Ah, the comfort of strong arms…
“…We could do it now, if it isn’t too late on her clock. Is time a concept here? In the other Aperture, some AIs have actually set a sleeping schedule. I would be in sleep mode myself, if I wasn’t at full battery.” Morbid babbled.
“It would get something accomplished, at least.”
That would make him feel so much better—occupying him.
“There’s no set sleeping arrangement, and the Central Unit is always awake and functioning as normal. It would be easy enough to go tell her now,” Frick agreed. He made no attempt to move, though, quite comfortable where he was at. “It would be best for them to stay out of the way of the actual move, though. The maintenance bots don’t understand anything outside their own wavelength; they’re simpletons, so it keeps intruders from being able to get information or favours out of them. His Necro Sphere would have to tell the Central Unit just what he wants done and taken.”
“I’ve already provided a floor plan for her. All that needs doing is the movement of the furniture—something I’m not strong enough for.”
He raised an eyebrow at Frick.
“…Whenever you’re ready.”
Eyes moving away to another location in the room, he sank into the bed (as much as he could, given its extreme density), and hid in his hair.
“…I’m so sorry. It was entirely careless of me to do—I realized that earlier. You didn’t deserve that after what I put you through before. I’m so, so sorry.”
Mood killed.
“It won’t happen again, if I can help it.”
“His Necro Sphere is his, and he takes care of what’s his. Nobody’s allowed to hurt it, not even his Necro Sphere himself,” Frick more gently chided. He settled down on his side now, pulling Morbid closer. Hoarding him, really.
“On another note, the central unit’s wondering when the move is going to happen. She’s getting impatient; there’s something about work to be doing.” The sooner Morbid’s main station was here, the better for everyone involved.
Ah, the comfort of strong arms…
“…We could do it now, if it isn’t too late on her clock. Is time a concept here? In the other Aperture, some AIs have actually set a sleeping schedule. I would be in sleep mode myself, if I wasn’t at full battery.” Morbid babbled.
“It would get something accomplished, at least.”
That would make him feel so much better—occupying him.
Well, that was quite the change of heart! It certainly caught Morbid by surprise.
He returned the kiss in a much more mild manner, and wrapped his spindly limbs around his husband.
“I love you, too.”
“His Necro Sphere can do almost anything he wants without making this Adventure Sphere angry. He can make enemies or friends, destroy or create, or do whatever else makes him happy. However, if he dares even suggest putting himself in harm’s way ever again, this Adventure Sphere will lock him up securely in the morgue, close the portal, and guard the door so nobody can ever get at him again. His Necro Sphere came too close to dying once; it’s not happening ever again.”
Eyes moving away to another location in the room, he sank into the bed (as much as he could, given its extreme density), and hid in his hair.
“…I’m so sorry. It was entirely careless of me to do—I realized that earlier. You didn’t deserve that after what I put you through before. I’m so, so sorry.”
Mood killed.
“It won’t happen again, if I can help it.”
Morbid had laid down on his back and decided to look at the ceiling.
“…I’d rather live for your cause, than die with theirs.” He stated.
“I was standing there thinking about it for hours, and I realized who was more important to me. That’s… all that really needs to be said on the matter. I know where my place is, and… it’s not with them.”
Here was where the book was put down. It wasn’t very important right now. No, Frick was more interested in Morbid apparently choosing him over the humans. Those seemed to be Morbid’s only other friends at times, and yet Morbid was here instead of with them….
Frick moved to perch half above Morbid, arm supporting himself on the opposite side, and from there dipped down to deliver quite a heated kiss. The other had just indirectly said he was more important than almost anyone else. If that wasn’t a love declaration Frick could understand, nothing was.
Well, that was quite the change of heart! It certainly caught morbid by surprise.
He returned the kiss in a much more mild manner, and wrapped his spindly limbs around his husband.
“I love you, too.”
A ping sounded when Morbid entered the room, and he went to sit on the bed. “…I’m sorry for being irrational, Rick. You don’t have to worry about the whole ordeal anymore; I’m not going.”“…” That at least got Frick to look up from his book. Despite Frick’s fury, Morbid had insisted on going not long before. How could something have seriously changed his mind so quickly?
“The Necro Sphere seemed dead set on getting himself killed again just the other day.”
Morbid had laid down on his back and decided to look at the ceiling.
“…I’d rather live for your cause, than die with theirs.” He stated.
“I was standing there thinking about it for hours, and I realized who was more important to me. That’s… all that really needs to be said on the matter. I know where my place is, and… it’s not with them.”
He's not coming with us?
I don’t believe so. It’s not in his nature.
Why are you sorry?!
I… am not entirely sure he will join your crusade. Mortimer hasn’t set foot out of your facility since 1956.
He is a machine. And no matter how many times I feel otherwise, I can’t overlook the basics. A computer does not easily forget.
Yes! Marine is in trouble! Morbid was going to come and help us rescue her!
The ghost makes a knowing face, and nods, contemplating something. He then turns to Harpy with a less-playful demeanor.
…I see. I don’t know where he is, I’m sorry Harpy.
Something's bothering him? Oh no, I should find him. We're about to go! *frowns* Can I join you in throwing things at him? Please? I'm a pretty good shot now.
Go? You have somewhere to be?
*Cocks his head, totally curious.*
Oh! *waves to Morbid's daddy* Where's Morbid?
I’m not entirely sure. He walked in here, paced around a bit, and walked back out again.
It looked like something was bothering him. If it’s that blasted ‘Adventure Sphere’ again, I’m going to throw something at him, I swear.
*repeats herself* Morbid, what are you doing?
*There isn’t an answer.
The ghost in the radio waves to Harpy.*
Morbid. What are you doing?
*Looks like nobody’s here. Or at least, no one is acknowledging Harpy’s presence.*
It had been years since the light of the sun had shone on Morbid’s face. Hot, arid wind blew into his face, carrying sand with it to spray.
He had no idea America turned into a desert. What was left of the wheat field were dead stalks of pectin, to hardened by the environment to even bob in the breeze. An insect buzzed, paying no attention to that thing staring out of the doorway.
A covered leg hovered over the withered ground, hesitating to take a step into this alien world…
It returned to its owner. Not yet.
Ada: Well, I was thinking more along the lines of "I don't want them to hurt you," since you've got the anti-violent programming preventing you from defending yerself, and they're the kinda sons of bitches that shoot first and torture the answers out of you later, but if you're so keen on getting yourself shot, then be my fucking guest, asshole. Gather what you need and meet us in the vaults area when you're ready.
I will, thank you.
*Replies bitterly.*
OK. Marine did... something... that zapped her up there ahead of schedule. Apparently, the place is crawling with hostiles, and she needs an evac. I'm not keen on letting you and your pacifistic programming run around with the Combine and Xen creatures, so... we'll bring her back. I promise.
I believe there are a few figures in your human history that have accomplished a great deal without initiating violence.
I’m not sure if you remember just what I’m capable of. But if your petty ideals of disdain keep you from wanting my assistance, I won’t stop you. I simply hope you’re not using the same tactic for rescuing Marine.
Ignorance is deadlier than the gun, Miss Fletcher.
