etraya | un: Accelerator; text

Hey, listen up.

[He hates doing announcements. Even as Board Chairman he tried to avoid them whenever possible and let his city's communications department handle disseminating notices. Unfortunately, there isn't anyone else here like that who can do this, so the responsibility falls to him. Besides, it's a distraction from certain thoughts that keep invading his head — events in San Francisco, certain Etrayans disappearing, his ribs still aching.]

A while ago this brat and I were using Ramsay Farm as a space for kids. Most of them are gone now, but since kids still show up sometimes I'm opening it back up for that. The fridge is stocked, there are a couple of bedrooms, and a security system's been installed. There are some farm animals the bots have been taking care of, too.

If you're 15, 16 or 17 you can hang out, but only if you're willing to help out around the place. Cleaning, guard duty or whatever, I don't care as long as you're pulling your weight and not being a leech. Anyone younger can just hang out.

If you're 18 or older then you can come do work, and only if someone under 18 vouches for you not being a creepy shithead. You're not allowed to be a loafer. If you've got an age that doesn't line up with modern human legalities then go by your cognitive development and stick yourself into one of these categories: kid, teenager, adult. Then apply the rules based on where you fall.

If any teens or adults break any rules or if anyone messes the farm up, including the gravestone on property, I'll beat the shit out of you. This is your one warning.

[He isn't sure if he'll ever get used to giving warnings, but he knows it's better than the alternative of just attacking someone out of nowhere because they broke a rule. Violence is the easy answer for him, and he's making a concentrated effort not to take the easy way out.]

There aren't really places around here just for kids, and adults are usually really shitty, so getting a break from them can help.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And if he shows up here?

I'm not worried about any of you kids. The security is mainly for any adults that think they're above the rules.

i don't know. things here are...different. so i'm not sure what he would do. i'm still mad at him, though.

the adults? what do you mean?

Because you had to fight for him? Or is there another reason.

Adults like to think that way when it benefits them or their egos, especially when it comes to kids. Usually kids can't do anything about that, but I'm strong enough so I plan on making sure any fuckers who break the rules regrets it.

because he lied. he told the other black mages he would help them. help them to live longer if they went with him.

so, you protect the kids? like steiner protects dagger back home? like a bodyguard? a knight?

You guys have short lifespans?

[Oh, he's heard of a situation like that before.....]

I'm nothing like a damn knight. I'm only helping out where I can, since I'm strong enough.

yes. i'm a prototype, so i might have a little longer? but. we don't live long. no.

that still sounds like a knight to me. protecting people.

[Ugh, this kid reminds him more and more of the clones. It's depressing.]

I know some girls back home who were in a similar situation. They ended up going to the damn hospital for it, but they were able to have their lives artificially extended. Have you talked to Aurora about this?

[As absolutely ridiculous as it is, he wishes he could say he's like a knight.]

I've hurt a lot of people, too. Knights are better than that.

i have. she said it shouldn't be a problem here. that i wouldn't die from this. so i have time here, at least.

we fight all the time, back home. that doesn't mean we aren't good.

Then you have time to figure out what kind of life you want to lead while you're stuck here.

Hurting people isn't necessarily the same as fighting people. I wasn't doing it for any good reason.

right. yeah. i have time to figure it out now.

it isn't just fighting people. knights help protect people.

Any idea where you're going to start?

I guess. I still can't see myself being like a fucking knight, though.

i've been told making a list might help. not just one of foods for my friend quina, if they show up. but for me. what i want to do.

i don't know. just, i guess in some ways you remind me of him a little. that's all.

That isn't a bad idea. People sometimes make lists of shit they want to do before they die, like visiting another country or learning a new skill.

Well, try not to take any similarities seriously. Your friend sounds like a better person than I am.

right. or like how i'm making a list for quina about the different foods here they might like! only, it'd be a list for me. what i'd like?

mm, maybe not better or worse, just. i see similarities a little, but everyone's different. that's okay.

Yeah. You got any idea of what you want to put on it yet?

[Ugh, what's with the influx of nice kids all of a sudden?

(Two. There are two nice kids he's encountered recently.)]

Is that friend of yours here? Or anyone else you know from back home?

i've been told i should put ice cream on the list?

no. i'm the only one here from home.

Ice cream is a good choice.

[Even Misaka Worst likes that stuff.]

That's shitty, I don't know why Echo keeps bringing in kids on their own.

Look, if you need help with anything, you can call me. Okay? It doesn't matter how insignificant or dumb you think that thing is, I won't care.

it is? oh, good! i'm sure quina will want to try it too, if they come here as well. but it's okay? i'm making some new friends here. thank you, though.