ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Jan 1, 2024 22:41:49 GMT
Marlene listened.
She was good at that, it involved her sitting tight and keeping her mouth shut. She also liked doing it, too. It allowed her to learn about people. Right now, she wanted to learn more about Mr. Finnegan. And he was kind enough to tell her something that sounded deeply personal. Was he just that kind of an outgoing person? Or was he trusting her with a secret, somehow? Whatever the reason was, Marlene felt that what he told her was very important, and something she should not be going about telling everyone.
'He is regretful.'
The automaton girl identified the emotion. Or at least, she thought he did. Analyzing the information made her suspect that her hairdresser was, in fact, a formal hero. Otherwise, he wouldn't be having these thoughts to keep him up at night. 'I would be much more suited for this kind of work...' - Marlene thought to herself. 'I would likely not feel anything at all...' - she added in her mind. But then her mind raced to figure out what to say, once an awkward pause appeared at the end of that heart-felt eye-to-eye. The girl knew she was supposed to say something uplifting. Her eyes moved a bit left to right, as if she were reading. She was trying to find a similar situation in the memory of books she wrote. No dice. This was the first time being treated this way.
'I want to make him feel better.'
Her chest rose and fell, as if she took a breath.
"In the Academy, we are told that, in the field, we operate on incomplete information." - she chose her words carefully. "It could lead to suboptimal results ... through no fault of the person taking action."
A roundabout way to say 'you're not to blame'. When the topic briefly changed towards the eyebags, Marlene blinked, as if realigning her mind to support a new conversation. It took her a second or two to consider the answer.
"I work nightshifts at a 7/11 store, in order to contribute to the family budget. It would explain the tired look." - she said, lifting her gaze, to meet the reflection of the taller man's eyes in the mirror.
"Are you a Hero, mr. Finnegan?"
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Jan 1, 2024 20:40:00 GMT
"Goodbye."
Marlene waved a little, her expression still the apathetic mask she has been wearing, as the villain she brought in was taken away. Though a faint shadow of a smile crossed her features, briefly. For anyone else, this would've been a great accomplishment. A first villain bagged and brought to justice. 'Maybe I should celebrate it too. This type of work is what mother created me for.' A sense of contentness washed over the automaton. She kind of liked this feeling.
Although when the police officer spoke, it did bring Marlene out of the brief stupor she found herself in. She turned her head, and her body soon followed, both facing him at the same time.
"I am feeling alright. The damage dealt was superficial." - she said, examining the cut on her hand. It looked like a stabbing wound alright, only no blood. The mechanisms underneath were too sturdy to be damaged by such an attack. The automaton was about to turn around and leave, when the officer offered tea, and to tell about what happened.
"Very well. I will stay for tea and tell you everything about what transpired. If you require my testimony in the court of law, do not hesitate to ask." - Marlene was very polite about the whole thing. While on their way inside the police station, she dared asking something:
"Is that girl a frequent visitor here?"
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Dec 20, 2023 22:24:03 GMT
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 20, 2023 22:24:03 GMT
"You are going to waste time being in jail."
Marlene replied to the girl's arguments with dispassionate honesty. She was not tired at all, to hammer simple truths into this girl, despite her wiggling and kicking, and accusations of cheating, and silly threats. The automaton girl simply waited for police to show up, to apprehend the criminal she brought to their doorstep. Swerving her head to face them, Marlene spoke out:
"My name is Marlene Lovechild. This girl attempted to rob a 7/11 shop that I work at, and assaulted me with a knife. Security cameras have recorded the incident. I have brought the criminal to you for processing."
Once the Mummy was handcuffed, she would hand her over to the officers. What happened to the girl after ... Marlene did not really know, or care. She could only hope to have talked some sense into this criminal, and maybe set her on a path of righteousness, as unlikely as it was. Meeting the girl's gaze again with her glassy, unblinking eyes, Marlene reached out and patted the girl on the shoulder. Her hand felt rigid and cold - something the girl was already acquainted with, while the automaton carried her by her neck.
"If you wish to find me again, I work at 7/11, Monday to Friday, 11 PM to 7 AM. I hope that you will visit me as a law-abiding customer, next time."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Dec 13, 2023 21:33:24 GMT
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 13, 2023 21:33:24 GMT
"Very well. I will be looking forward to meeting you tomorrow, then."
With her new acquaintance Jun packing, there did not seem to be any reason to delay. Taking the mop, Marlene quickly finished the job, deftly swiping the floors over where the girl has fallen, then where she was standing, under and between her feet. It wasn't really necessary, but the automaton was completionist like that.
"You do not need to help me. I was almost done. There is too little work here for two people."
She tilted her head, looking at Jun again. Pulling out a pencil and a piece of paper from her bag, Marlene wrote her name on it, as well as her telephone and messenger tag, before passing it to Jun. It was written in perfect cursive, as if Microsoft Word itself blessed the pencil, and the hand that wielded it.
"These are my contacts, should you need to find me. I will make a window for us to meet at 16:00. I will be waiting for you at the library. In the meanwhile, I will familiarize myself more with this game you introduce me to. In time, I am certain I will become Battlemace 80k."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Dec 13, 2023 12:22:55 GMT
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 13, 2023 12:22:55 GMT
"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.
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 13, 2023 0:31:16 GMT
The wave of excitement and enthusiasm came and went, and Marlene slowly settled back into her collected and controlled ways of behavior. She looked at Jun again, who was likely flabbergasted by the display of emotion. 'I think I am supposed to feel embarrassed, right now.' - Marlene thought. But she did not. Instead, reverting to her standard patterns of behavior, as if nothing happened.
"I will be willing to meet you tomorrow, to discuss more. However, I will not have my army crafted at that time."
She was fully intent on doing it with her hands. Marlene had the ability, and the technology to do it, too. Already having ideas on how she would craft her perfect metal soldiers. Still, some stuff had to be discussed before the automaton girl would commit to this sudden and new hobby she was about to adopt.
"I will make a prototype for you to see, though."
The machine made a few promises. After that, another pause hung in the air, as Marlene had nothing to say, and the girl she was talking to had nothing to answer. They probably stood like that for a little while, before the automaton girl broke the silence again.
"Thank you... for offering to spend time with me. You are very kind."
Few people were, to Marlene. So she was appreciative. Of anyone she could attempt to make into a friend. 'This one appears to be friend-shaped.' - the machine thought to herself. 'Or maybe her social standards are so low she would interact with anyone... Even me.'
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 13, 2023 0:06:32 GMT
"It is my job. I do not particularly like or dislike it."
It was true. Marlene did not work in 7/11 because she enjoyed the solitude and putting products on shelves. It was simply a job that the business owner was willing to hire her for, which fit her schedule. It was complicated enough to find work, either way. The memories of a robot uprising in Shibuya were still fresh. Few were ready to trust the likes of her to do anything, and not turn Machine Overlord when one least expects them.
She kept listening to the girl's reasonings and ideas, as she carried her, walking slowly down the walk lane. It wasn't too difficult for anyone who lived here to recognize where they were going. There was a police station nearby. Which was one of the very few places still open at this ungodly hour. 'She is very eager on killing people to get her way.' - Marlene thought to herself. Such eagerness were puzzling, coming from someone who did not appear to be particularly apt in combat. This Rui person hardly put up a fight!
"I did not grow up with a lot of money. Most of my earnings are my own." - the automaton girl reminisced. "If you were to earn money, you would not need to come to the shop and attempt to rob it. You could purchase items you need, instead."
Marlene sounded like a mother explaining elementary things, to a child. Systematically disassembling the motivations this girl seemed to have.
"Do you wish to rule the world?" - she tilted her head. "World governance is difficult, I would imagine. It requires many skills and connections. What qualities do you possess that would make you effective at that?" - Marlene was curious to hear the response. Soon enough, though, they were walking along the fence that surrounded the local police department. It was then when the girl she captured pleaded to let her go.
"I do not want to let you go. Nor have I intended to teach you a lesson. I have brought you to a place where other people will take care of you, so I could return to work."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Dec 12, 2023 20:58:55 GMT
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 12, 2023 20:58:55 GMT
"I see. I do not know what warmth is like, but I will pretend that I do."
There were many things Marlene did not know or experience. Like how food tastes, for example. It made her curious about how exactly that felt like. If only there was someone who could transfer feelings as well as memories into her, perhaps then the automaton would not be so clueless. But until then, all she had to do was endure. And do her best, in hopes of getting it right, sometime. The story of Cinderella was something she could not really relate to. After all, there was no magical being out there who could turn Marlene into a real girl. There was only this man, assisting her with the elaborate ruse she called life.
"I do not think fairy godmothers exist, mr. Finnegan." - Marlene said, before looking at herself in the mirror. With the blushes on, she really did appear more life-like. More like the person on the picture. Which was ... progress. Something the automaton girl had not seen in a long while. "But you appear to be the next best thing." - she complimented his work so far.
Ever the perfectionist, though, her make-up artist immediately spotted some issues with his own work. The eyes appeared to be tired and cold, when compared to the otherwise flourishing cheeks. When Enda mentioned him having the same bags under his eyes, Marlene looked at the reflection in the mirror. Indeed, he did have some. How strange this strangeness.
"I do not sleep. Having bags under my eyes would be strange, yes. But is being tired not a human thing? Maybe if those are kept... I'd appear more human. It could also invite conversation..." - Marlene was seriously considering keeping those. While she did, her blink-less gaze kept focused on the tall man's face. Even though one could barely see it with how tall he was.
"Why do you have them, mr. Finnegan? What is keeping you up at night?"
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 7, 2023 0:26:42 GMT
Marlene's eyes widened a little bit, at those last few lines about the Necron faction.
Machines on a quest to find a soul. That felt... poignantly familiar. Something Marlene really could relate to. She knew it in her being. Mother wanted to implant a soul into her. But all she could do was to reanimate a mechanical body with a tremendous amount of quirk energy channeled inside. If she had a soul... If her daughter's soul was inside... her goal would have been achieved. Her purpose accomplished without even trying. Marlene's fists clenched together.
"Very well. I have made my decision." - she said, giving the book back to Jun, after having read it. "I will form an army of Necrons, and I will lead them on a crusade to obtain souls." - the machine girl sounded oddly determined. "And those who stand in our way shall fall beneath our metal feet." - she sounded ... inspired now. As if speaking to the miniature army on the table and giving them a rousing speech, rather than just thinking out loud or talking to Jun. She soon remembered of the human's presence, and turned her head briskly towards her, the rest of the body following soon.
"Thank you for introducing me to this hobby. I think I would like to engage with it more. When shall we meet again? I would make an army of my own to be tested out in the field of battle."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 6, 2023 23:36:04 GMT
"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."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 4, 2023 22:07:31 GMT
Marlene listened to Jun explaining how she viewed sleep.
It really did sound so mundane and purposeful, when one thought it like that. A recharge, nothing more. Something humans often found to be an inconvenience, especially when it took a good third of the day. She could see how that would be inconvenient too, having to sleep like that would mean that her nightly job at 7-11 would be quite impossible. And yet...
"I was interested in having a dream." - Marlene explained, while turning another page. "Sometimes, I go into the school cafeteria and pretend to have meals with others. I do not know how the food tastes."
They continued to talk about the game. Jun explained that the nice toaster people were called the Adeptus Mechanicus, and how their adoration of technology led to borderline obsession. How they removed bits and pieces of their humanity, in order to become closer to what Marlene was. She found it ironic that she, in turn, wanted to obtain things that they so willfully gave away. Dismissing the very purpose the automaton was built for as undesirable. A small frown crossed Marlene's face. She turned the page.
"It does seem like every faction in scum in one way or another. Is it written like that to make them easier to kill without remorse?"
Marlene knew most people were averse to violence. This Jun girl seemed like that type. Not at all a firm and imposing hero-like figure meant to pummel villains into submission. Which made her infatuation with such a violent universe all the strange, in the automaton's mind. The next page was about the Necrons, for her to read.
"So... why does my kind wish to destroy the Galaxy, in this universe?"
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 4, 2023 1:38:45 GMT
"I estimate you would have 8 extra hours a day on average to dedicate to watching anime, performing schoolwork, and other pursuits."
Marlene read the book and memorized the contents of its pages. But she was also learning more about her new friend. Could she call her that? Or was it too early? It seemed like the people that the automaton interacted with easiest all were ... strange, somehow. Rarely were they the socialites or models of confidence. Like the snake girl she met in the cafeteria the other day, Jun seemed to be rather ... outcast. Was that why she was painting miniatures all by herself after school?
"Sometimes I am curious what sleeping is like." - Marlene said, mid-reading. "I lie on a couch, close my eyes, and wait. Nothing ever happens."
There was a little bit of disappointment, at the end of that note.
She turned another page, to open a chapter about strange people who infused themselves with mechanisms, wore red robes, and carried staves in the shape of cogwheels and giant wrenches.
"The red-robed priests sound interesting. Their dedicated chapter says they are kind to machines, and praise them often. That sounds ... nice." - Marlene said thoughtfully, as she read more about their faction. Such strange humans. So willingly relinquishing bits and pieces of their humanity. She wondered what these people would think of her. Her mission was opposite to theirs. The automaton's peripheral vision then caught Jun slumping, briefly.
"You appear to be exhausted." - Marlene said, lifting her eyes from the book. "If you fall asleep during painting again, you might damage your miniatures." - she said, shifting her eyes towards the rows of unpainted gray soldiers. "You would not want to harm them like that. They trust you."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 4, 2023 0:54:26 GMT
Glorious success!
It seemed like the vector of Marlene's approach was the correct one. This human girl, Jun, seemed absolutely elated about her request. 'She must be a very lonely person.' - the machine thought, astutely. Surely, if they were to spend more time together playing this game, they could become friends. Mother would be proud. It is what she would have wanted her daughter to do. And besides ... there was something about the game, and its contradictory and nonsense-like story. Humans often did not make sense. Maybe making sense of this Battlemace game would help Marlene make sense of the people around her.
Or maybe she did want to conquer the galaxy after all, at least in a tabletop. Who knows?
Her head tilted a bit, as she looked at the book presented to her. It did not seem too big. Not when compared to what Marlene was usually reading.
"Do not worry. I have the time to read it, since I do not need to sleep. I also have a very good memory. One read-through should be enough."
Should she be given the book, Marlene would pull herself a chair. She sat down, very carefully her back straight, and some of her weight still on the feet she had on the floor. And yet, the chair creaked under her a little, still. Nestled into it, the automaton would open the book, and read the first page. Most robots would probably skim through it in less than a second. Marlene did not hurry. She read at a reasonable speed, but not an unnatural one. Turning pages and following lines with her eyes, like a human would.
"I am expected to pick a side in this conflict." - she said, not distracting herself from reading. "Which faction would you recommend?"
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 4, 2023 0:18:15 GMT
Marlene held the stare.
She was used to people staring at her, especially after she confirmed their suspicions about her nature. There were always suspicions. And the machine took a small bit of pride in that they felt the need to confirm it, rather than just assuming outright. It meant ... that she was doing well. And, bit by bit, it took them longer to notice. 'It did take me months to tune the strings of my vocal chords to sound very close to a human voice.'
Meeting Jun's stare with her own, Marlene mimicked a smile.
"Do not worry. I do not intend to conquer the world at this time."
That was a joke. A way to ease tension. It worked on her gun teacher and her makeup specialist. Marlene wondered if it would work with this girl. She took a step forward, head tilted up to look at her. Finding all kinds of worry on the other's face. She made another step forward, and another. Until she stood right in front of the girl. Carefully, she would hold out the gray skeleton mini, returning it to her.
"I would like to be taught the principles of this game. Humans such as yourself appear to enjoy spending time together engaged in these activities. It seems like a good way to..." - Marlene trailed off, her eyes briefly shifting towards the army on the table, the brushes, the paints. The look on the machine's face seemed a bit wistful, before refocusing on Jun.
"... to make friends."
|
|
ALIAS
Automata
OCCUPATION
7/11 Employee
EVENT TOKENS
0
QUIRK
Ghost in the Machine
Archived
|
Post by Marlene Lovechild on Dec 3, 2023 17:36:05 GMT
"You are very strange."
Marlene kept walking. But... when Rui started talking about rules and being free, she stopped.
Was the talkative little criminal getting to her? Was she considering the rightfulness of her words and the intrinsic virtue of freedom, even if that freedom allowed people like her to be as good or as terrible as one was? No, that was not it. They were at a crosswalk. The traffic light for the pedestrians was glowing red. Despite the fact that there were no cars passing by, Marlene waited till the light went green, and then continued her journey, carrying Rui in hand.
"What is this 'top' you speak of?" - the automaton girl asked, curiously. "Is it important? Why do you wish to reach it so badly, despite the likelihood of personal harm coming your way?" - she asked. It was ... difficult to understand. There seemed little to no logic in her captive's actions. Which only made Marlene feel like she could understand humans less and less. Then again, this was a very unusual human. Not like the others. Much more ... irrational.
"Is it the reason why you came to my shop tonight and threatened me with a knife?" - she continued her train of thought. "What was the outcome you were trying to achieve? Was it a part of a plan of some kind?"
She seemed genuine in her questions.
|
|
