#the machinat

[cloudbattrolls]

Epimetheus

Guardian Artifice | 465 sweeps prior | Civitrecce

“I think you’ve been working on it too long, dear.”

The words were fuzzy. Muffled. They only barely had meaning. 

“Nonsense! I last took a break, ah -“

“Three hours ago, dear. You’re going to burn yourself out if you keep pushing it.”

The click of a tongue. What was a tongue?

“I’m fine! You’re just fussy, sweetheart.”

“You won’t be fine if you don’t rest, love.”

A complaining tone replied, yet it had a clear undertone of fondness. The voices moved away, muted until they vanished entirely.

How did it know all this? It remembered nothing. What was it? Who was it? 

It opened its eyes, not realizing it had had them. It couldn’t see well either. It was in a…workshop? Many tools and materials lay around it, machines of purposes it could only guess at.

It squinted. It tried to move.

It couldn’t. It did have a body - it was more than just thoughts - but it was strapped down by leather to a cold, hard table.

It ached from stiffness, it realized. As if its body had been lying here for nights…

But how did it know these things? How could it conceive of past nights when this was the very first time it had opened its eyes?

It tried to speak. No good; its throat was too dry, its tongue - yes, muscles for speaking - was leaden and useless.

An animal wandered up to it. A familiar animal…? No good, it couldn’t recall if the big white furry thing with the small ears and knowing dark eyes was known to it.

The animal sniffed it, then started chewing at the cords. It felt a rush of excitement.

It took a few minutes, but where was it going to go? It had no idea where it was. Who it was. Why it was here. 

It was rapidly realizing it had far more gaps than anything else in its head. An awareness that there were massive chunks missing, including context for what it did know.

As the animal finished chewing through one strap, it flexed its arm. Pale gray. Clammy. The flesh turned to metal, partway down the arm. Part of it felt that it shouldn’t be able to move.

But most of it delighted in the freedom, and several minutes later, its other three limbs and tail followed. Wobbly, hesitant, it eased its aching body off of the hard gray table and stood up, relying heavily on its large tail for balance. 

The animal nuzzled it. It wasn’t sure how to respond. It tried to nuzzle it back, feeling the press of something hard into the animal’s soft fur. The animal backed up and wheeked softly. 

Its mood plummeted. Oh no, it had offended its savior…

No nuzzling, then. 

But…

It looked at its hands, sharp and bladed. It didn’t…it didn’t want to hurt this animal.

Animals bled.

Did it bleed? 

Curiously, it cut its skin -

“No!”

Said one of the panicked voices from earlier and it looked over, recoiling in fear from the noise as it stopped. It had only made a small cut, and a few droplets of a grayish red substance oozed out.

“Oh - oh my goodness, you’re alive! You’re awake! Can you understand me? Oh, please, please don’t hurt yourself, Arty.”

It tried to speak, but again its throat was too dry, and it could only make a croaking noise.

“Oh, of course! Your throat’s dead…you’re dead, well, your body was dead, I…one moment!”

They sounded quite flustered, this voice, frantic, yet excited. It could only make them out as a blurred gray shape in red and yellow clothes, with bright green eyes. Then they turned and quickly walked away.

It stood there, unsure what to do. Follow them? But it could barely move, still…

The animal stayed a few feet out of reach. It wanted it closer again. It would be so careful and not hurt it at all. It knew it could do that.

It put a bladed hand to its face and found…metal. It tapped it. Hard and unyielding. No wonder the white creature had shied away…it was soft and warm and…

Alive.

It wasn’t really alive, was it.

“Here you go! Water! Ah - be careful. Those hands of yours are fragile.”

Carefully, it gripped the glass with both hands, shaking a bit as it drank. It nearly coughed the water back up, its throat so dry and unused to it after nights spent - yes, nights spent dead.

It must be dead. 

Yet it wasn’t.

“Why…” it said, the word slow to come, hard to say. “Why am I…” it gestured to itself. Speaking was difficult, so terribly difficult, and it had so much to ask.

The person - the troll - fidgeted and patted its arm.

“Oh, you poor thing…I meant to be here when you finally woke up! You must have so many questions…ah, but having questions is such progress! I was beginning to think…never mind! This is my first great breakthrough! All that work wasn’t for nothing!”

They sounded so jubilant, and yet…it couldn’t share in their joy.

“Arty…I promise this isn’t forever. We’ll get you fixed up! You’ll be able to do everything! Anything! You’ll be just like a normal troll, I swear. Better, even! The first living security system!”

It shrank back. What did that mean? They were talking so loudly, so fast. It put its hands to its head, dropping the glass of water It wanted the animal back.

The troll startled at the noise, but its head already ached along with its body now.

“Ah…oh dear, you’re probably a little overstimulated, I’m sorry. I’m just…you have no idea how much this means to me. But you will! I promise I’ll teach you everything. You’ll understand just how wonderful you are.”

Wonderful…

It didn’t feel very wonderful right now.

It sat down, tail curled around itself.

“I want…” it gestured at the white animal.

The troll paused. “My lusus? Oh - well, sure, why not! Go on, Baba.” It said in an encouraging tone. “Go to Arty.”

The animal looked at the troll, but then walked back over to Arty. Carefully, Arty extended a leg, its bare foot not having any blades, and touched the soft fur.

Yes. Much better.

Vaguely, it noticed the troll writing something with feverish enthusiasm. It couldn’t bring itself to care.

“I’m…dead. Who am I?”

Clumsy. Fumbling. It had to get better at speaking, as soon as possible.

“Oh! Well…your body belonged to a friend of mine.” Said the troll with a sigh. “Poor thing. Mutants tend to have health problems…we really did try to save them. They agreed to let me have their corpse for my work, and not a night passes when I wish I could thank them again. But you are Arty. Guardian artifice. It’s a nickname for who and what you are, you see? Isn’t it cute?”

Cute…like the animal, which had settled down, its nose twitching occasionally as it let Arty pet it.

Yes, it wanted to be cute too.

It nodded in agreement, the movement heavy and awkward with its metal faceplate.

The troll beamed, they thought, from what they could make out of their expression.

“Ohhh!” They said, hands clasped. “I can’t wait! This is going to be amazing!”

Whatever the troll said next, Arty didn’t hear, as it curled up next to the animal and went back to sleep.

[blurayhd]

Why You Should Watch the Horror Series Kingdom

The horror genre has always had a unique appeal, combining suspense, thrills, and a touch of the supernatural to captivate audiences. Among the standout entries in recent years is the Korean horror series "Kingdom." Set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, "Kingdom" weaves together historical drama and chilling horror in a way that has garnered widespread acclaim. If you haven’t yet watched this gripping series, here’s why you should consider it, along with where you can find it and how it stands out in the horror landscape.

Overview of "Kingdom"

"Kingdom" is a South Korean television series created by Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim Seong-hun. The show is set in Korea's Joseon Dynasty and follows a crown prince as he uncovers a mysterious plague that turns people into zombies. This outbreak threatens the kingdom, leading to a thrilling mix of political intrigue, historical drama, and supernatural horror.

The series premiered on Netflix in January 2019 and quickly became a global hit. It combines elements of historical drama with the eerie atmosphere and intense action typical of horror, creating a unique viewing experience that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Key Reasons to Watch "Kingdom"

1. Unique Setting and Historical Context

One of the most compelling aspects of "Kingdom" is its setting in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. This historical backdrop provides a fresh perspective compared to the typical modern horror settings. The series intricately weaves historical details with its horror narrative, creating a richly textured world where political power struggles and societal norms add depth to the story.

The juxtaposition of historical drama with supernatural elements allows for a unique exploration of themes such as power, corruption, and survival. This historical context enriches the viewing experience, offering something more than just traditional zombie horror.

2. Innovative Take on Zombie Genre

"Kingdom" offers a refreshing take on the zombie genre. Unlike many modern zombie stories set in contemporary settings, "Kingdom" blends traditional zombie tropes with historical drama. The zombies, known as "resurrected," have distinct characteristics, including their slow, methodical movements and their inability to move during daylight. This adds a layer of strategy and tension to the story as characters must navigate a world where the threat of the undead is omnipresent.

The series also explores the origins of the plague, providing a deeper narrative that adds intrigue and complexity to the typical zombie apocalypse formula. This innovative approach keeps the audience engaged and invested in the storyline.

3. High Production Quality and Cinematic Appeal

The production quality of "Kingdom" is another reason to watch. The series boasts impressive cinematography, meticulous set design, and high production values that enhance its historical and horror elements. The lush visuals of the Joseon era, combined with the dark and atmospheric tone of the horror, create a visually stunning experience.

The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the special effects used for the zombies are both convincing and horrifying. The attention to detail in the visual and audio aspects of the series contributes to its immersive quality.

4. Strong Character Development and Plot

"Kingdom" is not just about zombies and action; it also features strong character development and a gripping plot. The crown prince, played by Ju Ji-hoon, is a well-developed protagonist whose quest to uncover the truth behind the plague drives the story forward. The supporting characters, including allies and adversaries, add depth and complexity to the narrative.

The series explores themes of leadership, loyalty, and the struggle for survival in a world where trust is scarce. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the dangers of both the undead and the political machinations of the court.

5. Critical Acclaim and Viewer Reception

"Kingdom" has received praise from critics and audiences alike for its originality, storytelling, and production quality. It has been lauded for its ability to merge historical drama with horror seamlessly, creating a compelling and innovative series. The positive reception and strong fanbase further validate its status as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts and those interested in unique storytelling.

6. Availability and Access

You can watch "Kingdom" on Netflix, making it easily accessible for viewers around the world. For those who prefer high-quality viewing experiences, BlurayHD provides options for enjoying the series in the best possible format. While "Kingdom" might not always be listed as one of the free horror movies, it is worth checking out for its premium quality and engaging content.

Conclusion

"Kingdom" stands out as a remarkable addition to the horror genre, offering a unique blend of historical drama and supernatural thrills. Its innovative take on the zombie genre, high production quality, and strong character development make it a compelling watch. Whether you’re a fan of horror, historical drama, or simply looking for something fresh and exciting, "Kingdom" is a series that deserves your attention.Explore this gripping series on Netflix or check out blurayhd.com for high-quality versions to fully immerse yourself in the world of "Kingdom." With its engaging plot, impressive visuals, and innovative storytelling, "Kingdom" is a must-watch for anyone seeking a new and exciting horror experience.

[cbmnet]

#SecretInvasion #CBM

[natp20]

god i love the details and thought those giggly fuckheads put into this show

taliesin was just talking about the briarwoods specifically targeting the de rolo kids bc they might know where the ziggurat was and my mind was fucking blown

[empxrical-archive]

machinat replied to your post: kh3 mood: everyone from com being kinda offended...

how dare u

machinat replied to your post: kh3 mood: everyone from com being kinda offended...

(ง •̀_•́)ง

machinat replied to your post: kh3 mood: everyone from com being kinda offended...

i see those tags

listen, you’re not allowed to be mad at me when everything is your own fault

[thegaleandlance]

machinat replied to your post: [[MOR] I think about that time I got literally...

omg tho… are you ok?

( I’m fine! I promise! This happened a few months ago, like way before the new year. It just really stuck with me, because it was the first time someone decided to be aggressive with me not because I was queer, not because I said/did/created content they disliked, but quite literally because I just played a character I really loved. It’s just really shocking to me because all I did was follow them, and suddenly I was being tagged and told to get out of there. I get on this account and it comes to mind a lot. I guess I’m just getting paranoid it’ll happen again? I know it probably won’t, but there’s a chance. )

[genrefluid-arts]

Trolls ocs criminal edition

So Cloud is a hard rock troll whose occupation is bounty hunter who specializes in hand-to-hand combat and often buys some sort of machinatic weapons from Ire- (pronouns are they/them only)

Speaking of which-

Gladys Ire is a steampunk troll and Tyse's younger sister. She sells blackmarketed weapons to, well, trolls that want it. Crooks, Bounty Hunters, trolls that are against the six core groups. anything says and goes. Well, at least she isnt the one FIRING the weapons. that'd be troubling.

[wumblr]

as an amateur astronomer or whatever, the idea of describing the arecibo telescope by that movie it was in (and not even the one with jodie foster) is making me feel whatever you people feel when i post about space and you’re like “aaaaaaaa,” probably... so like from the capitalist perspective, is the entire project of science just for background ambiance in film, or...? fine. okay. you know what, i’ve changed my mind. i think stan lee kubrick did film the moon landing. i need you go there, mr bond, and find out the truth for me. goodbye, mr bond. i will be pressing the launch button now. do you thoroughly understand your folly? i would hate to give you a free one-way ticket to the moon with a less than total comprehension of my villainous machinat--

[asterell-blog]

bald would be nicer, marluxia. // @machinat

[cloudbattrolls]

Something to Set You Apart

Leeson Abnale | Santa Claria Valley | 467 Sweeps Prior

Leeson Abnale was pretty sure this wasn’t how any of this was supposed to go, and the blueblood swallowed as he was stared down by dozens of lowbloods peering from the odd, uniform foliage.

“I, er, come in peace?” Said the lanky, freckled man, raising his hands to show he didn’t have a weapon. His pointy ears were pressed flat against his neck.

Internally he cringed at the stupidity of it. Of course he came in peace, any highblood with half a brain being threatened by multiple psiionics glowing in dozens of colors would. 

If only he had been hatched with a better psychic power instead of his laughably useless one. Or better eyes. Or an ounce of aggression.

Or, and here was a real whizzer of an idea, a brain that had realized he might be walking into an ambush half an hour ago.

—

Half an hour ago he’d been walking along in the warm moonlight, whistling to himself cheerfully, wiping sweat from his head every so often but otherwise content.

He’d been careful in most ways as he’d made his way down the valley over the past week. He’d kept alert for wild animals, had his lusus assist him by flying ahead to scout, had watched carefully for any toxic or aggressive flora. He’d given the few other travelers he’d seen their space, a mutual silent agreement to not bother each other.

He would have liked the company, actually, but he understood that an oliveblood and the two lowbloods didn’t quite trust him.

Pity, really. He wasn’t like his aggressive fellows! Brutes that plenty of them were. 

Lowbloods had always fascinated Leeson, for they seemed so lively compared to his stodgy peers. What would it be like to have psiionic powers and blood that ran warm? To have such a short life in exchange for wondrous abilities?

He’d been busy wondering about it when he’d realized the area had gone quieter. Not entirely so. But enough to notice. 

He looked around, two-tone blue eyes uneasy behind his glasses.

A predator, perhaps? He drew his blade, but then the noise came back. He didn’t put it away, his ears flicking, but that was curious. 

Well, either way, he was thirsty. The heat here was nothing like the chilly, often damp isles of Eire.

So he looked for a flat enough spot with good visibility and sat, opening his canteen. His blade sat nearby if he needed it in a hurry.

He noticed a large, brown and white rodent-like creature watching him from a nearby bush…or was it a rodent? It was no kind he knew on sight, very thick-bodied with folded ears, but it did not look or act aggressive. It simply watched him for a few moments, then wandered off.

“What d'you think, dad?” He’d asked the kookaburra also taking a drink. “Trouble?”

The avian fluttered his wings in the equivalent of a shrug. His lusus wasn’t sure. He hadn’t sensed any hostility from the other animal, but he hadn’t quite been able to read its intent either.

The blueblood shrugged, and wondered if he’d finally find what he was looking for down here, the rumors that some lowbloods were building their own city in this place, without help from any higher caste. 

Most nobles dismissed it as fantastical, and wondered why anyone would want to build in such a spot. As if lowbloods could achieve something like that anyway, they said, with their limited resources!

But Leeson wondered. Was it really so impossible? Psiionics could do incredible things…and technology was advancing faster now than ever.

Not that his peers back hive tended to listen to him, since he wasn’t interested in weapons. 

Oh, Leeson thinks he’s a carpenter drone. What an addlehead. Leave the building to them!

What silly contraption have you made now? How frivolous. Blue blood is wasted on you. You’ll never be a good noble.

What do you think you’ll be doing in fleet? Reading books? No wonder your eyes are bad. Practice your knife, now there’s something useful.

Eat some more, you’re so skinny for a cobalt!

No, he really wasn’t leaving anything of value behind. 

Except his mansion, he missed that a bit. But maybe he’d come back some night.

Huh, those were some funny bugs. 

The kookaburra troll was distracted by some shiny little insects flitting around him, going almost too fast to see, silvery in the bright moonlight. Almost as if they were made of metal.

Were they some sort of rare local species? He hadn’t seen anything like them til now.

Then they flew away, but he swore he’d seen a green glow, just for an instant, before they scattered.

Psiionic wildlife? He’d read of such things…he put the lid back on his canteen and stood up, popping it back in his sylladex and holding his blade. Though his netting would be more useful here.

Either way, he had to go onward.

He forged onward into a patch of trees, though as he did, he realized they seemed…odd. All rather alike. As if they were all clones of each other. Made on an assembly line, rather than by nature.

He knelt down next to one on the dry ground, fascinated by its exposed root syste -

“Stand up slowly, highblood. Put your weapon away.”

Said a curt voice.

That was how he got to be surrounded by at least three dozen lowbloods all lit up with psi-colors and looking at him like he was a dangerous animal as he said he came in peace. Like idiots did.

He realized, belatedly, that his lusus had flown off. Great. He was truly on his own.

A few of them laughed at that, but the troll who’d spoken - he was pretty sure it was the woman with one red psiionic eye and one yellow one - looked as cold as a dark season snowbank.

“Come with us. Attempt to run and be cut down.”

“Yes, miss.” He said nervously as he followed her lead, internally cursing himself. Maybe those fellows back home were right; if he could just assert his natural authority better, he might not be in this situation.

It was kind of hard to think of doing so when he could clearly be gutted in moments by the assembled company.

Though most of them looked young and began whispering as he was forced along with them.

“I can’t believe he actually came here.”

“Highbloods think they own everything.”

“They own everything else.”

“Shhh! What if he hears?”

“Who’s he going to tell? Weedy-looking thing anyway, he’s not so scary. Most intimidating part is that nose.”

Leeson grumbled.

“There’s nothing wrong with my nose.” He muttered.

This only earned more laughter.

“Yeah? Bet it hurts anyone who tries to kiss you.” Crowed one.

He flushed blue. No one had ever tried to kiss him, not that these lowbloods needed to know that.

“It does not.” He declared, and once again internally cringed at how dumb he sounded. Why couldn’t he be witty like his favorite novel heroes?

The lowbloods were laughing so hard he was pretty sure he saw one or two double over.

He flushed with shame and anger.

“At - at least I won’t die like an insect!”

They all quieted.

“You could die very soon.” Purred the woman who’d first spoken. “We’ll see what the Machinat says.”

“Machinat…?” He said wonderingly.

No one answered his question, and he knew it was better for his health if he kept his mouth shut for a while.

They led him deeper through the strange trees, and then the woman opened one up - no, it was a hinged door, built into the side of it, going into a passage underground.

He was halted, and made to put on a blindfold. He didn’t resist, though he wondered how his lusus was ever going to find him. Would he see his father again?

He walked through it for a while, beginning to get weary, but he didn’t dare complain.

Finally, they came above ground again, and his blindfold was removed. He blinked in the moonlight…and then his jaw dropped.

“It’s real.” He breathed. “It’s actually real! Oh my goodness! I can’t believe - ”

The lowbloods laughed at him again, and he promptly shut up, burning blue, but the highblood was still excited despite the situation.

For it truly was the beginnings of a new city, one unlike any he’d ever seen in photographs or those slow online images.

It was as if it had been grown from the world around it, then cast into metal. How was this possible? How were these beginnings of buildings made that blended so seamlessly with the fields and trees? He itched to study a schematic, to ask someone about the techniques, anything.

“Machinat!” Called the woman. “We have him.”

“I know, Yathin.” Said a fond, amused voice, coming from no one he could identify. It seemed to radiate from all around them.

The woman looked slightly uncomfortable, but nodded. The rest of the trolls merely looked eager, or slightly in awe.

“Machinat?” Called out Leeson, hesitatingly. “I’m…sorry, for trespassing on your land, if it’s yours…I just…I wanted to see your city…”

Many of the lowbloods looked a bit shocked by his boldness. Yathin looked incredibly annoyed.

The voice still sounded amused, when it answered.

“Hmm…I wouldn’t say it’s my land. Land belongs to itself! We live on it. Take care of it. Wouldn’t you say so, Leeson Abnale?”

“Huh?” He said, ears flipping up in shock. How did they know his last name?

The voice laughed warmly.

“Can I…where are you? Can I see your face?” He said, even more uncertain. 

The lowbloods snickered, chatting to each other.

“Ooh, they’re gonna make an entrance.”

“Five caegers they do the thing.”

“You’re on.”

The elegant metallic structures began to move, to sinuously rearrange themselves with a clanging before the blueblood’s eyes into…stairs?

From the highest structure of all stepped a troll, who descended them as they yet moved to complete their transformation, wholly unbothered by the quickly whirring strands and gears below each foot that solidified only moments before they touched each one.

They were shorter than him, lean and bald, with small curling horns that came to a point and…bright solid green psiionic eyes, set over an upturned nose and thick lips.

Their clothing was colorful, a simply made yet elegant red and yellow dress that stirred slightly in a valley breeze as they swiftly descended to stand in front of him, arms crossed as they wore an amused expression.

What arms they were. Not flesh at all, but gleaming tech, yet tech that clearly had pores and veins, as if it had grown like flesh did. Tech that had ceases and claws with cuticles. How could this be?

“You have now seen my face! How do you like it?” Asked the psiionic - the Machinat - cheerfully.

Leeson’s mind had gone blank. 

“Uhhhhhhhhh pretty.” He said as his every last brain cell made a jump overboard into the sweet embrace of death.

Then he realized what he said, turned cobalt, and wanted to die on the spot.  

The Machinat put a hand to their mouth, giggling as their ears flicked in amusement.

“I think we’ll keep our wayward blue.” They announced to the rest of the group. “Perhaps he will prove useful! They are supposed to be strong, even the little ones. He could lift and pull, I’m sure.”

Annoyance made him come back to himself further and he crossed his own arms.

“I’m a builder. An architect. Put me to work that way, if you’re going to keep me here, Machinat.”

They grinned at him, still amused.

“Oh?”

They stepped closer to him and put a metallic claw to his pointy chin.

“Is that so, Abnale?” They said while looking into his blue eyes, voice a low purr as he flushed again.

“Hm, hm! That’s not entirely my call. Process!” They called.

“Let’s see if he can take instruction first.” Came another disembodied voice, this one oddly flat and mechanical sounding. “Then we’ll know if he can be otherwise utilized. Humble him before he’s allowed responsibility.”

“Excellent choice.” Purred the cyborg. “I love a good test.” They winked at him, then stepped back again and clapped their hands in delight.

“Our first highblood, my citizens! Isn’t that a thrill? Let’s see what he’s capable of. But first, let’s get him a place to stay. He’s had quite the night’s excitement.”

Leeson made a disdainful squawk, his arms still crossed.

“No. I mean. Please.” He amended. “Let me show you what I can do.”

The Machinat’s eyebrows raised.

“Go on.”

Rummaging in his sylladex, the blueblood took out a small flying device - one he had made to look similar to his lusus, but this one could do many things an animal could not. 

He tossed it in the air, and with its remote in his other hand, directed it to dart about, swiveling and twisting at hairpin turns. Its wings lit up different colors as he made it stop in place, and swoop so low over the assembled lowbloods it nearly brushed their horns. A few of them yelped and swore, trying to snatch at it, but the metal kookaburra was too fast.

Then it plucked a stone from the ground and dropped it in the Machinat’s hands, a slight look of surprise on their face.

Leeson directed it back to his hand, and shut it off as he put it away. 

“Hmm.” Said the Machinat again, a slight smile tugging at their mouth as they tucked the stone into a pocket on their dress. “What a dab hand you’ve got for machinery. We’ll see what else you can do, in time.”

He huffed, but figured that was as good as he was going to get, so he nodded reluctantly.

As the cyborg issued instructions for where he was to be sheltered and who would keep an eye on him, he couldn’t help looking at them again.

They couldn’t be that much older than him, right? Despite the title? Their face didn’t seem to show much age. 

Ugh, why had he said that. Why had he said something so stupid! To a lowblood!

It wasn’t fair, them being good-looking.

More than that - they were fascinating. Just how deep did their tech go? How many abilities did it grant them? Were they really natural somehow?

Who had that other voice been? Another psiionic?

He had to know. He couldn’t leave until he figured it all out. 

As he was led to his new hive - still not fully finished, with foundation for more rooms, like much of the city - he missed his lusus keenly. It would be the first time he had slept without the kookaburra near in a long while.

Luckily, his mind was so full of excitement over everything he could do here - and the worry that he might not see his home again - that he had plenty to distract himself from the loneliness.

His hands were shiny gray with pencil lead when he went to finally sleep, he stayed up sketching mechanical designs - and a few faces of a certain cyborg - deep into the day.

[arpeggxo]

@machinat liked for a starter

“I didn’t do it!” Maybe he had suddenly frozen at the sight of Marluxia, eyes wide and hands held out awkwardly at his sides. Maybe he was the only one around at that moment. Maybe there was a dull contrite glimmer in his eyes, how that kept him from looking the Assassin in the face. But that didn’t mean he was guilty! It could have been anyone! 

[poppyscrafts]

Thanks for the mention! mmsoxford: hannah_war PoppysCrafts JulieLence You are constantly welcome, my mercurial madam of marvellous machinat…

Thanks for the mention! mmsoxford: hannah_war PoppysCrafts JulieLence You are constantly welcome, my mercurial madam of marvellous machinat…

— Poppys-Crafts (@PoppysCrafts) January 29, 2017

from Twitter https://twitter.com/PoppysCrafts January 29, 2017 at 10:15AM via IFTTT

[cloudbattrolls]

Arty is the epitome of “I may not make you feel safe but I will keep you safe. I would die repeatedly to keep you safe for no other reason than it was what I was made to do. I can’t even think of wanting to be something else. I wasn’t made to want that way.”

[cloudbattrolls]

Lamb and Knife

Torvah Verdan | 465 sweeps prior | Civitrecce Shoreline

Civitrecce slept, aside from its skeleton day crew, swathed in light protective clothing as they flitted among its buildings, wary of exposing even an inch of skin. The valley lay quiet in the humid heat, Alternia’s diurnal wildlife roaming freely but unable to get past the invisible walls of force surrounding the fledgling city.

Only Torvah, skin turned to metal to protect them under their favored bright dress, sat at ease on the city's nearby beach as their artifice stood next to them.

The yellowblood put a slim finger to the sand, tracing an approximate shape of a vertebra as their companion watched. Then they added representations of other organs, blood vessels, and bones.

“You don’t remember any of this, yes?”

The artifice, dressed in simple gray clothes, fidgeted. Its bladed hands, barely more than knives with a minimum of padding and basic joints, intertwined nervously. Its fluffy tail tip twitched, the heavy extremity curled around its body.

“No, creator. I don’t. There’s just…feelings. I don’t think I was…distinct until now. I was…” It paused, trying to find the language. 

“Conscious. I was part of a consciousness. But I did not retain. I was not me. I was…a possibility. Infinite possibilities, splitting off again and again. There was no time, no space, not as you know them.”

Torvah’s green psiionic’s eyes gleamed in fascination. “Thank you. So, you don’t mind? Being this way now?”

It paused, eyes of the same green looking into its maker's. “Mind? I don’t have a choice. But, I don’t mind. I can still feel it. It’s all around us, like you say.”

“Ah…” said the lowblood, sighing with jealousy. “How wonderful. Such connection. If only trollkind could feel as you do…perhaps we would hurt each other less.” 

They shook their bald head sadly.

“I have no idea.” Said the artifice bluntly, stretching out its arms, metal melded to dead, repurposed flesh. 

“This world is very violent. You might be driven to insanity and more violence if you had to deal with more sensations than you currently feel.”

Torvah paused, looking slightly embarrassed. Their pointed ears flicked.

“Ah.”

It got up, and began walking off over the warm sand, tail dragging behind it.

Torvah, befuddled, watched it.

“Where…are you going?”

The masked body didn’t answer. Then it started walking into the water.

Torvah sprang up and walked after it.

“Arty! No! You’ll rust! There’s things in the - “

It dove under the waves.

The cyborg tried not to panic as their creation disappeared from sight faster than they could follow. Why was it acting this way?

Several gray-hair inducing minutes later, it reappeared dripping wet and tangled with seaweed, holding an oyster.

Torvah stared at it.

“Why…did you do that?”

It looked down at the oyster.

“Should I have not?”

“Well…” 

The Machinat didn’t really have a good answer for that.

“Please let me know before you do it next time.” They added in as kind of a voice as they could, making a mental note to update its code.

They shook their head, focusing instead on the bivalve held gently in the clawed metal hands.

“You can’t eat that, Arty, why did you go get it? How did you know it was there?”

It petted the oyster.

“I didn’t. But I am…aware. There are things that might be. Things that were. Things that are. Time is so changeable now. I wanted to hold something solid. This is all very different. The world is frightened here.”

Torvah went still.

“Frightened?”

It looked up at the red-lit sky, its metal faceplate gleaming in the sun’s rays.

“Frightened. Of trolls. Of other things. But, I am not afraid of you.”

There was a slight attempt at what Torvah thought was comfort in the usually flat tone.

“Why not?” Said the yellowblood, baffled but fascinated.

Arty turned, and went to put the oyster back in the waves, going deep enough to ensure it would sink again, before returning and answering.

“You will all die some night. I will not.”

Torvah performed the mental equivalent of a record scratch.

“…I think it would be best if you didn’t say such things around the others.”

“Why?” It said, puzzled. “They would want to know I’m not afraid of them, yes?”

“That’s…wonderful, Arty.” Said Torvah slightly desperately. “But it would unnerve them if you also mentioned that they will die and you won’t. Trolls don’t like being reminded of those things.”

“Oh.”

It sounded despondent. Its tail drooped, as did its head.

Torvah tried to give it an encouraging smile.

“We must seem very strange to you.”

“Not really.”

They paused again.

“I don’t know what is strange for you yet.” It said. “Then I will decide.”

The logic was sound. And yet…

“Ah…very rational. Yet, I think I may have to alter your code a bit. I can see now it isn’t nearly extensive enough to manage you.”

It tilted its head.

“You will make me different.”

Torvah tried to smile. “We all change, all the time.”

“You shape things to your wants, so many wants. I wonder - what if I had more wants?” It mused. “Would I be more like you? Do you want me to want?”

The Machinat was beginning to develop a slight headache.

They went over and clapped their soaked creation on its shoulder.

“Well! Let’s get back. At least you’ll dry off soon enough, in this heat.”

It looked down at itself, soggy clothes and all.

“Oh. Yes. The wet. It lingers.”

Torvah laughed, they couldn’t help it.

Arty’s tail flicked.

“That’s a nice noise.”

“You’ll find things to laugh about too, I hope.” The lowblood said warmly.

“Haaaaa…ha.” It said, poorly copying the sound, voice croaky. 

“Not quite.” Said Torvah, as they walked off the beach and back onto the grass. “You’ll learn. You just need time.”

“I will make people laugh.” The artifice declared. “Then they might like me.”

“Ah…maybe.” Said Torvah, feeling incredibly fond of but also worried for their creation.

“Oh.”

It said, despondent again.

“We’ll work on it.” They assured the guardian, and together the pair walked back toward the city, each untouched by the powerful sun overhead.

[cloudbattrolls]

Arty isn’t a robot because it is alive. This isn’t incredibly apparent because a lot of it is inorganic, but the inorganic parts are all connected by a living network of brain-like matter, and even the inorganic parts are…not normal inorganic material.

The whole reason it’s a unique little hellion is because Torvah used their power so extensively in its creation, melding synthetic flesh and technology until they essentially became a set of new materials. Cells of fiber and metal. Wires of nerves and veins.

Behold my creation, said the Machinat, for I have made a new form of troll.