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Some android in the middle of nowhere and a pool of oil.
9S's vision is flooded by the blue of the cloudless sky, interrupted only by the presence of the bright Sun, which cast an intense heat on the landscape below. His body, lethargic after what felt like an eternal slumber, managed to sit itself upright, as sand fell between the individual strands of his hair onto his back. Gazing at the landscape before him, the only notable features were nigh endless sandscape, and a nearby pool of oil.
Pod 153, perform a diagnostics check and give me a sitrep.
9S gave this command without even knowing if his Pod was even nearby, but sure enough within seconds he heard the Pod's effeminate digital voice once more. The diagnostics check proved that nothing was out of the ordinary and that he was in good health. However, the sitrep pretty much confirmed what he had suspected. No clue on objectives or location. Fragments of lingering memory suggested something about a Palace, a Shadow Self, among other things. And somehow he felt the urge to get some coffee. For now though, he simply sat at the shores of the Oil Pond, and cast his lure.
Might as well make the most of things for the time being.
*Above Nine S, circling him in the air, a small Sparrow flies.*
Oh ho ho. Did someone leave their wind-up toy out in the sun too long? How very sad it is. They should at least bin their scrap instead of leaving it for someone else to deal with.
9S sits at the Oil's edge, as Pod 153 sits in the black ooze, in the hopes of luring a good catch. He remains focused and vigilant sitting upon his holographic chair. This focus is swiftly lost the moment he hears something akin to a bird's loud chirping directly above him.
Pipe down featherbrain, I'm in the middle of something- ah!!
He finds himself unable to finish telling off the "bird" as he realizes he accidentally pulled his line in. The machine carp that was snagged on the other end of the line flies out past 9S and lands on the sand behind him.
Ugh... jeez.
He mutters to himself as he walks off his seat to go pick up the accidental catch.
Aww. But your the first mortal I've seen in months. Well, perhaps mortal is too strong a word for a wind-up toy, but you get the jist of it.
*The bird grows in size as it comes in to land, transforming into Circe. She looks over at 9S with a smirk*
Besides, you look lonely. Or are you going to start talking to the fish?
The initial shock of seeing a Bird transform into a humanoid figure hits 9S pretty hard. If his eyes were not obscured by his blindfold-visor, they would be wide open. But one could likely surmise that after seeing his mouth left agape in awe. This shock quickly shifted into curiosity and befuddlement.
All the human texts on biology never mentioned something like this!
In all the excitement of this new experience, 9S snaps to his senses and takes note of the casual taunts tossed in his direction. All the while, Pod 153 picks the mechanical carp up and places it in 9S's inventory.
Wait... Wind-Up Toy?!
He pauses briefly before donning a serious expression and muttering to himself quietly.
Well, it's not like we're built to last...
A thought that he quickly shoves back into the deepest recesses of his mind. When questioned on whether or not he'd prefer her company or the fish, he quickly changes expression and replies:
Look, I don't mind if you hang around, just don't distract me while I try to catch these fish. And I'm not going to catch them. For one, I'm very interested in studying Machine Aquatic Life, perhaps salvaging some usable parts from them, and selling some for money.
Well, clearly, that's because I'm not human. I'm a goddess. Good thing you have a blindfold, wind-up toy. You might go blind.
*Circe laughs, before hoping back, floating slightly, coming to rest on a nearby rock.*
So your an aspiring techno marine biologist, eh? So that's what you dream off instead of clockwork sheep. Hmm. Admirable. But if they are machines, they naturally have blueprints somewhere. You'll not be finding anything new.
*Circe sighs.*
Are you really just here for a spot of fishing?
A goddess huh?
He kept it to himself, but android sentiment towards "God" and religion in general had become...resentful to say the least in the 11945. That didn't really matter though. 9S had no idea when or where he was at the moment. Regardless, 9S simply perches himself upon his holochair again, casting Pod 153 to the open Oil once more. He then answers to Circe's inquiry.
Not necessarily a marine biologist. Us Scanner Units are always looking to learn more. It's what sets us apart from the rest.
He proclaims with a tint of pride wedged in.
As for the blueprints well. Those would belong to the Aliens who created all of the machine lifeforms. And they aren't so keen on sharing that intel with us. Doesn't matter too much though, the aliens are all dead. So, I study machine lifeforms when I get the chance. A little intel on the enemy can't hurt.
He sits and waits for another bite, until he hears Circe's resigned sigh and subsequent query.
Well, I wasn't able to find any data on mission objectives so I figured I'd make the best of my time. Not really in a rush to go out into all that nothing out before us.
To try and change topic, he steers the conversation into an attempt at proper introduction.
I'm 9S, by the way. Feel free to call me Nines if you want. And you are?
I'm going to keep calling you a Wind-up toy. I don't care what designation the mortals who built your ass called you.
*Circe smiles before laughing lightly*
It's Circe, by the by. If your going to talk to me, you may as well refer to me by name.
*Circe sighs, leaning back on her rock.*
You are... very odd, you know that? Are you wind-up toys supposed to be single minded machines focused on doing a singular task to the best of your abilities or something? Shouldn't you be happily walking off into the danger zone, doing as much as you can and then sending all the data back before you fry for your masters or something?