Comms NPC Side Story (Comms) Turn of the New Day

[Ash Vargold]

Ash glanced at Ordnung. He'd read some Things about the man.

"...I don't think that man is a good role model."

(...why was he giving advice to an NPC, anyway?)​

That was the last Ash could get out before "Accelerator" was swarmed by the others. He found himself backing off, glad he wasn't today's target. He instead turned an ear towards MAI and Nin, hoping to hear a little more himself.

 

[Pandora*]

Nin
Mathematician

"Request - Would the MIT and/or Nin directly be willing to share any and all data gathered about the Keychild? This unit is heavily invested in her development and future."

Nin raised a brow and made one of her usual snobby looks. She wanted to leave but now she was being intercepted by this magia! Although... it was good that this one showed interest in more than child's play.

"A fraction is permissible."

Nin checked her notes and seemed confused for a moment. Then with a nod she continued.

"She is a odd digit clearly, however we don't yet know by how great of a magnitude. *Ahem*, what I mean is that she has a growth rate greater than any race we've studied so far. Her physical makeup is also..."

Nin's eyes glanced to the side and didn't shift back as she continued.

"From the stories of the Starcalled world. I hear that human beings see the fusion of man and machine as a evolution of their kind. Here we have a magia child, with a high reduction of mechanical features. It also tells us how little we know about the magia in total."

Nin's ears jittered in her hair and she immediately pushed down on her hat with a huff.

"The MIT will release additional data when we are able. Have a positive day. Excelsior."

Nin would move on.

@MAI @Ash Vargold ​

 

[Chako]

More confusing stuff was being said and... While Chako was mostly focused on making Emmie smile, "Who is the most adorable baby out there? Who is the most adorable baby out there? It's you! It's you!" and on poking Emmie's belly, she still couldn't help paying some attention to the conversation in her surroundings...

And apparently... Emmie is the key to entering the head of a dragon? Huh... No wonder they call her keychild, but still... It really bothered Chako to hear that little Emmie was made specifically to open this Dragon's head... From an egg, with Magia parts, apparently... Goodness, why is this so complicated?

"Uhn... Why do you all even want to enter the head of a dragon? Wouldn't it just spit fire at you or something? You're not really planning on bringing little Emmie near such a dangerous being, right? You didn't rescue her from whoever her crazy birth parents were just to take her to the mouth of a monster, right?" Chako asked nobody in particular, and tried to keep her annoyance from getting to her tone... It wouldn't do to make little Emmie sad just because of some grown ups planning weird things, after all! No bad tones allowed near little Emmie!

"... And why call her keychild when she has a name in the first place? You wouldn't like it if I called you purple-haired body-slammer girl, would you? I don't think Emmie likes keychild either... Right Emmie? You like Emmie much more, don't you? You like Emmie much much more, don't you!?" Chako quickly went back to playing with Emmie while rocking the rocking chair.

@MAI

 

[Luthien]

"They better not. Even if she wasn't a baby that's not a decision that should be made for her." The curse of hyper sensitive ears was being able to hear the conversations going around, and the sharp cuts of the knife as it sliced the pumpkin and carrots into smaller pieces spoke of her feelings regarding this topic. "She's more than just a keychild after all."

 ​

 

[MAI]

"...this unit is frequently referred to as a 'filthy murderous magia' and is chased away with stones ever since the events of the Dragonship. This unit believes that 'keychild' is not that bad of an identificator, as that is her birthright. Furthermore, this unit was present when the child was first named."

"Further clarification - Dragonhead refers to the deepest part of the mechanical air-borne vessel from beyond this world that had crashed on the old city of Vintergard. The Dragonhead is supposed to contain enlightening information regarding this world as per what was disclosed by our adversary."

Was that confusing and condensed enough? Hopefully yes.
@Chako

"Recounting - It has been just said that her growth is one of abnormal speed. Emmie will be able to make her own choices before long. Even discounting the possibility of continued consciousness from when she spoke to us before even hatching."

@Luthien @Ash Vargold @Chako

 

[Chako]

"Y-y-yeah!? A-and you don't like that, right!? N-nicknames chosen by other people without our input are bad! We should call Emmie by her name! A-a-at least until she can decide things by herself..." Even Chako knew this was a terrible comeback... But she just had to say something!

... And had to keep playing with Emmie, so she started moving her tails around near Emmie's cheek, letting her pick a tail if she wanted to... And bracing herself for the possibility of having a tail filled with drool.

"W-wait, hold on, what!? An airship from beyond this world!? Y-you mean an Alien airship!? You're not saying it's from Earth, right!? Like, some other world beyond Arcia!?" Chako didn't even know this world's name yet, but still, not even from a different continent than Arcia, but straight up an alien airship!? She did not expect that!

The next part was also amazing, but in a much lovelier way, "So you could talk before you were born Emmie? Did you talk from within your egg? That's so amazing! You're such an amazing girl! I can't wait to hear you talk!" Chako tilted her head a bit, "Though I wonder what made you stop talking... Was getting out of the egg tough? Did it mess up with your vocal cords? Well... If you need healing, you know you can count on me! I'm good at healing magic, Emmie!" Though Emmie really felt like a normal baby, so... "Or was it your mind that regressed? That would be a shame... But you can always learn how to talk again! I trust you! You're an amazing girl, after all!"

 

[MAI]

"Clarification - Names are almost exclusively chosen by parents, and, from this unit's personal experience, nicknames are also typically chosen by people other than the addressee. Also, the term Keychild does not carry with it any negative connotation."

"Further - It is somewhat unclear at this time from where the Dragonship hailed, only that it was boarded by Magia. It simply arrived from elsewhere."

@Chako

 

[Luthien]

Well, they got the ‘murderous’ part right... The thought was as bitter as the taste that lingered in her tongue, held back only because Lúthien didn’t wish to ruin today’s events despite the freshness of the unseen wounds left behind from recent events.

But even her patience had its limits, and this conversation was testing them quickly.

"There’s no evidence that whatever entity we met in that simulation is the same baby Chako’s currently cuddling." Despite her best attempts there was an edge to her voice, one easily caught by anyone who knew the elf well enough. "Likewise we can’t just assume she remembers anything that happened before she was born."

It was a thought that caused her chest to tighten, aware that whatever connection Lúthien had felt then and fostered during her visits to nurture and regulate the growing consciousness could’ve disappeared the moment Emme had been born.

"If there’s a concern as to what name we should call her by then I'm sure her father can clear that up, but keychild is a title with a heavy responsibility that shouldn’t be forced upon someone who can’t even share their thoughts with us as it stands."

 ​

 

[Ash Vargold]

That was certainly some new information... and oh dear, that was a familiar edge to Lúthien's voice. His ears flattened as he felt his heart stutter in sympathy.

"...lets calm down a little, guys. We don't know enough to make too many assumptions."

"And rapid growth or no, the 'baby' probably doesn't have the capacity to understand what a 'responsibility' is, or the ability to communicate how it feels about having one."

"And it's not like assigning identity at birth is a new and unique offense."

@Chako @MAI @Luthien

 

[Chako]

"Elsewhere? Why did you say a different world though?" Chako asked Mai while cuddling Emmie.

"Wait, simulation? There was a simulated Emmie? Did you all meet Trinity there too or something?" Or maybe it was like that labyrinth thingy, Chako didn't know, and honestly didn't want to think about it much, "Can't say I like those. I prefer walking around Arcia myself and seeing the sights instead of going around in strange simulations made by weird self-proclaimed mascots.

"You like the real trees way more than fake ones too, don't you Emmie? Don't you!?" Chako nuzzled her nose against Emmie's.

And then Chako's hair and tail fur instantly raised up when she heard that familiar voice... I forgot he was here! Chako's breathing got unsteady, "R-right... I-I should... Calm down..." Chako tried taking deep breaths, but it clearly wasn't helping her calm down in the slightest... She hoped Emmie wouldn't notice her fear and start crying because of it...

 

[MAI]

"Specification - Personal interpretation of events revealed to this unit on that day. Please, disregard the specifics and simply understand that the origin of the Dragonship is unknown. And..."

@Chako

Her gaze turned to Ash and then Luthien. She wasn't too sure, never being good at reading the room, but it felt like the atmosphere suddenly got a bit hostile.

"This unit merely wished to expand on the context of events. This unit will reach the Dragonhead in one way or another, even if the Keychild designated Emmie chooses to walk a different path."

"Apology - This unit's manner of speech is dictated by a corruption stemming from a merging process with a core of a hostile magia in the past. This unit cannot control it, nor help as classifying all entities, living or otherwise, under specific categories such as 'keychild' is natural to machines... as awkward and dehumanizing as it may be..."

@Luthien @Ash Vargold

Maybe she should just shut up and not make things any worse.

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Don't worry MAI, I know that magia speech impediment is a pain. You seem to be coping well with it, all things considered."

"Though... is there some kind of assimilation impulse magia have? Sticking bits of others to yourself seems dangerous."

Then he glanced a Chako... who was once again acting like he was about to jump her the moment he opened his mouth. Maybe he'd just leave the explanation of the egg simulation to the others who'd been there.
@MAI

 

[Chako]

"So the weird way of speaking can also do that...? I thought it was just a thing of pronouncing weird, not something that changed how you express yourself...

"Hopefully you can speak in a nice way that causes no confusion, Emmie!" Chako rubbed her cheek with Emmie's, trying to distract herself from Ash's voice... And from his smell.

And then... A different smell entered her nostrils... Sweet? And salty? It felt like chocolate, but mixed with something... And then the thing appeared in front of her eyes.

Chako instantly saw Emmie stretching her arms in the woman's direction, curious about what new treat was offered to her, "No, no, Emmie. Sugar is bad for you at this age. Let's wait until people finish preparing a lovely healthy dinner for you, okay?" Or at least, she hoped they were making something Emmie could eat!

 

[MAI]

"Negative - This kind of assimilation is a pursuit stemming from personal curiosity and an unhealthy dose of stupidity. It is not recommended that any other magia follow this path."

"Positive - This unit believes that she is at least kinda cool as a result."

@Ash Vargold

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash attempted to sit up, but the mere attempt make his head and stomach swim. He gave up and kept staring at the ceiling while turning an ear towards Lúthien.

"Only if you're willing to drown me with it."

"Uuugh... this is what I get for taking a drink from Suicide Sven..."

@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

A snorted chuckle escaped her, though his words confirmed she’d been right to pick up a glass of cold water along with her drink before coming to join him.

"I would never rob that opportunity from the next BBEB , Ash!" The teasing was evident in her voice, highlighted by the cool surface of the glass she pressed against the caenis’ cheek as the water was offered to him. "Besides, I can't imagine a water related DA would be a fun experience."

@Ash Vargold​

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Beb's gonna have to get in line, this party's gonna kill me first."

Ash flinched as the cold glass made contact. He slowly made the effort to shift into a more upright position and took the glass.

Briefly, he considered just dumping it on his head. But sipping was probably the better move here.
@Luthien

 

[Luthien]

"Don’t."

@Ash Vargold​

She knew that look, a singular word slipping out as she sought to halt the thought in his head. It might look like a good idea for an inebriated mind, but the water would do him more good inside his stomach than on his hair… and Clarissa might not appreciate her couch getting wet.

"Slow sips, Ash. Once you feel a lil’ better I’ll get you something to munch on too."

@Ash Vargold​

Best to make sure he wasn;t about to puke all over the upholstery before they introduced solids back into his stomach.

 

[Ash Vargold]

"Not sure if I want to test Ash's stomach on empty. He's already betrayed me once..."

But at least he followed @Luthien's instructions to take sips. She clearly had more experience than him.

...was that something he should be concerned about? Nah, not her problem...

 

[Chako]

Chako quickly got really pissed off when hearing the giant wolfman talk. If he wasn't so terrifying, she'd be screaming at him right now.

... But he was terrifying, so instead, Chako just continued hanging around Emmie, with some napkins in hand to clean little Emmie's face as Acelios helped her drink her juice... Shouldn't she be drinking milk at this age though!?

And then came the tiger girl! A nice person for a change, "Oh, Harper, right? Things have been fine! I just had to take little Emmie away from some people who didn't know how to take care of her properly." Chako glared in miss Clarissa's direction, "I just wish the poor girl's birth wasn't as complicated as it seems... I hope she can grow happily here regardless of whatever mess that her birth parents were involved in though!"

@Harper
@Raid Boss (tagging because she's right next to Acelios and I dunno if he'd want to comment on that)