🌒 [Open]

[wipingallout]

... ... ... ... ?

What is...?

I shouldn't... be awake...


[In the Velvet Room...]

[It's courteous of whatever's going on with Igor's plan here that Hamuko is dressed. She probably shouldn't even have a body... whatever she has going on now... did her body fall comatose without her? Did it die? If it was alive, she surely should be much older. ... ... ... Maybe that all doesn't really matter, right now. She's here, gifted a chance to be around others again. The pinboard catches her attention first, of course. Signs of other people... so many little notes, talking about multiple versions of the same person running around. That's... that's charming... that's fun. ...Even if the notes about Ken Amadas make her sad...]

Hmm... I don't see any other 'me' off the bat...

[She'll take a few minutes once given a pen and some pink paper to doodle a little version of herself, signed with her name and phone number, and add it to the corner of the pinboard.]


[Inaba, Central Shopping District]

[What a fun little town! A charming place... hey, isn't this the town she went to for the volleyball camp? She loved the accommodations, but it's so nice to actually wander the streets and see the little shops. This place is SO rural, Hamuko had never really visited a place this remote, even when jumping between foster homes.] Let's see... what's the good spot for the locals? [No point being a complete tourist shmuck!!]


[Shibuya, Underground Mall]

[Well, since nothing costs anything here... might as well get some cute new clothes, right? Who knows how long she'll be around here, and 'dreaming up' new outfits didn't seem to be a thing. No lucid dreaming here - somehow, Hamuko felt a lot happier with that in mind. Still... the fashion is so different!!]

I just want one cute orange top...!! Is orange out of style? Dang it...


[Iwatodai Dorms]

[Of all of the places she's been having fun goofing off and exploring in, the dorms... she couldn't quite get the courage to open the front. Not just yet.]

Not even Koromaru is out front right now. ...I've gotta apologize...

Comments

[wipingallout]

"If it's waste, why aren't they designed so you poop them out?"

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi and Akane both froze, the air around them suddenly awkward.

Zenkichi blinked once, then twice. “Did—” He pointed at Hamuko and turned to Akane as if the gesture would help process what had just been said. "Did she-"

His lips part in shock. “Did you just seriously ask me that??"

Zenkichi’s blush went from faint to full-on cherry red. “Oh my god. What? Why would you—?! Out of all things you could have questioned you decide to say that? His hands flew up in exasperation before bringing one up to his face as if reconsidering ALL of his life choices.

Akane made it exactly three seconds before she completely lost it. She doubled over, laughter spilling out in full force. “Y-You—!” she gasped between wheezing breaths. “You really walked into that one!” “Akane, don’t laugh!” Zenkichi spun toward her, face still blazing. “You’re supposed to have my back!” “I can’t!” Akane managed. “You—you looked like she just made you short-circuit!”

"You damn brats," Zenkichi groaned. "I swear..."

[wipingallout]

Despite laughing, herself, Hamuko's face was ALSO beet red. She made a few attempts to speak, to justify herself - but just laughed harder, let alone from how Zenkichi seemed the most devastated out of anyone in the room.

"Hahah!! I-I mean, come on, I gotta know!! Especially if I ask can I get them too - maybe that's a huge deal-breaker!!" she cackled, laughter squeaking louder and getting away from her.

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi dragged his hand down his face, groaning like a man utterly defeated. “This girl’s questions, man... I’m emotionally exhausted.” He cast Hamuko a long-suffering look.

"She's thorough with her work-!" Akane remarks lightly, snickering still as she now chooses to look away. The mask can only hide so much of her grin.

Zenkichi shot back. “This is mutiny.”

Her follow up question doesn't make it any better.

Zenkichi blinked, then winced like the words physically hit him. “Insane. You’re insane,” he muttered before shaking his head. He turned serious, his tone softer but firm. “Listen. Microbots are not a toy, Hamuko-san. They take months to get used to. When they first start crawling through your system, it’s... uncomfortable. Like fire ants under your skin.”

“If handled the wrong way—if your system doesn’t adapt or if the bots malfunction—they can shut down your human organs,” Zenkichi continued. “That’s not a fun science-fiction quirk. That’s a comatose state.”

[wipingallout]

"See? HUGE deal-breaker!" Hamuko gestured at him, as if to say 'my point exactly!' "And I could see a lot of people considering it really seriously for the sake of living for hundreds of years. Or if they might die anyway. Right?"

They're dangerous, then. Zenkichi had to go through something truly harrowing to get them, to become a 'weapon', to be able to fight. He could've died.

So the fact that he was still here, still standing... that was pretty cool.

"You have a really admirable resolve, Wolf-pop."

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi froze for a heartbeat, Hamuko’s words cutting through all his usual bravado. Even with his eyes hidden behind the opaque visor, there was no mistaking the way his head tilted slightly, like he’d just taken a direct hit.

“‘Admirable resolve,’ huh?” He let out a low, dry chuckle, lips quirking into a lopsided grin. “Didn’t realize we were handing out compliments today. Guess I should start writing this down before I forget it ever happened.”

When did Zenkichi Hasegawa ever have any admirable resolve? The thought punctuated in her head, her laughter now faded as she considered the words that had just spun in her mind. Something in Hamuko's words clashed inside her and she wasn't sure if she could begin to question why. This was good, right? Wolf was getting along with others. One of her hands go to the side, fingers going into a pocket to feel some sort of ease before she finds one of those pink papers from earlier. Wolf-pop Pop.

He suddenly yawns a little quiet as he brings his hand to his mouth. He's so sleepy right now and he's totally not trying to find a way to stray out of this conversation.
"You know sometimes you really have to gaslight yourself into thinking you made the damn right choices," he couldn't help but snicker at his little piece of 'advice.' Despite his words, the warmth in his tone betrayed him. Hamuko’s comment had clearly landed somewhere deep—though he’d never admit it.

“Anyway, you boggled my mind enough for one day. And this—” He reached for the hat on her head. “—is officially mine again. No more extended rentals.”

[wipingallout]

"Heheh. I'd get ugly hat-hair anyway and mess up my bobby pins," she giggled, glancing at the pink bow still affixed to the hat. It looked hilariously out of place.

"Thanks for greeting me, you guys. It was nice to meet you - I'll totally bug you all again sometime."

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi didn’t seem to mind the pink bow at all. "Ugly hat hair she says..." In fact, as he grabbed the hat from Hamuko, he adjusted the bow so it sat neatly to one side, making sure his movements wouldn’t jostle it off. He gave the hat a little flick to settle it just right before plopping it back on his head with a huff.

Akane made that bow. Out of paper. In the flesh. There was no way he was going to let it go.

Almost on cue, Akane perked up, narrowing her sight at him with a barely-concealed smirk in her voice behind the mask. “You’re keeping that on you?”

Zenkichi’s lips curled into a lopsided grin, the one that always showed up when he was trying to dodge something. “Whaaat? Nooo. It’s, uh… camouflage. You know. In case I get attacked by—pink... bow-related enemies. It’s a tactical advantage in cognition. Cognition 101. Obviously.”

“Oh yeah, clearly. Tactical,” Akane deadpanned, shaking her head. She turned to Hamuko with a mischievous look. “Well, I don’t know about me. I’m just artificial intelligence—I can’t be bugged. In fact, I have a far more tolerable mental capacity then most teenagers around my supposed quantum age. But Wolf-pop here? You should definitely bug him more! Maybe next time we can bring more materials to decorate him—what do you think? Glitter? Stickers?”

Zenkichi’s eyes widened as he started to backpedal slowly, throwing his hands up. “Nope. No. Hell no. I am not some goddamn Christmas tree.” He backed away until he hit the arm of the sofa and promptly spun on his heel. “I’m putting a stop to this conversation before it escalates.”

He grabbed a piece of pink paper from the table, the same kind Hamuko had been carrying earlier, and scribbled something down with quick, messy strokes.

Been here for a month now but I’m still a newcomer, Zenkichi Hasegawa. Shadow weapon. Codename ‘Wolf.’ An unhuman model.
Attached is the QR code with more info about our ops. It's made by Akane who is also part of the unit- you can contact her through the QR code and no, its not shady.

Please, for the love of god, delete EMMA off your phones if you have it. Before we end up finding you lugging that app around like a ticking time bomb. There's enough on everyone's plates here.

[wipingallout]

"So, Akane - access to your 'space', right? Does that mean I can connect to you through my phone? We can go on all kinds of little adventures sometime, until your body situation is more permanent, right?" she asked, letting Zenkichi get ready to walk them out.

"In that case, you bug me right back, you hear? Ask me to hang out! I have all the time in the world now. We'll do girl stuff."

[unit_8910_wolf]

Akane’s voice remains warm as she shifts, her mask bright against the Velvet room's sombre lighting. “My space is sort of… how do I explain this?” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know how when you play video games, you interact with the game world from a console, right? Well, in my case, I designed that game and I live in it. My digital world is like a custom program I’ve made to move around in. You can connect me through your phone, any digital device really which has a signal. I could even talk through your fridge if it has even the most basic interface to work with. ”

She continued almost teasing. “If you have one of those VR headsets, you could probably dive in and interact with me directly. And trust me—I will drag you into all kinds of online nonsense. Maybe even stream games from my space. It’s just who I am.”

But the brightness in her eyes dimmed slightly as she hesitated. “But, um... I’m not really sure. My body situation—it’s complicated. I think if we go to a cognitive space, I should be able to project myself there. But beyond that...” She trailed off. “I don’t know if this can get any more permanent than it already is.”

Her hands curled at her sides for a brief second before she waved it off, forcing a casual smile. “I’ve already pushed against so much of my CCAI protocol just to get this far. So, who knows?”

Akane paused, then perked up as a new thought struck her. “But you know what? Let’s make this a deal—wildcard style. Isn’t that how you wildcards operate? Through forging bonds, as Igor-san always says?”

[wipingallout]

"Absolutely!! Heehee," Hamuko giggled brightly, before whispering a bit more quietly. "I'll wait till I get to know old Wolf better but, Igor's right. Igor's always been right. The bonds you make with other people - that's the meaning of life. Connecting with others... it makes both you and the person you connect with stronger."

Hamuko held her hands out for Akane to take, if she wanted.

"Anyone can do it. Aigis and I forged an unbreakable bond - so I know it doesn't have anything to do with being 'human' or not. So believe in yourself. I believe in you completely," she encouraged, completely unashamed and completely sincere.

1/2

[unit_8910_wolf]

There's a small huff leaving Akane, as if she were breathing a sigh that she had long since held back. She appreciated that Hamuko was looking out for Wolf, she wouldn't want him to be all alone. They were a unit after all. Fostering positive development would always yield better results.

So why did she feel nervous?

Akane looked back and forth between the two held out hands as she brought her right hand forward, fingers twitching as she heard about Aigis. Aigis...one of the oldest models. There wasn't much documentation about her and in all honesty, considering the Kirijo group being wildly familiar with their shadow weapons getting out of hand and awakening to their true selves was one of the main driven reasons for crafting an Unhuman; the way Hamuko spoke about Aigis then...

She barely managed to bring their fingers brush before she was curling in on herself again. She crossed her arms to her chest, chuckling awkwardly. "Um." She tilted her head as the mask thankfully concealed most of the rough edges behind it. "Thanks...I guess. I don't know how to process touch like that."

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi picked up the paper, his ears peeled on the conversation taking place before him.

To see Akane hold someone's hand like that...

His eyes closed, concealed before they partially opened before he could only cast his glance away from it all. Unable to watch his once daughter struggle with processing- processing??? human touch.

Damn it, Kirijo Group. Damn you all.

He waited, awkwardly, all his sass dying in his tongue as he clutched his note carefully- not sure whether it was even right for him to speak up and interrupt Akane.

So he simply puts it back on the table and goes for the revolver on his left, checking the rounds again. As per protocol. He will give Akane and Hamuko a bit before they decide to part.

[wipingallout]

"One thing at a time, right?" Hamuko smiled, not discouraged in the slightest - she wasn't fully clear on how much or how little time Akane had spent in a body, but something so dramatically different from being intangible has to be intense, right?

"Also - I may not be from some far-future scary world, but I can handle a fight. You can always call me for backup - I'll make my way there."

[unit_8910_wolf]

One thing at a time, huh? Maybe. Maybe that would be for the best? Maybe she could learn to prioritize what was needed and come to learn more about her strengths and weaknesses. Having a patient teacher...it would help. Not like Wolf was bad company but for some reason he never exactly looked her in the eye when she asked him to open up a little more on how to salvage her human soul. Wonder why. But first- her primary directive. She is humanity's soldier and she will be damned if she doesn't go back to her world improved. "Mhm-! My processing power is a little down so I will probably reboot with Wolf but after that? We should fight monsters together! I want to master Cosette!" Despite the mask being there, the smile on her face permeated through her voice. "And I won't lie, it will probably help Wolf too," she followed along with Hamuko and started speaking aloud. "I am afraid he will actually start getting grey hair if keeps playing the lone alpha all the time!"

Zenkichi wryly laughs- silently grateful for being thrown back into the conversation. "The only grey hairs I get is from talking to any of you," he remarks with a sharp grin. His gun clicks once he's satisfied with checking all its rounds. "Now if you two are quite done having a moment, if you guys need to add anything else to add to the board go right ahead. I will wait at the Tokyo Door." He holds out the paper with his own note and Akane's QR code stapled at the bottom for Akane which she readily accepts.

[wipingallout]

"I'll let you guys go! I've heckled you enough... for now. Dun da-duuuun," she giggled, giving Zenkichi a wink before stretching her back a bit. "I still need to go check out Tokyo - I never actually got to before, it'll be nice to sightsee!"

She paused a bit - the first forming of two bonds clicking into place - a mild surprise, but a welcome one.

---

Thou art I...
and I am thou...
Thou hast acquired a new Bond.

The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...

Thou shalt be blessed when summoning
Personas of the Tower Arcana...

An Arcana about massive upheaval... Hamuko wondered what Mutatsu might think, being divinely ordained the same Arcana as a teenage girl AI from the future. He'd probably find it cosmically funny.

---

Thou art I...
and I am thou...
Thou hast acquired a new Bond.

The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed...

Thou shalt be blessed when summoning
Personas of the Emperor Arcana...

Back to back was a little... fun. There was a strange little compulsion, words flowing from her heart to her mouth without going through her mind - she whispered "None and naught are immune to the impact of change," followed by "Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer..."

She shook her head. The Nyx Avatar had never spoken on the Arcana past Death, but there was a... strange connection she felt. Huh. She'd have to ask Igor what he thought about that once these two left.

1/2

[unit_8910_wolf]

Zenkichi let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes at Hamuko’s playful wink. “Yeah, yeah, real intimidating. I’m shaking in my boots,” he deadpanned. “Don’t get lost in Tokyo, though. I’d hate to see you on a missing persons poster right after making it official that you know us.”

Akane, on the other hand, was practically vibrating in place. Sightseeing? Visiting? Hanging out? It was rare that she had anything close to an invitation for this kind of thing. Trying to contain her excitement, she quickly sent over the coordinates to their place. "I have transmitted the precise coordinates of where we live in the digital space. Do visit us at any time-! I will make sure to have relevant data prepared to optimize, uh-" She stalls when she realizes the technological jargoan she just pulled out. There was a moment of silence before she hastily added, "We’ll have... snacks? And uh, other things."

Zenkichi snorted at that, shaking his head as he turned his attention to the board where he let Akane take charge, He watched as Akane took a moment to carefully compose her own message beside his, her movements deliberate, as if writing itself was something she was still getting used to.

Hello I am Akane – The CCAI that Wolf just mentioned-! Though my form is artificial, my directive is clear: to ensure the safety of humanity. I can be reached via the QR code below ●‿● Queries, requests for assistance, and general conversation are all permitted.

Please heed Wolf’s warning regarding EMMA. The risk factor of maintaining the application far outweighs any possible convenience. This is a matter of security, not preference.

Oh also I will be streaming games and other stuff too! Very soon! ≧◡≦

2/3

[unit_8910_wolf]

“Well, that’s one way to introduce yourself,” he muttered, watching as she affixed the QR code to the board with precise care. He gave her a nod of approval before turning back to Hamuko, tipping his hat at her with a dramatic flourish.

And then—

Something shifted in his system.

A static jolt ran through his body, not painful, but sudden. His visor flickered for half a second, his mechanical joints tensing involuntarily. He clenched his fist, feeling something click into place—not physically, but deep in his mind. In his core.

---

I am thou...
Thou art I,

Through the trials of duty and the weight of past burdens, thou hast found camaraderie. A fellow wanderer in a world forever changing.

Thou shalt be blessed by Faith

For wisdom is earned through hardship,
and redemption is sought through sacrifice.

---

Zenkichi let out a slow exhale, his fingers flexing as the strange sensation settled. He shook his head, trying to brush off the lingering feeling. “Huh. That was..."

"Akane?"

3/3

[unit_8910_wolf]

01010100 01101??00 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100001 01110010 01110100 00100000 01001001 ?? 00101110
0100??01 01101110 01100100 ??100000 01001001 00100000 01100001 01101101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101111 01110101…



Binary connecti?ns trans??nd physical forms.
In the circuits of f???, a ne? pathway is constructed.

R̶e̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶H̶o̶p̶e̶.̶.̶.̶

For in adaptation, there is strength.
And in identity, there is power.

Systems require reboot.

Akane blinked rapidly, feeling something recalibrate within her core processes. She heard Wolf call to her, something flashing in his face. She posed him a smile, not wanting to worry him.

"I need that reboot stat," she shook her head as she made her way over to him.

Zenkichi stretched, rolling his shoulders as if trying to shake off the strange glitch. "Yeah, I bet." He turned toward the Tokyo door, his usual confident stride returning. “See you around then, Hamuko-chan."

"I will text you really soon-!" Akane giggles. With one last casting glance, she turned back and watched as Zenkichi took the lead and stepped across the threshold of the Tokyo Door.

Akane heaves a deep breath before following behind and the moment she stepped across the door-

Her form disappeared.

Replaced by a floating artificial projection from the lens mounted on Wolf's wrist, now phasing right through Zenkichi's hat as she hovered.

With one final polite bow from her end, the door slowly shut close before her.

[OOC credit.]