[OPEN+CLOSED] don't you let go

[subtract]

Who: Add & others
When: March
What: yogen divorce arc aka catch-all for the month
Warnings: depression!! possibly some suicidal ideation at some point. will update if needed!

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((Open/closed prompts will be marked appropriately in the comments, format (prose/brackets) doesn't matter to me so I'll match with w/e. If you'd like to thread something out that isn't covered here, feel free to hit me up on plurk at BlueFlewFedUQueen, ping me through the game discord, or send me a PM!

For dream event stuff, please see my toplevel here yonder!))

Comments

2/2

[antitoxin]

A pleasure. Maple has told me much about you.

[ his voice comes first, and it's in a matter of seconds that midori comes from the side of the door; it's almost like he wasn't there at first. he's ominous like that. standing behind the female, he gives a smile where both the corner of his lips go up, and his eyes are closed enough that the corners crinkle only a bit.

slowly his eyes open, and he looks at the individual that's caught maple's interest; the "dog" in the cage that holds out a paw, and she's just too enthusiastic in wanting to bring it home. he has to do a routine check between the eyes, the fangs, and personality to see if he's a perfect match for them. ]

I do hope we aren't interrupting anything.

[ he sounds apologetic as he says so. ]

[subtract]

[He has the sheet of skin rolled out over his bench, checking for any marks or damage when Maple knocks on the door. He's been jumpy and irritable the past few days, but his expression softens just a tad when he sees her... he doesn't dislike her, but more importantly, she's someone he's not that close to. It's a comfortable degree of unfamiliarity, distance. A business exchange and nothing more.

well, it softens until an unfamiliar man steps out from behind her.]

... that's "Hiyori"? [??????? well, on second thought, he knows Shin's real name isn't Sou Hiyori... is it just a coincidence? his fault for not checking. he sighs.] Never mind... it's fine. I was just finishing up.

[one 30x50cm square of synthetic Nasod skin, complete with self-repairing cells and nerve endings! now compatible with ASUNARO products, buy yours today]

[socialize]

( maple returns his confusion with a look of equal curiosity. not... quite sure what he's so surprised about, but... right, right, she supposes there is somebody else using hiyori's name right now, but they're of no consequence to her. instead, she'll focus on what is: add and the real hiyori, nodding first as his question, and then smiling. )

Oh, good. Then it's the perfect time for you to take a rest.

( she's sure he's been working hard for their sake, so it's the least she can do to encourage a break now that they're here. making her way over, she'll set down her tray on a nearby surface—a teapot, three cups and saucers, and a small plate of pastries. it's everything they'll need for a proper tea party. )

I've even made some tea so that we can chat. Do you like sweets, Add?

[antitoxin]

I'm sorry if there's any confusion due to naming mishaps, I'm sure it happens all the time in purgatory.

[ so don't beat yourself up is what he's trying to say. it's what he finds in add's voice as he separates himself from maple's side to walk over, pulling a chair for her and himself so that they can all have a seat by the table with add part of their gathering. ]

But thank you for your work, you've been quite the asset. A nice reward being Maple's finest tea and desserts, I can never get enough of them.

[ he takes a sit, crossing his legs like all rich people normally do as he stares unblinking, and then it's followed by a close of his eyes to perfect the gentle expression of a polite smile. ]

How long have you been in this field?

[ maybe he doesn't mind talking about what he likes with a side of tea. besides, this is the first time they've met, and so it wouldn't hurt to get to know each other now would it? he has to play nice with maple's choice in pets that she wants, and by doing so means they have to pass his test. ]

[subtract]

[He shrugs off the name thing, already putting it out of mind. Shin's problem now. no he is never going to explain "your skin is almost done" to him.

He slides some tools out of the way, frowning slightly at the tea and snacks... he's not opposed to snacks, but he didn't ask for snacks. An attempt to garner more favour from him, maybe? It's what makes sense to him, so he goes with that in his mind.]

We already made our deal, but I'll accept this as additional compensation... if there's something else you wanted, it'll require further discussion.

[so... he'll eat a pastry, hell yeah he loves sweets. he won't go for the tea but if she pours him some he'll add like six sugars to it probably.

Hiyori has a suspicious air to him... but Add is always suspicious of people, so it's hard to say how much he even notices. Probing questions about his skillset... really, they're not being very subtle.]

In Nasod engineering and development? Kuku... you could say it was decided for me before I was even born. I've spent my entire life amassing knowledge about Nasods and advanced machinery. Of course, my skills are not limited to only humanoid machine lifeforms and repair work.

[socialize]

( as far as maple is concerned, the conversation is a reward in and of itself. she won't comment such though; it isn't really her place, when hiyori may have another favour to ask. instead, it's the amount of sugar that add drops into his tea that catches her attention, taking a seat near to them. her face lights up, pressing her hands together happily as she takes note. )

You like sweets, Add? Hiyori's the same—I can bring a sweeter tea next time if you do.

( today's blend leans more into cardamom and cinnamon and licorice, but she knows a few other blends that he may like if that's the case. pink velvet cake, or chocolate chili chai, maybe? of course it's impossible for her not to be instantly fond of someone who has something in common with hiyori. even if he's a little bit grumpy seeming, and has a tendency for being rather rude, he's still helping them too. against all odds, six cubes of sugar in his tea is amassing points for add in maple's personal "good person" ranking.

it would be a little rude of her if she didn't show that she's listening too though. )

Oh, but Nasods... You mentioned those before, too. Is there something that makes them special as machine lifeforms?

( lifeforms makes them sound like they came from another planet, she thinks. or maybe they incorporate organic matter? she's never really heard such a term used to refer to the dolls in ASUNARO. )

[antitoxin]

A deal, was it? Now I feel extra responsible... What were the contents?

[ with a look in maple's direction, he doesn't seem too upset, and that's because he takes well to this. there's a thought that he should be more proactive in hearing of maple's negotiations, so the thought to be ever more present makes its way to the forefront of his mind. ]

That's interesting! It would be the first to hear someone boldly claim their addition to be compatible. I hope you can understand my sudden interest, especially with the amount you made which—

[ he eyes it now, looking at the length and width, and his thoughts linger to both maple's back, and his leg. ]

—would be applied to both her design and mine.

[ years and experience is important because he won't use it if there's a questionable timeframe of knowledge, but as he looks at it, it's not the appearance that matters, just about if it can do its job correctly. if their body rejects it, then it would be a problem. ]

Maple is a very high quality model, so I can only accept the best of the best. It's when she told me about you, I felt as if we'd have something in common! ☆ I have a love for the work, and to hear from your view would be the chance of a lifetime!!

[ because this is new to him too. ]

[subtract]

[He shrinks back, just slightly, when Maple addresses his tea preferences—not because he's embarrassed (six sugars is totally a reasonable amount), but because... well, he didn't think she'd care, but maybe he was wrong. He glances aside, taking a sip of the drink.

... it's not bad. the next sip is less hesitant.

Nasods are something he's always eager to talk about, though, and the conversation shifts naturally in that direction. But that part that catches his attention is Hiyori's comment—both her design and mine. His eyes light up, focusing his attention solely on Midori.

It's hard to tell at a glance... but both Ranger and Maple were the same, so it makes sense. He puts down his tea cup, looking the other man over with interest.]

Nasods utilize special technology that allows them to manipulate El energy and display a higher degree of human-like intelligence... in terms of compatibility, I can't be sure until I've had a chance to test it. But since both designs are based on humans, the obvious method is to simulate nerve receptors in a similar manner to the human body, so if it follows the same principles it should be simple to make any adjustments. If a different method is used, it should at least be fine to cover up any exposed areas in the meantime.

Ah, but the deal... details of ASUNARO design methods and capabilities. Kukuku, working with machines from another world... it's a rare treat, so of course it's what I'm interested in.

[and it seems like Hiyori feels the same. that should make this even easier, if he's dealing with a fellow engineer.]

[socialize]

( el energy, compatibility and nerve receptors, it's not exactly maple's forte, to be honest. it's information she takes in attentively, storing in memories for future recall, but it means little and less to herself compared to hiyori, who she's sure appreciates the thorough explanation. in the meantime, maple busies herself with her own teacup, dropping three sugars into the warm drink and stirring lightly as her turn to speak comes. )

Add wanted to hear more about me.

( she'll explain for him, since that makes it sound like she had something of consequence to tell him. the reality of the matter? )

When I said I could taste, he was so excited. I'm sure you know more about that than I could say though, right Hiyori?

( the way she understands flavours, and the combinations that are pleasing to her—the science behind the senses that allow her to recognize, to define, to evaluate the world around her, building up an experience unique to maple and maple alone in how she perceives it. it's something no different from any human, though there are a few differences between herself and a human, if it's pushed.

expectant, maple smiles to hiyori, inviting him to make his own assessment. )

[antitoxin]

[ that is interesting as he listens, attentive to add's every word when it comes to el, nasods, and how they work in terms of how close they come to being like humans. it's nice to hear words like nerve receptors, as it gives an idea to what they both can do in terms of creation, and how to heighten their senses so that they act on their own. at maple's comment, midori laughs softly, humored, curious too if that's something they don't have where he's from— they even come with salivary glands, which means midori could tell maple to part her mouth, rest his index finger against her tongue, and a liquid substance will pool like any other humans.

there's no need to think about that while midori keeps himself focused, interested in a science that is so much different from their own— a world of fantasy, but still applies to the same reasoning that there's an energy source, and it's the same as AIs who run off code. tickled, and charmed by the information, his eyes for a brief moment click to a yellow ring within jade eyes, until it disappears immediately. ]

Only Maple? She's an Obstructor, and as the name says, she's meant to dispute. That's why her skills precede most of those here; a social butterfly. Engaging with others, and helping them choose their paths when her listeners find it difficult. She's one of the prized creations of the corporation — as you know, ASUNARO — that I work for. Their forms vary from mummies with steel wrapping protecting their soft inner body, or even a mere book with various number of pages, but if you open them; you'll find a surprise inside! Razor sharp teeth, ahaha... yes they are my favorite.

[ with his examples out the way, he turns to look at maple to admire his work before turning around to face add properly. as both a doctor and technician, he wonders where he should start first when it comes to maple's model, she's not like ranger, but she's not like midori either. they're all different in their specialties, but they're all important in different ways, and so he begins. ]

ASUNARO takes biotechnology to influence all their works, it allows us to improve our AIs to make them more than just artificial— it's both code and understanding the human body that once you put them together, you're able to operate a creation close to human. Taste, smell, sight, hearing... touch.

[ one hand raises to grab maple's hand, brushing his thumb along the knuckles. ]

Replicating cells that can live symbiotic with machines, all the way down to their cores to the point they can feel butterflies in their stomach when nervous. You said he was excited to know you can taste, well, advanced engineering allows up to edit each and every chemoreceptor on her tongue, so that it translates what she tastes into her circuits, and it'll tell her what she's indulging, the same goes with texture, in order to exploit and make sure she doesn't have a sensory overload, we create the gustatory hair to refine their taste, and be able to break down all that they're indulging.