DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

A little worried

To travel to Iceberg required a variation of requirements; one of which would be the willingness to go there in the first place. The charters of oak wouldn’t have an easy way of getting there so going to an actual port would be helpful. Which would be where asteria would come in; thankfully it was a close hop skip and jump away. Where they could stock up on everything that they needed.

They had the option of either taking a regular ship or an airship which would have to be discussed with nameless to some extent. Discovery found herself wondering how much resources someone would have to put to travel between country to country. She’d fold her arms, having the map of the various routes they could take. There were good options honestly and she was pretty pleased at what she was seeing.

The machia knew they’d likely also need to go to get some food, some maps, some clothing and likely some kind of emergency supplies as traveling inbetween iceberg cities would typically be very dangerous for organics and her worry for nameless was evident on her face even if the neko was well equipped for pretty much every situation. But still the fairly well dressed machia had to ask her friend…

”Are you sure you still want to go there? It is very cold.”

Discovery knew the answer already but she still felt she needed to ask; she was pretty sure she could just send a letter inquiring about this for the both of them but if they really wanted to go she’d make sure that they were well taken care of. She’d adjust her sun hat a little bit and let her light ‘jacket’ flutter as she stepped lightly towards where she knew the general shops to be. They likely wouldn’t have something in her size readily available but still…

"Though the roads are safer up there than usual, what with all the bandits getting cleared out and the draugr getting culled time and time again... So the cold being the only worry is good..."

She recalled her own efforts in that effect. Tireless undead certainly weren't really a challenge for her given she didn't tire and was way tougher than they were. She recalled some of the bandits wanting her to keep them safe in exchange for giving up that way of life. Being farmers was definitely better than dying out in the middle of no where by some undead...

 

Well. Maybe more than just a little.

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Time for a ship to sail!

”Well given that it is a wasteland for the most part that would be a good place to wear it. Though there are other locations during the winter that also get that freezing but typically don’t stay that.”

Discovery blinked slightly however when Nameless laughed; she had missed the fact it was a joke. The machia adjusted slightly and considered the possibility that she still didn’t fully understand how things worked with organics and didn’t understand their social complexities. Something she was striving to do so especially by sticking around the same people. She noted the fact that nameless had packed a lot and after a few moments…

”Would you like me to carry that for you?”

She’d cast a glance at the Dhuilin, she was used to undead being hostile so one that wasn’t and infact was a mount of all things was strange to her but the machia wasn’t going to be the sort to call the kettle black. She’d reach out with a hand curiously; wanting to see what they felt like or rather what her senses told her they felt like.

”The bandits are a bit rougher since they have to fight the folks that travel around, the fighter to ‘citizen’ ratio of iceberg is unlike any other part of the world. But with the draugr yes you would do exceptionally well with; though I could say the same with bandits. Your threat classification is much higher than mine after all. You’ve hunted werewolves before?”

Discovery padded towards the ships that she could see along the way; the port was close and they’d have to pass through the market district anyways. She thought that the coat that nameless wore was frankly cute. She kind of wished it came in her size.

”Airship would be faster and have less trouble with the sea monsters. So we should take that. Hopefully they don’t have a weight limit, I am considered heavy cargo after all.”

There was a brief pause, a small flick of her ears, a slight swish of her tail and she’d adjust her sunhat again. Maybe she’d make mention of it then…

”I like your coat. It’s cute.”

She didn’t mumble like a lot of people and simply stated facts, this was the closest she had gone to expressing any form of opinion she had for pretty much everything. The last few weeks had been helping her development quite rapidly and the machia felt like that was a good thing. She had to wonder why nameless was insisting on buying mostly everything. She felt… Kind of bad. She’d eventually come up with a good offer.

”Well if you’re going to buy the airship tickets I’ll purchase the food on the trip.”

 

Airship that is!

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Time for a ship to sail!

Discovery would do her best in every instance to assist others; though when it came to culture she was still clueless to most of them. Iceberg she was the most familiar with but still had so much to learn it wasn’t funny; she pondered the current cultures such as the oak or asteria one they were moving through. It was like night and day honestly. Which was really surprising to her; how could organics operate so differently?

”Santa? Who’s that?”

Discovery was puzzled at the mention of someone by the name of santa; another cultural thing? Or perhaps someone that nameless knew personally? Checking her records in her head did nothing and she’d ponder this individual. Maybe it was someone she should know. She’d give a small shrug at the idea; if that was the case nameless would tell her.

”Being a werewolf must have been interesting. Though I was under the impression that lycanthropy was genetic. How do you just ‘stop’ being a werewolf?”

She had to wonder if she could ever become a werewolf; what would she even look like in that case. She’d tilt her head to one side; a puzzled depression interlacing with the loading symbol on her face. She’d note that Cookie didn’t really respond to her touch, so she’d just go about petting the beastie. She bet that they felt interesting.

Discovery nearly froze when Nameless stopped in their tracks; worried she might have upset the other with the mention of Discovery’s weight and the ships. Though instead she was presented with a coat that was of mammoth size. Practically made for her. She seemed actually floored and stood there for a moment before putting it on. She didn’t need clothing, nor did she need any form of sustenance technically but it was always nice when people considered her. She’d cozy into the jacket a little bit; it didn’t really do anything other than look fashionable on her but that was fine.

”...Thank you.”

Her ears flicked and with the sun hat on she looked a touch strange but when didn’t she? She was practically hidden from the world and if push came to shove she could use it to help out nameless or those that may be cold.

”Sketch what out? And I don’t mind. I’ve been busy searching and helping people, it’s strange that they think I do it for jewels.”

Discovery may not have been as busy as Nameless but she was still a worker. So she made improvements all around for people the best she could. They’d pass through the market section of the town,discovery stopping here or there to pick up supplies. Updated maps being one of them and some medical supplies she could take along with them. A few other notable items being little trinkets and a music box. She looked rather pleased with herself and motioned towards the docks that were just right down the street.

”lets go find an airship then. I believe there are two docked at the moment.”


 

Airship that is!

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Time for a ship to sail!

Discovery’s ears flicked and it was clear she didn’t really seem to miss the fact that santa wasn’t touched on again. She’d have to look into it later; then again most of her time had been spent out and about away from the people she was yearning to help. Searching for other versions of her. This was the closest she had to proper social interaction that was consistent outside of Lumikki.

”That’s fascinating. Biologically I wonder how they interact. I’d like to study that sort of reaction but I imagine finding someone transitioning from werewolf into something else would be incredibly difficult. Magic also purging it or ‘bleeding’ out is also just… I have no records of any instance like that.”

She seemed perplexed, putting her hands on her hips and the little loading symbol on her head stayed for a few long moments. She’d have to look into various books or maybe she could get into the information hub that was lost to the void somehow… She’d shake her head slowly. She’d have to focus on the now; the coat around her was warm and would help with her joints and regulating temperature even though that her other models would be even better for that.

”Designs? Oh! Weapons would be useful if I needed to defend myself and I perform rescue operations far better than most. Hmm. Maybe something that could cause my frame to be lighter for efficient travel.”

Discovery trotted past the last bit of the stalls in the merchant area, looking to the pier as Nameless brought up different types of equipment for her. Spring loaded legs, retractable claws… The machia paused and considered these.

”A jumping implant would help with that, spring loaded legs would fall under that. There are different kinds of pistons that would facilitate that. As for the retractable claws with ice picks a supplementary set of arms or perhaps a binder that I could attach someone to would help. Harness classifications vary based on the model. For things in the mountains the 01 design is by far the best for it.”

Her ocean variant wasn’t built for mountain rescue but it could still manage in some regards. Though her weight would also serve to be an issue given it was meant for her to do a dozen different things…

”I’m surprised you’re thinking of attachments. Are you interested in being an engineer for me?”

Discovery tilted her head to one side; curiosity took her features and mid stride she paused. They were fairly close to the docks now. She hadn’t the faintest idea that there would be anyone interested in that for her. Given that the techs of talaz lagaar were long gone she wouldn’t have anyone dedicated to her well being really.


 

Airship that is!

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

The silence between the two of them for the net few moments was for sure something that she wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate; so she’d ponder her own thoughts for a moment. The last week or two had been very enlightening. She was glad that Nameless was here to help her forward but had to wonder just how long that would be the case. There was a mild worry regarding their safety in the elements especially since they weren’t like her.

There was also the cases of her others and her current ‘design’ that would make it difficult for her to continue on land for long periods of time. It simply wasn’t built for it and made things awkward for many. She had to wonder if there was a different version of her looking for her in the realm of iceberg that might be interested in either swapping information or bodies. She wasn’t sure if they could given the way their programming was handled.

The fact that so many also seemed to focus on her free will made her wonder. Did she actually have it?

I hope so.

The thought crossed her mind so quickly that she was stunned afterwards; to the point of where she nearly misstepped and had to adjust her posture to let her leg extend just a little bit more than normal. A slight whirring as her body adjusted and she’d do a little dip after a moment to reset her stride.

”Perhaps I had misunderstood your intentions on that regard. I was under the assumption you were traveling to converse with those within iceberg to better their knowledge. I seemed to have missed the personal half of it, I appreciate it.”

Discovery had misunderstood what she had wanted to do and was actually very grateful for the two of them. Perhaps discovery had only figured that they wanted to make sure she was taken care of. She’d nod her head a few times.

”That is correct. I had figured that was the full case of it with the sharing not realizing that you were content in the idea of traveling with me.”

Discovery pondered this for a few moments and then nameless made mention of the metals she had never heard of. Iceberg was rich in them and more so with the technology present well… She’d fold her arms thoughtfully and a little humming noise came from her vocal box.

”There are metals that are only found in iceberg yes. Maybe there is; I could… Being unique among my other units would be… interesting.”

She felt the oddity, she looked down at her hands. Her visor flickered from it’s typical blue to red for a moment before back. She could be unique. Her of all things. A simple machia that was built for a singular purpose. Unique?

It was a strange thought and the line of code in her programming seemed stressed to contain that fact, the jubilation. There was an strange smile on her face for a few long seconds before it’d vanish. She’d twitch a little bit before continuing onward, the airships oh so close now. There was that static to her voice again, a metallic tang to it that was out of place. There was that semblance of want and the desire of freedom…

”I… would like that.”


 

One can dream...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

Discovery didn’t understand many people and the fact that she didn’t fully understand nameless was fine. But she knew enough of the other that despite their initial rough exterior that they were kind at least to her. Discovery cocked her head to one side as nameless explained herself.

”Right. That makes sense. What do you mean refine what you were supposed to know? Were you supposed to be a smith or engineer?”

Discovery looked puzzled; she hadn’t been aware of this little tidbit. Hell she had no idea about the manji clan or familial bonds such as that. She was still pretty clueless when it came to that sort of thing. She knew that there were families but truly didn’t understand the connections within. That’d require her to become learned of them. Discovery felt her neck retract and she’d hide her face in the coats collar mumbling a little bit.

”...well thank you.”

Discovery however blinked at the mention of her directives. To seek out others was not her core directive, that was to rescue others. She’d let her neck slink out and she’d let out a soft sigh.

”My Master, Lumikki ordered it, well suggested that I do so as a secondary objective of sorts. Which I am totally for. To learn that they survived or to find their remains would be a great boon for many. We could do much good together. I assume if others have found masters that they are doing whatever they are wanting them to do. It is unlikely that others would have a simularily functioning or powerful leader.”

Discovery referred to her sisters as such because of lumikki and the familial ‘bond’ between them wasn’t manufactured so much as it was a misunderstanding that would slowly begin to make itself known. However when nameless made the suggestion that she had a soul discovery froze in place, they had just arrived at the docks and she’d say something so… profound?

”I possess an ample enough amount of magicule and use them as a fuel source to where that could be mistaken as a location to host a soul. My programming wouldn’t… Wouldn’t be that I don’t think. I don’t… I don’t think I have one of those.”

There was an edge of nervousness to her voice to where she felt something strange in her core. Her programming hiccuped and she had to put a hand to her head. A little flash of red on her visor again but no words came out. She’d shake her head a few times to get rid of this sensation and her color would return to normal.

”I. Uhm. Sorry I think something may be wrong, I might have to clear a cache later…”

Discovery was shook by this suggestion, she could feel some kind of twist in her programming that made her feel like she did. That she wanted that; but it was a scary prospect. She had a very strange world view already and this would complicate things for sure...

 

One can dream...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

Discovery felt weird, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to be feeling. Were machia even supposed to feel this sort of way? She didn’t know. She had to wonder what made up her body or the emotions she ‘felt’. She knew for a fact that her father had programmed her well and that she was reacting to everything the way that one was typically supposed to. She’d cast a glance at nameless as she felt that hand on her back. The sensation a muffled touch given the coat.

”So you’re from a clan of smiths? But why would they never pass it on to you if… Hmm.”

It was very intriguing to discovery, she’d ponder for a few long moments. There must have been a reason but that felt very personal to ask right? The fact that nameless was willing to help her become more than just a number among the five hundred units was something that sort of clicked well with Discovery on some level at least. A part of her wanted to differentiate from the others while… She worried about being too different.

”I think I understand, I really do appreciate that sentiment. Being just a number out of them is… normal for me but..Its not exactly the sort of thing I want. I wouldn’t mind you helping me get further away from what I’m supposed to be.”

Discovery’s voice ticked somewhere in the middle of her talking, her deviancy was starting to get a little worse even if she wasn’t noticing it. She’d blink a little bit at being pointed at; looking down at her chest she looked puzzled as she was explained to what a soul was. They weren’t a material you could exactly forge; it wasn’t something that was just made. If they were… Discovery felt a light pang in her head and she felt a reddening of her cheeks. Maybe it wasn’t intentional but she really appreciated that sentiment. Her voice was still filled with that typical static of when her deviancy showed itself.

”I certainly hope so. Maybe I do have one, maybe my programming just lets it occur naturally or its a mix of things. Thank you.”

Discovery’s faceplate was that strange red for a few moments longer before her typical blue returned. She’d ponder the existential crisis, so this was normal for people to have? She felt a little less out of sorts. She was glad that she was experiencing this if that was the case.

”Well then that’s settled, though I’d figure that my father never anticipated that being the case for any of his units. Ranging from prototypes to the first actual factory line units. Are crisis’ commonplace for organics then?”

Discovery looked up at the airship that lay in front of them, it was a bustle. Some people were leaving, some people were coming on. The captain was sitting on a barrel from what she could tell. He had a big hat and a coat so that meant he was the captain right?

”So which one of these do we talk to? The one with the big hat and coat? Or is the captain someone else?”


 

One can dream...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

So her programming simply just made her a person but there was something more to her that was reminiscent of a soul? Discovery pondered this for quite some time; taking a silent stance on the matter. Nameless had much knowledge regarding this sort of thing and she’d have to pick her brain regarding it later. There was a moment where she wondered just how much of a soul she had. But that was something you couldn’t really easily fathom.

”I’ll take your word on it, If you think I have one of both and that I am then I suppose that I am.”

She didn’t really think she needed to argue the point from before; ittindi and lumikki both also had interesting views on it and free will. Something that she was pretty sure she didn’t entirely have. Then there was the comment of ‘favorite’ colors that caught her unawares. She’d pause and think of the pleasant ones that she had experienced and it was hard to pick.

”I am a fan of various eye colors. But people often don’t stop long enough for me to really take a good look.”

The captain was indeed the fellow with a hat. He’d sigh a bit and close his book that he was reading through; it looked like a ledger of sorts. Likely for their prices that he had to go over with the quartermaster. Eyeing the two he’d whistle slightly at seeing the large machia.

”Charters got us set to go to bosco and then iceberg. Last stop is the Pergrande kingdom. You fixin to go to any of those three? Its twenty five hundred jewels per stop per person. Though I aught to be chargin’ for two for your friend here. Half for your horse to be stored in the bay.”

He’d motion to discovery who would give a small but friendly wave and then to cookie; the captain gave a toothy grin and returned the wave with a dip of his hat. A friendly sort and a rough crew was definitely the makings of problems but jewels often solved many a things. Discovery pondered the pricing, it was likely absurd but it was hard to know with some fares.

”Can’t say I know if that’s fair or not…”

”Fairest you’ll find in the port. Other lot charges an arm or a leg.”

The captain shot a scowl at the much nicer airship that looked like it was run by a group sailors that were less rough but definitely more expensive. Dressed the part of royal navy and the captain wore a wig under his hat instead of well… the fellow with the long coat. Of the two this would be the cheaper option and less niceties but… It was ultimately up to nameless on which they took.

”Why the bright red jackets…?”

"Easier to spot if you fall overboard, but if you fall overboard on an airship it won't help much."

The captain shrugged at the question, the fact that both airships sat in the water just meant they could operate in normal seas as well if they needed to. Some countries didn't appreciate airships in their airspace after all.

 

One can dream...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

Discovery glanced to cookie and then back to the captain, then over to Nameless as she spoke. The handful of gems that were passed to the captain had him blinking rapidly. The man wasn’t going to even question the lass at this point but what she had to say next made him flinch visibly. Discovery leaned a little bit to one side; her eyes looking between the two. She was able to keep multiple people registered in her eyeline and couldn’t help but notice a few crewmates noting the actual gems that were passed to their captain.

”All right, just know if ‘cookie’ damages anything we’ll be requestin compensation. Erm… We don’t have problems with any kind of passenger as long as they don’t be bringing problems to us or well… makin problems with my crewmates. Other than that, I think we’ve got an accord. Unless you need repairs for your……….”

The man looked up at discovery; brows furrowed and then he would just sigh. He didn’t seem to really mind either of them coming on board at all especially with the sort of ‘cash’ he was given. After a moments thought he just passed the jewels over to a man wearing some glasses that had a small chest near them.

”Know what. We’ll deal with that if it comes up and discuss it if needed. Welcome aboard you two.”

He’d give a handwave to the both of them, encouraging the trio to go onto the ship. Discovery pondered for a moment and then glanced down to her friend. She didn’t know that they were a guildmaster of all things.

”I didn’t know you were a guildmaster. Or that you were a part of Phantom Lord. Then again I never asked.”

Discovery’s ‘brows’ furrowed a little bit as she padded onto the ships ramp, there was a heavy groan as the ramp didn’t seem to much like her weight but it thankfully didn’t buckle as it was designed to help load heavy things. Once on the ship however the entire thing shifted slightly as her weight added to the displacement value of the ship.

”Oh dear… I might want to stay in a more central part of the ship. I forgot to mention my classification for weight…”

It wouldn't be long before the lot of them would be airborne, though the captain looked a little unsure of himself at the helm. More so because of the current party of people onboard. There weren't that many passengers but that was usually the case for this time of year. Not many people wanted to go to iceberg during the winter seasons after all!

 

One can dream...

DSK-0vRI of Talaz Laagar

Unique?

Discovery quirked her head to one side; whiskers and ears flicking alongside them. There was a few moments and the machia found herself wondering if her friend had some kind of magically binding reason for her to be in phantom lord. It would be something that she would have to look into later.

”You were cursed to be in the guild? Or is it in similar nature to why I am under Mistress Lumikki and attached to paradise dawn?”

For humans and other living beings, their ilk had often been bought in bonds. But discovery? Her entire existence was to serve whoever she was sold to. Much like many of her sisters. She’d sigh a little bit; it was frustrating for a living person to be under the same instance as she. Discovery was careful as she walked, the creaking of the ship made apparent with each step. Eventually she’d take a seat on some metal plates in the room that they were directed to. It was fairly sizeable, room enough for all three of the passengers.

”I am more familiar with Iceberg and paradise dawn than any other guild. But it sounds to me like you really do want to help people. I think there are many people that would support that, like my Mistress Lumikki. She is the current Guildmaster of Paradise dawn after all. Being the seventh master of phantom lord must have been… stressful. THere’s always so much going on.”

Discovery rubbed at her faceplate and found herself leaning against a wall with a sigh. The loyalty that nameless presented made her think of herself a little bit. She didn’t want the guild to be a villainous one and was working towards the will of the first master. A few long moments passed and she’d speak up; easing into the question with a fierce curiosity.

”So if you took over Phantom lord would you just be called the seventh master again or something else? And what was the first master like? What kind of guild is phantom lord? Why do you… well believe in it like this?”

Discovery’s curiosity was apparent; she barely even knew about her own guild and her own members. It was something she strived to correct but it’d take time after all. Another thought crossed her mind and she'd rub at her neck.

"Can I help at all?"

 

One can dream...