Duel 002: Peaceful Days! The Fluffiest Training Montage Commences

[fluffydeathdealer]

[It's a bit of a pain, being in a school with no teachers.

Ryou Bakura isn't the type of kid who really likes being too active; he's about on the level of most ordinary teenagers. But after being laid up for so long with the burns to his arms and leg, not only is he extremely restless, but he's sure even his metabolism won't hold up much longer, with the amount he eats. That's why, after checking to see that Henry isn't home to take him up on that training offer, he's decided to try treating this like school and taking an hour or so to do his very own gym class, all by himself. It'd be easier with teachers, but... he doesn't have a choice right now.

Most kids probably would just take the break and be lazy, but right now, Ryou's working hard. Apart from the occasional break, he can be found pretty easily in the east wing, dressed in gym clothes and doing everything from running laps on the track field to climbing ropes.

...though that last one is more like 'falling off ropes'. Stupid mats... they don't cushion that fall at all. Hopefully nobody's dumb enough to stand below him.]

Ow...

[Time for a banana and some water, he thinks.]

Ah, I'm so tired...

Comments

[fluffydeathdealer]

I see... that's a relief. Sorry. Did I bother you?

[soldier_from_surface]

No, the question wasn't a bother. However, I... don't like being feared. Especially since there's no need.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Then, I won't fear you. You're nice, after all.

It was just the natural response to finding out someone was both a robot and armed. Because in all the stories, robots work on logic, and logic doesn't always work out with nothing to balance it.

[soldier_from_surface]

Ah... I can think logically the same as any other, but my creator gave me a mind and feelings of my own. I know it's difficult to see with the way I act, but I have the same "heart" that you do, if just processed differently.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eh, really? That's really cool! But you know... It's hard to tell with the way you talk, but I think your feelings show aa little just the same.

[soldier_from_surface]

I was not raised among humans. Unlike Curly Brace, I can't express myself in ways they can read clearly.

[He seems mildly perked, though. Inside his head, Quote is absolutely alert.]

Do they?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Even if you're made of metal, you give off tells, like everyone else. You smile a little, and you frown, and you look worried... It's kind of like you're used to expressing with actions rather than emotions. Like a little kid who's too serious.

[soldier_from_surface]

Most of my memories are gone. All I know is what I did on the island and my experiences there. And there, it was actions that spoke. Words and feelings did little; there was too much suffering.

[fluffydeathdealer]

I see... that's pretty sad.

[Right, infirmary. He'll just be heading there and trusting in Quote to keep up.]

But you still show signs of it. Perhaps it'll come easier the more you spend around expressive people.

[soldier_from_surface]

I don't think so. The memories that couldn't be recovered, they were from ten years ago. Whatever was once there either doesn't exist anymore, or still does, in which case I can simply make new ones to replace them. I know who I am, what I can do, and I finished the mission my creator gave to me to destroy a corrupting, evil artifact.

I see no reason to feel upset over something so simple as replaceable memories.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Some memories really aren't replaceable to humans, so it's natural for us to be sad heaing that. I... find the place you came from pretty sad too.

But if it doesn't bother you, I'll try not to feel too bad over it. I can understand that sort of thing. Accomplishment of something like that... it sounds incredible.

[soldier_from_surface]

...I think, maybe... you expect too much of my coding. Memories... I still have feelings in them. And that isn't something that can be coded into my mind; false memories will always register as false.

But... our creator specifically modeled Curly Brace and I after human children. He sent us out knowing we could be damaged or even destroyed for the sake of others. I think... he wouldn't want me to be sad over forgetting him. At best, he can just help me experience those memories again. And at worst... I think he would be happy knowing I don't suffer on his account.

That... is just my guess, however.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un. That makes sense. Humans are flawed, after all... so even modelling something after them is dangerous because those flaws weaken the abilities of the creation.

So it's natural for him to have programmed you not to have 'regrets' like that.

[soldier_from_surface]

Mmm. Yes.

[There's a faint smile on his face, as if talking about this was a little relieving. And then it falls back into that usual, gentle blankness.]

What else did you want to know?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hm... If Kuwoto-kun is a robot, do you have some kind of generator inside of you or something?

Ah! Also, should I address you like a normal boy, or should I change my method of address?

[soldier_from_surface]

I have mechanics that process energy, yes, but I can get it either through recharging on whatever source is available or even food, if necessary.

You can address me however you like; whatever else I am, I am Quote.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eh, really? Then, do you taste it, or is it just processed?

[soldier_from_surface]

I can... [He pauses, trying to think of how to describe it, and decides to start again.]

I have a "dulled" sense of taste. I can "understand" what I'm tasting, even if I don't quite... "experience" it.

[Ug. He frowns faintly, processors whirling, before deciding to give up.]

I'm sorry. I don't know how to explain it.

[fluffydeathdealer]

It's fine! I'd be hard-pressed to describe a lot of ways I function too. If things function, they function, right? So it's not bad if you can't describe it.

But let's put it another way... do you have foods you prefer over others?

[soldier_from_surface]

...I don't know. I haven't eaten.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Hm... I can supply you with food if you like.

[soldier_from_surface]

If you'd like, I wouldn't object.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Okay then! I'll do that right after I get these checked over. ...but I wonder if I'm even going in the right direction.

[soldier_from_surface]

We are. The office is just around the corner and straight ahead.

[Dead on, he is!]

I made sure to map the school out, best I could.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Eh, really? That's amazing! You're really something. I guess that's the 'recon' part, huh?