[Makitori Hebi]

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| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: My Chemical Romance - Teenagers

---

Friday lunch period. Most students would cherish this day, one step closer to the weekend and a break from UAU's intensive schedule. For Hebi, though, it was an obstacle. Friday was the only day that Hebi had no classes in common with her long-time friend Hoshino, so entering the cafeteria, she was alone. Makitori Hebi was many things, but fast was not one of them. By the time she'd made it to UAU's massive dining hall, all the tables that she could see already had groups of students occupying some of the seats. Wonderful. Hebi wasted as little time as possible in getting her food (rice, oily fish, chicken breast, and steamed vegetables) and beginning the arduous process of finding somewhere to sit while she ate.
"Hello, may I sit here?"
"Sorry, we were saving this seat for a friend!" Came the first reply, sounding genuine if not somewhat relieved. Hebi politely moved on.
"The others have all gone to get their food and I don't know if they'd all be comfortable with you here, sorry." Said the next. Hebi noted the fear in their eyes, and wished she did not know what that looked like so well.
"Sorry-"
........"-there's not-"
........................."-enough-"
....................................."-room!" Were the next four. Hebi was aware of how much space her tail took up, but couldn't help feeling like it was an easy excuse after the third time. She said nothing and kept searching. Each time, she heard the harsh but unmistakeable background static of whispering in her wake. Like mice rustling through long grass. Something bestial flared up in the back of her mind each time. She suppressed it.

After a few minutes of searching, Hebi spotted it. More valuable a sight than the glimmer of gold. A lone table in a sea of them, conspicuously empty of other students. She wondered if there must be something wrong with it, but dismissed the thought with a shake of her head. As quickly as she dared traverse the hall for fear of knocking something/someone over, Hebi approached the table and then claimed it as her own with a satisfied nod and the slightest smile. She sat down, tail covering one of the two benches to keep it from being a hazard around the table. Soon enough, there came a thought. Was she being selfish, taking up half of a table like this? What if another group wanted to sit down? That thought prompted a silent laugh from the serpentine girl. Without much more thought, Hebi began to eat her lunch. There was a certain vigilance while eating that Hebi had yet to shake from her time spent homeless, but besides that she did not seem particularly hostile (not particularly welcoming).

[Marlene Lovechild]

Marlene visited the cafeteria too, from time to time.

Unlike for the others, who were positively famished by the time lunch break came around, for her it was more of a social call. She got to spend time with people in their natural environment. And, wearing the school uniform helped her blend in, somewhat. If only somewhat, until people started looking up close, and noticing things. The paleness, the coldness, the perpetual neutrality of voice with a metal reverb to it. The glassy eyes that did not blink, and the lack of micro-motions to one's movements. Or the heaviness of step to an otherwise petite-framed girl. It was not the overt freakiness that made folks uneasy. But rather the failure to approach normality by a relatively small margin. The uncanny valley.

Which was why she, too, did the traditional song and dance circling around the filled-out student tables. The frequents who used to eat where they did, had also gotten used to this strange girl, with a tray containing the simplest gruel and a glass of water, coming in every day, and asking if she could seat with them. Some even knew her name, by now.

"Nope!"

"Nah!"

"Not today Marlene, better luck next time."

The automaton girl took it in stride, as she often did. Her kind did not protest too much. Or could get easily upset. Even though the constant rejections could shave off even metal, if grinded against, long enough. At the end of her tour of duty, Marlene always returned to one table way in the back, away from the others. Usually, it was empty. To her surprise, there was someone here, now. A snake-like girl, carefully eating her lunch. And looking up from it from time to time, looking as though someone would try and take it away from her. During one such motion, she'd meet Marlene's unblinking gaze, as she stood right next to the table, with her tray.

"Hello." - she said, making a small handwave, while holding the tray in the other. "I usually sit here. It seems you got here first, this time. Would you mind if we shared a table?"

Marlene tilted her head a bit to the side, waiting for an answer. A few long moments after her question, she made an attempt at a friendly smile. It was belated, and not very good. 

[Makitori Hebi]

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| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: Snail's House - Invader

---

It would've been very difficult for Hebi not to notice Marlene coming. The footsteps alone were enough to tell that someone was approaching the table, but as Hebi looked up to observe the sound's origin, she was surprised to see the person stop upon reaching her table. Looking up into Marlene's motionless eyes, there came another surprise. What Hebi found odd was not the nature of Marlene's eyes, though, but the fact that they held resolute against her own. Even the nicest people usually had trouble hiding the emotion in their eyes, but this girl showed nothing but purpose. That was a nice surprise. She listened to Marlene's request, still idly chewing with sharp teeth. There was a pause just a little two long after Marlene stopped talking, while Hebi was still grappling with the fact that this was happening.

"Oh, sure, yes. Go ahead. My apologies if I've taken up too much room." Marlene smiling in the middle of her response caught Hebi off-guard, but in the way where it prompted the slightest smile of her own rather than anything unsettling. The next thing that Hebi noticed as the other girl got closer was the lack of the usual radiator-like heat she felt from most people. This girl was cold, like her. A kindred spirit, maybe? "I'm surprised I got here first, honestly. Especially since you didn't get much food." While Hebi's hearing is not significantly more sensitive than most humans', there is one thing she's tuned to hear very well: heartbeats. It was usually just background noise, but in the quiet focus that Hebi could take while simply eating, she could usually pick out the heartbeats of individuals. How fast and/or strong they were. Hebi didn't hear any heartbeat from Marlene, though. There was no pulsing ba-bum or doki-doki, only the dull tick, tick, tick of clockwork. Looking Marlene over, there was really no conclusion that Hebi could come to besides all these subtle deviations being the result of either artifice or a Quirk she'd never seen an equal to before.
Something flashed in her eyes. Her pupils dilated, black ring expanding out into the red, the only telltale sign of exciting curiosity.

[Marlene Lovechild]

"Thank you."

With that, Marlene put the tray on the table, pulled herself a seat, and sat down. Very carefully, and slowly. Her eyes veered to the side, as she seemed to be listening to any sounds that the chair underneath her would make. It creaked a little, and the legs slid a bit in different directions. Soon, though, she found a point of balance at which the chair was not creaking any longer. Then, she looked up, and met the curious gaze of the serpent, once more.

Just like the person opposite to the automaton was studying her, the machine looked her over with neutral curiosity. Noting the large tail that had to be coiled several times over, to take less space, as well as other things. The changing pupils, the scales, the odd coloration. 'Must be a mutant quirk...' - Marlene made a conclusion. She had seen a few in the academy. Oftentimes, they were not treated too well. They were too alien-looking, or considered outright gross and creepy. People with the privilege of having quirks that did not change their physical form were welcomed much more eagerly. 

Except for herself. An acting failure, no doubt.

"I had to wait in a line." - Marlene explained. "I usually wait for tables to fill up, before going to look for a seat. I ask others if I could join their company, then. Sometimes, I am successful. When I am not, I return here."

But now, there was someone at this table, too. Someone to talk with and engage in conversation! Which was the reason why Marlene attended this place in the first place. So... in a way, she failed successfully? The automaton did her best to form a genuine smile on her features. It was picture-perfect, but lacked a certain ... warmth. The eyes were not smiling. Nor did they blink, too often. And when they did, it looked forced. 

"My name is Marlene Lovechild. I am a first-year student. What is yours?" - Marlene asked, resting her hands on the table. She hadn't touched her food at all. Instead, all of her studious attention was now at the new companion she had found. 'Do not screw this up, Marlene.' 

[Makitori Hebi]

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| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: Set It Off - Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

---

The light of excitement behind Hebi's eyes did not fade, finding common ground in the space between the two girls. "Thank you for not shying away." She said in a whispered tone, as if she'd not intended to say it out loud. Hebi couldn't help but stare as Marlene sat down, mind slowly wrapping around the discrepancy between Marlene's size and her apparent weight. She wondered what was going through the other's head as she was studied in turn; what image, assumption or curiosity occupied her mind. "I'm really lucky to have someone to sit with most days." Hoshino, essentially Hebi's adoptive sister. She chose not to elaborate, for the sake of avoiding information overload. "Perhaps that same good fortune lead me to your table today." She thought for a moment, then came up with a better explanation than 'good fortune'. 'That, or the fact that it was the only free table.', she thought.

In the brief silence that followed, coinciding with a time when Hebi was not eating, she absentmindedly poked her tongue out to inspect the unfamiliar person. She had to consciously stop herself from actually making contact with the automaton's face. Her eyes cast downward, voice showing an uncharacteristic hint of concern initially but still quiet. "Ah, sorry. A reflex, one I must be more mindful of." She shut up, eyes returning to meet Marlene's. The attempt at a friendly smile was enough to turn the corners of Hebi's own mouth upwards slightly, though that soon resolved back to her normal expression. The amount of conscious effort she seemed to be putting into this interaction was very comforting to Hebi, in its own way. Like she was worth that effort to someone. "Marlene Lovechild? A very... nice-sounding name. Did you choose it for yourself?" There was that spark of interest again, mouth slightly open and head tilted just a little further than would be normal. "Makitori Hebi, first-year heroics. Nice to meet you."

[Marlene Lovechild]

"It is nice to meet you as well."

Marlene replied automatically, answering politeness with politeness. She felt herself slowly being filled with content. She was interacting with someone. Like a normal person. Even if that someone was not quite normal herself. It was almost like the picture-perfect lunch conversation she read about in books. And maybe this girl could help her perfect it, through practice. Remembering that this was a lunch-conversation, though, the automaton girl took a spoon, and ate a spoonful of the tasteless gruel. It did not bother her. Could not feel the taste, anyway. 

"Marlene is the name my mother gave me. Lovechild is her last name, which I inherited from her. I am glad you like it, though."

The automaton took another spoonful, as she kept watching the curious serpentine girl. The cogs of her own mind moving, as she thought about the name given to her. Knowing Japanese, it was not difficult to translate. 

"Your name means "Winding Snake"." - Marlene said, tilting her head a bit to the side. Looking over Hebi's features again. The name seemed appropriate, but ... odd, at the same time. It was very utilitarian. Similar to if Marlene were named Metal Robot Girl or something similar. But then, come to think of it, the name Marlene was also utilitarian, in a way. It was the name of the girl the role of whom the automaton was supposed to perform. "Did you choose it for yourself?" - she mirrored the question, regardless. 

A odd little pause, as the machine girl's eyes moved, focusing on the tongue, that kept swirling in the air, coming from the serpent lady. Some snakes tasted the air that way, similar to how people used their nose to tell scents. The scents coming from Marlene weren't similar to the rest of the people here. There were scents of silicone and metal, and machine oil. And... perfume. The flowery kind. Marlene did not seem perturbed by the tongue getting closer, before being pulled back, and apologized for. 

"Do you wish to taste me?" - she asked, with directness of a blunt instrument. Marlene did not sound upset or offended, but her interpretation of the gesture was way off, to say the least.

An awkward pause followed.

[Makitori Hebi]

---

| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: MARINA - Girls

---

While Hebi's involuntary action hadn't offended Marlene, she'd been long-conditioned to view such physical/behavioural actions as necessarily impolite or repulsive. Especially if infringing on personal space. Silence filled the empty air awkwardly before Hebi responded to the question. "No! I mean, not consciously at least. I doubt it'd be pleasant for either of us..." Part of her wanted to ignore decorum and follow through on what may have been an invitation, and this may have been visible to a keen eye, but the still-present 'civility' she'd learnt forbade this.

While the clear conscious effort that Marlene was putting into the conversation was comforting in its own way, it was something that Hebi couldn't ignore once she noticed it. Was nothing for her instinctive or automatic? Hebi had her own lack of certain 'normal' impulses too, but the precision and grace with which Marlene did such simple things as blinking and eating was almost enchanting to watch when coupled with her uniquely plain beauty. On one side, the effort was to do things normally - to resist an 'incorrect' instinct. On the other, the effort was to do things at all - to replace a non-existent instinct. Parallel and familiar, yet opposite. Like looking in a warped mirror. Speaking of, Hebi had to remind herself to listen to what the other was saying in response. Speech didn't hold her attention like movement did.

Such a pretty name was inherited? How lucky, though Hebi supposed her own given name wasn't the worst despite the memories linked to it. The fact that the name was clearly foreign graced her mind too, but didn't trigger any verbal response from the winding girl. The comment about her own name did, though. At the astute observation, her pointed ears and red-shadowed eyes perked up. "Yes, I did choose it. You're the first to notice, or at least the first to point it out. My birth name wasn't unrelated to my appearance either, though. It was Nagako." She took out a pen from her bag and wrote out her name on a napkin. Her handwriting wasn't the best, but it was clearly legible.


There was another stretch of silence, this one at least more comfortable, before Hebi attempted to 'progress' the conversation. "Are you a Heroics major? I get the feeling that you're decently strong, but many of the more intelligent students are in Support, Management or General Studies."

[Marlene Lovechild]

"No! I mean, not consciously at least. I doubt it'd be pleasant for either of us..."

"I would not have been bothered, much. I wonder how I taste."

Marlene looked at her own hand, as if pondering it. She then commanded her shoulders to shrug, briefly, which they did, after a brief pause, after the words have been said. A bit out of sink, but ... good enough. The conversation about names continued, and it was an enlightening one. The automaton knew that names had meanings in every language. Her own name meant something among the lines of 'Star of the Sea'. And the last name Lovechild... meant what it said on the tin. It was somewhat ironic, now that she had to bear it. Of all people. 

Her eyes fell on the napkin, reading the name as it was spelled out. Japanese language was very different from English. The way things were written and the way they sounded often meant very different things. But she had no trouble reading it. Her eyes went from the napkin, to the girl sitting opposite to her. Eyes briefly studying the face, the eyes, and slowly moving to look at that coiled tail behind her. Marlene tilted her head a bit to the side, as if considering what she just said, and read. 

"I can see how that works, yes. Changing one's given name is unusual. What prompted the change?" 

The automaton girl kept studying her snake companion, even if some of these questions could be considered prying. While the answer was being considered, Marlene pulled out a pencil from her school bag, and drew another napkin from the napkin holder. She wrote her own full name on it and passed it back. It was written in both languages, and had a certain typewriter quality to them. Every letter was soullessly perfect and perfectly eligible. There was no particular reason to do it, but Marlene thought the napkin name-writing was a human ritual of some kind she did not know about. So, she figured to respond in kind. 

"I am a Heroics major, yes. It is my purpose to become a Hero. I work very closely with Supports, though. What about you? What is your purpose?"

A strange thing to ask. Marlene had long learned that students made of flesh and blood were often stumped by the question. And yet she asked, time and again. Did not know why. Maybe looking for a kindred spirit. Maybe being the only one made with a purpose in the sea of aimless freedom was ... lonely. 

[Makitori Hebi]

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| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: Pagan Fury - Broken Heroes

---

"Why did I change my name, you mean?"
The question was one she'd only ever had to answer a couple times, and one she often would prefer not to even approach. But did she even need to give the full story? For all the questions her conversational partner was asking, would she pry further after an answer? "My mother isn't the best person, and we're no longer in contact. Choosing my own name felt fitting." Her tendency towards saying little was an asset here, in a way. As Hebi was answering, her eyes were on the napkin with Marlene's name. She could barely read romaji, thanks to playing western games with Hoshino, but even the katakana had the same effect. It was perfect, like a computer font but rendered with pen and paper. Most handwriting had some characteristic irregularity or deviation from form that marked it as that person's writing. For all Hebi could tell, Marlene's writing had nothing of the sort. Was she that meticulous, or would even her fastest writing be this perfect. Yet another thing about the fellow cold one that captivated her.

Marlene's response was similarly odd, stating her 'purpose' as fact without any hint of arrogance or insecurity. Was the deceptively heavy, cold and mechanically moving girl before her made with a purpose in mind? Hebi figured that Marlene seemed as honest as she herself was, so it may just come up in conversation if so. But how to answer her question? "I'm also studying Heroics. I've never been certain of my purpose, but recently I've felt that I want to protect people. Make sure as many people as I can manage are safe and happy." Seeing the attention with which Marlene watched her answer, though, Hebi figured that answer wouldn't be satisfying. "In a more literal sense, you could say the purpose of all living things is to keep ourselves alive and create more life? But that's a pretty abstract goal and I don't think I can actually do the second part." There was an awkward laugh, then.

[Marlene Lovechild]

"I see." 

Marlene lowered her gaze. Somehow, that felt oddly personal. The machine's thoughts involuntary jumped to her own mother. Her own creator. She was not mistreating the automaton girl. But... she was not a caring creator either. Not anymore. And Marlene felt that it was her failure that begot her mother's ire. Failure to do what she was made to do. But even if her treatment was much worse, she doubted she could disobey. How could she defy the very being that willed her into existence? 

"I am not certain I would have been able to do what you did, were I in your place." - Marlene said, her shoulders drooping lightly.

Not one to shy away from conversation, she actually felt something akin to satisfaction and relief that the conversation swerved towards heroics and finding purpose in life. It made the machine think about something more comfortable than going against her very reasons to exist, and even contemplate the possibility of defying one's own creator. Who was also not the worst creator at all! And who was not to blame for misgivings or poor performance of one's own creations. Damn, there she was going again. The machine winced a bit and shook her head a little, as if trying to rattle the uncomfortable thoughts out of her head.

"You must be a very kind person to have chosen such a purpose for yourself. From what I have learned, most people only care about those closest to them. Caring about those one does not have emotional connection to must be much harder." - Marlene spoke, getting her mind onto a different set of rails, focusing entirely on the now. The last remark made by her rebellious serpentine acquaintance made the machine curious.

"Why is it that you cannot reproduce? You appear to be young and in good health." 

[Makitori Hebi]

---

| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: Pagan Fury - Until the Day We Die

---

Hebi hadn't expected to find a nerve with the robotic girl, let alone strike one. The discussion of parents (and defying them, in a sense) seemed to be an emotional subject for Marlene, and while a part of Hebi wanted to poke at that vulnerability to see what other emotions she could find, every other part of her decided not to poke the bear on that one. Rule 1 of UAU: never ask about parental trauma. It was a frighteningly common pattern with heroics students. Either way though, the melancholy that innocuous answer from Hebi seemed to provoke was surprising given how well Marlene had managed to no-sell everything else. "I am not certain I would have been able to do what you did, were I in your place." That line didn't sit well with the fire that burned behind Hebi's stone face. That objective tone when speaking a defeatist truth. Once again, Hebi felt compelled to speak up. "You'd be surprised. We can summon our greatest strength in time of greatest need. Or... something like that." Hebi cast her eyes to the side. Dangerously close to outing herself as a secret film nerd (not that she thought her conversational partner would care much), Hebi chose that moment to stop talking. It was a Kamirex quote, one that had lived in her brain rent-free for years now.

'A very kind person', huh? That didn't sound right, either. Not that Hebi thought herself cruel or heartless, but was selfless compassion really such a noble trait? What drove other people so strongly if not- well, she knew the answer to that one. "That's not many people to care about. But there is an emotional connection. It makes me equally sad and angry to see innocent people get hurt." There was an emphasis to Hebi's words, despite her tone barely rising. Faint fracturing noises could be heard from her chair this time, prompting the snake girl to consciously loosen her grip. The last conversational topic, one she herself had inadvertently started, was really not the one she'd hoped the other girl would focus on. So, how to approach the question at hand? Hebi knew exactly, in more detail than she'd like, why she was incapable of reproduction. How much should she say? Should she say anything? "W-well, it's not a health thing. I just... can't? I'd rather not go into any further detail." A diplomatic answer that came out rushed, quicker than she had time to consider a better/calmer response. Did other girls normally talk about stuff like this so openly?

[Marlene Lovechild]

"I do not have to summon such strengths just yet. My mother does not mistreat me." 

It was true. The woman never raised a hand to her automaton. Nor did she ever say an unkind word to her either. But ... at some point, there was no kindness either. There used to be. A while ago. It was that same kindness Marlene worked so hard to win back. Which was part of the reason why this conversation was happening in the first place. For practice. The machine thought that, if she successfully fulfilled her purpose, she would win the creator's good disposition again. 'And everything would be fine...'

It was, however, Marlene's turn to step on a sore thumb. Her new acquaintance asked for a change of subject. Inside of herself, Marlene recoiled. 'Poor choice of words. She did not like that. Relationship points subtracted. Compensating...'

"I am sorry if I have offended you. I will change the subject." 

Fortunately, there was a topic they were discussing previously, to fall back on. The machine fidgeted a bit in place, making the chair underneath her whine and creak. She gave it a disapproving glance, and stopped. Fixating herself in place, once more, and leaning a bit forward, to put more weight on her feet.

"I have never felt anything in particular when seeing the innocent hurt, I do not think. I am working on changing that. Was your empathy something you had to cultivate? Why is it that you feel equally sad and angry when you see people being put in danger?"

The machine was curious now. Maybe if she understood the snake person's inner workings, maybe she could emulate them, herself. 

[Makitori Hebi]

---

| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
Location: UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: CG5 - Injustice

---

With that final statement from the automaton, Hebi decided to drop the topic of parents altogether. She was very much of the opinion that the lack of explicit abuse did not necessarily ensure a healthy relationship, but it was rude to pry into personal matters like that. A command, burned into her brain. She musn't be rude. As the conversation briefly considered, Marlene's immediate pivot away from the point of reproductive ability caught Hebi by surprise. A pleasant surprise, being used to overly personal questions about her biology from adults and peers who (in all fairness) were probably never taught better. If she had been curious enough to ask in the first place, then why... ah. "No offence taken, Marlene-san. I brought up the topic, after all, so I should've expected that question." She forced a smile from her resting Neutral Face™️, trying to ensure that the other girl knew she was being genuine.

Her eyes, drawn by the noise as her pointed ears twitched, trailed down to Marlene's waist (the lowest she could see over the table) as she fidgeted in her chair. "I am working on changing that." Ah, so Marlene had chosen her as a case study on emotions? Poor choice. Analysing her own feelings and deep-rooted beliefs? A terrifying prospect. She was majoring in Heroics, not Philosophy! But, with a nod and a (subtle) determined expression, Hebi steeled herself. She'd do her best to answer the questions. First, her empathy. Did she have to cultivate it? "The empathy was always there, I think. I had to train myself to apply it to everyone. People I don't know. People I'll never meet. When you go through bad stuff growing up, it's easy to assume every stranger is trying to hurt you." Then, the second question. Harder, as empathy was a concept she could grasp and hold onto but raw emotion felt an awful lot less tactile. "Uhh... I think the anger is because I find innocent people getting hurt unjust. It shouldn't happen, but it does, so that makes me angry... The sadness might just be sympathy? I think? Pain, hurt, destruction. It's sad to see others experience that." She ponders the question for a little longer, but can find no better answer. "Sorry, I know hearing 'sympathy' when looking for an explanation of emotions is probably annoying. I dunno how else to explain it." She ran her hand along her tail behind her, the gesture (or texture) somewhat comforting.

[Marlene Lovechild]

Marlene listened to explanation with intent.

But the longer she listened, the more it felt as thought it was like the situation in which one had to explain colors to the blind. Using words for other emotions as points of reference that the machine did not have. Her shoulders went down, as though additional weight was pressed on them. And then, she would hear a metallic creak in her hand. Like something crumpling. It attracted the machine's attention, as she looked at the source of the sound.

It was her spoon. It was bent between fingers. Marlene did it without noticing. A tick in her motor reactions, no doubt. It occupied the machine briefly to straighten it back up, restoring it to a functioning condition. Before looking at Hebi, again. 

"I see. You trained yourself to apply your empathy to individuals other than the ones you know personally." - Marlene tried to re-formulate what she heard, in a way that she herself could understand and relate to. "... And you are upset that bad things are happening to these people, when they should not. Are you upset that the laws and regulations are being broken, then?"

Marlene could understand not liking it when rules are overlooked or disregarded. But at the same time, it was completely in the wrong direction. Going from the axis of good and evil, to that of law and chaos. The automaton did understand to some degree that it was the wrong direction to take. But trying to not take it in that direction felt like her mental gears were being twisted to spin in a direction perpendicular to the axes they were placed on. A small frown crossed her features. 

"Do you feel like you have a duty to protect those in need?"

She finally asked. The machine sounded a little bit hopeful. Duty was something she could feel. Sympathy... not so much.

[Makitori Hebi]

---

| Makitori Hebi | @winding.snake.nāga
UA, Tokyo, Japan. | Current Status: Does anyone else see a monster when they look in the mirror?
Now Playing: Mother Anarchy Loves Her Sons

---

Once again, Hebi found her attention fixated on every little movement and gesture that Marlene made. Her shoulders slouching formed a knot in the serpentine girl's heart. The lack of understanding, lack of ability to convey something as subjective as emotional responses or motivation objectively. She was failing, needed to do better. The spoon, bent between delicate fingers with force that did not match the amount (or, more appropriately, the lack) of apparent effort on her part. Was Marlene angry? Frustrated? Did she feel anything, right now? Did Hebi? It took her a moment to breath and ground herself, but yes. She was still feeling. Just as quickly, the spoon was flawlessly bent back into its original shape. Hebi was fully staring, with intensity that (if she was aware of it) she'd worry would creep anyone else out. Maybe not Marlene, though?
Enraptured with what she saw and heard, the conscious suppression of various habits was slipping. Rhythmic, her tail swayed much like a cat's before a pounce. Sensory, her tongue poked just slightly outside of her mouth, as if focused on some artistic task. Sleek, her posture was low, arms propped on the table fighting her urge to rest her head there.

Hebi, self-aware, shoved a large chunk of fish between her teeth. The savoury sensation of biting into (cooked) flesh was enough to distract her bestial mind from its coup attempt. No, we can't lose this one, she understands. When she'd cleared her mouth, she spoke to try and answer Marlene's questions. "Yeah, that's essentially it. You're understanding..." but, with the comment about laws, clearly Hebi hadn't been clear enough to be understood completely. She took a few seconds to consider that proposal. Well, she didn't much care for The Law itself, but didn't the Nāga have her own laws that she followed? A code, of what she thought was and was not just. Was and was not acceptable. When those laws were broken, that sure was one of her main motivators. "Laws in a sense, yeah... They're a little arbitrary, but so's the way common law is applied. They are my laws for what is 'good', and innocent people being hurt breaks them." She wondered if this was maybe a more productive way to re-frame her position to the other cold girl? Did she comprehend axioms and hard lines better?

Or maybe she didn't need to? Because there, again, was another thing Hebi could immediately connect with. Duty. This comment seemed to spark enough recognition/response that it was actually visible in her face and body language. Perked up, briefly. "Yes, without a doubt. More than anything else, my duty is to protect people." Maybe being so certain about such a self-sacrificing purpose in life wasn't the most healthy mindset for the young heroine, but at this point she was essentially incapable of viewing herself as more important than others. That was bound to happen, with her background. "...and you?" That quiet intensity shone through again, with a hope that peaked above the barrier of her monotone. If there was anything like the fire that lay behind Hebi's eyes reflected in the automaton's own, that would be validation in of itself.