towerofanimus | return to what you must do

Entry tags:

return to what you must do

Characters: Sertoria Cani and YOU.
Setting: Room 1-03, Cafeteria, Floor 15, Third Block through Sixth Block.
Format: Action, but I can match.
Summary: Sertoria returns to the tower and decides to return straight to work.
Warnings: Possible feels...?

[ Room 1-03 ]

[ Those in the room can find a blond-haired android laying down in the bed as if she's asleep. Her eyes slide open and she sits up, looking around. Okay, this wasn't Quaeda. She was in the...

Oh, in Joshua's name--

Sertoria allows an irritated growl to come forth from her mouth before running a hand through her hair. She stretches her limbs before standing up and looking around, feeling her head. So, her headset was still there as well as her visor. She places a hand around her neck and feels her restraint while noticing there was one on her wrist as well. So her equipment was there, but she felt awfully light... ]

Check current storage specifications.

Current storage reveals basic specifications for unit. Unit CXEV5001 does not carry any weaponry... Current storage scan is complete.

[ Sertoria leans down to her chest, noting her photo album, operating manual and her trusty gunblade as well as the hilts of her sword and rifle. She presses a button on her arms and one on her leg to store her weaponry before they just disappear.

She takes another glance down at herself before noticing that she was just in her tunic. She takes her dusty, tattered robe and adjusts it slightly.

Oh, wait. She might have roommates. Oops. ]

Ah--hello. Pardon me, I did not mean to disturb you. If you have not seen a robot before, please note that I've come in peace. I do not wish to harm you.

[ And a smile! ]

[ Cafeteria ]

[ Even though Sertoria knows she cannot process it, she knows that the tower could be unforgiving. So, she's sitting down at a table and eating (well, slurping) the oatmeal like a good girl. She cannot taste it, so she's spared the misfortune of ever knowing what it tastes like. ]

...I do not see what is so bad about this.

[ Maybe it's because you're unable to taste it, Sertoria. ]

[ Floor 15 ]

[ Upon entering the workshop, Sertoria strolls through the area. It's clear she's not the lightest of people, since every step she takes is weighted due to the frame she was designed with. She's hoping to see Doc here, but if she can't, then that's fine. She can wait to hopefully see him again. ]

...Um. Doc, are you here? It is me, Sertoria. It's been a while!

[ Please don't let her be wrong here. She was in her hellhole of a world for a while. It would be nice to see a friend after so long. ]

[ Third Block Onwards. ]

[ Sertoria has figured it out that the tower has gotten bigger, and as such, her external and internal maps should get updated. She's sketching down everything she can ahead of time and memorizing it with her infinitesimal data bank. She can be approachable as she's opening the doors to several rooms, but never staying inside long enough - her ocular sensors take care of that much. ]

...How many floors are there...? [ She quietly mutters, tapping a pen against her cheek in thought, quietly humming before returning to work. Looks like the work here is never done! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[chaos was going back to his room for a quick nap when he saw and sensed an android opening a nearby room before closing it and muttering to herself. It made him think of a much more human KOS-MOS, and, smiling, he walked toward the person.]

There are five dorm floors, but many more floors in the Tower.

[ Similarly, Sertoria could tell that there was someone approaching. Her guard was up, certainly, but she didn't look too unfriendly. A light grin forms on her face before she straightens herself up for chaos. ]

Indeed there are. It has been a while since I have been here, so thus, I am documenting as many changes as possible so I may know the layout of the tower once again.

[Ah..so she was stuck in her destroyed universe for awhile. That was probably terrible for her, and chaos had no reason to not help her.]

I see. I am sorry that you were stuck in your destroyed universe for a time. If you wish, I could help you document floors and changes that you do not know about. However, I should also tell you that most of what you see is not the truth.

[ chaos didn't know the half of it regarding her destroyed world. While she's able to display some sad emotions, it's not to the extent of accurately coping with them. ]

Why are you sorry? It is not like you had a hand in destroying my home, sir. I would also appreciate your help in documenting the floors and changes so that the task is not tedious.

[ Skree-- ]

I am displaying everything correctly. My optic sensors are not damaged nor do they need to be replaced, sir.

I may not have had a hand in it, but that does not mean that I cannot express sorrow for you being put back in there. And your sensors might not be damaged..but the Administrators are hiding everything with illusions. In truth..we are wireframe bodies with our souls being held inside them. The Tower itself is mostly made up of metal coated with a type of film that gives it it's illusion.

I [...] just have to believe my world will be restored, sir. That is what I have been doing ever since I was brought here. You do not need to express sorrow for I am fine.

[ She pauses to listen to chaos' explanation, confusion crossing her brow ever slightly. ]

...I am afraid I do not understand. I was not aware I had a soul after all this time.

I do not think mere belief will save everyone..but it is good that you are working and being optimistic. I am glad that you are alright, but that does not mean that I cannot express just a little sorrow.

[Not a lot. However, at her confusion, chaos couldn't help but smile a little.]

I am sure that most people were not. However, you have one here. It is not unusual for androids to have a soul.

I am the same way myself. I suppose I am emulating what a good friend would say in this situation. Although, I suppose I cannot stop you from expressing sorrow, sir, if you are this adamant about it.

[ She offers chaos a smile, approving and also appreciating his stubbornness. ]

I am [...] grateful to hear that. Humanity is a concept I have been struggling with for quite some time, if I were to be completely honest.

It shall only be for a moment, I believe. But if we are already good friends, than I am glad for that.

[He's teasing a little, Sertoria.]

It is an odd concept that most of everyone has trouble with. But I am sure you will grasp it eventually..and I am glad that you are happy about that news.

[ Forgive her, chaos. Sertoria's going to glance suspiciously at him for a moment or two before shaking her head. She starts to chuckle and raises a hand to rest on his shoulder. ]

Well, you do not look like him, but you certainly do act like him. My good friend went by the name Joshua. He is the one who helped humanize me.

[ Her other hand moves to rest near her heart - or what would be there anyway. ]

It is hard for me to believe that I am anything but a machine. Although, the denizens of the tower have helped me realize more and more that I am just as human as they are. This little bit of information helps strengthen that idea in my head.

[chaos can deal with suspicious glances quite easily, and while he wasn't quite expecting the hand on his shoulder, he let Sertoria put it there. While the name of her good friend made him a little cautious about what he should reveal, he still smiled as he spoke.]

I see. I wish he was here then so that you could have some company..and so that I may see how he was like. But I am glad that the residents here have helped you see that you are just as human as they are in some ways. Again..I am glad that this knowledge helps you believe that you are like a human.

[ Sertoria's smile remains, but is lessened slightly as she sighs slightly. She purses her lips together to pause before speaking herself, her hand gripping somewhat tighter on his shoulder. ]

I do too. Joshua is also the one who gave me the name Sertoria Cani. He has...unfortunately passed away in my world, but I am sure he would have loved to meet you, sir.

The residents... I have made really good friends with them. They are honestly wonderful and I am glad to have met as many as I have during my time here.

[chaos was rather hard to injure, so he didn't mind the fact that her grip was a little stronger now..but he did mind that she was obviously hurting, and for a good reason. Even though he could see their souls again, they were always in different shells, and it only lessened the fact that losing a good friend hurt.

Since she didn't seem to mind putting a hand on his shoulder, he was going to use his other arm to try and pat her on the head for a moment.]

I am sorry to hear that. However..it is nice to hear that you two were good friends and that he helped you out quite a bit. I myself would have liked to meet him.

There are many residents here, and I'm glad to say that I'm happy to have met and become friends with some of them. It's good to hear that you have done the same here. It would be agony to be stuck here alone.

[ Sertoria's eyes travel up to chaos' hand on her head with her looking dumbfounded. Was he trying to check if she had errors of some sort? Maybe it was another form of comfort? She briefly remembers back to when Joshua would comfort her when she was still working on developing her emotions, as well as when he stood by her side through it.

She soon moves to embrace the other, seeing that he's okay with her hand being on his shoulder. ]

He would have, most likely, adored you. He was rather kind and selfless. In fact, the cloak I am wearing is his. Ever since his passing, I have tried my best to emulate his teachings on to others.

I am pleased to know that you have been able to do the same. We all need to band together so that we can survive the tower. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to be alone here.

[ A pause. ]

...Because I know what it is like to be alone for hundreds of years myself.

[A hand on the shoulder and an embrace were two very different things..but as chaos listened to her speak, he sighed inwardly and wrapped an arm around her, patting her back.]

I am glad that you met such a fine mentor and friend. I myself cannot imagine anyone taking total loneliness well, especially here. However..I am sorry to hear that. It is painful to be left alone that long.

[ Sertoria's wondering why she's being so touchy-feely. Normally, she's fine just talking at arms' length with someone... Maybe being back home for so long really did have adverse effects on her emotions. ]

I am glad too. As for the loneliness, I... learned how to cope. It was not the best way of dealing with it, but it was a way to not lose myself to madness entirely.

[It probably was. Not that chaos really minded. He was rarely hugged after Mary died, and while he did sometimes get physical contact like this later on, it was still not a commonplace thing.]

I know. It was still painful and lonely..but it was better to cope than lose yourself to fear and pain altogether.

[ The android knows it's probably better to not do this with someone she barely knows, but dammit, she would like to have at least one selfish desire once in a while. And for it to possibly not backfire on her once again. ]

Ah-- I am sorry for this.

[...]

You do not know how right you are on losing myself. For many years, I thought I would be losing myself to madness altogether. I am glad I did not.

[Again..chaos didn't really mind. He knew that she was probably shaken from being in her destroyed universe but..didn't know how to deal or express her emotions due to that stress properly. So he just smile a little as he spoke. That hand was still on her back though.]

It is alright. You need not worry. It is common for people to despair and lose themselves to madness in situations of that sort. I too, am glad you did not..even though I am sorry you have to face pain of that kind.

[ Perhaps that's one thing she can work on with chaos and her friends here. She's going to be silent for some time now, just silently nodding and enjoying the hand on her back. ]

I... believe I am feeling better already. I think for now anyway. But... who knows? Maybe the pain will stop one day.

[Not that chaos would mind helping her with that. After all, he enjoyed helping his friends and..it made him think of KOS-MOS. Not that he was able to help that android, even though he would have liked to.]

I am glad that you are..but know that while this pain may stop, it will not be unusual if a new pain finds its way into your chest. When that happens, it is best just to let it out and try to tackle it as best as you can. Accepting help from others is not a bad idea either.

[ Hopefully Sertoria is not beyond help here! She'll smile slightly but blink at his suggestion. ]

I do not have nasolacrimal ducts that will allow me to cry. How will I "let it out" as you so aptly described it?

[chaos doesn't think so, at least!]

Even if you cannot cry, there are other methods. Drawing, for instance. Or writing of your emotions, or playing an instrument or dancing.

[ Good! ]

The... only drawing I did was to improve my motor skills when I was first activated. Is that really a good way to relieve stress?

I have met people who have been helped by drawing to express themselves. Swimming and other exercise is also a popular method.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.

Third block and beyond.