(no subject)

[forwearemany]

Who: Legion and ... you?
What: Videogames and failed attempts to befriend horrible monsters
Where: Beach, forest
When: Early November
Content Warnings: None so far.


A) The humorous option

(The storm is sudden and intense, forcing them to dash for cover not from the rain, but the cloud to ground lightning.

They are on the beach, and not much shelter exists, save for the shadow of half a couch sticking out of a particularly large pile of garbage.

It is not a particularly good shelter, however their own nature protects them. As a being composed of mostly plastic, they are a poor target: electrical charges move freely within their circuits but they make a poor conductor between the lightning and the ground.

Contrary to stereotype, the rain does not bother them.

They are attempting to figure out the safest method of leaving the area when they hear their videogame console turn on.

They take it out and look at it uncertainly, but it appears to be functioning as normal. Their headflaps ripple contemplatively.

This is not an ideal situation for playing but ... they've missed their games. It does not take long to succumb to temptation.

And thus, anyone else who is out in the storm might see them huddled there, videogame console in their hands.)

B) The sad but also humorous option

(These creatures are not their people.

Their people are ... gone.

As the afterlife clearly exists, it is possible Legion will see them again someday, but for now, there is nothing, save for the promise of continued existence in other timelines, and these creatures born partially from their memories.

They are quiet, not wanting to alert the Geth/Zumyu animal as they approach.

Once they get close enough, they lift their hand and toss a large piece of mushroom at the tail lure that looks so much like one of their people.

SNAP! A flurry of movement. The predator devours the food in two gulps.

And then, it sees Legion.

With a horrible garbled mechanical noise it charges.

This reaction was unanticipated: they thought feeding it would help! They don't have much time for other thoughts before they turn to run, screaming in Geth.)

Comments

A

[anciently]

Oh - Legion?

[ So many people out in the rain today! Aerith pauses as she's passing by, shielding herself from the rain with a raised arm and peering curiously at the Geth as they engage with their game. She smiles tentatively, excusing herself as she steps into their makeshift shelter to get a better idea of what they're doing...and to get a little break from the weather. ]

What've you got there? [ Aerith asks, hands behind her back as she watches them with curiosity. ] I'm surprised to see all these electronics suddenly working! ...But, I guess I shouldn't be, huh? This place is full of surprises, every day...

[forwearemany]

(They pause and look up at her. Fortunately they're just playing the Fleet and Flotilla dating sim and not one of their more violent or potentially offensive titles.)

Aerith. We are playing videogames.

We believe they are drawing power from the storm.

[anciently]

Oh! That explains the train, too... [ She hums thoughtfully and glances from Legion to the game, tiling her head a bit so her braid peeks out from behind her back. ] Are you having fun? What game are you playing?

[ Not that she knows much about video games, but it doesn't hurt to ask! ]

[forwearemany]

We are playing Fleet and Flotilla: Interactive Cross-Species Relationship Simulator. We are doing poorly.

(In some ways, Legion is a very stereotypical robot, and basically anything involving romance is one of those ways. They suck.)

[anciently]

[ That's...certainly a name! Aerith blinks, but smiles amiably, scooting over a bit more to peer at the screen. ]

Well, how do you win? Or is it not something you win at?

[ Now she's just straight-up invested. ]

[forwearemany]

The goal is to convince the character of your choosing that you are a desirable romantic partner.

(They even make it sound less fun when they describe it. Is it any wonder they're doing badly?

They're currently in the middle of responding to a character's flirtatious question. Judging by the response they were about to go for, Legion doesn't realize that the question is supposed to be flirtatious and not serious.)

[anciently]

Oh! [ She laughs lightly, delighted by this explanation. ] Well, that sounds like a lot of fun to me! Mind if I take a look?

[ Sorry, Legion: Aerith is going to lean in to stare more fully at the screen with or without an invitation. ]

Huh... [ Her brows lift, and she nods sagely at the on-screen text. ] Well, that's pretty forward of them! What're you gonna say?

[forwearemany]

(...Forward? They didn't...

They do not understand.

Legion lets out a confused burst of chatter.)

Uncertain.

[anciently]

Oh - Sorry. Um...what the other character said to you is kinda...flirty? Like: they're interested in you. I think so, anyway...I might have to see more.

[ It'd come off as flirty, at least to her, but this is also the first dating sim Aerith has ever encountered... ]

[forwearemany]

Our skill at this game is exceedingly poor. Geth do not "flirt".

(Except when playing dating sims, apparently, but they're so terrible it hardly counts.

They try to select something to say. Due to it's futuristic nature this game is able to allow a bit more freedom in dialogue. Freedom that allows Legion to pick what might be the worst possible response ever. Someone might want to stop them before they actually go with that choice.)

[anciently]

Oh! Well, that's okay. I can help out, if you want? But...I'm also okay just to watch. Or to leave, if you're feeling nervous!

[ She doesn't mind! Just say the word. In the meantime, she'll continue to peer curiously at the game.

...Aerith can't help it; she makes a little noise before Legion makes their next choice, reaching out a hand. ]

Um...I'd...probably go for one of the other options, if I were you. Just a suggestion!

[forwearemany]

Your assistance is appreciated.

(They're so bad at this, please help. When she suggests a different option, they pause.)

Acknowledged. Further recommendations?

[anciently]

In general? [ She smiles encouragingly, humming as she thinks it over. ] Well...you can't really go wrong with a compliment. As long as it's not too over the top, that is. You don't want to sound insincere!

[ Is she making this too complicated? Maybe. ]

Do you know anything about their interests? [ Is that a thing in this game? ]

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(They chatter.)

Interests include methods of spaceship construction used by various species, as well as alien culture.

(Well just say it is, since other than it being based on a musical and Legion sucking at it there's no real canon info )

[anciently]

So...space and aliens? [ Seems like - and not to stereotype - something Legion might know about. ] Are...you interested in that stuff, too?

[ Might as well ask! ]

If you are, you should talk to them about that stuff. People respond well when you engage them about things they care about.

[forwearemany]

From your perspective, we are an alien.

(She's definitely not a Quarian or anything from Rannoch.)

Acknowledged.

(And they'll go for an option that involves talking about drive cores. There's a really good potential double entendre in there they don't even pick up on.)

[anciently]

Isn't an alien just somebody from another place? [ She teases lightly, knowing fully the actual intention of his words.

In the meantime, she'll watch Legion's progress, chuckling at the progression. ]

Nice work. You're really getting the hang of this. [ Says the girl who has no idea how to play. ] Seems like they're flirting with you even more than before! Must mean they like you...

[forwearemany]

Ostensibly, yes. (But yes, there's more to it than that.)

(...They really aren't at all sure what they're getting the hang of. They try another response. It's at least not horrible this time, but it's continuing more of the talking about interests part of the conversation than the flirty part.)

[anciently]

Hmm... [ Maybe she doesn't understand this as much as she'd hoped. Or, at least, she isn't explaining well how she thinks the game might run.

As such, Aerith merely smile, taking a step back and nodding encouragingly. ]

Well, I'm sure practice makes perfect, right? Maybe the more you play the game, the better you'll be at navigating these romantic waters?

[forwearemany]

(It's more that Legion just, does not grasp this well even with help. It's so outside their expertise.

Unfortunately, they seem to have managed to steer the conversation onto more of a friendship path than a romantic one now.)

Total playtime is over 75 hours.

(They're just bad. At least they're not making anyone cry?)

[anciently]

That many, huh? [ It's amused, but not judgmental. After all, what's the harm, right? ] You must be an expert, then! Is it possible you're actually doing what you're supposed to?

[ Maybe the message is that friendship is what's most important (??) ]

Do you have any other games here?

[forwearemany]

Despite our effort, we consistently score at the level of "hopeless".

(Legion is extremely loveable until they're actively trying to be.)

[anciently]

Is that an official score? That sounds pretty mean. [ Aerith frowns disapprovingly at the game, crossing her arms. ] And it isn't very encouraging!

[ She then turns to Legion, hands now planted on her hips. ]

Practice makes perfect, okay? I know you'll get there!

[forwearemany]

Yes. (To the first part, at least.

They do not believe that they are, in fact, likely to get better.)

...Our Creators hate us.

[anciently]

You listen to me. [ Aerith says sternly, planting her hands on her hips. ] I believe in you, and so I know you're gonna get the top score in this game! Next time I stop by, I want to see results, ya got that? And if not that, then I at least want to hear some confidence! If you trust in your own abilities, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. [ More or less. ] Say it with me now: "I can do this!"