(no subject)

[devoutish]

[Robots? Robots.]

Comments

[bywolves]

[ Its eyes go distant for a moment as it searches for the part, comparing prices and deals in a matter of moments. The LED goes yellow for a moment, and then bright blue as the android looks at Alfie again.

It lists off a few quotes for prices, and then: ] I can order one now, easily enough.

[devoutish]

Go on, then. Shall we patch you up a bit in the meantime? I suppose it doesn't hurt, does it.

[bywolves]

No, it won't hurt. It's a temporary solution for a temporary problem.

If you have a blowtorch, I can use that. Or I can use superglue, whichever is more immediately available.

[devoutish]

I haven't got a blowtorch, no.

[A blowtorch in the living room sounds like a bad idea, anyway.]

If you glue it up, will it make it harder to change the part out when it comes?

[bywolves]

It shouldn't. [ The bot turns to go root through Alfie's kitchen, then, to see if it can find glue somewhere. ]

[devoutish]

[It's in one of the kitchen drawers, and shouldn't be hard to find. Everybody has a junk drawer; Alfie has about ten of them.]

Shall I do it, or will you--?

[bywolves]

[ That's what the droid figured. When it finds it, it actually peeks back out into the living room. Gwen is settled on its shoulder, back in her proper place. ]

If you want to, you can. I'm capable of doing it on my own.

[devoutish]

Mm. You can do it on your own, then.

[He turns back to his papers.]

Tomorrow I'll be going into the office. You can come with me, if you like. if the part comes in overnight, we can stop at the shipping office on the way.

[bywolves]

[ Huh. That works. It goes ahead and orders the part overnight, then. It's a bit of an extra cost, but it doesn't seem like Alfie cares very much. Carefully, the bot sits down and starts to glue the crack back together. ]

It will be here tomorrow at noon. I will accompany you.

[devoutish]

What will you do until then?

[bywolves]

Clean your apartment. Research recipes for dinner.

[devoutish]

Let's try some meat. Eh? I'd like to see what you think of meat.

[bywolves]

Okay. [ It doesn't bother arguing, this time. Easier just to do it.

It'll make rice with beef strips that it sears on the stovetop, a while later - plus some assorted veggies, in an attempt to get Alfie to eat better. ]

[devoutish]

[And he eats it all! More meat than veggies, but even so.

The next morning, he gets up early - a little after six - and gets ready for work. When he's at the front door, putting on his coat to get ready to leave, he hesitates.]

You don't need a coat and scarf, do you?

[bywolves]

[ The bot has changed into fresh clothes, and is waiting for Alfie when he gets to the front door. ]

No, I don't get cold. [ It says pleasantly. It's ready to go, having tucked Gwen in on the couch and set up everything for dinner later. ] I'm ready when you are.

[devoutish]

[He goes for the door, opening it, and then hesitates again.]

Don't treat me like I'm a master and you're a servant in public, eh?

[It's already bad enough in private.]

[bywolves]

[ A beat. ]

Noted. [ It says, lifting an eyebrow. ] How would you like me to act?

[devoutish]

What do you imagine I'm gonna say?

[He holds the door open for Royce behind him, pulling his scarf more securely around his neck.]

[bywolves]

[ The bot follows Alfie out, not seeming to be affected by the wind. ]

I don't imagine. That's why I asked.

oh my god pretend i didn't call him Royce in the last tag

[devoutish]

You're fucking ridiculous.

[He grumbles, turning down the street towards the main road. It's a busy, bustling day, despite the chill in the air.]

Right, my office is a short walk away. I don't take the car, normally.

pretends

[bywolves]

It's better for you to walk, anyway. [ The bot says, glancing at him. ] Healthier.

[ Look, it might get grouchy about the whole lack of orders thing but it has a responsibility program in which it needs to just like, make sure its owner doesn't die of a heart attack or something. ] Is there anything you'd like me to assist you with once we arrive?

AND THEN I FUCKING DID IT AGAIN i have WTL verse on the brain i'm sorry

[devoutish]

Nope. In fact, I'm gonna have you wait outside my office. You can hang around the public areas, or go back to the flat once we've picked up your parts, or--

[Suddenly, a large rock flies out of seemingly nowhere, hitting the bot smack on the back of its head.]

LMAO it's fine don't worry

[bywolves]

[ Ow. Or - well, it doesn't exactly hurt, but it is startling and it does make a big flashing error sign go crazy for a second in its head. It stumbles, and then rests a hand where the rock hit it, looking confused.

It shifts to stand in front of Alfie, trying to figure out where the rock came from. ]

[devoutish]

[There's a group of smug-looking twenty-somethings milling around about twenty feet away, trying to look casual and innocent and not doing a very good job of it. The fact that one of them is wearing a sweatshirt with EARTH FOR HUMANS emblazoned across the front doesn't do them any favors, either.

As soon as he spots them, Alfie makes a beeline for them. A series of oh, shit looks cross the dudes' faces; clearly being caught and confronted wasn't a part of their plans today. Thinking quickly, Mr. Earth for Humans decides to muddy the water by gesturing wildly to the bot and calling out:]

Hey! I just saw that bot's light turn red! It's malfunctioning!

[In this city's political and social climate, nothing riles up a crowd more than a malfunctioning, potentially dangerous bot.]

[bywolves]

[ Hoo, boy. The second the guy starts shouting about malfunctioning robots, it gets a lot of attention. The bot is holding the side of its head and looking confused, and that is just enough for a couple of people to start hurrying away. Another man, someone not with the group of smug twenty-somethings, makes his way forward and grabs the android by the arm, wrenching it back. There's an audible crack as the superglued wrist joint snaps out of place.

The man with the bot in a vice grip scowls, trying to get a look at the bot's LED light as the bot just limply stands there, not doing anything to defend itself. The twenty-somethings all holler in Alfie's direction, causing a scene as everybody turns to look. ]