[text] ⚙ burn my dread

[fuhgeddaboudit]

I don't understand.

She was an experiment just like me, wasn't she? She should get how much it hurts. Doesn't she have a heart of her own?

I feel sorry for her, but I hate this place.

I hate this place i hate this placeihatethisplaceihatethisplace

[There was a pause--it was like a record had gotten stuck and a moment was taken to put the needle back in place.]

I'm not feeling well. I think I am going to be on floor 25 later if anyone needs me for anything.

[Sure enough, she'd stick around the terminal for a little longer before heading straight to the meadow. Sitting down on the ground and pulling her knees to her chest, the robotic girl looked remarkably like a human would if that human was trying not to projectile vomit in disgust.]

Comments

[fuhgeddaboudit]

...so how you gettin' along here? You okay?

[imperialsun]

I'm fine.

[But that was Naoya in a nutshell - his teammates had always remarked how he never complained about anything during their adventures. not during SEBEC. Not with the Snow Queen.]

But you're not. If there's anything I can do to help...

[fuhgeddaboudit]

I just ain't feelin' so hot, that's all.

[imperialsun]

[Hmm...]

Do you have anything you like to do as a hobby, Labrys?

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Not really...I mean, I ain't been on the outside world long enough for one.

[imperialsun]

Would you like to come play a video game?

[We're sorry. Naoya's hobbies include video games and...video games.]

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Huh? Uh...o-okay.

[imperialsun]

[He stands up and opens his hand.]

We can go to the media level.

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Alright.

[She took his hand and stood up as well, looking inquisitive.]

[imperialsun]

[One fade out cut-scene later, they are at the media level! He looks around and picks out one of the televisions that has a game that encourages cooperative play.

...which is to say Rockband.]

Are you good at singing?

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Uh...I dunno. I ain't ever tried; I wouldn't know how, t' be honest.

[imperialsun]

[He hands her one of the microphone with a smile.] You'll never know without trying.

[He starts up the game.]

I'll go first to show you.

[And then the song starts. Did he pick that one because it was a bit fitting? ...maybe.]

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No, nothing else matters...

[fuhgeddaboudit]

[Labrys watched in amazement, her jaw practically on the floor.]

I-I dunno if I could--I mean, I ain't Rise or nothin'.

[imperialsun]

If Eikichi can, anyone can.

[HE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS.]

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Well...okay, but promise ya won't laugh.

[imperialsun1]

[He nods.]

Promise.

[fuhgeddaboudit]

Alright, alright. Lemme see, uh...

[Obviously not knowing a single song listed, Labrys picked whatever seemed interesting. Despite the thick accent, she wasn't bad by any means...in fact, she was really getting into it.]

[Like really getting into it.]

[...Okay, maybe not that much.]

[imperialsun1]

[And true to his promise, Naoya doesn't laugh during the entire time she is singing, even if she pulls off the best leg guitar impression and just grins when she is done.]

I knew you could do it.