Ruins of Khazan - Part 1: All Things Among Fallen Leaves

[Nik Hasta]

Possibly Ella was so assertive with this other robot because it seemed ready and willing to take orders, and also seemed like it's processor or memory banks were partly corrupted. She really wasn't much of a computer person, despite having used them before. Technopathy sure would be a handy power to have right about now, but alas, she'd never gone through with the cyborg surgeries necessary to acquire it back on Axallia.

Nemo eyed the others, not wanting to interrupt what seemed a serious discussion, but not wanting to speak for them either, as to plans. "Well, a Waypoint sounds interesting, but I'm not quite sure where we're headed. Towards the Great Tree seems the most natural, but I'm not sure how set we are on it." She looked to the robot. "Do you have any information about what it points to? Or is it just a general signal?"

The robot pauses, for longer than it has done previously Nemo notes. Slowly its arm raises at points, not to toward the great tree - where Nemo herself feels a magical tug compelling her to go there, but instead toward the heart of the massive spatial distortion that lay some distance from them. Buildings and entire streets drift through the air in a spiralling pattern, occasionally being warped or twisted as if they are momentarily being viewed through a fun-house mirror.

The robot speaks.

"[WAYPOINT] is [<**FILE_NOT_FOUND**>] ... but ... <bleep> ... this unit detects from the hierarchical position of it within associate filing super-structure that it is of paramount importance. This unit must, eventually, go there. Assistance can be offered, that is a prime directive but <...> [<**LINGUISTIC_MODEL_LIMITED**>] at a time in the future, this unit will be <...> compelled to [<**pRoGraM_cOrruPtING**>] ... choose. This unit must <...> choose. Choose to go to [WAYPOINT],"

The arm lowers and the machine turns to look, though it has no eyes, back at Nemo and Ella.

"[TEMPORARY_ESCORT_PROGRAM] has been engaged. This unit will <***your**coming**with**us...before**you**start**o ffering**assistance**to**the**next**brute**that**w anders**through***>" it says, once again spitting out a recording or reconstruction of Ella's words from earlier. And with that it makes ready to leave.

[Nik Hasta]

Kinu laughed to herself as if there were some private joke in her mind as Trevor slowly came around.

"You're getting it, there's a pecking order to this business, and our first step to rising to the top starts there," she declared, punching her right hand into her branded left. "Who knows, maybe even a little beastie like this one can manage to do a little good, yeah?"

Just lke that the critter sprung to life and began moving. With every step, she felt the pulse raise in the veins of her hand; when she closed her eyes, she could almost...feel, where the thing pointed its nose at. Skittering paws meant it had found something back the way they came.

"Great, it's found our prey, heh heh heh..."

Then, clapping Trevor firmly on the back, she ruggedly bid him forth. Nudging him ahead draped before her shoulder, playfully she set the kid between herself and the hellhound.

"And I wager you got some skills, too." If he heard it same as me, why else would he be here, unless it's some kinda sick joke? "Walk with me, you might learn something."

Trevor still looks nervous, both at the hellhound leading the way but also Kinu's physical proximity. His eyes keep flitting to the raw brand that now rests on his shoulder and back to the demonic dog. He's skittish but he's ultimately swayed by Kinu's charisma and easy-going attitude. After a small moment of nervous indecision, he replies.

"No such skills as you Mistress, nor any of the others here," His eyes glance over to Jane with her mechanised body and her skeletal drone at this comment, perhaps considering if he would class what Jane can do as 'skill' or something more, "Like I said to Ser Krys. I growed up on farm work and I know my way around butchering animals. I've been through... well... not as big as all this here but I climbed a wizard's tower and got by his guardians to try'n save my sweet one Tildy and - well and all the rest of the ladies in the land. But I got caught, right at the end, and then he - he sent me here so... I dunno if I achieved much of anything. My boys are all captured and - and I know that thousands of lives get shorter every moment I delay but... I'm - I'm keen to help and I know it's an imposition for me to ask all yous to help me save my lands when - I mean, Miss Jane's got all kinds of stuff going on and..."

He looks squarely at Kinu, the wanderer from the wasteland, perhaps wanting to distract from focusing too much on his own problems and responsibilities.

"I'm sure you've got friends back home who are relying on you? I wager a person as... well... striking and strong who talks so good must have a whole crew on her side. Are you also on a mission to help people, Mistress Kinu?" he asks.

[Sharkerbob]

Before departure:

The robot pauses, for longer than it has done previously Nemo notes. Slowly its arm raises at points, not to toward the great tree - where Nemo herself feels a magical tug compelling her to go there, but instead toward the heart of the massive spatial distortion that lay some distance from them. Buildings and entire streets drift through the air in a spiralling pattern, occasionally being warped or twisted as if they are momentarily being viewed through a fun-house mirror.

The robot speaks.

"[WAYPOINT] is [<**FILE_NOT_FOUND**>] ... but ... <bleep> ... this unit detects from the hierarchical position of it within associate filing super-structure that it is of paramount importance. This unit must, eventually, go there. Assistance can be offered, that is a prime directive but <...> [<**LINGUISTIC_MODEL_LIMITED**>] at a time in the future, this unit will be <...> compelled to [<**pRoGraM_cOrruPtING**>] ... choose. This unit must <...> choose. Choose to go to [WAYPOINT],"

The arm lowers and the machine turns to look, though it has no eyes, back at Nemo and Ella.

"[TEMPORARY_ESCORT_PROGRAM] has been engaged. This unit will <***your**coming**with**us...before**you**start**o ffering**assistance**to**the**next**brute**that**w anders**through***>" it says, once again spitting out a recording or reconstruction of Ella's words from earlier. And with that it makes ready to leave.

"That looks like a perfectly safe, not at all hazardous destination where many fun and relaxing times are to be had," said Rae confidently. "It's a shame we're already booked for the forestry tour!"

"I know not where this journey is headed, but we very much appreciate the help," said Nemo. "If we can facilitate your return later on, we will do what we can."

"Look, bunny, just because you see a quest marker doesn't mean you have to add it to your list," said Rae, flopping on her head with a huff.

"Sorry. Force of habit. Still, favor for a favor is fair play."

"I guess."

"I will emphasize no promises, though," said Nemo. "We do not know what lies ahead."



After departure:

Trevor still looks nervous, both at the hellhound leading the way but also Kinu's physical proximity. His eyes keep flitting to the raw brand that now rests on his shoulder and back to the demonic dog. He's skittish but he's ultimately swayed by Kinu's charisma and easy-going attitude. After a small moment of nervous indecision, he replies.

"No such skills as you Mistress, nor any of the others here," His eyes glance over to Jane with her mechanised body and her skeletal drone at this comment, perhaps considering if he would class what Jane can do as 'skill' or something more, "Like I said to Ser Krys. I growed up on farm work and I know my way around butchering animals. I've been through... well... not as big as all this here but I climbed a wizard's tower and got by his guardians to try'n save my sweet one Tildy and - well and all the rest of the ladies in the land. But I got caught, right at the end, and then he - he sent me here so... I dunno if I achieved much of anything. My boys are all captured and - and I know that thousands of lives get shorter every moment I delay but... I'm - I'm keen to help and I know it's an imposition for me to ask all yous to help me save my lands when - I mean, Miss Jane's got all kinds of stuff going on and..."

He looks squarely at Kinu, the wanderer from the wasteland, perhaps wanting to distract from focusing too much on his own problems and responsibilities.

"I'm sure you've got friends back home who are relying on you? I wager a person as... well... striking and strong who talks so good must have a whole crew on her side. Are you also on a mission to help people, Mistress Kinu?" he asks.

~~"All the ladies of the land?"~~ Rae whispered in Nemo's ear, vibrating the little string for a private convo only they could hear. ~~Uh-oh, we might have an isekai harem protagonist on our hands! Unfortunately, I think you missed out on the coveted First Girl slot.~~

~~It isn't isekai if the adventure is on his homeland~~ Nemo whispered back. ~~Also, he's a child, so don't even think about pulling any fan-service jokes.~~

~~Relax, bunny, even I have some ethical standards~~ muttered Rae.

Nemo spoke out loud. "Trevor? I know Rae and I make you uncomfortable. I understand your caution, and I apologize for the imposition. But we all are what we are. I'm not expecting you to trust us by the end of this journey, but if you do change your mind about us, we would be happy to help you, too, if circumstances allow for it."

"What did I just say about picking up new quests?!" Rae huffed, flopping on her head again. "You're a Questomaniac! You've got OQD: Obsessive Quest Disorder!"

"I like having things to do," said Nemo flatly.

[Sharpandpointies]

OOC - I have no idea how to do the introduction with Ella, so I'm going to assume that Nemo simply gave names.

In pursuit of the hound, Krys takes a moment to muse over the newest additions to their little group, however long it stays together. Ella, Nemo had named the young woman, but nothing for the mechanoid. Her bodyguard? Servant? They know little to nothing about Ella, outside of her appearance, and similarly her companion. She was managing against the hounds...wasn't terribly worried, either. And how did she get atop the pillar? I missed that. So she can handle herself? Maybe? But how?

Many questions.

"Ella?" Krys finally calls out. "If things go badly, can you and your friend protect yourselves?"

Still jogging, they consider Jane's query as their eyes scan the terrain ahead, mapping out possible obstacles. "I don't think so," they finally state, though their tone is thoughtful. "I expect..." Their lips pull together, tightening as Krys vaults over a fallen column, then dekes around the scree of a collapsed wall. "Look, I think getting out of here while dealing with Nekro is likely to be the work of a lifetime. Maybe a short one. In the face of that, I don't think I can make plans." The dry air burns in their throat, in their lungs, and Krys coughs once, wiping their mouth with the back of their hand. "Wouldn't be prudent; I need to focus on this place, on Nekro." Their tight lips twist into a lop-sided grin. "That's going to take everything we have, I feel."

There's a fallen lamppost, propped up - under it, over it? Krys goes through it instead, somehow past it in a flicker of missing frames.

Better tell her the truth, as well. Their hitching breath pushes out a sigh. "So...well, you know I've spoken about being elsewhere, different. There was an existence where I understood how all of...this -" a gesture at their own body "- ..ends. I can't remember the details, now, but I know it's not peacefully." One hand - a crimson smear across its back - rises again, gripping their bone-white hair and tugging for a moment. "And I'm a cracked vessel," they whisper, "leaking water."

Rallying, Krys glances to Jane and washes it all away with a shrug. "So no plans for the future, really. I'll see what tomorrow brings. Yourself? Assuming you break free of Nekro?" Another grin, this one more relaxed. "No assigned targets, no Deathgod...what does Jane do then? Like Trevor, you have a land to which to return?"

Their voice raises slightly. "Trevor, you've got bravery and the willingness to step up and do something. That's more than most."