DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"New Lifeforms registered... Social interaction imminent!"

Of all the places for her to start her search, oak was the most sound. It had a colorful history and she felt that maybe one of the other units would be drawn to it the same way that she was. The behemoth of a machia was looked at fairly strangely, people were nervous around her. Even with her friendly demeanor and honest answers regarding her intents people were slow to trust and why shouldn’t they be?

The whirrs of her servos were quiet and were hidden well by the heavy rumbling footfalls that came alongside her. Even with it being winter she was vastly unaffected by the cold; only registering that it was at a sub optimal temperature for standard organic life. She’d curiously catch some of the falling snow in a hand as she walked; the townsfolk had directed her to the church after some inquiries regarding other versions of her. People would have reacted differently if she wasn’t the first one to come around but in this case they felt the need to point her to the local clergy.

Getting closer to the church she could hear a myriad of voices from within; large ears flicking this way or that to help catch the acoustics. She wasn’t able to pick voices apart yet with this current level of internal programs and equipment but she could detect high octaves with low octaves indicating conversations. Two knocks on the door and she was let in much to the surprise of the one watching the door.

”Hello! I was pointed to place of worship by the townfolk. The clergy here is supposedly knowledgeable. Is your leader present? I have some questions for him.”

The clergyman pointed to a set of stairs near the back that led down, she’d thank the man with a polite bow; something she picked up by a very handy butler. The large aquatic machia headed down the stairs, having to retract her neck a bit and scrunch her legs together to even fit down the staircase. Some ceilings just weren’t meant for people of her size.

The heavy thuds of her footsteps were the first thing to announce her presence, the next was a long thin blackened synthflesh arm before the rest of her body came. The detached nature of her should let her squeeze into places a little easier thankfully and the next thing to peek around would be her head. The optics registered two people in front of her; the faceplate lighting up somewhat as she noted the clergyman with a robe and a well dressed… Demi-human? Her registration protocol had a source mismatch and she couldn’t exactly tell what she was looking at.

”Hello! I was looking for the lead clergyman. I was informed they would be down here.”

There was a brief pause as she looked the both of them up and down. She seemed enthused to meet more people; it was kind of just the way she was. Noting that something was amiss she’d begin her greetings protocol; though there was a tint of shyness to her voice as she still wasn’t sure if this was the right way of greeting someone.

”My designation is DSK-0vRI but you may call me Discovery. Do you require assistance?”

 

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DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Time to find out who's who..."

Discovery’s eyes traced over the two again; she had never met either of them for certain but there was a sort of familiarity regarding the both of them she couldn’t place. Perhaps one of them was famous? Her databanks didn’t show any prior files regarding either. It was a puzzling conundrum and she’d tilt her head to one side in befuddlement. Her accusation of the man hiring her was largely unfounded and she’d shake her head as she stepped out fully from the staircase; her neck extending and she's straighten out; thankful for the height of the ceiling being… well generous to say the least. Her eyes scanned the area and her ‘brows’ furrowed slightly.

”I am currently not under employment of anyone other than Paradise dawn, no local or current subsidiary has reached out for my services. Does someone require rescue? I do not recognize you Ma’am; but on the mainland of Fiore I am unfamiliar with many individuals. Such as the clergyman you are speaking to.”

While the question was pointed at the older man; discovery felt like she had to clarify that she had no idea who this… Demi-human? Was? Her files were not registering them as one and it was making her a little confused, scratching at the side of her head she moved quite similarly to someone that was actually alive. With the questions posed to her, the Machia’s eyes would flash as though registering something and a brief loading symbol emerged on her faceplate.

”If you require assistance in dealing with spirits I can do so. It may not be my primary function but I’ll try. I am not a zealot bot; I was designed by another Machia by the name of Ossji and he was a military contractor out of Talaz Lagaar. My primary function is Rescue operations.”

Discovery approached the both of them, towering over them by several feet. Offering a hand to Yukirochisu. She didn’t seem bothered by the attitude that she was putting out nor the hostility towards the older man. Or frustration. It was hard to tell for her.

”Disco is an appropriate shortening of my designation. I am more than willing to assist you Ma’am. May I ask your name?”

Her voice was rather positive, upbeat and certainly held in confidence that she could assist Yukirochisu. Though she had to wonder how effective she’d be against Ghosts or spirits. She knew some of the military units could deal with them. Maybe brute force would be fine? Magic was weird after all.


 

545+423/1500

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Not quite a Ghostbuster..."

The rescue bot stood there in abject silence, looking down at her hand and then sort of letting it fall back down to her side. Maybe many people didn’t do the whole handshake protocol anymore? It was something she noticed from multiple individuals, though with Lady Lumikki that was more a safety thing for people. She didn’t seem bothered by it and would just simply have to adjust her greeting parameters for people based on their own initiatives. The answer to her question brought a bit of surprise to Discovery’s faceplate. The display flashing evident confusion for all of a moment.

”Designation Nameless? Fascinating. I will log that in my databanks for future use. Perhaps a shortening would be in order in times of duress.”

She’d follow after them, politely waving to the clergyman who looked somewhat aghast that she was even here. Her mission parameters had changed slightly and maybe this would be a good way of exploring another location. No one here seemed to have seen another variation of her; otherwise there would be less surprise.

”That seems an efficient use of our time. I have a magic, but it doesn’t come with a typical offensive allotment. I can copy equipment variables from others and use them at a lower statistical spread. I do believe that I can still physically affect ghosts or spirits though if I increase my magicule density in my arms.”

It’d be draining for sure if she did but her internal generators and external ways of replenishment would just mean she’d need to enter power saver mode later or just sit in the sun for a little bit. One of her ears flicked at the query directed at her.

”I do not require nourishment but I can process food into its core components and turn it into fuel if needed.”

It was stated very manner-a-factly and discovery didn’t seem bothered by her lack of apparent tastebuds either. She didn’t need it because that would just slow her down; she adjusted her stature after a moment and peered into the darkness. She didn’t register any strange activity but if ghosts and spirits were around they hardly would play fair from what her databanks were saying.

”What of you nameless? Do you eat?”

She knew most organics required it to live but she also knew that there were outliers such as vampires or liches. Though in the lattermost case they didn’t even have skin half the time. Or flesh to speak of. Much like the ghosts or spirits there were here to deal with.


 

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DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Muffins! My favorite breakfast food!"

”I understand.”

Discovery nodded her head a bit; she hadn’t been programmed with some typical know how about social events. She was after all only ever considered for rescue operations. Social affairs were meant for those in the advertisement or diplomatic sectors. Or even the triage machia she had seen before being sealed into her pod. She’d cock her head to one side as the other seemed to be frustrated with the lack of equipment.

”There’s no way you could have known. My arrival after all to Oak was not a part of any local itinerary.”

Discovery hoped that Nameless would at least be able to move past that; she figured the frustration was temporary anyways. When the other started walking backwards however discovery’s steps became a little shorter so she was to not overtake or accidentally walk over them. She had that problem of bumping into people if she wasn’t paying attention and when you weighed several tons well…

”Thank you, your assistance is appreciated. Hmm. Maybe then after the spirits or ghosts are dealt with you should consider acquiring sustenance?”

Discovery would take both muffins, her faceplate opened up and both muffins would be placed in side, once her faceplate closed a whirring sound would start up and the machia’s throat would should a slight change in mass before her chest lit up as the magicules from the muffins assisted her. Much thought had clearly been put into her by whoever this Ossji was.

”My physical body is composed of physical material that was constructed within the last year or so. My programming or as most organics would consider my ‘brain’ would have been put into service thirty-four years ago. It has been updated every year with new rescue operational data. As for pronouns: She or her will suffice. What about you nameless?”

Discovery being about that age mentally but having next to no social contact for three or so decades while also being locked away as an artificial intelligence would make it easy for her not to understand social venues and focus purely on her mission. The large bot adjusted a bit and noted that their parameters for their strength had changed.

”Interesting. Your muffins are affecting my physical statistics in a positive manner. Was that what you meant by ‘help’?”

Discovery was a curious ‘little’ machia; she had a lot of questions and didn’t seem at all opposed to answering any for those that had some for her. There would of course be some difficulties as there were certain things she couldn’t answer. The machia considered something briefly before inquiring.

”My magic is typically referred to as ‘Requip’. I have yet to run into someone that could conjure or create food. What is your magic called?”

She was still scanning this way or that for the spirits; they had not run into one yet and the machia didn’t seem terribly bothered by this fact. Though she knew that if they didn’t run into one… they’d likely be deeper; which was good because Discovery wanted to locate additional units.

 

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DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Swords, Muffins and Spirits oh my!"

”That is correct. Though I am unsure of the seriousness of this request. I haven’t seen any spirits as of yet.”

Discovery frowned slightly; her eyes slanting as a set of eyebrows took up some of her digital faceplate. Even then she had to wonder further if it was serious if they had just simply missed the problem entirely or if they hadn’t gone deep enough yet. There was a long list of instances where that would be the case. She looked quizically at Nameless as they answered her question; Spirit of the samurai that had updated into… Muffin make. The machia looked positively confused for a moment.

”That is not an update I would have expected to hear, but the magic itself seems to be of great use and value if it can help others. You’d make for good support for any military or rescue operation.”

From discovery it was definitely meant as a compliment, even the smile that was paired with it indicated that. However the moment the chilling voice sounded her expression dimmed and returned to a neutral one. Eyes scanning and eventually her head cranked to see the spirit phasing through the wall. Though Nameless spoke to it first; meaning that Discovery wouldn’t have to try to punch it; they had the option of just talking them down right?

”I am unsure if we should trust him, his reasoning is unconvincing and suspicious. But if he’s not harmful I suppose there is no issue with him following us.”

Discovery stared at the spirit for a few moments as it also seemed like the spirit wasn’t with the church. Being a swordsman likely wasn’t that impressive for spirits right? Or was that just something commonplace? She had questions but they were better asked of the living than the dead. Nameless had a decent point about that and Discovery would take that into account, being machia meant she could bend in strange ways so if they had to shoot someone behind her… well she could likely just adjust out of the way.

She’d pad after Nameless, giving a somewhat cheerful smile to them when they turned to check on them. The ceiling was vaulted enough in some paths for her to walk it without issue, some would require her to retract her neck and even duck through doorways. Eventually Discovery asked another question; with the way that the other held themselves she figured the answer was yes but you never knew.

”Have you done this sort of work before?”


 

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DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Swords, Muffins and Spirits oh my!"

”I can only imagine; My expertise isn’t exactly focused on Magics.”

Discovery’s expression shifted to indifference on the topic; though she had to wonder what sort of weaponry muffin make could… well make. Or what offensive qualities it’d have to something that was of war of all things. The Machia however tilted her head to one side as Nameless waved off her suspicions. Not literally at least.

”I mean as a spirit it would be understandable that he wouldn’t be able to fight. Are organics hardlined for conflict that they need it so badly even after death?”

She understandably didn’t get what the other was talking about; missing the point entirely and hearing that she had made money off of the catacombs and their problems didn’t surprise Discovery all too much. People had to survive or eat and… Well? She’d give a small shrug. Hearing that the ceilings would be a little higher the deeper they went made Discovery’s expression flicker to that of relief. Scrunching her neck was making it hard to fully survey the area as they went.

”Then you are well experienced in this; I will defer to your judgement regarding spirits and the like. Though jumping may not be a wise idea, I wouldn’t want to crash through the floor if any structural integrity may be compromised.”

She’d ponder the information regarding all the people that would dump bodies here; she wasn’t sure what to make of it. Organics were strange to her still even though she worked for one; hell that one was a Demon of all things. She didn’t pay the spirit any real mind; not sure why he focused on that of all things.

”Then if there’s a larger area that means that there would be a larger concentration of spirits or a more dangerous one. I would like to handle them swiftly and not let them get too worked up. Any idea how far away we are from them?”

Discovery’s ‘brows’ furrowed at the following question. Comfortable? She’d look down at herself, looking a bit puzzled at the inquiry. She’d motion to herself and give a small shrug. Honestly she hadn’t even thought about it.

”My models typically don’t wear clothing, I am a rescue model made for underwater rescue typically and clothing can create drag. I never really considered wearing clothing other than the synthweave apparel that I currently am. I have not met another machia outside of the other DSK-0vRI ones. THough Many of them were in stasis or pods so I believe they hardly count.”

Discovery’s attention was focused hard on the spirit that was following them around; she still didn’t quite trust him…

 

445 +2,329/1500

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Swords, Muffins and Spirits oh my!"

”Curious. Is fiore really that war torn that people see multiple wars? I was of understanding it was sparse in this region.”

Discovery’s brows furrowed together and she’d have to take a moment to consider the words that the other spoke. If that truly was the case then she was seriously behind on history and her lack of connection to the central hub out of her homeland was severely detrimental. It felt like she was missing a guiding hand somehow. It also felt like she didn’t know that many people here either. Something she’d have to change.

”I understand.”

Discovery blinked a bit as the other handed her the coat. She’d stare down at it and flick her ears at the notion of them staring at her. Something she didn’t quite understand. What was there to stare at? Was there something strange about her? Nothing quite clicked but if she was being handed the coat she might as well wear it. Though it’d be a little tight at the shoulders and wouldn’t quite fit the whole way that was fine. She still appreciate the sentiment.

”I still do not fully understand but if the staring is detrimental and the ‘oogling’ is problematic maybe I should look for some kind of clothing while on land. If there is a demon here however I would be woefully underequipped. I think I am still missing understanding of social structure and perhaps that is why the clergyman was staring at me too. Hmm.”

Discovery seemed a little bit out of sorts, not quite understanding what Nameless was getting at. She was definitely behind on social aspects and the man seemed to be against what the other woman was suggesting meant that… Well that one was certainly more trustworthy than the other and it certainly wasn’t the spirit.

”So no demon, just a bunch of older spirits that… Well if they’re noncombative then at least they’ll be peaceful. So speaking to them should yield some kind of positive result correct?”

Discovery had to wonder what the spirits would want and at the end of it all would probably come away with some good advice. If the ghosts or spirits were even keen on sharing that sort of thing. She seemed relieved at the idea that she didn’t have to fight something and instead had learned more about the city. Though she did seem extremely disappointed she didn’t find any of her other units but… What can you do there?


 

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