fragmentedandforgotten-blog

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

So they were officially done, correct? Hikari didn’t look like he had anything else to do to Rockman, and Rockman was more than ready to leave before some other programmer thought of a way to force the Navi to stay at SciLabs. Coming back the next day would be a risk, but he’d tackle that (or wiggle out of it) then. 

“I’m glad I could be of some small assistance. Take care, Rockman.” 

“Thank you, sir.” A Navi couldn’t exactly edge towards the exit subtly. It was either log out of a server or log on to a server, and Tomahawkman and Hikari would have to just deal with Rockman suddenly logging out of SciLab’s server and back to the part of NetCity right outside. 

He’s at least decent enough to wait for Tomahawkman to catch up instead of just taking off to parts unknown and possibly disappear for ages. It won’t be hard for Tomahawkman to pick up on the fact that Rockman is still pretty unsettled. 

Honestly, Rockman doesn’t really know what he wants yet, but somewhere ‘quiet’ might not be the best option. The Net was quiet. Netcity and the Navis in it were not. 

Oh, right. Dingo was an issue. As an OP, Dingo had far more weight in issues than his Navi, but hopefully both Tomahawkman and Hikari could convince him otherwise. Rockman at least didn’t intend to be a bother, but Tomahawk’s sour expression was a cause for concern. 

“Alright. Rockman, I’d like you to come back here tomorrow so we can run another scan. The more data we have, the better we can help you.”  Hikari seemed willing to let Rockman leave, at least, and it was that attitude that was the most comfort to Rockman. How could he say no? 

“Yes, sir.” That was enough for today, right? They could go back to MaHa Ichiban now?  

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Honestly, Rockman doesn’t really know what he wants yet, but somewhere ‘quiet’ might not be the best option. The Net was quiet. Netcity and the Navis in it were not. 

Oh, right. Dingo was an issue. As an OP, Dingo had far more weight in issues than his Navi, but hopefully both Tomahawkman and Hikari could convince him otherwise. Rockman at least didn’t intend to be a bother, but Tomahawk’s sour expression was a cause for concern. 

“Alright. Rockman, I’d like you to come back here tomorrow so we can run another scan. The more data we have, the better we can help you.”  Hikari seemed willing to let Rockman leave, at least, and it was that attitude that was the most comfort to Rockman. How could he say no? 

“Yes, sir.” That was enough for today, right? They could go back to MaHa Ichiban now?  

“I… I think.” He could tell when it started fragmenting, sure; it’s was a hard sensation to ignore. The trouble would be if he began breaking apart too quickly to make it to help. And what could SciLabs do to make it stop, anyway? 

Haa. Was that just something to make Tomahawkman feel useful, or did Hikari figure that having some sort of support would keep Rockman calmer and thus less likely to start falling apart? Either way, he’ll give Tomahawkman a truly grateful smile before turning back to Hikari. “What do I do now, sir?” 

“Hmm. Well, we need some time to figure out how best to help you. You could stay here at SciLabs for a few days, or perhaps stay with Tomahawkman if you’d feel more comfortable?” Hikari doesn’t seem to mind whichever Rockman picks.

Which means it’s a choice between a lab or staying with a friend, which is no choice at all. Forgive him if he looks slightly pleading, Tomahawkman. “Do you mind?”

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Well, what else was Ghost supposed to think? From his perspective, they had been friends, at least until Blues had been turned into a Darkloid. The fact that none of that technically applied to him was.. well, he was still getting used to the idea.

“Ah, yeah. I didn’t expect those viruses to follow me this far.” He hadn’t meant to put anyone else at risk. “Next time I’ll take care of it on my own, instead of giving you more work.” 

“If the opposite were true, do you really think prying would make the situation improve?” If you could see his eyes, he would be raising one eyebrow. He was not in a good mood, nor was he just going to become chummy with this practical stranger simply because he had Rock’s face. 

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Blues’ reply takes Ghost aback. For a moment he doesn’t understand where this coldness is coming from, and then- ah. That’s right. 

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to pry.” An attempt at a reassuring grin, though Ghost isn’t too sure how well it comes across. They are strangers, aren’t they? “You just seem- tense. I guess.” 

“That is certainly a positive.” Though it seemed like pointless information. You could tell he wasn’t either of those things just by looking at him.

“I’m fine.” There were many things happening with him that were not fine. But that was none of this navi’s business.

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

It was the only information Ghost was comfortable sharing. The rest of it was too confusing and upsetting to try and explain. 

“’Fine’?” A slight tone of disbelief will enter the other Navi’s voice.  He didn’t.. well, he apparently hadn’t known Blues directly, but he still Blues well enough to catch that brusqueness. 

“You are welcome.” He said flatly. 

After another moment’s pause, he spoke up again. “Did your investigating with Dr. Hikari go over well?”

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

“I... I think.” He could tell when it started fragmenting, sure; it’s was a hard sensation to ignore. The trouble would be if he began breaking apart too quickly to make it to help. And what could SciLabs do to make it stop, anyway? 

Haa. Was that just something to make Tomahawkman feel useful, or did Hikari figure that having some sort of support would keep Rockman calmer and thus less likely to start falling apart? Either way, he’ll give Tomahawkman a truly grateful smile before turning back to Hikari. “What do I do now, sir?” 

“Hmm. Well, we need some time to figure out how best to help you. You could stay here at SciLabs for a few days, or perhaps stay with Tomahawkman if you’d feel more comfortable?” Hikari doesn’t seem to mind whichever Rockman picks.

Which means it’s a choice between a lab or staying with a friend, which is no choice at all. Forgive him if he looks slightly pleading, Tomahawkman. “Do you mind?”

It seems that Hikari and Tomahawk are thinking along the same lines. “The problem is that his construction is unstable. Navis are built with pretty specific programs, and Rockman especially has a few extra features. If he was generated spontaneously, there’s no telling what long term effects there might be. It’s remarkable that you’re even a functioning Navi.” 

Oh. That was.. actually more than Rockman could take in. Not only was he apparently not actually Rockman, but he was only barely a Navi? Tomahawk had suggested the theory but to hear it confirmed by Hikari was- Well. Neither of them would begrudge Rockman if he decided to take a seat, right? 

Begrudge, no, though the action may alarm the professor slightly. He certainly seems quick to reassure the mostly-Navi and Tomahawkman. “Ah- I don’t think you have any reason to worry at the moment, though. Your construction may be unstable, but it shows no signs of coming apart before we can do anything to assist.” 

Tomahawkman’s question will get a small nod. “We may be able to at least partially recreate some of the missing data. I think right now the most helpful you can be is providing Rockman with a friend.” 

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Oh. That thing. The Ghost will shrug, trying to seem nonchalant while internally he’s trying not to panic all over again. “Well... he confirmed that I’m not a Darkloid or a Virus, so I’m free to roam around the Net. He’s... going to work on that whole missing data thing.”

“How are you?” There we go. Maybe he can make things less awkward like this? 

Blues saw the blue navi struggling with some viruses, and rushed to his aid. The moment he got close enough, he could tell it was not Rockman– he would never have had any trouble with things like these. 

His sword made quick work of the viruses, and when the area was cleared, he turned to Ghost, silent. 

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Maybe his brain has a few holes in it too, because it takes him a few moments too long to piece together what Dark might be offering. When he does figure it out, his first instinct is to suspect some form of trickery. It’s a good thing that Dark is looking elsewhere or he might have caught Ghost’s expression. 

But he really can’t be too picky with help right now, not if he wanted to survive. And Dark had been trustworthy so far, right? “..do you have any ideas on how I can fix it?” 

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

It seems that Hikari and Tomahawk are thinking along the same lines. “The problem is that his construction is unstable. Navis are built with pretty specific programs, and Rockman especially has a few extra features. If he was generated spontaneously, there’s no telling what long term effects there might be. It’s remarkable that you’re even a functioning Navi.” 

Oh. That was.. actually more than Rockman could take in. Not only was he apparently not actually Rockman, but he was only barely a Navi? Tomahawk had suggested the theory but to hear it confirmed by Hikari was- Well. Neither of them would begrudge Rockman if he decided to take a seat, right? 

Begrudge, no, though the action may alarm the professor slightly. He certainly seems quick to reassure the mostly-Navi and Tomahawkman. “Ah- I don’t think you have any reason to worry at the moment, though. Your construction may be unstable, but it shows no signs of coming apart before we can do anything to assist.” 

Tomahawkman’s question will get a small nod. “We may be able to at least partially recreate some of the missing data. I think right now the most helpful you can be is providing Rockman with a friend.” 

Tomahawkman will get a rather relived smile when he joins Rockman in the first computer. There was a lot about this situation that was unsettling, and it was a basic comfort to find reassurance in numbers. The exclamation will even get a small chuckle out of him. “I told you that I wasn’t.” 

“However… I’m afraid I don’t quite know what to make of the rest of this data.” Hikari sighed, plopping down into a chair. “..Tomahawkman, you were the one that brought up how Darkloids are made. Well.. that theory is looking more likely than I first assumed.”

“What?” That. Didn’t make any sense. Rockman wasn’t a Darkloid, and he had no Dark Aura. And Hikari had just said he wasn’t any kind of threat. “I.. I don’t understand.” 

“Rockman, you’re missing data. A lot of data. It’s clear you have enough to function, but honestly I’m stumped on how you even are. Er, if that makes sense.” 

“..oh.” Smaller oh. Rockman knew he was missing data, of course, but… a helpless look at Tomahawkman. Bro you gotta back him up or something.

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Your muse sees mine having a nightmare. Send me ‘❗’ to hear something my muse mutters in their sleep.

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Reblog if your muse is under 6′0″

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Tomahawkman will get a rather relived smile when he joins Rockman in the first computer. There was a lot about this situation that was unsettling, and it was a basic comfort to find reassurance in numbers. The exclamation will even get a small chuckle out of him. “I told you that I wasn’t.” 

“However... I’m afraid I don’t quite know what to make of the rest of this data.” Hikari sighed, plopping down into a chair. “..Tomahawkman, you were the one that brought up how Darkloids are made. Well.. that theory is looking more likely than I first assumed.”

“What?” That. Didn’t make any sense. Rockman wasn’t a Darkloid, and he had no Dark Aura. And Hikari had just said he wasn’t any kind of threat. “I.. I don’t understand.” 

“Rockman, you’re missing data. A lot of data. It’s clear you have enough to function, but honestly I’m stumped on how you even are. Er, if that makes sense.” 

“..oh.” Smaller oh. Rockman knew he was missing data, of course, but... a helpless look at Tomahawkman. Bro you gotta back him up or something.

Watch out, Tomahawkman. Give Rockman enough time and he could probably move from assistant to managing the store’s digital components. Or the best digital delivery boy they had. He’d be the best at something. 

Tomahawkman will get the smallest of waves when he departs, leaving Rockman all by himself in the computer. It would be so, so easy for Hikari or one of his assistants to delete him now, when there was no risk of Tomahawkman getting caught in the middle- no. No, he wasn’t going to think like that. 

Tomahawk wasn’t worried, so Rockman wouldn’t be. 

And, it turns out, not worrying is exactly the thing to do right now. Sure there are a battery of tests to perform, and Hikari could delete him, but at the end of an hour Rockman is still more or less in one piece. 

“You can return to this computer, Tomahawkman.” Hikari had already moved onto yet a third computer, this one displaying all of the data collected from Rockman. Judging by the professor’s focused expression, things were not as straight forward as hoped. 

“Well. The good news is that you don’t seem to be a threat. While you have some foreign data, Rockman, there’s nothing that should cause the NetPolice any alarm.” 

“Oh.” Well okay cool. That was one worry down, but it looked like Hikari had more to say. 

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Watch out, Tomahawkman. Give Rockman enough time and he could probably move from assistant to managing the store’s digital components. Or the best digital delivery boy they had. He’d be the best at something. 

Tomahawkman will get the smallest of waves when he departs, leaving Rockman all by himself in the computer. It would be so, so easy for Hikari or one of his assistants to delete him now, when there was no risk of Tomahawkman getting caught in the middle- no. No, he wasn’t going to think like that. 

Tomahawk wasn’t worried, so Rockman wouldn’t be. 

And, it turns out, not worrying is exactly the thing to do right now. Sure there are a battery of tests to perform, and Hikari could delete him, but at the end of an hour Rockman is still more or less in one piece. 

“You can return to this computer, Tomahawkman.” Hikari had already moved onto yet a third computer, this one displaying all of the data collected from Rockman. Judging by the professor’s focused expression, things were not as straight forward as hoped. 

“Well. The good news is that you don’t seem to be a threat. While you have some foreign data, Rockman, there’s nothing that should cause the NetPolice any alarm.” 

“Oh.” Well okay cool. That was one worry down, but it looked like Hikari had more to say. 

Hikari probably wasn’t all that bothered by Tomahawkman’s rudeness. After all, Netto wasn’t exactly a shining example of good manners, though his Navi attempted to make up the difference. 

And maybe Rockman should just.. let Tomahawkman do the lack of worrying for him. Tomahawk didn’t have any gaps in his memory (that Rockman was aware of- then again he’d never met the Navi until today), so if Tomahawkman wasn’t worried, then maybe it meant that Rockman could relax as well? 

“..I’d like that.” He’d like to be useful, no matter what happened. Navis weren’t really designed to sit around any do nothing, and even if they were, it wasn’t in Rockman’s personality. Maybe he could set himself up as some sort of Net King if left long enough? The mention of ‘tests’ had his expression scrunching up a little. There would be no use in asking Tomahawkman what sort of tests might be waiting for him. 

“Oh good, you’re both here.” Hikari, at least, looks pleased to see the two as they make it to one of the inner computers. “Tomahawkman, could you please transfer to this computer? We don’t want you accidentally getting caught in any of the tests.” And then, to Rockman (because he looked like he was considering bolting again)- “Don’t worry. Nothing here is going to hurt you.

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

At first Ghost is rather grateful for the assistance. He hadn’t meant to lead so many viruses here, just a vague hope that moving to a more populated area would discourage them. When that hadn’t worked, he’d been forced into a corner. 

So he was alive, but now he was alone with Blues. So have a rather uneasy smile from a slightly glitching Ghost, Blues. “Ah- thank you. I was in trouble there for a minute.” 

Neither Enzan nor Blues probably expected to see the Ghost back near IPC’s digital space after he was escorted away by Rockman. SciLabs wasn’t likely to just let a copy of Rockman wander around free.

However, that might be exactly what had happened. Certainly the Ghost was back on the datanet and dealing with some viruses. He’d probably appreciate some help. 

@chaudandfriends

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Ghost’s first thought was on how that was rather rude of Reaper to without that information. His second thought was on how absurd the first one was, considering the company he was in. It was probably a good thing that Reaper’s OP wanted to keep that information hidden, since if nothing else if gave Dark something to focus on. Maybe it was to keep Dark dependent on Reaper? 

Mouth open, Ghost was about to ask something that might possibly have gotten him abandoned for being too prying when Dark’s own comment interrupts him. Immediately the copy is on the defensive, expression almost embarrassed. 

“I’m managing. I haven’t gotten deleted yet.” Yet was the important part of that sentence. There was a good reason he was trying to get out of the Undernet. “I don’t know how to fix it, anyway.” 

“Nah. It’d be kind of pointless, right?” Dark wouldn’t listen, and Ghost really didn’t care enough to offer sincere advice to a Darkloid. If Dark wanted to wander around by himself or put together a club of similarly sinister individuals or whatever, he could go right ahead.

On the one hand, Dark had proven three times now that he had no interest in harming Ghost, and that sort of precedent made it more likely that Ghost would consider him closer to the ‘ally’ side of thing. On the other, Dark was still dangerous, unpredictable, and could just as easily be leading Ghost deeper into the Undernet as leading him out. 

“So you don’t know where you’re from either?” More or less, anyway. And Dark at least knew who he was. But.. “How are you sure it was a person that revived you?” 

@rockman-ds

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

It’s an indication of how little awareness Ghost has now that he doesn’t even realize there are viruses nearby until Dark begins shooting them. They’re far enough away that his hesitation doesn’t end with his deletion, but he’s a lot slower in getting himself armed. In fact, he really only manages to pick off a pitiful one or two of the virus’ before his Darkloid counterpart has finished them off. 

“What?” Sorry, he was a little distracted. This takes more concentration than it used to, and his ‘breathing’ is a little hard. Could Navi’s get out of shape? 

“Couldn’t your ally- Reaper? Help you access those files? Or get you to someone that could? If he knows you were taken off a computer, maybe he knows who did it.” 

It’s weird to think that Dark might have even less clues about where he came from that Ghost does. 

“Nah. It’d be kind of pointless, right?” Dark wouldn’t listen, and Ghost really didn’t care enough to offer sincere advice to a Darkloid. If Dark wanted to wander around by himself or put together a club of similarly sinister individuals or whatever, he could go right ahead.

On the one hand, Dark had proven three times now that he had no interest in harming Ghost, and that sort of precedent made it more likely that Ghost would consider him closer to the ‘ally’ side of thing. On the other, Dark was still dangerous, unpredictable, and could just as easily be leading Ghost deeper into the Undernet as leading him out. 

“So you don’t know where you’re from either?” More or less, anyway. And Dark at least knew who he was. But.. “How are you sure it was a person that revived you?” 

@rockman-ds

[fragmentedandforgotten-blog]

Neither Enzan nor Blues probably expected to see the Ghost back near IPC’s digital space after he was escorted away by Rockman. SciLabs wasn’t likely to just let a copy of Rockman wander around free.

However, that might be exactly what had happened. Certainly the Ghost was back on the datanet and dealing with some viruses. He’d probably appreciate some help. 

@chaudandfriends