Let me Crawl Inside Your Veins (Wide Open)

[bridge_princess]

Who: Parsee bridge_princess and You!
What: February Open Log
Where: Pretty much anywhere
When: February (after the 8th)
Content Warnings: Body Horror, Blood, Roots and flowers growing in things like lungs and other places they don't belong. Probably some serious self loathing here

Prompts below!

Comments

[forwearemany]

"Competition is typically treated as part of enjoyment." Though, admittedly, excessive competition is treated as a barrier to it.

Would Parsee go so far as to destroy enjoyment in the game? It is entirely possible, they think: such attitudes are a part of her nature.

Still, they do not believe she should exclude herself.

[bridge_princess]

"Yeah that's pretty normal for humans. They like to compete. It just gets weird with someone like me, I think." She wouldn't destroy the game. She'd be more likely to destroy her competitor. "Heh... but if that's what yo have to do to take a shower, I'll have to figure something out won't I?"

[forwearemany]

"There are additional showers in the gym locker areas." She can always go there, if she's that worried about the games.

They still think she shouldn't exclude herself, but it's her right to choose.

[bridge_princess]

"Oh, well that's not so bad. Just weird then instead of trouble." she was a little grateful to realize that, and might not have looked because she assumed the worst as always. "But... I might... give one a try."

[forwearemany]

Their headflaps lift slightly. They appear ... pleased? At least, it's not the same sort of headflap lift movement they do when startled, questioning, or anxious.

"Perhaps you will beat our score." It's entirely possible: Legion can dance but they aren't the best at that kind of game-their body is bit too large and heavy. Someone smaller and lighter like Parsee can probably out perform them with a bit of effort.

[bridge_princess]

"Hah, you are the exact opposite of me sometimes. I'd be worried about folks beating my score, but it kind of sounds like you want me to do it." And deep down she expected that Legion almost certainly meant it.

[forwearemany]

"We are not beaten often." A lot of games can be reduced to algorithms, or, for videogames, use algorithms that Legion can innately grasp. Playing with others, particularly organics, provides an element of uncertainty, but their knowledge and reflexes give them a unique advantage. They tend to prefer more cooperative play, such as acting as support in Galaxy of Fantasy raiding parties, for this reason, among others.

Losing is a novelty.

[bridge_princess]

"Haha," she started laughing a little, smiling at him rather genuinely. Oh, that was rich, because she thought she'd just realized something about Legion. "You mean that legitimately losing, fair and square, at one of these games is so rare that it's almost like you're winning a little?" That was kind of priceless and deep down she loved it.

[forwearemany]

"It is a novelty."

Or, in other words, yeah, kind of like that. It can get awfully boring, winning all the time.

[bridge_princess]

"It's going to take a lot of work mastering one of those. Have you ever had anyone beat your scores before?" She had trouble believing it with Legion's reaction times. It would take an impressive feat.

[forwearemany]

"We are currently in continuous competition for the top score with multiple individuals." Several people who are either very good dancers or just very determined in this world.

So yes, they have been beaten at games before.

[bridge_princess]

"Well, at least you've got some games going already." She was NOT much of a dancer, but she was definitely determined. Hmmmm, but which one to try. Which one to ...

"Do you have any recommendations for me? My hand coordination's really not that great."

[forwearemany]

"The shower games are rhythm based and require dancing. Hand-eye coordination is useful but not necessary for play."

They don't really have any particular recommendations, unfortunately.

"The arcade also offers games, though few are functional."

[bridge_princess]

"Hmmm. Dancing? As long as the hand positions and posture aren't that important like some traditional dances, I could probably handle it. My fingers don't work quite as well as most people." She shrugged. "It's why a lot of those arcade games are frustrating to me."

But yeah, she could handle Dance Dance Revolution just fine. She just needed to practice.

[forwearemany]

"Acknowledged." They don't ask about why her hands don't work so well.

"There are games that do not require strong hand coordination, though selection is currently limited." Right now, there's not much of anything to play at all. Perhaps in the future?

[bridge_princess]

It was an old thing with her. She was long used to it. "It actually doesn't even matter if there's only one game, and I hate it. I'd probably get focused on beating your score if I started practicing it. Kind of funny how the way I work helps a bit at times, when you know it's there."

[forwearemany]

"...Acknowledged." They wonder: is it important for a Hashihime to have things to envy, and others to compete with even when it's not necessary for continued survival, the way that Geth need the presence of others, even when isolation does not result in death of self?

Is encouraging her to try to beat them beneficial, or harmful? Their headflaps ripple as they consider it.

[bridge_princess]

It was somewhere between a dietary requirement and an old habit. And the fact that it was unclear if it was one or the other meant that she went with it even when she didn't strictly know if she even needed it here. It was ... just kind of hard to break the habit really. Certain avenues helped.

"Thanks for trying by the way. I know you are." The Geth was trying to help her and deep down she kind of appreciated the attention.

[forwearemany]

"...Acknowledged. You are welcome."

They're not entirely sure why she is thanking them for ... encouraging her to play videogames? But if she's happy, they're happy.

[bridge_princess]

It was less about the video games, and more about trying to find her diversions that helped give her outlets. It showed that Legion cared. "Now... I need to see about figuring out just how to beat that high score... might take a while. A long while, heh."

[forwearemany]

Though that is something they consider, they really just want to have more ways to interact and engage with their friend.

"Acknowledged. An incentive: the level of functionality of the shower depends on how well the game is played."

So like, if she ever wants to be comfortable bathing again... true, she doesn't have to beat Legion specifically, and there are non shower related games, but that is the one with the scoreboard, and being good enough to beat Legion would basically ensure comfort.