002 ♫ VIDEO

[assonant]

[ From the perspective, someone's got his communicator propped up on a shelf or a windowsill.

The view encompasses Aoba, his desk, and the remains of four computers, four tablets, three smart phones, three remotes of nebulous origin, and a...toaster oven? From the organized chaos of metal, plastic, casing, wires, tools, and junk food, someone's been working at this a while. ]

Okay, I just have a quick request. If you have any computers or electronic devices that you don't want or that you're going to throw away, can I have them?

I need them for something.

Comments

[centurybaby]

[ an amused exhale. ]

I meant that he's half-robot. Like a cyborg. Some asshole was experimenting on a bunch of animals. My dad rescued him.

[assonant]

Ri...ght. Right. [ But he only feels embarrassed for a second, frowning immediately. ] - people like that piss me off.

I'm glad your dad was able to help him. What's his name?

[centurybaby]

I just called him "Dog." [ a little shrug. ] Did you make Ren?

[assonant]

[ Just 'Dog'? That's not a proper name at all...then again, Mink had called his All Mate 'bird' so maybe there are just people like that out there. ]

No, I found his frame in the garbage. I fixed it up.

[centurybaby]

Yeah? You're into that kinda shit, huh?

You would've loved my fucking spaceship.

[assonant]

Yeah, I--

You had a spaceship?

[centurybaby]

Yeah. Her name was the Carrier. Made her just by thinking about it.

[assonant]

That's -

Awesome...

[centurybaby]

Thanks. If I ever try again, you'll be the first to fucking know.

How's shit back at #003?

[assonant]

[ Riding on a spaceship -

Oh, right. He needs to answer. ] It's fine, Ren's all moved in. I still barely see anyone around. Last time I spotted the old man was over a week ago.

[centurybaby]

Who, you mean Osborn?

[assonant]

Yeah, him. He seems really busy. I'm not sure he even eats.

[centurybaby]

Maybe he's a fucking robot too.

[assonant]

If he's a robot it's probably for paperwork and not for fucking.

[ Lame joke alert. ]

[centurybaby]

[ it takes her a second to realize he's joking, but she scoffs in a half-amused way when she gets it. ]

Hilarious. Don't quit your fucking day job, Aoba.

[assonant]

Don't worry, if I did that I really would have to resort to pimping. I need money if we're going to find our own place.

[centurybaby]

You planning on moving out?

[assonant]

Yeah. This is really nice for now but I don't like living in a number.

[centurybaby]

Makes sense. Our roommates weren't exactly the life of the fucking party either.

[assonant]

I clean most of the dishes, too. [ Gripe gripe gripe. ] ...how're you doing, out there?

Find enough couches?

[centurybaby]

I get by alright. It's better than living with a bunch of fucking strangers. No offense.

[assonant]

It's fine. I kinda know the feeling.

Do you need anything?

[centurybaby]

Nah. I'm alright. I've got people breathing down my fucking neck making sure I'm eating and sleeping, so.

[assonant]

Lots of pushy friends, huh.