firstworldproblem | IC Inbox (Imeeji)

What happened, then?

[He frowns at the question.]

I don't remember a lot, but... Enough to know there's no reason to go back.

The star was shattered into ten and four reflections, each a piece of the original whole.

[He pats his shoulder.]

It is apparent a thousand thoughts are swirling about your head in regards to your home. Tell me about them.

Shattered... ? I'm guessing you don't mean into literal pieces.

[He again takes some time before responding.]

I, well, androids were created to help humanity, but apparently all humans are dead on my world. There are humans here though, so it makes more sense to stay here.

[He hesitates, but eventually continues.]

I may be dead, too.

Unique physical entities yet, but as you allude to it is not similar to shattering a vase on the floor. Something more.

[He pauses as well.]

There are more people here that have perished than you would guess. I am among them. Though I am sorry to hear that humans have perished from your world.

But I would start at a different question. Do you still wish to help humanity?

Things definitely sound complicated for you. You said there were fourteen "reflections" so... copies, or something like that? But if it was shattered then they're not full copies, right?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some of the people here are dead. Maybe we all are. Hell is supposed to be part of the human afterlife, so it makes sense.

[For once he doesn't hesitate before answering.]

It's what I was created to do, so yes.

Let's put aside my past for a moment to not complicate matter.

Not all of us have met our demise, but not all are living. 'Tis quite a mix. Ah, Hell is a term known to you. It was not when I first arrived. Nor was the Holy Bible, though I must admit I didn't get through the entirety of it.

Your creators are no longer here, and it seems your purpose is not as straightforward as it once seemed. Just because your created purpose was to protect humanity does not mean it must always be that way.

[He pulls a bit of a face, but doesn't press the issue. It seems to be a matter that will require significant time to fully explain.]

I wouldn't say I know much about Hell. Humans created lots of different religions, but ideas like God, Heaven, and Hell seem to be part of quite a few of them. As far as I know, Hell is supposed to be a place where people are sent to suffer after death, so it seems odd that there are people here who are still alive. Then again, it's hard to say which version of Hell this is supposed to be.

[He shakes his head a little.]

It's part of my programming though... I don't think it can be changed that easily. Besides, I want to help.

Hell is a fancy title provided for this place. What we have is a political struggle between factions of being of incredible power, skill, and charisma. This is not what happens to souls when they perish.

[He nods, satisfied with the answer.]

As long as you desire it, that is a first step. No need to follow the orders of a creator that no longer exists. So you want to help, not a truly surprising request, but there is more to delve into.

Why do you want to help?

So you're saying this is a place called Hell, but it likely has nothing to do with the human concept of Hell?

[He's a bit perplexed by the question at first.]

Why? I guess I like everyone I've met so far. It would bother me if something happened to them.

I think it is modeled after the concept, but I wouldn't call it such, no. We are simply caught between forces of power.

[He taps his chin.]

Because you like them, correct? I just warn you that you can't simply live off of hoping others are happy. You need to find happiness for yourself.

I could definitely do without their stupid games.

[He's really just complaining to himself.]

Well, Hellfire said we're "Familia", which I guess is like a family. I don't think I've ever had anything like that before... Androids don't have parents or anything like that.

My own happiness though, hmmm. I guess I like learning things?

[His expression changes somewhat, as if he's suddenly remembered something.]

Oh, how is uh... Lahabrea?

Edited 2020-09-14 19:42 (UTC)

There is much to learn here. As a scholar considering the vast numbers of stars, their magics, their knowledge. The possibilities are endless. Truly the most difficult tasks is to narrow down what to learn.

Did you not have friends or trusted allies among the androids? Those whom you would share your heart with?

[He pauses to think on that.]

What ails him has passed and though his heart is still heavy from it, he is on the way to mending. It will take time. Your group was much kinder to him, you know. And to me. Though I am sorry you had to experience it.

Lucifel mentioned a library that contains all the knowledge in the universe, but apparently no one knows how to access it. I'd be curious to see it, but I doubt that'll happen.

Friends or allies...

[He's quiet a moment, before letting out a short sigh.]

Maybe. But I don't really have many memories to go off of, so it's hard to say. The one person I do think I might have been close with wasn't there at the end, when I died, that is. So, I'm not sure what that means.

I'm glad to hear he's starting to feel better. And there's no reason for you to apologize, it was a stupid "game", there's nothing you could have done about it. Although, that reminds me...

What, exactly, happened to you during that last fight?

What a waste of a library.

Then as your memories are sparse what do you think of your current unitmates? Ignore the thoughts of "Familia" and what your life as an android meant. In this moment, what would you like to pursue? And that can change over time, but it helps to have a starting point.

[He laughs at that realizing the implication.]

I'm not mortal like most of those here. In fact one might consider my true form more akin to 'energy' than anything else. Energy than can be formed and shaped into my choosing. And before all this I was considered a sorcerer of eld. Can you imagine how dull it is not being able to teleport everywhere? I'm not sure how the masses manage.

That's what I thought too. Why have all that knowledge if no one can use it?

My unitmates? We've had our differences a few times, but they've also helped me a lot. It's just nice having others around, you know? Some of them are a little weird, but I guess they wouldn't be themselves if they weren't.

I guess... I want to know why we're here. I mean, why we were brought here. Is it really just to keep a bunch of demons entertained? And how did we get here. Maybe there's no grand plan but... I can't help thinking there's more going on here than what we've been told.

[He's not as shocked as he once might have been by the revelation that Emet-Selch is entirely non-human, but it's still a strange thought.]

Energy, huh? So you could just... turn into whatever you wanted to?

[But why a big purple monster???]

Vehicles don't seem too bad for getting around, right?

[The joke ----

His head ----]

Oh, 'tis definitely more than what it seems. No one makes this amount of elaboration without a dear wish in their heart be it for love, greed, spite, or desire. Though it is uncertain if we will ever know the depth of it.

And your journey may not end here depending on which path you take. As upsetting as your death is, it seems freeing in a way. If you have no attachments, I recommend you find some. No one should go through life alone.

[He laughs.]

Yes. Would I have my abilities I could sculpt this form into anything I like. Though I do enjoy the familiar.

Ah, yes. Do you know how to drive?

Maybe we won't ever know, but... I still want to find out. Impossible knowledge just seems more appealing.

[Surely there could be no danger in seeking out such knowledge.]

I wouldn't say I'm alone but it does feel like something is... missing. Or someone. Actually... I did see someone in a memory, but I don't really know how I felt. Sad? I don't know why, though.

[He shakes his head as if to throw the thoughts from his mind.]

So, why that form? Was he someone important to you?

The only cars I can remember from my world were covered in rust, so I doubt I know how to drive. It can't be that hard though, right?

I see we've found ourselves another scholar. I imagine that is what brought you here to me today, isn't it?

[He taps his chin.]

Someone important. Well, you only have a glimpse of yourself, but tell me about this someone special. What details do you remember?

[He sighs.]

Comfortable. Familiar would be the best way to describe it. And living formless is troublesome all the time so I need one to rely I, don't it?

As for this one, it was the last role I played. I do have duty after all. And I do not like to discard it until I have need for a new one. Though I didn't get to choose this. The Production did for me.

Kind of, yeah. I was mostly curious what happened to your world and all. Things looked pretty bad when we were there.

There was another android, 2B. [He lingers on the name for a moment.] She didn't seem overly friendly, but I think we got along. She was in two different memories, so I must have spent at least some time with her. Oh, she and I seemed somehow different from other androids I saw, too. We were the only two with white hair, for instance... No, there was a third white haired android. I don't know her name, but we fought each other. I don't really know why, I just-

[He can feel himself getting angry just thinking about the other android, though he doesn't know why. He takes a deep breath.]

There's no reason for androids to fight each other. I guess if I buy more memories I might find out why.

Duty, huh? What "role" were you filling, then?

It was broken into ten and fourteen reflections. Ever do we seek to put it back together. But that is tale for another time. I am too weary to live through it at the moment. All was done for that.

An ally and comrade at least.

[He pauses before stating.]

The third seems to be not as friendly.

[He still doesn't get how a world can be broken into pieces, but he's not stupid enough to push the matter when Emet-Selch clearly doesn't want to elaborate.]

Well, good luck with everything. It doesn't sound like it'll be something that's easy to fix.

[By this point the sun has gone and stars are becoming visible, and a chill breeze rudely comes blowing by. Jack shivers involuntarily.]

I think I've dumped a lot on you... sorry. Maybe we should head back?

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