alter ego

“ ɪ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛʏ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇ ᴏɴ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ sᴛᴀɴᴅᴀʀᴅs. ”

[mythlilith]

and she’ll kick you in the face (not you, you’re okay).

“it’d be my pleasure to.” at a glance, it isn’t immediately obvious how the other woman would fight—from the kick, AR-15 wants to guess that there’d be some kind of physical melee ability involved. coupled with her lithe, dancer-like build, the doll can only imagine that it’d be a graceful sight to behold. “have you been in the city long, or is most of your strength still locked away?”

judging from the declaration that follows, it’s safe to say that the stranger had enjoyed her first taste of pocky. AR-15 doesn’t quite mind feeding her, either. 

unconsciously, a smile forms. “you can call me AR-15.” pausing to fish out another chocolatey stick from the package, it’s offered towards her companion before she continues to speak. “and yeah, i have some time to kill. especially since i don’t plan on asking anyone to play the pocky game. let’s go, then?”

a quick query to her neural cloud pinpoints the nearest convenience store, and she tilts her head slightly to indicate the right direction.

✦☾       ADMITTING WEAKNESS SHOULD BE TABOO FOR SELF-MADE QUEENS. Scorn this world as she may for vandalizing her parameters, there’s still an inexcusable mountain of things she could be doing -- should be doing -- to get them all back. “I haven’t been here for too long. I’m just getting started, honestly, it’s just annoying trying to get off on the right foot.” Especially since her real ones are gone.

      “Mmkay. Let’s go. I’ll take that off your hands, first.” Repeating her most recent action ( a little too naturally, this time ), the second offering is accepted. Bit by bit, she finds herself mellowing around this individual the longer they walk together.

     Even if ‘AR-15′ is an oddly specific arrangement of alphanumeric values. “--what about you?” Small talk is strange. Strangers are strange. Interacting with strangers? Stranger. Acclimated to a life of solitude, she never imagined she’d be leisurely strolling public streets with someone that wasn’t Passionlip. All she knows is... this is how one makes friends, right? “Your powers, I mean. Are you strong?”

[mythlilith]

don juan. 

♐ ] Keeping him on his toes huh. An eyebrow would raise, as he sighs softly. That much didn’t get past her it seems. “Would you prefer something more formal? Here I thought we were going to pretend to be friends.” Nicknames come with that territory. While he wouldn’t mind with title, it felt like unnecessary work at this point. “Maybe if we buy you something that covers more. If it makes you feel better you can pick what exactly.”

As long as decency was kept, he wouldn’t complain. Though, back to subject at hand. “Ice skating?” Shades of memory comes back to him, as he starts to walk with a hint to follow. “What, do you want to feel free again?” Not that he would blame her. The reality of losing everything wasn’t exactly comforting, as he would know. “You’ll get your powers back. Just give it time. I started like you when I got here after all.”

✦☾       PRETEND TO BE FRIENDS... why would they ‘pretend’ to be friends? Nevermind that, even genuine friends? What, did he not want to be rivals anymore? “Hmph. If you call me Melt, I’m calling you Don Juan. There’s no more take-backs after that’s decided, got it?” Archer is too vague of a pseudonym anyway, and it’s easier referring to him as ‘that Red Archer’ to anyone that isn’t him. 

       Anyway! If he just wanted to buy her clothes, he should’ve just said so to begin with. “So what if I do? I think after getting kidnapped and brought here against my will, it’s the least they could give me. So just come with me, alright? I’ll grab a skirt or whatever and I can teach you how to dance.” No more wasting time. Off they go then, right into the heart of Golden Ward. “...what do you mean, anyway? You actually got your stuff back?”

[mythlilith]

      @erizipel​

⸨ ♚

       "Hey, didn’t anyone tell you that this is my place?”

        NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE GO TO THIS DANCE STUDIO, and while she would sooner perform on a stage as grand as space itself, it doesn’t mean she likes people. Let alone want them to watch her, even if they shower her with well-deserved praise. “Can you even dance?” Tuning the radio back to the classical arts station, ( from whatever music it was the Roman tried to play ) she resumes practice rounds with these new feet of hers, her finesse dampened but clearly still indicative of the old Meltryllis from the Moon Cell. 

[mythlilith]

fellow woman of culture.

it’s a bit cute, the way a glare is flashed while cheeks are flushed ( but she swears she hadn’t planned to elicit this reaction ). AR-15 bites back any further laughter, though there’s still a telltale upwards curve to her lips; it’d be impossible not to smile at something like this.

“then, let’s say i was just impressed—both by your strength and your accuracy?” the verbal consolation is offered easily, and followed moments later by an edible accompaniment. not thinking too much of it, a fresh stick of pocky is withdrawn from the package and offered to her companion, this time with fingers extending the biscuit until it hovers just before the other girl’s lips.

“here. i only have the normal chocolate ones with me right now, but there’s a ton of different flavors. things like strawberry, and fancier ones with nuts or filling inside.”

✦☾        W-WELL, IF SHE’S GOING TO INSIST on pairing her pity with a side of compliments, then who is she to say no? Half the people here don’t even know how to pay their respects, so this girl’s the first to actually say she’s impressed by anything that she does. Secretly, it makes the sentinel happy. ( Good luck having her admit it, though. ) 

      “Then you should see me at my full potential. That kind of strength and accuracy is just child’s play when I’m at my best.” Too bad she can’t hold her tongue for even a second. A fraction of her pride figures giving her acquaintance time to respond will help fill the awkward silence while she’s taking up that offer of pocky.

                                                                     mch, mnch, mnch.

       The motion feels awkward, but she doesn’t exactly shy away from eating it this way. ...It’s kind of tasty. Kind of. Swedish chocolates are superior, but she doesn’t suppose Swedish Pocky exists. “We should go buy out all the pocky, then, so we can people watch from the tip of our pocky mountain. What do you say...? Uh--” What, exactly, is her name?

[mythlilith]

idiot.

Some interests were difficult to detach from. Even in this foreign land by her own standards, the details didn’t change when it was regarding this woman in particular. Miyamoto Musashi loved to eat, and sate her appetite that would make most jealous. She would resort to whatever means if needed, like now. Though accompanying inside happily, her mood was instantly lifted to the point she would free once reaching the counter with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Climbing up the chair, menu would be grabbed almost instinctively as she quickly looks over pondering over the options. A glance other’s way would eventually notice girl’s confusion, as she’d smile. “Yes! It’s a very strong flavor but you seem like the kind of girl who’s as tough as they come! Something perfect for you I’d say is..” Laying down menu, finger would hover over an option.

“Mapo doufu. Unless, you would prefer something with meat?”

✦☾        WHY IS SHE ASKING HER ABOUT WHAT SHE PREFERS? It’s not like she’s going to eat anything. ...Not like she can eat anything, not without making a fool of herself. Meltryllis’ chin finds a cozy spot on her wrist and uses it to turn away from the girl, cheeks huffing. “I don’t care. Eat whatever you want, I’ll just pay for it.” 

       The strange thing is, she actually does care a little. Now that her nose is facing the kitchen, she’s picking up all the scents; the sizzle of Szechuan, the sauces hitting the edges of the wok, the manner in which they’re decorating everything with green onion. It’s like she’s homesick for a home she never had. 

       “...If you get a big serving size, I guess I’ll eat part of it. Just part of it, okay? Pick something good to drink that’ll go with it.”

[mythlilith]

king arthur.

All made sense; they might have reached the conclusion simultaneously, but the other was the first to speak her suspicions aloud. “It was not my intention to deceive you. True it is that I am not the Emperor, Nero Claudius, whom you suspected. I do apologize for the confusion, our likeness in appearance and summoning into the Saber class do muddy the waters. I am Arturia Pendragon, known additionally as the King of Knights — King Arthur”.

✦☾       UFUFU, MUDDYING THE WATERS IS ONE WAY OF DESCRIBING IT. “King who?” The manner in which she so bluntly asked isn’t an implication of ignorance, but one of disbelief. Poorly versed as she may be to the literary works of modern times, King Arthur was a king whom had many a prose dedicated to his legendary achievements. “No way.” No, upon closer inspection, she does bear the regality fitting of a true king, unlike that abrasive woman. Meltryllis straightens promptly, curtsying even, with the top of her palm extended. If this is going to go anything like the fairy tales, she’ll be treated like a princess.

      “Meltryllis, Alter Ego. You may know me as the Swan of the Lake; a dame worthy of praise.” Someone chivalric should be able to appreciate her artistry, right? 

[mythlilith]

stupid don juan.

♐ ] Everyone could, honestly. Even the man that often rejects them when the opportunity appears, could really use them right about now to clear his mind of these thoughts. So then, not to oblige her request but his own selfish agenda he’d help her. Though to what extent would remain to be seen. “Keep your pride, Melt. I don’t want that.” Arms would fold, as he utters a sigh.

As much he disliked the woman, she shouldn’t subject herself to be different by his hand. Well, except for one particular case. Hand coming up to chin, he’d rub it before giving situation some thought. “Wrap the cloth around your hips, and then we can talk.” If she was going to stick around, the least she could do is present herself appropriately. He might have a decent threshold of tolerance, but that was just a bit much even for him. “Do we have a deal, then?”

✦☾       ...DID HE JUST INSINUATE THAT HER FASHION IS IMPERFECT? How dare he. This attire is streamlined to tailor to her specifically, you know?! Being told to ‘cover up’ hurts her pride! To be fair though, her pride’s been nothing but hurt since encountering this man. What’s another insult to injury? It’s not like --- 

                                                                 Like? 

    "H’ah?! Melt?! Since when did you call me Melt?” When did he even shorten it?! Was it when she wasn’t paying attention? Tsk. It was better when he used the full thing. But... but... there’s some sense of familiarity with this. Nicknames are supposed to be used on people you talk to a lot, right? “Whatever. We have a deal already, so let’s go. ...You don’t expect me to wear this forever, do you? I want to go ice skating.”

[mythlilith]

?.

128 locked within the Moon Cell. a much smaller pool than the 10,000 he had been among. and yet the horror impacts irrespective of number; for almost all of those, she had witnessed or partaken in their demise simply fighting for survival. and to reference the contest in the plural, that number might inflate to thousands regardless. rather than equal the unsettling feeling of his scenario, that horror multiplied; no-one in SAO had to kill another player, but on the Moon Cell’s battleground, it was mandatory.

precisely how she could speak of it as though it were any normal competition, he couldn’t yet understand, though his hands weren’t entirely clean themselves. it might very well be, from the plentiful nature of the royales, she had become numb — at the very least, she wasn’t one reveling in cutting down those who stood in her way. « i don’t know. we were still trapped when this place replaced Aincrad, and the other players aren’t anywhere to be seen. » her defeat did concern him; she spoke confidently of her strength, yet failed nevertheless; perhaps the same fate could befall him, in spite of his efforts. that was if he hadn’t been removed from the field altogether and deserted the others. « i’ve seen others lose, been unable to save them. t’s unlikely any of us can outright ‘win’ with the price we’ve paid. but surviving to escape, that’s all we could fight for. i wonder if it was the same for you and the people in the Moon Cell. »

✦☾

     IS IT KARMA, THEN, that her affliction is a form of neurological disorder? Meltryllis cannot perceive the emotions of others nor can her fingers feel anything. What if her setback was pre-determined in order to prevent her squandering time away on dolls? If she was a designated Sentinel, then it would make sense that they would rob her of that pleasure. But, BB wouldn’t do that. She’s smart, but not smart enough. Cruel, but not cruel enough. Right? “To be honest with you, I haven’t really been outside in the ‘real’ world. I’ve been in the digital one this entire time. From what I hear, though, some of these contenders deliberately upload themselves into the system. Their online bodies tend to appear differently than their real ones.” 

     Kids could acquire a form that’s much older and more capable, for example, or a sick person could find themselves perfectly healthy. Those ailments don’t typically persist when you’re just a cluster of coding. She’s almost envious. Almost. “I guess you guys would call it ‘avatars’, right? If that’s the case, then this is my avatar for this place. My real self is far taller, and far more superior. I’d like to battle you, but I can’t really do that in this state.” He is a warrior, after all. “Seeing as we have some things in common, why don’t we head toward the arcade? I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, by the way.”

[mythlilith]

stupid don juan.

♐ ] Traces of her personality are all so familiar to him in the form of another, something he isn’t exactly happy about. That trait was always so burdensome, for one reason or another. Ironic as it was to come from him, this form of dishonesty was more annoying than anything. It wasn’t as if he was dumb, after all. 

Rolled eyes, folded arms, and a deep sigh. Hints that he was relatively done with playing her game. More so, when he was attempting to help for whatever reason or another. Why? Honestly he doesn’t even know at this point. “Stay around long enough and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Not everything you see is what it seems.” His experience here shows, for better or for worse. “Don’t get too hung up on losing your strength. You wouldn’t be the first servant here to. It’ll come back in time, just find something to do till then. Who knows, maybe you can even find a friend here.”

✦☾

      FRIENDS? Who needs friends? Is that what he thinks she wants? She’s just looking for momentary entertainment! If anything, being away from BB and Passionlip is like a vacation for her. She doesn’t need to hear the grating words of that obnoxious woman nor does she have to play caretaker for that slow one, but... 

      Does she have to say it? He sees right through her, doesn’t he? ‘Dishonesty’ is her only honest way of portraying the abnormalities that she feels. “Help me, then.” Maybe, just maybe, there’s a part of her mind that wanders toward her fellow Sentinel, wondering whether or not she’s okay without her around anymore. “It’s not like we’re enemies anymore. You’re the only one that knows me, so you’re the only one that can tolerate me. What? Do you want me to compromise or something? Fine. I’ll start by calling you just A-Archer. Or something... okay? Archer?”

[mythlilith]

freeloader.

Never squander an opportunity. They words to live by, to embody. Though maybe, the person who taught her that lesson did not intend for these lengths. While the method was shameful for some, that wasn’t the case when in regards to her. Shame meant nothing if she could live another day, though at this point she would start with another meal.

“And buy me a bowl of food…?” Added words posed the question early, as eyes wouldn’t bother to look up to. Perhaps if she could earn more pity.. she could earn more favor… a dangerous idea but one she finds herself leaning on it all the same.

✦☾        PITY... PITY ISN’T A SENTIMENT REGISTERED IN HER SYSTEM! An AI of her caliber doesn’t feel such needless emotions, nor does she empathize with them or even want to, but you know what she does feel? Annoyance. On a day to day basis, there’s always a nuisance wandering around that gets on her nerves. Usually, they dissipate like the flies that they are and leave her be.

       This fly comes with an iron ball and chain connected to her waist. “Fine! It’s not like I use my money to buy food or anything. ...It’s not necessary for me to eat. You, on the other hand.” She scowls, dragging them through the entrance of the door as the overhanging bell alerts a server to their positions. He's understandably bewildered but diligently led them to a bar-side seating area where the smell of Szechuan infiltrates her nostrils. 

        “What-- What is that smell? It’s...? Spicy?”

[mythlilith]

victim.

there was an obvious hesitation in addressing her insinuation; to her, it was a simple conclusion made on what he presumed was plenty of observation. « you could say that. it’s been a major part of my life for the past two years. stuck inside a game where dying means actual death in the real world too, and none of us can get out. so a good number of us just try to help one another out so we can last until the day we escape. »

Moon Cell was her own location disclosed, and by name alone, he did have to admit intrigue. « it doesn’t ring a bell. the world we’ve been living in is called Aincrad. what’s the Moon Cell like? these kids there, are they anything like us — trapped inside a system where data and reality are blended? are you a victim of it as well? » contemplating even hypothetically another land where the same fate might befall others, and youths at that, chilled his blood. fiction might have its tales of such scenarios but imagining it as reality, more so having lived it, instilled great unease — theirs was bound to be only one of any number scenarios, they were not unique. 

✦☾

      THERE’S A DISPARITY BETWEEN HIS STORY AND HERS. As far as she knows, the Moon Cell essentially enables a being like her to exist. Likewise, those thrown in its discourse are made to contend against one another, rather than assist. Unless he infers the relationship between a Master and a Servant. “I don’t really know anything about Aincrad, but yes. Individuals trapped within the cell vary in age and battle one another to achieve victory. The number of competitors begins at 128, totaling seven rounds. These battle royales have only begun taking place recently, however, despite the cell’s photonic crystals dating back to the beginning of mankind.”

       In other words, the world was uninhabited for countless millennia. “No. I was a subjugator. My foes met their end once they met me, and I could not be contested. ...It couldn’t be helped. They were just normal humans with primitive forms of code cast.” There is not a speck of remorse in her tone; no semblance of emotion or grief for the lives she’s taken. No, they were simply food to her. If they were the victims, she was the predator. “Of course, like any generic story, there was a final victor at the end of it all. It wasn’t me. Seeing as you are here, you look like you finally ‘escaped’. ..But did you ‘win’?”

[mythlilith]

fan the hammer.

    ‘Course, it never occurred to Cayde that the young lady wasn’t human. When you’ve been a robot for as long as he has, the distinctions blur. Frankly, it didn’t matter in the end and it certainly didn’t matter right as Cayde readied himself a few yards away from the gal. As long as she can do what she claims, all’s good.     And yes, it’s pretty irresponsible of him to do so.

“Alright, guess we’ll see which is faster. My dumb pellets or your legs. Which I’m curious about, but I ain’t askin’! Just so you know.” Without further ado, Cayde shoots from the hip. Twice the hammer was pulled, see if she can kick two bullets coming her way.

✦☾

      SUCH RECKLESS INDILIGENCE should be punished. Were he a true enemy of hers, that aloof behavior would certainly find itself straightened beneath her foot. “Me, obviously.” He probably didn’t hear that over the sound of his shots firing. Careening her leg to a slanted angle, she parries the two bullets with ease, disappointed by the lack of resistance.

       “Hey, are you going easy on me? Shoot some more.”

       Considering they’ve only just started, he probably is. Honestly, it’s going to be harder keeping the pocky intact than it is to kick his bullets. ...But truthfully, she can’t say. Movements in a body that’s both shorter and weaker feels a touch too foreign, but she’s already signed herself up for this.

[mythlilith]

fellow woman of culture.

in a way, her own intelligence had been dictated by that of her creators—not even that, but every aspect of her personality down to her food preferences, most likely. it earns a faint smile and a vague response. “i mean… ignorance is bliss, yeah? and i’m sure that humans aren’t constantly plagued by thoughts of how limited they are by their organic forms.” even though they most certainly are, in most cases. “i don’t envy it.”

when the biscuit falls to the ground, AR-15 doesn’t think too much of it; a hand is nearly extended to offer another one, but what ensues has her mouth quite literally open in a small ‘O’ of shock. for a long while afterward, all that she can manage is a stunned silence. eventually, she looks from the box of pocky back to the stranger, back once more, then bursts into laughter.

“haha… is that how you usually feed pigeons? i think that was a crow you hit, though,” she teases, barely able to contain her amusement long enough to manage the entire sentence. “here—this one’s for you, alright? not the birds.” and with that, the box is offered once more.

✦☾

      DID SHE FAIL? Ugh, she totally did. There’s no way she can play it off. So, how does a ballerina fix her mistakes? By accepting them gracefully, and standing up to them, gracefully. Though her face is utterly inflamed, she musters a pained expression with closed eyes. It beats her habitual instinct of belligerently berating her company. 

       “..Nrgh. It was just a slip of my foot. You don’t have to laugh so loudly.” Her hurt pride has her glaring daggers, but their tips are awfully soft. It’s the same type of glare she’d shoot at Passionlip. “...And, I can’t have any. Not that I don’t want any; I’d like to try them to see what the fuss is about, but.” Again, her eyes shift. “My hands, they--”

        She does wear oversized sleeves for a reason. Since her fingers can’t feel anything, they tend to find themselves at limp angles. The only way for her to eat is to either faceplant it like a savage brute, or... have someone feed her.

[mythlilith]

ohagi guy.

      Another person who accepted his gift, though his face didn’t show it, deep down he could feel an immense relief for not being completely ignored. So when the other grabbed one, he waited for her response, he didn’t hope much but anything could be a good start to meet new people. 

      ❝ That’s just how my face looks.❞ Honest words, not aware of how unapproachable he could look sometimes. 

✦☾

      GEH. HOW ANYONE could ignore him is beyond her. Those eyes can trace anyone from a distance and leave them with a sense of dread. “...Humans truly are flawed. And if not flawed, doomed.” Inconsiderately, she blurts this out while obtaining another confection for herself. Considering how small and sticky it is, it rests atop the back of her hand nicely. Harsh as she is, she’s seemingly enjoying it.

      “There’s someone I know that indulges in these. She would be infatuated with you, but she’s a devilish one. Aren’t you worried about inviting trouble?” Or is he just slow? “Like if I were a thief, what would you do?”

[mythlilith]

whomst.

      On his hands it rests a tray with different type of ohagi, a dessert he cooked from scratch with the sole intention of being able got closer to others and perhaps make some friends. Quietly, he holds the tray waiting for any passerby to take one. 

✦☾

      BERATING HIM IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND, but the more she stares at his stupidly-honest, empty eyes, she can’t help but click her tongue and take one. The manner in which she clumsily scoops it up with her sleeves and nibbles away at it might strike him as odd, but, oh well. She’s too busy being enjoying its coying sweetness. 

    “...It’s not detestable. But, why are you handing these out with that look on your face? It almost looks like you’re waiting to play a prank on someone.”

[mythlilith]

whomst.

“Wait, seriously?” He was mostly joking, so this surprised him. Actually, her entire… uhh, outfit, surprised him. He’s beginning to wonder if the people of Spirale never got cold. Oh, that and her cool legs. “Well first off, nice heels kid. Secondly, ‘kick it back’ as in, kick these BB gun pellets outta the air? With those? Are you kidding me? That is the most ridiculously unsafe thing I’ve heard of since I got here!” Cayde then promptly loaded up his BB gun and tossed her a box of pocky. “Let’s do it.”

✦☾

      AS A ROBOT, he should understand, right? It hasn’t occurred to her yet that she’s likely perceived as a typical human being to others, since being an AI, none of it really matters. Plus, pants look clunky. “I see you can appreciate the finer things in life, so I’ll entertain you for a while. I’ve been meaning to test the endurance of these legs, anyway.” 

      They look inferior in just about every way to her original ones, so needless to say, her faith in them is weak. Fumbling with the box for a moment, she grabs a stick with her mouth and raises her knee half-way into the air, gesturing for him to fire away. 

[mythlilith]

fellow woman of culture who i’ve just embarrassed myself in front of.

the word humans earns a resounding nod from the android. now this is someone she can relate to. “if you’re asking someone to play the game with you, you’re practically already asking to kiss them. it’s so obvious, unless they’re using it as a trick to steal a kiss from someone pretty dense.” and with that, she pops another stick of pocky into her mouth before offering the box to the stranger.

✦☾

      ‘SOMEONE PRETTY DENSE’ makes up the majority of the population. So in a way, whoever thought of the game must’ve been a genius compared to everyone else that’s played it. “Those people should be considered victims of humanity. It must be difficult having your intellect decided by your predecessor’s genetics.” That’s how it works, right? She eyes the box for a second and grabs one, only to drop it as soon as it was pulled. Meltryllis freezes, her fortitude wavering.

       She got too caught up in the conversation. “--I meant to do that. There’s a hungry pigeon somewhere here, I’m sure.” Should she pick it up? Should she kick it away? ( She desperately doesn’t want to come off as rude to someone who actually seems agreeable for once! ) Argh! Without thinking, she compulsively punts it into the sky where it does, in fact, smack a bird.