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

[darkerstripes]

He blinks and chuckles softly. "Oh, it was definitely you! I recognize your voice. You said hello back to me."

[lostinmyway]

It takes her a moment, but then: "Oh!"

She beams again. "Oh, my, what a sweet thing to say!" A giggle. "My name is Grune! What's your name?"

[darkerstripes]

Oh my goodness the force of sunshine in this woman's beam could light up a city. Toshi flushes and looks at his feet, but he's smiling.

"I'm called Toshi. It's very nice to meet you, Miss Grune."

[lostinmyway]

"My, what a pretty name! It's very nice to meet you, too, Toshi."

She thinks for a moment--who was he looking for again? --and then she remembers. "Are you one of Kotetsu's friends?"

[darkerstripes]

He makes a small sound of surprise. Is his name pretty? He never considered that before. It's his... he likes it. That's about as far as it went. He finds himself a bit sheepish.

Then he finds himself delighted. This is an even better question than he was expecting. Much better, actually. "Yes, and I've lost him. Do you know where he is?"

[lostinmyway]

"Hmm...I think so." A finger lifts to her cheek. "We were in the kitchen this morning...or was it yesterday?"

Or was it the candy room?

[darkerstripes]

His batteries leap up into his throat. Kotetsu is here! He beat his android friend to this place... and then his excitement falters as she struggles to remember.

"But he is here? He's... safe?" He almost doesn't dare to ask the word. He tries to prevent the horrible potential scenarios from clawing back to the surface.

[lostinmyway]

Immediately, Toshi's fear sends her confusion straight out of her mind.

She steps closer and says, "Oh, yes, he's just fine. You don't need to worry at all."

[darkerstripes]

He wants to believe her. The desire is so strong in his eyes. "I was supposed to be protecting him, I don't know how... how my guard got down so far. Suddenly I was here and he was gone."

He feels guilty for being this desperate but here we are.

[lostinmyway]

"It's all right, dear. Everything is just fine."

She opens her arms. "Would you like a hug?"

He looks like he needs one very much.

[darkerstripes]

He certainly does want a hug but he's still so scared.

And afraid he doesn't deserve it, so he hesitates. "You're certain he's safe?"

[lostinmyway]

She nods. "Oh yes. He's all right now. We can go find him if you'd like."

[darkerstripes]

Something in him relaxes deeply. She's so.. sure, and soft. It's reassuring, even if he doesn't know her. "Yes please... and. Also to the previous question."

He wants a hug.

[lostinmyway]

She smiles and steps forward, wrapping her arms around him. Her hold is firm but soft and warm.

She'll let Toshi decide when he's ready to go find Kotetsu. She's happy to hold him as long as he needs.

[darkerstripes]

He's nervous in the split second before the hug actually happens, but the minute her arms are around him, he feels so safe. It's strange. There is some quality in her that makes her feel so trustworthy and good, in a way he usually only feels around his heroes.

He squeezes a little tighter, lingering for a long moment. "Thank you..."

[lostinmyway]

She leans her head against his. "You don't need to say thank you. I'm happy we can be together like this."

[darkerstripes]

"I am appreciative, so I am thanking you." That's how it works, right? He's pretty sure that's how it works. "You are very kind."

He finally loosens his grip and steps back a little.

[lostinmyway]

Grune lets him go, but immediately holds out her hand for him to take, beaming away. "Oh, my, what a sweet thing to say!"

What a nice new friend she's made!

"Would you like to go look for Kotetsu now?"

[darkerstripes]

Oh goodness he is so overwhelmed. This lady is so nice? He doesn't understand? How deal.

He gingerly takes her hand. "Yes, please."

[lostinmyway]

Comfortably, she laces her fingers through his. "All right, let's go."

With her free hand, she makes a loose fist and raises her arm in the air. "Charge!"