#now i get to be made hungry.. IN GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOR..

[man-erg]

first episode of dunmeshi anime was good lol

[lessinkmoregraphite]

Artificial AU prologue part 1

I have no patience and want to share stuff I do, so. Have the first segment of my most recent post-Forces au, aka Artificial AU. It’ll probably be on ao3 eventually, maybe with some small edits, but for now have this mess.

The first clear thought Infinite had was surprise that he was able to have a thought. The (nope) experience he'd had before the world went dark should have killed him, he shouldn't be able to think anything.

But here he is. Thinking. Huh.

He tried to pry his eyes open, found them sticky with sleep and heavy with fatigue, and gave up. Instead he ran a physical assessment of his body - overall aches, especially bad at his wrists, ankles, and chest, but none of that was shocking (nono not a pun this time). What was more confusing was the slight resistance when he managed to shift one of his arms - bandages, he guessed, based on the feeling when he bent his wrist. Most of the way up to his elbow, too - not a sh- surprise. The others were probably just as bad.

Consciousness was already slipping through his grasp, but he had just enough time to wonder who would bother to bandage him up before he slipped back into cool darkness.

 The next time, he was a little less foggy; enough to be alarmed and try to sit up. Which did not go well, as his chest screamed in protest and he froze halfway up with his mouth hanging open in a silent scream.

Hands pressed to his shoulder and back, gently but efficiently pulling him to lay back down. For the first time, he noticed how soft the pillow was. It probably wasn't really that soft, but somehow it was the most heavenly thing ever in that moment.

He shoved the thought away and forced his eyes open, muzzle wrinkling in distaste at the gummy feel of them. He could just make out a blurry red and yellow blob in front of him, but no features past that.

Dry lips opened, his voice emerging in a creak rather than words. Immediately, a straw was pressed to his lips, and he slurped greedily at the liquid offered to him until it was pulled away. He frowned, but didn't protest, instead croaking out something like a question - the words were slurred, but still words.

"Don't worry," came the response, quiet but much clearer than his own voice. "You're safe. Rest."

And while a part of him immediately balked at the idea of listening to someone telling him what to do, he was helpless to resist the darkness returning to him.

 The time after that, he woke up feeling almost lucid. His body still ached, and his thoughts were a little too fuzzy to be considered normal, but he could think enough to pry his eyes open and look around.

It looked like a random bedroom, except too clean. Like it hadn't been used until now. Plain white walls and off-white carpet, a few shelves on one wall, a dresser and desk on another. The bed he was on looked like it had been dragged out from the corner to the middle of the room, so there was space on all sides. It made his fur prickle slightly but there wasn't much he could do about it.

His gaze finally fell to the floor, on the one bright spot in the room - a figure that appeared to be doing a plank. He could make out green boots and red fur, but the rest was covered by a frankly hideous mustard-colored jacket.

He spent a good few minutes just staring, trying to process why anyone would willingly wear that color (especially when it basically made them look like an off color stoplight). His pause to gape lasted long enough that the figure finished the plank and rolled over, brightening and jumping up upon seeing him.

The wolf scurried over to the bedside, pausing a beat too long before speaking. "Do you need anything?"

"To stop looking at that horrible thing masquerading as clothing."

"It's warm," he said, not looking offended in the least. "And big. Are you hungry?"

...Yes. But he wasn't eager to acknowledge that, even if it was pretty obvious that this person had been looking after him already. Especially since at a second glance, he had a vague recollection of where he'd seen him before.

Not that it seemed to matter much, since the wolf had already headed toward a box of something set against the wall, rummaging around inside until he came up with a pouch of squeeze applesauce.

"Here," he said, coming over to set the pouch on the edge of the bed. "Let me know if you need help."

Infinite scowled at him, then reached for the pouch and began fiddling with the screw top. Much to his chagrin, it turned out to be less of an absurd suggestion than he'd first thought; he could barely get the top open even with the ridiculous wings on it lending leverage. He slurped the food up angrily while glaring at nothing in particular.

The wolf stared at him in silence while he ate, expression oddly blank. Infinite finished the pouch quickly and pulled it away to scowl. "What?"

"Want another?"

"...Sure."

They repeated the process, up to and including the weird staring. This time, when Infinite finished, the wolf had a different question. "Should I still call you Infinite?"

He stiffened, suddenly on guard. Some part of him had wondered if this idiot just didn't realize who he was, and that's why he offered some sort of care, but if he knew...

"Call me whatever you want," he finally said. There was a beat of silence before he added, "Why the hell are you helping me?"

The wolf blinked. "Aren't you supposed to help people when they get hurt?"

Infinite's scowl deepened. What kind of answer - whatever. It's not like he was in any shape to refuse freely given help, much as it galled him to admit it.

"I'm Gadget," the wolf said, before Infinite could reply.

"That's a weird name." The response came on autopilot, not really the truth but the first thing that came to mind.

Gadget shrugged. "Probably. I picked it."

"So... it's a nickname?"

"Uh... don't think so?"

Infinite groaned and stared at the ceiling. What the actual hell. "Whatever. When should I expect the resistance to come throw me in a cell?"

There was a long silence. Infinite blinked and glanced over, finding Gadget rubbing at the back of his neck with a guarded look. "...Oi."

"They won't be," Gadget mumbled, his voice suddenly... distant, for lack of a better word. "I'm not with the resistance anymore."

There was another paused as that processed. Infinite scoffed and rolled his eyes. "What, did they kick their star rookie out after defeating the big bad?"

"No. I left before they could."

Yet another pause as Infinite failed to find words. He'd been being sarcastic, because really why should he believe this (apparently former) Resistance member had left their ranks and then just happened to end up taking care of him? It was a little too convenient. But from what little he'd seen, Gadget didn't seem like the sort to fake his emotions - he could see every thought running through the idiot's head in glorious technicolor - yet here he was, apparently on the verge of tears over... something. Something about leaving the Resistance.

Before he could pry more information out of him, Gadget perked up with a seemingly genuine smile. "Not important though. Are you still hungry? Thirsty? It's been a while since you woke up last time."

Infinite shut his questions back, accepting the offer of more food and water instead. He'd get his answers eventually; it's not like he hadn't worked to subtly get information from people before. Whatever Gadget was hiding, he'd find it.

For now, he'd work to regain his strength. The rest could wait just a little longer.

Gadget sat on the dresser, staring out the little window. The idyllic forest scene felt weird, considering that he knew they were still in Eggman's base, but it was certainly a better view than broken machinery.

Today had been the most lucid Infinite had been in the dozen or so times he'd woken so far, but he still hadn't pushed for more information. Not that Gadget was complaining. It was just... strange.

Still, the chance to sort things out a bit more was welcome. He'd barely had a chance to figure out how to respond to everything himself, much less how to bring it up with someone else.

There was a reason he'd run from the Resistance before they could find out. He didn't know how to talk about these things.

Gadget caught himself rubbing at the back of his neck again and pulled his hand away, stuffing both hands in the opposite jacket sleeves. That was becoming a habit. His first Resistance team had warned him about that kind of habit, and he didn't want to deal with breaking one.

He also didn't want to deal with leaving the Resistance at all, but... he doubted they'd react well when they learned what he was. He sure hadn't. It was easier to just... vanish, completely avoiding the consequences.

Finding Infinite had been an accident. He'd come here to find answers (to look at that lab that felt so dreadfully familiar); instead he'd found the jackal passed out in a room that he didn't want to think about too much, burns on his limbs and chest and vitals shaky. He'd jumped to help on instinct; after all, he hadn't been lying about helping people.

Well. Lying by omission, perhaps. He'd heard about that sort of lying. Because yes, he'd saved Infinite because he was once told that helping people was the right thing to do. But he also did it because if anyone could relate to him, could make him feel a little less alone, it might be Infinite.

After all. Even if Gadget was just a prototype, they'd been made for the same purpose.

[hgfstreamchats]

Hazbin Hotel

thenightetc 10:05 PM Hello!

starlightseller 10:05 PM hello!

thenightetc 10:05 PM Video and audio seem to be working

highglossfinish 10:06 PM Wonderful!

highglossfinish 10:06 PM Here's hoping it holds out.

thenightetc 10:08 PM This took a turn

highglossfinish 10:08 PM It did, it really did.

thenightetc 10:08 PM ANYWAY

highglossfinish 10:08 PM I like this child.

starlightseller 10:09 PM Same

thenightetc 10:10 PM Uh oh Zephra85 joined the party.

highglossfinish 10:10 PM Zephra human!

Zephra85 10:10 PM Hi guys!!

Zephra85 10:11 PM I'm not sure how long I can stay but I saw the text 'hazbin hotel' and came running

highglossfinish 10:12 PM We'll start it up just as soon as this is finished!

Zephra85 10:12 PM eeeeeeee

thenightetc 10:13 PM Ewwwww

Zephra85 10:13 PM what the actual f***

Zephra85 10:15 PM this child is clearly a sociopath

thenightetc 10:15 PM I think this puppet is confused about what show he's in

highglossfinish 10:15 PM I like how you can tell this one is early because the later ones clearly dialed up the puppet's obnoxiousness.

Zephra85 10:15 PM NO

Zephra85 10:15 PM I DON'T LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING AT ALL

Zephra85 10:15 PM okay that wasn't as bad as I thought

thenightetc 10:16 PM same

thenightetc 10:16 PM Uh oh, Knock Out, you're about to be roasted!

highglossfinish 10:16 PM I'll take my licks!

Zephra85 10:16 PM I don't think that child's been to medical school

Zephra85 10:18 PM EEEEEEEE

Zephra85 10:18 PM HERE WE GO

thenightetc 10:18 PM *settles in*

highglossfinish 10:18 PM Indeed!

Zephra85 10:19 PM is the video really laggy for anyone else?

thenightetc 10:19 PM A bit, yeah

highglossfinish 10:19 PM Any better?

Zephra85 10:19 PM okay that seems better

thenightetc 10:19 PM I think so, yeah

Zephra85 10:22 PM there are some seriously gorgeous character designs and colours in this

thenightetc 10:22 PM Right?

starlightseller 10:22 PM my favorites are the lil eggs

highglossfinish 10:22 PM The animation flows like water.

Zephra85 10:22 PM My fave is extremely predictable

highglossfinish 10:23 PM "Music band." Thebes joined the party. FeralDog joined the party.

Thebes 10:23 PM Hello!

Zephra85 10:24 PM yo

highglossfinish 10:24 PM Hello!

thenightetc 10:24 PM Hey!

Zephra85 10:24 PM bLAH it's super laggy again ><

thenightetc 10:25 PM It isn't being laggy for me--I don't think it's the source

Zephra85 10:25 PM okay seems okay now

thenightetc 10:27 PM awwwww

thenightetc 10:28 PM VERY deep

thenightetc 10:28 PM UH OH

Zephra85 10:28 PM Vaggie saw THAT coming

Thebes 10:28 PM MUSICAL SEQUENCE TIME

Zephra85 10:28 PM YISS MUSICAL SEGMENT

highglossfinish 10:29 PM Heaven's committing yearly genocide against them, I think they're better off where they are.

Zephra85 10:30 PM LOL

thenightetc 10:30 PM awwww

highglossfinish 10:31 PM "Well, Okay!"

Zephra85 10:31 PM YOU TELL HER CHARLIE

highglossfinish 10:32 PM Take her pen! Take all her pens!

starlightseller 10:32 PM angie

Zephra85 10:32 PM HE WAS

Zephra85 10:32 PM HE WAS ABSOLUTELY READY TO ADOPT HIM RIGHT THERE AND THEN

Zephra85 10:32 PM THAT STILL KILLS ME

starlightseller 10:33 PM that made me CACKLE the first time I saw it ajfjejc

thenightetc 10:33 PM MORE ARMS

Zephra85 10:33 PM KICK HER ASS CHARLIE

thenightetc 10:35 PM WOW

Zephra85 10:35 PM sald;fjd

Thebes 10:36 PM 'show me your feet' well that letter got right to the point

highglossfinish 10:36 PM How polite of it, not to waste anyone's time.

Zephra85 10:36 PM right?

highglossfinish 10:36 PM Popsies.

Zephra85 10:37 PM aw yis signs of a conscience

Zephra85 10:37 PM foreshadowing that Angel IS potentially redeemable

thenightetc 10:37 PM awwwww

Zephra85 10:37 PM I heart it

Zephra85 10:37 PM awww poor charlie

Zephra85 10:37 PM HERE HE COMES

highglossfinish 10:38 PM There he is!

Zephra85 10:38 PM MY (predictable) FAVE

Zephra85 10:38 PM THERE HE IS

Zephra85 10:38 PM Ooh same hat??

thenightetc 10:39 PM o_o

highglossfinish 10:39 PM Same hat indeed!

Thebes 10:39 PM Welp, we have an eldritch abomination

Zephra85 10:39 PM I love him

Zephra85 10:39 PM YAY

thenightetc 10:40 PM personal space

thenightetc 10:42 PM I kinda ship it

Thebes 10:42 PM same

Zephra85 10:43 PM Vaggie and Charlie are heart eyes

Thebes 10:43 PM ... WELP, TIME TO GO FAUSTIAN

highglossfinish 10:43 PM Faustian deal averted.

thenightetc 10:43 PM *shudder*

Zephra85 10:44 PM Charlie may be naiive but at least she's genre savvy

starlightseller 10:44 PM Ha! no

Zephra85 10:44 PM 'HAH. No.'

Zephra85 10:44 PM Kills me

starlightseller 10:44 PM that’s my favorite line in the entire pilot

Zephra85 10:45 PM This one's my other fave

Thebes 10:45 PM This background music is disconcertingly Sorcerors' Apprentice-like

Zephra85 10:45 PM He's a miserable grouchy furry and he's great

Zephra85 10:45 PM 'MAYBE'

Zephra85 10:45 PM SAL;FJSDOFL

Zephra85 10:46 PM a;sldfj Angel's a riot

highglossfinish 10:46 PM I adore Angel.

thenightetc 10:46 PM Yes.

Zephra85 10:46 PM He's a delight fo-sho

Zephra85 10:46 PM YES HERE WE GO

Zephra85 10:46 PM JAZZY MUSICAL

Zephra85 10:47 PM 30'S FASHION FOR EVERYBODY Mysterygirl17 joined the party.

thenightetc 10:48 PM Well then

starlightseller 10:48 PM Efficient

Thebes 10:48 PM not terrifying whatsoever

Zephra85 10:49 PM Ooh I haven't seen this one yet!!!!

starlightseller 10:49 PM i just watched it last night!!!

Zephra85 10:50 PM ugh I'll have to watch the video later the lag is too bad on my end

highglossfinish 10:50 PM Is it lagging for anyone else?

Zephra85 10:50 PM Rad af song tho

thenightetc 10:50 PM it IS ThatOneDude101 joined the party.

Zephra85 10:53 PM d'awwwww

thenightetc 10:54 PM awwww

Zephra85 10:54 PM asf;ljsdlkjdfka

thenightetc 10:55 PM pfffff

Zephra85 10:55 PM sal;jfsdf that 180 head turn

Zephra85 10:56 PM I'm not hating the cajun accent at all

highglossfinish 10:56 PM It's very acceptable. sharkley123 joined the party.

thenightetc 10:56 PM uh oh

Zephra85 10:56 PM oh god

Zephra85 10:57 PM 'technicolour river in between' is fantastic

highglossfinish 10:57 PM Isn't it?

Zephra85 10:58 PM this absolutely sounds like a porno written by an ace person

highglossfinish 10:58 PM It's glorious.

sharkley123 10:58 PM What actually is this?

FeralDog 10:59 PM bored technicolor demons

Thebes 10:59 PM what happens when the animator takes the goofy reels from her voice actors and turns them into madness

sharkley123 11:00 PM I can't hear it sadly (p sure i both know why and cannot hear it) so all im getting is alastor emoting at spider-dude-whos-name-is-on-the-tip-of-my-tongue

Zephra85 11:00 PM I FULLY LOST MY SH*T AT 'PUNCHING A WARM CANTELOPE'

Zephra85 11:01 PM i can't handle this

Zephra85 11:01 PM i'm losing my mind laughing

Zephra85 11:02 PM I f*cking love Alistair

sharkley123 11:02 PM even just the video has me cracking up

starlightseller 11:02 PM i lierally almost crying this is amazing ajfjejc

starlightseller 11:03 PM but unfortunately I have to go! im super glad I was able to make it tonight!! yall are amazing!

starlightseller 11:03 PM goodnight guys!

thenightetc 11:04 PM Goodnight!

Zephra85 11:04 PM goodnight!!

Thebes 11:04 PM goodnight!

highglossfinish 11:05 PM Good night!

Zephra85 11:06 PM I CAN'T

Zephra85 11:06 PM I FUCKING CAN'T

thenightetc 11:06 PM f

Zephra85 11:06 PM that was beautiful

thenightetc 11:07 PM his voice is VERY familiar

Thebes 11:08 PM Was the voice direction for him just "Imitate Invader Zim as hard as possible"?!

highglossfinish 11:08 PM Zim, but medicated.

Zephra85 11:09 PM al;fsjsksjdla i'm dying

thenightetc 11:10 PM *applauds*

Thebes 11:11 PM "... you what?"

Zephra85 11:11 PM LMFAO

thenightetc 11:12 PM He looks like an owl

highglossfinish 11:12 PM .......

highglossfinish 11:13 PM This is why you never allow an owl into your life.

Zephra85 11:13 PM I'M WHEEZING

Zephra85 11:14 PM d'aww they're cute

thenightetc 11:16 PM HA

Zephra85 11:16 PM AF;LJSF

thenightetc 11:17 PM WOW

Zephra85 11:17 PM F*CKING HELL

Thebes 11:17 PM OH MY GOD RICHARD HORVITZ?!

Thebes 11:17 PM THAT WAS FUCKING ZIM!

Zephra85 11:17 PM Really?

Zephra85 11:17 PM Wild

Thebes 11:17 PM HOW?!

thenightetc 11:17 PM !!

Zephra85 11:18 PM sadly I gotta go, I should have started dinner ages ago

Thebes 11:18 PM seeya!

thenightetc 11:18 PM goodnight!

Zephra85 11:18 PM Thanks for the stream, Knock Out! I had a blast!

Zephra85 11:18 PM Say hi to the fam for me!

highglossfinish 11:18 PM Will do!

highglossfinish 11:19 PM It was a delight having you!

thenightetc 11:20 PM Postapocalyptic baking game

highglossfinish 11:20 PM I want to see more of the hostile looking baking utensil.

thenightetc 11:20 PM I think ti's a dough hook

highglossfinish 11:25 PM He adds so much broken glass to his food and it never gets less funny.

thenightetc 11:25 PM Amazing.

thenightetc 11:25 PM It's Art

highglossfinish 11:25 PM Egg.

thenightetc 11:29 PM I'd swear that's a sponge

Thebes 11:29 PM noooormal wtp823 joined the party.

highglossfinish 11:30 PM It certainly is food, sort of!

thenightetc 11:30 PM It has no mouth and it must scream

highglossfinish 11:30 PM Hah!

highglossfinish 11:31 PM It looks like it hurts to be him.

thenightetc 11:33 PM raise your hand if YOU'RE hungry!

highglossfinish 11:33 PM I want nothing more than to clog my fuel pump with that!

Thebes 11:36 PM A little extra heat for moral support

thenightetc 11:36 PM Ha!

highglossfinish 11:37 PM Amazing.

thenightetc 11:38 PM Uh oh!

highglossfinish 11:38 PM What a promising title!

highglossfinish 11:40 PM I'm eager to see if he can top the toilet surgery.

thenightetc 11:43 PM Oh dear SumoPontifice joined the party.

highglossfinish 11:43 PM His computer's a real trooper. Thebes joined the party.

thenightetc 11:45 PM Space-filling curve!

highglossfinish 11:48 PM Dear Unicron.

thenightetc 11:49 PM Oh god

thenightetc 11:51 PM Favorite patient.

thenightetc 11:52 PM Unlike all those other patients

highglossfinish 11:52 PM Come back, favorite patient, come back!

thenightetc 11:53 PM Well, it's a morgue NOW!

highglossfinish 11:53 PM It's all a morgue!

FeralDog 11:55 PM what game is this again?

highglossfinish 11:55 PM Project Hospital.

thenightetc 11:56 PM The floor getting dirty in the very specific paths everyone takes

highglossfinish 11:56 PM Everything's filthy and I'm cackling.

thenightetc 11:56 PM Ratchet, no!

highglossfinish 11:56 PM HAH!

FeralDog 11:56 PM omg

highglossfinish 11:57 PM Incredible.

Thebes 11:57 PM glorious

FeralDog 11:57 PM an example for all

highglossfinish 11:57 PM And that's all I've got, unless anyone has anything specific they'd like to close on.

thenightetc 11:57 PM Some kind of example, anyway

Thebes 11:58 PM ... anyone want some Zefrank?

thenightetc 11:58 PM Oh, I know!

thenightetc 11:58 PM Actually Zefrank sounds fun

thenightetc 11:59 PM I like the sound of "human test for people who work in --" yeah, that one

thenightetc 12:00 AM ...well

highglossfinish 12:02 AM You all live like this?

FeralDog 12:02 AM no thank god i have never been an office employee

thenightetc 12:03 AM Did you pause that just now

highglossfinish 12:03 AM I didn't. Thebes joined the party.

thenightetc 12:04 AM Is it paused for anyone else, or did it just freeze for me at the most appropriate possible time?

FeralDog 12:04 AM I'm froze too

highglossfinish 12:05 AM Is it still frozen?

thenightetc 12:05 AM There we go!

thenightetc 12:05 AM "Did you ever feel the simple joy of stopping--"  *video stops*

highglossfinish 12:06 AM How profound.

FeralDog 12:06 AM mine just has that little fox telling ne to wait

highglossfinish 12:06 AM Just once, kast. Just once.

highglossfinish 12:07 AM Well, this is depressing.

highglossfinish 12:07 AM And that's all I've got!

FeralDog 12:08 AM i'll have to but out anyway, got to feed dogs and put chickens in coops xD

highglossfinish 12:09 AM Perfect timing, then!

thenightetc 12:09 AM ...If you're open to watching another short thing...

highglossfinish 12:09 AM I am!

thenightetc 12:09 AM How about a little bit of Taskmaster?

thenightetc 12:09 AM (it's on youtube)

thenightetc 12:09 AM I've only seen a few but they've all been fun

thenightetc 12:13 AM HA

thenightetc 12:13 AM I could not eat all that

thenightetc 12:13 AM That is dreadful Thebes joined the party.

thenightetc 12:16 AM So absolutely none of them tried to make something good-tasting

highglossfinish 12:18 AM This is something.

thenightetc 12:19 AM His face

highglossfinish 12:20 AM Oh my.

thenightetc 12:20 AM And now for part 2.

highglossfinish 12:21 AM UGH!

thenightetc 12:21 AM :(

thenightetc 12:21 AM He could have just untied the bread and eaten it

highglossfinish 12:23 AM Well, then!

thenightetc 12:23 AM Well well well.

highglossfinish 12:24 AM Thank you for introducing me to that, it's filled some kind of gap in my life.

highglossfinish 12:24 AM I don't know what, but it's now full.

thenightetc 12:25 AM You're welcome!  Even if I feel that maybe the beard thing calls my taste into question.

highglossfinish 12:25 AM That certainly did happen.

highglossfinish 12:25 AM And we all watched it happen.

thenightetc 12:25 AM In all fairness I hadn't seen that one ahead of time.

thenightetc 12:26 AM Well--thanks for hosting!  This was a fun time. :)\

highglossfinish 12:26 AM Thank you for coming!

highglossfinish 12:26 AM Good night -- until next time!

Thebes 12:26 AM good night!

thenightetc 12:26 AM Goodnight!