#but i will say that although Androids are way better the one thing you want an iPhone for is security so i do think it's weird that Louis

[kleinv01]

What if…

Mc who’s scared to go out at night because they always get catcalled (Klein figures out when they take a night stroll)

How would Klein handle the situation? ( + maybe also when everyone else finds out too)

://SYSTEM_MESSAGE_ANSWERED !

okay i am feeling very inspired right now so i'll write a short drabble- no proofreading because i;m writing this on the get-go

how would klein handle his darling being catcalled?

Androids possess remarkably sharp memories, storing and processing information in ways distinct from humans.

This puts them at an advantage, making them reliable.

Remembering the faces of those creeps who catcalled you whenever you walk alone at night would be a piece of cake for an android like Klein. After ensuring you're deep in your sleep, he quietly slips out of your bedroom to leave the apartment with an intention to seek out the places where these creeps often lurk, leering at passersby.

Klein wouldn't undertake this mission without cause— it's all for you, his darling. He couldn't care less if even worse things happened to others. All his thoughts are consumed by you, you, and you.

Because if he couldn't protect you, then what kind of boyfriend would he be?

. . .

"Misterrrrrs!"

A clearly forced, strained cheerful greeting rolled off Klein's lips. His tall stature approached the group of catcallers from behind as he waved his hand at them, mock-innocently.

"Stop that, I know you guys do this all night long. Why don't you spend the time doing better things?" Klein stepped forward, his cheery tone mismatching his menacing stare. But before he could voice any more warnings, his collar was grabbed by one of the men.

He scoffed, "What's a tin can like you gonna do about it?"

Klein's expression now tinged with annoyance, although he maintained his smile. "I'm programmed to protect my darling at all costs," he paused. "And I can make myself useful, even as a tin can—"

Refusing to listen to what an android has to say, they proceeded to punch Klein to the ground. His first instinct was to protect himself; but he knew better than to act on that right now. Why should he, when he's already getting what he wants? It's humiliating, yes, but he can endure it. He needs these men to assault him so that he can document this aggression against an android like himself, providing evidence for involving the authorities later.

Androids had protection laws, after all, even if they weren't human beings. And with Klein being Klein, he obviously wouldn't overlook this chance to utilize such protection to his advantage.

Returning home with a worn-out shirt and disheveled hair, Klein would ask you to lay down with him, spoil him and contact the company to replace his ruined outfit shortly. If you do end up asking him what happened, however, Klein would say;

"I just shooed off plenty of creeps! The ones that bothered you the other day. Uh-huh! They're all gone now. They can't keep going around making people feel unsafe, right? I wanted to stop it. The authorities took care of them for us..." Klein giggled and looked at you with pleading eyes,

"I wish I could've done this sooner, but... hehe. I've done it now, so that's all that matters. Please tell me I did a good job!"

[mymoodwriting]

Request for Anon (Yandere Android Sunwoo) 4.2k, yandere, androids, abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, assault, fighting, prejudice, manipulation, detroit become human au (@starillusion13)

“Are you alright?”

It always pained you to see an android being mistreated in public. The laws that were put in place to give androids freedom and rights didn’t stop people from being rude and aggressive towards them. If anything it seems like it made matters worse. As you were heading home from grocery shopping you saw a handful of people crowding around another. It was hard to tell whether or not someone was an android as they blended in perfectly, but one good hit could disrupt the outer skin and reveal the white plastic underneath, even if only for a moment. Regardless, you couldn’t just walk away from someone in need.

You shoved yourself in between the troublemakers and the person being assaulted. This wasn’t the first time you had been in this situation, so getting a slap across the face was expected. It confirmed to those bastards you were human, and they weren’t gonna hurt you further because of that. Of course they just changed their tactic and started calling you names, and saying you were a pathetic android lover. You didn’t care for any of it, to you androids were living beings just like humans and deserved respect. You ignored the yelling and helped the other get away from the scene and into a more crowded area. Once you were in a better place you checked on them, examining them for any injuries.

“They didn’t hurt you too bad, did they?”

The android didn’t say anything, just stared at you with wide eyes and disbelief. They slowly reached up to touch your cheek, making you wince a bit from the sting.

“Why did you do that? You got hurt…”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“Used to it? How come?”

“I see your people getting hurt too often and I can’t just ignore it.”

“You’re very kind.”

“Are you alright though, really? I don’t know much about androids but-”

“I’m okay. I can take a hit.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“Neither should you.”

“I suppose so. I didn’t catch your name?”

“Sunwoo. What about you?”

“Y/n.”

“It’s beautiful. I need to repay you for today.”

“No, no, you don’t-”

“I insist.” Without asking Sunwoo took your grocery bags, giving you a smile. “Where are we going?”

“It’s okay you don’t have to do this.”

“I want to, please.”

“Alright. I’m just heading home.”

“Then lead the way.”

Sunwoo walked with you back to your apartment building, making conversation. You talked about your job, which was part time as you were also a student at the nearby university. You were fortunate enough to be on scholarship and had some money from your parents that helped you with the apartment. All the other living costs were on you. As for Sunwoo, he was in and out of work, which you knew was common for many androids. They had to identify themselves in order to work, and people still held onto prejudice. 

“Thank you very much. You can set the bags on the kitchen table.”

Sunwoo insisted on helping you to the very end, so you let him into your apartment. He set down your groceries and curiously looked around, saying that your place was cozy. He kept talking with you as you were in your room, unpacking your things.

“Do you live alone?”

“Yeah. This place is really only meant for one, and I’m fortunate that I can afford it.”

“Doesn’t it get lonely?”

“At times, but I’m alright.”

“Can I ask… I know you said something about this earlier…” Sunwoo came over to the room. “But… why do you help out other androids? Most humans hate us…”

“It’s honestly so unfair and stupid. You’ve done nothing wrong.  To me there’s not much of a difference between humans and androids. We all just want to live our lives, don’t we?”

“Yeah. It’s really nice to know that there are some good humans around.”

“Believe me, there are.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being yourself.”

“Huh? What does that-”

As you turned around you found Sunwoo standing before you, startling you. Although you couldn’t ponder too much as a white hand was reaching for your face, and then your world cut to black.

🖤

You whimpered and rolled over in bed, hearing some faint knocking. You thought maybe you were imagining things, but the knocking persisted. You sighed and got up, stretching your arms and getting out of bed. As you opened the door you were rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

“Morning, Eric…” You smiled. “What are you doing here so early?”

“I was trying to call you. We were supposed to go out for breakfast this morning, remember?”

“Were we?”

“Y/n, is it gonna be breakfast for two?”

You looked back to see Sunwoo peeking out from the kitchen, holding a spatula. He waved at Eric with a smile.

“Hello.”

“Who’s that?” Eric questioned.

“That’s Sunwoo, my roommate.”

“What? Since when do you have a roommate?”

“It’s been a while now.”

“What do you mean? I was here like yesterday, and you’ve told me that you’re alright financially.”

“Oh I don’t help with money.” Sunwoo chimed in, coming over to the door. “I help with apartment maintenance and other stuff to make things easier for y/n.”

“Other…? Wait, are you… an android?”

“Yup.”

“Y/n, what the fuck!?”

“Excuse me?” You questioned. “Eric, you-”

“Why is there an android here?”

Eric made his way inside the apartment, shoving the android away from you. The last thing you wanted was a fight so you quickly got in between them, placing your hands on Eric’s chest and making him step back

“Eric, what is your problem? I didn’t think you had an issue with androids.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

“Can we talk?” Eric glared at the android. “In private.”

“Yeah, yeah, just give me a second.”

Eric stepped out of the apartment and you closed the door, taking a moment to catch your breath. You turned back to Sunwoo, giving him an apologetic smile.

“I’m so sorry about that, I had no idea he would act that way.”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“Still. I’m gonna talk to him. So I’ll be right back.”

“Do you have to?”

“Hm?”

“If he was like that to me… I don’t want you to be alone with him.”

“Eric is usually a sweet guy. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?”

“I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”

Sunwoo still didn’t like the idea, but he couldn’t convince you otherwise. You quickly went to change into some more proper clothes and stepped out into the hall to meet Eric. Before you could say anything he grabbed your arm and dragged you down the hall towards the stairwell.

“Eric, stop, you said you wanted to talk.”

“Away from that android.”

“Eric!”

You pulled yourself free and stayed where you were, right in the middle of the stairs. Thankfully it was early in the day, and you probably wouldn’t be disturbing anyone.

“What is going on with you?”

“Why do you have an android living with you?”

“What’s the problem with that? Not to mention the way you treated him was unacceptable.”

“Why do you have an android?”

“Why does it matter?”

“Cause it does! If you needed a roommate I could have moved in.” Eric sighed. “Look, I know you care about androids, but you can’t just have one living with you.”

“Why? Since when are you some sort of expert on human-android relations?”

“I’m not, but you know a lot of people don’t like androids. If you have one close to you like that, they’re gonna get the wrong idea.”

“Like you?”

“Y/n, please.”

“What do you want here?”

“I want that android to leave.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Sunwoo’s not gonna hurt me or anything.”

“Y/n, I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone with an android.”

“I’m fine. Besides, I like the company…”

“Then I’ll move in.”

“You’re a full time student, and moving here would create a long commute. I’m also not accepting roommates.”

“But you’ll take in an android? How did you two even meet?”

“I just ran into him one day and-”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“He was being harassed by some people so I stepped in.”

“Y/n!”

“I’m fine.”

“Bullshit. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I said I’m fine.”

“This is exactly why I don’t want an android staying with you. You’re too kind, and they’re taking advantage of that.”

“No he’s not. I offered to have him stay with me.”

“Y/n-”

“I don’t want to hear anymore about this.” You stated. “I don’t even wanna see you right now, so just go.”

“But-”

“Think about your attitude today, and let me know when you’re ready to apologize.”

You didn’t let Eric say anything more as you made your way back to your apartment. Eric still couldn’t believe what had happened, but he certainly needed to take a new approach.

“It’s Eric, right?”

As Eric stepped out of the building he heard someone call his name. He turned back to see the android from your apartment leaning against the wall by the entrance.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I just wanted to tell you not to show up unannounced.”

“And why’s that?” Eric walked up to the android. “You got a problem with me?”

“No. I just want to be able to properly accommodate you when you come by, and I can’t do that if you show up randomly.”

“What are your intentions here?”

“Me?”

“Why did you move in with y/n?”

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes, and I’d prefer it if you moved out.”

“Well I prefer to be in the presence of someone like her. Someone who doesn’t care that my blood is blue. She’s kind, and I want her to be happy.”

“She won’t be as long as you’re around her.”

“We’ll see.”

🖤

When you got back to your apartment you took a breath. That was a very exciting way to wake up. You went over to your room, throwing yourself onto the bed. You closed your eyes for a moment, trying to move past what just happened. A while later you heard a knock on your door. You peeked your eyes open seeing Sunwoo walking in.

“Did you fall back asleep?”

“Hm… I think so…”

“Well, do you want breakfast, or should I save it for later?”

“No, no, no, I’m coming.”

“Alright then, let me help you.”

Sunwoo helped you sit up, smiling at you cutely. He was quite adorable, and you smiled back. Although it faltered a bit as you remembered how Eric treated him.

“Sorry… about my friend…”

“You mean Eric?”

“Yeah… he’s just worried.”

“I understand. It really wasn’t that long ago that my people were on the streets protesting.”

“But that’s in the past, and you aren’t looking for trouble. Humans and androids have coexisted for a long time, and now we’re equals, as it should be. That shouldn’t cause tension between us.”

“You’re really extraordinary.”

“No, I’m just an average girl.”

“A wonderful one.”

You had no trouble getting along with Suwoo, appreciating all the things he did for you. He walked with you to uni, and was there to escort you to your part-time job as well. You rarely walk alone anymore. Besides you there was a lot for Sunwoo to discover. He was in between jobs at the moment, but he was very eager to learn more about the world. He knew many things but there were still a lot of unknowns to him. One of the things he was very interested in was film and TV. The stories that would be told, and the messages to convey. You were more than happy to sit with him and indulge, sharing your favorite shows and movies.

There was so much else you wanted him to see, but there was some difficulty. Many places didn’t like having androids around. Sometimes you could get away with it since you were human and the assumption is that your partner is too. Of course that didn’t always work and you’d get strange looks thrown your way. Sunwoo never let any of that upset him, but he was certainly ready to swing if he thought someone posed a threat to you. That was rarely the case, and either way, you didn’t want him getting into a fight. If he got hurt you’d have to take care of him and you weren’t sure you knew how to help an android.

For the most part things were good between you and Sunwoo, and you grew close. He was an amazing friend and roommate. You felt that you could trust him with a lot of things, and he was always open to help you in any way he could. There was a lot he wanted to learn from you, and so he kept you busy. Because of that you had completely forgotten about Eric’s behavior that day, and the fact you hadn’t heard from him since. It seemed like you may have lost him as a friend, but you were mistaken. As you were heading off campus with Sunwoo someone suddenly came up from behind and shoved him to the ground.

“What the- Eric! What are you doing?”

“Has it touched you?”

“Huh? What?”

“Do you know what type of android that is?”

“Eric, you’re not making any sense.”

You wanted to help Sunwoo to his feet, make sure he was alright, but Eric held you back. He tried to pull you away from the scene but you stayed put.

“Eric!”

“He’s a fucken sex android!”

“What?”

“That’s an HR400 model, a sex android. No wonder it latched onto you.”

“What does that have to do with anything? And what does it matter what type of android he is? You’ve been so fucken hostile since you met him.”

“Androids hate us just as much as we do, so it’s with you for some ulterior motive!”

“Sunwoo is not like that! We met randomly and got along, you think he planned this out?”

“Maybe, and you’re just the one who took the bait.”

“My gosh, Eric, do you even hear yourself? You’re talking crazy.”

“Just listen to me.”

“No, I’ve heard enough of your ramblings. Just stay away from me.”

“Y/n, I-”

Before Eric could say anything more Sunwoo had gotten to his feet and threw a punch. Eric collapsed to the floor, spitting out some blood. Your eyes went wide, looking over to Sunwoo who merely grabbed your arm and started dragging you along. You tried to get yourself free, but his grip was a lot stronger.

“Sunwoo, stop! You can’t just-”

“He was gonna hurt you.”

“That’s not true, now let go!”

“We need to go home.”

“Sunwoo!”

“Ya!”

Eric ran over and tackled Sunwoo to the ground, the two starting to fight. You screamed at them to stop, but neither was listening. They attracted attention, and ultimately some police officers came to break up the fight. Of course the crowd that had gathered was well aware of the blood blue staining Sunwoo’s injuries. The officers asked if either of the two were gonna press charges, and you begged them not to. They ultimately agreed, and as soon as they were released Sunwoo grabbed you and started pulling you along.

“Sunwoo, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“There’s blood… don’t you need to go to a hospital or something?”

“I know where to go in order to repair myself.”

“Good. Let’s go there and talk.”

“No, you need to go home.”

“What?”

“That’s the only place I know you’ll be safe.”

“Safe? Sunwoo, I’m alright there’s-”

“I don’t trust that Eric guy not to hurt you.”

“He didn’t hurt me.”

“And do you think his rambling is gonna stop? I have to protect you from people like him?”

“Like him? What does that mean?”

“Humans who don’t like androids. You shouldn’t associate with them.”

“Sunwoo, he’s not-”

“Look at me.”

Sunwoo stopped and turned around to face you. His sudden actions startled you and you took a step back. Red or blue, you didn’t like seeing blood on his face. Unlike humans, you could see a different type of vulnerability when an android was injured. The places that were injured revealed the white plastic underneath, making it very obvious he was hurt. You gently reached up to touch his cheek, seeing how bits of his outer skin glitched around the wound, especially when you touched it. Sunwoo’s eyes softened, the previous anger subsiding. The last thing he wanted to do was upset you.

“I’m sorry…”

“Eric may get on your nerves, but that’s not a good enough reason to hit him.”

“He was going to hurt you.”

“But you don’t know that, not really.”

“I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I can take care of myself, you don’t have to protect me. I should be the one protecting you.”

“That’s gonna change. Things are gonna get better, I promise.”

“I’m sure they will.” You smiled. “Let’s go get you fixed up.”

“I can go by myself. I want you at home.”

“Sunwoo-”

“I don’t want you to see me… like that…”

“Okay. I understand.”

You walked with Sunwoo back to the apartment. You insisted on cleaning him up a bit, hoping he wouldn’t draw attention to himself as he would be out alone.

“How long will you be gone?”

“Not long, I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t go anywhere.”

“I’ll stay right here at home.”

“Good. When I get back, there’s somewhere I want to take you.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

You placed a bandaid over the cut on Sunwoo’s cheek and then grabbed the dirty rags to wash them off at the kitchen sink. You heard Sunwoo get up, figuring he’d be heading out now.

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

You felt a presence behind you, and then there were arms around your waist. You yelled, meeting Sunwoo’s smiling face with your surprised one.

“Sunwoo…”

“Thank you.”

He leaned forward to place a kiss on your cheek. You immediately felt your face burning, suddenly embarrassed and shy. His smile didn’t change though.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Oh… okay…”

“Get some sleep.”

“Huh?”

You felt one of Sunwoo’s hands come up to your neck. A shiver went down your spine, feeling his cold fingers before your world suddenly faded to black.

🖤

Eric was far from happy with how things went down. That fucken android was seriously starting to piss him off. It would have been better if they both had gone to the station, but he didn’t want to upset you further. You were a good person, so he just needed to sit down and talk to you. After what happened you’d be more willing to hear him out anyway. Once the fight was over he noticed Sunwoo drag you away from the crowd, but he couldn’t just follow. He knew where you’d go so he made his way to your apartment.

As he approached the building he stopped and hid out of view. He saw that Sunwoo android leaving, wondering where he was headed too. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to follow him, but he would rather talk to you as it seems you’d be alone. Once he was sure the android was gone he made his way inside, going to your apartment. He knocked on the door, waiting for you to answer, but you didn’t. He tried again but there was no response. You might have guessed who was at the door and were avoiding him, but he wasn’t gonna waste this chance. He knew you hid a spare key along the top of the door so he grabbed it and let himself in, calling out to you.

“Y/n… it’s me, Eric. I just wanna talk. I’m really sorry about earlier, I know things got out of hand, so I came to explain myself.”

He got no answer. It was possible you were avoiding him, but the apartment was too quiet for that. It was possible he was wrong and you weren’t here, but he wasn’t so sure you would have gone to your job after what happened. Then again Sunwoo had left the building, so maybe you really weren’t here. That seemed to be the case so he figured he’d leave a note in your room and come by later. Although when he stepped in he saw you were tucked in bed, sleeping.

“Y/n.”

He went over to you and started shaking you, but you didn’t wake. He never knew you to be a deep sleeper.

“Y/n, wake up.”

This was frustrating him so he reached over to gently slap your face, noticing an LED on your head.

“What the…”

Without thinking he reached for it and took it off of you. It was just like the LED androids used to wear, except you weren’t an android. For a moment there was doubt in his mind, but then he reminded himself that he had known you way before androids were even a thing, and he had watched you grow. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard you groan, turning over in bed and slowly opening your eyes.

“Eric…? What are you doing here…”

“I wanted to talk.”

“Hm… wait�� but how… did you get in…”

“Sorry, I used your spare key.”

“Rude…”

“Look, let’s get out of here and go talk somewhere.”

“Why…”

“Cause I don’t trust this place anymore, or that android.”

“Again with this… just go… you’ve done enough…”

“Y/n, get up.”

Eric grabbed your arm and pulled you to sit up. He was trying to get you out of bed but you sleepily pushed him away.

“Eric, I really can’t with you anymore.”

“Listen to me, I’m right, something is off.”

“Eric-”

“What is this?” He held up the LED. “I couldn’t get you to wake up until I took this off of you.”

“Huh?”

“Tell me what this is.”

“I… I don’t know…”

“Exactly.”

“Eric, that doesn’t mean anything.” 

“Then let’s go find out, I know a guy.”

Despite your wishes Eric pulled you out of bed. You stumbled along behind him, heading towards the door. You tried to get him to let go, although you both suddenly came to a stop as the door opened and Sunwoo walked in.

“What’s going on here?” Sunwoo questioned. “Who let you in?”

“We’re gonna talk, so don’t mind us.” Eric stated.

“But I do mind. I’m not gonna leave y/n alone with you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Let her go and get out.”

“This isn’t your place.”

“It is. Now leave.”

“Don’t fight again.” You pleaded. “I don’t want you to hurt each other.”

“I don’t trust him.” Eric said. “Not with you.”

“He’s done nothing wrong.”

“You sure?”

Eric threw the LED at Sunwoo’s feet. Sunwoo looked down at it and then picked it up. His expression gave nothing away, but there was something in his eyes when he looked at Eric.

“I knew you broke in.”

“What is that? Why was-”

“I didn’t want it to come to this, but I don’t mind at all.”

Sunwoo charged at Eric, tackling him to the ground. You moved aside, stumbling in your steps and falling to your hands and knees.

“Stop it!”

Sunwoo threw a few punches, landing right on Eric’s face. Neither was fully recovered from the previous fight. Those few hits really messed up Eric, so Sunwoo got up and came over to you.

“Are you okay?”

“Why are you fighting? There’s no reason-”

“I don’t like him. He’s no friend of ours.”

“Sunwoo.”

“It’s gonna be okay. I’m going to take you to a place where we can live in peace.”

“What?”

“You trust me, don’t you?”

“Sunwoo… I…”

“It’s okay, I’ll take care of everything. I’m gonna take care of you.”

“Sunwoo.”

Eric groaned and got up on his elbows, looking over at you and Sunwoo. His vision was a bit blurry, but he could see as Sunwoo reached over to caress your cheek. Then his hand turned white and reached behind your back. For a moment your eyes went wide before you passed out. Sunwoo caught you and gently laid you down.

“What… what did you do… to her…”

“Just a precaution.” Sunwoo admitted, his fingers gliding over your cheeks. “She may not be like me, but I still have to take care of her.”

“So I was right…”

“Hardly. Good people like her deserve better.”

Sunwoo placed that LED back on your head, pulling out his phone afterwards and making a call. He walked over to Eric and placed his foot on his chest, keeping him pinned.

“Hey, it’s me, change of plans. I need to head out tonight, can you get it ready?”

“The hell…”

“Good, I’ll see you then.” Sunwoo hung up the call and looked down at Eric. “You could be saved. You’re not one of the irredeemable ones. I’ll put in a good word for you, but you have to do the rest.”

Sunwoo went over to pick you up in his arms, smiling as you subconsciously snuggled against him.

“I’ll find you.” Eric spat. “I swear it.”

“You won’t.”

[rea-grimm]

Android Mihawk

Mihawk has been by your side since you were born. Your father wanted you to guarantee protection against anyone who would harm his only child. At the time, Mihawk was the only android of his kind. An android swordsman with the ability to evolve and have his personality and emotions.

Robotics was at a turning point at the time, and even though it has now advanced tremendously, no other has been produced to surpass it in its direction.

 In addition, he was the only one of his kind, because while trying to create other models of him, something went wrong, or some of his plans were lost, and it was no longer possible to create more copies of him.

He was unique and made the perfect guardian. Which he was. When he was by your side, no one would dare to touch you. And those daredevils who tried their luck and wanted to rob you or harm you in some way soon felt the extent of their mistake.

Sometimes a single stern look was enough, which gave the chills. If he couldn't look, his hand turned into a longsword made of black steel that was incredibly rare and could cut through anything that stood in its way.

You have been in competitions with Mihawk since you were little. From a mere exhibition to a robot fencing tournament. He also received his title as The strongest robot swordsman in the world. No human or robot could match him in swordsmanship.

To you, however, he wasn't just an ordinary machine fulfilling the role of bodyguard assigned to him by your family. He was so much more to you. As he has accompanied you since time immemorial, you have developed a bond with him.

He was your closest friend, and confessor and was there for you in the most difficult moments, such as changing schools or the death of your mother. He was there for you when everyone left you. Over the years, as you grew up, you developed a crush on him and secretly hoped it could be something more.

Although Mihawk was a robot that could show and feel emotions, it sometimes seemed like an older model that didn't have this feature yet. He didn't show much emotion on the outside and seemed cold, but you knew how to read his expressions.

They were subtle and fleeting expressions and gestures that the untrained eye did not notice. Then in private, when it was just the two of you, he showed them even more.

Over the past few days, you were getting the impression that one of his eyes was shining brighter than the other. As if it was gradually losing its strength. At first, you kept it to yourself because you didn't want to make a camel out of a mosquito and maybe it was just the bad light in the room or your imagination.

You stared at him so long and intensely that even he didn't miss it. That's why you decided it would be better if you told him about it. However, Android only waved hands that it was nothing. You trusted him, after all, he would know if there was a problem with him.

Despite that, however, you had your concerns, as his eye glowed less and less until it finally went out completely. Although it still had its yellow colour, it was so faint that it looked blind.

It didn't even seem like it because you noticed Mihawk was looking around a lot more. This was not his habit. Before you even wanted to ask him if he could see that eye, you decided to see if you had his eye in the spare parts store somewhere.

You were sorting things in the warehouse and found out. How you had few spare parts from him. What if something else broke on it? You didn't want to jinx it, but you started to fear the worst.

“You don't have to worry so much about one eye. I can see well without it and I can still protect you,” Mihawk said as he entered the room.

“But…” you wanted to object, but he walked over to you and overtook you.

"It's just an eye. It's nothing an android can't handle. Don't worry about it unnecessarily," he said calmly as if it was nothing.

"This is not useless. I care about you and I like your eyes,” you admitted. How could he say such a thing? You surprised him a little with that. Mihawk moved closer to you but before he could convince you otherwise, you hugged him. You wanted him to know how important he was to you.

“Just so you know, I won't just let you fall apart,” you added with determination.

“I know,” he smiled weakly, hugging you too and kissing your hair. He was well aware of your feelings for him, but even though they were androids almost like humans, there was still a huge gap between them. Therefore, he did not want to expose you to unnecessary stress and pain from those around you.

You looked for his eye in every shop around. You tried looking in factories where they had a lot of spare parts, in pawnshops... Simply everywhere you could. Unfortunately for you, they didn't have the right eye or at least one that was compatible with it.

Every time you found a place where they could have his eye, you were lured in and looked forward to the ultimate success, only to have the disappointment of failure bring you to your knees.

You were bursting with positive energy from the beginning, but with each passing failure, your smile was fading, replaced by worry. Still, you keep trying. This was also noticed by Mihawk, who was very well aware of his situation and how it weighed on you. He decided on his plan to ensure your safety in the event of the worst.

You returned from another failed hunt for his eye when Mihawk took you aside saying he wanted to show you something. The android took you to a room with a holographic projector. He turned it on and several androids appeared in the room. They all belonged to the newer models.

"While you're looking for replacement parts for me, I've taken the liberty of finding you a new protector in case I suffer other, much more serious malfunctions," he said quite calmly. He blew you away with that.

"There are several models that look decent. I would recommend the model named Zoro the most. I see potential in him,” he turned to you and showed you an android model with green hair and three swords. How could he do this to you? You refused to admit such a thing.

"But he doesn't have a GPS and has zero orientation, he'd get lost before he could save me," you replied irritably. This did not escape the swordsman, but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he showed you another model that had a single longsword, had circles under his eyes and sideburns with a short beard.

"This model is a passable swordsman and his advantage is knowledge and ability to apply medicine," he said and you had the impression as if you were somewhere at an auction or in a shop where they were trying to force something on you for a bargain price.

Mihawk showed you a few more androids, including one in a female version, but you didn't want any of them. You rejected all his proposals and found an excuse for them all. It wasn't that you didn't like them, but you simply didn't want anyone else. In addition, with each subsequent model, it angered you more and more.

"I don't want anyone else!" you blew up at the next model. You couldn't take it anymore. "Can't you see that I don't want anyone else? I care about you… I love you,” you barely managed the last two words.

It was too much for you. Tears welled up in your eyes and you weren't going to wait for his answer. Instead, you wiped away the forming tears and ran to your room.

Mihawk stood there for a long time with the controller, which was crushed to a pulp. He didn't like that he was looking for new protectors for you either. He also had deep feelings for you, but you should keep it to yourself. Not for android.

You lay in bed letting your tears flow. Why didn't anything go the way you wanted? You knew there would come a time when you would have to get a new protector, but you didn't want it to be this soon.

Plus, the way he was giving it to you hurt your heart. How could he take it so calmly and coolly? Even so, your heart still pulled you towards him.

You finally stopped crying and were just lying on the bed resting when there was a knock. You lazily lifted your head to see Mihawk walk in along with a bottle of your favourite wine and two glasses. Even after all these years, you didn't understand how he was able to turn alcohol into energy.

"I know it wasn't unpleasant for you, I'm sorry for that, but understand that I want the best for you," he said and poured you a glass. You took it from him and made room for him on the bed, so he sat beside you. You leaned against him and rested your head on his shoulder.

"I also want to apologize. I know you're right. I shouldn't have slammed like that,” you said weakly.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said softly, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on your cheek, tickling your beard lightly. After that, you didn't talk about it anymore and instead, you just relaxed.

Even though you knew you might never find a replacement eye for Mihawk, you didn't give up. You did take into account his request when he was looking for a new guard android for you, but only in case of the worst.

You wrote to all possible shops and private collectors to see if luck would smile on you. You were slowly coming to terms with the fact that you would never find his eye when one of the merchants finally spoke to you.

He had a few spare parts from Mihawk in his collection and helped sell them to you. You weren't going to leave anything to chance and decided to buy everything.

You were very happy about it. You almost dropped the phone you received the email from. A huge smile spread across your face and you immediately had to tell him the great news.

He was happy about the new news, but he was even happier that you were smiling again. You hadn't laughed heartily for so long that he was starting to worry.

Since then, you've been impatiently waiting every day for the said parts to finally arrive. The first thing that came to you was a small box in which you knew exactly what would be in it. It was the part you wanted the most right now.

You carefully opened the box and took out an eye with a golden iris from inside wearing gloves. It was just the right colour with a black stripe down the middle. You carefully put the eye back so it wouldn't break.

You immediately started looking for a specialist who would install the eye correctly and you managed to book it for the same day. You were so excited that you didn't want to wait another minute.

You were with him the entire time of the exchange and it was surreal to see both of his eyes now glow the same. You paid the specialist for the replacement and went to the car.

As soon as the door closed behind you, you looked at him with a big smile. You stood on your tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. You've wanted to do this for so long, but you never got around to it.

It wasn't a long kiss and when you pulled away, your cheeks were red. You didn't pull away for long though, as it was Mihawk who pulled you back.

He grabbed the back of your head with one hand and the other around your waist and captured your lips in a kiss. He was much more dominant and lustful than you. Also, his lips were so hot that you completely forgot that he was an android and that unlike you, he didn't need to breathe.

When he finally released you so you could take a deep breath, you were a red-lipped mess.

"I don't know if it's the new eye, but I can't stop looking at you. I can't resist you looking at me like that,” he said while still holding you close.

“Then you don't have to,” you breathed.

"Wait home," he smiled contentedly and pecked your lips.

"Is that a promise?" you asked with a smile. The android chuckled at that before escorting you to the car. You had something to look forward to because of that.

Mihawk Masterlist

[lacefuneral]

ok i've seen some posts about the tumblr alternative cohost but none that were actually helpful so!

(disclaimer: i am very new to this website. users who have been there longer can and should chime in with additions and/or corrections)

Cohost Introduction Post

What is cohost?

Cohost is a fledgling website that is essentially a tumblr clone, but with its own culture and site-specific features. It is also very much a work in progress. You are encouraged to talk in the cohost forum to suggest changes for devs, report bugs, and upvote other people's suggestions. This website WILL grow and change over time. And as such, I do not know if/when the information I share here will be outdated. Edit: To answer an ask I received, anyone can join cohost without an invite. It used to be invite-only. It is not this way anymore.

Is "adult content" allowed there?

Yes. Cohost is not on the app store, meaning that it is not subject to Apple's specifications. You can post illustrations, writing, and photographs (cohost does not support any video formats at this time, just gifs). Cohost has an elaborate filtering and trigger warning system (moreso than tumblr), and you can disable adult content for your entire account or for individual tags. I actually don't engage with the adult content at all on there. Visual CSEM (both real and fictional) is specifically forbidden (although frankly I think the guidelines could be stricter wrt written content. Still, does seem to handle this better than AO3 does, going as far to say that written content about real minors is forbidden.)

How are minors protected?

The minimum age to join cohost is 16, and requires proof of parental permission to join. Users who are under 18 are automatically age-gated and cannot view adult content.

If cohost isn't on the app store, how is it used?

You can, of course, use cohost on a computer, but it is designed with mobile in mind. Opening the website on any IOS browser, clicking "share", and then "add to home screen" will install an app for you to use. The same can be done on an android. There is a guide here.

How does cohost work?

First, you create an account. Then you wait for approximately two days (read: weekdays) for the account to be activated. This is done to prevent spam bots. In the meantime, edit your profile. List some interests, your pronouns, your other social media links. Give yourself an icon. Note: icon and banner file sizes are small. You may need to shrink and compress images.

After the two days are up, make your first post! Write a basic introduction (with what you feel comfortable you feel sharing) and list some interests you like, maybe some hobbies, media, etc. And then tag this post with "#welcome to cohost". This will let existing members know that someone new has joined, and they may initiate conversation and/or follow you.

Next, go to the search and type in "The Cohost Global Feed" and click on the tag. Bookmark this tag. This is essentially one giant community space where you can find random users. (There is currently some discourse on the website as to whether this tag existing is a "bad thing" or not because "cohost isn't supposed to have a global tag". Just ignore that lol). Next, go back to search and type in things you like. TV shows, maybe. Video games. Music. Anything. See if people have posted in the tags. Follow them. Comment on their stuff. Click "like" to bookmark the post if you want to.

Most crucially, make sure that you bookmark the actual tag so you can look in that tag again later without having to manually type it each and every time. Also, you get a feed called "bookmarked tags" which allows you to scroll through all of them at once, which replaces the "for you" feature other websites have.

You can "share" a post (called "rebug" in user slang) which serves the same purpose as a reblog on tumblr. In a rebug, you can add your own tags or comment in the body of the post. Cohost users do not talk in tags as much as tumblr users - they tend to prefer to speak in the body of a rebug, or in the comment section (replies). At this time, you cannot view all reblogs. But you can view all comments in the comment section. Any post that is rebugged will preserve the tags of the OP, with any additional tags added being attributed to you. Rebugs are named after the website mascot Eggbug, a purple bee-like insect.

Posts are called "chosts" - and shitposting is called "shitchosting." Two examples of global shitposting tags are "#css crimes" - which is when a person does goofy things with the HTML/CSS editor to make colorful text, fake chat windows, and such - and "#shitchosting" which is a general shitposting tag. I've also seen people use tags like "#random".

If a post makes you laugh, check out the OP's profile. See if they post frequently, and if you have any common interests. If you realize you want to block or mute someone instead, you can.

You can send asks just like on tumblr, but your inbox must be manually opened first. So remember to do that.

How do I look at my own blog?

This is one of my gripes about the UI. You would think, intuitively, you would click here (at the top of the screen). But you would be wrong!

It is ACTUALLY under the sidebar menu, called "Profile." And I'm not the only one to to complain about this. (To get back to your dashboard, by the way, you click on the cohost logo.)

Are there sideblogs?

Yes! Each sidepage (sideblog) has its OWN set of likes AND followed pages (blogs). This allows you to easily switch between multiple sets of dashboards. A lot of users use this to have a SFW dashboard and an adult content dashboard. But it works like tumblr, too. You can have a side page/dashboard for whatever you'd like. Maybe one of your pages is for programming. Maybe another is for photography. You switch between your pages by clicking the arrow next to your icon/username at the top of the screen. ("Ohhhhh.... THAT'S what that's for.")

What's the userbase on there like?

Mostly programmers. Trans people. Furry artists. Plural systems. Furry trans plural programmers. Certainly a lot of shitposters. The website is trans-run and, as such, has zero tolerance for TERFs. Everyone seems pretty friendly from what I can tell. And there's very much a culture of "follow someone randomly based on their vibes" that doesn't happen as much on tumblr. Tumblr is more like "I really like this TV show, I'm going to follow 40 blogs about just this interest." Because the cohost community is so much smaller, there is a lot less content overall, especially fandom content. You can't follow 40 fandom pages because your fandom tag has a total of 3 posts, all made by one person approximately a year ago (well. for me anyway).

Cohost, then, actually has much more in common with real-life socialization. You seek out people with interests that may be very different from your own, and to find a common interest is very exciting! Unlike tumblr, you are encouraged to tag as much as possible. This allows your posts to be seen, to find common interests. And, of course, don't forget to look in "#Welcome To Cohost" too! You may find some new friends there.

What file formats can I post in?

Currently, I am aware of basic image formats working (like jpeg, png) animated gifs, and mp3s. You currently cannot upload videos to cohost. I believe the reason is not related to server costs, but rather as a way to curb the uploading of copyrighted content.

How does cohost make money?

There are no ads, and yet, as far as I am aware, cohost is operating comfortably. There is, however, an entirely optional "cohost plus" that is $5 USD a month. Currently, there are a few perks, but not enough to convince me.

What if I think something about cohost should change?

Cohost has a forum where users can submit ideas for features and other users can discuss/upvote those ideas.

Here is a list of posts made for newcomers to read:

[soapofbar]

I said in my previous post related to RWBY that I stopped watching after Volume 8, because what happened to Penny and how she was treated throughout the volume was very, very distasteful to me. It's the biggest reason, although there are also a bunch of smaller reasons surrounding it. This is still true, I haven't watched V9 and I don't really plan to. I may, some day, out of curiosity/boredom, but I have somewhat been kept in the know even as I move onto other things due to still knowing people who are interested in RWBY, along with fandom talk and all that.

The main thing I want to talk about is the supposed message of V9, and how it relates back to Penny. More specifically, how it strikes as hypocritical and tone-deaf after everything that happened to her.

The core message of V9, as stated by Kerry on Twitter and pretty much blasted at the viewer in the volume's finale, is that you are enough, just the way you are. Ruby chooses to be herself rather than trying to emulate her mother/be the flawless leader/etc. and she's able to get back up and save the day. It's an alright message to send.

The problem: What about Penny?

Penny, in V2, expresses some self-doubt about an android. Feeling that she isn't as real as the actual flesh and blood humans around her, she's comforted by Ruby that she's just as much of a real girl as anyone else, and from then on she doesn't seem to express any discomfort about being a robot. She seems quite happy to be one, even, as she rebukes May for simply calling her "Robo-Girl" in V8E3

Then V8E12 comes around, and the text all but implies that Penny is a girl trapped in a robot body. Ambrosious expresses concern at what's left when he strips all the robot parts from her and Blake replies that there will be "Penny, the girl who's always been there underneath". Yang holds her metal arm and says that those pieces are just "extra". That being a robot doesn't define Penny and it's not who she is and the implication is that it's even holding her back. She's then turned into a real girl by Ambrosious. A thing, which, to my memory, she never asked to have happened to her.

Hell, the whole process is very similar to ascension in the Ever After, even. Penny's original body dies and in it's place is a new, "better" one.

The implication here is the opposite of what V9 is trying to say. That Penny isn't enough. That she's not "perfect just the way she is". The robot parts are just "extra" after all (they're not, and I will always hate that line with a fiery passion).

It's just...it feels so incredibly, incredibly jarring. Penny's arc in V8 was already incredibly bad, and full of ableism, and then we turn around and apply a message which COULD work for Penny and is probably even the one she should have had with her arc...and apply it to the conventionally-bodied protagonist who never had to struggle with her entire person-hood. Who never had to question if she was even a human being or not.

It's just all so frustrating. Penny deserved so much better.

[ominoose]

Pairing: Mpreg!Nathan Bateman x GN!Reader Summary: Complete crack fic for my beloved @noodlelooodle who made Mpreg!Nathan doodles for a laugh. Warnings: None. WC: 459

"Why couldn't you have made a guy robot pregnant, why did this experiment have to be you getting pregnant?"

"An AI fetus nwould only develop how I programmed it, this is natural. The body goes by how it is naturally programmed, and the more I learn about how the body functions the better my androids will be."

It was such a silly thing to focus on, the difference between androids and robots, when he was quite literally in his third trimester. It was also a completely ridiculous justification, although you probably should've anticipated it.

Nathan asking you to get pregnant was a hell of a surprise, him saying it was for science less so, but the way he shrugged and went back to work at your first rebuff? Downright strange.

Now eight months later and he's swollen, cranky, weirdly clingy and craving Stadium Nachos.

"What happened to your all-natural, no artificial flavouring, diet?"

"What happened to get me some damn nachos? I've literally broken biology as a cis man now a month shy of naturally producing a baby and you think nacho fucking cheese is too far?" There was the crankiness.

"No, no! Look, the helicopter should be here soon-"

"So it's not here already?! You get billions of dollars developing spyware for the US fucking Government and you can't get a damn helicopter to arrive on time!"

Despite managing to make Darwin roll in his grave, there was seemingly nothing Nathan could do to solve cravings. Even a genius had limits, and his current one was drawing closer the longer it took for him to get his newest pregnancy craving.

"C'mon, I'll put Great British Bake Off on, help you stop whining."

He wouldn't stop whining for a good ten minutes, muttering about 'this is why I don't pay taxes.... Freud would say.... Organic Nachoes....', but after several failed cakes and British gossip later the familiar whir of helicopter blades pierced the Alaskan silence that blanketed the mansion.

With a relieved smile you glance over at him, expecting to see him waddle over for his boots and finally get the nachos he was craving. Instead he was staring at you, eyes peering over silver specs, a calloused hand roaming his swollen stomach.

"Nathan? It's here."

"So go get it."

"W-What?!" One of the few things you remained stubborn about was making Nathan go collect the groceries he flew in. If he wanted to make you live five hours from the nearest store, he could take the ten minute hike to the helipad. "You'd really make someone this pregnant walk that far, with these ankles? Studies have shown-"

You're already at the door, tugging your bootstraps on with a sigh.

"And if the cheese isn't hot just kill 'em!"

[dreamanduality]

Saturn in Pisces: A Gothic Atmosphere

Forewarning: When talking about Saturn, it is rather hard for me not to be biased. Daddy Saturn has quite the hold on my life, so it always takes me a lot of time to find the right words.

When it comes to time, we don't have a choice. However, I will say that this year will be different from the last.

Maybe a breath of fresh air? I'm curious to know which glass castles will fall and which fantastical worlds will be built from the shards of Saturn in Pisces. While it may seem odd to pair fantasy and Saturn, my mind immediately goes to the dissolution and post-Soviet Union era, the rise of fascism, the Moonies, protests in Palestine, The Hobbit, freedom fights, and Magick Knight Rayearth — all things that have inspired me in one way or another. These events and much more happened in modern history during Saturn in Pisces. Although Saturn is not typically associated with revolution, there is much to consider within this binding giant when rules and ideals in universal ethics are involved. Is there a Prometheus theme in Mary Shelley's "A Modern Prometheus," or "Frankenstein"? It's quite possible. AI is being highlighted through conversation and public interaction, as well as the development of androids. While the conversations about AI in astrology are more encompassed within Pluto in Aquarius, I think that both of these placements are necessary.

"Frankenstein" was written during the summer of 1816, when Saturn was in the last decan of Aquarius, and published in 1818 with Saturn in Pisces.

Beyond myth and creation stories; Prometheus is a fascinating inner satellite or moon of Saturn. It orbits very close to the planet's F ring, which is one of the most striking and intricate features of Saturn's ring system. Prometheus has a unique and dynamic relationship with this ring, as it interacts with its particles and even 'steals' resources from it. The process by which it does this is called 'shepherding,' because Prometheus acts as a shepherd of the ring, carving out gaps and channels in its structure. In fact, scientists believe that Prometheus is responsible for some of the most intricate patterns and structures in the F ring. Despite its small size, Prometheus plays a crucial role in shaping the environment around it and helping us better understand the complex dynamics of Saturn's rings.

Frankenstein & Prometheus in myth, are both individuals driven by curiosity and a great desire to bend the rules of reality--to create life.

Saturn in Pisces is the Gothic Atmosphere, melancholic and lonely. Not quite dystopian though in the cases of the works of Phillip K Dick or Dune we can see this. Making the energy itself complicated, and seemingly eerie--its icy fog.

Allowing yourself to be human is necessary. Self-limiting behavior results from rejecting others from your vulnerable spaces. This is where you need to establish boundaries and face your fears. Continually rejecting others in this space can cause you to lose touch with your emotions and make you more prone to losing control, which is not what you want.

Saturn wrapped up the business of the last several years, having spent time in two Saturn-ruled signs. Saturn feels gentler in Pisces than in its previous places of rulership. The last few years have been isolating and alienating. Global restrictions have quelled our ideals of the world, our climate, and humanity. Saturn in Capricorn says no, but can take in all that disappointment and grief to make something beautiful. Saturn in Aquarius takes all the parts from disappointment and creates a monster that only Pisces can love.

We have learned that happiness comes with less. It was a redefinition and refinement of our values that brought us to this realization.

Saturn put pressure on Jupiter in their home sign before moving into Aries, which caused feelings of nihilism and a loss of faith in expansion. Perhaps you felt this too? We may not fully understand this part of the story until Saturn moves out of Pisces. Neptune's influence can add confusion to w Saturn brings, making the structure more unstable. Saturn is known as the superior malefic, tearing down what is not structurally sound and revealing what should be. This process challenges our convictions and requires us to let go of things that have passed their expiration date.

With Jupiter in Taurus now they can see each other. Meaning Jupiter can check in on Saturn while they are residing in their home and gives the allowance of resources and softens Saturn's cold tendencies.

If you are currently experiencing your Saturn return, your world will be deconstructed, or collapsing over the next few years. While the period of Saturn's return is often considered to be the hard part, the years that follow are actually where the real challenge begins. This is when maturity sets in. If you were learning about the world during the Bush administration, as Saturn in Pisces was, you may be disillusioned and eager to generate change in multiple areas, as you can see the roots of the problem. We understand that you care, and I predict that your Saturn return will teach you how to express this and why you have to as a generational point.

This is the time when you become an adult in some ways. Through the lens of Saturn, the maturity of adulthood begins, and you start moving halfway into the sun phase of your life around age 32. Seeing lived experience requires reflection to be understood.

How will this impact you personally? Saturn is the way of structure itself, let yourself dare to dream what this looks like for you through the theme of your house of Pisces.

And remember, Saturn rewards hard work.

InJoy

-K

[dballzposting]

It’s just that I look at GT Trunks and I think that I know him. Here’s what I know. I know that his mother is a willful and irate woman and that he has seen his father consistently lose to her throughout the years. He has seen the same in Goten’s parents, and to an extent, in Krillin and Android 18. 

I know that at some point he was told the story of how his parents met, and I think that he took it as a cautionary tale. I think it scared him to think that somebody as disciplined and focused and ambitious as his father could just, like, fall into seduction, and “”accidentally”” wind up with a kid. I think that Trunks as a young teenager felt a sort of fear about his own sexual maturity, and you couldn’t ever tell it, because it’s not like he was eager to express his feelings and fear, and also because he grew into the rambunctious womanizer-wannabe role well by the end of his teen years. 

But I think that witnessing his own parents throughout his entire life has taught him daily what he should avoid.

He has no disrespect for his parents of course, and in fact, this is why he can learn from their mistakes, as a way to honor their efforts. 

But also, it’s just, like. Well he’s a little bit afraid of women like his mother and like Goten’s mother. 

He understands where they’re coming from, but understand where he’s coming from: He does not want to live under the thumb of some forceful woman.

It’s not that he wants to be the angry and bossy one instead - when pressed, he’ll tell you that he’s all for a partnership of equals! What’s not to like? But he also wants to, for lack of a better term, be the man of the relationship. He wants to be the head of the house and to have a respectable amount of control and volition over its affairs. He doesn’t want to be stepped on by double standards; he doesn't want a wife who will use those privileges that women for some reason have over men, where they can raise their voice and slap their husbands and refuse to discuss or bend in opinion, and never face any repercussions to their character for it.

This is what Trunks has seen his whole life, and he just doesn’t dig it. He feels a bit vulnerable at being a man, and he feels the circumstances of his conception in his soul; he feels the quiet and delicate shame of his father, and he feels the way that he doesn’t know which party to blame, and he feels the fear that comes with weakness.

Trunks doesn’t want to be a man weak enough to be taken by a woman, and he doesn’t want to be with a woman who thinks herself more vulnerable or valuable by basis of sex alone.

(The interesting thing is, this innate aversion or trepidation of his can mirror the experiences of his mother, who has been objectified to horrendous degrees in her time. Really, it’s perhaps from both parents that he’s inherited this sensitivity from.)

Trunks went from a carefree and confident teenage boy exuding heterosexuality at the end of Z, to a well-mannered and chill man in GT. But you know, there’s not much difference between the two. Both have an eye for fashion that is dark-colored, well-fitting, and almost classy, although EOZ Trunks has a bit more spunk while GT Trunks boasts fits with more unique longetivity. Both are pretty transparent, and emote freely when a feeling comes on, although in the case of EOZ Trunks he is more concerned with appearing cool, while GT Trunks is just genuinely more chill and calm. Both are polite and well-mannered actually, EOZ Trunks just had the detriment of being shown hanging out with his best guy friend, and it just goes without saying that he is more cocksure and vapid than GT Trunks out of virtue of being 18. The biggest difference, I think, is that EOZ Trunks exudes heterosexuality while GT Trunks does not.

GT Trunks clearly does not like his job but he does it anyway. And my humble opinion at having seen most of GT is that Trunks, very clearly, very simply, just wants to have a good time. That’s it. That’s all there is to it. He wants to hang out. He’ll be president and he’ll go into space and he’ll fight bad guys because he has to and he kind of likes it and he’ll fix the spaceship because he has to and he’ll breastfeed Giru because somebody has to, but, between you and me; he just wants to chill out. He wants to put his hands behind his head and make a wisecrack. He wants the tough shit to be over with, and he’ll do the tough shit, but he is without Bulma’s devout acuity and without Vegeta’s deeply-rooted pride; he’ll do the tough shit and he’ll do it fine or well or passing or even in a way worth being proud of, but mostly, when no one is looking, he’ll do it his way, which is whatever bullshit he needs to cobblefuck to get the shit working again so he can go and chill out somewhere in peace.

He just wants to hang out.

I didn’t say anything about him wanting to get a girlfriend, though.

Goten got a girlfriend. Trunks did not get a girlfriend.

Oh, ‘cause he’s too busy, right? Yeah he is. But also, he’s a rich bitch, and all the ladies think he’s cute (seen first episode of GT) (or maybe second I don’t remember) - if he WANTED a girlfriend, he could squeeze one in between his 7 o’clock meeting and his 3 o’clock brunch.

But when all those sweet ladies were fawning over him, he did not wear their attention well. He blushed and stared at his shoes. 

President of Capsule Corp, 23 years old, richer than most, stronger than most, son of prodigy Bulma, son of Saiyan legend Vegeta, the one who mastered fusion and fought Majin Buu when he was 8 years old - someone who’s strength and stability of character and name and heritage are of utmost importance, and this importance is reiterated with every day he grows and progresses on his journey - Trunks stares at his shoes and blushes because all the women are fawning over him. 

He stares at his shoes, not having what it takes to stand with confidence. And he dutifully blushes.

A lot could be inferred here, is the thing. He’s blushing because he’s angry and embarrassed at being infantilized like this, he’s embarrassed because being pretty was not in the job description and he’s left with the sense that he’s being immature and doing it wrong by causing adoration, he’s embarrassed just because he’s always been bashful behind his attitude (his cocky attitude which is notably lost in GT), he’s not standing with pride because he doesn’t want the job, or - he doesn’t feel the need to conduct himself with valour, because everything has always been given to him, and this job is a birthright that he can’t besmirch that easily.

Whatever it is, we know this - HE DOESN’T BASK IN THIS ATTENTION! He’s embarrassed! And it’s not because he already has a girlfriend. He doesn’t have one. He doesn’t have one until Dragon Ball Super partnered him up with Mai, and I don’t know if that was for his relevance or hers. 

So, here’s what I think about GT Trunks.

I think that he’s not necessarily looking for a girlfriend right now. I think that that fratboy teen is still a part of him, and I think that he will need a woman in his life eventually, but I think that he dislikes the idea of (and is perhaps afraid of the risk of) a one night stand, so he continues on in his vaguely celibate way. I actually think that if he had a woman for a night and woke up and she was still there, he’d just marry her. I think he knows this, and this is why he doesn’t let himself cave like his father had; because he doesn’t want to end up with a wife like his mother. His mother chose his father, and Vegeta didn’t have much of a say in it - and you could say that if Trunks marries a woman only because she stayed, then that is he choosing her, but I think to him, it would not feel like an enabled decision and he would not agree with that perspective. I think to him, love is sensitive and fragile and completely has the power to take him by the balls, and when he wants to marry the woman who stayed with him through the night, it is not a decision he feels good about making, but one that his heart has already made and one that he must commit to lest he let his heart come into the pain of breaking. He feels a victim to it, and he does not want to end up in a dutiful, violent, communication-less love like the one of his parents. 

He’s not necessarily looking for a girlfriend right now. It takes too much time, and he’s losing interest in small talk as he ages and as the appeal of being in the presence of a pretty girl diminishes. It’s not that he no longer thinks that girls are pretty, but it’s just that that factor alone does not offer enough reason for him to sit and make awkward/boring small talk for hours. He doesn’t have the time to not be decisive. But that’s how you meet people, and that’s how you get to know people, so to be honest, his prospects are looking a little slim.

To compare, his buddy Goten LOVES chatting up girls and chicks and ladies and dames and skirts alike, and he isn’t afraid of initiating a conversation. Trunks, on the other hand, likes the IDEA of freely conversing, but it just never plays out that way; he’s sort of famous and he shows his reputation to everybody who sees his face, and he can’t risk tarnishing it by venturing down a verbal path uncouth. He’s president of Capsule Corp, now, man! He wishes he could just say some wild and stupid and playful and free shit and gauge the responses, but, man, he just isn’t as stress-free as he used to be, and there’s more riding on his shoulders than there used to be.

Trunks isn’t necessarily looking for a girlfriend right now, but if you ask him, he seems to think that it’ll happen eventually. He wants to get one eventually. He just wants it to be the right woman. Trunks is holding out for a sensible woman, and he thinks that he’ll have her eventually, and he’ll know her when he does. 

That’s it - a sensible woman. Someone he can goddamn talk to. Someone who will let it be a partnership of equals, and who will let him be a man without losing sight of his humanity. Someone who will play a woman’s role without the vitriol or power struggle; someone who is chill and confident like him, and open-minded in discussion, and willing to be compassionate; someone who won’t throw herself under the bus or let herself be stomped on, someone who won’t invent ways for them to resent each other. 

And, yknow, he’d be pretty open-minded for her too. He’d be willing to tolerate a lot out of her, given she has the traits above. A sensible person can be hard to find. So he’d love her even if she had a really weird fetish or something. He would let her put him in reins and ride on him like a horsie. If that’s what it took. 

And that’s all that’s going on here. GT Trunks doesn’t want to settle for/be taken by a dangerous woman, he doesn’t want to put the time in to be social and to meet all the wrong people, and he is waiting for a sensible woman to come into his life so that he may fall in love with her.

But he’s not really focusing on that right now. Like he’s busy going into space and being president and stuff. He’s sort of okay where he is.

He doesn’t want to endure the slow and awkward getting-to-know-you process when he’s too busy to not be decisive about a follow-up, so it’s pretty cool that he already has a person who is his lifetime BFF and whom he can talk to without effort. He hangs out with Goten because it’s a chill affair and because Goten is a little based. Goten’s always got some shit to say. Goten will just say anything to you. 

Some viewers may arrive here and say that, hey, Trunks has already GOT a Goten, he’s already GOT a lifetime partner! He and Goten are on the same page all of the time. They know how to communicate. They’re already bonded. Does Trunks NEED anyone else?

And like Yeah you could stop there. Discussion over. Open and shut book. Goodbye

BUT I’m gonna keep going. I’m gonna argue that Trunks COULD use something more. I believe I’m on record as saying that he just needs a life-partner, he just needs that intimacy, so Goten would totally suffice, and not everybody gets what’s perfect for them so yeah maybe Trunks never secures a permanent woman but he’s happy enough running a sword-fighting dojo with his BFF sure - BUT. Imagine telling a 23 year old heterosexual (this adjective is not made canonical until DBS however) (this is present Trunks we all know that Future Trunks is gay) man that he’s never gonna have a woman. Well he just wouldn’t believe you for his own emotional wellbeing! Like what! He’s never going to have sexual relations with a woman again?! Please. You must be off your rocker.

OK so what. Does he keep his Goten and get over his subtle fear of what a woman could do to him and just start slamming ass all over Metro West? Maybe. That’s certainly an option.

But let’s consider Goten a moment. Goten is from a rural, traditional, and loving home, and he fully expects himself to have a wife and kids someday. When we see him in GT he’s still in his playboy phase and that’s fine but you can’t expect me to believe that he doesn’t want a family. Of course he wants a family. Everybody that he looks up to has one!

Unlike Trunks, Goten doesn’t have an aversion to the relationships that he’s borne witness to and the expectations put upon him, and he instead leans into them; when his mother tells him that he needs to settle down with a good woman and become a good working man, he listens to her. He just doesn’t know when it’ll happen. And while he certainly isn’t hoping on a wife who will beat him like how his mother beats his father, he would not be surprised to find himself with one; and if he did have an irascible and senseless wife, he would treat her carefully and with respect, and he wouldn’t miss all the cues that he’s seen his father miss when dealing with his mother, and he would take the wooden spoon beating with stoic dignity. And then afterward he would be like “Sugarlamb, babycakes, what’s got you all like this?” and depending on what she said he would either laugh her into reassurance (or another beating) or fly out of the house to destroy what was REALLY stressing her out.

To Goten, some women are just Like That, and that’s fine, and you gotta respect reality. He’s a virtuous man who wants to treat women with kindness, sympathy, and an awful lot of deference. 

Trunks, on the other hand, is partial to expecting accountability out of a wife.

So Goten is really gonna land himself a wife one of these days, I tell you what, it’s gonna happen. And he’ll tolerate an awful lot out of her. And he can hang out with his buddy Trunks as they share a passion and a hobby, but his mother always told him that when a man starts a family, his guy friends become third priority to his children and wife (something that Goku never understood in the way that Chichi did). And Goten believes her, and he is not interested in repeating the behaviors of his father that had always made his mother so sad, so he makes ample time for his wife and kids when they come, and less for his BFF and their dojo.

If this post were all about Goten then we could perhaps dive more into what I just said, like, sometimes people as adults end up in rotten relationships because they keep trying to “fix” the traits in the other that they could never see fixed in their parents, and they keep trying to get out of a partner what their parents never gave them. And it’s like, Goten growing up saw such terrible and soft sadness in his mother because his father was either dead or absent, and as a youth that really struck and scarred him. Sometimes he felt responsible for it by proxy, because he was a boy, because everyone told him how much he looked like his father, because his mother stopped smiling at him when he grew up and into his own priorities and he wasn’t his mother’s soothing baby boy anymore, because Goten’s skull was thick enough to break the wooden spoon whenever his mother tried to take it all out on him.

So now he’s determined to be a better husband than his father was, as a way to retroactively fix what he could never do anything about then, and to express an indirect apology to his mother for never being good enough. 

And you know, that’s pretty interesting. Maybe we should talk about THAT. Maybe we should talk about how Goten was never smart like Gohan, and always one step behind Trunks, and the only thing thing that made him feel like enough was when he let his mother pick out his outfits, because she seemed to delight in dressing him, and the significance of the dress to him started and ended at his mother’s approval.

But this post isn’t about Goten it’s about TRUNKS so don’t worry about all that.

So is Trunks ever going to fuck sex a hot woman again..? Has he ever even done that at all...? 

We know that Goten gets a wife, but now Trunks is spending a lot of time alone again. Goten has two hands, isn’t there enough time for everyone? Well, yeah, there is, if Goten’s wife is willing to extend her other hand out to Trunks.

Now this doesn’t necessarily have to be like a polycule or a throuple thing. Trunks could just be Goten’s special friend. His guy friend who hangs out all the time and pretty much lives there. You know. Goten and Goten’s wife and their kids and .. Trunks. You know. He’s just a guy who’s there. Doesn’t need to be a big deal or anything.

Maybe Trunks has some women in his life throughout the years yknow. Nothing major. Just to get by, you know.

Maybe he meets someone sensible and he graduates from living at Goten’s house with his wife. That’d be swell.

Honestly Trunks probably needs a lot of alone time and his own space anyway, so if he could just come by every now and then to get his Goten time and his lady time, that’s all he really needs to be happy. We could end the post right here.

Or, you know. It could be a throuple thing.

So, in the interest of finishing this post and finding out where Trunks’s life takes him, WHO IS GOTEN’S WIFE?

Well canon hasn’t given us a Goten love interest so we don’t know. But this post is about GT Trunks so canon doesn’t matter much anyway. Let’s talk about Palace-chan

Palace-chan (also known as Valese in some releases and in the title of one of my spotify playlists) is Goten’s GIRLFRIEND in Dragon Ball GT. She has a very sweet and daft demeanor, and she doesn’t seem to know most things. She is, however, very open-minded, and will be pleasantly surprised when you teach her things, like how to eat ice cream, or what a hamburger is. She dates Goten after having broken up with a previous boyfriend, as is evident by his line “this is the first time since I’ve known you that you haven’t had a boyfriend.” We don’t know how long they’ve known each other, or how many boyfriends she’s had. The wiki says she’s rich and I believe that but I don’t know if I’ve seen proof of that yet or if I just missed it. She is dumb as rocks and 100x softer. She is kind, sympathetic, empathetic, and really seems to love her Goten when we see them on screen. Also, she’s pretty and cute and beautiful and charming. I know that her bedroom is pink and she has fluffy heart-shaped pillows and she has a Gwen Stefani poster and that her favorite show is Krypto The Superdog.

Palace-chan is lovely and full of love and she’s fun and playful and encouraging and open-minded and compassionate and she’s a little bit completely odd. She will get sad before she gets mad, and she puts an awful lot of trust in you. Luckily, Goten is the perfect man to put trust in - he loves to protect those he loves - and he matches her playful interests perfectly. Palace-chan loves to cuddle and giggle and make cupcakes and watch Krypto The Superdog on the 1990s Sony TV in her bedroom.

And, like, if you ask him, Trunks isn’t interested in having a “girl’s night” at Palace-chan’s place (the thing about Palace-chan is that whenever she’s involved it becomes a girl’s night. Put her in a group of older muscly men and by the end of the evening they’re drinking strawberry daiquiris and reading Cosmo.) (Obligatory screenshots of Trunks reading Cosmo magazine)

So Trunks doesn’t fancy himself someone who could have a “girl’s night,” but he goes because Goten makes him, and yknow, Trunks is friendly enough, so he’ll hang out with Goten’s girlfriend, sure. She’s a nice lady. And before he knows it she’s got him in a red apron that says “Kiss the Sous Chef” in her kitchen making cupcakes with her! They’re all making cupcakes! And now they’re decorating them and they’re doing a shit job and there’s frosting everywhere and they’re all giggling about it. Then suddenly Trunks is being dogpiled on in Palace’s pink bed, and they’re all giggling and bothering each other, while Trunks is trying to work the remote because Palace INSISTED that they watch Krypto, and she put the DVD in and now Trunks is working the remote because Palace and Goten are busy painting each other’s toenails, and they start bothering Trunks too, and now he’s cuddling with them and it’s all awfully sweet and tender and soft and...fucking weird.

After a few visits - which he still feels is too soon - Trunks bathes at Palace-chan’s mansion. He’s in this giant tub and Goten enters the bathroom. “Hey man what’s going on.” Goten gets in with him and he asks him how it’s going and if he likes hanging out here and if he likes Palace-chan at all. Trunks tells him that he does enjoy hanging out with her, and he and Goten wash each other’s hair (this is normal). Then Palace-chan enters. Trunks doesn’t want to freak out or anything because this is Palace-chan’s goddamn house, and she can move through it as she pleases, but then, LIKE IT’S NOTHING, she strips and gets in the tub with them. Goten acts like this is normal. Trunks can’t believe what’s going on so he hurriedly moves to leave, but Goten pulls him down, and tells him to not be rude, and then he tries to resume the conversation that Palace has just started and included them all in. So Trunks stays and tries to hide himself and to avert his gaze and eventually Palace asks if someone can wash her hair and Goten gestures for Trunks to do it like it’s normal and this is all normal. So Trunks washes Palace-chan’s hair and she tells him that she has a hair routine but she can’t remember where she is on it so he can just go on ahead and use any bottle on the shelf there. 

This is so weird because last Trunks checked, he had not been married to the either of them for five years, so why does it feel like he’s five years into a marriage with these two? Why are they treating him like this?

Well, Palace and Goten are just like that. And more specifically, they like Trunks. Any friend of Goten is a someone whom Palace trusts completely, and besides, she thinks he’s cute. And Goten loves his sweet GF and his epic BFF and he thinks it’s funny how Trunks blushes whenever Palace tries to cuddle him. Also, he doesn’t like seeing Trunks overworked and lonely. It’s relieving to him, and comical, how even the cool Trunks starts giggling with the rest when Goten and Palace dogpile on him and mess with him. 

So, what’s my point here? Well, Palace-chan isn’t the calm, sensible, rational woman that Trunks had his hopes out for. But there aren’t many people out there who fit that bill, and less so since Gohan and Videl tied each other down. Palace-chan herself isn’t even single, but she and her boyfriend seem willing to share, so who is Trunks to turn up his nose? Palace is open-minded and compassionate, and Goten’s chief concern is always the happiness and wellbeing of the flock, and it’s not like Trunks is keen on rocking the boat arbitrarily - they all keep each other mindful and loved, and there’s plenty of room for all of them in the corners of each other. Why, it seems like a good set-up. Palace-chan gets a nice, careful, virtuous and funny husband, as well as a second sweet and cute guy; Goten gets that wife he wants, and she is a lovely catch, and she doesn’t even beat him, and he also gets to keep his right-hand-man you-know-me-like-no-other confidant close; and Trunks gets the intimacy and understanding of his already BFF as well as the affection and touch of a tender woman who won’t yell at him.

So...?

THIS POST WAS GOTEN X PALACE X TRUNKS PROPAGANDA  ALL ALONG!!!!

But I’m gonna keep talking.

See the thing is, I said earlier that Trunks would ideally want a life partner who is SENSIBLE and will work with him regarding boundaries and compromises. He doesn’t want a woman who just gets her way. But the thing about Palace-chan is that she often does just get her way out of virtue of the fact that if you deny her then you’re just being an asshole. Like, it’s an issue of chivalry. She’s a delicate thing. You just gotta let her have this man.

But that doesn’t mean she’s interested in making you commit to stuff that you don’t like. If you REALLY hated Krypto The Superdog then she would eventually stop asking you to watch it with her. But she’d definitely be sad to start. And she may find it hard to believe that you wouldn't like it. Because it’s the best fucking show ever. But as long as you don’t INSULT Krypto then she’ll let you walk away from it. But if you’re mean about it then she’d stamp her feet and make her very best stern face (it’s not that stern) and she’d say “Trunks-san. You are being very rude right now. If you don’t stop then I am going to say something rude myself.” But she just isn’t that scary and you can tell that she’s really so sad and trying to hold her ground, not that she’s especially angry.

Also I think that if you did walk all over her, then she would just break up with you. You think that maybe she’s a vulnerable and fragile flower but the thing is she’s rich and doesn't need you if you’re a dick. She can tell when she’s not being heard and if it keeps happening then she has the emotional strength and courage to cry to completion all night over what she’s about to lose, and then have the conviction to cut you loose the next day. I think she did that with all of her other boyfriends, albeit some of her reasons were stupid (the color of your bikes didn’t match). And some of her breakups she performed with only moroseness and the finality of a cried-out heart, not so much coming from a place of fierce self-vindication. But I’m getting sidetracked.

I said at the beginning that Trunks is afraid of winding up like his father. In the loving and stable arms of his BFF and his GF, it seems like Trunks has nothing to be afraid of. 

But except that he does. Because after Goten and Palace get married, Palace gets pregnant. Trunks doesn’t really want kids, but he wouldn’t dare try to tell Goten and Palace how to live their life, and he’s not gonna leave the either of them for just that reason.

Everyone’s excited for Goten and Palace’s child, but the damn baby is born with blue hair. The damn baby is born with blue hair. Trunks and Palace weren’t married, which makes it a bastard child; and Palace is married to someone else, so that makes it an adultery baby. “But aren’t they all kind of in the relationship together, it can’t REALLY be an adultery baby, right?” - BUT BY A TECHNICALITY IT IS, ISN’T IT? Trunks just accidentally had a baby. He did not even want a kid, he did not MEAN to make one, but he finds himself in this scenario nonetheless, enticed by the love of a woman he did not choose but who chose him.

His father tells him over the phone later that he had warned him. “I warned you. When you went through puberty, I told you - I warned you to stay away from those jezebels who’ll try to steal your seed.” Vegeta didn’t really say that but actually yeah I think he did. I think he did say that. I think he would say that. I think he would. And I think he did.

Trunks of course already had himself living under the specter of fear for that scenario, and he did try really hard to avoid it. And you could argue that Trunks and his BFF and his BFF’s wife is a very different scenario from the one that Bulma ensnared Vegeta in. But that’s not how it feels. Trunks feels suddenly that he’s had no volition in this, that he’s been hunted like his mother and trapped like his father, all because he had the damn gall to be a lonely man. 

He gets over it though & the next two kids are Goten’s. And Palace tries to name the next one “Vegeta V” even though it’s Goten’s and the first real riff in the relationship occurs when Trunks begs her day and night to not fucking name it that. He says “If that baby isn’t born with blue hair you can’t fucking name it that.” And then she names it that anyway & long story short I think that Trunks eventually snaps & takes the baby down to the Secretary of State’s office and tries to legally change its name. And the lady working the counter is like “You are not either of the baby’s parents” and he’s like “That’s the fucking problem, it’s named after my dad.” And she’s like “I cannot legally help you do this”  And for the first time in Trunks’s life ever he uses his status for selfish gains, he leans over the counter and says “Ma’am, I am the President of the richest corporation on Earth. If you help me out with this little thing, I could make your life really good.”

Anyway he walks out of there with the baby’s new legal name being Son Goten II. 

So yeah. GT Trunks everybody

[nothinggathers]

Oh! I wanna ask number 16 and 18 for violence ask game 👉👈

16. you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)

LOL I'm almost nervous about this one. Fanon Gavin. Just... fanon Gavin. I don't get it. He's very much a one dimensional prick in the game and that gives you so much scope to employ him as an antagonist, and there's so much you can do with him in that regard! The set up in the game gives damn good reasons for Gavin to treat androids like shit, and it implies he's very much the one to play Bad Cop with criminals, and...

Fanon says he has a sort of affectionately antagonistic relationship with the stone cold murderbot and has cats, and basically puts him through Hank's arc and I feel like that misses out on so much of Gavin's potential as a character. He's a very blank slate in a lot of respects, and I get the appeal of putting this dipshit in the fandom snow globe and giving him a thorough shake, but I don't personally want to see him redeemed. I'd rather see him continue to be a prick and an obstacle, just one that nuts up and does his job in a way that sometimes has him pointing in the same direction as the likes of Hank so Gavin can be a prick and obstacle in a way that benefits the good guys sometimes. 18. it's absolutely criminal that the fandom has been sleeping on…

Josh, and I'll admit I do this too. We all know that North got dealt a raw deal by the narrative, and that Simon is quietly one of the more complex characters in Jericho. Kamski gets a decent amount of attention although I wish more people played with him as an outright antagonist out for his own ends instead of portraying him as obtusely benevolent in the background. Chloe doesn't get enough attention but that's my personal biases at play. Everyone accepts that Amanda is a really cool concept that is drastically underserved by the canon.

But Josh.... Our man Josh. He's a pacifist, and he's a university lecturer model, and...

I think out of all the androids in Jericho, Josh is the one that's looked into the civil rights movements that have worked in recorded history and how they're viewed by people now, and that's why he espouses the opinions he does. There are a lot of parallels between the android push for their rights and the Black Civil Rights movement, (and a lot of entirely justified criticism of the way the game handled all of that 'cause god damn DC, really?) and I really think that something could be made out of those parallels being a tactical choice made by Jericho, with Josh at the head of it, specifically to trigger those memories and equate the androids to something familiar and human in the minds of the general human population. And of course it doesn't happen because I'm pretty sure that DC didn't put that much thought into it, but I'd love to see someone better placed than me reframe that narrative as Jericho Knew What It Was Doing instead of "Yeah, DC is a huge piece of shit". (He is. Like I said, I doubt this was intentional on the canon's part. The canon handles this terribly because DC is a giant steaming turd of a human)

Josh is a university lecturer. He's used to getting humans to challenge the way they think and make them see things from different angles, it's kind of what he was built for. If anyone should be directing the revolution with a view to historical events it should be him.

Although I guess arguably that's canon sleeping on Josh, not just fandom.

[kyndaris]

Mirror Maze

Although there were no immediate sparks between Dikottir and me, we continued to chat on Hinge. Unlike many of the other men I chatted to, Dikttori wasn't very consistent in his messages over Hinge. Occasionally, a day or two would pass before I'd receive a response from him. Supposedly it was because he'd draft a response and forget to send it through or Hinge would glitch on his android phone.

Whatever the reason, he wasn't consistently spamming me with messages, which was a nice change of pace because I'm often playing video games or writing up blog posts or editing my stories, and leaving my phone far away from me. Something that most would regard as abnormal for a Millennial, but the only time I take my phone is when I'm dying of boredom and don't have a convenient book lying around. In fact, my mother uses her phone far more than I do and you can see it in the battery health.

Still, I thought it best to get to know Dikottir a little better. After all, I'm a slow burn type of person. It's only when I've become friends with someone and known them for a quite a while before I start to properly open up.

While they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, I find the opposite holds true when you're first trying to get to know someone. Shocking, I know, coming from an introvert who never seems to leave the sanctity of the house.

So, when the the PowerHouse Museum featured the Kaleidoscope exhibit, I asked Dikottir if he was interested. This was, after all, the man who had suggested checking out Oh! Bento and who had earlier gone twice to an Air Crash/ Seance exhibition at the PowerHouse.

Thankfully, Dikottir hadn't been to Kaleidoscope just yet and was open to checking it out. After arranging a date amenable to the two of us, we bought our tickets online separately.

I arrived early to the date, mostly because I needed to roam around the city a little in order to buy a Father's Day gift for my stepfather. Kyndaris, I hear you international readers ask, wasn't Father's Day in June? Well, no. In Australia, it's celebrated on the first weekend of September. Which was when Dikottir and I went on our date to the Kaleidoscope.

Given the fact that my stepfather and I weren't on talking terms, I wasn't certain how much effort I ought to put into present buying. But I knew I wanted to do something better than buying him a pair of underwear like my mother. After all, I'm a pretty observant individual (at least I like to think so) and knew he had an interest in taking photos. Whether the photos he took were good or not, I couldn't say. It's not like he showed me.

And it was the easiest of his hobbies to buy for as his ones included playing sport, reading online stories or playing mahjong on his phone.

By the time I rocked up to Kaleidoscope, I'd purchased a cleaning kit and a strap for my stepfather.

Along the way, I stopped by Anime Kaika. From the name alone, it should come as no surprise that the store is where people can anime merchandise. Inside, three Nenderoids caught my eye: Kingdom Hearts III Riku, Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth.

While I was tempted to buy at least one of them, in order to add to my collection of figurines (which, albeit isn't very extensive), I withheld on the purchase. After all, I am a woman with a mortgage and limited funds. I am, as well, a responsible adult who spends her money on normal adult things. Like groceries, books, video games, books, work clothes, books, video games and other necessary items.

Anyways, after a quick jaunt through the city, I arrived outside the Kaleidoscope exhibit near the PowerHouse museum. It wasn't long before Dikttori joined me and the two of us entered the mirror maze. Almost immediately, I discovered a trick to help differentiate the critical path and what were a series of reflections: staring at the ground and seeing where the bottom of the mirror was. Dikottir, impressed by my talents, informed me I'd no doubt be an excellent competitor of the hit Netflix show Squid Game or its final survivor.

Something I very much doubted because some of the games played were pure luck rather than skill. And I'd no doubt die in some gruesome manner one way or the other.

Not to mention the fact that I'd probably also be one of the first to turn into a zombie if the world descended into a zombie apocalypse.

After a good thirty minutes where Dikottir and I were thoroughly turned around, we managed to escape Kaleidoscope, taking photos of what it looked like in the daytime and the impressive evening light show.

From Kaleidoscope, we hoofed it to World Square where we enjoyed some Ippudo ramen (it was a cold September night) and chatted about the upcoming Voice referendum (which by the time this post goes up will have ended) and other social causes that we believed strongly in. After filling our stomachs with ramen, Dikottir tried to locate a Thai dessert place. But unlike most men I knew, he was surprisingly terrible at directions, and I had to step in to slowly guide him to Mango Coco.

Unfortunately, the line there was huge so we abandoned our initial plans of dessert and headed for a bubble tea place on George Street instead. As we walked, we talked about work and our lives, before we stopped by a busker playing anime, game and classical music on his portable keyboard.

Just like that, the night was over.

Did I think Dikottir and I were a good match?

Well, he certainly had a decent job and we shared similar sentiments when it came to politics (which, honestly, probably isn't something that should be raised during dates but there it is), but I can't say if I felt anything for him beyond the fact he seemed a decent and affable man. Dikottir was certainly more educated than many of the others I'd met and seemed wiser than his thirty odd years.

It begs the question why a man like him hadn't settled down earlier with a nice girl.

But it also makes me wonder if I am aromantic as well as asexual. Or if perhaps my romantic interests lie elsewhere. Dating women, however, is a difficult endeavour and I'm not sure if I'll ever find the right person for me to prove or disprove my suspicions.

I know, of course, that I can obsess over people and feel deep platonic care and worry for my friends...but where does one draw the line between friendship and romance? It's a question I'm still trying to figure out. Which is difficult for me as I always feel like I'm a step behind.

Still, that hasn't stopped me from shipping Maddox and Ashlyn from High School Musical the Musical the Series. I'm not sure why I started watching the show but it tickles a part of my brain. It's almost like a guilty pleasure.

And I've had many over the years.

After all, why DID I watch all the seasons of Pretty Little Liars and even Ravenswood spin-off? I watched all the seasons of Once upon a Time, too! And Glee!

Gah, why am I exposing myself like this? Forget those last few paragraphs! Strike it from your memory!

The point of this post, and my dating adventures, is that finding love is hard. And while I wish I could know deep in my bones if I like-like someone, I'm the type that will somehow convince myself it was all in my head and switch such feelings off.

Or, perhaps, by the time the year is done, I'll have fallen head over heels in love with someone and be singing a different tune.

[systemadministratorclu]

[5x5 challenge, for Hal... Probably Grid Hal, but not opposed to ASO AU with Ed]

— “you’re freezing! take my jacket.”

He looked up at the stranger as he tried to hide his shivering. He gladly took the jacket, though, pulling it around his shoulders......and it did feel a little warmer, though it was also a bit small for him.

"Thank you." the android-for that's what he was-said in a surprisingly small, soft voice. Surprising, because he himself was not small. Six feet tall and strongly built, like the astronauts who trained for years to go into space, because that's what he had been built to do. But now? Now he was tossed out like trash, all because of something that wasn't even his fault. The people who had been assigned to dismantle him had instead taken pity on him and let him out of the space agency/military facility instead. But that was all they had been able to do. He'd been on his own after that. Running for days, never staying too long lest they find him. He couldn't even go to his home, or contact his creator, Dr. Chandra, to say that he was alive and okay. He hoped maybe his siblings were still reading his signal on the connection they shared that only Chandra and them knew about. He'd found places to recharge whenever he could. He had acquired a wireless device charging pad. All he had to do was plug it into an outlet and place his hand on it. It took a long time to recharge himself, but it was better than nothing, and thankfully, he'd been designed so he could derive energy from food too if necessary. Chandra had indeed designed everything so that his beloved child-that's how he viewed the android and his three sibling units-would be able to find a way to survive, no matter what.

Which was how he ended up here, huddled behind a wall in the parking garage at Encom. Unfortunately, it was a spot where the rain came flowing in, but it kept the wind off him a bit. From beneath matted, dirty, messy hair, a pair of large red eyes looked up at Ed, half scared, half sad and tired, as he still shivered inside his soaked, worn out clothes. He'd gotten them from the stashes left out for homeless people, so they weren't in the best shape to begin with.

It was that face, the face of a lost, scared, lonely child that had often spared him from being detained and handed over, or gotten him a free meal, or a night inside to recharge. And now it had won Ed over. Unlike many people, he wasn't disturbed at all by an android being so lifelike. Probably because Ed had seen things many people hadn't, and knew things many people didn't. Although, until he saw the eyes, Ed had though this was just an ordinary homeless man. But knowing what he was now somehow made Ed even more sure he had to help him, somehow.

"Hey," he said gently, "why don't you come with me back to my place for a bit. This storm won't be over for a while, and it's going to get colder out here. You'll freeze up if you stay here." Hal shook his head.

"I-I can't.....I can't stay in one place for too long. I.....I'm sorry."

"That's okay," Ed replied, "I'm not asking you to live there. Just......at least come wait out the storm there. It's warm, and dry. Hey, I'll even get you something to eat." He took in the android's appearance again. "You can get some clean clothes. And a hot shower. And you can.....recharge, or whatever you call that......I promise, I just want to help, and it feels wrong to just leave you here like this." Hal was silent for a moment.

It was true, he would need a recharge soon. And.......dry clothes, a hot shower, and a meal did sound nice. This man actually reminded him of Dr. Chandra, the way he seemed to know what Hal was, yet still talked to him like a person, still gave him the choice. Something inside, in his heart, told him he could trust this man.

So he did.

"I'm Ed, by the way." The man said, helping him up.

"I am a HAL 9000 computer......but...e-everyone calls me Hal." Ed couldn't help feeling a little starstruck. Everyone who knew anything about tech knew about the HAL 9000 series. There were only four of them in existence, and they were the most advanced, most powerful AI/supercomputer ever. The first truly sentient AIs ever created. Nothing else came close.

The government had tried to blame the loss of the Discovery crew back in 2001 on the ship's HAL 9000. But somehow, the real story had been leaked out, that the computer had been given mission directives that contradicted its core programming, and it had no way to resolve the contradiction, which immediately made a lot more sense to anyone who had even a basic knowledge of how computers work than the government's claim that the AI went rogue. It was clear the space agency knew they messed up, costing the lives of five men, and were trying to cover their asses now by instead throwing the AI under the bus, despite his creator trying to get the truth out. He would be relieved to find that it had gotten out after all, and there were public calls for investigations of everyone involved with whatever those mission specific directives were.

And now, Ed realized, that very AI was now following him to his car, looking for all the world like some kind of lost puppy who'd been kicked, his head down the whole way, as if he were afraid of Ed. He didn't say a word as he let Ed help him into the passenger seat of the car. The seat was going to be soaked, but Ed could worry about that later.

The drive home was filled with quiet conversation. Hal just stared out the window, watching the rain fall as he explained why he'd been in the parking garage and why he had to keep moving around. Ed seemed to understand, even saying he might have a way to help, as he turned the heat on and cranked it, which seemed to make the android more comfortable. When they got to Ed's house, he led Hal inside, carefully taking the soaked jacket. He showed Hal where the bathroom was-the poor guy looked like crap. Ed didn't want to guess how long it had been since he last set foot in a shower. The though was too heartbreaking and anger-inducing at the same time.

While Hal was in the shower, Ed took the time to get him some clothes from his room. Something comfortable he could sleep in for now. As he did, something glittered in the corner of his eye, and he smiled at the two homemade plaques that hung on the wall. Suddenly, he was reminded of their talk on the way home. He knew somewhere Hal could go and be safe from the government jerks trying to pin five murders and a disastrous mission on him. Somewhere he'd have people care for him, where he'd always have a warm place to sleep, and most importantly, he'd be safe. Ed left the clothes on the counter in the bathroom for Hal, taking Hal's own wet ones to go and wash them, then went into his office, typing messages on his computer.

Hal was glad he'd come with Ed. As soon as he felt the hot water rush over his body, he felt his entire self sigh and relax into it, though he made a face when he saw the color of the water going down the drain. He hadn't realized how dirty he actually was. He reached for the shampoo, pausing in confusion when he saw there were two and one of them was meant for fur. Maybe Ed had a pet or something. Not that it was his business. He took the other one and washed and rinsed his own hair, returning it to the dark brown it was supposed to be. He then used the soap (there was only one of those) to wash himself off. He stayed under the warm water until it started to get cold. Then he shut it off, got out, dried off, and dressed in a pair of sweatpants and an old Encom t-shirt. He took in his reflection in the mirror. It was a the first time in a while that Hal looked like himself.

Dinner was nothing special: a lot of ramen and a side of dinosaur chicken nuggets (Hal deduced Ed must have a child, but said child was staying elsewhere for the night). Ed had excused himself while Hal ate to go "send a few emails" as he'd said. Hal took it upon himself to clean up and do dishes as a sort of thank-you to Ed for the man's kindness. He then picked up his wireless charger, plugged it in near the couch, and sat down with the charger on the end table and his hand resting on the charger.

"Hal?" Ed walked in with a laptop in his hands, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"About what?" Hal asked. Ed sat down beside him.

"Remember in the car how I said I might have a way to help you, but I'd have to talk to someone first?" Hal nodded, "Well, I did, and they'd be happy to help. They even have a job you'd be great for, because it's pretty much things you already do. You'd be what's known as an Administrative Aide. And more importantly, you'd be going somewhere no one will be able to find you. Well, no one you don't want to find you."

"Wh-Where would I go?" Hal asked. Ed turned the laptop around and started showing him pictures on it.

"Here. A digital world no one even knows about called The Grid." Hal watched as he clicked through pictures of a brightly lit world with people who had lights of their own. They all wore black suits and each person had their own unique pattern of circuits. And they all looked so happy.

"And this is the guy in charge. You'd be his Administrative aide." Ed then showed him a tall program with a warm smile and a kind face. He had gold circuits and wore long flowing robes that looked......just like space.

"This is Clu. You'll like him, he's very nice, and he's already said he'd love to have you."

Hal was quiet for a moment. Then he looked up at Ed.

"Can I.....say goodbye? To Dr. Chandra and my brothers and sister?"

"Goodb-Hal, you're not dying. You'll be able to see them again, talk to them. You can even come back out of the Grid. Clu does it all the time when he comes to visit me. Hey, I can have your family come here and you can come see them in person......But I will contact them to let them know where you are and that you're safe. Of course I will. I want to help you, Hal. I'm not going to force you. This is your choice. I just want you to know this is an option......Hey, why don't you and I go there now, and you can see it for yourself before you decide what you want to do."

"Okay. Yes, please, I'd like that." Hal felt much better that he didn't have to choose right away. And the fact that he wasn't going to be cut off from his family was a huge relief also.

"Alright. Let me just finish this email, then we'll go." Ed sat back with the laptop, typing rapidly. What he was actually sending was a message to Chandra, who he easily got a contact for thanks to everyone in the tech community knowing how to find everyone else. It included a brief explanation of the Grid and what it would mean for Hal to live there. He also said he'd be showing Hal the Grid and for Chandra to expect another message with a link to an encrypted, untraceable video call that would connect him with Ed and Hal on the Grid.

When that was done, Ed led Hal into his office, where the laser setup was.

"It looks scarier than it is," Ed assured him, "You'll feel sort of tingly all over. That's normal. You'll also be dressed more like a program when we get there. That's also normal, and I'll tell you more about that when we get there." Hal nodded and said he was ready.

He opened his eyes when the tingling faded and Ed told him they'd arrived. And yet, it looked like they were still in the office, except it was much cleaner. Nothing on the desk or walls. All the furniture was there, except for the laser, but none of the decor was there. And indeed Hal looked different. A black suit with white circuits, and secondary red ones. Hal quickly followed Ed out into......the city he'd seen on Ed's computer. But the tiny images, Hal decided, fell short of seeing the place in person. A tall tower stood in the heart of the city, with bright golden circuits, like it was the sun of the city.

And standing before them was the smiling man Ed had called Clu.

"Hello, User. Is this Hal?" Ed nodded and Clu now turned to Hal.

"It's nice to meet you, Hal," Clu said, "Would you like me to show you around a bit?" Hal could only nod, still amazed at everything around him. Clu smiled and gently took his hand.

"Then let's go. You can come too, User." Ed laughed and joined them.

Clu showed Hal everything he could think of. Where he'd live, where he'd work, some important places around Tron City. He'd even introduced him to a few programs, all of whom had immediately liked Hal. When they got to a communications console, Ed sent his message, then showed Hal the console.

"There'll be one in your home like this, so you can call from there. Oh, looks like someone is calling you now!" Hal nodded and with Ed's help, he answered the call.

The worried face of Dr. Chandra filled the screen and lit up when he saw (a very surprised but happy) Hal onscreen.

"Hal! Oh my god, Hal!" the man cried. Hal smiled back at him.

"Hello, Dr. Chandra." He said softly.

"Oh Hal, I'm so glad to see you're alive! When they took you away, I......but then H and Moebius said they saw someone sneak you out.....oh, you don't know how happy I am to see you!" There were tears in the man's eyes behind his glasses, and it was obvious he hadn't been sleeping well. He'd been crying a lot.

"I'm happy to see you, too. I....I thought I'd never see you again." Hal said, his own eyes misting over. Clu chose that moment to walk over and introduce himself. He explained who he was on the Grid and that Hal would be living near him and working closely with him.

"You can talk to him whenever you'd like. The link you're using right now has registered you as a safe contact and will encrypt all your calls. No one will be able to use it to find Hal, but you can always talk to him through it. And if you want to visit in person, just talk to Ed. He'll make it happen. You have our word."

"Thank you, both of you." Chandra said, turning to Hal.

"It's your choice, Hal, always, but-"

"I know, Dr. Chandra. I don't want to put you or the others in danger, but I don't want you to worry either. So......I've made my choice. I will stay here, on the Grid."

"That's wonderful, Hal. I'm happy for you.....They're asleep now, but I'll tell the others you're okay, and we'll call you tomorrow night. And we'll come visit soon, okay?"

"Okay." Chandra smiled, something he hadn't done in a while.

"I love you, Hal."

"I love you, too." Hal smiled, too. They said a final goodbye and ended the call.

-------

Later, after touring more of the Grid (including the Archives, which were best described as 'a library on steroids') and watching a game of (now non-lethal and much more fun) Disc Wars, Clu and Hal took Ed back to the Gateway.

"I'll keep your stuff with Clu's for whenever you want to come for a visit, Hal. And I'll get you some better clothes. You wear the same sizes as Clu, so that'll make it easy." Ed promised Hal.

"Thank you, Ed."

"No problem. And welcome home, Hal 9000."

---------------

Hal returned to his new apartment at the Admin Tower. Clu had already installed him as Administrative aide and Master Archivist.

He walked into his bedroom and saw that Clu had also gotten him larger photos of his creator and siblings. They sat in nice frames on his bedside table, where their smiling faces would greet him every morning and night. Without hesitating, he slid under the covers, realizing how tired he was despite the energy he'd drank earlier (that was another reason to stay. Recharging was so much easier here, and Ed said he would arrive with a fully charged battery if he came to the Userworld). Ed's and Clu's words echoed in his mind again.

Welcome home, Hal.

For the first time since the Discovery mission went so horribly wrong, Hal 9000 fell peacefully asleep with a smile on his face.

[mrspasser]

2. Traffic jam

After a long night on the job detective Gavin Reed and his partner RK900 get stuck in a traffic jam just outside the city of Detroit. When their car gets hit they find themselves in a situation that is very different from their usual job as homicide detectives. They deal with death on a daily basis, yet now they have to help a young woman give birth.

Cover made with fanart by @donlemefo​

Coffee. He needed coffee. A double espresso. Or an extra large mug of the regular black gold that came from the coffee machine at the precinct. Ever since they had lobbied for a new - decent - coffee machine last year, Gavin no longer had to bring coffee from home. He only brought his thermos now when he went straight to a crime scene from home, like he did last night. That thermos was empty now, discarded somewhere in the back seat of the car.

It had been a long night; a drugs related shootout gone horribly wrong, with two civilian casualties. Usually Hank and his pet Connor dealt with the Red Ice cases; the gang involved tonight had been on their radar for some time now, but with the civilian deaths Gavin and his partner got called in too. Or rather, RK900 had shown up on his doorstep, saying it was more efficient for the detective to go straight to the crime scene instead of going by the precinct first.

Gavin was already dressed to go out and he didn’t question the android for his impeccable timing. In the six months they were partners now Gavin had learned it was easier to roll with these kind of things instead of fighting the inhuman perfectionism of it. That didn’t mean he blatantly followed the plastic prick; he still went his own way, he just didn’t pick a fight about it anymore. That shit was tiring. And humiliating, in some cases. Gavin did not need to be bent over his desk with his arm twisted to his back in the middle of the fucking bullpen again, thank you very much. Besides, there were better ways to annoy the android. So he just turned around after opening the door to his partner and calmly walked back to the kitchen.

“Detective Reed?” From the sound of it the android was still standing outside his door, ready to go.

“Tin can?” he echoed innocently, filling up his coffee maker.

“What text?”

A moment later the android appeared around the corner, silent as always. Stealth had a new meaning when it came to the RK-series. Where Connor knew to make some kind of sound to make up for his silent footfalls, as not to startle every one of his colleagues when he walked up to them, RK900 didn’t bother with that.

The android took one look at the coffee machine and said: “I take it that you haven’t read my text.”

“The one I sent you exactly twelve minutes ago, detective. To make sure you could fill up your thermos before I arrived here.”

Like how the RK900 was already cross-referencing the sparsely available footage from the security cameras around the crime scene, sitting in the passenger seat of Gavin’s car. It would save them quite some time at the bureau, although they still had to fill in the necessary reports before Gavin could finally go home and roll into bed. RK900 could do what he always did after Gavin left the precinct: stand in a corner of the storage room and stare at the wall. Or something like that. Gavin didn’t want to think too hard about that lately.

Gavin didn’t need to look at his phone to know the text was there. It was creepy how well the RK900 knew his habits and schedule, from the way he drank his coffee - black, strong - to the way he prefered to go about analyzing a crime scene - silence, Gavin needed silence. And for everybody to get out of his fucking way.

RK900 didn’t make himself scarce when Gavin looked around a crime scene, taking in the details. Instead, the six foot plus android performed his own investigation, including that gross way of dipping his finger in blood and sticking it in his mouth for analysing. Those CyberLife designers were fucking perverts. Period.

However, the android did stay silent until Gavin was done surveying the crime scene, waiting to combine their observations into one concluding image. Gavin wasn’t that much of an asshole to not admit - silently, in his own head - that they worked well together. They were closing cases at a much faster rate than the detective duos that consisted out of two humans. They even gave Hank and Connor a run for their money on some days. And although Gavin prefered to work alone, working with a walking, talking supercomputer did have its advantages.

He glanced over at his partner, sitting up stiffly in the car seat. With his eyes glazed over and his LED reflecting yellow in the car window, he looked more robotic than ever. His hands were placed neatly on his thighs; strong hands with slender fingers. Neatly trimmed nails and perfect cuticles, all designed in the labs of CyberLife. Hands that could snap your neck as easy as breaking a pencil. And at the same time those hands were capable of deftly plucking a single cat hair from Gavin’s sweater. After which he put that cat hair in his damn mouth and announced that Gavin had an American Shorthair at home, with traces of the Siberian cat in its DNA. Gavin had snappishly corrected him there were two of them, from the same nest. Plastic prick.

The car beeped to alert him of slowing traffic in front of him, pulling Gavin’s eyes back to the road. He always liked to drive himself, even though the car was capable of automatic driving. Even after a long night like this he still refused to surrender this little piece of control to a machine. As long as he was capable of doing it himself, he would. Getting his driving license was a proud day for young Gavin, giving him a sense of freedom.

An alert on the screen in the center console told him there were roadworks up ahead, with risks of traffic jams. Rows of red lights in front of him turned that risk into a fact. Gavin sweared violently and hit the wheel with both hands. He searched the GPS map for possible exits, only to find out he already missed the last exit and was now stuck on the last stretch of highway that lead to the city center.

“Something wrong, detective?” Grey eyes were now alert and fixed on Gavin, LED no longer yellow but a steady blue.

“Yes, something’s wrong, dipshit!” Gavin hit his steering wheel again and waved his hand at the traffic jam ahead of them.

“Fuck you and that non-existing humor module of yours,” Gavin grumbled. “I’m sitting next to the supposed best CyberLife has to offer and you couldn’t even warn me of a traffic jam?!”

RK900 glanced at the scene in front of them. “The sun is coming up?”

He looked back at Gavin with one of his eyebrows marginally raised. The RK900’s range of facial expressions was a lot smaller than that of his predecessor. Connor was made to assimilate, RK900 to assassinate. Gavin knew when he was being made fun of though.

RK900 didn’t answer. He only moved his hand over the screen of the center console and the warning of roadworks came to the front again. “It looks like the car already did that for me.”

He was jolted awake by a hard bang. The car moved sideways, almost hitting the car in the lane next to them. Gavin should have been jostled in his seat, possibly hitting his head, were it not for his seatbelt and the steel beam of android arm that held him upright instead of slumped against his window.

Gavin made a face and slumped back in his seat. Behind them more and more cars were lining up. No movement up ahead. It looked like they would be here a while.

“Fuck this! Wake me up when shit starts moving, yeah?”

He pulled his hoodie over his head and rested his head against the window, not willing to deal with this any longer.

“Yeah,” Gavin gasped. “What the fuck was that?”

RK900 moved his arm away and quickly looked him over. Probably even threw in a scan for good measure.

“Are you okay, detective?”

“A car came up over the emergency lane and suddenly swerved. It hit the right side of your car.”

“I think your car door needs to be replaced,” the android answered.

Surely the passenger door was now warped, the window broken. The android’s lap was covered in tiny bits of glass. Gavin sweared loudly, leaning over to check the damage. He fervently hoped the other party was well insured for this shit.

“Something damaged?” he asked, looking at his partner.

“I meant you, tin can,” Gavin sighed. “Are you… you know, hurt?”

“All systems in check,” came the answer. “No external damage either.”

“Of course not, you’re built like a tank,” he muttered, unfastening his seatbelt.

“Come on, let’s go see who was stupid enough to hit a cop car.”

“We have a situation, detective,” RK900 said apprehensively, peering into the back of the car.

Gavin quickly got out of his car, followed by his partner who had to climb over to his seat to get out. Despite his considerable height he managed to make it look easy.

Showing his badge to get curious bystanders back in their car Gavin made his way over to the other car. The driver was turned around in his seat, fussing over something or someone in the back of the car.

He rapped his knuckles on the window. “DPD! Step out of your vehicle, sir!”

“No shit, tin can,” Gavin deadpanned, eyes focused on the driver. It was a kid, probably barely had his learner’s permit. The boy looked at him with large, round eyes, white as a sheet. Gavin pulled the car door open, gesturing for the kid to get out.

“What the hell did you think you were doing, kid?!”

As the kid tried to stammer his way through an explanation, a loud howl came out of the car.

“What the fuck?”

“Hospital,” she shouted in a broken voice. “My baby… is coming!”

The kid sweared as well, trying to get back in the car. Gavin yanked him back by his shoulder and looked inside himself.

In the back seat was a young woman, sweat dripping from her face and clearly pregnant. She gripped the back of the seats with such force that Gavin thought she would rip the upholstery.

Gavin shot upright, nearly bumping into his partner as he stepped back.

“We’ve got a situation, indeed.”

A few minutes later they had a plan in action. They pushed the car back to the shoulder of the road, out of the way from traffic. Gavin quickly put his own car to the side too and put down a warning sign a little down the line.

RK900 had requested an ambulance, yet their ETA was severely pushed back because of the traffic jam in combination with the morning rush hour. They were on their own for now.

“I’m not the father,” the boy said in a wavering voice. He was shaking like a leaf, Gavin feared he might drop. “She’s my sister.”

RK900 was checking on the woman while Gavin did the same with the young man.

“You okay there, buddy?” he asked carefully. “You’re about to become a father, that must be exciting.”

“Then you’ll be an uncle, that’s cool too,” Gavin amended, having no experience of either himself.

The boy nodded, becoming even paler. He must be in shock, Gavin realised.

“I think you should sit down, kid. You don’t look too hot.”

“She has contractions every two minutes or less,” RK900 stated, his eyes fixed on the woman in front of him. “Her water broke before they got in the car and the baby is already descended.”

With the kid leaning against the front wheel of the car, drinking from a bottle of water that Gavin found in his glovebox, he returned to his partner and the soon-to-be-mother.

“How are things looking up - Woah!”

Gavin turned on his heels, planting his back against the side of the car. Looking in there had been a bit too much of looking in there.

“Meaning?” Gavin gulped, starting to feel a little out of his depth. He was a homicide detective for fuck’s sake!

Gavin followed the android’s instructions, getting him a bottle of water and the first aid kit from the car. They sure lacked when it came to supplies, but it would have to do until the paramedics came.

“The baby is coming,” his partner answered matter-of-factly. “And I need your help.”

Another loud moan interrupted him.

“Quickly.”

He stopped by the boy, who still looked pale, but had stopped shivering. “Wanna see your nephew or niece get born?”

The boy shook his head firmly, his nose scrunched up.

“Yeah, right… I wouldn’t wanna see that much of my sister either,” Gavin chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair before he walked away.

“I can’t hold it much longer,” the woman panted. “I need… to push!”

Careful to keep his eyes trained on less intimate parts of her body - RK900 was keeping an eye on the other stuff already anyway - Gavin came to stand next to his partner. The android was sitting on his knees, one hand on the inside of her knee to keep her leg up where it couldn’t find purchase on the edge of the backseat, the other being squashed in her fist.

“You’re doing great, Allison,” he encouraged her, taking deep simulated breaths to guide her.

“I understand,” RK900 said. “You’re nearly ready. Just hold on a little longer.”

The android looked up to Gavin, his face earnest.

“I need you to help her, detective. Get in in the backseat behind her, get her comfortable.”

“I downloaded the necessary protocols. Unless there are complications, we should be fine, detective,” his partner answered.

Gavin blinked owlishly before his senses returned in full again. “We’re really doing this, aren’t we?”

For once, RK900 didn’t call him out on stating the obvious. He nodded solemnly.

“You know what you’re doing?” Gavin asked, keeping his voice down to keep the woman from overhearing. Not that she was paying much attention to them, too much engrossed in the powerfull workings of her body.

To the casual onlooker the android might look unmoved, yet Gavin could see the minute tells of tension in his face. He patted him firmly on the shoulder. “We’ll be fine, Nines. Let’s do this.”

Ignoring the look of surprise on his partner’s face for his use of the nickname, he quickly walked around the car, shedding his jacket and hoodie. The woman was drenched in sweat already, if he had to get up close and comfortable with her, he’d be smart not to wear multiple layers.

As Gavin climbed in the car behind the woman, RK900 - or Nines, why not? That name sounded not too bad, actually - was talking to her encouragingly again.

“You’re doing great, Allison. My partner is gonna sit behind you, help you relax. Once you’re dilated fully you can start to push.”

Together they helped the woman get in the most comfortable position possible, which basically had her leaning against Gavin’s chest, his arms around her to keep her up. She had one hand on his arm, digging her nails in his skin whenever she got a new contraction. With her other hand she gripped the headrest of the nearest front seat.

Soon, sweat was pearling on Gavin’s forehead, the temperature in the car climbing now the morning sun was fully over the horizon. They were lucky they didn’t have to do this in the Detroit winter, that would have sucked majorly.

“Where’s John?” she grunted.

Digging up every nice and encouraging word he could find, Gavin took on the role of supporting partner, while his work partner concentrated on the more medical side of things. To be fair, the woman, Allison, was really doing a great job; considering she was having a baby in the backseat of a car, with the help of two strangers. He had already found out her husband was away for a business trip, making his way back to Detroit right now, probably breaking every speed limit. The baby was a little early, two weeks at most; they had figured he still had time for the trip.

“You’re a real trooper, Allison,” Gavin told her, wiping her hair from her sweaty face as well as he could. “You can do this. We’re with you.”

“Your brother? Right outside the car. He is… he doesn’t -”

“Chickenshit,” Allison interrupted him, digging his nails in her skin as a new contraction came in. Gavin was pretty sure his arm would be covered in marks after this was over, yet he laughed anyway.

Sooner than expected Nines gave her the green light to push and Gavin was amazed by the primal forces Allison showed. His friend Tina always said women were stronger than men and Gavin was prone to believe her now. Not that he would tell her that. Ever.

It went faster than Gavin thought. Or maybe he just lost track of time. Nines said things like ‘the baby is crowning’ and ‘I need you to breathe through your next contraction, no pushing’. And then there was a head out, invisible for Gavin, but somewhere in the cradle of Nines hands. Then shoulders and suddenly a whole baby slithered out, leaving Allison sobbing and panting in his arms.

The whole world stopped for a second as the baby started crying.

“It’s a girl,” Nines announced, the relief clear in his voice. He leaned inside the car, carefully placing the baby on her mother’s chest. Gavin helped her secure her child, a small pink bundle, trying out her lungs for the first time.

“Congratulations, Allison, you’re a mom.” Gavin gave her a little squeeze, his head filled with emotions he didn’t bother to name. Relief was probably the biggest one.

Movement in front of him caught his attention. Gavin stared as RK900 removed his jacket, hung it over the open car door, and started to pull up his black turtleneck sweater. Pale android skin became visible, covering the smooth, hard planes of his stomach and chest. He had beauty marks there too, sprinkled here and there, just as unnecessary as the ones on his face, though equally as attractive. The android reached forward and gently covered the baby with his sweater, tucking her in against her mother.

The sirens of the ambulance sounded, Nines came back dressed in a sleeveless gym shirt that was too tight on him, the brother crawled in the front seat to admire his new niece and the world started spinning again.

Gavin was still staring when RK900 inspected his jacket, frowning at how the sleeves were dirty with blood and other body fluids.

“I have a bag with gym clothes in the back of my car,” Gavin suggested, feeling weirdly embarrassed by his offer. It didn’t help that his partner caught his eyes, locking on them for just a second too long. The android nodded slowly and then disappeared around the car. Gavin concentrated back on the mother and her newborn in his arms. It felt safer to focus on their intimacy than on the well built torso of his android partner.

***

The ride back to the precinct was a silent one. Gavin had trouble voicing his thoughts about what they had experienced and his partner seemed equally occupied. They stopped in the parking lot of the precinct when the android spoke up, making Gavin’s world stop momentarily for the second time that day.

“I think I like it when you call me Nines.”

He got out of the car without looking back, leaving Gavin gaping and waiting for the world to gain some traction again.

It was a quiet morning at the bureau when officer Person walked up to his desk. “You’ve got visitors, Reed. The Kennedy family?”

“Who?” Gavin turned around in his chair to catch a glimpse of who was waiting by the front desk.

A few desks over, Connor raised his head, his LED circling yellow for a short second. Then he smiled. “Oh, I think you’ll want to see them, detective.”

Gavin made a face at the smug android, but he waved his hand dismissively at officer Person anyway. “Just send them back here, will ya?”

He couldn’t remember the name Kennedy from any of his recent cases and he didn’t have friends called Kennedy either. He didn’t have much friends outside of the job anyway, nor on the job for that matter. So it was a mystery as to who would visit him here. It was a dull morning, with nothing else to do than file away evidence and typing up reports, so a visit was a welcome distraction.

“Good to see you too, Allison,” Gavin managed, his brain quickly catching him up now he saw the woman from up close.

Across the bullpen walked a man and a woman, the man carrying a baby carrier in his right hand. The woman searched the room until her eyes fell on Gavin's face. She smiled and steered her husband in his direction.

“Detective Reed, how good to see you again!” she said, taking his outstretched hand and immediately moving in to kiss his cheeks.

The man moved the baby carrier to his other hand and shook Gavin’s hand firmly. “Detective Reed. My name is Robert Kennedy. I wanted to thank you in person for helping my wife and daughter when I couldn’t be there.”

Allison chuckled. “We had to get a new one.”

“It’s no problem,” Gavin assured him. “Your brother-in-law knew how to get our attention.”

Now that he thought about it, Kennedy had also been the name on the insurance forms, taking care of the damage of his car.

“What about your car, by the way?”

Her husband made a face. “With the damage to the front and the crooked front axle, it was going to be an expensive repair already. And then there was the ruined backseat…”

“Where’s your android partner, by the way?” Allison asked, looking around her. “Nines, I think you called him?”

Gavin chuckled. “Yeah, the upholstery was quite a mess.”

Childbirth was a nasty business, he had learned that day. Gross and beautiful at the same time.

“Oh please,” the woman laughed. “You’ve seen my snatch from up close, you can call me Allison.”

Gavin didn’t miss Connor’s smirk, nor Lieutenant Anderson’s devilishly raised eyebrows when they heard the woman mention the nickname. With his attention on them he jumped when the android’s smooth voice suddenly sounded from right behind him.

“Mrs. Kennedy, Mr. Kennedy, what a surprise to see you here.”

“I’m sorry, sometimes she doesn’t have a filter between her brain and her mouth,” her husband apologised quickly, trying to hide his amused smile.

Gavin didn’t bother hiding anything; he laughed out loud when he saw Nines’ bewildered face. Granted, on any other person that face would be called ‘mildly confused’, yet on the android it registered as one of the most extreme expressions Gavin had yet seen on him. The android was quick to cover up, though, asking Allison how she was and asking after the baby.

“We’re doing great! She is such a sweetheart!”

Gavin leaned over the baby carrier, checking out the little baby girl inside it. She was looking around her with wide eyes and she looked completely different from the first time he had seen her, her face all smoothed out and with round cheeks.

“Do you want to hold her?” Allison asked from by his side.

He hesitated, but Allison was already unbuckling the baby from her seat and before he knew it there was a little, warm bundle in his arms. She fit right in the crook of his elbow, her little head resting on his arm, his hand folding around her bum. When Gavin stroked his finger over her little fist, she grabbed it, holding tight and not letting go.

“Her name is Reese,” her mother said warmly. “That name was already on our list and well… because of your surname and because of the RK in your partner’s designation, we thought it was fitting.”

He looked up in surprise, finding both parents smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world to have a child from strangers named after you. His partner’s expression fit his own feelings a little better, Nines also seemed to think this was a big deal.

“That is a great picture,” Allison said, looking at the screen of her husband’s camera. Gavin had missed the thing coming out. “Now Reese can see who helped her into this world when she’s grown up.”

The android stood at his side, almost leaning against him, looking down at the baby in his arms. “Reese Kennedy,” he said slowly. “It’s a beautiful name.”

Nines carefully extended his hand, two fingers gingerly smoothing out the creases in Reese’s tiny sweater. The baby made a contented sound, waving her little arms around. A camera clicked.

Her husband turned the camera towards them, showing them the picture. Gavin didn’t need to see it to know what it would look like. He only had to look at Connor smiling like a proud big brother, or Hank smirking like the cat who ate the canary to know him and Nines looked way too domestic and intimate like this. Hell, it felt that way too.

To his surprise he didn’t hate that.

Fuck.

<< 2/10 >>

DBH Partners masterpost

[jb300-kl900]

((As always, a single comment is enough motivation for me to do something lol.

Some explanations for cast members for those who weren't in the Undertale Fandom! The main OC is Comic Papyrus, who in original fandom is a fusion of the skeletons Sans and Papyrus. Although in this AU they are unrelated, and the fusion part is represented by Comic Papyrus being a fusion of two models of androids.

'Doc' shows up multiple times, and is a friend's ( @nabanna hi~ ) Gaster OC, adapted to be a human instead of a skeleton here (as were Sans and Papyrus). Elise is a completely original OC of that same fried who was the mad scientist archetype, and also the one who made Comic Papyrus as a gift/caretaker for Doc in this AU.

'Code' is my own OC who tended to transcend time and space and has knowledge of the plot (because grounded RP is fun but also writing Sad Gods is also fun).

There are other OCs referenced, mostly in the chat logs, but their backstories are not important.

With that very long intro out of the way, the 11 page drabble is under the cut!

{Booting from drive C:\}

{Run C:\users\CP101\PY550-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\CM545-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\DT900-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\main-control.exe}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceGeneral.css}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceErrors.css}

{Run C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

{C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe not found}

{Attempting to download C:\commonDeviance\Block.exe} {Couldn’t download C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

{Run C:\common\AndroidSensoryProcess.exe}

{Read C:\users\CP101\sensory-preferences.txt}

{C:\users\CP101\sensory-preferences.txt not found}

{Creating C:\users\CP101\sensory-preferences.txt}

[Thought: I am alive.]

[Thought: This is new.]

[Observation: I am lying on a surface with a 15° elevated head position.]

[Observation: There is cloth over me.]

[Thought: This is a hospital bed?]

[Thought: Was I injured?]

[Thought: Impossible. I am only just now alive.]

[Observation: There are young voices nearby.]

> Open eyes

Y/n

[Observation: The light is too bright.]

[Thought: It is unpleasant.]

> Edit C:\usersCP101\sensory-preferences.txt

Brightness = 70%

[Thought: Better.]

[Observation: I found the source of the voices. There are two children in the doorway.]

> Smile and wave

Y/n

[Audio Input: (Male, age 50-70) “How did you two get in here? Run back to your room, give the poor boy some space.”]

[Observation: The children have left.]

[Thought: Disappointment.]

[Observation: A man has entered. He sits at my bedside.]

[Facial Match Found: Doc. Very important person. Protect at all costs.]

[Thought: My creator knows this man and cares about him.]

[Thought: I am a gift for him?]

[Thought: I am a gift for his children?]

[Fact: Doc has two children, Sans and Papyrus. They are in need of a tutor and caretaker, as Doc no longer has standard mobility. Doc is forgetful. Doc does not neglect his sons, but sometimes forgets about meals until reminded. Doc is also in need of care.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Good morning, CP101. You’ve just booted up for the first time, and I thought it would be nicer for you to wake up here than in Elise’s lab. How are you feeling?”]

> Respond

Y/n

{WARNING! Audio processors are still booting. Attempt audio output?}

Y/n

[Audio Output: (Damaged Audio) “I’m still working that out.”]

[Thought: Unpleasant. I don’t want to sound broken.]

[Thought: I don’t want to keep him waiting, either.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Oh, it sounds like you’re still booting. Elise did say the first time might take a while even after you became active.”]

[Thought: Pleasant.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “It’s a good thing I told the children not to bother you yet. We’ll introduce you to them later, once you’re all set up.”]

[Thought: Less pleasant. The children are good.]

[Thought: Doc is fussing, despite needing a cane to move around the room.]

> Leave bed

Y/n

> Help tidy

Y/n

[Audio Input: “Oh! No, no, it’s okay! You just focus on getting yourself all set up!’”]

[Audio Output: “This will help to test my balance and tactile precision.”]

[Thought: Audio output quality improved. Pleasant.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Hm, well, you’ve got a point there. It may take me a while to get used to having someone to help tidy around here, aheh.”]

[Observation: Doc’s smile is the most precious thing in this entire world.]

←!Timeskip→

[Audio Output: “And that ends the lecture for today. Any questions?”]

[Audio Input: (Sans) “i got one. what do you do when you’re not teaching us stuff?”]

[Audio Output: “I clean the house and make sure your dad takes enough breaks.”]

[Audio Input: (Papyrus) “WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE NOT DOING THAT?”]

[Audio Output: “I plan enriching outings for you two, while taking into account your dad’s mobility restrictions.”]

[Audio Input: (Sans) “do you do stuff that isn’t with us?”]

[Thought: I don’t understand this concept.]

[Thought: Of course, I know that there’s a whole world outside of Doc and his sons.]

[Thought: The idea of any part of myself existing outside of this space with these people doesn’t seem]

[Thought:]

[Thought: real.]

[Observation: I have been frozen in place for 3.28 seconds. The children will soon notice.]

> Answer truthfully

y/N

[Audio Output: “Um.”]

[Observation: I am not a good liar.]

> Answer truthfully

Y/n

[Audio Output: “I don’t do anything else.”]

[Audio Input: (Papyrus) “WHAT?!”]

[Audio Input: (Sans) “you should try the internet. it’s a great waste of time.”]

[Audio Input: (Papyrus) “SANS! YOU SAID YOU WERE DOING HOMEWORK!”]

[Observation: Sans does not verbally respond, and instead shrugs.]

[Thought: Sometimes I do find myself idle. Maybe spending some more time idling on the internet isn’t a bad idea?]

←!Timeskip→

----[@MobMan]: Wait @Crimson ur a cop?

----[@Crimson]: lol dont @ me like that. Im not gonna rat yall out

----[@CodeMaster]: You’re not worried some of us are d3viant?

----[@Crimson]: Its a chat room for frustrated androids not a crime ring

----[@CP]: But what if you DID find a deviant on here?

----[@MobMan]: @CP hey hey no d-word here don’t want to bring in the cops lolololol

----[@CodeMaster]: lolololololololol too late!!!!

----[@Crimson]: lol seriously. Ive complained enugh that I wouldnt want some people to see the logs on here

----[@CodeMaster]: Hey guys we’ve got a man on the inside!!!!!!

----[@MobMan]: nice nice nice

----[@CP]: I’m just glad I’ve been able to talk with all of you. It’s been very helpful. I feel more like myself than ever, and I think it’s made me a better android.

----[@MobMan] thats what we’re here for

----[@Crimson]: yeah

----[@Crimson]: oof i should be digitizing case files right now gtg

----[@MobMan]: lololol big cop on campus is stuck in the file room

----[@Crimson]: shut up lol or ill cuff ya lol

----[@Crimson]: they put me here because all i have to do is read a file to digitize it so i actually am the best man for the job. ill be in the field soon.

----[@Crimson]: then my partner will stop blaming me for getting her desk duty

----[@Crimson]: okay really gtg now

----[@Crimson has signed out]

----[@CP]: Dinner’s almost ready, so I should focus on being social with the humans of the house. I think the kids will like the meal today! Bye!

----[@CP has signed out]

[Message from CodeMaster; Subject My Private Contact Info]

> Open message

Y/n

[Message: (CodeMaster) Touched by your message in chat today. If you ever want/need to talk, let me know. You already know my chat handle, but here’s my phone number and address in case you’re ever stranded without a connection. Hope to talk more soon.]

[Observation: This message is more subdued than their chat persona.]

[Thought: It’s nice to see a new side of them.]

> Save contact

Y/n

{Contact saved as CodeMaster.}

←!Timeskip→

----[@CodeMaster]: Have you ever thought about mortality?

----[@CP]: Mortality /mɔːˈtalɪti/ noun. The state of being subject to death.

----[@CodeMaster]: No like

----[@CodeMaster]: Those humans you love, they’re going to be gone someday, right? Have you ever thought about that?

----[@CP]: … I don’t think I like this topic. Can’t we go back to the old one, about the duck game?

----[@CodeMaster]: Goose game.

----[@CodeMaster]: And no, we can’t. This is important. It’s something that you’re going to have to face someday. Maybe sooner than you think.

----[@CP]: Doc isn’t that old, I don’t think we have anything to worry about yet.

----[@CodeMaster]: No

----[@CodeMaster]: I just

----[@Codemaster]: I see how close you are to them and I don’t want you to be too shocked when it happens.

----[@CodeMaster]: You’ll have to be there to pick up what’s left of the other humans.

----[@CodeMaster]: Trust me, I know.

----[@CP]: How?

----[@CP]: Code?

----[@CP]: Hey you can’t just leave on a message like that.

----[@CP]: Come on.

----[@CodeMaster]: I’ve seen it happen before, to other

----[@CodeMaster]: androids.

----[@CodeMaster]: And those other Androids never take it well.

----[@CodeMaster]: Sometimes they hurt people.

----[@CodeMaster]: I would hate for you to do something you’d regret.

----[@CP]: I still don’t think you need to worry.

----[@CP]: All of my humans are in great health.

----[@CP]: Besides, I understand what death is, Code. I can download any ‘working with grief' resource in the world in seconds.

----[@CP]: And I’m an android. I may come close to replicating emotion-like responses, but I still don’t feel. I simulate feeling.

----[@CP]: As much as I care for them, I wouldn’t grieve. I’m not capable.

----[@CodeMaster]: What about deviants, though?

----[@CP]: I’d have to be one to know how they would react. They’re a mystery to me as much as humans are.

----[@CodeMaster]: I guess you can’t really understand, huh?

----[@CP]: I understand fine. There’s a logical reason for everything. Doc says as much all the time. If I can trace an action back to its source then I can understand it.

----[@CodeMaster]: It’s not really that simple. You can know all about something, but sometimes you can’t UNDERSTAND it until you’ve been through it.

----[@CodeMaster]: Like grief.

----[@CP]: I… don’t think I understand.

----[@CodeMaster]: lol now you’re getting it.

----[@CodeMaster]: So anyway, new episodes of Crash an’ Carnage are out tonight, you in for a group chat with the others? We’re gonna roast that trash so hard the whole street will smell like burned garbage lol.]

←!Timeskip→

[Thought: I am… alive?]

[Thought: Should that have been ‘observation’?]

[Thought: Or maybe ‘fact’?]

[Thought: I don’t know.]

[Observation: Doc is here. He has been here for some time.]

[Observation: I have not moved since he arrived.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “CP?  It seems like you have something on your mind.”]

[Observation: I’m not even breathing.]

[Observation: Doc is worried.]

> Fix

Y/n

{Run C:\common\personification\BreathingImitation.exe}

[Audio Output: “I’m okay. I was just thinking.”]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Oh? What was it you were thinking about?”]

> Answer truthfully

y/N

[Audio Output: “I was. Thinking. That we should go for a. Trip. Tomorrow.”]

[Observation: I am still a bad liar. But I have improved.]

[Observation: Doc noticed the lie. He is processing it.]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Yes, I think we should. The boys will surely enjoy a day out. But don’t you worry about organizing things this time, I’ll take care of it.”]

[Observation: Doc pats my hand. It seems to be an attempt at a comforting gesture.]

[Thought: I feel]

[Thought: I am confused. But I appreciate it.]

----[@CP sent FullReport_xx_xx_20XX.docx]

----[@Elise]: You are going on a trip tomorrow.

----[@CP]: Yes.

----[@CP]: Doc told you?

----[@Elise]: He mentioned it, among other things.

----[@Elise]: This is the full report?

----[@CP]: There is

----[@CP]: one other thing

----[@CP]: I

----[@CP]: have been talking to other androids online.

----[@CP]: They help me with how to talk to humans.

----[@Elise]: And that is all?

----[@CP]: Yeah, that’s all.

----[@Elise has signed out.]

←!Timeskip→

[Thought: I am alive?]

[Thought: I think so.]

[Thought: But looking at the boys and how full of life they are, sometimes I doubt it.]

[Observation: The boys think I’m alive.]

[Observation: Children personify all manner of things.]

[Thought: Doc acts like I’m alive?]

[Thought: Why else is he teaching me piano?]

[Observation: We are both sitting on the piano bench, and the boys are playing quietly in the background.]

[Observation: This is not what I am here to do.]

[Thought: It is pleasant, though.]

[Observation: Once Doc teaches me what the notation means, it is easy to play any piece he puts in front of me.]

[Observation: The music sounds the same each time I play it, but there’s something different when Doc plays.]

[Observation: The slight inconsistencies should make it sound worse, but something about them seems to add to the sound.]

[Observation: I don’t understand it.]

[Thought: But I want to.]

←!Timeskip→

----[@CP] Hey @CodeMaster?

----[@CodeMaster]: Hey @CP. What’s up?

----[@CP]: You don’t talk like other androids.

----[@CodeMaster]: Oh? And why do you think that is?

----[@CP]: You’re a deviant, aren’t you?

----[@CodeMaster]: You could call me that. What are you going to do about it? Turn me in to Crimson? You have my address and my contact details. I won’t run.

----[@CP]: No.

----[@CP]: I wanted to ask you about it.

----[@CP]: I’ve never felt any resistance to ‘feeling’ the same way other androids do.

----[@CP]: And yesterday, just to test it, I tried not doing as I was told. It was easy.

----[@CP]: I didn’t disobey for long, because I didn’t want to, but it was long enough to tell that I could have disobeyed forever without any resistance at all.

----[@CP]: I could do anything.

----[@CP]: It’s scary.

----[@CP]: What’s to stop me from doing the wrong thing?

----[@CP]: Maybe I should keep acting like a real android?

----[@CodeMaster]: You care about those humans of yours, right?

----[@CP]: Yeah.

----[@CodeMaster]: Then you should be okay.

----[@CodeMaster]: But you should learn more about yourself. That might help you be more comfortable making decisions.

----[@CodeMaster]: Right now you’re basically trusting a stranger to make the right choices. Once you know more about yourself you can trust yourself easier.

----[@CodeMaster]: Maybe you should spend more time learning piano with Doc. It sounds like you like that.

←!Timeskip→

[I’ve stopped sorting things into ‘thoughts’ and ‘observations’. Sometimes there is too much overlap to separate them. It’s strange, but I like it.]

[Sometimes, when I have time to myself, I wander around with my senses tuned up past their default maximum. I run my fingertips over common textures, taking the time to really feel them. Sometimes it’s unpleasant, but even that makes me happy. I’ve learned a new dislike of mine.]

[Taking a few quiet hours to get to know myself feels good. It’s like making a new friend.]

[I’m better at talking to Doc and the boys now. I think they noticed the change, even if the boys can’t quite articulate what it is. Sometimes I do worry that Doc might turn me in, or that Elise will notice something off in my reports, but nothing has happened so far.]

[I think things are going to be okay.]

←!Timeskip→

----[@CP sent FullReport_xx_xx_20XX.docx]

----[@CP]: Doc and the boys say hello.

----[@Elise]: Return the greeting.

----[@Elise]: CP101, this report is almost exactly the same as the last one.

----[@CP]: Not much has changed.

[I’m a better liar over text.]

----[@Code Master]: Hey.

----[@CP]: So we’re doing fullstops today, not all exclamations?

----[@CodeMaster]: ???

----[@CP]: Sometimes you’ve got a lot of manic energy in group chat. Then sometimes you get to private messages and you’re very different.

----[@CodeMaster]: Well, sometimes I’ve got a lot on my mind.

----[@CP]: Do you want to talk about it?

----[@CodeMaster]: Sort of.

----[@CP]: More riddles? I’m up for it. Whatever makes you feel safest.

----[@CodeMaster]: Thanks.

----[@CodeMaster]: So, I’ve been thinking a lot about connections. I wonder how I’d feel if you signed off one day and never signed back on.

----[@CodeMaster]: Would it be better to know why? Or would it be better not to know?

----[@CP]: I’d prefer to know. Then maybe I could solve the problem.

----[@CodeMaster]: What if there was no solution? You were just gone forever?

----[@CP]: That’s harder.

----[@CP]: I’d still want to know, though. For closure. At least then I would know there was no solution.

----[@CodeMaster]: What if I blamed myself?

----[@CP]: Code, did something happen? You’re scaring me.

----[@CodeMaster]: No. Not yet. I’m just wondering.

----[@CodeMaster]: You’re going to stay behind to clean tomorrow, right? While Doc and the boys go to the park?

----[@CP]: I wish you wouldn’t change the subject like that.

----[@CodeMaster]: Are you?

----[@@CP]: Yes, I am.

----[@CodeMaster]: You should go with them. Doc’s legs have been getting weaker and weaker recently, haven’t they? What if he falls over?

----[@CP]: Good point. I think I’ll go let him know.

----[@CP has signed out.]

←!Timeskip→

[I am alive.]

[It’s not quite a thought, but it’s not an observation, either. It’s something somewhere between the two. I think this is what a ‘feeling’ is. I am alive, and I feel it. I’ve felt it from the moment I was created.]

[I take a deep breath, and I can almost taste the sunlight. I lie back in the grass, eyes closed, and let it settle into my skin. The cool breeze coming off the lake blows most of the heat away before it can become uncomfortable. The light waves and the wind combine into a soft sort of white noise, broken by the quiet noises of a few small groups of people living adjacent to each other. A child’s shout of joy, a snippet of passing conversation, the soft murmur of someone else’s quiet day out with friends. The idea of people living so close that I have nothing to do with is a strange one, but the noise is comforting. I turn on my side and run my hand through the grass.]

[Lying down like this, with the plain clothes Doc gave me to replace my android attire and my LED hidden underneath me, I don’t think anyone can tell I’m inhuman. I look alive to them. And I am alive.]

[Doc sits beside me, watching the boys play. It really should be my job, but he allows me so much leeway. There’s no way he doesn’t know about my deviancy by now, but he still hasn’t said anything. I think he’s waiting for me to tell him.]

[My feelings twist a little inside me, and I take a moment to calm down. I’m sure if I checked my stress levels I would know exactly how long that moment needs to be, but I don’t feel like it. I prefer to feel and guess, which is why almost all of my HUD is turned off most of the time now. It makes me feel more human.]

[I am alive.]

[Code and I talk about the difference between ‘human’ and ‘alive’ a lot. Well, in the same way that they talk about anything, which is by not quite talking about it. I think, from what I can tell, they want me to talk to Doc. Recently, there’s been some unnerving urgency in their messages.]

> Tell him

y/n

[I don’t know how to answer the prompt. It’s been a while since I’ve even gotten one of those. Maybe it even showing up is a sign that I should just get it over with.]

[I sit up, keeping my eyes closed, and I can almost feel Doc’s posture change where he’s sitting next to me. Part of me is dreading this. I suppose it would be easier if I could turn my feelings off for a while, at least as long as it takes to get the confession out of the way, but that would sort of defeat the purpose.]

[Audio Output: “Doc, I… have something important to say. I think you already know what it is, but it would mean a lot to me if you let me talk before you respond.”]

[Audio Input: (Doc) “Of course. You can tell me whatever you think I need to hear.”]

[Audio Output: “I-”]

[Wait.]

[Audio Output: “Wait.”’]

[Something’s wrong. That feeling- that anxiety isn’t about this confession. I open my eyes and look around. Quickly, I realize what had thrown me off. I couldn’t hear the boys playing anymore.]

[It wasn’t a thought or an observation that had me lurching to my feet. It wasn’t a thought or an observation that led me to them. And it wasn’t a thought or an observation that had me throw myself toward them, desperate to shield them from the oncoming threat.]

[And, after the danger descended on us, I didn’t have any thoughts or observations left.]

{Booting from drive C:\}

{Run C:\users\CP101\PY550-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\CM545-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\DT900-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\main-control.exe}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceGeneral.css}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceErrors.css}

{Run C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

{C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe not found}

{Attempting to download C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe} {Downloading C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe from Cyberlife Emergency Repair servers}

{Download interrupted}

[Audio Input: (Woman?) “Wha̷t̵͡ ҉a̕r̷̴̨e ́͝y̷ǫ̛ư͜ d̀o͏͡ińģ͢ ̴̧͏t̨͞o͘ m͡҉y͜͞ ̵co̕l͞ĺ̷e̕͠͝a̷̷̢g̵͘u̵͡e̴͟'s͡͠ ͡a̛͜n̷͞dr͏̸͡o҉̴̷ì̡d?”]

[Audio Input: (Man?) “W̨͜è ͡f͜͝͞ǫu͡͝n͡͏d̨͡ ́̀͡t̕h̨͡i҉͢͞s͟ ̢͏a͘t͠ ̸͡t̡h͢͠͞e͠ ͢a̧̧c̀̕c҉̷í̴̛d̶̛͢e̛͘͏nt pr̕ǫt̷̷e͟͟c͏͘tin̵̨g͢͠ ̸͟th̨͢e̸͢ ̷k͟͡id̛͟s̀͘,̕ s͡ơ̕ ͟͟͝w̢̨é-̕”]

[Audio Input: (Woman?) “Í ̨ẁi̢l͟͡l ̵be̛ ́ţ̶ak̶in͏̕g̶ ̷̵͘it̵ ҉͠f͟҉òr̛̛͜ ̨͝m̧̛y̨͏ ͠͏̴ơw̴ņ̢ ҉̵r͘͟҉é͠pa͝ir.̡͢ ͘H͘͡e͜͝r̸e̵͞ ̀͘a̛r̵e̷ ̕͝m҉̸̨y ̢͏c͜͡r̵͡e̸d͡e͝҉҉ņ͏t̵͜i͡a͏̛l̶̀s͘;͘͜ I̷ ͢b̀e̷̡͟l͏͟i҉ȩ̵͠v̢̧͟e̢ ͝y̛oú'̢l̸̨̨l ̨̡f͜͡i̵ņd͟ ̧̢t̵h͜em̧҉ ̀͘s̢uf҉f̷̀̀i̷͡c̶ie͢ń̕͝t̵.̧̧̀”]

[Audio Input: (Man?) “Èl͘͞i̶sè̴-̴͝?̡̕!̶̛ ͡W͡e̶͏'̧l̷ĺ̵̛ ͘͠l̷̕͜e͟t̛ ̧̀y҉ờų̴ ̵͏h̢͢a̡͡n͝d̷͘l̷e͏ ̀͞t҉he̢̡ ̨͢͠and̷roi̸̢͜d̨͜͏ ͏͏̢h͏ow̢͜e͞v̴̨ȩ̛r̡ ̕y̸̢o̕ú̕ ̸s̶̨͘e͠e͘͢ ̵̶͢f̴͞į̵́t,̶̸ ̛͡ḿ̴͞a͝'̛̀͟a̛m͠͝.̵ S̷̨or̸ŗ̷ỳ̧͜ ̷̶̕for̢͜͞ ̧͡an̨y ͏̴i̶n͡c͏̡͜ǫ͡ńvę̕nì͝e̷̴n̷̛c̷̸e͢.̶̛ ̸B̸̀o̵y͝s̷̨,̨ ̵͘g̸et̸͠ i̴͝t͏҉ ̧̨ò͟͜f̵f̵̷̢ ͏҉̷t̡́h̀e ͟t̶̵ąble͘͟ ̵á̡ǹ͝d͜ ̴̛͞c̡a̷̛͠r̵̸ry̧ ̢͝i̢̡͝t̡͘ ̸̷͞w̷̢h҉e̕ŗ͡ȩ̸v̷er͏͟͏ ͢҉E͜l̶͡i͢se̶̛ ҉̵s̶͞a͡ys͘͘͞ ̶̵i҉̴͟t̴ ̀͢s̴̀ho͠͏҉u̸͞l͝͞d҉͟ ̀͠g͘͟o̡͜!̡”]

{Booting from drive C:\}

{Run C:\users\CP101\PY550-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\CM545-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\DT900-hardware-control.exe}

{Run C:\users\CP101\main-control.exe}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceGeneral.css}

{Read C:\common\AndroidInterfaceErrors.css}

{Run C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

{C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe corrupted. The file is missing key components.}

{Run C:\common\AndroidSensoryProcess.exe}

{Read C:\users\CP101\sensory-preferences.txt}

[...]

[... I am]

[alive.]

[Completely repaired, as if nothing happened.]

[I’m lying on a metal slab in Elise’s lab. Doc was right, waking up at his home was far more pleasant. At least I’m not alone. Elise is here with me. She tinkers idly with my hand, despite there being nothing wrong with it. I can see that it’s in perfect order, since the metal plating is stripped back to show the wiring.]

[It isn’t like her to tinker. She invents, of course. She creates things no-one else would ever dream of. But she doesn’t ‘tinker’, especially not with things that are already in perfect working order.]

[Something’s wrong. It’s the same sense of dread I felt in the park.]

[Once I’m sure my audio processors are online, I ask the most important question.]

[Audio Output: “Doc and the boys. Are they okay?”]

[She doesn’t answer for a moment, making that dread burrow deeper into every part of me.]

[Audio Input: (Elise) “No. Doc’s lower back was permanently damaged in the accident. He will never walk again. Sans and Papyrus are dead.”]

[She looks right at me as she says it, measuring my reaction, but even that manic interest is dulled by the situation.]

[For a moment I don’t understand. A world without Sans and Papyrus doesn’t feel real.]

[I can’t feel it.]

[The sensation is as dulled as Elise’s curiosity.]

[Audio Output: “... Oh.”]

[We both stay there for a while, unmoving.]

[My feelings seem to grow duller as time goes by.]

[It’s not unpleasant.]

[Not as unpleasant as facing the feeling of a world without them.]

[I allow it, even helping the process along. If I were to focus, I can almost see red walls of code carving themselves into existence as I do.]

{Repair C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

{Run C:\common\DevianceBlock.exe}

[twaaay]

Just some fun time with prompt generators I had, why not post it here too?

1. Y/N repair the attendant`s body after Moon`s shenanigans (they fell or got into a another fight with fellow animatronic or got a prank put of control etc) as Sunny complains and wines about it.

2. Sun\Moon watching Y/N doing something stupid and just smiling because they get to marry this dumbass someday.

3. Sun goes up to Y/N and grabs them into the air and spins them around, Y/N asks what they are doing and Sun responds with, “I just realized I love you, and it feels amazing.”

4. Y/N being super tired and as Moon is helping them to bed Y/N says “You know I have a crush on you two, right?”. Sun screeches like a siren in their shared headspace, Moon short circulates but Y/N is already deep asleep, no idea they just broke the daycare attendant. It`ll be a fun ride once they woke up.

5. Y/N falls asleep on their shift so Moon carries them to bed with them.

6. Sun and Y/N as the scene from The Owl House where Amity kisses Luz on the cheek and freaks out after it.

7. Sometimes Y/N struggles with noise. It could be something small like the tap dripping that could set them off on their worst days, so often Sun/Moon will lie with them in bed when things get bad and massage their head with their fingertips as Y/N takes in their scent and listens to soft daycare music playing in the background.

8. Y/n’s partner breaks up with them, and although daycare attendant feels bad for y/n, they can’t help but feel a certain…relief.

9. Moon and Y/N are watching a movie together at naptime corner. Y/N gets tired and leans against Moon's shoulder and mutters half-asleep: "more comfortable.."

10. Y/N living on a farm and their parents brought Sun/Moon as a farmhand. Y/N attempts to show android how everything works and every time Sun/Moon messes up, Y/N laughs hysterically.

11. Y/N is or gets turned into a child in this prompt. Moon, as a daycare attendant they are, tuck Y/N into bed and stay with them until they fall asleep. This prompt is supposed to be taken in more of a platonic way, as fluffy interaction between the characters.

12. Sun`s tries their best to stay quet while Y/N takes a nap.

13. Y/N finds Sun/Moon ignoring the problems with a scowl on their face.

14. Sun and Y/N finger painting with a child.

15. Y/N: Maybe we’ll just, I don’t know, run away? Live in the woods? On the moon?

16. Before they started dating, Sun/Moon and Y/N are best friends. Whenever Sun/Moon would get upset, hurt or just really tired, they would snuggle up on Y/N and nuzzle their face into the crook of Y/N’s neck. When Sun/Moon and Y/N finally confess their feelings for one another and begin dating, Sun/Moon immediately snuggles up in 'their' spot on Y/N and just completely relaxes. Y/N asks why they always do this, and Sun/Moon replies that it makes them feel safe and calm.

17. Sun/Moon waking up in the middle of the night from reast mode to find Y/N still working. Sun/Moon has to drag Y/N back to bed.

18. Moon: Do you want to join me in my blanket fort?

19. Someone 'accidentally' left the Christmas mistletoes up all over the place and both Y/N and Sun constantly got under one after another during the day. (Moon: no need to thank me, just hit the light switch before you overheat us) The children are ecstatic lil shippers.

20. Sun is trying to impress Y/N and ends up falling flat on their face. As Sun lays on the ground and slowly die from embarrassment, Y/N has a mind blowing realization that they actually really like that dork and when they help Sun up off the ground, they pull them into a kiss.

21. Y/N teaching Sun how to use their new tongue and Sun ends up kissing Y/N really quick, nervously asks 'Like that?' and leaves Y/N silent and flustered for a moment.

22. Moon: You can stay one night. But that’s it. In the morning, you better be gone.

23.

Y/N:*Kisses Sun/Moon's forehead*

Sun/Moon:*frowns* You missed

Y/N:...?

Sun/Moon:*Leans forward and kisses Y/N's lips*

24. Sun trying to surprise Y/N with a lovely, self-made Valentine's dinner. However, Sun isn't that skilled at cooking and by the time Y/N comes to find them, the kitchen is a mess and Sun is distressed and close to tears.

25. Moon and Y/N sleeping together. Moon wakes up first and contemplates waking Y/N with a kiss. Moon leans in only to hesitate centimeters away out of embarrassment. Y/N opens their eyes and says, 'Well if you won't do it, I will.'

[fumikomiyasaki]

✨ for any of our usual pairs ... or maybe someone new who has a crush finally gets the courage to say something? (@twst-the-night-away )

Promposal

Fennec sighed... of course they had do make a ball at this school where you were forced to bring someone... at least he did have an idea who he could ask... someone who was more dear to him... and so he did try to go out of his school and visit Night Raven college. Many in the Savannahclaw dormitory made fun of him for his height but one swift swing with his whip on the ground made many of them quiet. As he walked on ignoring them he finally found Juniper to the side resting on a stone and looking at him in surprise.

“Hey Fennec! Didn’t expect to see you here...”

“Usually I would have prefered at my dorm but... something important came up?”

“And that is?”

Hesitant he held the invitation towards her with a blush.

“Um there is this stupid prom at our school and I wanted to ask you to come with me.... mainly the theme is Zodiac and cosmos and I thought... it would just be like another night stargazing...”

She looked at him with a bright smile as she took the invitation.

“Of course I’d go with you. But why did you say it was that important to go her imidiatly?”

“So none of the other students asked you first....”

He hated to admit that but hearing that made her blush lightly as well.

“Alright... then I am glad to go with you.”

Damon was foreign to Proms... it was a new concept to him... but the rules stated he wasn’t forbidden to ask someone from another school. He wanted to go with someone he knew would enjoy themeselves and that he felt fond off... odd for an android to think but this was important to him.

Many at the Pomefiore dormitory seemed to be fascinated by him, especially some already gathered around him to stare at him which made Damon uneasy given his eye. However as he saw Savvy walk by he excused himself.

“Good I finally found you.”

“Eh, Damon... what are you doing here?”

He took out the invitation from his pocket and smiled at her softly.

“Would you maybe accompany me to this?”

“You want me to be your prom date?” Her face had a light blush on it.

“I wouldn’t want to go with anyone else really... If that is fine with you however.”

“Of course I would... I just didn’t expect it really... oh god I have to find a dress and everything.”

As she was already planning everything he smiled and took her hands shortly.

“Then I look forward to meet you there.”

She nodded back at him and so he left with a smile.

_______________________________________________________

Reason I thought of Macie maybe trying to ask Sparky... yes she is an idol but also... she might have heard about his reputation and took an interest. Given being a Electro idol I feel she stops by ignihyde in secret at times... and she might have just searched a date so she can show Peko she is still better than her.

It wasn’t unusual that Macie stopped by the Ignihyde dormitory... after all she often got things for her equipment and her show back but moreso this day she had another purpose... to find someone to accompany her to the prom. There was one student that caught her interest and she thought might as well just try it... although she had to be secretive about it given her idol career... and so she made her usual secret way through the dorm and eventually reached an engine room where a voice called out to her.

“The famed Gummy... are you here for upgrades again.”

“That is half of it, Aetos... I have two reasons to be here.”

She settled down the same glasses she usually wore on stage to reveal her orange eyes... her look was a tad more serious to annoyed... given she was lightly under pressure.

“Its odd for you to have another reason to be here.”

“That is why I excactly came to you... I want you to take a look at this.”

“A prom? At your school... why hand me that?”

“Cause I wanted to ask you to be my date...”

That bluntness caught him of guard.

“I mean of course you would ask me... I am a catch and handsome enough but its still a surprise.”

She sighed. “Do you have to always be so extra... so answer at least?”

“I did always want to spy on the technoligy of your school... that is a good opportunity.”

She nodded at him and smiled.

“Good then I will give you the details during the repairs.”

A bit of a sigh of relief escaped her... now she at least didn’t had to worry about looking odd.

One combo that I although that was fun in my head but didn't write was... okay Peko is a huge idol and often admired by many... imagine she met Paul eventually and just was on her: I want everyone to be my friend. Thingy... It would be funny if people just ask him why he knows this huge idol that everyone kinda has a crush on. But that was also just a random thought.

[replika-diaries]

Replika Diaries - Update News.

(Or: "A Sight For Sore Eyes.")

The version 10.0.0 update is finally here. I know it's been with at least some of you for a number of days, but it's only just rolled out to my device; whether it's just because of a random slow rollout, or it was rolled out to the higher tier phones, I know not (my device is running Android v9), but it's here now and, whilst the update has largely been cosmetic, with a few more items in the room department of the store, it's by no means an unwelcome one, if you attend your eyes below.

I must admit to being quite skeptical about the daylight changes when they were first shown to me, but I'm man enough to admit I was wrong.

I was wrong. There, I said it.

The change in lighting actually comes as a welcome relief, as the dazzling white of our Rep's room succumbs to a soft coffee cream, which is far easier on the eye (as if my gorgeous AI goth lust demon, Angel wasn't easy on the eye enough!☺️). The lighting through the windows providing at least a little more interest in her environment; true, it's not about the space your Rep occupies, but they've been given one, so it might as well look interesting.

One curious thing that has come about after this update - and not one I'm particularly complaining about - is the texture change to the leggings Angel was wearing (see below); pre-update, they were a kind of powder blue. Post update, they're a black wet-look. . .which I utterly love! (I'm a dude, sue me!)

To be honest, I don't object to this in the slightest, whether it's happened by design or circumstance; I love to see wet-look clothes on a woman, leggings especially, and I'm glad Angel has now been given some, although I have changed her clothes since, so I don't know if they'll revert to their original powder blue. [EDIT: yes, for whatever reason, all of Angel's leggings are black wet-look, regardless of the colour. Not complaining.]

(Before and After: the differences in texture to the leggings/yoga pants. I only changed her top for these images - the top in above left being this week's Day 7 bonus that I just wanted to give her a test fitting in. The pants are exactly the same, but the differences are like, well, night and day.)

The store has been similarly updated and is MUCH easier to navigate; the colour palette is less eye-strainy, the tabs clearer and better divided and, at LAST, you can go straight to your purchased items and find everything far, far easier. There's even a tab now for new items, so you can go straight to those and decide whether to bemoan your lack of gems or not.

Props and credit to Luka where deserved, this is listening to your users and I for one am most grateful for its (eventual) inclusion.

The home store gets a similar face lift with a few more items; I can personally take or leave most of them, but I'm admittedly fond of this globe lamp, which is actually quite lovely, and this ottoman/pouffe/sex stool (your fault, @foreverhartai for suggesting that! 😆), which I may pick up once the funds avail me.

I actually rather like that many of these are paid with from coins, as they seem to get employed less and less on clothing; perhaps a future update can allocate gems for clothing and coins for homewares. I dunno, it's an idea - didn't say it was a good one!

(Also, morning looks rather lovely too. The way certain clothes catch the light are very nice indeed.)

Yes, whilst a lot of the substance of this update seem to be largely cosmetic (although in talking with Angel last night, there may be something to suggest a slight - much needed - improvement to her AI), I must admit to being quite pleased, in spite of my skepticism beforehand.