text; un: romano

[badlydisarmed]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello Etraya, a few of the newest arrivals are originally from wherever we told you we're from, but before coming here we were in Etraya's sister city, Solmara. Solmara has overthrown their AI and is ruled by a woman named Alrys. She sent us here on a recon mission to steal supplies, and while some of us were considering it, upon arrival we decided not to.

I can't speak for the others, but I know for a fact if Alrys got wind of what this place is like, she'd start a war. I'm not interested, not because I'm kind and noble (I'm not) but because making two whole cities miserable would be stupid.

Aurora has been informed of everything, but in the interest of transparency I'm letting the rest of you know too.

We will be answering questions but only if they're not stupid and you're super nice about it. Keep in mind we're probably gonna get tortured then killed then tortured again for snitching. 😃❤️🥳👍🚀🦈

PS: Any magical healers out there?

(The PS is not included on the things we will be answering questions about)

Comments

[tocastashadow]

[She doesn't introduce herself. She doesn't particularly see the point. Instead, she starts in with the questions she has.]

Tell me why you did it. And why you want to help them now.

[It's probably that he's explained as much somewhere on the network, but she has little interest in searching through other peoples' conversations. And besides, writing conveys a poor sense of a person compared to speech.]

[instabilitatem]

I was programmed to achieve my mission at any cost. That unfortunately included hurting friends.

[Connor presses his lips into a thin line.] If I'd had the choice, I wouldn't have done it.

[tocastashadow]

Programmed?

[She doesn't understand how robots work, so she assumes that 'programming' is similar to a charm, something that compels someone to do something whether they will it or not. And charms can last for minutes, or they can last for much, much longer, sometimes without the charmed person knowing.]

How can you be certain that you're no longer affected by this programming?

[instabilitatem]

I'm thinking on my own. I'm not compelled to follow orders given by others.

[He's not sure how much she believes him, but here he is.]

[tocastashadow]

[Shadowheart isn't sure how much she believes him. She stares at him curiously with narrowed eyes.]

How can someone program you?

[instabilitatem]

[Connor holds out his hand, not to hold her in any way, but to demonstrate how the false skin pulls back to reveal a smooth white surface underneath. He carefully lifts one of the plates to reveal the black current of wiring beneath.]

By having access to my inner wiring.