Speaker for the Dead

Neon Lights and Knife Fights. AU Protoverse Mega. Partnered with @the-broken-variable. Please read my rules before interacting!

[the-broken-variable]

It changed again.

Fury is more recognizable on anyone, but even more so on Rock. Graffiti crumbles under his fist, craters more with each angry spit of fire and brimstone. Beyond the windows, from his height, he can see a scared gathering of humans pop occasionally into view, both terrified for their lives and stupidly curious.

His eyes narrowing on them causes them to back away until they were no longer within his line of sight. Ever present despite his attempts to distance himself from them.

How annoying.

The thud of boots on concrete is what has his attention returning to the volatile machine he was accompanying. An eyebrow raises at the fearlessness of the Light-bot, no, the boldness only he expressed around the vamploid. No one would have been so brash as to march up to him, as to grab his jacket and pull him down, especially for something as simple as, what, frustration? In all honesty? A refreshing change of pace.

MZ allows himself to be yanked within yelling distance, blinking at the teeth bared. Hate was an interesting reason for wanting to die, but that was yet another thing he couldn’t understand. Hearing the phrase was nothing new, though most people didn’t live long enough around him to keep spewing those lines.

“You are getting better,” is the answer he gives, hands left in his pockets despite the lean. “We met only months ago, and your reaction time has increased by 26 percent.” It’s a feat no one was able to do, though he supposed someone in the moment rarely realized their change from the inside. “If hate is what drives you to continue to improve, then I have no reason to stop you.”

“If degrading yourself with trash makes life bearable,” it sounds contradictory. A shrug of his shoulders meets rage, but the solution given was a solution. “–I suppose I will have to take your word for it.”

It still didn’t really provide why that was the only choice the General continued to make.

[a-fading-light]

A purely unbothered expression meets each verbal barb that exits the General's mouth. MZ is unaffected, because of course he fucking is. All the blond can offer in return for fury is a lack of understanding. Still, the larger machine acquiesces, defers to the illogic of it all. You could at least try to argue with me.

What's offered instead finally gives Rock pause. Grip subtly loosening as he replays the number over. If it were anyone else, he'd think those words empty platitudes. Appeasement. For it to be from the war machine makes it honest, even if the other android failed to grasp anything else in their exchange.

It doesn't exactly make Rockwell feel better, but it certainly doesn't strike another match.

"Fine. Whatever." It's not like it matters if you get anything anyway. All of this will never be more than a means to an end. Despite the irritation, his companion is fully released.

God you really get on my fucking nerves.

"I could go for another chance at punchin' your teeth in." If giving you what you want will make you stop asking stupid goddamned questions. He gestures for MZ to follow him with a slight tilt of his head, more than ready to discard the topic at hand.

[the-broken-variable]

His tone changed. What it meant, what it was before, was hard to label. A lack of understanding was the reason they were having the conversation in the first place, and yet no real answers were provided. There were responses, but those things were not always one and the same.

“There are benefits in knowing how the opposition thinks, is there not?” No surprise in the lack of understanding– his eyes scroll from the graffiti on the wall back to the eyes glaring at him. An impasse. No other cures for my boredom? “Yes. I’m here with you because I want to be. If I didn’t find reason to engage with you, then it would not be occurring.”

Despite recognizing the tone spat his way, the vamploid’s was as honest as every other. A tan hand props itself on his hip, the leather of his jacket creaking in the evening air. “You are the only consistency I’ve chosen to have. This engagement only exists because you asked for it.” I am here for you.

Simple as that, as simple as the sky was blue.

Were they using each other? Perhaps. A well-earned death, a well-earned fight. It only had to happen once for it to be over, and then there would be no point. A shame, if only because the Light-bot learned and fought far better than anyone MZ had encountered.

“Despite what we are doing, I want you to succeed.” No effort meant none from himself either. “Learning more is beneficial to the both of us.” It was not one sided. A shame it could never last.

[a-fading-light]

As always, the answer is clinically precise. MZ is not the kind to fall for bait, ever unreactive to the verbal stabs trying to goad him. No amount of aggression would yield anything productive outside of their sparring, not when the General himself posed no tangible threat.

Or perhaps it's simply that the war machine takes nothing personally. Allows it all to roll off because none of it fucking matters. The same mentality that prompts such openness about the truth of their relationship.

We are using each other. In a way that requires no obfuscation. No need to play pretend, when the point is the eventual end. It'd be easier if the blond fought back, if the hum of rage in his systems had any outlet. As it is now, he's reduced to harmless barking.

How fucking annoying.

Rock's frustration finds temporary reprieve in the form of his fist cracking into the brick behind him, splintering faded spray paint. "You want me t' succeed?" The word paired with another bitter strike into the wall, rattling the windows floors above them. "I want ya t' kill me too, but here we fuckin' are." Another failure, what else is new?

Can't even earn my own death.

"You want t' know how I think? Here's a goddamn primer for you." The DLN twists back towards the other android, boots clacking on asphalt as he closes the gap. Fury fueled by misery, by envy. How freeing it must be to feel nothing, to be a true killing machine.

Rock grabs the black leather of the blond's jacket, yanking him down to lock optics. "I hate every. Fuckin'. Moment. That I have t' live in this shitty excuse for a world. I hate every human in this godforsaken city. I hate you." Fangs bared, loathing how even now, it's meaningless. "But I am forced to deal with every last one of you assholes because I don't get a goddamn choice. So I will do whatever makes this bullshit life a little more bearable until I'm finally fuckin' free of it. Got it?"

[the-broken-variable]

Emotions don’t always make a lot of sense? That much is true, and something the killer could have said himself without much fanfare. But the act in and of itself was the true issue. One that, apparently, the smaller bot didn’t desire being highlighted.

“I didn’t realize that companionship was so easy to throw away.” By his tone, it’s not meant to be accusatory. He, who never took upon such a burden, wouldn’t have any frame of reference for that outside the media that existed before the end.

Strange. It was implied to be a lot more… important than that.

It was also implied to be a disruptive force. Rock doesn’t know what he wants, and it doesn’t make things any more clear for MZ. “…If you want that ending sooner, would it not be better to find more reasons to breach into my world?” But that wasn’t his decision to make. Again, like a mantra for every time they interacted.

I don’t understand you.

[a-fading-light]

That comment aims itself squarely for a crack in the General's armor. What was awkward yet casual now twists in Rock's core, the bitter pangs of self loathing spiraling out in his chest.

Maybe you understand better than I do after all.

"...no, it ain't easy," Rock corrects, tone having shifted into a distant resentment. Shouldn't be easy.

....but it is. He's always been easy to cast aside when he stops being convenient. It's better that way, isn't it? Makes this fucked up little deal of theirs unimportant to everyone but him.

"I can't make you understand, an' I really don't fuckin' know why you want t' anyways. It won't change anythin'."

This will end the same way, so long as he gives MZ what he wants. Just like everyone else. The only silver lining being that this will be the last time. The last time he bends, and forces himself into shape for someone else's benefit. The last time he's made obsolete.

Still, the taller android persists, trapped in a loop of logic where there is none. Makes it sound as though the fix is so simple.

"...oh is that what you want?" The point of this little thought exercise? "You're just dyin' t' spend more time with me, huh?" Caustic sarcasm, all teeth. "Got no other cures for your boredom?" Surely that's the real external motivation.

There's always something people aren't fucking saying.

[rockwell-light]

Artificial

Choking on my binary halo.

[overx]

Nemesism (Rock)

Nemesism; frustration expressed as aggression turned inward against the self.

[overx]

onism rock or vi

onism; the frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at a time, which is like standing in front of the departures screen at an airport, flickering over with strange place names like other people’s passwords, each representing one more thing you’ll never get to see before you die—and all because, as the arrow on the map helpfully points out, you are here.

[rockwell-light]

Torn at the seams

[a-fading-light]

@ziel-soundwave​ (making a small attempt to fix the trim on this old thread RIP) ….Aaaugh. It feels like a waste to end their conversation the way they had, or maybe that was Ziel’s guilt talking. It’s hard to not feel at least a little bit bad at the way he’d soured the Light-bot’s mood. It’s a bit his fault, and maybe he shouldn’t have talked as much as he had, but…

He’s too nice not to say goodbye. “See you later, Rock.” Because I have a feeling I will. The android must be nuts to want to even try, but hey, he’s the same person who was willing to date the most dangerous machine in his own City.

Ziel falls into step easily after Rock’s Twin, shuffling his coat on quickly over his arms, but he still feels reluctant to step outside. It’s leather, yes, and his… equipment should be fine in the rain, it’s just the Leader himself that was a little more water soluble. Kinda. Sure felt like it sometimes, really. “Um… Okay.” 

His gloomy mood has near nothing to do with Rock behind them and all to do with the rush of water falling from the sky. It’s not going to kill him, but it sure would suck to be in it; he’d slog himself down with water weight alone. With some debate, the blond concludes to use his guitar case as a make-do umbrella. It’s an awkward angle but better than nothing.

“…So, uh.” He does his best to step over the biggest puddle in their path, and succeeds somewhat. “Obviously you’re the guy here to rescue me, much appreciated.” That puddle though is a little harder to deal with, and water splashes over his legs. It’s impossible to not make a face that time. “I’m Ziel–”

--

Hard not to feel sympathetic as the unusually tall visitor uses his belongings for improvised cover. Well, that and the near mauling they’d just narrowly avoided at Rock’s hands. You’re a lot luckier than you realize, stranger. 

Cale’s smile is soft as he glances over, and he tries not to laugh at the pathetic misfortune of it all. Of the odds of meeting Wily’s General, getting rained on, and even now, how the blond misstepped just so. There’s something about the ridiculousness of it that tickles him, and he can’t help the small chuckle at his poor companion’s expense. 

It just ain’t your night, is it?  

“With how things are goin’, rescue is the least of my services ya need. Here,” the distinct click-snap of his umbrella reopening can be heard under the downpour, water now bouncing off its portable canopy. “Hoodie is plenty fine for me, I don’t mind the rain all that much,“ the handle is offered to the blond. 

There’s a pause, as the Light-bot considers glossing over the exchange of names. Does the risk outweigh the small kindness of normal conversation, of making the foreigner not feel like a suspect on a new list? Will ignoring it sow seeds of mistrust before he can be escorted to safety?   

....Odds are good once you go home, it won’t matter if you know who I am.

Just this once, it’s probably fine.

“Nice t’ meet ya Ziel, you can call me Cale.”

[a-fading-light]

ziel-soundwave​:

“…Um. Anyone catch whatever airlines nearly hit me last night?”

“...no but you could prob’ly ask the birds.” 

[a-fading-light]

ziel-soundwave​:

…Oh jeez. 

Always a bad liar, and the General catches on without a hitch. Normally Ziel never slipped up, but… Well, maybe it’s because of who the man across from him reminded him of. Never liked keeping secrets from Vox, and now that he didn’t have to…

Going to have to reign that in again.

Even as Rock is leaning in, the blond is equally backing in the opposite direction. “W-Well. Protocols are protocols, b-but I would really like to know how those go for offworlders, cause I’m b-being honest when I say I’ve never been here before–” Gods it’s been a WHILE since he’s been looked at like that.

Before he can be grilled further though, someone in colors a little brighter than the surrounding population scurries in. Nice purple. The Leader can’t see the individual’s face yet, but it’s clear that this is the contact Rock had been speaking about before, especially because said person waltzes over quite quickly once they see the raven-haired one.

…Two raven-haired people. Even with the hood, there is no mistaking that face. He glances hesitantly between the two androids, the difference between them small and yet completely vast. Even as the violet one is slowly pulling him away, he seems reluctant, but that is because of the monsoon outside.

“…Right.” He had his things in his lap anyways. Ziel opens his mouth, then closes it, then again only to sigh. “We will… have to continue this conversation another time?” No you’re not interrupting Cale, in fact you are very appreciated.

Disgruntled though the enforcer may be, it seems his twin unit gets a pass for the time being. Rock does not rise to greet his brother, although his expression twists in dissatisfaction at his newest chew toy being snatched away from him so quickly. He would have loved to have an excuse to dig into Ziel, but it seems that opportunity is already slipping through his fingers.

Because he thought to be a little lenient in the few minutes his mood was less abysmal. 

Should have waited a few more fucking minutes.

Whatever. Rockwell's scowl persists, but he chooses not to stare at them any longer. Instead his attention turns to the rain outside, quietly simmering, but a sign he won’t be pursuing either of them. //Get going before I change my mind,// is pinged to the other Light-bot.  

Not so much as an outward goodbye. 

A slight sigh. Should have known Rock was going to be like this. Oh well! It’s less his loss, and more the stranger’s good fortune in this case. “Yup, another time then!” Cale pulls the newcomer with him a bit less forcefully, letting the blond get a handle on his belongings as they march towards the doors. 

Rain’s still looking nasty, but at least that means the streets will be relatively clear. 

“Sorry we have t’ meet like this, but I promise I’ll get ya taken care of an’ see ya home safely. Just, uh, stick close, yeah?“

[overx]

Rock in B1!!

[[The first one is more accurate to the prompt but I think the second really has his energy lol-- ANYWAY I have had this prompt tucked away in here for 1000 years so there we go <3]]

[a-fading-light]

runedwishes​:

It’s a moment that seems to stretch on for longer than what it really was–about half a minute or so. Yet as those seconds elongated for what seemed like ages, not once did Zora remove her hand from where she had placed it on him.

She knew immediately that this wasn’t Rock, even without the tell-tale seamlines and scars. Just a few years younger than what she had sensed for the General himself, though she never expected for her Epithet to come in handy in such a passive little way like this.

Well, this just got a whooooole lot more interesting.

“Whoops! Ha, ain’t this awkward…” And much like the sun breaking through a heavy shower of rain, her looming presence fades as she backs off…walking backwards so that she’s in FRONT of Cale instead. “Sorry ‘bout that, bud! Mistook ya fer someone else fer a tick there. Dead ringer, even!”

And what’s the story behind that, she wonders to herself. Surely there ain’t a dozen of like-faced robots on these neon streets, are there? That would be real problematic…

“Pfft, what, did Ah’ scare ya? C’mon, Ah’ wasn’t even tryin’ all that hard…”

(…wonder what makes YOU different?) (( @a-fading-light​ ))

Tension builds at the hand still resting on him. A small gesture, but enough to make it clear she’s already realized her mistake. Perhaps even a silent indication Zora wasn’t planning on letting him escape too easily.

Who are you?

Caleb can’t stop the nervous smile that plants itself on his face as the cowboy swerves in front of him.

Very few people would approach Wily’s General so brazenly, fewer would address him with... well. She’s casual on the surface, but there’s an undercurrent of something else there.

“Ah, well, y’see...” is he stalling? “...funny story ‘bout that...” he’s stalling. Despite having the ability to think several times faster than any human, someone here is having trouble overcoming how badly he’s been blindsided. If she gets to know too much about him, that info has a chance of making it back to the dictator up top. Would not addressing her create problems for Rock..?

It is, perhaps against his better judgement (is there even a good call in this situation..?) that Cale goes from 0 to 100 near immediately. He turns on his heel away from Zora and breaks into a mad sprint.

Surely she won’t be able to keep up for that long, right? 

[a-fading-light]

ziel-soundwave​:

Speaking of pickpockets… The blond pulls his guitar case and jacket closer, subtly patting his belongings down. Nothing missing… And the weight of his case was more than enough to tell him Ember Edge was still inside. His response is idle, if nothing else. 

“Yeah, I thought so.” ….Oh. Ah. His brief pause as he realized what he’d just said settles in is more than enough. He skips over it, choosing to leave the odd phrasing behind. “I– appreciate that, though. Thank you.”

Ziel’s fingers return to his cup, raising it to his lips for another sip. “Yeah. I don’t… prefer to be cooped up in a hotel, you know what I mean?” Even if the environment was bad, it was somehow worse when stuck in a single place. “I’ll make sure to thank your friend too.” Juuuust move on. Mhm. Darn his ears for being so overly emotive. 

He attempts to shake his awkwardness with a laugh. “Inconvenient? No, I… Um, I think me being here is inconvenient.” But no one could control those portals. “Hopefully a new gate opens soon enough…?” 

Taking stock? Probably a good call on Ziel’s part, although it’s slightly amusing when he feels for the weight of his guitar. 

Doubt anyone’s taking that without you noticing. 

He let’s his company ramble, taking another sip of his coffee.

“It ain’t a problem, really I’d do more if--” wait. Rock stops, eyes narrowing to a glare. “You thought so?” The Enforcer leans in, the knife of his gaze already dissecting the blond. “Funny, I just remembered the protocols involve some questions about--” the venom in his voice is cut off by the ding of the cafe’s front doors, as another figure enters, hood up and umbrella popping as it closes.

It takes less than a second for him to spot the pair, and he’s rolling up to their table with an almost hurried casualness. 

“Hey! I happened t’ be in the neighborhood so I got here pretty quick. Hope I ain’t interruptin’,” Cale’s voice is light, as if to offset his twin’s caustic expression.

Got here just in time from the looks of it.

“We should get goin’, no time t’ hang around, y’know?” With that he’s already looping an arm around Ziel’s to help the stranger up. “Storm’s not gettin’ any lighter!” 

[a-fading-light]

For all the pretty neon lights this city likes to dress itself up in, the only useful thing it does for Zora is cast the same long shadows she's well acquainted with, and more than experienced enough in moving through. Maybe that was her method of staying well hidden, riiiight up until the cowgirl makes her silent gait known to pop up beside Cale with a hearty pat on the back. "Left yer bootlickin' pajamas back in yer locker or somethin'?~" She's all smiles until--

Wait.

Squint.

It's a marvel really, that Cale hadn't heard her coming whatsoever. By this point he was rather adept at picking up being tailed, it comes with the territory and all, but Zora?

She might as well have been a phantom, manifesting from the shadows in an almost inhuman way. The Light-bot staggers slightly at the hand meeting his back, and the unfamiliar drawl that accompanies it.

Oh god is she looking for Rock? Do they work together? This could be really bad. Shit shit shit--

"...uh..." he almost contemplates trying to impersonate his twin, but anyone with a keen eye would notice the missing face scar and seam lines in a heartbeat.

Is it too late to run like a frightened rabbit?

[a-fading-light]

Absolution

[a-fading-light]

Opia

Opia

Until now their interactions had been a patchwork of intentional misses, of dead drop packages, and encoded messages.

To be standing here now was risky, but there was a part of Rock that needed to make this happen. A drive shared in each communication.

I want to know you.

To finally meet at last, the brother he'd waited so long for.

There had been a kinship even in those small exchanges, yet now as they stood face to face... a different feeling boiled in his chest.

I hate this.

It'd only been for a moment that they stared. The neon glow of their optics creating mirrored halos in the midnight air. It felt at once like the gaze of a stranger, and his own eyes looking back. A graveyard of buried sorrows in bright, unnatural, green.

Are they mine, or yours..?

[a-fading-light]

Wraith

WRAITH

a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death.