The Network: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

[faileas]

The Network: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

The Watches Everyone who arrives in an unorthodox way and eventually shows up at the Coven for 'orientation', will receive a strange, watch-like device compliments of the Coven and Parliament. Miss Nessie or one of the welcome wagon crew will give characters a run-down of how to use the various functions and they are encouraged to test them out for themselves. It would be good for them to get in touch with their fellow Mirrorbound, of course! Fourth wall characters will not be able to make their own posts in the communities, so they may use this post to make "network posts" of their own by top-leveling. The log post is right over here. Fourth Wall characters can comment on posts made by others in both aefenglom and middaeg until June 1st. Current players: Please specify in your posts if you do NOT want fourth wall characters replying!

Comments

text; un: METTATON

[glitzandglamour]

So you're a Vampire-android, expecting your... undeath. How peculiar. Oh my. Well. If you want a companion to endure a shutdown beside, why not call upon a fellow android like me?? Oh yes! I'd love to join you, darling. For death or for reboot.

[And maybe, JUST MAYBE, to share the fact that uhhh androids can die here. (He thinks?? He died, at least. But he's also not an authentic android.)]

What sort of damage are you expecting, darling?

[justamachine]

[The idea of meeting with another android in this place leaves Connor with a lot of questions, which he unfortunately does not have the time or energy to get the answers to. For now, he sticks to the point.]

I would appreciate that. I'm not sure about what kind. I'm unfamiliar with undeath, [to say the least] but most android shutdowns are accompanied by some manner of memory corruption.

[......]

I also don't know what sort of state I'll be in once I awaken. [optimism?]

[glitzandglamour]

As the very first Vampire-machine crossover... you'll be charting completely new territory. However. Don't fret about the details yet! We'll worry about your memory and post-death state once we cross that looming bridge of vampiric death. I'll put on my very best bedside manner for you. Oooh, should I dress for a funeral? Ha-ha.

[god. Thaaaat's Mettaton! Remaining upbeat even in the face of unsettling Vampire deaths is just how he rolls.]

How urgent is our fateful meeting? That is... how are you feeling, beautiful? Let me know where to find you. [This mystery android seems he's fairly calm, but appearances are deceiving. He could be on death's doorstep, for all he knows... and Mettaton knows a lot about putting on a brave face, especially here in Aefenglom.]

[justamachine]

[Somehow, Connor doesn't think this is the new ground CyberLife wanted their prototype to cover. He also doesn't quite know how to respond to the flippant manner—it's basically impossible to offend him, but he doesn't know if it's meant as some kind of comfort to a stranger. Again with more questions...]

I believe I have several hours remaining. [It's a rough estimate.] I'm waiting at the barracks, room 5.

[There's barely anyone there and little sign that it's even lived in, so it seemed relatively unobtrusive. A good place to shut down without bothering anyone, at least... and it's not like physical comfort or space is something an android requires.]

text → action

[glitzandglamour]

Several hours, you believe... but I know a thing or two about being a robot in Geardagas. I'll be over in two clicks of my lovely heels, and the call of my name. 💖

[(Whether Connor actually calls his name or not.)

That is to say, Mettaton knows well what happens to any mechanical being in this place: whatever functions they possess are reduced in predictability. Mettaton's understanding of his own features and functions were poorer than most robots to start, and now he can barely figure out when his battery's going to end. The accelerated rate of the un-bound Mirrorbound (???) could only suggest that Connor might be experiencing much the same...

if a Vampire's death process even follows the rules of mechanical power.

Mettaton isn't lying when he says he'll be over with haste, as he is a Puca, quick on his feet. ...Heels or not. And while he's the type to normally make a boisterous entrance under most circumstances, he doesn't—not for this occassion.

Connor will hear a good rap on the door before Mettaton lets himself in on cautious steps, making himself doubly known by word.]

Helloooo? Barracks room five, this is Mettaton... You remember me, I'm sure. Are you there?

[He doesn't quite let himself in yet though, waiting to hear from its resident—or to hear nothing at all. ...That Mettaton never asked for Connor's name doesn't even bother him. (He went an entire game not bothering to ask the main character for their name!)]

[justamachine]

[Despite the unique personality, Connor is nonetheless grateful to find something of an equal. Existing as a machine surrounded by humans is perfectly fine when a few of those humans know how to keep you up and running. When fewer even know about the concept of your existence, it becomes much more difficult. He's found that he doesn't particularly like having to argue that he is indeed a robot.

When the Puca arrives, he raises his head from where he sits on a cot, back against the wall. Apparently this other machine's username was indeed its name. ... it's probably more practical than putting in your serial number.

Although Connor's voice isn't as smooth as usual, the hint of static to the words doesn't keep them from being understandable.]

Come in.

[He isn't under the blankets, of course, although he has at least removed his shoes for the sake of cleanliness. There's nothing in his expression or complexion to really denote how exhausted he is, but the ring of light on his right temple is slowly blinking red.]

[glitzandglamour]

[Mettaton would be sympathetic to that sentiment, in a different sort of way... It was isolating to be othered in such a way when people were unaware of your sentient existence entirely. (Though with the way Mettaton looks, nobody doubts he is something inhuman: automaton, golem, machine, or otherwise, he doesn't look as convincingly human.)

Mettaton has a good memory for voices. But hearing Connors gives him only a feeling of recollection, and he closes his eye for a beat before pushing open the door. This wasn't the time to wonder where he'd heard this voice before when he could see for himself.

And though he recalls a different look upon Connor... it's impossible to mistaken. Mettaton's smile drops into a look of shock, his eye blown wide.]

You're.... Connor! Oh my stars.

[Introductions prove unnecessary as Mettaton eases the door shut behind him, but it's nearly an afterthought as he's already stealing for the side of the cot. Away is the face of easy poise that he wanted to wear for the sake of meeting a new stranger, replaced by open surprise and concern. One of his tall, silvery ears leans back in his uncertainty, as Mettaton even eases himself down on the very edge of the bed, inviting himself to sit.]

Connor, you're a Vampire?! What happened to your fins, and... Why, you've returned! [Bit by bit, he can piece together this much: Connor was definitely gone. Connor was definitely a Merrow. Connor is now definitely a Vampire...]

[justamachine]

[Whatever recognition the android can see in Mettaton's expression is not at all reflected in Connor. His head tilts very slightly as his eyebrows twitch upward briefly as the Puca comes over to sit; he only has so much energy to devote to expressions. The situation certainly warrants it, though, and his brow then furrows as he takes in the clear worry in the stranger's body language.]

I'm sorry... I don't know what you're referring to.

[That is much more information he expected to be dumped into his lap, but at the same time not enough to comprehend it all. There's certainly nothing about having fins in his memory banks.]

You've met a Connor before?

[glitzandglamour]

[It's quite clear that his energy's low, in either case. He wasn't kidding, and Mettaton... hasn't actually ever witnessed a Vampire's turning. But he looks... all right? All things considered, he's not pale with blood loss or bleeding out onto the bed (two states he has certainly seen before during his stay in Aefenglom), so he'll consider this a plus.

(He's even seen Connor bleeding out, blue-tinged blood painting an exam room where both androids lay restrained. He wonders if Connor's in any pain right now, too.)

A Connor is a peculiar way of phrasing things, but he supposes it's just as well. Even still, the idol furrows his brow.]

Ah... [Well, it's not just as well. Because Connor doesn't remember a thing. Mettaton shakes his head, closing his eye. When he opens it again, he flashes him a smile.] Never mind, darling. I've met you before, yes. But this place has a way with tampering with the head. No harm done.

[Again uninvited, Mettaton reaches for Connor's hand and, holding it in his own, pats the top of it.]

Now. We have your turning to focus on, don't we? I can only begin to imagine what it's like.

[The robot heaves a sigh for show, despite not having lungs.]

[justamachine]

[Keeping up with the newfound requirement has helped Connor with the transition—or at least, he thinks it has. All in all, he's been able to keep an clear head and otherwise function as... normalish, which is apparently more than others could say. Until now, of course.

Although the furrow in his brow remains, for the moment he responds to Mettaton's remark about the current situation, rather than the topic he'd prefer pursuing. He's not going to entirely let it go that easily, though.]

I wouldn't recommend it, [he says with an edge of bitter humor. But he certainly hasn't missed the strange contrast of organic and inorganic features on the other machine.]

What was your transition like?