|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 4:57:29 GMT
"Biological units shielded, Confirm?" it states, peering at Bea. Eyes flash for a period of time, as it seems to stare at her - and glancing at the flowers beyond - before eventually stating "Acknowledge" and powering down the cannon, retracting it into its body.
"Why exactly do you have that there, Cutie?" Brooke asks, a little nervously. "Seems a little, uh, violent..."
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 5:09:44 GMT
"Beings that are classified Hybrid, or Ascended are shielded against contamination, as are the five Pokemon under my directives. Confirmed." She introduces the weaponized Pokemon to each of her other teammates and their designations. "While I am thinking about it. Open drive port." Fetching a pale blue cassette from her bag, she moved in beside the Pokemon to plug it in.
"Well... In central there is a dark room that is just used for storage now. Back in my time, Genesect was housed there. Gathering dust for twenty something years with no orders, no socialization, no... Nothing. Genesect is more intelligent then any Pokemon I have encountered, capable of advanced reasoning and speech, but when he gets scared, he gets a little twitchy with that cannon. Sorry he frightened you." Beatrice set the plain looking cassette in her bag after slotting in the Chill Drive.
"So, since he was built in a corner, he was really upset about strangers coming into his room, we fought and he got busted up pretty bad. I fixed him and offered to help educate him, in so many words. There were other options to bring along, but in their half-aware state I don't suspect the rest of my Pokemon will be of any assistance should I collapse. Genesect has retained his full awareness which may be an asset in the future."
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 5:24:46 GMT
There's a bit of a satisfied hum that comes from both the Genesect and the cannon as the drive port closes, and the light on top of the cannon briefly flashes blue. "Chill Drive initiated. Energy dispersion cooled to −63 °C."
"Ah, I seeeeeee…" Brooke says, still a little wary. "Well, I guess if you think it'll be fine..." she gives a bit of a nervous chuckle. "Well, uh, maybe it'll help if it frolics in the flowers or whatever."
"I'm sure it'll be fine," Rainbow says, though she seems a bit herself. "Trust her."
Drive installed and no targets in sight, the Genesect seems to be exploring the area a little bit. Gingerly observing the grass and the flowers - Bea realizes it hadn't really been outside at all as of yet - it suddenly jumps into the air and retracts everything to form a sort of hovering board, that it uses to speed around the area in - far wider than any internal space.
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 12:00:17 GMT
"I suppose the other reason for bringing Genesect is the whole... Going into the Deadlands thing." Beatrice commented, recalling her friends one at a time until only Genesect remained, and laying back on the grass next to Brooke to watch Genesect move about in a different configuration. She really didn't know the first thing about it, probably should have asked Julia more before spanning.
"The audience tomorrow is to see if we have the support of the King and Queen going forward. We've made our case, and the Silent Watcher authenticated our claims. Everything goes well, and the nightmare will be over in a week or two with no casualties and the world heals." There was no discussing the worst case scenario. There were too many of them to count.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 16:57:38 GMT
"Wait, wait, hoooooold on, Cutie, back up a minute," Brooke says, squinting. "Did you say 'Deadlands'? You're going in there? Like... both of you?"
"Uh.... yes," Rainbow says, awkwardly. "Sorry, there wasn't really a... good time to mention it so far."
Brooke sighs. Long and hard, before grumbling, "You both better come back in one piece, you hear me?"
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 17:12:25 GMT
"I'd like to believe we have the best chance of anyone to get in and leave again, but push comes to shove, Rainbow can just eat some purified Aetherstone and span us to safety." She soothed Brooke gently. "I didn't come to the distant future to fall short." Scooting backwards, she laid in against the Durant's side, facing away, head resting on one of her arms.
"Rainbow had it hard enough from her Mom, and now they're avoiding each other. Maybe hold her close and tender while you can? I'm going to."
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 17:21:01 GMT
"I'm gonna hold you guys to that," Brooke says, pulling both Bea and Rainbow in, putting her arms around their shoulders, metal flexing strong. "Eep!" Rainbow cries, before laughing., and wrapping one of her arms around to lay a hand on Bea's shoulder.
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 17:32:03 GMT
"It's a promise then." Bee ran her left thumb gently along the side of Brooke's antennae and stroked the girl's hair, her right hand and forearm settling in against Rainbow's hip and across the small of her back. "You're pretty comfortable, you know that?" She smiled for Brooke and settled against her and Rainbow. "This alone, is plenty of reason to want to come back." She gestured to the group embrace before settling quietly.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 17:42:25 GMT
"I've been called many things in life," Brooke says, "but 'comfortable' is not usually one of them. Might have a little bit of give on my metal limbs, but they're still metal." She laughs. "Center mass is the only soft part of me."
"Got your personality, too," Rainbow teases.
"Ah, shut it, you!" she lightly jabs back.
The rest of the morning passes at a slow pace, just resting in a group cuddle, beneath the sun. The flowers are bright and fragrant, and there's a Genesect flying excitedly in its newfound 'outdoors'. It almost makes one forget about the state the world is in...
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 18:03:49 GMT
Beatrice alternates between drowsing against the girls, and flitting about the open space with Genesect, answering any questions it might have about the environ it now finds itself in, perfectly content to let her head empty and her thoughts wander for once. It was much easier to just let go of everything with the gentle touches and affectionate encouragement of being near her close friends. There was nothing here to leave her feel judged, or ostracized, no hurry or imminent responsibilities. A pause, a true pause... not just a wait for the next task, discovery, or trouble. It was peace.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 18:34:45 GMT
The Genesect seems mostly content to observe and experience, rather than question. It seems to eventually occupy itself with trying to find each individual type of flower in the field of myriads.
Rainbow and Brooke mostly seem content to just be quiet, enjoying the grove of nature. Any conversation between each other or themselves and Bea seems to be mostly through proximity and physicality, just communicating the enjoyment of the others.
"Was there anything else that you were needing to do in town today?" Brooke asks at last, breaking the sounds of nature with conversation. "And also, you guys going to be staying over at Rainbow's place again, or want to come crash at mine for the night?"
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 18:42:01 GMT
"I've never had a sleepover before." Bee comments, staring up at the sky. "It's a social ritual where girls stay up late, dressing up nice for each other and just talking, back in my time. Social norm was to sleep at your own place, and only on special occasions like that at a friend's." Smiling, she admired the mechanical bug as it moved about without instruction and seemed to make a purpose for itself. It was what she had wanted for it, after all. "I've no currency to further stockpile medicinal supplies, and I doubt Maya will have my outfit done already. I'm as ready as could be."
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 18:48:43 GMT
"Oh, I see," Rainbow say, with mock-disgust, "so we're just friends now. What was all that yesterday about more than. Geez, Bea," she teases, "I expected more from you. I guess actually being in my company drove you away." Brooke's just trying to hold in laughter.
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 18:55:22 GMT
"If you want that level of pedantic every time I address our relationship, I don't think it'll work out with this new me." She takes Rainbow's hands in hers, and starts to float backwards. "I'm still not sure I can compete with your sweet serenade before bed, or your commitment to coming with me to what amounts to hell on earth as vulnerable as you are, but I'll sure show you what you mean to me if you're going to be like that." Once she had Rainbow up on her feet, Beatrice kept levitated to a height that she could keep the girl's hands in hers, but Rainbow's head was only at about chest level, leading her in a slow waltz, a melodic, buzzing hum accompanying the movement.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 19:02:24 GMT
"No, no, it's fine," Rainbow says, grinning. "You just seemed so adamant last night to make sure that you knew you saw me as more than a friend, I couldn't help but tease you over it."
"Wait, serenade?" Brooke complains teasingly, looking at the dance in progress. "You never told me that was an option! I've never gotten one!"
"It wasn't... really..." Rainbow sputters, trying to not trip over her feet dancing on the hill, before just juving up and flying up to instead put Bea at chest height.
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 19:07:42 GMT
She continues to climb with Rainbow, vying for that height and lead until she can go no higher and accepts her fate, resting her head with a giggle against the other girl's chest and closing her eyes. "This seems to be my limit, it's getting kind of high up anyway." Swaying, rocking, spinning gently, her feet poised as though on solid ground still. "It was a really lovely lullaby to fall asleep to, Rainbow's capable of so much when she tries, you know?" She called down to Brooke, beaming from ear to ear.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 19:14:03 GMT
"It... wasn't, really," Rainbow protests. "It was just... the only song that I could think of, and I'm not even a good singer."
"Fine, fine, you're off the hook," Brooke says, laughing, "now come back down here, both of you. I can't fly!"
"No, no," Rainbow says, looking down past Bea and grinning, "I think I'll stay up here a little bit, let you stew for that." She presses closer against Bea.
The girl on the ground plops back to earth, grumbling, but clearly trying to keep from cracking a smile.
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 19:24:50 GMT
It was one of those moments where she felt like something poignant should be said, but as they moved in tandem, warm, happy and comfortable, it was all they needed. Words would have only cheapened the moment. Beatrice looked up into Rainbow's eyes, and felt right. This was the place and time she was supposed to be in at this moment. "Have... You ever missed something you never knew you needed before?" She asked quietly after a number of minutes of their tender, close dancing.
|
|
|
8,803 posts
|
16 likes
|
Sept 26, 2024 13:32:53 GMT
|
Administrator
|
Post by DataNinja on May 12, 2020 19:30:58 GMT
"Yes," Rainbow says. "I felt that the first time I landed in your time. The freshness of nature. I never knew how bad here was until… well, my senses were opened to how it could truly be. I... hope that's what you mean."
|
|
|
6,672 posts
|
92 likes
|
I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
|
|
Member
|
Post by Robot on May 12, 2020 21:28:29 GMT
"It is. That's what this time with you has been for me. Discovering what it meant to really connect with someone. Learning that I had been cutting myself off from... Just an entire world of experiences. I could have ended up like Julia..." With a stilted exhale at that thought, she slowly leaned up and in, giving Rainbow a peck on the cheek. "We should probably go pile on Brooke so she doesn't get cold down there."
|
|