personavelvetroomdr | (Open) Exploration Time!

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(Open) Exploration Time!

Lyssi found himself wanting to learn more. He's learned a lot since he's arrived in the Velvet Room, but there's still so much more to learn, and as such, he's decided to take a nice, long walk around the various areas of the Velvet Room to see just what he can find.

After all, he's learned about fishing and handling prey, as well as the fact that the orbs are stealing peoples' likeness without permission and thus need to be eliminated, but surely there's more, correct?

Just what will he discover today?

Option 1: Through the streets of Tokyo, Lyssi finds himself staring up at a particular restaurant. Big Bang Burger... It is said that there is a challenge there, a burger that will send you to the very stars themselves. Granted, Lyssi can only eat small amounts at a time and he doesn't really get much enjoyment out of it (What is taste, he wonders? He can register different ingredients, but they do not 'taste' different, as far as he can note).

But he finds himself perplexed. How does a burger send you to the stars? How does it rival outer space? He stares at the advertisement on the window for the Big Bang Challenge with a blank stare.

Option 2: As Lyssi steps up to the shrine in Inaba, he looks up at the building with that same blank stare of his. A shrine... a place of worship and prayer. From what he understands, students come here in order to pray for good grades.

Perhaps he should pray to be more human?

And so he takes a step closer... and continues to stare.

How does one pray?

Option 3: In Iwatodai, Lyssi has found himself staring at the flowers at Rafflesia. All of them vivid colors, all of them beautiful... but he simply stares at them with that blank expression. They just... look like plants to him. Products of the Earth, bees gather pollen from flowers such as these.

...Why do the cognitive people gather them? Why are they sold? He doesn't understand.

He picks up a rose, staring at it as it pokes at one of its thorns. Why does it have thorns? To protect itself from potential threats? That much is obvious, but...

"..."

...He's not sure. It feels as though there's something more to it, somehow.

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A human version of- oh Falcon was one of the names on that board.
… god there really is a robot version of himself wandering around here somewhere ok.
“Ah well, I’m new here so I haven’t met this Falcon you speak of” he’s keeping his pleasant mask firmly in place right now, mostly because he does not know what to expect here.
“I’m Goro Akechi. I’ve Uh, yet to pick a nickname. I’m hoping to change that soon” as soon as he can contact Hannei that is.

He looks up at the restaurant as well. Oh boy is this guy seriously considering taking that giant burger challenge? That sounds horrifying.
“Well, I wouldn’t say their size rivals the stars, as they wouldn’t fit in the building if that was the case,” he chuckles politely, hopefully hiding his bewilderment. “But they do offer some monstrously oversized burgers. It’s… certainly a challenge” he doesn’t get why some food companies do this. Seems like a waist of food to him.

"I am Ulysses. My 'nickname' is Lyssi, if you would prefer to call me by that name."

He sounds so stilted and distant though, even though he's staring right at Akechi. In fact, he's staring rather intently... or rather curiously?

Lyssi can't help but tilt his head as he listens to Akechi's clarification regarding the Big Bang Challenge.

"If it is not true, then why do they say it? I do not comprehend."

Why would they lie about it? It makes no sense...

…oh my god this guy is serious. Has nobody taught this robot what exaggeration is?
This is reminding him of Hannei when they first met.

… hm. Maybe he is like her in that sense? Having a lot to learn…

“It’s to catch the attention of customers. Exaggerating their product to appeal to the masses. In this case Big Bang Burger had a space motif so they’d prefer space related hyperbole.” He explains, shrugging.
“Although, with their largest burgers I’ve seen the size of a persons torso the exaggeration is probably warranted”

Oh, so that would explain it...

"So to explain it in such terms would gather more customers... I comprehend."

He doesn't even shift expressions as Akechi explains the actual size of the sandwich though, simply just staring at him.

"How does a human manage to eat a sandwich of such size? Would it not overwhelm their bodies?"

… Akechi would like to amend that thought, this guy is somehow more clueless than Hannei.

Oh this is going to be an… interesting conversation.

At his next question Akechi visibly cringes.
“It does. But some people have learned to train themselves to handle it. I.. wouldn’t recommend doing so, I’ve never taken the challenge myself but just watching someone eat so much makes me feel sick”
It’s so much food and you don’t even get to enjoy it! And it’s such a waist!!

Lyssi tilts his head again, looking at Akechi with that vaguely curious look.

"Humans can train themselves even in that regard... They truly are illogical, and yet... fascinating."

Oh, how he wishes he could understand it all more directly... He wants to experience it, too. Perhaps he should do it, and see if it will enlighten him on the matter...?

But at the same time...

"...It is a shame. I wanted to initiate the challenge, but if it would make you ill, then I should do it at another time. It is my duty to protect humanity, and to make you ill is against my programming."

But even so... perhaps he could try to eat one of the normal burgers?

"Would you like to eat one of the less torso-sized burgers? Perhaps that will relieve you of your encroaching illness."

Loki give him strength-
What is up with this robot???

“Well, I appreciate the… consideration” he wouldn’t have done the challenge anyways. He’d rather die.
And he doesn’t care that loki is calling him a coward for that thought, he’s not the one who has to suffer the consequences!

“Ah!” .. well he could say no to the burger invite but he did come here to eat. And before he can come up with an excuse to bail his stomach grumbles in hunger. The traitor.
“…well, I suppose some company won’t be too bad. A normal sized burger is fine by me”

And, maybe it’s because this guy is reminding him of Hannei that he wants to at least get a few facts straight before they part ways.

Lyssi nods before turning to walk to the door.

"Please follow me, then."

As he then walks into the restaurant, seeming to fully expect Akechi to just... follow him without another word.

Lyssi really doesn't understand socialization at all. That's plainly obvious.

Robin Hood is giving him patience even though he did not ask for it.

This is really how he’s spending his lunch huh?
…
Fuck it.

Akechi does follow after Lyssi, apparently deciding to ditch his only opportunity to escape.
This is fine, lyssi hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s just learning.
He’d be an even bigger lier if he said he couldn’t handle this.

But here we are. Big Bang burger.
He idly wonders if the food will taste better here since this is a cognitive space. Maybe if he thinks hard enough it’ll taste not cheap.

“You know, I’ve heard the kids meals come with a toy.” He decides to speak up if only to maybe spark a conversation.

After approaching the counter, Lyssi looks at Akechi with a look of... is that a spark of quiet awe in his eyes?

"A toy... Those are designed for human children, are they not? I have never seen one myself."

Well, that settles what he's getting as he turns back to look at the cashier with a rather quick movement.

"I will have one 'kid's meal' with a toy."

The cashier begins dealing with the order as Lyssi realizes he doesn't know what Akechi wants...

"Would you like a kid's meal as well?"

He blinks once. You know what, not even going to question what he plans to do with the food if he probably can’t eat. Instead he politely smiles and shakes his head.

“Oh no, I’ll just have the regular burger combo.” And he goes to order just that.
…it’s still a bit surreal how he doesn’t need to pay for this stuff here.
Hm, some benefits of cognitive spaces

...It's weird, but he's actually looking just a tiny bit cheerful. Is he actually that eager for the toy?

"Understood. I thought perhaps you would want a toy as well, but it seems like that is not the case."

He's just... standing at the counter now, waiting for the food. Shouldn't he be sitting down right about now?

"..."

He's practically having a staring match with the cashier cognition... Wait, does he seriously not know restaurant etiquette?

Is he really that excited for a toy?…You know what? He’s not judging. This place is weird and so are the people who are here.
He’s pointedly ignoring loki cackling how he is here too.

“No, I’m afraid not. Perhaps another time” he chuckles placidly.

…

Oh my god this guy. He taps Lyssi’s shoulder, “we should go sit down. The waiter will bring over our orders at the table” you know what, Robin he’ll take more of that patience now thank you.

...Oh! That seems to be how it works, then?

"Oh. Understood."

And without argument, he begins to head for one of the booths and sits down. He sits up straight in the seat, perhaps standing out a bit from the ironically more natural-seeming cognitive people.

"...I will admit that my experience with humans and their customs is incredibly limited."

He's aware of some things, but for the most part? He wasn't given that information. He was only meant to hunt Shadows. After the explosion, well... any plans of acclimating him to humans was cut short, and he was given the task of eliminating stray Shadows instead as one of the few-- if not the only remaining Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon left active.

He sits across from Lyssi, mostly because he’s trying to figure this guy out.
And the conclusion he’s coming to is he wouldn’t be surprised to learn this guy was just born… build? Created? Activated??
Whatever the term, he doesn’t know much.
He bites back the retort of ‘yeah no kidding’ at Lyssi’s comment and instead gives a polite smile.
“Well, I’d be happy to give a basic rundown on resteraunt edict then” if only so this guy doesn’t embarrass himself in the future.
He did it before with Hannei, how hard can it be to explain to a robot?

Lyssi ponders on this for a second before nodding.

"If you are able, I want to learn as much as possible from you. This is when I'm supposed to say 'thank you', correct?"

He continues staring directly at Akechi, his eyes locked directly into his own.

Oh boy what did he just agree to, loki apparently finds this hilarious.
Ugh.
“That’s correct.” He nods, ok where to start. Which is how akechi ends up doing on a whole explanation on how to act in a public restaurant, and for good measure elaborating on the differences between what you can do in a more casual dining or fast food vs fine dining, though he isn’t sure if this guy will ever be in a fine dining establishment.
Who knows, better safe than sorry.
And frankly by the end of this he is biting back any annoyance and relying heavily on Robin Hood to keep that patience in check.

“Any questions?” He asks at the end, a sunny sweet smile that covers his bubbling irritation.
Why did he agree to this, he just wanted something to eat?

Lyssi is quiet as he processes all of the information. As he registers it all to his memory banks, sorting through every single detail... he nods.

"Yes. When fine dining, how do you tell the difference between the various different versions of your silverware?"

After all, what makes a salad fork different from another fork?

Oh he’s more than happy to explain that- no really he did not study the stupid silverware thing for hours just to not share that information he finds stupid.

“Well, it depends on the size or shape of the utensil, but I’ll let you in on a little secret” ok maybe this is because he’s getting a bit annoyed but also… well it’s probably good to let him in on this tidbit anyways.
“The only people I’ve met who take genuine offense if you don’t use the correct type of spoon or fork for an occasion aren’t the type of people who’s opinion I value that highly.” Because seriously who makes a fuss about forks? There’s so much better shit to get pissy over but you choose forks!?
He does still explain the differences though, but best to let Lyssi know that ahead of time.

Lyssi actually looks a tiny bit surprised as he hears the secret.

"So it is a non-issue, then? But why are you required to use them to begin with if only certain people are bothered by using them incorrectly?"

It doesn't make sense... Though he does seem to understand the proper way that use the different variations of silverware now.

Akechi just shrugs.
“I suppose some people feel superior enforcing arbitrary rules on others that they can shame them for not knowing. Or something like that” though if he had to give a less… pessimistic answer.
“Though, I suppose learning and abiding by some arbitrary rules also shows a level of respect or dedication to some traditions. I’m not entirely sure of it myself, but it is something I’ve had to learn to mingle with certain spaces” maybe it’s just another gate to keep out people they don’t think are ‘worthy of their time’

It’s stupid. Maybe he shouldn’t teach the impressionable robot about disillusionment.

“I’d certainly ask for other opinions on that question if you’re still curious, I’m not sure of the actual answer so I can only give an opinionated one” he gives a slightly a
Apologetic smile.

Lyssi seems rather confused at this answer.

"...I will register this to my data banks for later reference. I cannot say that I understand it at this moment."

But he looks straight at Akechi nodding in response to asking others. That much is sound advice, at least.

"Other perspectives are ideal in seeking out information such as this. I will be sure to ask other humans about this subject as well."

He finally turns his gaze away from Akechi, facing the counter instead.

"...When does the food normally arrive?"

Akechi can only nod to that, at least he’s acknowledging that he should ask others.
…honestly maybe he should ask someone else that question himself when he gets the chance, he wonders what Sae would think of fancy rich people dinners and silverware bickering?
…
Anyways
“Well, usually in places like this food could take anywhere from five to ten minutes to arrive, so I’d assume it’d be out…” Ah and speak of the devil, there’s a cognitive server bringing over their food. They set the tray down in front of them both and then leaves after a polite bow.

“Ah, well, seems they have the timing about right” he chuckles politely. Finally, he’s hungry, hopefully if he believes it hard enough this cognitive burger will taste amazing.

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(Open) Exploration Time!

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