purrtagonist | [futurology ic contact]

Erm...

[ ... Yeah. ]

Well, they never actually told us much of anything in the first place. [ Even the signals from the human server were fabricated, presumably by androids. (And how messed up was that?) 9S guiltily shifts in place, caught in a lie—despite Akira not knowing he had in the first place. ] To tell you the truth... the human race went extinct thousands of years ago.

[ah--]

[well, it isn't a lie that Akira finds particularly offensive. he lifts a hand and rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat sheepish]

So it's just androids and machines, then. . . [. . .] That's all the more reason for you to take my advice to heart.

[or. so he thinks. but it is, of course, up to Nines]

[ It's not the biggest lie, no, but it was the easiest story to tell at the time. Though, 9S doesn't think hearing about your own kind ceasing to exist was pleasant, either.

Either way... ]

It's not that I don't want to...

[ Once YoRHa went crumbling, he had to make a decision for himself. When his one purpose in life was rendered moot, 9S had no idea what to do, and it left him wondering why he had to be made this way. ALASTAIR was enough for him to mostly bury those thoughts, at least, because there was humankind here and elsewhere and it didn't mean leading a pointless existence, for the time being.

Akira is making him question that again, though. ]

Do you really think it's that strange? It's not like I'm human, too—you know that. So why?

[ He's so adamant about this, and it strikes 9S as extremely ironic. ]

[sorry about your existential crisis, android friend]

[Akira pauses, searching for the words, his toes tapping lightly against the ground]

You know, one of my best friends back home isn't human. [OR. WELL] He thought he was for a while, and he still wants to be.

[and perhaps one day Morgana will get that human body he so desperately wants. it's an adventure Akira would absolutely help with]

Point is? I don't think things like feelings, or free will, are reserved only for humans. If that makes sense.

[a nod]

That's why.

[ Well—no, it isn't. 9S wouldn't disagree, because currently walking around Oska are many different types, different races and species, and he wouldn't say they don't deserve it either.

But 9S isn't them. Or... so he thinks, as does programming hardwired into him. He was made with a reason, not born to find his own purpose in life.

(Yet, does being metal and wire and data make him that different from those of flesh and bone? He could have just as easily been made to think like the rest of them. ... So why did he have to be built this way?)

9S lowers his head, pressing fingers with one hand against his forehead. This is too much to think about right now. ]

It... does, but you're still kind of weird.

[ For insisting about it so much in his case. ]

Definitely not the first time I've been called that.

[he replies quickly, pushing away from the wall to shift his weight onto his other foot]

Better to be a little weird than completely boring, don't you think?

[ He pauses to actually consider that, but only ends up with a bit of a non-answer. ]

So, not being a weirdo makes you boring now?

[Nines!1]

[lifts a hand, rocking it back and forth in a sort of so-so gesture]

It's kind of a sliding scale.

Uh-huh...

[ He puts on a little disbelieving tone, but also puffs out a breath in a light, short laugh. ]

... Though, I think I should go ahead and take these back now.

[ The flowers, that is. He's been staring them down long enough already. ]

[his amused smile probably says it all. you'll figure this kid out eventually, Nines]

Would you like some help? Or do you have it from here?

C'mon, I know how to pick a few flowers.

[ There's a 'what do you take me for?' edge to his voice, but it's airy enough. ]

... There's one more thing before I go, though.

[gives Nines a look that basically says, "you know that's not what I meant." but his curiosity is piqued once again]

Oh?

[lay it on him, 9S]

[ Can do, captain. ]

So, um... My friends back home would call me Nines.

[ He just leaves it there. Totally expecting Akira to get the hint. ]

[oh. that is totally the sound of a Confidant ranking up]

[tugs!! at a lock of his own hair!!]

Nines it is, then.

[a pause, and I guarantee you he wouldn't have given this name in the other thread SO--]

Some of my friends at home call me Joker. [a hum] But like this, I prefer Akira.

Like "this"?

[ A beat. Wait, right. ]

Oh, yeah... Those other clothes. [ Along with the everything else. ] Uh—I guess I save "Joker" for that, right?

[snaps his fingers in a "bingo" motion]

You got it. Think of it as a code name, to match the mask.

[not strictly necessary where people recognize him just fine even in the mask, but. eh. old habits are hard to break]

That's a bit... [ This is why you're weird, Akira. He files his further questions for another day, though, a better time. ] —Anyway.

[ Let's say he's picked a few of the lilies by now. Only a few—not too many. 9S finally pushes himself back up onto his feet. ]

I'll catch you later?

[Nines may not finish his statement, but Akira gets what he wants to say, anyway. he just laughs, and nods]

I'll catch you later, then.

Yeah.

[ 9S leaves it at that. He turns on his feet and heads back toward the castle, while Pod trails behind him, both silent all along. ]

[Akira watches him go without anther word. although when Nines is gone? he glances over at the now-empty spot left in the gardens, where the android had picked his lilies. he stares at it for a quiet moment, before letting out a deep breath and raking a hand through his hair]

[and then he leaves too. there isn't much more of a reason for him to stick around, now]

[futurology ic contact]

immortalizes your typo this time

hey.................. 1/2

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waves hands around

does the macarena

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gets the last tag in