victory_road | (no subject)

Yes, let's forget it. Entirely. Ah - I hadn't considered it. I didn't wish to intrude.

Who says you are intruding?

It's... rather more a feeling. I doubt there is any truth to it, but feelings can be difficult to ignore.

I'm not the person to talk to about feelings, but Mando likes you around for obvious reasons that we are not discussing. I like having someone here who can look at my clue boards and actually get them. And you know Boober gets excited any time he can cook for even more people. And you know I am a terrible liar, so what I am saying must be true.

The worst of liars - perhaps that should go on your resume.

[Are we brushing off the assurances? Just a bit. Sorry Riz. Just give him a second here.]

We spoke of this, somewhat. Mando and myself. It's - something I am not quite skilled with. Being part of a group.

I get it. I never had any friends before I met the Bad Kids either. And sometimes I still don't really know how to act around them. But life is infinitely better with them around.

So it is. I was not deeply involved with the other units, either. Out of them all, there was never a combined form planned for me. It - sets one apart.

Combined form? Like... a team up?

[Nobody has told Riz about when two robots become one.]

Oh ah... most of our number can physically combine with one another. Such as the Build team. Five individuals combine into one, much larger unit.

Aren't you already massive? Why do you need to get even bigger?

Occasionally, the threats we face are even larger than we are. Or stronger. So the others combine in order to combat them.

Why did they never plan a combined thing for you? If it sounds so powerful.

I don't know. They never told me. Mando says it sounds like a design flaw. I'm beginning to wonder if he's correct.

Maybe they didn't think you needed it. You were the stealth unit, right? Can't stealth if you are a part of some giant bot. You had a different purpose. It's the same for me. It'd be stupid for me to be on the front lines. I can't take hits like Fabian or Gorgug can. Part of being a party is knowing what you are good at and not trying to do everything yourself.

Perhaps... but there's no way of knowing now, is there? You do raise a good point. Seldom did I work on the team with the others. I was, quite honestly, something of a lone wolf amongst them.

Not here, I guess. But once you are back home, you can demand answers. And if they won't give them to you, you steal the info yourself. It's about you. You should have the right to know it anyway. Obviously, the Bad Kids do nearly everything together, but I'm usually the one who does any of the investigations. Sometimes Adaine helps. The rest of them don't really have the skills or attention span for it. Kristen told me that while I was kidnapped, Fabian actually ate glass while trying to investigate. Who does that, I ask you?

Riz... I don't think we recall the events here, if we return home again. That's what I've heard, at least. ... Ate. Glass. And survived???

I know. That's what they say. But there might be ways around that. I mean, it sounds like whoever is behind this all casts some modify memory on us when they are done with us. You can break those. You just need... a reminder to do so.

[oh no. Cogs are starting to turn in Riz's head.]

Oh yeah. I don't think he actually, like, swallowed it. Just bit on it cause he says that is what I do? Which. No?? I have never bitten a piece of evidence. I've bitten some suspects but never the evidence!

A reminder? How do you mean? What would possibly remain with us between worlds?

[Especially since, you know, neither of them are human.]

Bit evidence?? Why - why would he think you bit evidence?

I don't know. I'll have to think about it. I know right?! I mean. I may have tasted evidence once or twice. But only if it was relevant to the case!

Why are you tasting evidence??

Taste can be a clue! I mean, I'm not saying I've done it but did you know that devil blood tastes sulfury? It's a quick way of figuring out if you are dealing with a fiend if you don't have magic to detect that sort of thing.

... I never needed to know that. Thank you, Riz, for such a... fascinating mental image.

You're welcome.