"Do not worry. I was taught to treat my elders with respect."

Marlene was talking about the gun. Before taking it, though, she put on the ear and eye protection. Hardly needed any, she was built with durability in mind. But rules were rules, and the automaton was a very rule-abiding artificial girl. 'Even though they look tasteless...' - the machine thought to herself. Once that was done, she carefully picked up the weapon. There was a firmness to her hold, though, as she wanted not to drop it. The carefulness was not to apply too much force to the grip.

*CLICK!*

She did as she was told, pressed the lever on the left, and then pushed down the barrel of the gun. Once that happened, she would inspect the cilinder, to see if there were any bullets inside. If there were none, the weapon would be considered safe for everyone else. Marlene's attention was towards the release lever that her teacher was talking about. She seemed ... concerned. A brief emotion crossed her features. Something akin to what a mother would have on her face when a child tripped and sprained an ankle. 

"The release lever does not seem complicated to make. I could ask my mother if she could produce another one for you. She used to be a famous clocksmith. I am certain in her ability to create a spare part for your weapon, should the schematic and appropriate compensation for the effort be provided."

"You brought this on yourself."

Marlene responded to the commentary about questioning one's own judgment with a tone that could best be described as ... sass? It was hard to tell. Whatever it was, it was spoken with a perfect pokerface only a machine could provide. When he moved to the side, the girl observed all the various tools and instruments of destruction. The one intended for her was the smallest one, with the smallest cartridge. She caught the bullet tossed her in one uncannily fluid motion, and held it up to inspect it. Memorizing the size and shape of it, as well as how it felt in hand, before putting it back on the table.

When Mr. Browning asked her about the rules, her head turned to face him with an audible snap. Tilting to the side a little, akin to motions pidgeons make, when curious.

"Recollecting... First rule - always assume the weapons are loaded, unless proven otherwise. Do not look into the barrel of the gun to investigate. Second rule - do not point the weapon at anyone besides the intended victim. Third rule - do not keep the finger on the trigger when not firing. Fourth rule - ensure there are no unintended victims in the general vicinity behind the target."

After the automaton girl recited that, her eyes went back to look at the revolver presented to her. The one that shot the smallest caliber. 

"Could you tell me more about the round and the weapon?" - Marlene asked. Not touching the weapon, just yet. Waiting for permission, like a disciplined student would. Or an indecisive one. 

Marlene was a very punctual creature.

Having a built-in internal clock helped. So, when told to show up, she showed up. A bit earlier, even, in order to account for finding one's way around the place. She was as dainty as ever, though her typical black and white dress was replaced by the academy's PE uniform. Green and white colors, pants and a jacket on a zipper. She put it on without complaint, knowing that it was an appropriate thing to wear in such places. But there was something inside that offered a smidget of resistance. Was it ... dislike?

Maybe. For the uniforms here appeared tasteless. But her species doth protest too much. And so, when the time came, she approached her teacher, whom she spotted from afar, getting the stands and his personal corner ready. He seemed a bit busy, and so the automaton decided to do something uncharacteristic of her. Having recalled their past interactions, Marlene decided to build rapport by showing humor. Zenkai, whom she had a strange relationship with, convinced her of her sense of humor. Approaching from behind, from an angle he could not see, the automaton would announce her presence, by asking a very important question.

Her voice rang out, more metallic than usual.

"Where is Sarah Connor?"

"Yes."

Marlene answered the question about her being ambitious without skipping a beat. As they finished their first round around the skating ring, without her falling over or looking like an ice-chiseling machine, she turned around to face Zenkai, and reached up with both hands. Grabbing his collar again, in an attempt to pull him down to her level. What she ended up doing was pull herself up instead. It was not particularly hard to do. Not with those large hands supporting her rear. Not the softest or the lightest rear around, but still. 

"They have been laughing at my expense, doubting my aptitude as a student, and yours as a teacher. This cannot stand."

She looked into Zenkai's eyes, with a machine-like determination.

"We have to prove them wrong by me becoming superior in a much shorter amount of time. Show me another technique. I will copy it to the best of my ability."

With that, Marlene lowered herself back down, and let go of Zenkai's shirt. She'd make a lap around his tall frame, skating on her own. Simplistic and by no means a master, but the moves she made were exactly like Zenkai showed her. She stopped in front of him, and expectantly waited for him to show her more. 

"That is a distinct possibility, yes."

Marlene replied stoically, as she was being moved. It would have been very embarassing indeed, she imagined, with her body held in position, and those hands helping her move her legs in a way that kept the balance. They were probably big enough to wrap around her thighs and move her about like a doll of somekind. It certainly did embarass a few onlookers, bringing redness to their cheeks. The machine endured it, for the sake of better performance.

There was one thing automatons were good at, and it was in replicating motions that did not require deep intellectual or emotional context. After a few demonstrations, Marlene found the point of balance. After a few more, she started to move her skates along, in a way that could propel herself with more grace and fluidity than before. It would require practice still, but she could feel progress. She could feel herself succeeding, slowly, but surely. Something to show for the effort. 

It was ... a pleasant sensation. And she had Zen to thank for it. 

"I think I am starting to get a hang of it." - Marlene said, her hand going to grip against Zenkai's forearm for support. "Keep doing what it is that you do. I intend for us to be the best skating couple by the time we leave here."

An ambitious little automaton. Or maybe she just wanted to show the chuckling onlookers what's what, in time. 

The early bird gets the worm.

Or so the saying goes. Marlene was a very early bird. She did not need to sleep. Nor eat, much. Which gave her a lot more productive time than most people ever had. She was also a diligent student, who wished to start her internship as early as possible. Which was why she was making her way to Ouros Investigative and Hero Agency. The place had a good reputation, and was always looking for employees. 

The girl was dressed for the occasion. Her favorite (and only) black dress ironed out, her white shirt bleached to perfection. She had the smell of freshly ironed and washed clothes about herself, more so than perfume. In her hands there was a folder, which she carried with herself. Containing her details as a student, her CV, as short as it was, and a recommendation letter from the Academy, everything she needed to start. She was also given a few references to some of the active personnel within the organization. One she could be considered attached to.

It was an exciting thing, in a way. Another step towards becoming a proper hero. The original Marlene often dreamed of this... Probably. The automaton girl did not have her memories. But she had her mothers' recollections. The girl was chipper, kind, really wanted to help people. Her replacement was not chipper, and hardly kind, such words could not be used to describe her. But ... she wanted to succeed where the original had failed. It filled her servos with determination. So, with a very determined look on her face, Marlene marched towards the main office.

The organization's working hours were 9 AM to 7 PM. The boss was here at 6 AM. Marlene arrived at 7 AM. After an hour or so of being reviewed for internship, she was told to find a man by the name of Tobias Murakami. He had an office of his own, in the building. And so, until the working hours started, the girl sat in a chair next to his door. Her eyes, unblinking, watching the entrance to the corridor. She was told that the man was tall and imposing, she could not miss him. So, she waited. And waited. And waited.


Most people would get bored by now. To spend the time, Marlene fished out a small cosmetics mirror and looked at it. Most people used those for last-minute appearance preparations. She used it to practice smiling. This time, it was for polite, cordial smiles. Ones to wear at work. She did those the best. Because they did not have to be genuine. Eventually, the girl would hear steps going down the hall. She hid the mirror and stood up.

Was it the person she was looking for?