2019-11-15: Onboarding
- Log: 2019-11-16 Onboarding
- Cast: Marivel Armitage, Tio, Dash Caskett
- Where: Meria City - Central Commercial District
- Date: November 15, 2019
- Summary: Marivel Armitage officially invites Dash Caskett to join ARMS, and introduces one robot to another.
=================<* Meria City - Central Commercial District *>================= Maybe the heart of Meria City, the commercial district around the main castle is vibrant and lively indeed. Surrounded by a high fortress wall, perhaps a relic of a more warlike history, it contains inns, fine shops of various goods, cafes and restaurants, and includes even a Crest Sorcerer's laboratory and an official ARMs meister to the castle--both of whom work for passing civilians too, time permitting. While there are many popular destinations here, perhaps the most beloved feature of the Castle Town is not the ancient fountain at its center but the Irington bakery near the fortress walls, noted for fine staples but also delicious baked sweets. The long-standing family ownership of many of these shops and relatively low population relative to the rest of the city makes this section of the city almost a small-town feel in such an urban center, though this can mean a few troubles persist when some might imagine the nobility should have fixed them by now... like a certain notable hole in a particular inn's roof that never seems to stay fixed as local kids and some adults run about the tops of buildings here. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2d8U-CO9E
<Pose Tracker> Marivel Armitage has posed.
Marivel Armitage sends a message to Dash through the Memory Cube to meet up with her in the manor. Presuming his willingness to accept such an invitation, he is eventually escorted by a pair of women towards an open guest room and they quickly leave him behind right then and there.
Inside the guest room is a Tio. There is also a Marivel who has been chatting up Tio for the past while. It was just her attempts at 'small talk' but odds are the 'small talk' was an avenue to get an idea of Tio's personhood, a judgement and objective she ultimately doesn't confirm or deny.
When Dash arrives, Marivel turns and smiles at him, fangly. "Oh hey." She says. "I guess they took you here because I've been busy busy busy. How have you been, Dash." She glances to Tio. "Tio, you remember Dash yes?"
She gestures for Dash to come on in. "Come in, come in. I wanted to talk to you a bit, if that's alright."
Does she have reason to invite Dash at the same time as she's wth Tio? Perhaps. Or it could just be coincidence.
<Pose Tracker> Tio has posed.
The concept of 'having her own room' seems somewhat alien to Tio, and she has not done much with it. She has lain on top of the bed, but she seems kind of at a loose end. So when Marivel came askjing questions, she seemed happy to oblige.
She has not proven to be good at small talk- comments about the weather eliciting a rote delivery of the current temperature, and possible extrapolations about the future weather conditions. Sense of self seems to be a hard one for her. In many ways, she seems like someone who came into existence when she woke up. Little sense of history, and lacking a lot of context for the world.
Still, she turns when Dash enters and nods to him. "Yes. Dash said he was like Sister and I. Are you also an automaton?" The question lacks any tact, but isn't coming from a mean spirited place. A curious one, certainly. She just doesn't know what is and isn't appropriate to ask.
<Pose Tracker> Dash Caskett has posed.
It seemed odd to longer around ARMS HQ so long. But Barrell had business here still. Must be something important to discuss! Though Dash is getting itchy feet. Can robot feet itch? A question that may never be answered...
Dash is inside the flutter, in Roll's workshop. There are many an advanced Tool in this room, most of which Dash isn't allowed to touch. But he actually has a small shelf to himself and a few tools. He is currently trying to make... something??? It looks like a large super-soaker. It also doesn't took too well built. "Nngh... How does she do it?"
But something gets his attention suddenly.
---
"Uhh, where is-- wait!" The young man says, as he is suddenly left in one of the HQ's many rooms. He still does not wear his armor, only boasting a shirt, jeans, and heavy work boots. "That was... weird."
A turn to view the room finds... "Oh hey!" he says, waving toward Tio and Marivel. "I am doing okay! I am uh, trying to make a weapon attachment because Roll made a dare with me that I couldn't. So while Professor Barrell is busy, I have been doing that!"
"Of course!" he says, heading over to hang with them. A look over to Tio. "Heeey! How have you been adjusting?" he asks kindly. "Oh! Yes I am. I just don't have my armor on me." He always found it odd his armaments didn't come attached or built in. Also how he acts compared to other similar units.
"What did ya need from me?"
<Pose Tracker> Marivel Armitage has posed.
Marivel took Tio's lack of experience pretty well with such matters. It's not like it was unexpected but perhaps Marivel feels a bit guilty over nearly murdering this adorable creature. But that's actually pretty unlikely. Marivel knows what she is, she surrounds herself with kind hearts so she doesn't become too willing to indulge that reality.
Her eyes widen when Dash just admits he is an 'automaton' as well. "Mm. There are many different classifications of AI structures. Regardless, if you're admitting that, Dash, then I suppose my initial thoughts regarding your nature were accurate."
She seems briefly disquieted before shaking her head. "Regardless, Dash. You have been a tremendous help. I was wondering if you wished to offer your team's services in a more clear cut manner--at the very least, I wouldn't have to jump through as many hoops when inviting you to the Chateau. I will not force you, of course! But I thought I should offer you the choice. I know digger teams care deeply about their freedoms' but the fact of the matter is, we could use your help." She glances to Tio then before turning to face her.
She does not make the same offer to Tio for a multitude of reasons. Tio is not ready to 'choose' something like this until after she has chosen some other things but that's ok. She can be a special case.
"Tio, this is unrelated but... you do not remember how you know Kamui--your sister--, is that correct?"
<Pose Tracker> Tio has posed.
Tio seems to accept Dash's explanation, and nods. Dash seems to know what he is, aned that's good enough for the tiny automaton. For her part, if Tio has any ill will towards Marivel, she certainly hasn't shown it- and is perhaps not a good enough liar to hide it. She also does not seem to be perturbed in the slightest that she isn't being given a choice, she merely listens as Marivel offers it.
Tio shakes her head in response to Marivel's question. "I do not." She looks down, and some hint of an expression of sadness crosses her face. "Sister is designated in my systems as sister. But I do not know why." She pauses. "But still... she is my sister." She seems to state that like some fact that is concrete and immovable. One of the few things she could latch on to now. And latch on she does.
After a moment, a question comes from Tio. "Should you not also ask Dash's Master?" Oh dear, she's latched onto the wrong thing again.
<Pose Tracker> Dash Caskett has posed.
Marivel was turning out to be one of those figures that knows much more than she lets on. Jsut this time it turned out to be an actual good person. How many stories has Barrell told him of people who knew too much and used it for wrong. "I honestly don't know much besides that about myself. Barrell hasn't told me where exactly I came from, for a reason he said he would say when I was older, but it can't be much different than the others. All I know is I came from Nino Island."
And then for something totally different.
"A... Invitation?" he says. He gently raises a hand up to hold his chin. "I have always had a desire to Dig, since I was little." (?????) "But ARMS really helped me out too when I was un a place I didn't know, and I know my weapons can do a lot of damage, if needed to."
He raises a finger to the sky. "I accept! You folks seem like a trustworthy group. And are cool to hang around. Ill check with the family just to be safe, but I am pretty sure Professor Barrell is on board. Roll too, in fact."
Huh! So it seems Tio knows Kamui somehow! Was it the sister comment in the lab? But she would know why then. Hum. The past is so Muisterious...
"U-Uh!" Dash takes a step back for a moment before realizing she didn't mean anything by it. "Oh! I uh, don't have a Master. I mean, does Barrell count?" he asks, shrugging and looking toward Marivel? "He is more like a father figure. And thank the stars Roll isn't, shes wonderful but I feel like I would just be an assistant stuck in her workshop."
"Speaking of, have you and Eleanor been getting along well?"
<Pose Tracker> Marivel Armitage has posed.
The past is pretty muisterious.
Marivel supposes she ought to not dwell too much on the fact that Tio is less a name and more a model type, particularly since Tio is possibly the last 'Tio unit' around. Marivel briefly considers naming herself Noble Crismson or something and shudders.
She blinks a bit. That was easy. "Well, yes, I completely understand if there are familial concerns. Amy will get you an empathite radio once you take your leave today."
"You are an adult, as far as I am concerned you can make your own decisions, but I am not seeking to cause conflict within your family, obviously."
She glances to Tio. She considers this. Designated in her system. That's not the same thing as 'memory loss'.
"Well, I can't really say for sure myself. Unfortunately, Kamui and I were seperated a great deal during that time." She gestures with one hand. "But I suppose if Kamui had a strong reparte with your unit, then it may have been adopted as a general update to your designation logic."
She pauses and then grins, "Hey don't worry, I'm not trying to dispute that. I for one know what 'found family' is all about. If you and she see each other as sisters, that is enough for me."
<Pose Tracker> Tio has posed.
Tio blinks, and nods as Dash explains himself. "Understood. Dash is a masterless automaton." That seems to be a hard phrase for her to get around her head. She has a Master, Kamui has a Master, why would Dash lack one?
Fortunately, a question has been asked that gets her out of her loop. "Master has not given me further orders." She says, almost a little sadly. "I am still unable to interpret her first order. I do not know 'what I want'." That sounds like a cause of turmoil for her, but she continues on. "However, I have been told that Master and I are going to a festival." She pauses again. "I do not know what it is that Master will be celebrating."
Tio listens as Marivel speaks of having been seperated. She tries once again to process the information in her memory banks, but nothing comes up. Just the knowledge that Kamui is Sister. "May I ask a question?" She seems slow in asking it. "Sister seemed distressed when she hugged me. Did I do something to cause her distress?" The automaton's eyes look down, as if she feels guilty. Had she done something wrong?
<Pose Tracker> Dash Caskett has posed.
"I don't see why they would be against it! Just formalities." A thought occurs o nthe radio mention. "We might already have one? I'm not sure. Roll uses some kind of tech to talk to me when deep underground in ruins. Is that Empathite?" He is honestly not sure.
"Gosh I wonder what it was like back then," Dash muses as the other two talk.
"I suppose I am, Tio!" he says. "I am my own master! Kinda, I guess."
"Yeah, that is a difficult one to explain. Uhhh, how could I put it? I guess the best bet is like... think about if you were your own master, and think about wwhat you would command yourself to do?" He rubs his wild hair with a hand. "Ah, I guess that's a bad explanation..."
The topic of Kamui comes up, and he can only imagine it is related to her memory loss. Seeing Tio unable to recall things, or show emotion may have gotten to her. It is difficult to tell. "Indeed! it is all about who you know."
<Pose Tracker> Marivel Armitage has posed.
To Marivel it seems that Tio is learning very quickly. Yes, 'masterless automaton' sounds strange to Tio, but she is able to utter the words without her brain melting. It's something. When she first met Tio, Marivel doubts she knew what the concept was at all!
"Well, if t'were easy..." Marivel says, "Then why bother with orders?" She seems bemused but shakes her head quickly and adds, "Sometimes it takes a long time to figure out what you want. Some people go their entire lives without really knowing, though they often get some idea or another in the process."
She grins, then. "I suppose it will be a surprise."
But Tio has further questions. Marivel nods once her consent and Tio asks something that even Marivel might have trouble answering.
She lowers her head, frowning in concern. "To be honest, Tio... I have some idea, but it's an incomplete picture. I will say this, though--the distress is not your fault, at least not directly. Sometimes you can be so happy to see someone it moves you to tears, sometimes in spite of being happy to see someone...it can dredge up unpleasant memories. The question is not whether or not you did something to distress her, but what happy memories you can provide so the painful memories' hold over her are not quite as strong."
She smiles sadly at Tio. "I believe she is very happy you are here, Tio, and happy to have her 'sister' back, but she has lived a long life and fought many battles. She has something within her calleed 'The Suffering Circuit'. It allows her to suffer and with being able to suffer, is able to live with empathy. Another word for a 'Suffering Circuit' would be 'The Heart' and it's something very important to have, and very difficult."
She looks to Dash but seems more comfortable with leaving the matter of 'robot self actualization' to people who actually know what it's like to go through robot self actualization. "Could be," she admits to Dash. "But I doubt it. She is likely using a normal radio. Empathite is a bit different. It's standard issue for ARMS agents."
R
<Pose Tracker> Tio has posed.
Tio is still somewhat blank at Dash's explanation. It hits up against some fundamental wall in her thinking. "What I would command myself to do?" But what would that even be? She shakes her head. "I do not understand." That seems to be one of her catchphrases at the moment.
The distress is not her fault, but that doesn't seem to absolve Tio of her thoughts. How does she even create 'happy memories'? She seems thoughtful as she listens to every thing Marivel says. "Sister was made... to suffer? Why?" That is a whole other heavy question. The comments of a heart being both very important and very difficult confuse her. Can she even understand it, as she claims, she doesn't have one? She looks down again, and thinks. She is silent, for now.
<Pose Tracker> Dash Caskett has posed.
Marivel is right. It may be difficult trying to explain to Tio what free will is like. It may be up to her Master to explain it. Or something she will have to find for herself.
He listens thoughtfully to Marivel, trying to help explain things to Tio. How difficult this must be to understand. Why is he able to understand, but they cannot? "She definitely enjoys herself here, or so I hear! She talks about it fondly." A pause. "I hope you will too!"
"Oh, I see!" he says toward Marivel. "Then it will definitely help! Thank you. If you ever have a need for someone to delve in the ruins in Aquvy, you won't have a better aspiring team with you!"
"Ah..." Yeah, couldn't be that simple. "That would be something to figure out in your travels!" A thought to the Suffering Circuit. "I think that is just what it was named? I could be wrong, but that is what it sounds like."
Hopefully it wasn't made for her to suffer... Kamui made it sound like a breakthrough invention!
<Pose Tracker> Marivel Armitage has posed.
"Well, if you don't understand it right away, that's fine!" Marivel promises Tio. "Plenty of people don't understand. I had to learn it too and it took me a long time." She smiles. "That goes for both the matter of your 'commands' and the matter of your heart."
She can already tell Tio has one. It's just young. It will grow in time which means that this conversation--and bringing her meeting with Dash here--turned out to be a good idea. She can feel comfortable working with Tio now instead of worrying that some ancient programming might seize control of her identity.
For better or worse, Tio is free. What she will do when she realizes what that means is not for Marivel to decide.
"I think that's enough for one meeting, at least on my part, and I should get back to work. Feel free to move about the manor, Tio. The restricted areas should be clear enough--and, ah, Dash?"
She winks at him. "If you wish to stick around a bit longer to be with Tio a bit longer, feel free. I'm sure she has more questions for you."
She dips her head once more before making her way out the room.