DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Not all the lights in the night are stars..."

With the two of them spending all that time in the catacombs it wasn’t a surprise to Discovery to find that the day had turned quite literally into dusk. Her optics waivered for a moment as she stepped out of the church and she’d ‘purse’ her lips. No shops would be open at this time for her to do shopping right? To get those clothing bits that Nameless had talked about? Telling the priest that the spirits had been dealt with was easy enough but discovery really didn’t know what to do with the funding that she was given. She just knew her ‘account’ was positive and that she’d have something to work with.

”A little too late for shopping it seems.. Maybe tomorrow I could pick something up. Are you hungry?”

Discovery turned her attention back towards the door; not quite realizing that the other wasn’t with her yet. Right they still were likely picking up their payment from the priest or giving them an earful or… Maybe counting their jewels? She had no idea but then would just turn her attention back down to herself.

She had no sense of decency or indecency. Up until Nameless mentioned it she hadn’t the foggiest idea which would explain all the staring no matter where she went given her gender. Also meant that all those people that were averting their eyes were trying to ‘protect’ her. To her that meant that many were still worth protecting and still worth rescuing. But it wasn’t even that thought that made her pause it was the next.

”What would I even look good in? What even would be effective for me?”

She couldn’t help but wonder aloud, staring and blinking in the rapidly approaching night sky. She had no sense for fashion nor she had really any idea about what sort of equipment she’d prefer outside of the underwater ones? She knew she’d be dealing with extreme cold being around lady lumikki all the time and… well the heat would be an issue for some and then there was different environments. She’d tut a little bit and cross her arms. Looking thoughtful.

”This is gonna be harder than I thought.”


 

366

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Not all the lights in the night are stars..."

”Maybe I’ll get a blanket or a cloak. Or a tarp.”

Discovery pondered the idea, there was a lot of options she could go with and honestly all of them were good. She’d flick her ears as Nameless spoke; she wondered if the other was hungry. Hell was Discovery hungry? How was her fuel source? She’d check her ‘charge’ by glancing at the top portion of her hud. She had… She was at 99.99% charge. She’d be required to engage in that in an odd some… thirty? Forty days? Maybe more. Hearing that the ideal locations would be Inns, taverns or bars meant that they’d be going somewhere with a sit down preference.

”Then to one of those we should go.”

Discovery blinked as she was handed the jewels from the job. Staring at it for a moment she’d toss it into the air and it’d just vanish into her holding zone where the rest of her equipment would inevitably go. She’d turn to look at Nameless. Legging, compression clothing… She’d ponder for a moment.

”A coat like this would suffice for when traveling over earthy places. Leggings, compression clothing. Perhaps some kind of top that’s form fitting. I am unsure. Hmm. You make a strong point. Either that or perhaps I could start investing in some kind of armor.”

She’d consider that part for later; she knew that there were dangerous segments of land and that bandits were everywhere. She’d take a few steps forward, staring at the town ahead of her and eventually scrunched her brows.

”I like blue. It’s friendly and kind. Red is nice too. White. Purples? Blacks and golds. Yes. I think so. Requip is... strange even if it's in my programming.”

She also liked glowing things, bioluminescence was one of her favorite things about sea life. Maybe she could get something like that? Or maybe something with a furred collar. She could imagine a coat like that.

”What do you like to wear?”


 

329+ 366

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Not all the lights in the night are stars..."

Her knowledge of equipment was fairly limited, there were instances of commonplace items that she was well acquainted with but they weren’t even worth the jewels to spend on. She hadn’t put much thought into clothing given that before now she hadn’t felt anyone was bothered by it. Amusing in some venue she felt; her eyes adjusted slightly and she’d look to nameless. A shield? She’d bring a hand to her faceplate, gripping it by the chin in a motion she saw others use when it indicated they were thinking. Though the brief loading symbol that was shown on her faceplate also really helped with that too.

”What shield would that be? I’m afraid my data banks are somewhat lighter than I would like. Mobility for me is important as I already do weigh quite a bit. Though heavier armor for solid blows would be practical and helpful.”

She’d pad after the smaller being; though that was an unfair comparison as most individuals she ran into would be built to a fairer size. She was designed to be able to hoist people, take strikes from nature and… well less savory aspects of the world. She didn’t ‘know’ it yet but she was also designed to fight in a military capacity. But that was locked beyond layers of her programming. An ear flicked at the mention of shorts.

”They would be easier to manage for someone of my size. Scrappers? What do you mean?”

Discovery cocked her head to one side; she didn’t know the term. She hadn’t really experienced much in her time and she felt that was a term used for a type of fighter. Her confusion was evident as it showed very plainly on her face. Given the complexity of the machia it’d require them to put her down and then go through her body in order to make any semblance of use of anything.

”Hmm. Coats and tops are a good idea. Likely something that can be easily shrugged out of if something were to occur. You were a werewolf? Are you not one now?”

She had never spoken to a werewolf before and she didn’t even know you could stop being one. There was the odd sense of things not adding up and there was a slight sound of static in her next line. While her deviancy wasn’t bad it did spring up from time to time.

”Scrappers. Clothing. Werewolves. You know a lot about a lot of things. I wish I could have experienced things instead of being cooped up.”

But like it came, it also left. There wasn’t that sense that even discovery realized what she said. The machia peered into a clothing store that had closed for the day, the locked door and the blaring ‘closed’ sign on it’s door earned a sigh.

”Finding clothing of my size will be difficult without custom commission equipment or the like. Even clothing. None of what's in that store is anything remotely close to my size. Lots of stuff in yours though.”

 

329+ 366

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

”Sounds dwarven or icebergian if I had to guess. Maybe I’ll ask Lumikki or their uncle.”

Discovery knew a little bit about brone but not a ton; she had yet to meet the dwarf but there were whispers on the wind wherever she went about varied people and he was one of them. A reputation of sorts that would make it easier to understand the man. If it was dwarvish she’d be in a good sorts when speaking to him. Her cluelessness extended to a lot of things but when she had the appropriate information she was practically robotic.

”Curious that my father would give me something like requip when building me. I wonder if it was more for different tools of the trade. But if it’s that useful…”

Discovery pondered the idea of using it for different variations of equipment. She’d have to look into it when she got the chance but that’d require her to have available information. Books would be her best bet without the connection to her primary mainframe that would be absolutely destroyed. When they finally arrived at the inn discovery cocked her head; she had never been in one of these before so she’d have to follow after Nameless.

”It would be exceptionally difficult taking any form of gear or prosthetics from me in a typical manner. With a durable exterior and my synthetic flesh it’d be like having to cut through concentrated metal. I might be see through in some places but that doesn’t mean that it’s just easy to cut into. They’d have to be very strong.”

Discovery was a little nervous in the idea that they’d be willing to try to tear her apart for parts. If she could bite the inside of her mouth she would but she didn’t really have one. The machia adjusted slightly as she had to consider if the chairs here could even support her weight. Opting to use her tail to help support her as she sat so she wouldn’t just flatly destroy the chair it seemed a bit odd… if not thoughtful.

”It’d make sense then if requip would also assist with that since I am drawing it out of a dimension or hammerspace as it’s frequently called that would be tuned to my size.”

With the water being placed down in front of her she’d thank the waiter before taking the glass; her faceplate opening as she poured the water in. Unlike magicule dense foods or other instances water was a coolant she could use and store for later. Plenty of space in the ‘see through’ parts of her bod for this.

”That’s fascinating honestly, I don’t think those could affect me in the same way though I’d also not want to find out. I quite like my body the way it is. Or at least enjoy being a machia. Then again this is the only body I have properly known. Maybe you should see a doctor then? If side effects are cropping up?”

There was some concern on her features, it was hard to emulate on her faceplate. It was a mix of confusion that was overlapped with a few different emotions. Like the person that had made her hadn’t quite programmed everything in properly. At the question regarding the season mechanics or engineers… She’d shake her head.

”Paradise Dawns guild leader Lumikki is the one that unsealed me from my transport pod. So she by all accounts is my employer or in similar venues since in most countries Machia are considered property owns me to a degree and is responsible for me if I do something that is bad or the like. As for the engineer or mechanics… not to my knowledge. I know we have a few smiths and some powerful combatants but that’s about it.”

Powerful combatant was putting it lightly, one of the strongest mages in all of earthland made their home in paradise dawn and had previously been the guildmaster before stepping down. Yet now another strong leader surfaced and took the guild in a direction none could have foreseen.

”Why? Are you concerned about my maintenance?”


 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

Being told that she could relax made it seem like the machia practically just melted in her chair or at least let her tail stop having to support her. She’d adjust a bit, the chair creaking slightly as now her several tons were placed properly onto it. Seeing the fangs that were part of that smile made Discovery wonder what other traits she may have from other instances. She had mentioned she had been other species before… Was there left overs from her being a werewolf? Or anything else she might not be aware of?

”That’s good to know, most places aren’t equipped to handle two tons of weight for individuals. Maybe a fourth of that if I’m lucky. I appreciate the forethought.”

Discovery’s faceplate lit up in a smile, while it wasn’t toothy it was at least bright and cheerful. Discovery didn’t seem to be bothered by the mention of her being basically property to someone else. She had been constructed to be sold to the military or individuals expressing interest in rescue operations. Her view on it was something that just seemed to be normal for constructed beings.

”It might be a good idea to see a different doctor or one that is less likely to try to harvest your organs. Or go with a friend that won’t let them do that. Phantom lord? I am unfamiliar with most guilds in Fiore but that does sound familiar. Ah that would explain earlier then… Mm?”

Discovery cocked her head to one side; concern over her original directive?

”That is extremely useful to know. Are you meaning the Rescue Directive or the one that Lumikki gave me where I am to find the other four hundred and ninety nine other DSK-0vRI units?”

The explanation about her being built for rescue and having requip made sense to her. She’d rub at her faceplate thoughtfully. She had a multitude of tools she could employ already outside of her pure physical abilities and after a few moments she’d wonder if she even have saws or claws proper.

”I did not standardly come with that equipment; but if it is something I can get equipped with… Hmm?

Discovery turned her head to see those gestures, she didn’t recognize them but figured it was some kind of communication. The idea of her being able to cut through wood or claws to rip steel felt right to her. But there was the fact that she was made for more than just rescue that wasn’t sitting well with many.

”Yes. I can be recased. There is a secondary classification of DSK-0vRI units that I can have my parts replaced or substituted with. I have records of them in my database, they are for cold weather and mountainous rescue.”

A little projection would beam out of her faceplate, showing an image of one such units. There were other classifications that used equipment such as the Anubis flight variant or the combat heavy models. Though the combat heavy models had never been properly finished…



”Unfortunately parts of my classification are incredibly difficult to find. So if I were to come across another of my units that were disabled or completely inert it would benefit me greatly to retrofit their parts for my use. We all share the same standard size for our classification. Though Admittedly the 01 unit classifications are so much more suited to land that it’s not even funny.”

Discovery sighed a little bit and let the projection flicker out. She was well familiar with the variations of tech that her homeland employed and even more so of the beings her father had created within that realm. She also knew he was alive since he was not in talaz when it had detonated judging by his last known signal.

”Why do you ask?”


 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

Discovery was experimenting on seeing just how far she could lean before the chair would tip or creak, it wasn’t much in the way of movement. Her experimenting was something akin to what one would think childish but really the way that her movements were more like she was just testing something. The surprise at the number of units there were of her made her pause and she’d nod her head.

”Correct. I am the second unit off of the line and only one other had been constructed before me. The same model I just showed you. So two hundred and fifty land units and two hundred and fifty ocean units. The air units had not been fully recognized or constructed due to the unfortunate detonation of my homeland.”

Discovery had no idea what else she could be used for other than the rescue operations; she had theories that she could likely been turned into a machine for war if ossiji had finished his military contract but now it was just in the air of what he had been designing them for. He always had ulterior motives from what her system was telling her which made her think for a moment that her rescue motivation was something that he wasn’t keen to focus on. But given her programming and the focus? She’d shake her head.

”That is correct. As long as my core remains intact I can essentially swap out parts that are damaged or to better suit the environment. To my knowledge the other units were also equipped with the same magic but compartmentalization was important to my father. So…”

Discovery blinked a bit as a bowl was placed in front of her. Dark brown liquid like oil and some scrap metal. She’d tilt her head to one side as a question mark appeared on her faceplate. Though after a brief scan of the objects she’d nod her head, she could use this for fuel and the plates would assist with internal repairs once their composition was broken down. Though she’d simply pick up the bowl, open her faceplate and poured it in. There wasn’t much in the way of ceremony when she ate.

”That is correct. Our function would be to be stationed in areas for basically rescuing individuals in areas or be assigned to patrol routes to find individuals that have gone missing. In some cases where our units were purchased by the wealthy we would make sure that in the case of disaster they would be fine.”

There was a brief moment and she’d rub at her chin thoughtfully. She was built to save people but retrieval would also be a proper use of them. There was a few moments and she’d shrug as her ‘meal’ was processed and added into her reserves.

”I could see retrieval being a secondary function if our programmed allotment for that was the case. But as my father was a military contractor at the time it’s likely he designed us as a multifaceted unit that could serve regardless of who purchased us. If properly equipped any one of us could serve any sort of role. Though the mountainous units are naturally well designed for close combat due to their equipment and are highly mobile on land. In my case my reach far outstrips that of normal combatants though with the addition of a tail that also means my balance is better. I think I’d make for a good medical support unit if I was given the appropriate equipment.”

Discovery pondered for a moment, if you paired the two machia’s with one another it’d cover pretty much any situation. If the air version had been finished then that meant they’d operate in threes when sent to locations. Something ticked in her faceplate and a small furrow of the brow.

”...It is very possible that he was designing our units to be able to be used in the military as well. The three of us would make for an excellent speciality squad but I can only offer my speculation as the military never finished it’s contractual obligation to my father vice versa. So now all that remains is the pieces of whatever his project was and all of my sisters lost into… well wherever the void sent them.”

Discovery sighed a little bit, leaning on the table. The idea of serving in a military didn’t exactly sit right with her but there was a ‘gut’ feeling that her father had been trying to make as much money as possible or like always was just experimenting since he loved to create things.

”I’d much rather focus on rescue work than anything military or combat related myself.”


 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

Discovery was still somewhat processing the meal she had been given, some of the scrap wasn’t compatible with her in a sense of repairs so eh’d break it down into it’s base magicule parts while the oil would work well for lubricants if something needed it. She seemed particularly unbothered sharing this information with nameless. At the question regarding her healing potential the machia shook her head. To be a healer or support unit she’d need equipment to fill that role.

”Items yes. Spells or the like no. I do technically have a way of repairing myself but that’s only in case of emergencies.”

The relic she carried was something she couldn’t quite explain and it wasn’t like it’d be useful in the midst of combat unless someone covered her. She’d use it to repair other equipment for others too. She’d adjust a little bit and flicked her ears forward at hearing that nameless wanted to live her life without facing war. An understandable sentiment.

”Change is exceptionally rough especially when you’re used to one thing and not the other. I would not be in a good position to do that sort of thing. Maybe adding a supportive function role would help me in the future as your experience is very helpful to others given how willing you are to share it.”

Discovery smiled warmly; a slight whirring sound as she processed what Nameless had to say. Though with nameless now not knowing anyone in oak made discovery wonder if that would ever happen to her… Then a slight tick and a slight query.

”Perhaps it is a good idea to try to move on to newer grounds? You could always relocate cities or guilds.”

Discovery would suggest this with a curious headtilt. Her being able to teach others and use her painful experiences to help others was a mark of a teacher for sure. The machia pondered this for a moment and then looked down at the table.

”I do want to know everything I can. And I appreciate that information and sentiment. It is a healthy way of viewing things for certain. Are you indicating I should stop thinking so much on my construction and intended use?”

She’d tilt her head to one side, staring at nameless for a few long moments as though she wasn’t sure what to make of all that. There was a hurt in that voice from what she could tell; maybe she was also telling herself this? It was hard to tell, she was not really good at social affairs outside of bedside manner for injured individuals during rescue.

”You are free to travel with me if you’d like. I do not have any primary destination set. So much of my travels are just searching or assisting individuals.”


 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

Discovery knew that there was a lot of things she needed to learn still and with that she knew she needed more resources. More time spent making or finding things. To help others and help herself maybe that would lead to her finding other useful instruments that could lead her to more units. It was tricky and if she wasted too much time… Well. She’d note that there was a certain level of reluctance from nameless. She understood, it was a lot to ask for.

”I understand. Oak is a good hub for the west. Paradise Dawn recently moved from the North to Iceberg before I was found.”

Discovery would likely be combing oak for quite some time. So Nameless had plenty of time to finish what they wanted to. She’d nod her head a few times, thinking it over. If oak was like the other areas it would take some time to scout it out and find what she could. With the world being the size it was there was a small chance one was here.

”I would like that. I understand if you do not wish to join it but traveling by oneself can sometimes be a challenge and having company always makes it nicer.”

The reasoning for her coming with made sense, to update them on how she worked. Talk with the smiths; Discovery liked the idea. It meant that there would be more people learning from one another and that was something she could get behind. The machia pondered for a few long moments and then furrowed her brow.

”A few of the members could very well so make good use of that information. Even if it isn’t of the smiths directly under paradise dawn to get the know how out there would be invaluable to me. How could I repay you for that?”

Discovery wasn’t sure if the other needed any sort of compensation at all; but she felt the need to ask for some reason. The machia’s thoughts were interrupted by seeing a few people come into the inn just to get a table for themselves but she quickly turned her attention back to Nameless.

”After oak a trip to iceberg would be nice, but maybe we should get you some warmer clothing?”

 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

Discovery sat there with her arms on the table; flicking her ears as the other just really started to eat. She’d order some more water from the waiter; not wishing to make the other feel uncomfortable by just staring at them while they ate. She wished that she could actually taste things. She could feel that line of deviancy puzzle here for a moment and she’d nod slowly as she was given a timeframe.

”A week would be a perfect amount of time for me to search the local countryside. Oak isn’t that big and I don’t really need to sleep so I can more or less spend the entirety of the days looking about. Shrine? You have a shrine?”

She’d cock her head to one side; her curiousity was apparent when it came to much of nameless. The experienced individual in front of her was unlike anyone else that she had met. Even lady lumikki held a different kind of experience but this one just seemed tired to a degree to her. But it was that sort of sensation that drew discovery to wanting to know more.

”All right, hopefully it is what you need then. I can’t help but worry for others and what they are giving to me without the cost. I think my father had programmed a sort of… ‘tit for tat?’ protocol to be on the safer side. Someone does something for me I do something for them. Though strength varies.”

Discovery paused at the question regarding the weather; iceberg was… Definitely cold and depending on where would be something that many would be unprepared for. She’d tap her faceplate and a little display of the areas that she had been in projected outwards. Temperature levels, elevation of the location, the type of environment. She hadn’t been to too much of iceberg but in that time she had she had accumulated a lot of data regarding it.

”Some locations are better than others, higher elevations of course will be colder but while iceberg has some lush portions the colder portions especially during winter months can kill if you’re not wary. As it’s winter now I would consider what you’re wearing to be inadequate for long term travel. It can be bad, but if you stick to the warmer parts I believe if you bundled up a little bit more you’d be fine.”

The area that she had spent some time in had been deadly to those unprepared. Those would be marked in the display in red while the other zones would be friendly blue. One place had temperature lower than everywhere else and was simple blackened out; a recommendation of sorts that would definitely be useful.

”The cities or towns are warmer and there’s a lot of efforts to make the travel between them better but during the winter months banditry is rampant even if Lady Lumikki has been working on culling the bandits a bit. Either through force or diplomacy. I’m glad to be working for her. She’s much better than the military contractors or city goers from Talaz going by the records I was able to get my hands on.”

With her water arriving the machia would thank the waiter, asking for a pitcher before drinking down some of the water in an effort to make it seem like she wasn't just trying to cool off or something. The water could be used in a myriad of ways and she wasn't going to waste it.

"I think once I get the chance I'm going to look in some of the oceanic places around iceberg. The freezing water and ice would make for an excellent place for my kin to lay low. That and I had detected a powerful signal there before my connection to the mainframe out of talaz had been interrupted. I would warn against trying to go that area without sufficient protection though; if it is a prototype or military class unit that's outside of the DSK-0vRI ones it'd likely attack without provocation. If you're wondering why I haven't gone there yet it's because I had been told there was a unit somewhere in the west and oak seemed like a good place to start."

She'd nod a few times, finishing off the glass and adjusting in her seat. The coat she was wearing was doing a good job of hiding her body and she had received far fewer stares from the local populace. Clothing really was that important huh?
 

Concerned of course...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

"Polite and considerate"

”Interesting; I have never been to a shrine or the like outside of the church we were just at. There’s not much reason for me to go to them.”

Discovery pondered this little tidbit of information from Nameless, adjusting in her chair before glancing at the doors. She wondered if she should rest or maybe start looking around? She didn’t feel tired; hell she technically never would. She’d just have to enter recharge mode or consume some kind of fuel if she ran low on ‘battery’. Discovery didn’t have the same problems as nameless for sure but the two of them were so different Discovery couldn’t help but wonder who else would be able to help her.

”There was a rumour about a being that looked similar to me out here in oak or around there. But so far as I’ve seen no one has responded to me appearing; just staring in disbelief or just indifference. I find it hard to believe that they are here still. Or if the rumours painted the right part of the country.”

Discovery had been told rumours weren’t exactly the best thing to chase, but given she had no leads there was nothing more that she could do without the connection to her other units. She’d lean on the table; the reinforced furnishings groaning slightly.

”If cookie is a mount i am unsure if they would be able to take my weight. Maybe in that case we should wait until morning if it would be difficult to spot them at night. Especially if they look like me. Outside of the size my coloration isn’t the easiest to spot.”

Retiring for the night did sound fine, it’d give her time to process the happenings of the day and commit them to memory.

 

297 + 749 + 379 +465 + 783 + 636 + 690 + 329+ 366 = 4,694 wc