koboticist

[koboticist]

I hope your day is wonderful today. You're a really fantastic person!

Oh my gosh?? Nice anons??? I feel so special ;u;

[koboticist]

"That can be an issue."

Yuichi looked at the machine which dispensed items and furrowed his brow.  He certainly could agree with Shizuka's sentiments.  But, seeing her agitation, a changed look came over his face.  Was it maybe... concerned?

"But if you get something you dislike, I'll take it from you."  Yuichi gestured at the items in his arms.  "And you can take something you'd prefer, from me right now or from my room.  If that makes things a little better, perhaps."

He tried to remember if he had his cookies on him at the moment.  His arms were too encumbered for the time being to check, but he could take a look later.  Maybe if he got some items Shizuka would like, he could give them to her.  Might as well make someone happy, right?

Cookie Cutter [ Shizuka | Open ]

The poet blinked her eyes a few times as if she was adjusting their focus. She straightened her posture a bit at the sight of the orange-clad male.

Yuichi Ko-san! …how.. are you…?

It was obvious the poet relaxed in his presence. The two times they had spoken before were brief, but both were a breath of fresh air in the situation they were in. Putting her arms down at her sides, she turned to face the roboticist and to inspect the items he brought her.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the statue and the doll. The statue of the dragon made her ponder as she tried to place where she may have seen similar designs before. A thought came into her head, a memory of a situation not too long ago, which reminded her of the statues designs. She fixed her posture again as she blushed and looked of to the side. Clearing her throat after a few moments of trying to get rid of the pleasant memory from her head, she turned and looked up at Yuichi.

I… have never.. seen these.. before… 

I don’t.. think they’re… mine…

She glanced down at the doll, noting how old it looked. At least it wasn’t a creepy porcelain doll or anything. Those things always creeped her out. She looked back to the cookie machine and sighed.

My apologies… Yuichi Ko-san…

She bowed slightly and her head turned down to the floor.

I… too.. have.. cookies… I would like to.. use.. however…

She pressed her lips, her eyes glaring at the machine… in fear?

I… I’m just… a bit nervous…

I… never seem to.. get… items.. that I.. like..

She sighed again, looking up at the taller boy. There was a moment of awkward silence, but it seemed that the poet was finished speaking. Her eyes continued to show apology in being unable to help him, and embarrassment in being too afraid to use the machine. The cookies remained in her shaking hands.

[koboticist]

Yuichi stalked out of his room a while later, two odd items in hand.  He didn't want to look at them, he didn't want them taking up space in his room anymore.  So he decided that he could at least make better use of his time by hopefully giving them to someone who would like them.  Or at least, care about them more than Yuichi and his desire to throw them on the ground.

He was still quietly seething, but at least he didn't quite look it anymore.  In one arm was cradled an antique doll, with fine features and obviously excellent craftsmanship.  In his other arm was a dragon statue, with cheap and cheesy coloration but also quite excellent craftsmanship.  And, lucky for him, he had been able to replace his glasses with proper ones. He would have to thank Shizuka for that.

And speaking of, where was she?

The roboticist wandered around until he came to the items area, where he saw the poet who had assisted him.  Apparently, she was trying to receive items from the machine herself.  "Atoshi-san," he called.  "Do either of these belong to you?"

As he approached the poet's side, he held out the two items for her to see better.

Cookie Cutter [ Shizuka | Open ]

After speaking with a new student once more, Shizuka decided to go off on her own again. It wasn’t a strange feeling any more, walking around knowing that at any moment you could die at the hand of one of your class mates. Part of her wishes it would happen to her. but the other part of her told her that She had to remain strong. She had to. For Tsubaki, for Logan… for Ryou. For herself.

Gripping the strap of her bag tightly, Shizuka made her way to the cookie machine. They all received two cookies once they entered this place… wherever this place was.

Shizuka gulped quietly, remembering what items she got last time. Her hands shook as she stopped directly in front of the machine and began to dig into her bag for the cookies. In her head, she was only praying that she wouldn’t receive another item that… reminded her of… her.

The poet took out the two cookies and held them out in her hands. She stared at them, slightly terrified to actually put the cookies in the machine. What if she did get another item that…

No, there was no way that she could get another one of her items. 

In the flurry of thoughts rushing through her head, Shizuka continued to stare at the cookies, not noticing that another student had entered the room. Whether it was to redeem items as well, or simply watch the poet retrieve hers, Shizuka wasn’t aware that they were even here. She heard their footsteps after a few moments, making her jump slightly and turn to see who it was.

[koboticist]

"Oh, you found some!  Thank you."

Yuichi felt into his hand with the broken glasses, attempting to get a feel for the damage.  "Do you think I could call upon you to tape them up for me?" he asked.  "I believe that... a strip of tape through the middle and one on the edge with the bent arm is all that's required."

Of course, he couldn't know.  He would have had to stick his nose directly in the hand holding the shambles to tell for certain.

"Oh, but.  Do forgive me for imposing.  I'll pay you back, I swear on my honor."

Mister Roboto [ Shizuka | Yuichi ]

Shizuka’s eyes still displayed a childlike curiosity as she watched the taller boy switch the placement of broken glass into his other hand. Her eyes looked up then, and realized that his hand was looking for her blindly. She froze, awaiting for the contact of his hand. The poet flinched noticeably when he touched her shoulder, even if it was only gentle. 

Her discomfort continued when Yuichi squinted at her, possibly trying to see her facial features. She looked away momentarily, but his voice brought her back.

I… I believe this.. is the… medical room…

At his request of tape, Shizuka turned slightly to the cabinets. She realized that he probably was waiting for her to check anyway, so she left without asking. Walking over to one of the cabinets, Shizuka stood on her tippy toes and peered in. She found a roll of tape behind some other medical-care things. Taking it, she walked back to the roboticist, standing right in front of him again, attempting to find the end of the roll. 

I… found some..

How… do we fix.. your.. glasses… Yui..chi Ko-san…?

The poet looked up at the other’s blue eyes.

[koboticist]

"Atoshi-san!"  Yuichi was surprised it was her.  After all that she had been through, it was a pleasant observation that she would still speak to others.  He tipped glass shards out of one hand and into the other, then reached out to try and touch her.  His hand ended up brushing her shoulder.

"Yes, I broke my glasses.  It was... pretty stupid of me to do."  Yuichi couldn't remember how tall she was, but he looked down and squinted really hard to try and make out her face.  Perhaps some face-like features were coming into view?  But he couldn't be sure.  God was he blind.

"What room am I in?  Did I wander into a personal room of some sort?" the roboticist inquired.  "And... have you seen any tape around here?  I would assume--well, I'd at least hope--that you can see better than I can."

If she couldn't, Ko was a little bit screwed.  Maybe he could hold one broken lens to his eye?  But that was awfully inconvenient.

Mister Roboto [ Shizuka | Yuichi ]

The poet was taken aback by his strange behaviour. She titled her head to the side like a curious child, her eyes wide as she blinked at the dark haired-boy.

Y… Yuichi Ko-san…?

Her eyes shifted to the side for a moment, wondering if it really was her he was talking to. Threading her fingers together, palms pressed, the poet took a hesitant step forward, as if she was approaching a wounded animal.

I… are you… alright…? Do you… need… any… help…?

She finally walked up until she was standing just a bit away from him, awaiting an answer. As she looked up at the taller boy, she squinted, and realizing he mirrored her action. Confused, she looked down in thought, and saw a reflective surface shine back at her. Her eyebrows raised slightly as she seemed to understand what the problem was.

Yuichi Ko-san… Your… glasses..! Are.. they broken…?

Shizuka. obviously they are…

[koboticist]

The one who had opened the door was Yuichi Ko, the resident roboticist.  Except... something was missing from his attire.

Yuichi couldn't have even funny known that he was wandering into the medical room, because he wasn't wearing his glasses.  The item was cradled in his hands, the frame broken apart.  One of the lenses had fallen out when he stepped on them accidentally and caused the frame damage--and to make things just a little harder on him, he hadn't found out where his room was before all of this to grab a spare pair.  The normally-dignified roboticist was left wandering the halls essentially at random.

He squinted when he entered the medical room.  There was... a blob of white stacked on a blob of brown that had moved upon entrance.  But no matter how wide or narrow he made his eyes, he couldn't bring the features of Shizuka into focus.  So, he would miss her glance--but address her regardless.

"Hello?"  He said.  "Is someone here?"  Yuichi didn't like not being able to see--the last motive had played on his vision as well--and he felt vulnerable lacking his glasses.  "I can't see," he said after a minute, fearing that 'white-brown-blob' was a person, a person confused by how he was addressing them.

If this room was empty, he would feel like a great idiot.

Mister Roboto [ Shizuka | Yuichi ]

The poet walked over to the medical room without a word. She was tired, however she knew it would be long before she’d be able too fall asleep. Besides, everyone else was still awake, so why wouldn’t she be? She opened the door quietly and walked inside once she got there.

It was… sort of similar to the hospital room they had back in their chocolate prison… However Shizuka wasn’t here to look for similarities. She was here to see if there was any way to… get blood off of a locket. Maybe there was some sort of cleaner here…? Shizuka didn’t know. She wouldn’t know. She stood in the middle of the room, looking around, her eyes blinking slowly and heavily. She turned when she heard the door open. There, was a student that he only talked to once before. From what she remembered, he was very respectful, which already calmed her slightly. She gave him a welcoming glance, wondering if he’d come talk to her or not.

[koboticist]

you’ve got time // regina spektor

remember all their faces remember all their voices everything is different the second time around

[koboticist]

Yuichi nodded.

"That... sounds like her."  He bit his lip, considering the story he had just been told.  This Hikari was no longer--and probably had never really been--just another creation for him to utilize.  He had loved her so well, maybe he had given her a little humanity as well.

He shook his head softly to pull himself out of his thoughts.  "I am glad that the program isn't... totally lost..."  Yuichi confirmed after a while.  "She'll always be doing good now."

Another thoughtful pause, but a shorter one now.  "So, the one who assisted her.  Did they get punished for it?"  He was certain that they would have, but he couldn't be certain.  Crazy things happened and were taken at face value, this wouldn't really be any different.

{ Updated } {Yuichi Ko, Reaction and Open }

Lucas crossed his arms and tilted his head, trying to think of a good way to tell Yuichi about the previous events.

"She wanted to be a hero, but, like all heroes do, they gotta pay a price. We had this intense motive that was more like an ultimatum…either we kill, or get killed by poison.  Bein’ just a robot, she decided to get killed by the hands of someone that also wanted to save everyone….since she couldn’t really kill herself…."

Was that a good enough explanation? Hopefully it was. Lucas glanced at the computer and smiled.

"Well, at least shes right there now. Safe and sound…"

[koboticist]

Yuichi couldn't help but crack a smile at this.  He glanced over at the computer, then back to Lucas.  He seemed to think for a moment before speaking again.

"Let's hope I do.  Your phrasing leaves a little to the imagination, but I know what you mean."

A pause.

"Would you be willing to tell me how it happened...?" The roboticist ventured hesitantly.

{ Updated } {Yuichi Ko, Reaction and Open }

Lucas drooped his hand to his sides after shaking Yuichis. He stood there stiffly as he offered help, not bothering to say anything snarky or witty as he has been doing with the other kids (and by other kids I mean Ryuu). Man, this was really awkward…

"Ah think you have done…already quite a lot for all of us. And when we get outta here, Ah really should thank you personally. If you catch my drift."

Did that sound like flirting? It sounded like flirting. God damn it, Lucas.

[koboticist]

Yuichi looked up at Lucas.  A soft sigh emerged from his lips, but he shook Lucas' hand firmly.  He tried not to let his blue eyes betray him, but Lucas had probably already seen him looking longingly on at the computer the class had been 'gifted.'

"Pleased to meet you as well," Yuichi said.  He gave a small salute to Lucas in return, then pushed up his glasses.  "There's no need to apologize.  Everyone is doing their best, that's for certain."

He cast his gaze around, looking to see who was near, before he continued.  "If only there were more I could do right now.  You tell me if there's anything I can do, alright?"

{ Updated } {Yuichi Ko, Reaction and Open }

When the classes merged, it seemed to Yuichi that everything was frozen in time.

The computer, the message… a dead student behind the screen.  For the first time, the roboticist looked shaken.  So many had died, and while the message of Hikari should have consoled him… it didn’t.  It made him sad.  The beautiful vision that he had held close—thinking that things would end, that they weren’t so bad everywhere… Yuichi had been a bit foolish.

There were so many students, but he was alone among them.

Yuichi looked around as students dispersed into this new location.  Where was he to go?  Was there a place for him?

He approached the computer, gazing at it longingly but not daring to touch it.  For once, Yuichi looked… sad.

[koboticist]

So we were doing Mad-Libs I made in the chat and:

"Welcome to Candy Despair!  You're in Class Stairs.  Look, your roommate is a psychotic!  Your teacher is Vera, SHSL Hella.  Whoops, looks like someone tripped!  It's time to have a smoothie.  The trial room smells like headphones and Akemi is already showering.  Good job, students!  You found the culprit!  It was SHSL Wild Shizuka, and they used a chair.  Their punishment is being made into an egg."

[koboticist]

"It could be..."  Yuichi hesitated on this thought for a long while.  "It's... hard to test out a virtual reality, though.  There are ways to, I would think, see if you're actually in VR or not... but it's not my complete area of expertise."

He took off his glasses and rubbed them against his sleeve.  "I might be more readily inclined to believe the bodies are fake, but... that leads to a whole host of other questions.  Chief among them... being why."  The look on his face was a bit inscrutable, but when he put his glasses back on the expression changed once again to observant and neutral.

"It's an interesting theory, all of us in VR.  I'm just... a little uncertain, perhaps.  Something to be explored, for sure."

{ Clean Program } { Starter, Yuichi Ko closed to Logan }

Logan stared at the other for a qucik moment, his purple eyes showing his confusion as he tried to explain with electronics, but moving onto the sleeper cell. “Ah, yeah.” The writer’s feet lightly brushed against the washing machine as he stared at the room around him. “But…”

Slowly running his hand through his hair, the writer leaned onto his legs. “That Pod room was the first sign in the slightest of what sorts of things are going on. The bodies we’ve been finding were perfectly preserved… Or could have been faked in some way. After all- do any of us even know how they were killed beyond Casper or something?”

The writer’s fingers drummed against the metal. “And my thoughts from the pod room still stand: Who’s to say they are the only ones in some sort of pod? For all we know, this could be a simulation as well. Would explain how the executions came about.”

Seriously who had a life sized blender outside of that american show called BIG!

[koboticist]

Yuichi glanced up from behind his spectacles for a moment.  "There may not be full signs, but... I don't know, I keep feeling as if we should be able to find something."

He fiddled with his wristwatch absently as he continued, "nothing stays invisible forever.  When you program, say, a simplistic virus... it just has to remain quiet long enough to cause damage.  Because, by the time you spot it... it's already too late."  He blinked his blue eyes at Logan and said, "does it not seem the same here?  There's a sleeper cell among us, causing damage to the network, and if we let things run their course then we face certain destruction."

We've got to seize control.

{ Clean Program } { Starter, Yuichi Ko closed to Logan }

The writer nodded softly, putting a hand to his chin and humming. “I wouldn’t be surprised honestly. Even excluding Piers-sensei and the other teacher, they don’t seem to be doing this 100% willingly. Meaning someone had to do something with them.” The writer held out a finger. “Along with that, the pod room is another indicatior, Those in the pods seem to be another group of students” The writer let out quiet hums, closing his eyes in thought. “Hm…” The writer sighed softly, thinking. “It’s a bit difficult right now. I don’t think there’s any real signs of who the mastermind- or masterminds- are…”

Logan crossed his arms and nodded once more. “They have to be to set up the murder game, and parade these bodies around like they’re a float to cause people pain.

[koboticist]

Yuichi rubbed stain remover into one of his grease-soiled shirts as he listened to Logan speak.  He had to admit... he agreed with Logan's assessment.  Though he gave a small pause at the mention of Tsubaki, he did look up to Logan now.

"From what I can tell, this sort of an environment will foster sadism," Yuichi said.  "Elementary programming... inflict pain or have it inflicted upon you.  Power and control."  Transitioning into the next topic, he continued, "really, everything in this environment is twisted and sadistic.  The person... who may be behind this.  I can't say anything for certain, but suspicions are building."

The roboticist set aside one orange shirt to take up a tie.  "Throwing accusations isn't good if you have nothing to back it, so I won't do that.  But something does make me think that..."  Yuichi hesitated.  Should he really disclose exactly what he thought?  "...whoever is doing this is likely not to be working alone."

He drew in a breath that became a sigh, and began to grind the sides of his tie together to remove the stain.

{ Clean Program } { Starter, Yuichi Ko closed to Logan }

The writer set his wash to start, leaving a few lighter colored garments on the side for his next load and moved over to the other, hopping onto one of the washing machines that have been untouched since the death of their user. “Hm, Very true. It’s much more difficult to see firsthand bloodshed, especially the gruesome executions.” the writer’s fingers tapped against the metal with a quiet chuckle. “WEll except for the latest one. That was karma well executed. Pun not intended.”

Glancing around the room, Logan let out a quiet sigh, before leaning back. “It’s odd. As more and more victims die, we grow closer. We’re lucky however. So far, outside of Tsubaki-san, a majority of the killers and victims… hadn’t really grown close to anyone. But…” Logan looked at Yuichi. “We’ve all grown close through this game. And sooner or later, people who are cared about will get executed. We’ve had three psychotic people as our murderers, so for the most part the executions were a good reprieve from their insanity.” he shook his head.

"Though… it is interesting to note." The writer started musing to himself. "It seems like a pattern has formed with the killers so far. Sadistic, sadisitc, sadistic. Then again, it must be a sadistic person must be the kind to kill so readily."

He glanced towards the roboticist, slightly leaning forward. “I have to ask: Have you had luck in the investigations, Yu-ko?”

[koboticist]

"Ah, it's all well.  Don't worry about it, Aura-san."  Yuichi remembered in slight fondness the conversation that had casually been had with Akemi long ago, but that was indeed long ago.  "I've... been a quiet person overall.  It helps me notice things."

When Logan asked for his perspective, Yuichi paused to eat a chip before he spoke.

"I have a few ideas," he admitted, "But it's all... quite intense.  These deaths are... just as hard to take in person as they were when reading about them."  Sentimentally, Yuichi added, "I mean, we lose loved one even if those bonds are formed in short periods of time."  Humans love so easily sometimes.

"But, I digress.  That sight from the pod room just doesn't sit well with me," the roboticist said, setting aside the bag of chips.  "Something is terribly wrong."  Yuichi couldn't know exactly what it was, but it made his hairs stand on end.

{ Clean Program } { Starter, Yuichi Ko closed to Logan }

Logan grinned quietly as he grabbed one of the chips, tossing it into his mouth carefully and nodding. “Yeah Aura’s the name Yu-ko. Sorry for not talking with you a lot. Would’ve been better suited if I spoke with you instead of Ueyama, but ah well. What’s done is done, and it’s all in the past.”

The writer moved to his own washing machine, putting the new outfit along with a few of his normal clothes inside. “So, if you don’t mind my asking… What’s your take on everything?” He turned to the other. “You’re more or less an observer, but you probably have the best chance of figuring things out without being blinded by your emotions.”

[koboticist]

Yuichi nodded slowly.

"No sense in executing the innocent," the roboticist said.  "Too much injustice in this world for that to happen."  He paused.  "You're... Aura, right?"  Yuichi set aside the bottle of detergent that he had found, then straightened up his stance and picked up the bag of chips.

"Would you like one?"  Yuichi offered after opening the snack.

{ Clean Program } { Starter, Yuichi Ko closed to Logan }

The writer was whistling, once more. Some nonsense tune that sounded like a mix between a lullaby from the notes that passed his lips and the speed. Swinging the cane around, he had quite a few things he needed to wash, including the new outfit he grabbed from the backstage area. it was a bit warm after all and there’s some beanies and his most recent outfits that need cleaning. Logan quickly darted into the laundry and-

Oh? He blinked, frowning gently. He had actually forgotten about this guy. Then again, he forgets about everyone every morning, heh. The writer checked his bracelet to double check which one… eh, a bit of a ways away from the other.

"Yu-ko!" Logan waved at them. "Know we haven’t talked… like ever, but… gotta say…" The writer moved his hand to his neck, glancing off to the side. "… Thanks for your help in the trial."

Executing the real evil ones.

[koboticist]

Yuichi glanced in at the pool.

"I was just curious," he said.  "It... can be pleasant.  Thought it could cheer you up if you liked it."

He pulled off his glasses, wiping the lenses off on his sleeve.

"We can check other areas if you don't know how to swim, Fukui-san.  It's..."

There was a pause in which, thoughtful as he always was, Yuichi considered his words.  He wasn't really adept at talking, and this was quite frankly the most he had talked in a long while.  But, he finally settled on the right phraseology.

"It comes down to what you would feel best about, of course."

{ Delete Program } { Execution Reaction & Closed Starter, Yuichi Ko addressed to Tsubaki Fukui }

The whole walk seemed awkward to Tsubaki, who didn’t speak up at all, at the most just conjuring up whimpers or other similar sounding noises. Still, she kept to her word and followed along, occasionally glancing around to see what the place looked like.

As soon as they walked into the pool area, Tsubaki quickly put a hand to her nose, scrunching it up. She tried to avoid eye contact with him, looking down towards the ground or at the pool itself. Once more, Yuichi surprised her by addressing her, and the question pulled her out of her own thoughts and forced her to think of a response.

"Enjoy…swimming?" Tentatively, she looked towards the water. "I’ve never…been swimming…Why?"