prismatica | VIDEO; un: robotman

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VIDEO; un: robotman

There's some-- some easy solution to all of this, right? Surviving the cycle with your sanity intact? Something I'm overlooking? Am I too distracted?

[Dressed in a black tank top, Robotnik looks... well, stressed out, mostly. And weirdly translucent. And sweaty. Definitely moonblessing issues. His hair's a mess, his mustache isn't faring much better, and he's pacing back and forth judging by the movement of the screen. Of course, the obvious solution is staring him right in the face, but he's ignoring that right now.

He's not even sure why he's bothering with the network. He was intending to suffer in silence, get this over with, get back to what passes for normal around here. But he wants to talk to people. Since fucking when? People are the last thing he needs, ever, but especially now.

Iris, he's concluded over and over again, is indeed the worst.]

Barring the obvious, I mean. It's-- It's incredible. I thought-- I thought I could take it, thought I could handle it. Nothing stumps me like this. [He runs a hand through his hair.] Everything has been... inconclusive. Ridiculous! Inconclusive! Think about it! I can't figure it out! Me!

[He's babbling. But in his defense he's running through his first Iris cycle on the heels of having a serious fucking case of alien-mind-share-device-induced brain junk data. Shit's fucked.]

How the hell do you live like this?

[Yes, he's absolutely making way too big of a deal out of this but he doesn't care.

He'll care later, probably. He'll definitely care later. But not now.]

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Food's easy. All it takes is you and that giant basket of fries and you don't have to answer to anybody.

[Alas, that is not to be, and here they are.

He lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head.]

Other than the big obvious annoying one? Not massively. Certain... personal devices... kiiiiiind of work until you think about it too hard.

[And man, does he think about things too hard.]

I went shopping, [he says by way of explanation.]

[Thinking about things too hard? That's #relatable! Initially, Iris had just hit Sycamore with a) the transformations b) a mild buzz and c) extra generosity. Nothing bad! Actually, all rather exciting things! But now he's a few days in, b) up there has intensified uncomfortably, as has the emotional side of things. Who the hell wants to get sad when they....

...when they...[redacted]. Yes.]

You know, I feel that I should be embarrassed about asking this, but I'm yet to head to the stores you're referring to-

[-since he knows absolutely which stores you're referring to-]

-and shopping is sounding like a better and better idea. Do you think it's worth it?

[Unfortunately, certain things hit Robotnik hard from the start, even before the heat decided to rear its ugly head, and he's been having a Bad Time.]

Understandable, trust me. But, uh... not really. Slightly. But based on what I'm gathering here I suspect it's essentially an instinct meant to aid in the production of Chroma, so you crave another body rather than... battery-operated friends.

[Which sucks for Dr. Prefers To Avoid People. Ain't stopping him from trying to build that sexbot eventually though.]

Still could be worth trying if you don't mind going out like this.

[Ah, that would make sense, wouldn't it? They can't produce chroma alone, so...Sycamore has to (begrudgingly, all things considered) admit that it's fairly brilliant.]

You make a very good point. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that whatever entity developed this whole concept already thought of nipping that option in the bud.

[Honestly, rude.]

I'm afraid I've already spent some time wandering around the city, much to my embarrassment. Have you found that you feel...I don't know how to describe it, but more...open? Generous? Willing to spontaneously approach others and offer them things?

[godspeed on the sexbot doctor, btw]

[It's unpleasantly brilliant and Robotnik hates it.]

Probably had it aaaaall figured out.

[So annoying. As for the generosity...]

Not so much with the offering exactly but I've found myself... more social than usual?

[He doesn't want to say "nicer" or "less misanthropic" even though it's true, because he really doesn't mind Sycamore that much so he's already been relatively nice to him.]

Normally I wouldn't have much reason to talk to people I don't know in public but I've been... finding myself weirdly enjoying others' company to an extent.

I'm glad it's not just me, then!

[He's clearly the social butterfly out of the pair of them, but still...there's 'being social and pleasant to people' and 'randomly accosting strangers and demanding to buy them things'...]

I was warned about the - I'm just going to be blunt, forgive me - the arousal, but the emotional side of things was a complete surprise! It's almost worse!

[Listen, listen, as much as Sycamore likes to be happy and excited there are some Sad Feelings lurking down below and they're supposed to stay there, because if we ignore the sad feelings they go away! That's how it works.

But it's becoming a lot harder to keep them down with Iris in the sky....]

Really, I think it is worse...but that might just be me. Is the socialising bothering you, or do you find it's helping? It could make it easier to find moonlacing partners, at least.

[Positive....thinking??]

Be blunt all you want, I'm the one who decided to send a whole video to everyone complaining about how certain biological impossibilities are driving me fucking crazy, [he says dryly.

At least he understands how ridiculous he's being.]

But, oh, it's absolutely worse. Like, okay, fine, mess with my body, why don't you, I'm only using it until I can come up with something better. [He does not indicate whether he's joking or not.] But my mind is not some moon's plaything. IT'S MINE.

[He clears his throat, smoothing his hair down with a hand. It does nothing to help the mess it is.]

It's all bothering me, but I just... I wasn't particularly a fan of the concept to start with. Forcing my hand isn't going to make me like it any better.

[Hmmm. Robotnik does bring up some food for thought...]

I know what you mean. It's as if...I don't know, we're farm animals, ripe for harvest! There are definitely worse things they could be doing to us, admittedly-

[-if he has to be blunt he's still very much for the whole concept of touching = money-]

-but I wonder why it was necessary to involve people like yourself, who so obviously do not want to engage in all of this? And why play with our emotions, and give us...well, these?

[He'll wave a hand upwards, at those antlers of his.]

Surely there is an easier way to obtain Chroma...but the Prismals haven't exactly been forthcoming with information, have they? The more I think about it, the more insidious it feels...

[...maybe it's best not to think too hard about it, um]

It absolutely feels like some... bizarre experiment, wrapped up in mysticism for flavor. Little bit of genetic engineering, little bit of mind control. Like some kind of... animal-themed MKULtra. Advanced technology, refer to it as magic, harvest whatever kind of resource they're making us produce... Oh, they're good.

[He's pacing again. At least talking about conspiracy theories serves as a good distraction from everything else at the moment. Shut up, body, it's science time.]

I've seen things like this before. Bring in different people, see how it affects them. People who enjoy it, people who hate it. Find out how long it'll take for someone like me to break, to follow their lead without resistance. I can feel it.

[He hates how easy it's starting to feel to just go along with it.]

They act like they don't know anything, of course. They're so nice and helpful. But look at us, no choice whether to follow along or not, not really. Not if we want to survive. Of course, they could be telling the truth and I'm just blowing it all out of proportion and trying really hard not to think about how much I need to get fucked. But I also know a thing or two about what government gets up to.

[Inconclusive!]

[Is it science time? Heck yeah, it's science time! It does serve as a good distraction, anyway.]

It sounds like you've certainly had some unpleasant experiences, Doctor. If this is bringing up bad memories, you have my sympathy. Although I suppose that at least it isn't taking you too much by surprise? I must admit, I've never gone through anything like this.

[Sighing, he runs a hand down one of his antlers.]

And you're right - we don't really have a choice, do we? I'm yet to observe it, in myself or anyone else, but Chroma starvation sounds absolutely dreadful. At least, from what I have heard. Turning into crystal? It's...well, it's horrifying.

[...ah, that reminds him-]

You know, if you're having trouble with moonlacing...just let me know. I'm happy to hold hands with you for a bit. I would prefer you don't start turning to crystal, that's all!

Oh, don't get me wrong, my unpleasant experiences have nothing to do with this. But I'm, uh, familiar with certain varieties of scientific progress, and this is hitting a lot of those concepts.

[He's generally on the other end when it comes to experimentation, not that he often does much that doesn't involve machines in the first place. He doesn't like potentially being a guinea pig if it's not his own project, though. He doesn't like it at all.]

But a nice way to force people into things, isn't it? Offer the most unpleasant alternative to make sure people try to avoid it.

[At his offer, though, he pauses, sighs heavily, runs his hand through his hair.]

...Yeah. Okay. Normally I'd say no, but I know that's not going to be an option for much longer...

[It is so WEIRD being down to hold hands with someone but he respects Sycamore to an extent, weirdly, so... it could be worse. Like what his body happens to be craving at the moment. That's worse!]

It can be discreet, don't worry! At this stage I'd recommend some alcohol as well.

[We can just...sadly grip each other's hands and be Two Science Bros just helping each other out and complaining about a purple moon, this is normal, healthy and perfectly acceptable alright

no really, Sycamore likes you quite a bit, Doctor, do not turn into a giant crystal-]

You know, I'm friends with another scientist here - Dr Wesker - and he works for the Lunar Scientia. Have you thought about applying? I'm considering it. You never know, they could have some useful information there about all this!

[Or they absolutely might not, but it's...better than sitting around doing nothing, at least? It's something??]

Either way, please do not get too down on yourself. I'm more than happy to support you, however you need it. We are in this together!

Good time for me to not be a drinker, huh? But I'll... try it.

[He just laughs awkwardly, because... well. That's not particularly helpful. But he can deal. He can hold a hand. It's just a hand.

As for the Lunar Scientia...]

I... honestly have considered it. The access to technology would be useful and I'm trying to get a better grasp on how this whole magic thing functions. Last person to try to "help" with that was no help at all. [No information, just frustration and a brain full of junk data. Great.] But... I worked for the government back home, and frankly I'm sick of it. All the justification for projects, the begging for funding, having to work to other people's specifications...

[Being sent out on a job to catch a sassy alien hedgehog who fucked up all his plans...]

I sort of just want to... start out on my own, you know? Be my own man.

[Unfortunately he wants to do it somewhere where you have to touch people nicely to make money, but he can figure it out. Probably.]

[They can talk about all manner of sciency-nonsense during said hand-holding if it makes the process feel any more pleasant...

...probably not, but...well. It likely beats turning into a giant crystal. Regardless, it's clear that Robotnik's aspirations please Sycamore, as he's now smiling into the camera rather than wincing.]

Ah, fantastique! I cannot recommend working for yourself enough, Doctor! I started my own laboratory back home, and I could never look back. I get the odd amount of funding here and there, but I tend to operate more as my own unit. It's hard work to get it started, but once you're there...well! I could never go back. So I definitely understand what you mean, when it comes to being your own independent person.

[He's not quite sure how much of that one could manage here, but still...that makes keeping the aspiration alive all the more impressive. Besides, who knows? The Lunar Scientia are surely not perfect. Things could be missed. Another independent branch of research could only benefit the city.

...hmm. Assuming the Lunar Scientia aren't involved, secretly, with all this moonblessing nonsense...

...but that might be the part of him that's still a little sore from events back home (involving his now-dead best friend and his secret laboratory...)]

It can never hurt to bring a fresh set of eyes to the problem, anyway. Who knows? You might stumble upon something the Lunar Scientia might have missed. Big organisations do tend to skip the minor details, at times.

[He'll probably need to talk a lot just to distract himself from the ridiculousness of the situation, like the conversations brought by this post are almost helping with here. Almost.

He offers something of a smile himself, strained as it is.]

Yeah, funding'll probably be my biggest hurdle after I research things enough. At the risk of bragging [(not that it's something he normally minds doing)] I certainly have the skill for it. Hell, most of the reason I did what I did back home was just to have access to resources, and if I can potentially independently access those anyway...

[He doesn't mention the potential sexbot business. But if he's working for himself, he can decide what he does and when.

And also the potential world domination, but baby steps. Baby steps.]

But oh, don't I know that. Can't tell you how many times I had to explain basic things to some military-minded idiot who couldn't grasp what my work was supposed to do. The less I have to deal with that, the better.

[That last comment makes Sycamore laugh; it's nice to be talking about something other than...everything their moonblessing has chosen to be.]

Well, I'm lucky in that I've never had to deal with too much of that! Although you do get the odd organisation here and there that seems a little too interested in specifics of your research - from what you're saying, I doubt that's an uncommon occurrence for you.

[What with all this talk of the military, and what have you.]

You know Doctor, I've never actually asked you what it is you specialise in! Tell me, what is your specialist subject?

Oh, if I had a dollar for every time people got suspiciously interested in my things, I wouldn't need to worry about funding my personal projects.

[He grins, pushing his hair back. This conversation is... distracting, in the good way, and way better than dealing with everything else right now.

Just ignore the nagging in the back of his mind, it's fine.]

But, ah, it's robotics. I know, wild, I'm sure you never would have guessed. I've been focusing on drone technology, mostly, although I've got a number of ideas for other things... of course, all of my blueprints and materials and prototypes are back home and I have to essentially start from scratch here.

Ah, robotics! Fascinating!

[Legitimately, though? You are extremely cool, Dr Robotnik, do not let anyone tell you otherwise-]

I must admit, you do have a rather appropriate name! I don't know much about robots, but a friend of mine is thoroughly gifted with them.

[...

...his....dead friend haha good lord, the ease at which Lysandre just inserted himself into this conversation physically hurts, dammit Iris he's had enough of these emotions...

Fortunately he'll be able to keep any reactions off his face, but...ugh. The end of the triple moon can't come soon enough.]

At least there is an adventure in starting from scratch? You might find you're struck with uncommon inspiration, away from your usual environment. Regardless, I do hope you'll show me any prototypes you develop!

Oh, so at least you've got some familiarity with the field, right?

[He doubts the friend's as gifted as he is, but nobody can be.]

But technology's so different here, I'd basically have to start from near-scratch anyway, but it'd be nice to at least have a shell to work with. It's been a process, figuring things out. I won't be incapable of recreating my babies, obviously, but I'm not used to needing to learn so much. I'll definitely show you when I come up with anything worthwhile, though.

[Just... maybe not anything with a fake dick attached to it. He's not at that level of comfort yet.

Also, yes, he absolutely referred to his absent robots as his babies. Make of that what you will.]

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VIDEO; un: robotman

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