01 – Video (backdated a little, to the start of the month)

[unit31]

[ Labrys' first attempt at a video uhhhh doesn't go great. In fact, it's hard to tell it's even a video of Labrys at all, because all that's really visible of her is her eye and part of her hair falling into her face. In fact, she doesn't seem to realize that she's recording right away. Then it abruptly cuts off.

A few minutes later, a second video pops up with a fairly embarrassed looking Labrys on camera. Going by the angle and the slight jitter of the frame, it looks like she's holding the communicator up as she paces through Havenwell so she can double dip on exploring and putting a message out to anyone who might see it. It's also more obvious from this angle that while her face might look human enough, her body looks a little more like the native residents of this world. Hm! ]

Oh – hey, looks like this is workin' now. Second time's the charm, I guess...

[ She gives the camera a nervous grin. This is definitely pretty different from the last two times a lunatic thought kidnapping her was a good idea and while she's not loving it, at least no one seems to be in immediate danger. ]

Uh... man, I don't even know where to start, really. Guess I should just go with my name, huh. I'm Labrys... and I guess this is me just makin' sure I'm the only one wrapped up in this. If any of you guys – Yu-kun and your pals or Mitsuru-san and them... heck, I'd take Sho-kun at this point... if any of you guys are here, hurry and drop me a line, yeah? We've gotta stick together. And if you ain't here... I guess I'm just talkin' to myself!

[ She laughs, but there's no real mirth to it and she quickly lapses into an uncomfortable silence. ]

For everybody else... I've got a question, kinda. Are any of you folks not... used to all this huggin' and touchin' stuff? [ She goes a little red, even as she says it. ] It's kinda new to me. I ain't really sure how I'm s'pposed to get used to it.

Comments

[video]

[daikonrose]

[ There's a small huff, and a scowl that's not meant for her. ]

It's definitely not normal, right? The social boundaries in this place are a total mystery.

[unit31]

[ Labrys almost says that they're a total mystery to her anywhere, in general, then she catches herself and uh, thinks better of it. Maybe that's not the best way to make a first impression. ]

Yeah. I mean, I get why they've gotta do it and everythin'... just makes things kinda awkward, y'know?

[daikonrose]

[ A hand goes up, as if to say stop right there. ]

No. Just because the gods decided to bring us here as their emergency battery supply doesn't mean anyone has to go along with it. Please don't feel obliged just because some people are all gung-ho.

[ A beat. ]

There'll definitely be circumstances that force you into it anyway, sooner or later. So don't volunteer unless you really feel like it.

[unit31]

W–well, yeah– I get that part, but they wouldn't bring us here if they didn't really need the help, yeah? I ain't gonna pretend it's not weird, but if they need folks bad enough to pull 'em in here, what else are we gonna do?

[ she is 100% not capable of not helping in a situation like this. rip, labrys. ]

video

[thekingsshield]

[Because surely a giant dog-faced man will help put her at ease.]

The more you wind up doin' it, I'm sure you'll wind up gettin' used to it!

video

[unit31]

[ you joke, but it genuinely does put her at ease... kind of. what can I say!! she loves dogs!!! ]

S'a little easier said than done... I, uh, don't really do a whole lotta this touchy-feely stuff back home.

[ She literally can't! We have fun in Persona 4 Arena. ]

video

[thekingsshield]

Maybe I can help! I love touchy-feely stuff!

[unit31]

[ oh whoops, never mind, she's back to looking at least moderately discomforted. ]

Uh– not that I don't appreciate the help or nothin', but ain't that the kinda thing you're s'pposed to do with your buddies?

Audio

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[You don't get to see it, but that first little video blip nearly gives him a heart attack! Which means, when Labrys manages to get a proper one up, it leaves Shinji with some pretty complicated feelings. Ah... Well then.]

It's a lot to get used to, honestly. I know you wouldn't be the only one not having an easy time getting used to it, so don't feel bad if you're finding it difficult to cope with.

audio

[unit31]

[ Oh huh, audio's a good idea... it's definitely easier than trying to keep the camera steady while she wanders about. ]

Yeah, it's uh... kind of a lot. This whole thing is real new to me – not the kidnappin' part, but havin' to get all cuddly with folks. It's kinda... weird.

audio

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Does a decent enough job hiding however visibly rattled he may still be after that unintentional someone-I-know fake out, too! A good setting for everyone involved.

But. Uh. That sure is... a thing you just said there, Labrys.]

So... something like this isn't the first time you've been, ah, kidnapped?

[unit31]

[ A beat, as she seems to realize what she's gone and said. That... is not a regular occurrence for most people, huh. Way to go, Labrys. ]

Uh– yeah, I guess! [ "i guess." as if she's not actually sure about being kidnapped. get it together Labrys. ] I mean... it wasn't exactly like this, like I said, but... well, it's over and done with now, so you don't gotta worry your head about it.

[audio]

[gatescostmoney]

I haven't done any of that physical touching the gods and locals want us to do, and I haven't been punished for it. I've been doing other things to help out, so who knows? Maybe they're fine with me doing that while others hug it out.

[ Never mind that he did those things more because he was bored and wanted to do something with his time here. ]

[unit31]

Oh, huh. So it ain't like you've got, uh... what's the word? A quota, or somethin'?

[ "you must have one (1) awkward-side hug per quarter" or something like that. ]

Guess that does take the pressure off a little...

[gatescostmoney]

If there is one, they haven't told me about it.

[ There's a lot of things Sasuke thinks the locals need to tell people, but they don't. ]

And given that it's supposed to be all nice touchy-touchy, I feel like forcing it wouldn't work.

[ Just his opinion. Sometimes getting stuck to another person forces it, but he hasn't experienced that yet. ]

[unit31]

Yeah! Exactly!

[ Even through audio, it's clear how strongly she feels about this ]

It really kinda ruins the whole idea if you're just makin' you and other folks feel weird about it. But how else are you s'pposed to get used to it in the first place, y'know?

video

[begguiling]

Well, practice makes perfect, right? Same as recording yourself on video. Hehehe!

[He winks. It's a jab, but at least he's friendly about it! Or something.]

All joking aside, I am serious. There's really only one way through if you want to take it!

video

[unit31]

[ She wrinkles up her nose a bit. ]

Yeah, yeah, I figured. It's just a little weird, tryin' to think about doin' it with strangers, yeah? I, uh, don't have a whole lotta... experience, I guess?

[ She gives her metal fingers a waggle as if to demonstrate why. H e l l o. ]

[begguiling]

I seeeeee . . .

[He leans into the camera almost as if he were inspecting that hand in person, tipping his head and flicking his ears with interest.]

I'm always a little surprised when they bring in inorganic or semi-organic lifeforms! Whichever of those you may be, you aren't the first I've met here. You'd think that our hosts' own bodies would suit them for these purposes just fine if other planets' robots do, but I guess that isn't how it works. Aaaanyway! Are you saying this is your first time having sensation in those fingers of yours? Or is it more that holding hands isn't Robot Culture?

[unit31]

[ Labrys instinctively leans back a bit. He's not actually getting into her personal space, but the proximity to the camera along with all the questions makes her feel a little squirmy. ]

Uh– well, it's kinda– both? [ She's still sort of working it out herself, so having to explain it to someone else is a task and a half. ] I can tell how hot or cold things are usually, and obviously, I can tell when I'm holdin' stuff... but yeah, gettin' here is the first time I've actually felt that kinda thing.

[scentsitivity]

[ He scratches his cheek and hums. ]

I grew up with a big family so physical affection always felt normal, but it does feel daunting when you're surrounded by strangers.

[unit31]

Yeah, yeah, I getcha. I mean, I have a little sister, but uh...

[ They're Both Robots. ]

We still ain't really the touchy feely type, let's say.

[scentsitivity]

Oh, I'm sorry about that.

[ He really is, from one older sibling to another, he's nothing by sympathetic. Even though he has no idea why they can't be affectionate to each other. ]

The gods get their powers from it but they never really force people to it, but I think they really appreciate it when we do.

[text]

[mortalcoil]

[Coil isn't a huge fan of the communicators himself, and he normally doesn't deign to actually answer most of the things he sees pass by on his feed. Even this one, with its failed (and familiar. he's been there.) first attempt, and the view of the speaker's strange body, he isn't planning on replying.

...But then she gets to her last point, and he suddenly can't help but peck out a response.]

no. it's terrible

[unit31]

for real?? what part is terrible???

[ rip to your reading comprehension, labrys. ]