estoria | [open] have you ever wanted to disappear?

Entry tags:

[open] have you ever wanted to disappear?

Who: Tadashi Hamada (

bropane), Demo the talking CYbuddy, + you!
When: 16-17 Feb IC (7-10 Aug OOC)
Where: Tech & Auto shop, shopping district, and the residential district.
What: A follow up log to his network post. Stalker app installments (as well as other tech related things), nerdery, and passing out on a bench.
Rating/Warning: Will update when necessary!

a: tech & auto shop (semi-open)

[ he's been feeling really tired and sickly lately, but thankfully, a bunch of aspirins and orange juice, as well as some tea has been keeping him going. a few days after things get back to normal, he sends a message to some people who expressed interest in the app he came up with, saying that they can meet up now if they're available. if he hasn't sent the address yet, then he'll tell them to come to the tech and auto shop, and even attaches a map with it. what a nice guy this tadashi hamada is.

with him in his workshop is a miniature st. bernard cybuddy. when the doors slide open upon somebody arriving, it's the first thing that will welcome the person. at least the dog just talks, and doesn't bite! ]

Hello, hello! Welcome to Tadashi's workshop!

[ the dog sniffs at the shoes of tadashi's visitor as the roboticist himself gets up from his seat, approaching the door. ]

Hey. Good to see you, [ and he offers a hand to shake if he hasn't met the person yet before gesturing to a wheelie chair nearby. ] Have a seat.

[ though if this isn't the first time he's met this person, he'll just gesture to the seat right away, telling them to take a seat while he gets his laptop. ]

b: shopping district (late morning)

Demo, I really don't have time for this right now, [ tadashi says, looking pretty exhausted. he's carrying some bags with him - groceries - which he wants to put down on a counter soon since it's getting heavier by the second. not to mention, he probably should get some rest. working while being sick isn't fun at all, so getting home is a priority.

too bad his cybuddy doesn't seem to agree with him. the dog is barking at an alleyway that probably connects to a deadend. tadashi said he has no time for it, so he isn't even checking it out. ]

But Tadashi, there's something out there! [ the dog responds loudly before barking at the alleyway again. fun… and a talking dog might be weird for some people passing by. they probably haven't met the demo the dog before, or heard of tadashi's incoming line of cybuddies yet. ]

c: residential district + wildcard (post-baseball plot)

[ the day after his excursion with demo, he decides not to bring the dog out shopping again any time soon. having to put him in sleep mode wasn't fun, since he's supposed to have configured demo to work properly. he didn't see any signs of any glitching either, when he checked on his cybuddy's software after getting home… (cybuddies are officially troublesome.)

now, he's on his way to work again, though he's running a bit late. it's just a few hours into the afternoon since he woke up at lunchtime not feeling rejuvenated at all. his limbs are also sore from all the baseball he played the day before. he probably looks sick to someone who can sees him and the cybuddy walking around, so feel free to tell him to go back home and get some rest.

during the evening, he can be found walking back to his apartment looking like he needs a lot of sleep, too. he's sent his cybuddy to go home ahead of him, so he's just alone. though when he receives a text, he takes a seat on a nearby bench by one of the apartments before answering… and ultimately passing out.

feel free to draw on his face, or be a good person and wake him up. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm, I see. That is pretty neat. A robot nurse, though? Seriously? I think that would be a lot of help, especially since the medical facility isn't that accessible in an emergency. I hope it goes well for you.

[ it's kind of surreal how many talented people he's surrounded by, like what the heck??? the feelings of growing inadequacy are already returning to crush his self-esteem. ]

No, I insist! You've already done so much for me, and I haven't even been able to return the favor. Is there really nothing I can do to help you out?

[ his mouth quirks into a grin, wide and grateful. ] Okay, I think I've got the gist of it. [ slipping the cerevice back into his pocket, he rises to his feet, and if demo will allow it — to affectionately pat the dog's head, glancing back at tadashi after a moment of contemplation. ]

The past few days were pretty crazy, huh? I'm glad you're more solid this time around, but um ... are you okay? You seem a little tired. [ as if makoto's one to talk, but it goes double for tellus's resident inventor.]

Thanks; that means a lot.

[ there's a fond smile on his face as he says it. the reason why he wants to keep helping people was because of his brother. his brother needed so much help before in all aspects. but tadashi's kindness shouldn't just be solely focused on his brother. he should extend it to everybody else. that's why he loves helping people as much as he can. it makes him feel like a good brother - and that he's doing what he should be doing. ]

Why don't we write it down as an IOU? I don't think I need anything right now, but if I need a favour, I'll let you know.

And don't worry about me, [ he adjusts the hat on his head. how he's wearing it is fine, but it's more of a reflex when he's either uncomfortable or feeling bashful. ] I'm fine. I just need some more rest, which I can do later.

I guess this means I owe you two IOUs now. I'll try and find some way to repay you back eventually.

[ makoto returns the grin in kind, even if it is slightly dimmer — he's never felt quite so obligated to at least return the favor to the guy who went to such lengths to find kisumi and rin when he was beside himself in cloying panic, barely able to function without a shifting restlessness to his steps, doubts accruing exponentially regarding ceres and its enigmatic machinations.

raking a hand through his hair, he punctuates the brief interlude with a sigh, gaze already cast sidelong, back at the various inventions that occupied the workshop, demo happily wagging his tail by tadashi's side. ]

You might be overworking yourself. That can't be good for your health. When's the last time you had a good night's sleep?

You know I'm not going to call you in for any favours, right? [ tadashi seems to be teasing, at least. ] Not unless I absolutely need it, anyway. It'll just be an inconvenience for you.

And tell me about it. I look like a mess. [ though at least he's got his clean look going for him. he shaved just recently so despite the bags under his eyes and tired look in general, his face isn't much of a mess aesthetically. ]

I've been sleeping on my couch since my brother arrived, but I don't blame him. It must be something else.

Yeah, that's what I figured.

[ can't blame a guy for trying, though. it's too bad makoto can't offer anything more than health tips tadashi's likely already heard in a million other iterations. ]

Actually, I've been feeling pretty tired lately, too. I haven't even changed my schedule or sleeping patterns, so I can't really tell what the issue is. Maybe it's another glitch of some sort? Not as bad as the last one, but it's a little inconvenient when I keep passing out while trying to get somewhere. No matter how much sleep I get, I still feel exhausted when I wake up.

A glitch, huh? [ he rubs his chin as he hums in thought. ] It's possible, but why so soon...? Some things just happened not too long ago.

[ then again, with how ceres is being run, it's not surprising that glitches are everywhere. ]

I'll look into it. And I'll ask some other people on the network, too.

I have no idea. It seems reasonable enough, though, doesn't it? It's affecting the majority of the populace while everyone reports feeling similar symptoms.

[ brows scrunched, makoto shrugs. he can't make heads or tails of it, either way. he doesn't hear well enough to catch the more unsavory facets of tellus as of late, but it's hard to ignore the signs serving as a harbinger to more misfortune, because that's the way people (and androids) at CERES roll. ]

If you do, keep me posted. I'll try looking into it myself in the meantime.

[ he bends down to give demo a halfhearted ruffle before standing, spot-checking his cerevice, and shooting tadashi a tired grin. ]

Guess I should take my leave so you can finally get some shut-eye. Don't overwork and drive yourself into an early grave, okay? I'd be devastated if I couldn't return the favors I owe you someday.

[ tadashi can't help but let out a chortle as makoto mentions something about driving himself into an early grave. the irony of it all. but he gets what makoto means, and he's touched by the concern that's given to him. ]

I'm fine, but thanks. I'll try to get some rest later.

You sure you'll be okay?

[ head at a slight tilt, he gazes back at the miscellany of machinery scattered over tabletops, a friendly mechanical clutter of metal cabinets and bright screens, then retreats for the entryway, one hand hovering over the doorknob. ]

If you're not waiting for any other customers to arrive today, at least let me take you out for a bite. You've been in here all day installing apps, right? Have you gotten to eat lunch yet?

[ makoto... you are so nice, and generous. and in fact, tadashi may have to take up this offer now because he's rejected makoto's gestures of kindness and gratitude so many times already. so he clicks on some switches to switch them off, telling demo to stay behind and stand guard before responding. ]

I wouldn't mind grabbing a bite with you, if that's what you're asking.

Great! I knew you had to cave in eventually.

[ all those times he was previously rejected (which was likely for the best, considering the whole "guinea pig" component of the equation) and finally culminated in lunch. it's killing two birds with one stone, because makoto came there expected it'd be some long, drawn-out process that'd likely take a day or more, not the ten-second wait time he subsequently received.

after tadashi's done locking up and ensuring no workshop combustion goes down while he's off the clock, makoto holds the door for him, idling at the entryway. ]

What're you in the mood for?

I dunno if you're in the mood for it, but I haven't had Japanese food in a while.

[ despite being half-japanese, he's accustomed to eating western food. especially chicken wings. aaaaall the hamadas love their chicken wings. ]

Or maybe some Italian would be nice. I could use a salad.

[ translation: your choice! ]

Japanese sounds good. I know a place you might like! It's pretty close by, so I think it's okay if we walk.

[ chicken wings, though (nice, nice). it sounds appetizing, but until recently he's been eating nothing but salted mackerel and rice day-in and day-out, so anything would be fair game. it's hard having a cook for a friend who's unfortunately content with consuming various types of fish for the rest of his natural life.

continuing down the sidewalk, makoto glances sideways to address him. ]

How long have you been here now, Hamada-san? Figured out anything new about the colony?

[ he's not saying he's curious, but considering makoto's emotional tactility only works on individuals and not an entire, (mostly) insentient city, he figures someone as perceptive as a hamada could discern anything particularly odd as of late. ]

Alright, then. Japanese it is.

[ into the streets they go! tadashi tries to keep up with makoto's pace. he's slightly slower considering he's been feeling so tired, but not something for makoto to worry about. ]

As for how long I've been here... [ there's a pause as he tries to count the weeks in his head. ] About two months and a half, now. I arrived here on Christmas day.

[ and he lets out a light chortle. ] Who knew there was Christmas in this place, huh? Though there's not much to learn here, publicly. You seriously have to snoop around and probably do illegal things to get your answers.

[ they're both equally slow, what with being tired as heck, so makoto's content to dial his speed back a few notches. ]

It's funny, I think I arrived back in December, too. There was a Christmas carnival of sorts, too. [ but he shakes his head, clearly unnerved. ] It wasn't one I'd ever want to go to again though.

[ a drifting pause ensues, and then he tentatively glances back at tadashi. ]

Mm, well, I did try scouring the libraries in the Academy for information. Went into a few bookstores, too, but I was a little afraid that the people at the Government Center wouldn't like me grilling them for information, so I didn't go through with the plan.

[ punctuating the sentence with a sigh, he shoves his hands into his pockets, immensely glad that his ghost-esque escapades prior to the nexus code didn't end in his early demise. ]

By any chance, do you have any idea what might be outside of the colony walls?

I bet. [ there's a hint of disgust and uncertainty in tadashi's face upon the mention of a christmas carnival. it just... doesn't seem safe to arrive in something like that. . . considering ceres. so he immediately thinks that makoto's arrival was dangerous, amongst other things. ] Whenever new arrivals get coded, there's always something bad happening. That carnival probably wasn't the best of attractions.

[ and at the mention of grilling the ceres employees for information, tadashi extends a hand as he speaks, directing his palm at makoto. not necessarily offering it for anything, but more like, he's emphasising that he's speaking to him. ] And don't do anything illegal in this place. Who knows what might happen if you get sent to jail.

[ tadashi's been to jail. worst night of his life. and he puts his hand back down, placing both behind his back as he continues to walk and carry the conversation. ]

No idea, but Demo's definitely saying that there's something out there. Something big...

Expect more glitches to happen soon.

[ haha, wow, makoto wouldn't want to ruin tadashi's extremely considerate advice by informing him that he has been incarcerated (with a bunch of murderers, no less) and knows several people ... who have also been jailed for less than a misdemeanor, apparently ...

but then, it's being housed in a cell by CERES standards for trespassing, which would likely be extremely different if he'd gone on some indiscriminate homicidal rampage. the sentiment is nice, and tadashi himself has enough bolstering charisma to keep makoto from jettisoning straight into the depths of endless, crushing despair at the thought of spending the rest of his life in tellus, but that's mincing semantics. he can't give up with his friends to worry about, and with tadashi's brother one of the newest residents of the city, his companion probably can't rest easy either. makoto shakes his head. ]

It doesn't seem like anything here goes right, honestly. I've heard filing a formal complaint wouldn't do any good, either. After all this time, I still can't entirely believe that PowerPoint presentation. It just seems ... insincere.

I mean, I don't remember anything bad ever befalling my hometown on that scale. It doesn't make any sense.

Tell me about it...

[ he groans just thinking about how there could be aliens consuming worlds. truly, it could be a real thing, science doesn't deny the possibility of alien life out there. but had they been real, there would likely be reports about it, first of all.

and also, ceres just isn't doing a good job of making themselves sound believable. so all tadashi does at the moment is agree with makoto. ]

They obviously want something else out of us. They said they wanted us to fight the Flamines, but now they just want us to relax, or something.

It makes no sense at all.

It was in their PowerPoint, right? I thought there would be more of a sense of urgency? If things were really messed up back home, shouldn't we be doing everything we can to fix it instead of waiting around? But it's not like there's anything like goals in this place, as far as I can tell. It's been like this for months, but I don't think we've made any progress fixing what happened.

[ agree to agree. it's nice having someone to talk to when his roommate tends to speak in monosyllabic bursts and stringently avoid any conversations regarding the bleak fate of their family, their friends, and their world in any viable capacity. makoto cares immensely for haru, but he's had more than enough of waiting around while shit hit the metaphorical fan several times in quick succession.

they've just about reached the restaurant, and makoto spans the distance first to open the doorway and allow tadashi passage inside first. ]

With the way things have been going, though, fighting the Flamines might be the least of our problems.

[ he nods. there's definitely no sense of urgency at all; in fact, it's the complete opposite. tadashi's come up with various theories already as to why they could possibly be here. though a thought hits him when makoo mentions the Flamines being the least of their problems. . . ]

What if they're not real?

[ well, it doesn't fall out of the realm of believability. ]

... I don't know. To be honest, I'm not even sure if we can trust CERES at all, but there's not much we can do about it now as it is. I have no way to try and contact anyone back home to confirm whether or not any of this is true. Well ... not that I think my cellphone would be able to contact them in a place like this, anyways.

[ as much as he'd talk tadashi's ear off on possible digressions, makoto doesn't have anything in the way of a plan. it's that kind of generic helplessness plaguing him now as he enters the restaurant, eventually schooling his expression back into moderate placidity. ]

Don't let me get you down, though. I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually. There's too much at stake not to do our best.

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[open] have you ever wanted to disappear?

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