairs, and lazily moved the table back in place, getting things ready for his talk with Nebula.
Devoid Tower
There was a knock at Jessica's door, followed by an ever so slightly distorted voice. A voice she knew well. "Doctor, are you in there?" Standing behind her door was a splendid red, gold, and silver robot. It had massive, somewhat conical shins and a similar left forearm. It's right arm, however, was of a completely different design than the rest of his body. It was white and silver, and his forearm was broad and shaped like a shield with a web of nodes on its face. It had no face, only a strip of red optical sensors. It wore a red helmet ith a beak like visor, with three blade-like prongs pointing back.
"I heard what happened to Grand Divide, and that little Nebula's fate is still unknown. I wanted to know how you were doing, and if there was anything I could do for you."
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Post by Greed on Jul 20, 2012 0:20:40 GMT -5
Nebula shook her head slightly, looking down at the little android.
"No, it can wait. I'm actually beginning to get curious about this myself..." Wait... that wasn't right. She never questioned these sorts of things before. Why was she starting to question them now? Whatever the reason, she was genuinely interested in hearing what Winter had to say... like something she couldn't explain, some odd fuzz clouding the world had vanished.
"... I wonder what it could be..." Nebula smiled slightly, giving Peppermint a pat on the head, before walking out on the deck, where Winter was.
"... so, what is it that you wanted to ask me?"
Devoid Tower
"Krez....?" Jessica pulled herself up long enough to walk over, and open the door before slumping down beside the opening.
"... there's nothing we can do, now." She was unusually quiet; in her dealings with Krez, this girl was normally lively, and full of energy, but right now... even to an android, it was clear that she'd been crying.
"....damn the network. To hell with it... I want her back...."
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Post by Advix on Jul 20, 2012 12:00:45 GMT -5
Peppermint puffed her synthetic cheeks as Nebula patted her on the head. She wanted to know what Winter wanted to talk to Nebula about, and it bothered her curiosity.
Winter raised his head as Nebula joined him on his damaged back deck. He offered a brief chuckle as he noticed Nebula was still very much in the clothes Peppermint could find to fit her. But that small smile of amusement quickly gave way to his familiar serious visage. "Please, have a seat." He motioned to one of the metal chairs placed around his cracked glass table. "I can't help but imagine what it is like for you to be trapped in the center of all this waste and destruction. Destruction caused by the weapons of your home. Forgive me for sounding condescending, for it is not my intent, but you don't seem as if you were properly ready for something like this. How do you feel? And if you could humor my curiosity, what are your thoughts on your situation? It must be bizarre for you to be taken in by a demon, an aren, and an android."
Devoid Tower
"Oh Jessica, darling..." Krez knelt down and pulled the doctor up to her feet. 'He' wrapped his left, normal arm around her. "I know what it's like to lose an allegorical daughter. I know that pain. You poor girl..." He walked her over to her sofa, and sat down with her, rubbing her shoulder. "...You know, Jessy, while it's true that I can't bring little Nebula back here to Devoid, there is an alternative. There is something I can do." To anyone else, it would have seemed eerie for a faceless robot to have such a human inflection to his voice. It was part of why she had studied him so carefully.
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Post by Greed on Jul 20, 2012 21:52:28 GMT -5
"..." Nebula though for a moment; she seemed truly taken aback by the questions, though that was mainly because Winter had guessed several things she had thought on before this.
"..... Well. When you put it that way..." Nebula stared at the floor for a moment, crossing her hands in her lap, as she contemplated how to word her response, "It makes me.... question alot of things. Everything I've been taught in my brief time alive tells me to kill that woman in there, and every once of common sense I have asks 'why'? Its more than a little unnerving, you know."
Nebula's gravite nodules flashed once, as she stared at Winter, "... and you as well, aren. Thankfully... I think I'm of a sounder mind than most of my brethren in Devoid City.... the fact that you guys helped me helps. Even the fact that you are members of the Grimlocke Corps doesn't seem to interfere with this sentiment... however..."
"... I feel like you have a reason for asking me all of this." The android girl was nothing if not cautious, if not outright suspicious of Winter's potential intentions. Some of the scenarios in her mind were favorable, but the vast majority weren't.
"... there's not much I can do, though, Krez. I've... never cursed all the privileges I've been given as a Devoid scientist before. Not until today." She leaned back on the couch beside the strange android, staring at the ceiling.
"I'm given unlimited resources, manpower, the knowledge of eons of Devoid history, and you know... I would give that all away to go help Nebi. As it stands... Devoid tower is practically the size of a city on its own, but all it feels like to me right now is a prison." At that moment, the young scientist was revealing a different side to herself, one that Krez hadn't really seen before.
"Krez... it may be... selfish of me to say this. but, no matter what you do..." She didn't need to finish that statement; Devoid was notoriously hardline about allowing androids that had been disconnected outside the city return. And she couldn't leave Devoid Tower under any circumstance; no matter what was done, she couldn't see Nebula ever again.
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Post by Advix on Jul 20, 2012 23:56:21 GMT -5
"I do have my reasons for asking you. I said it was important, did I not? And please," Winter said in response to being called 'aren'. "We all have names, Nebula. As a host, it would be inexcusably rude to refer to my guests solely by their race or status. Do treat us with at least that amount of common courtesy." Winter leaned back in his chair, returning back to his line of thought.
"It's jarring, isn't it? The things you begin to think when you are finally given the opportunity to think for yourself. 'Why is the system the way it is?' 'Why does it want me to think this certain way?' 'What makes the people I'm supposed to hate so bad?' That's something that always bothered me about Devoid and Edge City. The blatant fear and hatred. I want to know, Nebula: Look around you, witness the ruin which has befallen this city. Think back to all the time you spent being linked to the system. Can you say right now that you are happy that this has happened to the lamia, and those who took residence in their city? I need to know, Nebula."
Devoid Tower
Krez slowly began to rub her neck and cheek, and she could feel a warm, tingling sensation in her skin, as well as hear a slight buzzing noise. "Now this hopelessness is incredibly unlike you, my dear. You certainly worked miracles in analyzing me, but then you built an android that could channel mana. You should be searching for solutions, not crying in grief, though I cannot blame you for doing so." Krez gave her a gentle, supportive hug.
"With that said, I'm certainly still capable of a few miracles of my own. And I will tell you what I'll do. I will send one of my boys to search for little Nebula, and should she have survived her stand off against the Ileris, she will be brought to The Community, free from fear of dismantlement. As for how you can break away from the Tower, request to be reassigned to Project Zenith. I would be absolutely delighted to have you work with us in The Community. It's not impossible, Jessy. You can still be with Nebula, in The Community. You built her, I'm sure she is still alive."
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Post by Greed on Jul 22, 2012 15:56:38 GMT -5
"... I was never happy about it. No one deserves to be slaughtered in cold blood like that. Even the president was in an uproar over it. But... before, it felt like orders, with a side of empathy. But disconnected..." Ah, that was the thing, then, wasn't it?
"Seeing a city turn into a barren wasteland... I had never had a simulation to prepare for anything like this. And then for a demo... I mean, Amura of all people, to come and help me.... it was more than a bit shocking after the fact." She sounded a bit apologetic for the race name calling now. Given how much Winter knew about androids from Peppermint, one that could recognize its own faults in logic and judgment was a rare thing indeed. Even further than that, one that apologized for offending people, and even understanding all of that on a human level...
Devoid Tower
Jessica paused; that was a thought that hadn't occurred to her before. However...
"... I don't think I'd be allowed to. I'm still working on Galaxy, and the framework, even the codename for the Universe Project haven't been finalized yet. I'm scared that if I try to... they'll take them out of my hands, and create something horrible, that can't even think for itself, and it would be nothing more than a weapon." Not once had Jessica ever considered Nebula a weapon. She had powerful weapons, but to Jessica, that girl was her own person.
"... I need a good argument, soundly in my favor. I need the president to think that me being reassigned to Project Zenith could be nothing but beneficial to Devoid." Jessica wiped her eyes off, staring down at her feet before looking to Krez with a hopeful look in her eyes, "....don't suppose you could help me think up that argument, could you?"
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Post by SlvrNight on Jul 22, 2012 20:37:10 GMT -5
Amura had silently returned to Winter's bed, lying face-down with her head in the pillows. There was little she could do now. She was feeling remarkably better than before as her wounds were, for the most part, healed. There was a bite-shaped scar on her neck and thigh that would require more time to disappear though.
The succubus' stomach growled quietly and she groaned in annoyance.
"Apparently I'm hungry...not surprising considering how much energy I had to use to heal."
She turned over, looking up at the ceiling and placing a hand on her forehead.
"I'll have to wait until we get to another city. I'm sure that won't be a problem..."
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