video ♔ pull-point bandwagon

[akito]

Um... I was reading a lot, to make this, ah, situation less confusing...

So... That is...

It's still really confusing.

But... Time and space are related, and lots of people here are not in the right space anymore? Like how I was on my way to Shinjuku, but now am in Florida... [ he fidgets with the hem of his shirt (big for him, but not too big) uncertainly. ] Something weird has also happened with time, I think... Like it got all bent up? Because this isn't the right year, and the Cold War ended a long time ago...

[ fidget fidget. what a shy and awkward 'five'-year-old. ]

...Doctor, if this is a test, could I... Can I have the parameters for it, please?


[ then, even more hesitantly and directed to the network at large: ]

Ah... I- There's a dog here. I think he's supposed to be mine... But I'm only small, and never met a dog before... So is there anyone who could, um, tell me how to take care of him?


[ he's about to end the feed there, but then remembers something very important! ]

Thank you!

Comments

[driftsintobuffetline]

Who's the doctor you expect to be testing you, and why?

As for the dog...uh, food, water, take him for walks?

[akito]

He's a scientist-doctor, not an M.D. doctor... And, um... I'm a prototype that didn't turn out perfect, so, ah... You can all them appy... appetty-tube...

[ hard words are hard ok??? ]

...Tests to see what I'm not a big failure at.



Food for dogs is the kibble stuff in bags?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Yeah, food for dogs is the kibble stuff.

The word you want is aptitude test. It's ok if it trips you up; it's kind of weird word. What do you mean you're a prototype? A prototype of what? An android? A clone? Do you have a name?

[akito]

Okay, thank you, mister.


[ he repeats the word quietly to himself - accurately this time - before fidgeting some more and answering the man's questions. ]

I'm a human. Um... 'Brain Charger', is what he called it... I was supposed to turn out differently, but to even be alive was a good result.

...Ah, I don't have a name. Just a designation.

video

[superposition]

[What the... Akito, too??? How many people have been affected by this?

... Geez, he's tiny.]

Akito, uh... [Ugh, he's no good at dumbing things down for kids. Well, maybe he won't have to with this one, though.] Space and time are the same thing, actually, but that's beside the point. How old are you right now?

video

[akito]

Ah, is that who I'm supposed to be?

[ but he worries at his lower lip nervously, correctly assuming that the 'older him' must have known this person. ]

Um... I'm around one.

[superposition]

[Visibly surprised at that. He may not be the best judge of ages but he's pretty sure one-year-olds are a lot smaller than that.]

You don't know who you- One? Are we talking Earth years, here?

[akito]

Earth years are the only ones I know.

[superposition]

Ah... no, of course. Sorry.

[So... accelerated maturation, or something like that. Wouldn't be the first time he's encountered it, and goes hand in hand with the questions about doctors and testing...

You know, suddenly he's really worried about this kid.]

Are you at home? Is there somebody who can look after you?

[akito]

Ah... Um, I don't have a home. Just the lab.

[superposition]

[Oh no child D: ]

No, I mean... in this world. You're someplace safe?

[akito]

...I'm with a dog. That's supposed to be safe?

[superposition]

[wryly] ... So long as it's not a chihuahua, I suppose.

[He sighs.] It seems as if time's gotten messed up for a bunch of people. You're not the only one. The you I'm acquainted with is a good deal older, for a start. But I'm trying to get to the bottom of it.

[akito]

Oh. No, chihuahuas are small dogs, I think, and this one is not very small...

[ that gives him pause. ]

...Ah. Is that true? How old is the older me?

video; ID is Tim Drake-Wayne

[alreadywon]

[Tim may or may not have been summoned by the mention of a dog. But! He also wants to help! Cause that's what Robin does, and he's Robin. Kinda.] Does he have toys and food and stuff?

video;

[akito]

Um... He has dog kibble, and a leash and collar, and a rope thing. I don't know what dog toys are supposed to look like though...

video;

[alreadywon]

You could probably play tug of war with it, if it's long enough! [LOOK AT THIS DOG EXPERT RIGHT HERE.]

[akito]

What's that?

[alreadywon]

It's when you and the dog both pull on opposite ends of the rope and try to get it for yourself.

[akito]

But I don't want to take his rope for myself.

[alreadywon]

It's not cause you're trying to take his rope, he just likes fighting for it.

[akito]

If he's fighting, doesn't that mean he's mad?

[alreadywon]

He's a dog! Sometimes they like to play-fight. Kinda like sparring, maybe?

[akito]

...Oh! Like, um, training?

[alreadywon]

Like that, yeah! [Kinda.] They have fun doing it.

[akito]

So like a game?

[alreadywon]

Exactly like a game! Only for dogs.

[akito]

...But it's okay for me to play a dog game with him?

[alreadywon]

Yeah! Why wouldn't it be?

[akito]

Because it's, um... Trivial. And would waste time.

[alreadywon]

Having fun doesn't have to be wasting time! It's important for dogs. [and kids but lol what would he know]

[akito]

...Oh. So it will be worse for the dog if I don't play with it than me just wasting time?

[alreadywon]

Dogs need to play! It's good for them.

[akito]

Okay. Then I will try to play with this dog soon.