entranceway | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[Who has two metal thumbs and looks really confused? This guy. Have yet another of those giant robots that keep showing up.

This one looks distinctly like a very traditional Japanese police officer, though. He veen has a little crest on his chest that looks like the lapels of a jacket. He speaks very cautiously and is extremely formal.]

Excuse me... if anyone is here, would you mind telling me what is going on? I was resting one moment, and I just woke up here.

If this is some kind of criminal scheme, I'll let you know right now, you won't be getting away with it.

If it isn't... a little assistance and an explanation would be wonderful.

Also, if anyone has seen a child around? He's small, about nine years old, his name is Tomonaga Yuuta. He was with me before I woke here. If you've seen him, please tell me.

[He seems visibly anxious about that last part.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kagerou...

I'm sorry.

[There's a heavy, clattering sound as he finally sits down. He just can't stand. Not after that.]

[He can't actually feel sick, but it's close.]

... so everything was nothing more than a waste of effort.

I wouldn't say that. You... saved Shadowmaru's life, or so he told me. And the man who abducted you was brought to justice.

I know that's probably not much but-

[Oh he feels so bad.]

[Saved his life.]

[Yes. That... was something. Wasn't it? So why doesn't it erase these other feelings?]

I couldn't fulfill my obligation to him... do what he told me to do.

What comfort is justice, if I couldn't do the last thing he ever asked of me?

What... was it that he asked of you?

... He told me to live.

[hah. wow, that comes out bitter.]

You're alive here, aren't you?

[HE DOES HAVE A POINT.]

You may not be able to see each other, but you're okay here, right?

I... am. Yes.

[YES BUT THAT'S NOT -- ]

... Is he?

[Because, suddenly, that is a very, very pressing concern.]

[You can almost hear him smile.]

He's just fine. He mostly works alone. Sometimes with Gunmax or Duke, but he's extremely solitary otherwise. I have a feeling he thinks about you a lot.

[For some reason... that hurts. As reassuring as it is, it hurts. He almost blurts it out -- He shouldn't be alone! -- before regaining control of himself.]

[Even if he can't completely eliminate the little strain in the words.]

It's... good to hear he's all right.

He always was resilient.

[Awkward... pause.]

I appreciate the news of him.

It's the least I can do.

I know we've had a rocky past, but is there any chance you'd like to start fresh?

You realize when we met... I stood to lose everything, if I allowed you near me.

... now there isn't anything.

[Which is his answer -- as convoluted as it sounds. Translation being: I was a dick because I was scared. Yes, we can work together.]

I do understand that feeling.

I hope that we'll all be able to get back home. Maybe if I bring you back, you can see Shadowmaru again.

Do you.

[How skeptical can one 'bot sound?]

... You'd do that? Try do do that?

Yes. I've been in that position before. To be formatted and forget all about what mattered most to me.

[But he was always a fighter.]

Of course, what else could I do? I wouldn't leave you here.

[And suddenly that makes their initial confrontation a lot more awkward. He pauses.]

I... wasn't aware of that.

[It's an apology. Of sorts. Followed by another hesitation. It's clear he isn't used to others offering their assistance. After all... they'd been on their own together for so long...]

Then I will help you. ... Thank you.

It was a danger for many of the Brave Police starting out.

I appreciate it.

I didn't know. I... knew nothing about any of you. It wasn't allowed.

[And look how well that turned out.]

... Can you promise me something, however?

Well, you weren't really given the chance everything happened so quickly. Fortunately there's time now.

Sure. Anything.

... Yes. There is, isn't there?

[AWKWARD PAUSE.]

Can you promise... that if we return, my AI will remain unaltered?

Yes. I won't let them even consider formatting you.

Since the incident, we have been given more consideration as individuals as well.

I... suppose it's good. That something positive happened as a result.

[Even if he wasn't there to see it.]

Ah... I can't help but feel like it was too little too late.

Mm.

If it made things better -- safer -- for him... then it wasn't 'too little'. Not to me.

[Kagerou what the hell are your priorities.]

That's a very noble thing to say.

[Video]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]