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

[assonant]

Mm, I think I can still use a few parts.

[mightiswright]

Okay. I'm at house #25 if you want to come by and pick it up.

[assonant]

I'll be by later this afternoon! Thanks a lot for helping me out. I'm on a tight budget so I can't go out buying all the things I need.

[mightiswright]

Don't mention it. I'll let you know if I find anything else.

It's for your friend, right? [ He may have eavesdropped... a little. ]

[assonant]

Haha, yeah. Most of the time, he's a person, but he can also be an All Mate. I don't know yet if going back and forth will fix any problems he might get, but it's better safe than sorry.

[mightiswright]

[ ... That explanation raised like a dozen more questions than it answered. ]

What's the difference?

[assonant]

As an All Mate, he's a robotic dog.

As a person, he has a human body. He can change between them when he wants to.

[mightiswright]

I didn't realize it was possible for a robot to turn into a human. And back.

[ Slight pause. Is that even scientifically possible? ] How does it work?

[assonant]

He couldn't do it before. The body was something he got after he came here.

[ Now he just shrugs. ] I really have no idea. I've watched him when he changes, but I can't figure out what's happening. It goes too fast and there's too much light.

[mightiswright]

Ah, yes. That pesky light. Always getting in the way just when you need to see something most.

[assonant]

Er...are you making fun of me...

[mightiswright]

No, no, of course not. I just understand your pain.

[assonant]

Really? How's that...?

[mightiswright]

Well, you see, the last time I encountered a blinding light and something too fast to see, it ended up being a car headed straight for me.

[assonant]

... [ 8l ] You're...okay, right?

[mightiswright]

Oh, yes, this was before I arrived here. It landed me in a hospital for a day or so, but I was fine. The car on the other hand... [ He chuckles (slightly ominously). ]