castellae | Ongoing PSL - In-game setting

[ It had been so strange to him that they had gone so long on Earth without much contact with the Bunker. There had been plenty to do, plenty to see, and honestly? 9S had never found himself to be so content. Going so long without collecting interesting data could make him feel stagnant, useless, but it was in his shared time with 2B that he stopped caring. He was gathering his own data by spending all of this intimate time with her...

He was learning what love was like. What it was truly like. And wow... Was it a gift. 9S couldn't logically believe in deities, but he could perceive this as a gift from the humans. To feel joy and love, and to give it back. 9S could analyze things from such a different viewpoint, because 2B gave him such a beautiful perspective that life is so much more than objectives.

The fateful day didn't seem fateful to 9S. Not at first. But there was something about 2B that had changed. He couldn't put his finger on it, but still... He followed.

9S recalled those words she had said once. Weeks ago. "You'd die anyway". 9S had tucked away those words, because something told him to.

He still followed.

As they came to the field of Lunar Tears, as there had been little explaination or reason for them to be here, 9S felt something coming on. Something he couldn't wrap his head around.

He still followed.

As 2B had pulled 9S in so tenderly, he felt a chill between them. Something had switched off. But he loves her so much, and with love comes trust. Trust is the main foundation of a stable partnership. Of a relationship. 9S allowed himself to not question her, because she loves him too! Because she had been so tender and loving and had began to express herself more for his sake!!!! Because how could he hang on to words that likely meant nothing after so many weeks had passed?!!! 2B loves him. She loves him and so HE. STILL. FOLLOWED.

He sees that shift. That break in 2B's composure as the blade pierces him through the chest. It slices his mechanical heart, but it doesn't pierce it. 9S hears the blade cut clean through mechanical components, hears the immediate overflow of warnings that he's leaking vital fluids.

It... it hurts. It hurts so much and the pain begins so fast. 9S gasps, breath wet and labored. His eyes are wide as he stares at 2B as if he doesn't understand. She... Was it all a lie? Why is this happening? Why is she killing him?! ]

Hckk--!

[ Shocked and mortified, his body seizes. The pain overwhelming and heavy, he falls forward. Against 2B as he bleeds out profusely. He gasps for air, suddenly feeling like he's drowning when fluids fill his artificial lungs. 9S cries out in pain, grabbing onto 2B for dear life even though he knows it won't work. She's crying. Is she crying? Or is he crying? This goes on for so long. And all he can do is stare. ]

[ 2B stumbles as 9S slumps forward, his vital fluids pouring out of him. They're getting everywhere: her hands, her clothes, the flowers. 2B's sobs are uncontrollable as she grabs him by the elbows, falling to her knees. She knows she needs to end this quickly, both to report back to Command and to put 9S-- her Nines-- out of his misery, but when she looks down at him to retrieve her blade, something inside of her breaks.

She's always felt like a monster every time she's done this, but she can't ever recall it hurting this much. 2B wonders what's worse: the fact that she'll never see this version of 9S again or the fact that she will meet him again, only to find that he doesn't remember her. Doesn't remember anything.

With a shaking voice, 2B commands her pod to enter sleep mode. She rips off her visor and discards it across the cavern, holding 9S with her free arm, getting soaked in his fluids. 2B can't risk having Command interfere with her. Not like this. She cradles the back of his head, gentle as she weeps, the action causing her internal processes to stutter and skip.

This will be the last time, she'd told herself. The last time she'll do this to him.

2B cradles him in her arms, curled around him while she sobs, the Lunar Tears around their feet splattered in blood. ]

[ He doesn't understand. What did he do? What had he done wrong to deserve this? 9S feels his eyes well up with tears, though it's difficult to keep track when so much of him is pouring out. The pain is unbearable, laboring and long, and there's too much going on for him to register that she's cradling him in her arms upon the ground.

No... No he isn't a fool.

This dials back to what he had discovered. The files he'd pulled up indicating that a massacre of man left the moon completely barren. That humans had died off a long time ago. In 9S' silence, he realizes that when he'd questioned the validity or possibility of this, not even confirming it yet, 2B's demeanor had shifted.

She...

She was programmed for this.

Even with his vitals quickly fading, his Scanning capabilities are top of the line. The best. And so in that realization, his gaze shifts to her. If... If this is what was meant to happen, why is she crying?

9S wants to be angry. Scared. To allow himself to feel betrayed, but he realizes that as his consciousness fades, he can't do anything about it. Being angry, being scared will do nothing about the hole cut through him. Wet, crackling sounds fester in the back of his throat, fluids pouring from his lips when 2B cradles him close.

He can't...

He can't be mad. But...

With a trembling hand, he reaches for 2B, as if to question her. As if to search for something. A wet, bloody palm manages to reach her cheek, but it doesn't stay there long. His systems beep continuously, cry for maintenance or help but there's nothing that can be done.

Yet 2B cries.

He gets it. He understands. Even if it hurts.

But his arm loses strength, smearing blood along her cheek before it falls to his side. 9S' head rolls back, the pupils of his naturally soulless eyes losing the light that kept them going. The sound of his entire system shutting off whispers as those pupils expand and fade. 9S takes his last breath, which is drowned by the overflow of red fluid that pours out.

And he's gone. ]

[ When 9S reaches for her, an eerie calm begins to settle over 2B, her systems quieting as she feels his hand warm against her cheek for the last time. She turns her head and breathes deep; his vitals stain her face as she places a kiss against his palm, eyelids fluttering shut. Such a sweet, intimate gesture. The final thing she can do for him as he begins to fade.

She sits in silence after a while, holding him close. Brushing the hair from his eyes. Removing his visor and shutting his eyelids. She holds his hands, cradles his face, traces a fine line from his forehead to the tip of his nose. She traces the shape of his mouth, memorizing the softness of those lips that she's kissed countless times by this point. After what feels like an eternity, she stands, grabbing her blade by the hilt and pulling it from him, swinging it clean of the carnage she'd wrought.

Waking her Pod, she leaves the cavern and makes a call to Command. ]

Black box confirmed offline for Unit 9S. [ 2B's voice is even, all business. Something inside of her feels dead. ] Ready for recommissioning.

[ After attaining confirmation from the Commander, 2B cuts the feed. When she heads back to the Bunker, she remains unaffected. She gives her report to the Commander, leaving out everything about her shared intimacy with 9S. 2B figures that the Commander suspects something when she lets her gaze linger for a bit too long, but at this point, she doesn't care.

It will be a fortnight before 9S returns to her. When he does, he descends in a flight unit, just as he always has. 2B doesn't meet his gaze. Just as she always has. ]

There's a machine nest to the east of here, [ She begins, her tone flat to the point of being soulless. ] You're my support.

[ There is something he just does not enjoy about the start of his day. 9S can't put his finger on it, but something never feels right. He feels sick, off-kilter, as if he hadn't slept when that makes no sense. He was powered down, freshly started up. Why does he feel so strange?

9S has no time to question it or bother. As soon as his systems go online, he's given a message from Command with coordinates and orders to rally up with yoRHa Unit: 2B for support. Until further notice.

Strange. Scanner models never get partnered up with a combat unit. But he eagerly obeys, reaching the destination on time. As always. 9S descends from his Flight Unit, landing delicately at his feet as he approaches 2B. He greets her with a delicate smile. ]

Quick to get down to business, huh?

[ No greeting. Oh well. 9S nods. ]

Yep. That's me.

Unit: 9S reporting for duty. I've been slated with providing you support both on Earth and in the Bunker going forward.

I'm also in charge of your maintenance. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you're in need of it, ma'am.

[ Everything has been cleared. Every last bit. 2B is practically a stranger. And so he smiles. ]

[ 2B can barely look at him. Just the sound of his voice is enough to cut her deeply, where it once had been utterly calming. It's true that she takes comfort in his being here, but after the last cycle, she can barely hold herself together.

It's not like she's exhibited signs of that to Command, however. Since 9S' previous decommissioning, 2B has gone back to being the perfect soldier, undertaking missions for both the Bunker and the Resistance Camp with no question. She's certain that she's killed more machines in the last month than she had during the entirety of her activation period, and things have been quiet on the surface as a result.

When he calls her "ma'am," she wants to scream. Instead, she bites her tongue so hard it practically bleeds, saying what she always does. ]

That's not necessary, [ She says, though her voice cracks. It's the first time it's done that, and she catches herself. ] 2B is fine.

[ 2B makes the mistake of looking to his face as he smiles, and suddenly it feels like losing him all over again. Her lips part like she wants to say something, but instead she turns and heads for their destination. ] Come on. While there's still daylight.

[ Perhaps its bliss that he doesn't remember anything. But 9S has no means to be thankful of that, or to even think about it. No, his mind has been completely cleared

Except. Of course. For a safety he had put into place well before his termination. 9S had created a document during one of those sleepless nights. Something short and vague that he's embedded into his OS. It was a clever, yet difficult process. And making it purposefully small made it less likely to be located, should he be scanned or worse. 9S had no idea he would ever be wiped clean, but his actions worked in favor of that.

He doesn't know about it. Not now. But perhaps later. It's left for him to find completely on his own.

For now, he works as if nothing happened between them. No intimacy, no friendship. But he seems just as eager to be beside her as he has before. Perhaps not for the same reasons, but it's there. He tilts his head at her correction; he was only being polite. He can't quite understand why it seems to have bothered her beyond minor discomfort... But he understands it's pretty formal. ]

Oh. Okay then. 2B it is.

[ That smile doesn't go away, especially when it's time to move forward. 9S comes to 2B's side, walking in tandem to her. ]

You know, us Scanner models don't usually get partnered up for our rounds on Earth. I've never not been by myself. I think this'll be fun!

[ Quite similar, if not exactly mirroring what he had said before. Just like every other cycle. And 9S is just as lonely and desperate as he had been before. He practically bleeds that out in his tone, hiding it behind a smile. Even if he's truly eager to have a partner. It's just not a new thing. ]

Edited (Wanted to use my sweet new icons :)) 2017-04-17 16:58 (UTC)

[ 2B knows nothing about the contingency 9S left for himself, though if she did, she likely wouldn't be surprised. This is the sixth time that she's gone through this cycle, the burden of her memories weighing her down like a ball and chain; knowing that 9S doesn't remember a thing hurts more this time around, and she knows it's because she'd made too many mistakes the last time.

Emotions are prohibited. It's the mantra that she'd told him time and time again. The mantra that she'd used to keep herself afloat, cycle after cycle. Prohibited or not, 2B has them, and they feel like they're lodged in her throat, making it difficult to breathe.

The machine nest lies in the abandoned factory, right at the shoreline. As 2B walks, she does her best not to focus on the way 9S eagerly lops along beside her, enthusiastic as usual. Androids don't need to sleep, it's true, but 2B feels like she's in a waking nightmare. The thought of desertion is treasonous in and of itself, but it strikes her again now that 9S is standing before her for the umpteenth time. YoRHa betrayers are branded as high-priority targets, but 2B is damn good at what she does.

She knows that desertion isn't an option, and makes a mental note to get her morality functions evaluated. As 9S acquiesces to her requests, 2B stares straight ahead, feeling more weary than she ever has. ]

The mission is our priority. [ She responds, noting the marked difference in the way he expresses the same sentiment he has at the beginning of every cycle. 2B blames that on herself and her inability to keep her own treasonous feelings in check. ] We aren't here to have fun.

[ As they descend the crumbling highway towards the factory, 2B's mind continues to race in spite of itself. There's something different about this time around. Something has changed. Though she knows that the altered variable is likely her, she can't help but hold onto some stray, strange thread of hope. She steals a glance at 9S from out of the corner of her eye as they make their way up towards the entrance of the factory, and she vaguely wonders if this time will be different. ]

Well, yeah, of course the mission is priority. It's not wrong to enjoy your job.

[ It's not like he isn't used to being ignored or brushed off. 9S realizes that his personality software must be different from the others. He's never been good at making friends, and he often wonders if it's because it's frowned upon and he just refuses to follow the mold. It could be a million other things. But that doesn't stop it from bothering him when he's chastised for feeling.

Something about 2B feels... Different though. It hurts more. 9S realizes that he's immediately seeking validation from her, within just a half hour of walking with her. Maintaining keeping direction in favor of the mission. Something about her has his interests in overdrive. 9S finds himself constantly staring at her as they move forward, maintaining his enthusiasm despite his curiosity.

As they descend, he keeps his glance at her, holding on to his Pod as they softly land not too far from their destination. ]

Have you been assigned a partner before?

[ He asks, because he feels the need to. He asks, because his programming dictates for it even though it will ultimately lead him to disaster. And he asks because he's naturally curious about 2B. Something doesn't seem right here, and his programmed "intuition" seems to be working in a way yoRHa likely hadn't intended. ]

... There's nothing enjoyable about this.

[ 2B leaves her answer open-ended, free for him to take as he sees fit. 9S has always been by her side, and while this instance is no exception to that, she's never felt more lonely in her life. Being close to him hurts, and keeping him at a distance is devastating. The fact that he continues to try to get to know her seizes her artificial heart and wrings it dry, making her want to scream and cry all over again.

She can't understand his thought processes, not as a Scanner or even as another individual. 2B feels as if she's being crushed by the weight of her memories, and the added heft of his eyes on her makes her feel like choking.

2B tries to think of a response to his question. She could deny him outright and avoid deviating from the path set before her within her programming... But she can't bring herself to.

Instead, she deflects. ]

... I have. But I don't see how that's pertinent to our objective.

[ 2B wants to grab his hand and run somewhere. Anywhere. Far from the prying eyes of Command, far away from the Resistance. While she knows Pascal would be more than happy to take them in, she doesn't want to risk his village being targeted by YoRHa. She's tense and she knows it, and when they enter the first silo, she immediately draws her weapon and sets to work upon the large concentration of machine lifeforms gathered at its center. ]

[ He's naturally curious. It's how he was built. And given his state of the art model, he's probably more prying and questioning than anyone else sharing his blueprint. Something buried deep in 9S' processors tells him-- No, begs him to question 2B until there's no answers left. As if it's embedded into his coding. He's meant to scan the surface, not other androids. But he does it anyway. Perhaps it's because she's not entirely pushing him away, but he gets the feeling that she's trying.

Hence, the question of whether or not she's done this before. Did she have a bad experience with her last partner? Would she rather be with them?

9S isn't really able to make a response quite yet. Not when they're greeted by a horde of machines that 2B so abruptly begins to get to work on. He can easily become distracted by the thrill of destroying them. While he isn't a combat model himself, he provides combat support from afar. 9S hacks any machines close by, causing a couple to self-destruct and ignite any nearby allies. It clears their numbers more efficiently, all while collecting data at the same time. Once the fray is cleared, 9S projects a blue, translucent screen from his combat visor. He quickly reviews his findings, even if there isn't much. ]

Anyway.

[ 9S continues where he left off, idly swiping his finger up and down his screen. Organizing reports he instantly creates. ]

I asked, because it seems like you're not a fan of the new initiative. That's fine if that's the case. Androids don't normally work together for a reason. I don't necessarily agree, so the change is nice.

[ Nothing changed. He's just mistaken. 9S taps away, moving files about so they can move forward. He stops, however, when he comes across an odd-looking file in his OS software. Something in the code that doesn't make sense. ]

...

[ There's nothing large about the code. Almost useless. But it's blatant enough to him that it shouldn't be there. How has his OS not malfunctioned due to unintended coding? He squints, zooming in to the vast sea of code where a singular "2B" catches his gaze. He looks to her, then to his screen, which he promptly shuts down. He'll have to investigate that later. ]

All good. I managed to snatch some internal processing code from a few machines. Sent the activity up to command. What's next?

[ 2B knows he's just being himself and that he isn't doing this purposely; after all, how could he know the effect he has on her? She knows he's analyzing her as they continue, and... honestly, that has never bothered her. In fact, she hopes he continues and happens to find something, anything, that reminds him of her from before this meeting. She knows that there's no use for that, and even if he did remember, what was she supposed to do then?

9S works in tandem with her as efficiently as ever, and soon the machine nest they'd been sent to dispatched is nothing more than a scrap pile. 2B is almost frustrated; while she'd taken down her fair share of the machine lifeforms, it had done nothing to ease her tension. She glances at 9S as that now-familiar screen projection activates in front of him, and she swings her sword a few times in order to throw off the machine oil clinging to it. ]

I don't remember ever saying that. You'd do better not to put words in my mouth, [ She responds evenly, resheathing her weapon in its place at her back. 2B picks stray pieces of machine detritus off of her person as 9S hesitates over his data terminal, prompting her to raise a brow... and her pulse to quicken.

Had he found something? Had the memory wipe been corrupted in some way? Had he, in his infinite cleverness, left something behind for him to come back to later?

2B turns towards him, stepping closer in spite of herself. It's probably nothing and she knows it. Making as if she's heading towards the entrance of the silo, she affects a nonchalant tone. ] We're done here. Find anything unusual?

[ 9S sighs, adjusting his combat visor and glancing over his Pod to ensure it hasn't been damaged. He pats at it affectionately, despite the strange tone of the conversation. It's as if he's desperate to remain casual. For whatever reason. ]

I said "it seems". Key words, there. Seems. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But I'm usually not.

[ And it's not meant to come off as rude. It's just the truth. 9S is ridiculously adept and observant. And while he's not always right, he's rather confident in his analysis. At least for this particular notion.

He does, however, halt when she comes closer. 9S pulse rate takes an initial spike in number, and he takes a step back. He's hiding something, not intentionally. But he'd prefer waiting until he has time to take a closer look at that code. Why was her name there? Why does he naturally feel... off? Flustered? He isn't sure. ]

N...o.

Is... there a reason you're in such close proximity to me? There isn't something on my face, is there?

[ 2B doesn't grace that first part with a response, mostly because she agrees with him. Scanners aren't built to be inaccurate, and 9S is the most bleeding edge of his line. His cockiness is still in place and it makes her circuits tighten, a rogue bit of affection soaring somewhere within the artificial chambers of her heart.

At his uneasiness, 2B quirks a brow. When he steps back, she takes a step forward in spite of herself, wondering if Command had programmed him to feel suddenly uneasy around her. Now that he mentions it, he does have a smudge of machine oil on his cheek, and as such she reaches out to him, her palm smoothing against his face as it has so many times before.

As 2B's thumb wipes away the oil, the familiarity of the gesture strikes her hard, deep in her gut circuitry. Her hand stills and drops to her side, a deep, hollow feeling beginning to well at the back of her throat. ]

... Not anymore.

[ This cannot continue.

2B steps past him, struggling to maintain her composure even as her expression crumples behind her visor. ]

We need to get back.

[ His confidence only really relates to his primary function. The rest? All garbage. At least to him. But 9S feels this strange surge of confidence and energy around 2B. Maybe it's because of her calm and cool attitude, and perhaps he just naturally clings to someone who has an absolute sort of attitude to things. He can be sure.

All he knows is that his pulse-rate is uncomfortably high. Higher than it should be, especially when she takes a step closer when he tries to back away. 9S falls silent as 2B extends her hand, cupping his cheek delicately where it seems like it lasts forever. Time stops completely, and while she's wiping away an errant splotch of oil from his cheek, all he feels is her warmth radiate through him. His heart-like mechanism stutters, skips, and he can't be sure why.

Sure, he's been attracted to other androids but this is... Different. All he can do is think about her. About the fact that her name is embedded into his code. What the hell is this?

9S feels a sudden urge. He can't put a name to it. But his arm begins to lift, hesitant and almost unnoticeable when he intends to reach for her wrist, but she backs away before he can. Leaving him bewildered and dumbfounded. It's a godsend that his Pod doesn't comment to the spike in his internal heat, but that's likely because he's not at critical temperature yet. ]

Right... We should. Getting late and all.

You're the boss.

[ 2B begins to calm the more 9S exhibits the traits that make him... well, himself, and though she can't deny the pain she feels, she's happy to have him back by her side. She can feel how warm he is even from this distance, and she notices the twitch of his hand just as she pulls away. 2B mildly regrets allowing her arm to fall, but she chalks that up to the foolish sense of hope she's inexplicably holding onto.

9S has never once left her thoughts since the end of the first cycle. 2B feels almost as if she's forgotten what it feels like to think of anything else, and she knows that it shows. Her Pod has commented on her mental stability on more than one occasion over the past month, though thankfully it was usually in the heat of battle, far removed from any other android down on the surface. 2B knows that she can't possibly carry on like this, but she doesn't know what else to do.

2B simply grunts in response to what he says as they make their way back to the camp in relative silence. The walk back seems to take an eternity with the transport systems down, and the sound of his footsteps crunching alongside her own feel mildly like stab wounds in her head. When they finally do reach the camp, she leads 9S towards the small room tucked away near the entrance, turning her head over her shoulder to speak. ]

We've got nothing else on the docket today. The Resistance Leader is loaning us this room while we're running YoRHa operations here on the surface. There's a bed for you on one side; I'll let you know if we get any further orders from Command.

[ With that, she pushes the door to the room open and moves to her side of the small chamber. ]

[ The entire trek back is... Uncomfortable. 9S isn't sure what to do or say, especially when all he can think about is the feeling of her gloved hand against his cheek. Why does it matter? Is he just that sensitive? It's not like he's been touched by anyone before, so maybe he's just reacting the way he's meant to.

The silence is deafening, but 9S spends the entire walk to the camp just thinking. Hes not sure if it's a blessing that he can take this silence to quietly go over that code. He examines it behind his combat visor, which is a bit difficult while focusing on walking, but something is nagging at him to do it. He finds it strung out through his normal coding, as if it was purposefully hidden away. It can't be located through a normal scan-- He's tried. This seems intentional.

Did he... Put this here? Or had someone else?

It's not a full sentence. Just words. 2B's name scattered all over the place, inconsistent, and it's hard to tell if the words "dead" and "love" are related to one another in any way. They're spelt awkwardly, utilizing symbols and numbers in favor of traditional spelling, and it's extremely clear that these are in place to send a message to him.

When he looks at 2B, he can't help but try and piece everything around her. There's only so much that he can deduct from this, and that likely involves asking her more questions. But... What would that result in? Is the word "dead" a warning? And if so, is it for her or for him?

They arrive at their room, 9S quietly following in toe as 2B follows up on its purpose. He gazes around, dropping his bag upon his bed as he takes a glance at the entirety of their placement. ]

It's pretty big. That's... Really nice of them to give us such large accommodations. I hope it's not a problem.

Guess it isn't, if they offered.

[ He sits at his bed, where his view of 2B is slightly blocked between shelving and random objects. He tilts to see her better, sitting in brief silence until he realizes he won't be able to for long. This is driving him insane. ]

Are... you in need of any maintenance?

They did. [ She responds evenly, satisfied with the organization of her chipset. 2B opens up her second configuration, replacing some chips with more efficient ones if only to distract herself from the fact that the both of them are alone together. She knows nothing of the contingency that 9S left for himself, and she burns in silence.

At his next question, 2B pauses, her finger lifted above the projected chip menu in front of her. She knows he can see her, though her expression remains unshifting beneath her visor.

She knows the correct answer to this. She really does. But something rebellious inside of her cries out and takes hold of her when she speaks, arguing that yes, she hasn't done routine maintenance on herself in weeks, she's fairly sure a few of her environmental filters is busted, her nerve sensors are fried, she needs him to be so much closer-- ]

... Yes. [ She says simply. ]

[ Validation. To be needed. Those are things 9S is in constant need of. The last cycle had fulfilled that, but his previous reformatting had left him an empty shell. Hungry and parched for something he isn't sure he'll ever get. So when 2B agrees to maintenance, 9S is on his feet quick. Questions and curiosities aside, all he knows is that he wants to be there for her. To please her and ensure she's safe and well. 9S can't say he's ever felt that for anyone else, and he can't understand why. At all.

But he moves forward. There's so much on his mind, and part of him wonders if seeing 2B's entirety via maintenance will answer any of his questions. He was told to only do what is supportive of routine maintenance, to not pry any further, as it's unnecessary and unethical. But... He has so many questions. ]

You got it.

[ His feet click upon the ground with every step, seemingly echoing in the small room that bears so much silence on 2B's end. He comes close to her bed, standing to the point of hovering over her as he activates his projected screen. ]

Initiating routine maintenance check. You can relax if you want.

[ It may take some time. But 9S connects to her quickly, initiating the full scan. Which takes little to no time. His brow perks when he's immediately thrown a barrage of malfunctioning or broken code. So many of her features are either completely out of date or broken entirely. Unnecessary buildup of files and back-end commands that never went through. ]

This... Wow. There are a lot of errors I'm getting here, ma-- 2B.

How long has it been since your last scan?

[ How the fuck have you been living like this?! ]

Right.

[ 2B knows of 9S' need for validation; she's seen it since the beginning of the neverending cycle between them. Part of her feels disgusting, like she's playing with that need in order to further her own gain, but another part of her argues that it's only logical. This had been their relationship outside of her own personal feelings, so it stands to reason that she would ask him to perform maintenance upon her like this.

As she hears him step closer, she closes her chipset menu in order to lie on the bed provided for her, removing her visor. There would be no need for it here. She knows full well that 9S won't go prodding through her memories or other auxiliary functions, but... She can't help but wonder what would happen if he did. Still, she does nothing to verbalize her thoughts, instead opting to remain still as he scans her. At his question, she exhales. ]

... Weeks. Months, maybe. [ She offers lamely. Honestly, maintenance had been the last thing on her mind. ] My reactionary processors have been sluggish lately. That explains a lot.

[ She tries to remain casual, like she hasn't been barely holding it together this whole time. ]

[ He hadn't taken 2B to be inefficient. This is... Ridiculously inefficient. 9S is shocked, because his initial observations of anyone aren't usually wrong. This is flat-out neglect. Many of the issues he's finding being so simple to fix when they first start, but can so easily lead to requiring replacement if they go unchecked. He looks worried, because he can't help it. ]

Sluggish? I'm surprised it's running at all. At this rate, you'll need a full replacement. I can't do anything about this from a software level.

[ He squints at the errors firing off regarding her nerve sensors. How... Really? She must be practically numb. Or in constant pain. He can't be sure. 9S is functioning purely on an analytical level when he leans down and pinches her arm. ]

Can you feel that?

[ It definitely isn't like 2B to fall into such a state of disrepair; she can hear the incredulity in 9S' voice, and part of her feels... sheepish. A little embarrassed. What is wrong with her? Still, she shows no outward signs of this, her eyes moving to his face. She can see his furrowed brow from beneath his visor, and it puts a heavy weight on her chest. ]

... No. [ She says, completely honest. The constant pain had been an issue in the beginning, but she'd ignored it. Now she hardly feels anything, and while that had its uses in combat, she knows that it makes her inefficient. She's prone to be labelled a liability at this rate. ]

... Should I see the medics instead? Are you equipped to handle hardware issues as a scanner type?

[ He can't imagine what mentality goes behind ignoring maintenance issues outright. There's something rather indicative of something wrong with 2B in terms of her mental state. That can be the only answer. No android willingly goes without repairs if they're needed. His gut wrenches, heart seemingly pained to see how many error messages pop up one after another. He isn't certain why he's so emotionally compromised facing this, but he doesn't feel that he should question it. 2B's health is crucial to all missions, and he's in charge of her stability and well-being. Because of this, he wears a bit more of a serious composure.

With the swipe of his hand, 9S forced the projection to the side so he can better face 2B. It's hard, for whatever reason, but his worry takes the front seat. Gently, he reaches down to usher her up. ]

Depends entirely on how bad it is. I might be able to do a simple fix, if a replacement isn't required. C'mon, sit up for me?

[ Should she comply, 9S seats himself on her bed. He crosses his legs, facing her completely. He points to her abdomen. A bit meek when he starts to speak again. ]

I um. Just need to open the front panel of your abdomen. Could you unbutton your top? Y-You don't need to do it all the way. Just enough for me to take a look.

[ 2B hadn't realized just how far into disrepair that she's fallen, but seeing the seriousness that clouds 9S' features clues her in. She knows she's being careless, that her prime directive should be at the forefront of her list of priorities, but something inside of her shifted between the time she'd last killed him until now. The world seemed to hold nothing more for her, especially in the wake of the fact that 9S was going to return, completely unaware of who she is and what he means to her.

2B complies easily, sitting up. She says nothing as she does as she's bade, undoing her skirt and lifting her top, pushing the upper part of her leotard down so he can more easily access her front panel.

She knows it's overkill. But some disgusting part of her can't help it. ]

[ He can easily face most grave situations from a logical standpoint. Not allow himself to get too scared or nervous when he's faced with something that requires finesse. But he's got his faults, his weaknesses, and 9S is discovering that for whatever reason, 2B is one of them. He's mentally prepared to open her up and get this done quickly without much guilt or nerve.

And then she completely goes topless.

9S had his gaze locked on her abdomen. Prepared to keep his glance there and pay attention to nothing else. But when everything comes off and he's met with her breasts squeezing out from her leotard, he halts. 9S' eyes widen, and he's thankful for the cover that his combat visor gives. But that doesn't hide the brows that raise. His pulse-rate is spiking again, heart mechanism pounding against his chassis. ]

O-Or that. That works, too.

[ His voice cracks there, cheeks colored. 9S struggles to shake out of that, but he manages once he gets to work on opening up her front panel. He hesitates at first, especially because he realizes fast that it's hard not to stare at her tits. And he isn't entirely sure why they're a distraction to begin with. It's not like he hasn't seen a naked android before. But.... They weren't activated yet.

Somehow this is different. 9S feels something shift inside of him, but he ignores it for now. Once he's exposed to her wiring and panel, he can find some focus. Her circuits aren't fried, thankfully, and that brings a sigh of relief. ]

It'll take a few moments but....

[ 9S leans to the side, zooming his camera in further toward her insides. ]

I think I can take care of this. Nothing's sparking or overheating. Your nerve-circuits burned out, but I think I can salvage them.

You... Really shouldn't avoid routine maintenance going forward. I'll keep it in check going forward, don't worry.

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