Enter the reflection

[darkerstripes]

The first thing he notices is that he's no longer plugged into his charger base. He wasn't asleep- he doesn't have the need- but he'd set his senses to 'hibernate'. It passes the time faster than being alert all night, when his (caretakers? friends?) humans are asleep. He has his danger alert system on, so if something entered the apartment he would know.

Apparently the same was not true of exiting the apartment. His eyes come back online with a soft green glow and he starts in surprise. Dust, cobwebs... stone. Nothing is familiar. That isn't possible. He doesn't dream, and he sensed no change, no movement. Hesitantly, he stands, glancing around, poised at every joint to run or dodge.

No danger is apparent, no matter how many times he scans. He can't trust his sensors, though, because they didn't even detect his arrival here. How could he have been moved without noticing?

"Kotetsu?"

He calls to his host. His own voice echoes back through the room, sounding eerie as it returns to his ears from the outside. They buzz with light feedback. He frowns. If anything has happened to Kotetsu... The android feels his eyes flash red for a moment at the thought.

He can feel the anxiety rising in his wires, sparking circuits and making his voice box feel squeezed. He remembers what Barnaby taught him, about controlling fear. Breathing in three, out five. In three, out seven, in three, out ten. Focus on your physical form. Take stock of what you know is true, toss out what you're assuming. Start over.

He is in a throne room. There is no immediate danger. He is unsure how he arrived. He is unsure of Kotetsu's whereabouts. The android takes out his phone and attempts to send a message. No signal. He does another breathing exercise. He doesn't actually need the air, of course, but his body requires the pressure change to speak, and the rhythm of it soothes even his synthetic body.

All other options exhausted, he must explore and search. He opens his map program and begins with a fresh, empty blueprint. He estimates the dimensions of the room, adds in the doors. He chooses one of those doors, and begins his exploration.

Comments

Inadvisable phone tags aw yeah

[darkerstripes]

He is leaving out most of it, really. But those are the important facts to be starting with. they weren't always true, but they were true when Toshi arrived here, and they have been true for some time. Kotetsu is already so far on edge ... He doesn't need any of the messy details right now.

Or maybe ever.

The laughter is music to the android's ears and a soft addition of color comes to his face. Purely cosmetic for the sake of expressing, of course. He doesn't have blood. 'A nice change' the man says. Oh boy if only he knew. Still... "I should hope so, seeing as you're the one who gave it to me." He seems very proud of, and fond of, that fact.

He smiles a little wider to see the pocketed hand and gesturing. This is the Kotetsu he knows and loves. His own posture relaxes enough to put both hands in his pockets. He glances down, covering part of his face with his hat brim.

"No. I was not made by Barnaby." He wishes that were so. "Though he and Mr. Saito have worked together to repair me, or alter and improve my capabilities." Like reactivating his free will, or unpacking the Drs Brooks' incredibly advanced emotion simulation system. They got much further than anyone ever knew, because they suspected their work was being watched by greedy eyes. In software for AIs they were well beyond.

It was their other son who perfected the hardware. But Toshi doesn't want to talk about him.

Inadvisable late night tags aw yeah

[oldmantiger]

Even if it's purely for the sake of expression, it's effectively done. So far, Toshi is averting the Uncanny Valley that Cis inhabited just by existing. It takes a lot of little touches to create a believably human effect, even if they're all seemingly irrelevant on their own. The rise in color, coupled with the smile, does a lot to add to that effect - to make him seem more human, and thus put Kotetsu a little more at ease.

"So Bunny and Saito handle all the science, and I handle the really obvious nicknames?" He snorts wryly in amusement. "Yeah, that sounds like me." At least "Toshi" was obviously meant as a proper name, whereas "Bunny" just kind of wound up sticking to Barnaby. And despite the fact that he really, truly doesn't know the android, Kotetsu catches himself feeling a flash of pride that he himself gave Toshi something he's apparently proud of. It's almost certainly a lot catcher than whatever his model number was, after all.

But if Barnaby didn't build this guy, Kotetsu wonders who did. Rothwang, probably, but why? Maybe on Maverick's orders. Probably just another way he was going to try and get to Bunny. Yeah, that makes sense.

"...mind if I ask you why you happen to look just like me, then?" Despite his increasing certainty that Toshi is not hostile, the resemblance is still disconcerting to Kotetsu. A proper answer might help settle his nerves, or so he hopes. "I mean, it's a nice face, don't get me wrong."

presses my face to this thread

[darkerstripes]

It takes many little touches, and many years, even multiple generations, of altering and tweaking. The icing on the cake for this particularly believable human effect is months of caretaking and effort on the part of the android, and his human friends. The genius in the Brooks' AI system isn't specifically their artificial personalities, it's that they designed them to be reactive, to learn and to change in an organic way. There's a seed of existentialism within their software that allows the AI to define itself, choose who it wants to be, within reason.

Toshi is incredibly grateful and adoring of their efforts, every day, as he carries the legacy of their work inside him.

He opens his mouth to protest Kotetsu's self-deprecation, but it occurs to him that maybe it was meant to be humor. "I am very fond of the name," he admits anyway, as if that wasn't already clear. He just doesn't know what else to say to that. Kotetsu is... unbelievably important to him. Kotetsu was the first living soul that showed him true kindness, who attempted to be his friend. Kotetsu is his Hero.

The old man can be observant and logical, when he tries to be. It's a good assumption. It makes sense with the knowledge he's working with. It's about as close as he could get to the truth, anyway.

Toshi keeps looking down at his feet and fidgets. "It is a reasonable question." But unfortunately a complicated one to answer. He can't hold back a little giggle at the joke, though, even as he's struggling to find an answer that won't make this moment unbearable. "I was. Created and designed to look like you... by a very bad man, who knew he could never corrupt... the real you. But wanted a Tiger on a leash."

The last part is a weak, weak attempt at softening the blow. A little dash of funny to sweeten the bitter pill of the implications he's offering. He wishes there was a way to explain it that was better. But... there isn't.

lays on this thread

[oldmantiger]

It's about equal parts self-deprication and humor. Kotetsu is still at a stage in his life where the self-deprication comes with an easy thoughtlessness that he's not always even entirely aware of - especially if it can be made part of the humor, especially if he can make himself something harmless for people to laugh at and thus set them at ease.

"Glad to hear it." It definitely seemed that Toshi was fond of the name, but it's nice to hear the words spoken aloud. Kotetsu actually looks a little surprised, and then even a little touched, before he tries to play off the moment with another laugh and an expansive shrug. "I mean, I do come up with some pretty great names! Bunny likes to complain about it. But I know he loves being called 'Bunny', deep down." Possibly very deep down. Still, he's glad despite himself that Toshi doesn't seem to share the nickname. And then he reaches up as though to tip his hat to the android - a force of habit before he frowns and remembers that his hat is still missing, lost in the library.

Toshi looks like a child called to stand in front of the teacher for a test he hasn't studied for. It's a strange effect to see on his face from the outside - though, Kotetsu supposes, probably not an unfamiliar one given the way he's often caught out by authority figures. But Kotetsu still feels a stab of something like sympathy for his counterpart, struggling with what must be a complicated answer. This time, it's his turn to wait patiently while Toshi composes himself.

...even if the answer turns out to be even worse than he could possibly have guessed.

There's no missing those implications, and they are indeed so very bitter. Especially since, even on the surface, they hint at implications that might be even worse. Kotetsu sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes widening for a moment, and his knuckles whitening as his hands clench defensively. Because someone out there wanted him - wanted him controlled, corrupted, "on a leash". It only solidifies his belief that that someone was Maverick. He took Kotetsu's life away once, after all. The fact that he apparently had to make do with a...yes, a replacement, is a small comfort in that moment. Especially since it means that something else...someone else went through all of that in his place.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He's more than sorry to hear it, but that seems a place to start. "But you're...off that 'leash' now? Is that what you're saying?" He hopes very much that that's what Toshi is saying. "And now you hang out with Bunny and me?"

kotetsu is a fucking gift

[darkerstripes]

Kotetsu barely had to put effort at all into setting Toshi at ease. He confused the robot for a very long time, with his constant attempts at friendship, trying to convince him he could do better, be better. Even as Toshi was forced to run surveillance on him, forced to steal data from Apollon, ordered to hurt people... Kotetsu always believed in him. He has no reason to think anything bad about himself. Toshi had started to catch on to how often the veteran hero ever gave himself enough credit, though, and he would sense it now, if he wasn't too busy being a shaking, nervous mess.

It probably says worlds more information that the only alternative ways Toshi could think of to explain why he was made in Kotetsu's image are worse.

At least talking about Barnaby, and about Kotetsu's nickname habit, calms him down a little. "Not that far deep down, really." At least from where he's standing. Barnaby is touched that Kotetsu is fond enough to give him a nickname. Though Toshi does recall a time when he was more tsundere about it.

He's still looking down at the ground, so he misses some of the shenanigans of missing hat. He'd offer Kotetsu his, if he knew the hero missed it so. Toshi only ever uses it to hide.

There's a nasty sort of dryness in his mouth. Toshi takes a moment to marvel at the detail work on his system, that his so very human moisture system that allows him to moisten his mouth and sweat or cry for effect, responds so easily to his emotions. Then he just feels nervous. It's a make-or-break moment. Kotetsu knows know, he must, that Toshi was made by his enemy. If he doesn't attack or run...

No, of course he wouldn't do either. This is Wild Tiger. Mister friendship is magic himself. He jumps straight to the best possible conclusion, putting all that hope and faith in this android he doesn't even know. Toshi could honestly cry. He doesn't want to, doesn't want to burden this Kotetsu that doesn't know him, but he is so full up of emotion. You're so good, Kotetsu Kaburagi.

"Yes. You and Barnaby taught me how to be free. Are... teaching me how to be free. I don't have a Master anymore." He has friends, instead. Or whatever Barnaby and Kotetsu are to him now. Something important, precious, loving. Everything tender and good and supportive that he never dared to believe in before.

He's really not! You all just have pathetically low standards and have never felt love before

[oldmantiger]

Truth be told, it has occurred to Kotetsu - in the dark, suspicious voice at the back of his mind that he frequently wishes he could turn off but has, on occasion, helped him live to become a veteran hero - that this could still all be a part of some grand trap. That Toshi could just be running through some plan or protocol crafted to play on his sympathies. That he never had any memories of this lookalike to recall at all.

But though the idea has occurred to him, he discards it as irrelevant. Because there's also an equal chance that Toshi is telling the truth. And between the risk of walking right into a trap and the risk of turning his back on someone who needs him, Kotetsu always considers the former risk a more acceptable one than the latter.

It's even occurred to him that they might come from different timelines - parallel ones. That the events that might lead to him specifically meeting Toshi might never occur in his world, and somewhere in another Sternbild another Kotetsu is wondering where his friend went. But even that is ultimately an irrelevant detail. Because he is also Kotetsu Kaburagi, and...he named this android. This person. And Kotetsu wants to protect everyone from any sort of danger, but especially those he names. Toshi is his responsibility, at least for now.

(It probably helps that he, at least, grew up watching and reading a lot of Astro Boy, and remains quite a fan to this day.)

And indeed, how can he possibly not look delighted to hear that - that he and Bunny helped free Toshi from whoever his master was, and are teaching him something better? "So you and me and him, we're like the three...um...the three..." Now it's Kotetsu's turn to stare down at his feet, and click his fingers a few times for good measure. Oh, god. He knows this word. He knows he knows this word.

"...muskrat deers?"

That is probably not the word. It's a botched attempt on his part to reference the Three Musketeers.

"You know what I mean." He looks up with an apologetic smile...and only then does he see that Toshi looks about ready to cry. Questions over whether or not he's capable of actually shedding tears don't even cross Kotetsu's mind. That look is recognizable enough, and he can't not respond to it. Even if he completely misconstrues the reasons for it. He looks at first alarmed, and then he just tries to keep his expression reassuring. He even draws a little nearer, pulling both hands out of his pocket and holding them out, so that Toshi can see they're open and empty.

"H-Hey, hey! You don't have to worry. I know this must all be a lot to take in, but...but Barnaby's here, too! So we can keep helping you learn all of that here. And in the meantime, if we put our heads together, we'll be home in no time. We can figure this out!" They can stick together.

... toshi cant deny either of those so welp

[darkerstripes]

It would be well within Adam's power and mind to create such a trap. He would set bait with a cute, sad face looking for help to try to lure Kotetsu in. He managed it, even, using Toshi without the android's conscious knowledge to that end. But this time, they are both safe of the influence of Toshi's twisted creator.

Toshi hasn't quite gotten so far in his suspended disbelief to start considering alternate timelines or realities, but he'll get there. He's still struggling with the fact that not half an hour ago he was sitting in Kotetsu's apartment, watching him sleep. And now he's here. Talking to Kotetsu... who doesn't even know him. And is good and supportive and kind just the same.

He watches Kotetsu stumble over the reference, slowly looking up at his face, and a smile forming that pinches up his cheeks. You're talented at getting sad boys to smile, Kotetsu. Toshi responds with a soft, trembling laugh, and a nod. He does know what you mean.

Something sparks harshly in him at the look on the hero's face. He's so upset, so many different emotions at once, and Toshi feels guilty for his overreaction. He shakes his head, an actual saline tear dripping down a cheek, and his smile widens to a full one. "I'm not worried about that. I'm..." He doesn't know how to word it, so he takes the invitation that those open hands pose.

Would you have guessed an android would give good hugs? This one does.

"Thank you for believing in me, Kotetsu." No matter where or when.

[oldmantiger]

He never would have guessed that an android would give good hugs. But this one definitely does. Kotetsu is glad to find this out, because Toshi had really been starting to look like he could use a hug. Kotetsu just hadn't wanted to overstep any boundaries that might exist. He still makes a soft, surprised sort of sound to suddenly find himself being hugged by a robot doppelganger, when scarcely a week ago another robot doppelganger was trying to do him in. But this is a much more preferable outcome, and so he chuckles - this time unmistakably fond - and wraps his arms around Toshi in turn. The android probably knows that Kotetsu gives good hugs already. He's giving one now, holding the android close and safe, trying to express without words that he will be protected and he is not alone.

"H-Hey, don't give me that much credit." Kotetsu can feel his face warming a little, still unaccustomed to such genuine gratitude or praise. "You're making yourself pretty easy to believe in."

Even when he pulls away, he doesn't pull away far. Instead, he slings an arm around Toshi's shoulder, keeping the android close by to him and making to continue walking with him, side-by-side down the hallway. The sooner they find Barnaby, the better. But in the meantime, he thinks he can help bring Toshi up to speed on the situation.

"Okay, so. We're in a freaky castle. With a lot of weird people. Some of them are cool. Some of them are giant crocodiles that want to eat people. And, uh, said giant crocodile probably isn't too fond of my face right now. Sorry about that."

[darkerstripes]

Well, this android did learn from the best. And... was coded in with Kotetsu's physical movements and mannerisms to begin with, so there's that. Creepiness aside, it's a hug of mutual protectiveness, and Toshi finds himself melting into it. It's exactly what the doctor ordered, from the moment panic hit him that he didn't know where Kotetsu was anymore. He can feel the chuckle vibrate in his chest and it warms his synthetic skin all over in happiness.

He didn't realize how strung up and anxious he was until he suddenly felt safe again. Even if something is terribly wrong, with Kotetsu here, and Barnaby soon, too, they can sort it out. Toshi believes in that. He believes in them.

Boundaries are a myth. As far as Toshi is concerned, Kotetsu can touch him wherever, however, and whenever he wants, because he knows Kotetsu would never hurt him. Every touch he's ever been given has been wonderful and good. He loves the arm around his shoulder just now, such a Kotetsu thing to do, and he slips his arm lightly around Kotetsu's waist.

"I will give you that much credit." He will be stubborn about this, and the suddenly confident smile on his face proves it. It doesn't last, though, in the face of that compliment. Toshi's cheeks color again and he looks down.

"... Did you pick a fight with a giant crocodile, Kotetsu?" He almost sounds more like Barnaby when he says that.

[oldmantiger]

Creepiness aside, it's also a way in which they're possibly good for each other. After all, Kotetsu knows that he's more prone towards displays of physical affection than most of the people he knows - even Barnaby, who is still getting used to the idea no matter how much he otherwise seems to enjoy it. If Toshi also mirrors him in that tendency, that need...well, maybe they can satisfy it in each other, and there can be a few more hugs around the place as a result.

Even so, once he sees Toshi go back to staring at his feet, Kotetsu is preparing to apologize. Apologize for what, he's not entirely sure...but it seems like something he said suddenly made his counterpart feel uncomfortable.

But then Toshi comes out with that instead, and Kotetsu lets out a short bark of laughter that's as much surprised as amused. Then, of course, he adopts an expression of theatrical mock-offense that's probably quite familiar to the android by now. It's his favorite look to wear around Barnaby when he starts in on similar lines of questioning.

"I did not pick a fight with a giant crocodile! I'll have you know that the giant crocodile picked a fight with me! There I was, just minding my own business wondering what I was suddenly doing in a library, and then grrrr, there he was, talking about ripping me limb from limb. I had to jump out a window."

He also might have made remarks about the crocodile's mother. But the crocodile made remarks about his mother first. And Kotetsu didn't even think they were that bad, as remarks go.

[darkerstripes]

Toshi knows well enough that Barnaby has more of a personal space bubble than either Tiger does. He's much more amenable to casual touch, now, but he's still not quite the clinger that Kotetsu is. Toshi loves that about his human original. He loves the open smiles and the fond touches. He would hang off of Kotetsu all the time, if he thought he could get away with it.

Even with the nagging little feeling of guilty and worry he still has, the side-hugs and Kotetsu's theatrical storytelling keep the worst of it at bay. What a dweeb. Toshi... totally adores him. The laughter fills him up and makes him feel light. A genuine smile breaks across his face. He can't keep up playing Barnaby for this scenario, he's got a terrible poker face when it comes to Kotetsu.

"... You had to jump out a window?" His tone wavers between Barnaby's 'that was stupid' tone and shocked fear. He's never letting you out of his sight again. No more hibernation mode. He will be alert at all times. He doesn't even realize his arm is getting a little tighter around the hero.

[oldmantiger]

He might not notice, but Kotetsu does. He winces, but more out of embarrassment than anything else. The burns on that side of his body are still proving a little slow to heal, certainly slower than he'd like. But Toshi still isn't gripping too hard to bother him there. Even so, he recognizes both sides of that tone. The fear is more alarming. He's just about learned to tune out the "that was stupid" tone. And so, being Kotetsu, he hastens to reassure Toshi that there was never anything to worry about.

"Well, no, I didn't have to jump out a window." He kind of had to jump out a window. "It was just, y'know. The first choice that presented itself." And with Croc bearing down on him, he hadn't thought he'd have time to look for a second one. The big green jerk had proven surprisingly, frighteningly fast. "Besides, he was too big to jump out of it after me. And I got a good look at the place on the way down, before I caught myself." He holds up the wrist where his grappling-hook watch remains in its usual place. "It was actually kind of fun."

It's certainly not the worst fall he ever survived. Which might explain why he keeps making mention of it when, to most people, I jumped out of a window to escape a giant crocodile is considered rather alarming news. Okay, he got a bit cut up from the glass, but not as badly as he might have. He does have enough sense not to mention the threat to string him up by his own entrails, though. He only adds: "But, the guy might still be kind of grumpy about it, especially after Bunny gave him a run for his money, and he's probably not gonna be in the mood to ask questions about androids. So just be careful, okay?"

[darkerstripes]

There is always something to worry about when it comes to Toshi's beloved heroes. Especially Kotetsu. They get themselves into such trouble all the time, and when he isn't there to protect them to boot! He's a fussy android, especially so now that the Brooks' coded protectiveness aspects are activated in his system. He's meant to care for heroes, protect Barnaby, protect the people of Sternbild and wherever else he may go.

You make his job very difficult, Mister.

He sighs softly. "I'm just glad you're safe." He has no comment about the fun part. He bristles just a tiny bit at the mention of Barnaby, worry about their safety becoming salient again.

But the irony does occur to him that Kotetsu is mentioning all this for the sake of keeping Toshi safe. He concedes. "I'll be careful." Were he home, he would scold Kotetsu for facing danger without him, but he isn't home, and he doesn't feel like he has the right to do that to this Kotetsu just yet.

[oldmantiger]

In this, they would actually quite agree - although of course, Kotetsu would never use those exact words or even say so directly. But he's only just begun to accept the idea that Barnaby is allowed to worry about him, which is a category that was previously only really occupied by his mother and his brother. While he certainly won't stop Toshi from scolding or lecturing him, Kotetsu is also going to be much more likely to tune him out with the best possible intentions. Already, he's back to thinking about how he knows best how to look after himself, and that it's more important to protect Toshi while he finds his feet here.

Toshi will no doubt be able to bring Kotetsu a little further back into line soon enough, however. He's already proven that he knows how to talk to his model just to get as far as having Kotetsu walking comfortably beside him.

"Great! I mean, he probably can't get everywhere. Just keep an eye out for places big enough for a giant crocodile to hide. Like, um...the library."

He's only risked going in there once or twice, so far. And only to look for his hat. He hasn't had any luck, so far.

"Speaking of places to hide, I should probably show you where Bunny and I are staying." He scratches thoughtfully at his head, already trying to review his own very shaky mental map of the place. At least in as much as anyone can map the castle. "It's an empty hallway otherwise. So you can pick whichever room you want." Not that an android would probably need to sleep, he realizes even as he's saying this. But...well, what else are they supposed to do? Leave him out in the hall? Toshi deserves to have a place of his own if he wants it...and he should know what to look for, if he needs to find them in a hurry otherwise.

[darkerstripes]

Patience and persistence has gotten Toshi very far in the past, even with the short time he's had free of his Master's control. He can be patient again, picking at Kotetsu's particularities until he's counted among those who are allowed to fuss over him. Until he's close enough to his human original to feel like he can have the casual touch he so craves without asking every time. That's enough to hope for, he thinks, even if there was far more between them starting to bloom and settle when he left... no, he can't assume that will be the case again.

Besides, he will be happy enough to be allowed to care for Kotetsu and Barnaby, and to be considered a friend. The hugs and smiles are a fabulous start.

"That is very good. I would prefer all of the residents of this castle not be in constant danger." They would all have their work cut out for them.

He perks up, almost catlike. Kotetsu is going to show him his and Barnaby's rooms? Such trust, already. He smiles a soft smile and shakes his head to himself. Of course Kotetsu would trust him so much again so quickly. He never should have underestimated. Still, it's a significant gesture. "I don't really need..." he trails off as a series of thoughts intrude. He doesn't need a room because he doesn't sleep. He doesn't sleep because he simply recharges. He arrived here uncomfortable because his charger was unplugged and left behind.

He has no charging station. He will eventually run down on battery and be unable to continue operating unless he finds or builds one. Right?

[oldmantiger]

"Mm?" Kotetsu looks over curiously at Toshi as he trails away. He doesn't immediately guess at the true reason why, however. "You don't need what? A room? Well, I guess not. But there's plenty of rooms around. No reason you shouldn't have one if you want one. Even if they all seem kind of plain and boring." He makes this assumption after seeing maybe a grand total of a half-dozen otherwise unoccupied rooms in the entire castle. "But you can keep books in there. Or flowers!" He's tried bringing flowers into his room, just to brighten it up a little. He even risked taking out a few books, the last time he was in the library (not knowing that it had been a different library entirely).

Let's see...they went up that flight of stairs, they turned right, and now here comes the...third door on the left? Probably the left. Maybe he's actually looking for the third door on the right. Maybe they should have turned left. Either way, Kotetsu pauses to open the door that's his best guess on where to go next. Sure enough, his expression brightens. "Aha! Ballroom." They're definitely on the right track.

It's a vast room - one of the biggest in the place, as far as he can tell - with a gleaming polished floor that's otherwise empty except for the long table piled high with cakes and pastries of various descriptions. Kotetsu mostly ignores them as they head towards the door on the opposite side of the room, and not just because he knows there's jewelry baked into them somehow.

[darkerstripes]

He's lost in his own fussing, and doesn't entirely take in Kotetsu's face and reactions. He is still very charmed that Kotetsu wants the android to have his own space, even if he doesn't need a bed or anything like that, so he tries to not overreact, going through the problem-solving motions in his head as he follows along through doors.

He should need his station to charge, and he should have been only partially charged when he arrived. His system, however, is telling him that his battery is at full. That makes no sense. Even if he had fully charged before arriving, he shouldn't be at a perfect 100%. His eyebrows are slowly creasing from the thought.

The declaration of the ballroom does make Toshi perk up a little. Kotetsu seems very satisfied about this development, so Toshi pauses his worry to look around. "It is impressive..."

He glances at the pastries but only for a passing moment. He doesn't eat- he kind of can't, there's nowhere for the chewed up foodstuff to go. All he requires is some water occasionally to fill is coolant tank and to replenish his fluids system for sweat and tears and... the like.

He can't keep silent about the worry forever, though, and he knows Kotetsu would scold him for keeping his fears to himself. "Kotetsu...? You have mentioned this castle does some strange things. I must ask, how do electronic systems fare, here?" The technology of the building is archaic, to him, after all. But his battery...

[oldmantiger]

Once they've crossed the gleaming floor towards the room's other door, Kotetsu opens it and peers cautiously out into the hallway beyond. Looks clear. And he thinks it looks familiar. Maybe this place is actually taking it easy on him.

...when did he start thinking of a castle as alive?

He motions for Toshi to follow him. Should be just another couple of turns down the hallway on this floor. Maybe up another flight of stairs.

Even if they've only just met, Kotetsu would definitely scold Toshi for keeping his fears to himself...though neither would he be entirely surprised. It's still gratifying, when Toshi comes right out and admits what's worrying him. It would have taken Kotetsu much longer to come to the logical conclusion on his own.

"Oh, right! Duh, you probably need to charge or something." He facepalms, mentally kicking himself for not realizing as much earlier. Fortunately, at least in this case he has good news to deliver. "Yeah, don't worry about it." He rummages around in his pocket, pulls out his phone, flips it open, and holds it out for Toshi to see. "I don't know if it's something in the air or whatever. But electronics always seem to stay charged, here. My phone's been at seventy-six percent ever since I got here a few days ago. Which is great, considering all the pictures I've been taking."

Hm...speaking of...

"Hey, hold on a sec, will you?" He calls up his camera.

[darkerstripes]

It's very entertaining, the way Kotetsu peers through the door cautiously to make sure it's safe. That crocodile monster really instilled a sense of fear into the hero, didn't it? Toshi will have to stick close to keep him safe until the threat is gone. He resolves to do that, even as he chuckles at Kotetsu's theatrics.

He's so stupidly endearing. Toshi wonders if he's half so charming in his own particularities.

"They don't require charging...?" He peers curiously at the phone which is, as stated, right at 76%. Fascinating. That would explain Toshi's own happy batteries. This place just gets stranger and stranger. It's all just so... convenient in it's finger-wiggling magic explanations. It would be suspicious if it actually seemed to point to anything. "That is one less thing to worry about, then."

Hey wait a minute what. A picture? Why. Why, Kotetsu. Toshi really should know him well enough to expect this kind of nonsense and yet. He makes an awkward face. "All right..." If it will make him happy...

[oldmantiger]

Toshi doesn't have to wonder. Kotetsu is already finding him ridiculously charming - especially in those pecularities he's obviously developed independently of Kotetsu.

He almost laughs at the awkward look on the robot's face, but bites his tongue. That is also an expression he associates very much with Bunny, and not just because it can still be surprisingly hard to get a good picture of his partner when TV cameras aren't involved. Yet the guy balks to have Kotetsu's cheap phone camera pointed at him...

Still, he makes it quick, just to put Toshi out of his misery. Kotetsu makes sure to angle the phone to get a good look at the android's eyes, and then...click! That way, he knows it's not just him in a weird outfit. "There we go," he says, replacing the phone in his pocket. "Even if Maverick's not here, something messed with our memories. no one can ever seem to remember how we got here. So if something like that happens again...at least I'll know I know you."

He replaces the phone in his pocket with a smile, before motioning to Toshi to follow again. "Come on. Shouldn't be too much further."

[darkerstripes]

As much as he is hoping that is true, that Kotetsu (even a Kotetsu who doesn't remember him) would find him charming, he would get quite embarrassed to know he succeeded. True praise is still something he's unused to and is still learning how to take. He thirsts for approval strongly, but he still doesn't know what to do when he gets it. Maybe Kotetsu can continue to help him with that.

Toshi would laugh at himself, if he knew how much his expression resembled Barnaby's. He's taken cues from both heroes now, after spending so much time with them. Having them around as he slowly develops his own personality, free of forced obedience coding and with the Brooks' Natural AI program running, has definitely affected his habits. Some of them are his own, certainly, and some of them he borrowed from other sources, but there are strong veins of both Kotetsu and Barnaby in his behavior.

That is surely a horrible picture of him but oh well. Kotetsu has a habit of taking unflattering photos. It's just a thing.

He has something else to fuss about a moment later, anyway. He's making sure he can keep track that he knows Toshi. That's... so touching. The android fidgets happily as he follows. "I am not sure why we don't remember arriving... or why you don't remember me." There are multiple explanations that don't have to be 'memory fuckery', but none of them are great. Still, the effort is so appreciated.

"Hopefully it is not another Maverick case." He doesn't want to have to lose his shit on another Maverick, but he will.

[oldmantiger]

"I don't think it's Maverick himself. I've been looking, trust me, and I don't think it's like that old bastard to stay out of sight this long." He would have tried drugging someone by now. He would have made a play by now. "But it's not like the powers of a NEXT are completely unique. It could be someone else with similar abilities pulling the strings here." And then, of course, he'd have no idea what to look out for. Either way, Kotetsu tries to make sure there's at least someone else in the kitchen with him whenever he cooks something. Just in case.

If it is another Maverick case, Toshi will have to wait his turn to lose his shit.

"Or it could even be something in the air. Something about this place, like gadgets always staying charged. We're up in the sky, you know? This castle is flying. Whatever's keeping it up...maybe it messes with our heads, whenever we're brought inside the field." Like an EMP for the thoughts. "I haven't met anyone here yet who wasn't brought here like we were."

Wait. That reminds him.

"Not everyone here is human. Or even, uh, human-shaped. There's other monsters here, besides the big green jerk. But they're all pretty harmless, so far."

He doesn't want Toshi to be alarmed at the sight of walking skeletons.

[darkerstripes]

Toshi makes a thoughtful noise as he listens. Probably not Maverick himself, then, which makes sense. He would be very, very surprised if it was. Though, again, with the timeline nonsense... still, Kotetsu's points are good ones, as always, and Toshi trusts his judgment. If it does turn out to be Maverick, though, Toshi will happily wait in line to use him as a punching bag.

"Perhaps some studies are in order." He isn't the most well-equipped to be testing a place for strange effects, but he could be less so. It's strange that whatever it is that messes with them, or brought them here to begin with, seems to have equal power over an android... and, apparently, over other creatures.

"Interesting. It is good that the monster ratio is so in favor of nonviolence." He's gone into scientist mode a bit.

[oldmantiger]

Kotetsu punches the air in emphatic agreement. "In lieu of someone to punch in the face for this, I'd say some studies are definitely in order." Though, much like Toshi, he has very little idea of where to start. "I've been doing some climbing." He holds up his grappling hook watch for evidence. "Frisk mentioned there's some folks who can fly around this place, but I haven't met 'em. I figure most of them are probably trying to find a way down. Maybe there's something hidden on the roof or in a corner no one's noticed yet."

He doubts it, really. But what Kotetsu is mostly trying to avoid is getting complacent. Even claiming a room here for his own was almost more of a concession than he was prepared to make. He has to find a way home. He will find a way home. If it means getting back to Kaede, no stone in this place is safe from getting unturned.

...but in the meantime, they've arrived at those reluctantly chosen rooms. And Kotetsu has at least made some outward sign of marking them as their own. One of the doors bears a wooden plank sign nailed to its front. The words "Barnaby Brooks, Jr." have been neatly painted on that sign in black. An identical sort of sign, only bearing Kotetsu's name, has been affixed to the door next to it.

Kotetsu, meanwhile, lets out his breath in a long sigh, running his hand distractedly through his hair as he surveys his handiwork. "In the meantime...home sweet home, I guess. You can pick whichever room you want, and I'll make you up a sign as soon as I find the art room again."

[darkerstripes]

Toshi can't stop the fond smile that forms when Kotetsu punches the air. He's just like a little kid sometimes with his enthusiasm, but it's so refreshing to the android. It's pure and it's wonderful, and it makes him feel content in reality, as stupid and romantic as that sounds. "I shall work on some test designs, then." And make sure Kotetsu can be there for it, since he's so enthusiastic.

"As long as you're careful..." Fussy mombot strikes again. He lost track of you and when he found you again you'd forgotten him, okay? He's worried. "Flying would be extremely useful." He hopes he can find these flight-enabled persons.

There has to be some sense, some order, some force behind this place and everyone's arrival here. Toshi is going to hunt for it. Hm, that's very scientific of him, isn't it? That's another moment of individuality for him to jot down and keep close. A logician. Makes sense, he thinks, considering he's a being of binary and physics. There's an ounce of pride in his smile for a moment, before it goes back to just being fond of Kotetsu.

And his adorable little signs what the heck. Toshi grins a bit wider at them, warmth tingling on his skin. "Thank you." For being so kind despite not knowing him, for being welcoming and trusting and offering him a place near yours to call his own, for the sign offer. For just existing, really. He shyly approaches the room next to Kotetsu's, opening the door to have a peek inside.

It's a room. Dusty and full of webs and signs of misuse. It's simple, sparse. There is a desk, at least. Almost a table with a chair, really, but that's enough. He doesn't need the bed. Toshi's nose wrinkles at the mustiness, but perhaps cleaning it up will be a good distraction from his worries.

"This one will do."