[There's a slight pause where he might be stifling another sigh. Nick gets the feeling he's not getting out of this, and he'd rather not cause more problems than it's worth for this guy, given he's just following orders.]
All right. Chances are when something happens that you can find me down at the headquarters.
I'd also like to check up on you. Not often, and we don't need to interact if it's inconvenient. I just want to ensure your safety throughout your stay in Hadriel.
[Roughly an hour has passed since his unplanned arrival, greeted by nothing more than a most unwelcoming Colosseum and its swarm of hazardous insects. Parts of the city have changed since Oscar's previous stay, though he cannot state the differences with precision as his former body's exposure to the city was limited.
However, many things remain as they were; particular names on Hadriel's network, for example. Mr. Valentine was very kind to him during his last stay. Oscar is in his debt after he rescued him from a terrible situation. He wants to know that his fellow machine is alright.]
Nick Valentine. It is unfortunate that we cannot seem to meet under better circumstances. I hope your systems are functioning at optimal levels.
[Now there's a voice Nick hadn't expected to hear again. He's been the city's only automaton for a while now -- well, obvious automaton -- and he was starting to think it might just stay that way. While he can't say he's happy Oscar is back for round 2 of putting up with the gods, he smiles all the same as he calls back, his expression evident in his tone.]
Oscar. It's good to hear from you again, even with the circumstances.
According to calculations relying heavily on this network's system time, it has been 255 days since we last spoke. I wouldn't normally refer to a timer that isn't my own. But having left this city and returned, it is fair to say that time as I once understood it has become distorted. The exact amount of time that elapsed during the transition between my former and current body is also unclear to me.
[No one has ever commented on that particular aspect of his aesthetic design. Minor decorative features like facial detailing are a classic characteristic of Voralberg creations. Oscar quite likes his features.]
Much of my design remains the same, only this body is far better suited to tasks requiring a certain physical resilience. Its articulations are afflicted with rust due to a prolonged period of exposure to the elements. Having said that, it is undoubtedly an upgrade.
Well, if you need someone to give you a tune-up, Rey is still around. We've got a couple of new scientists down at the lab, though I don't know how much either of them knows about robotics.
[They are an odd couple of scientists, and that's saying something, given the last pair to live there.]
I appreciate it... but I don't know of anyone other than my creator who knows my gearwork well enough to be able to perform a comprehensive servicing of my parts.
[And he doesn't bear Mr. Valentine's engineer ill will after that time she malfunctioned in front of him, but forgive him if he's cautious about entrusting his structural integrity to a stranger who is capable of breathing fire.]
Though I would be thankful for any oil or knowledge of its precise whereabouts. My personal supply will not last forever.
Despite having varied schedules that keep them from their home, it becomes concerning when Rey finds that Nick's outings have been more frequent and longer in duration. She's finished up shop at the Speakeasy, arranged a new batch to ferment for the next few weeks in the cellar... But when she comes home, she finds the house vacant once again.
It's been like this for a while now that it's started to become the new normal. Thing is, Rey doesn't like this being normal. She wanted to give herself some space and, to some extent, Nick as well, in light of recent events. However, it's also important to stress the fact that she doesn't resent, for whatever reason he might assume the worst for.
Undine, their mixed memories... Rey has both been meaning to and avoiding bringing it up with anyone, feeling a tad bit of embarrassment for her own actions as well as confusion. She has... good memories, memories of a fabricated childhood that never could have been programmed into her head by someone like Gregory, who wanted to punish her for the death of the very woman her new fond memories revolved so frequently around. Maybe it's because the reopened wounds are still fresh, but she doesn't appreciate the fact that the gods have roped Undine into their little games. She doesn't need the reminder.
While she would normally be thinking about sleep at this hour, it's the last thing she wants right now. Not just because of Nick, but because of the thoughts that have been haunting her for a while. Well, more so than usual.
By the time Nick comes home from one of his late patrols, Rey is sitting at the table. The lights are dim, helping to provide a softer tint amid this pounding headache that's surfaced over the last few hours.
At least it's pain that she knows she can deal with.
It's been a while since Nick and Rey actually talked. They've spoken in passing -- greeted each other at the end of the day, made small talk on the couch while they both worked -- but there's been a growing distance between them ever since they got their memories back. Nick's patrols have gotten longer and run later; he's spent more than a couple of nights just walking the streets, trying to sort out all that's going on in his head.
And there certainly is a lot up there, bogging down his processor. Even before the gods trapped them all in their idyllic little world for a week, he was having to deal with those memories of the real Nick's, of Jenny and the riverside and the murder of someone he loved. With what happened to Undine's ghost, those flashes are getting mixed up with his own memories, of Undine's body and blood staining the water, of an unwanted burial and a woman begging for his help to save the person they both love.
And then the gods saw fit to make Undine his wife in that sick game of theirs, wrapping up his mechanical mind in images of their life together. There were peaceful days, romantic evenings, dances and secret moments of passion shared between the two of them. The more mixed up it got in his head, the worse it became for him to sort out what was real and what wasn't, what was his and what was the real Nick's and what had never happened at all. Hell, he still doesn't even know if he has a brother and if he killed him.
The walks help, but Nick knows they're not the solution. He just doesn't know what the solution is yet, and until he figures it out, he doesn't want to bother Rey with all this. If those thoughts of Undine bother him, he can't imagine what it's like for her. She's had a lot going on; she deserves better than some old bot complaining about a life that wasn't his, about a woman who never loved him, and about the very real feelings he felt for her despite that.
It's all too close to home. All they need now is for the Null to turn out to be the Institute 2.0, and it'll be like he's right back in the Commonwealth in a lot of ways.
Nick sighs as he pushes the door open quietly, not wanting to awaken Rey; in the dim light, he sees her silhouette, and realizes he didn't need to worry about that.
The emotion etched onto Nick's expression is all too familiar to Rey. It's a feat that a synthetic from her world could only hope to even emulate, let alone actually express.
Nick isn't like them, though. That much they have established over the months they have lived together. Guess there are upsides and downsides to knowing someone a little too well -- it becomes harder to bullshit with them.
"Not tired," Rey simply says, rubbing her brow. Then, she adds before Nick can get another word in: "You've been out later than usual."
Everyone needs time to clear their heads. But sometimes, more often than not in their case, it takes more than silence to figure stuff out.
"Just been trying to clear my head a little after all that's happened."
That answer is honest enough, but it's not the whole truth, and Nick is sure Rey knows it. It's hard to miss things like that when you live with someone and consider them as close as you can get. They're family.
And that means they should talk about that whole week they spent actually thinking they were. He slides out of his coat, hanging it by the door before he makes his way over to the table and slides into the chair across from her.
"You all right?" he asks, putting her first, as always.
There's no question what it is that Nick needs clearing his head about, as Rey is well aware. She watches him carefully as he seats himself right in front of her, his reply a silent affirmation of what she already suspects.
"Not really," she responds in earnest, conscious of the fact that Nick, like herself, knows better. "Will have to be, though. Don't really have a choice."
And that is a truth as well. They don't have the luxury to not be all right, or at least appear so. Rey has to be focused, resolute.
She can't let herself be distracted by her own problems when there is a very real, imminent one ahead of them.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[audio]
Date: 2017-06-07 11:08 pm (UTC)I'll be there.
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-07 11:46 pm (UTC)All right. Chances are when something happens that you can find me down at the headquarters.
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-09 03:33 pm (UTC)[There's a pause.]
I'd also like to check up on you. Not often, and we don't need to interact if it's inconvenient. I just want to ensure your safety throughout your stay in Hadriel.
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-09 09:21 pm (UTC)Believe me, I'm fine most days. I don't live alone, and let's just say my roommate can handle herself in a scrap.
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-10 03:56 pm (UTC)[He says, as if the decision has already been made. You're welcome, Dadbot.]
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-11 08:15 am (UTC)How often?
[voice]
Date: 2017-06-11 12:01 pm (UTC)[He means that, at least.]
While I'm on my rounds. Once a day, with exceptions.
[text]
Date: 2017-06-21 08:34 am (UTC)I was letting you go. Remember?
[text]
Date: 2017-06-22 09:41 am (UTC)[The 'for now' might have been more of a placating statement at the time.]
I'm glad you made it back, though. Seemed like you might not be rejoining us for a time there.
[text]
Date: 2017-06-23 08:49 pm (UTC)[audio] backdated to 7/10
Date: 2017-07-17 10:57 am (UTC)However, many things remain as they were; particular names on Hadriel's network, for example. Mr. Valentine was very kind to him during his last stay. Oscar is in his debt after he rescued him from a terrible situation. He wants to know that his fellow machine is alright.]
Nick Valentine. It is unfortunate that we cannot seem to meet under better circumstances. I hope your systems are functioning at optimal levels.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
[audio] backdated to 7/10
Date: 2017-07-18 07:17 am (UTC)Oscar. It's good to hear from you again, even with the circumstances.
[audio]
Date: 2017-07-20 02:35 am (UTC)[audio]
Date: 2017-07-24 07:06 am (UTC)[It makes him look dignified.]
[audio]
Date: 2017-07-24 12:20 pm (UTC)Much of my design remains the same, only this body is far better suited to tasks requiring a certain physical resilience. Its articulations are afflicted with rust due to a prolonged period of exposure to the elements. Having said that, it is undoubtedly an upgrade.
[He is not ungrateful. Oh no. Far from it.]
[audio]
Date: 2017-07-25 05:52 am (UTC)[They are an odd couple of scientists, and that's saying something, given the last pair to live there.]
[audio]
Date: 2017-07-26 11:59 am (UTC)[And he doesn't bear Mr. Valentine's engineer ill will after that time she malfunctioned in front of him, but forgive him if he's cautious about entrusting his structural integrity to a stranger who is capable of breathing fire.]
Though I would be thankful for any oil or knowledge of its precise whereabouts. My personal supply will not last forever.
[audio]
Date: 2017-08-01 08:49 am (UTC)I know we keep some things down at the dam. Oil, tools, some spare parts if you find a screw loose.
[action; beep boop house]
Date: 2017-08-02 01:44 am (UTC)It's been like this for a while now that it's started to become the new normal. Thing is, Rey doesn't like this being normal. She wanted to give herself some space and, to some extent, Nick as well, in light of recent events. However, it's also important to stress the fact that she doesn't resent, for whatever reason he might assume the worst for.
Undine, their mixed memories... Rey has both been meaning to and avoiding bringing it up with anyone, feeling a tad bit of embarrassment for her own actions as well as confusion. She has... good memories, memories of a fabricated childhood that never could have been programmed into her head by someone like Gregory, who wanted to punish her for the death of the very woman her new fond memories revolved so frequently around. Maybe it's because the reopened wounds are still fresh, but she doesn't appreciate the fact that the gods have roped Undine into their little games. She doesn't need the reminder.
While she would normally be thinking about sleep at this hour, it's the last thing she wants right now. Not just because of Nick, but because of the thoughts that have been haunting her for a while. Well, more so than usual.
By the time Nick comes home from one of his late patrols, Rey is sitting at the table. The lights are dim, helping to provide a softer tint amid this pounding headache that's surfaced over the last few hours.
At least it's pain that she knows she can deal with.
[the most tragic place in Hadriel]
Date: 2017-08-02 09:08 am (UTC)And there certainly is a lot up there, bogging down his processor. Even before the gods trapped them all in their idyllic little world for a week, he was having to deal with those memories of the real Nick's, of Jenny and the riverside and the murder of someone he loved. With what happened to Undine's ghost, those flashes are getting mixed up with his own memories, of Undine's body and blood staining the water, of an unwanted burial and a woman begging for his help to save the person they both love.
And then the gods saw fit to make Undine his wife in that sick game of theirs, wrapping up his mechanical mind in images of their life together. There were peaceful days, romantic evenings, dances and secret moments of passion shared between the two of them. The more mixed up it got in his head, the worse it became for him to sort out what was real and what wasn't, what was his and what was the real Nick's and what had never happened at all. Hell, he still doesn't even know if he has a brother and if he killed him.
The walks help, but Nick knows they're not the solution. He just doesn't know what the solution is yet, and until he figures it out, he doesn't want to bother Rey with all this. If those thoughts of Undine bother him, he can't imagine what it's like for her. She's had a lot going on; she deserves better than some old bot complaining about a life that wasn't his, about a woman who never loved him, and about the very real feelings he felt for her despite that.
It's all too close to home. All they need now is for the Null to turn out to be the Institute 2.0, and it'll be like he's right back in the Commonwealth in a lot of ways.
Nick sighs as he pushes the door open quietly, not wanting to awaken Rey; in the dim light, he sees her silhouette, and realizes he didn't need to worry about that.
"You're still up."
An astute observation from the detective.
[sobcity]
Date: 2017-08-03 12:30 am (UTC)Nick isn't like them, though. That much they have established over the months they have lived together. Guess there are upsides and downsides to knowing someone a little too well -- it becomes harder to bullshit with them.
"Not tired," Rey simply says, rubbing her brow. Then, she adds before Nick can get another word in: "You've been out later than usual."
Everyone needs time to clear their heads. But sometimes, more often than not in their case, it takes more than silence to figure stuff out.
no subject
Date: 2017-08-03 07:57 am (UTC)That answer is honest enough, but it's not the whole truth, and Nick is sure Rey knows it. It's hard to miss things like that when you live with someone and consider them as close as you can get. They're family.
And that means they should talk about that whole week they spent actually thinking they were. He slides out of his coat, hanging it by the door before he makes his way over to the table and slides into the chair across from her.
"You all right?" he asks, putting her first, as always.
[audio]
Date: 2017-08-03 10:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-08-03 01:13 pm (UTC)"Not really," she responds in earnest, conscious of the fact that Nick, like herself, knows better. "Will have to be, though. Don't really have a choice."
And that is a truth as well. They don't have the luxury to not be all right, or at least appear so. Rey has to be focused, resolute.
She can't let herself be distracted by her own problems when there is a very real, imminent one ahead of them.
"Are you, though? All right, that is."
[audio]
Date: 2017-08-04 08:03 am (UTC)How about swing by there on my patrol today and pick up a few things for you?