towerofanimus | ⚙ 003;

Entry tags:

⚙ 003;

Characters: Labrys and you!
Setting: Around the tower
Format: I'll try to match.
Summary: Labrys doesn't age. She deals with it, learns new things, and fights in her spare time. (Go ahead and establish pre-existing relationships if you like!)
Warnings: None currently.

[dormitory floors]

[There was some part of her that knew exactly how long it had been. Buried deep in calculations, in strings of binary ones and zeroes was an internal clock that ticked away the hours, days, months, and years. But she didn't dare look, not anymore. Deep down Labrys feared that if she truly knew how long she had spent in the tower, her mechanical heart might just break on the spot.]

[Maybe there was a measure of denial to it all. If she'd spent too long in the tower, then she'd have failed in her promise to find her 'mother'. Assuming their world was in fact still unharmed, which was a belief Labrys had kept for however long it had been. If she knew for certain how long it had been, she'd know whether or not she failed. No, it was best to continue on as things were.]

[And as things were, she'd matured in mind while remaining static in form. This was a body that would not, could not age like those of her friends. The only visible change in Labrys was the matured, proud way in which she carried herself; joyful cheeriness had faded to quiet compassion and a caring smile for those around her. Most of her childlike curiosity had faded as well; she still carried a genuine interest in the world around her, of course, but as time passed she learned most of the basic things any normal human might know.]

[There were many days where she wandered the dorm floors idly, with no real goal in mind other than to talk to people. Make them feel welcomed and cared about, like she knew humans so desperately needed to be in times like this. It was on such a day where she stopped and looked to whoever was passing by at that moment, speaking in a thickly accented voice that had lost a bit of its coarseness over time:]

Hey, you. What're ya doin'?

[floor 28]

[When things were peaceful and there were no experiments being run, Labrys enjoyed distracting herself with learning new things. Idly she wondered if it was easier for an android to pick up something new; humans didn't think in terms of data entry and analysis. That was one of the things she liked so much about them. People were so abstract, confusing her in the most fascinating ways much like her own heart tended to.]

[In recent weeks it had been the piano that caught her eye; she hadn't yet taught herself an instrument, so it sounded like a fun thing to try. The robot girl minus her Yasogami uniform sat down at the instrument and pressed metal fingers to white keys, gradually starting to pick out a tune that gained pace as she became a little more confident with it.]

[floor 25]

[She always came back to this place. Nearly every day, in fact. She loved the meadow dearly, and often took time to appreciate the vibrant flowers. This was a peaceful place of life in a tower that seemed so focused on death. And much like Labrys herself...it never seemed to change. Maybe that was something reassuring, if she worried about her age or lack thereof. If that was ever a concern, she didn't show it. There wasn't much point upsetting people by crying over the obvious unsolveable problems.]

[basically anywhere else]

[There was always one persistent problem; the monsters within the Tower's walls. maybe someone was cornered by them, maybe they were just grouped in too large a number. No matter the exact reason, the metal girl floating with the thruster-equipped axe attached to her back would as usual take control of the situation.]

Pasiphaë! [Before her appeared a semitransparent spirit--a shining woman colored in sapphire and glittering like starlight. Upon her head were the horns of a bull, and in her hands a burning flame that radiated the warmth of the sun.]

[At her back Labrys held out her hand; Pasiphaë raised the flame above her head in response.]

Mahama! [The rustling of talisman paper, a flash of divine light...and the monsters were gone. Her Persona vanishing, a satisfied Labrys alighted on the ground with a smile.]

And that's how it's done.

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[Itachi had been trying as hard as he could to keep his back straight. He felt like he had weights tied to his chest, compressing him and making it hard to breathe, but he refused to give into the urge to hunch over. He was looking straight ahead, unable to see, but his ears heard every little sound. As such, he was able to pass by whoever it was that was walking down the hallway without bumping into them.

When Labrys spoke, Itachi turned toward the sound of her voice, staring at her with milky, unseeing eyes. After what he believed to be seven years in the Tower, he found that the voice was familiar, though he'd never spoken to the girl before.]

Are you talking to me?

[Itachi's voice was gravelly and soft. He was blind as a bat, but somehow, he seemed to know exactly where Labrys was, because he was looking right at her. His skin was pale and clammy, and the effort of walking out of his dorm room seemed to have caused a thin sheen of sweat to gather on his brow, but Itachi didn't give any indication that he even noticed those things.]

Yeah, I was. You ain't lookin' too great, is there anythin' I can do to help?

[That was what she liked more than anything--helping people. There was a warm sense of fulfillment in her heart in the act, and that was the only reward she ever sought from it.]

[Learning to play an instrument is something Lancer had always planned on doing, but unlike cooking and learning the network, even after a thousand years he still hasn't done it. That doesn't stop him from visiting the music floor on occasion, though, to run his hands over the various instruments housed there.

There are so many of them and he knows that has always been part of the problem. He's never been able to decide which to learn. Piano, harp, those odd instruments that he knows were popular in the land he was summoned into for the war, but whose names he doesn't remember. They all have caught his eye at one point or another.

It's too late now. He doesn't get the same feel from them as he used to when he touches them. Whatever spark it takes to play died out in him without ever having a chance to be fanned to a flame. Lancer can't help but be disappointed with himself whenever he thinks about it.

He knows Oisin would be even more disappointed if he knew.

But disappointed or not, he still comes up here and wanders sometimes, a ghost among the instruments. Though on this day, he is surprised to see Labrys there as well. He never knew she had any interest in music, and actually finds himself a little jealous as he watches her so quickly pick up the piano.]

I didn't realize music was something robots trained for war were taught before going out into the world.

...I wasn't.

[She spoke quietly, the melody beginning to slow as she did. Something about Lancer had...changed, with time. Changed in a manner she could put neither words nor analysis to, and yet set her ever so slightly on edge.]

But I'm kinda running out of things to do when it gets quiet 'round here. Sometimes I just pick up some books on a subject and start readin', see where it gets me.

[Itachi cursed inwardly. He knew he had to look horrible, but he was trying to appear as normal as possible. Showing weakness in the Tower would do him no good. He knew the administrators were watching; he'd be sure to show them that he wouldn't lay down and accept his fate, no matter how sick he was.]

I'm just feeling a bit under the weather, and lying still will do me no good. [He turns his head a bit to indicate the far hallway.] I was on my way to the training area, in fact.

[That's his fancy ninja way of saying "gymnasium."]

[Labrys thought this over for a second--he really didn't look well, so what if he were to pass out and be at the mercy of one monster or another? She certainly couldn't have that.]

I think I'll come with you, if ya don't mind.

[Itachi looked back toward the sound of her voice and thought it over for a moment. If he were to have a particularly bad attack at some point during his training, she would likely either worry about him, or use the knowledge of just how bad his condition was against him. Both outcomes weren't ideal, and Itachi considered snapping at her and acting like the ruthless villain that he was supposed to be.

But he'd all but given that persona up years ago, hadn't he..?

He sighed, biting back a cough that threatened to bubble up out of his throat at the action. He was in no mood to argue, especially if she was the persistent type. Itachi turned his back to her.]

I'm in no position to stop you, if that's what you want. [And then he glanced over his shoulder, and even though he couldn't see her, it was as if he'd memorized exactly where her eyes were, because he seemed to be looking right into them.] But don't make the mistake of thinking I need a babysitter.

I never said I was tryin' to be.

[Her own voice was light and casual; she wasn't assuming he was weak or anything, but Labrys thought it might be safer if she were to come along. Just in case.]

I could probably use some practice too. Can't have anythin' turnin' to rust on me, ya know?

[She followed behind with the whirring of intricate mechanisms in each movement, disposition oddly cheerful.]

[The whirring grabbed Itachi's attention. He hadn't been familiar with metallic contraptions until he arrived in the Tower, but after a while, he took a bit of an interest in them. He had never used many gadgets himself out of preference for his own world's technology level, but he found it useful to familiarize himself with technology from as many different worlds as he could.

He looked straight ahead as they walked, replaying exactly how many steps it would take them to get to the elevator, but his ears were trained on the noise the girl was making.]

What do you have that might turn to rust? [He couldn't very well see whatever it was that was making that noise, so he might as well ask.]

Well...everything, really. I'm an android--means I'm a robot made to look like a human.

[The full explanation came without being asked for one--she was used to people asking about her and what she was, and felt no shame in admitting and elaborating on it.]

Edited 2013-01-17 05:20 (UTC)

And you still find joy in that? You still find new things to learn even after all this time?

[He closes the distance between them casually not wishing to put her on alert. He knows she's a skilled fighter. He remembers--vaguely--a time when she trusted him at her back when they fought the monsters of the tower.

That time is no longer and he also knows it's his fault. He's just not sure why.]

Then you are luckier than I. I wish such simple things could still give me joy.

[There was something about him these days that registered strangely to Labrys; it felt too like a Shadow for her to be at ease. What passed for 'instinct' with her demanded she either attack or escape, but it was the human part of her that stayed. No matter how he changed, she knew he was still Lancer...and it was that part of her that worried about him.]

There's a lotta stuff to learn, if you ain't really been out in the world. I never even saw instruments like these until I got to the Tower.

[She glanced up at him as red and silver hands stilled, concern mixed with something almost remorseful on her face.]

...You really ain't happy anymore, are ya?

I think I have forgotten how to be happy, truth be told.

[Lancer is somewhat surprised at how honest he is with her, but then again, it has always been that way between them. She was the first person who had understood him in this place and for all he knew, she might be the last person to understand him as well.]

For a while, I looked for excitement, but nothing excites me anymore. Then I looked for a challenge, but very little remains in this place to challenge me. Now, I look for anything that might hold the vaguest interest for me...

...and I find nothing.

[His hand lovely drifts across the piano's top.]

There was a time once, that I wanted to learn how to play something...anything. But the music is dead in me now. Just like everything else.

...why?

[She stood up, half wanting to cry over whatever coud have happened and half wanting to shake him for being so stupid.]

There's gotta be somethin'! I mean, is...is there really nothing left? You're...not gonna smile again?

I...don't know. You'd think if there was something, I would have found it in a thousand years of searching.

[He seems genuinely confused and in no small way frustrated.]

And I know there are things that might make me smile if I could only let myself think of them, but when I do...

[The pain in there. Clouding his mind. Forcing him away from all those things that might somehow bring him comfort.

And the voice is there. Whispering that he doesn't have the right to think of those things. That he doesn't have the right to be happy after all he's failed to do.]

What happened to you?

[She straightened up, childish bursts of emotion long since gone and replaced by a mature and serious demeanor.]

People like us...we ain't the kind to change. You and me ain't gonna die of old age like humans do. So is this it? Are we both just goin' to spiral into some messed-up insane wrecks and live like that until I rust over or somethin'?

[Labrys' hands curled into fists out of frustration, voice urgent and strained.]

I miss how we used t' smile and laugh together. You were my friend, maybe even somethin' like family, and now just bein' around you sets all my sensors off. What's wrong with you and why can't I fix it?!

[Lancer starts and winces at the strength of the emotion in her voice. He hadn't expected her to react so strongly. No one, no one really cares that much about him anymore, do they?]

I-I don't know. I wish I did! I miss those days too! I don't know how things ended up this way!

[He turns away angrily, pacing a few steps away before turning back. For a moment he looks at his hands as if deciding what to do with them, then he brings them to rest over his heart.]

There is something. Something inside of me. Whenever I try to think of the things I remember making me happy, it hurts me. It tells me I have no right to defile their memories with my failure. I-I don't know where it came from...

[Lancer pauses and then his head bows and his voice drops to a whisper.]

No, I do. It's always been there. It woke up after I was betrayed in the war and it's been there ever sense. I think...I think it might be all that's there now...

[On the surface, Itachi didn't look all that impressed, but the idea that machines could be made to resemble humans so closely was fascinating. He had a memory of a face to go with her voice, and he couldn't remember ever seeing anything out-of-place that might have tipped him off as to what she truly was before. He hadn't noticed the metallic whirring back then, but naturally, he was noticing a lot of sounds he hadn't heard before now that he was blind.

He gave a mild hum in answer, betraying none of his thoughts.]

Interesting. [There was a beat, then he added:] ...I don't believe I've ever gotten your name.

Labrys. My name's Labrys--can't say I'm sure I know yours, either.

...we ain't failures.

[She closed the distance between them with a few quick steps, bringing her hands to rest over his.]

Havin' a heart...it's painful. It hurts just as often as it makes somebody happy, maybe even more often than that. Sometimes it hurts so much ya feel like that's all there is to it, and y' wonder why you ever had one in the first place.

You and me, we've done a lot of screwed up stuff. Hurt a lot a' people we wished we hadn't, hated and cursed people too. But that doesn't mean there ain't nothin' left to us but bein' miserable.

[Labrys put her arms around his waist, words carrying a strange weight to them as though she was making an effort not to cry.]

That ain't right. Even in a place like this, there's still a lot of good things to have faith in. It doesn't matter if y' think you ain't got any right to anythin' good--I'll tell ya that's wrong every time. If you got your own heart, then you got every right in the world t' be happy no matter what you mighta done.

I don't care what anybody says about ya, includin' my own stupid programmin'. I ain't gonna turn my back on you anymore. 'Cause we're...we're still friends, yeah?

Registering... Registering...

[ There's another android who's been here so long that her memory bank is full and as a result, she has extreme difficulty with recording new information. Who would have thought a combat android would ever have this problem? ]

[Only when she was finished did the older Shotaro finally appear, clapping his hands at the end of the music. Machine or not, he wasn't going to deny talent. He gave her a friendly smile.]

Very good stuff. Didn't know you could play so well.

[The cat froze when addressed, wondering if this human had somehow figured out his identity. He turned his fuzzy little head toward her, and innocently meowed, playing the part of an innocent cat.

Human… Not quite human. She wasn’t a vampire, but definitely not human either. He couldn’t sense any scent of blood from her. Some kind of magic shield, maybe? The girl looked human.

Curious, he trotted over to her, tail swishing back and forth in the air.]

Hey...you okay? What's wrong?

Heh...I didn't either. I've just been readin' a lot on it lately.

[Labrys shrugged, pleased by his words all the same.]

Thanks.

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Dormitory Floors

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Floor 28

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ANYWHERE ELSE I GUESS <3

floor 28

[dormitory floors]

W/E W/E

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