Goblintown Cleanse

Log Info

• Title: Goblintown Cleanse
• Emitter: MAC-B1G
• Characters: MAC-B1G, Ashes, Toha
• Place: A02: Goblintown
• Time: Thursday, June 04, 2020, 10:48 PM
• Summary: MAC-B1G is purchasing parts for some self-repair when he catches the attention of Ashlee and Toha. They are both curious, willing to help, and do so. In the course of things a few topics are discussed, mostly the meaning of friendship and what an ex-lover is. MAC relays some of its backstory, then shuts down while Toha cleans the interior. Ash is curious about golem Death, and quizzes Toha on it. The feminine golem eventually asks what happened when she came back, as her friend described some utterances. Ash is able to translate everything Toha said, except the Kulthian portions. Repairs finish, they close up MAC and leave it to self-initiate, and go off to get some food which Ash will choose.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A02: Goblintown *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

'Goblintown' consists of a dead-end street where a number of poor (and, as the name suggests, goblinoid) residents of the city live. Many of the buildings here have been cobbled together with whatever material was available at the time, often bits of metal and stone stolen from the factories to the north rather than wood. That said, in recent days, many of these temporary structures have been converted to more permanent fixtures, giving the area a less 'shanty' and more 'conventional' appearance, interspersed with the previously impoverished look the place was known for.

The occasional shrine to Reos seems to represent the only 'official' presence in the area, with the City Watch seeming all but invisible here. In their place, there appear to be numerous Arvek and Gobber groups that form a makeshift community watch, giving the sense of wary eyes on every street. From time to time, the symbol of Serriel may be seen as well, though mainly among the Arvek, who oft bear it with pride. Oruch shops sit alongside gobber ones, though the latter far outnumber the former; gobbos' nimble minds make them the natural crafters of the goblinoid world.

At one point there were few shops here, but now the entire area bristles with brisk trade of things ranging from basic necessities to the more esoteric magical and bits of artificery. It is said that one can find everything they need in Goblintown without having to step foot in another section of the city, and this statement, judging by the activity in this area night and day, may very well hold true.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
MAC-B1G      6'6"     303 Lb     War Golem         Neuter    Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
Toha         6'2"     282 Lb     War Golem         Female    A woman shaped contrivance of leather and steel, with oruch weaponry.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

THUD-CLANK. THUD-CLANK. THUD-CLANK. The rhythmic sound comes from the variegated material collection point referred to as 'junk yard.' It grows louder and the source becomes clear as a twisted piece of metal emerges from the gates and into the travelway proper.

This metal is held in a the manipulative appendage forged of more metal, which is attached to and part of a further metallic chassis. The two-tone sounds are now readily identifiable as a step taken by the emerging golem, promptly followed by the twisted piece to be impacted grazingly by the opposite leg moving.

Across the street, watching, is an arvec nar of singular colouration. All aspects of her appear to be grey. Some warm, some cold, some light, some dark. The exceptions are a skull marking on her face, and stylized skeletal markings of bones on her body, which are white, and some blackness on the tip of her nose and eye sockets. Her hair is thick, string-like and clumped. Her clothes, once fine and black, are faded threadbare. In front of her is a cup of tea, and a deck of cards. She's seated with a snack, some kind of dried meat. She watches the acoustic emergence with some interest.

Meanwhile talking to one of the uncommon Oruch dealers in the distrcit, mostly because he hears from the old country now and then, Toha is handing the fellow coins as he hands her a couple of aetheric galvaning coils in a wireframe basket. She claps a fist to her breast and wishes him Angoron's might and Reos' wit before she turns toward the nearby footfalls of... Wow. She ventures closer to her kinsman on reasonably light footfalls in comparison and says, "Hey, how are you?" She catches sight of the skull lady in the corner of her eyeslit as her interest is piqued as well.

The dull metal faceplate pans to the approaching unit and its forward motion halts. The faceplate then pitches downard to scan the inquirer with lit cyan options. A response is vocalized in a slightly hollow, echoing bass tone. "Current status: operational."

The seated arvec nar gathers up her cards and tucks them away in her satchel. She rises slowly and approaches the pair of machines. Her expression is as blank as theirs, and her decorative facial markings include a few silver piercings. She drifts up beside Toha, clothes lightly flapping. Her voice is monotone, she says, "Hello."

Toha nods at the response, but, of course can't smile in approval, though she gives a warmly modulated, "That's good to hear!" before the grey lady steps up alongside and she turns her head to overtly regard her, "Hello, ma'am, how are you?" She turns her face to a point between the two, leaving them both in view of her eyeslit as she introduces herself, "My name is Toha, what's yours?" probably to both of them.

"I'm Ashlee Ciardahn. I prefer Ash." The skull faced woman says. She examines Toha in great detail, skull features aside, the arvec has an intense stare when something catches her interest. It seems to be professional, "I put you back together. Were all the parts in the correct places?"

"This unit designated Beta One Gamma. Model: Multipurpose Assault Construct. Unit designate Toha," It's face pans from one to the other, "unit designate Ashlee Ciardahn I prefer Ash." The comment from Ash causes it to pan back and scan Toha again, more slowly and with more resolution. "Query: Unit Toha is damaged?"

Toha cants her head a little at the question and makes a soft, slightly musical chuckle at the misconception, "She has two designations, Beta One Gamma. Some use shortened versions of their designations for the convienience of others." she says gently, looking to the Ashen one, "It's a very nice name, miss Ash, and everything more or less ended up where it should be, thanks!" She looks back to her kinsman, "I'm intact, thanks in part to her."

"Ok." Ash says, simply and succinctly with a short nod of her head. Her voice remains monotone and slow. "I was supposed to cover you after. Sorry about that."

MAC-B1G parses the clarification, focus shifting back to the arvek. "Unit Ash," it confirms. It may also be an address when the rod-like piece of twisted metal is extended abruptly towards her and into her immediate vicinity by the bearing appendage. "Raw material to enact future repairs."

The newer construct cants her head a little as Ash apologizes, then gives a little shrug and, "It's ok, someone covered me." Toha turns her attention to her elder's antics and nods, "That's nice, Beta One Gamma. Are you in need of repair? I can help."

"I can watch." Ash suggests, which might not help but does seem like something she could do. She reaches out and touches the rod, then drops her hands back to her sides. Her clothes flutter briefly, and she adjusts the strap on her satchel.

MAC-B1G rotates its torso now, rather than just faceplace, to Toha. This brings it to face the other unit and swings the metal to toha as well. "Diagnostics indicate sub-structure degradation," it offers as explanation.

Toha nods, "Possible metal fatigue, or accumulation of contamination?" she wonders. She makes a soft mmm sound, then, "If you trust me, we can find a place to work and I can take a look?" There's a quick look to Ashes move and she wonders, "Didja just magic yer clothes, miss Ash?"

"No. My familiar is crawling around." Ash explains. She remains standing still and a rather large house centipede crawls out of her shirt around her neck. It moves over to her hair and climbs that until it is sitting on top of her head, the first few segments raised and shifting from one direction to another. "I'll get some magic clothes when these wear out."

"Proceed," B1G intones before its faceplate pans to Ash. There are clicking sounds as segments along the centerline of its torso disengage. This allows the halves to separate and they open, hinged at either side. The top-most portion hinges upward and would obscure its view forward were it not focused upon Ash and her companion unit to its side.

Inside is its interior. Endoskeleton framework of sturdy woods such as oak and teak, some sections bound in metal strips for reinforcement. Its power generating "heart" glows brightly, even through the layer of dust. Some of the metal reinforcements show signs of corrosion, and there may be spots of dry-rot in the wood. All components appear designed for sturdiness, but less longevity in favor of more common or inexpensive materials. That there are also signs of a decrepit bird's nest, soil, and possibly even sickly grass growing in said soil suggest age and/or maintenance may also be concerns.

Toha cants her head at Ashe's explaination and nods, "I seen people with clothes that change with a thought. It's a neat trick, probably really convienient, too." She turns back and cants her head the other way; she has never seen one of her own open up in such a literal way before. She briefly examines the fascilitating mechanae that allow this as she steps in closer to give him a proper lookover. "No one's been helpin' ya look after yerself, have they, big guy?" she says sympathetically, "I know how hard it is t'get some of the internals taken care of." She narrates as she starts to work, "Looks like ya got topsoil in here, somehow, grass growin' in it." drawing a small wire brush to start going over the trouble spots, first. The structural replacements may take more work, but at least she can get a guage of how much is just the poor guy's clogged up.

Ash joins Toha in peering into the golem's interior. "My Ex would make those." She answers, regarding the magically changing clothes. The arvec hovers behind the female golem, staying out of her way but observing as she narrates and cleans. "You had a friend." She comments, as the abandonned nest is spotted. Finally, she offers, "Do you need me to hold something?"

MAC-B1G's faceplate and optics attempt to follow Ash, though the opened upper panel obscures its view forward. "This unit is not designed for agriculture. Unit designate Ash, clarify 'friend?'" It is dirty, dusty, and may have acquired a few passengers and ailments, but the dirt is only so deep. the corrosion mostly surface and the spots of dry rot shallow. It is still structurally sound.

The feminine golem nods and looks toward Ash at her offer, "Yes, please. Can you hold this" 'this' is indicated with a tap of her thumb where she holds it, "Just where it is, and hold this brush till I need it? Thank you!" The brush is offered as well. Once her burdens are assumed, she asides, "Looks like most of it was dirt and such gumming up the works." and pulls a small jar and a sort of dense spongelike application device, a little one, from some of her belt pouches. "There's a little surface degradation, but I can fix that no problem." she notes, "Are you noting any improvement, big guy?" before glancing at Ash, "What's an Ex?" Scrub-scrub-scrub....

"Oh." The ashen arvec stops to think a moment. Despite her terse responses, she is intelligent and perceptive, and sometimes she knows things. Especially when she handles them. She's aware that whatever she says may be the foundation on which a large number of assumptions and actions are taken. There's a certain gravity and danger to what she might say, and while a dictionary definition might do, it could lack some aspects and she doesn't have one memorized. However when she speaks it does sound as if she's rattling something off from a tome.

"A friend is someone who is not family or a lover with whom you share kindness, compassion, common interests and beliefs and you feel loyal to and enjoy the company of. A true friend will never lead you astray and always have your best interests at heart. Animals, do not usually meet most of those requirements but can supply loyalty, companionship and affection without complications. You had a bird friend living in you."

Ash holds the brush, and the indicated object, as Toha requests. The feminine golem's question could have an even longer definition, but the arvec nar has been all over her insides and knows she's got a much better knowledge base. Thus, she responds, "A lover, who isn't anymore."

Toha continues her work, scrubbing the decay of time from her kinsman's structure and applying a proper protective coat in it's stead to stave it off for a bit longer. "Sorry it didn't work out, Ash. It looks like it.... hurts when that happens." she says with what could be honest sympathy, but, over time, leaving that issue be for now, she only asks for the brush now and then, trading it for the sponge and vice versa until she finishes the job, then steps back, guiding her to do the same before, "We'll all clear, Beta, you can close up, now. Hope that helped!" The other golem is allowed to square himself away in the aftermath, and she begins stowing her tools, "Thank you very much for helping, Ash."

"It's fine now." Ash says, whether she's referring to the internal state of MAC-B1G or the end of her relationship isn't clear. It's a dual purpose statement that works for both. She steps back when instructed and hands back the brush and other tools she ended up holding. Her words are still flat, a little slow and bored sounding, "I was happy to."

She's still watching the feminine golem, rather intently. The centipede on her head moves from sitting on top to encircling it, forming a carapace tiara.

Toha glances to the other golem and she steps away, "It will take him a few to get resituated. I'm not sure he minds, but let's give him some privacy, all the same. Well, not enough t'let someone jump him or anything I mean. But.. enough." There is a little shrug and, she picks up her little basket before she meets the Arvec's eyes, "Your friend is very comfortable." she notes, "I... think you have a question?"

"What was it like for you?" Ash says, abrupt and directly. She can only mean one thing. She tucks a thick strand of hair behind an ear, and rubs at her centipede after. She makes a small nod. "Do you remember?"

"Helping Beta?" Toha wonders, "I enjoy helping my brothers." she replies fondly. There is a moment, and her chin lowers, "But that isn't what you meant, is it...?"

She nods her head, "When you were dead. Do golems remember, or are you 'off'?"

Toha's head pivots slightly away from Ash on the question, but she doesn't about face on her. There are a couple moments of silence, "No... there... was something." she says quietly, then her face realigns to the woman, "There was something...." her head cants a touch, "But... I can't... I know it's there, but it won't come. Then was... chaos. The bad place, then I was under yer sheet."

Ash listens, eagerly it seems, even though her expression hasn't changed. It's something in her eyes, a particular intensity. Especially with all the uncertainty. She nods. "Thank you for telling me."

Toha is hard to guage from her face, most go by her gross postures, but whatever it going on it that artifice in her head, her posture is hard to guess, "I'm sorry I don't... have more coherence. Cryosanthia... my sith friend said I said things in languages she'd never heard, but... I don't remember saying anything."

"The white sith?" Ash asks. She stares for a moment, as if waiting for an answer, but right when one might come she interrupts. "I was listening in the hall. You said something in Kulthian, then screamed. Next was, 'Stop. Hurts. Why? What the Hell? Where am I?' In Yrch. Then you said hi."

Toha cants her head the other way, "You recognize Kulthian?" she asks softly, an unsettled tone in her voice. She straighens a little, not squaring, but, things are going through her mind, "That... sounds like the bad place." A pause, "I... remember 'where am I' and 'hi'..."

Ashlee nods solemnly, "Your words were drawn out and painful. Some artificers in Blar and Merkabah used Kulthian. I remember the tones." After a moment she adds, "I'm sorry."

Toha shakes her head a little bit, "It's necessary fer artifice. It's... part of how it works." she says softly but, "Thank you." She lifts her chin for a moment to consider Ashley's headband, then reorients to meet her eyes again, "That's what she... the white sith, yes, that's what she said. Terrified and... hurt."

Ash continues to face Toha, gazing without expression. At times it's easier to see past the skull to the woman beneath. Other times, the skull dominates. She seems concerned, by the way her skin wrinkles around her eyes, at the edges of her mouth. Though it's not something she's skilled or comfortable expressing. With a slow nod, decorated death says, "It may be for the best, that you don't remember. Pain isn't something you feel, is it?"

Toha meets her eyes "There's an unpleasant sensation when I'm damaged, is that pain?" she wonders. She considers the skull emblem noting the particular symmetries of it, then focuses on her eyes again.

"That is the definition. So yes." Ash responds, without nodding or blinking, managing to be very golem-like in her presentation. "It's usually described in more intense terms. The sensation you feel is likely sufficient. Normally."

The golem nods, "Most descripters are specific t'pain." she says thoughtfully, "I wanted t'be sure it was appropriate." Her musing about suffiency prompt, "Most of my extreme damage was done while I was in another state. Are you hungry? I can buy you some food, since you helped me with Beta."

Ash holds up her stick of food. It seems to be some sort of dried, peppered meat. There may even be gunpowder on it. A goblin favourite, apparently. She slips the jerky into her satchel. The centipede on her head runs down her hair, under her shirt collar, then there's a ripple along her sleeve as it emerges from the cuff and goes into the satchel as well. "I could eat some food. Thanks."

Toha nods, "Most breathers get wierd when bugs crawl on'm." she observes offhandedly, "Never understood why. I mean, I know there's poison ones, but even the ones that can't hurt'em." A shrug, and a welcoming gesture off down the street, "Wherever ya wanna go in the city. You'll have ta pick, though... I can't judge food."

"My bug has a name." Ash says, without smiling, although it sounds like the sort of thing that would be said with a smile. She doesn't share the name either. The gesture is enough to draw her along the street, seeking something good to eat. She nods, "I will choose, sure."