[Video]

[buildingitsir]

<sub>[The feed shows York with a dilapidated backdrop of a factory room where he's been staying. His brows are furrowed like he's angry but it's just a front. He's nervous. But this needs to be requested because if something bad happens...

Better to just be blunt and get it over with.]</sub>

I need parts made. Not just like, regular standard grade parts that you'd find in a computer or whatever fucking bullshit we want to compare this to. Like, delicate and small parts. Even better if we can make bio-component parts.

<sub>[He didn't even bother introducing himself because there's been enough mixups so far and he doesn't want more.

The feed goes chaotic for a long moment, showing blurs as it moves. There's soft whirring and hissing that can be heard before the camera focuses on a section of opened mechanics. There's fine metal and plastic of engineering on display, with inner workings moving together. Blue glows and moves through clear silicone tubing like veins.]</sub>

This shit is tough to ask for but I don't have the means to make them myself. But if something breaks, that's gonna be a bad time.

_{[The camera moves to blur the view again before York's face appears again.]}

Comments

[buildingitsir]

Definitely a big family. I’m almost jealous.

_{[He either didn’t have that emulation or did and didn’t tap into it like his other negative emotions.]}

Yikes, yeah I would pass on having one as a pet then. Rather not be eaten and out offline by one. 'Death by rat', what a shitty tombstone to have if they made them for androids.

[owneroftheworstroom]

Hey, as long as you love your family, it doesn't matter how big it is.

...I don't necessarily need a pet. The rats were good company when I felt lonely and bored, but here... Heh. Can't say I've been bored here yet.

[buildingitsir]

_{[York visibly tenses, then scowls hard.]}

Only my middle brother. Two can go six feet under and the other can get dismantled in my fucking opinion.

<sub>[He knows that Bruno obviously knows nothing of his history with his family, but damn if that didn't press a tender circuit hard.

He turns away, still looking pissed off.]</sub>

Sorry, it's a really fucking touchy subject. Yeah, this place... not boring. Fanfuckingtastic.

[owneroftheworstroom]

[ Now this is... Sad to hear. Bruno's expression softens into a concerned frown. ]

What happened...? If you want to talk about it, I mean...

[buildingitsir]

_{[York‘s teal eyes meet Bruno‘s concerned gaze and thinks about it. This was a stranger, offering to just… listen? That was a first. The gate threatens to turn into a scowl. His lips keep moving, twitching until he finally gives up on it. He turns his eyes away. Still trying to decide what he should tell this guy, if he was even willing to share.]}

…It’s hard to explain. And… it’s heavy shit.

[owneroftheworstroom]

That's usually the case with matters that concern us deeply. But talking... It helps. Had to talk through some stuff myself more than once. Of course everyone was scared about listening to anything I had to say, so- I talked to my rats. Which isn't quite the same as talking to a person.

[ And a shrug. ]

Tío Bruno has an ear for you whenever you need one, kid. Or two. No judging either. Just try me. If it gets too heavy? We can always call Hernando.

[buildingitsir]

<sub>[Tío? That was Spanish. He didn’t have enough of the language downloaded into his database to be able to converse. Just enough to understand bits and pieces. Still, he focuses on what Bruno says, staying…quiet. For a change.

He picks his head up to looking questioningly.]</sub>

…Who’s Hernando?

[owneroftheworstroom]

[ Bruno chuckles lightly. ]

A friend. Not scared of anything, but also not the most talkative. I'll introduce you one day.

[buildingitsir]

_{[York wants to check something on the device, but doesn't because it's still being used to communicate. Was there someone in the city named Hernando? He'd have to check later.]}

Well if he's anything like you, Tío Bruno, then I'll probably like him. Might not tell him or you anything, but... it's nice that someone's willing to listen.

_{[It meant a lot, even if York doesn't say it.]}

[owneroftheworstroom]

Hey, the offer's there. And I'm sure your other friends around here will be happy to lend you an ear as well. It's what friends do!

[ Good luck finding Hernando. ]

[buildingitsir]

_{[The offer was there, but York wasn't sure if he was ready to... dump that kind of trauma on one of the few friends he had here.]}

So is that what title you want to go by here? Tío?

_{[Yeah, change the subject, just like a real and uncomfortable feeling human!]}

[owneroftheworstroom]

Title...?

Oh, uh... N-no. hat's just- Y-you know. It's- It's what my nieces and nephew call me. 'Cause I'm their uncle. Their tío. I know we aren't related, but- You're kinda their age? Sorry if that was awkward...

[ He gives a small, certainly awkward chuckle. ]

Just Bruno is fine.

[buildingitsir]

No, it’s fine. I don’t have an actual uncle so…

_{[Now it’s York’s turn look awkward as he rubs his neck. He didn’t want to say it out loud - it was like admitting something vulnerable.]}

But calling you Tío Bruno sounds…cool.

[owneroftheworstroom]

[ Bruno smiles, then nods. ]

I'll be your tío, then. Your name's York, right?

[ He taps his finger against the screen. ]

That's what it says up here at least.

[buildingitsir]

Yeah, that's right.

_{[There's some semblance of a smile that pulls at one corner of his mouth, but it's gone as quick as it comes. A quick reaction to Bruno tapping the screen.]}

Uh, sorry for being an asshole I guess. When you first answered me.

[owneroftheworstroom]

Heh, it's alright. Weird stranger popping up on your screen thing asking weird questions? I can see how that'd make one be defensive.

[buildingitsir]

Eh, remember that heavy shit I mentioned? That defensive front is because of that bullshit.

_{[York at least seems to relax on screen. Bruno didn’t seem to want to hurt him, and now the android had his first uncle. Sweet.]}

[owneroftheworstroom]

Well, we're not talking about that, so no need to fret. You're looking for those parts, after all. That seems more important. I- I'm sorry I can't be of much help there. But if you just want to take your mind of things, may it be heavy shit or just- Ya know. Regular frustrations- We can paint something together. We're slowly working our way up the hotel. It's already gotten a lot more inviting!

[buildingitsir]

Yeah. Parts, definitely more important. And it's okay. It's an android problem, really. If I get hurt, going to a hospital isn't going to fix me like it would you or someone else.

_{[A pause.]}

...The hotel is being painted? Like on the inside?

_{[He's pretty certain he hasn't seen any change on the outside at least.]}

[owneroftheworstroom]

We started in the lobby.

[ Bruno gestures vaguely with one hand. ]

Didn't like how dull it all looked and some others shared that feeling. So we're painting. It's a great way to relax!

[buildingitsir]

Oh, I uh, don’t paint? Not like that. Standard stuff you’d find in and out of a house like walls, that what I paint.

I don’t think I’ve ever really…relaxed.

_{[There wasn’t much time for that where he’s from, what he was dealing with.]}

[owneroftheworstroom]

Does it matter? I haven't painted in years before I came here. Spent most of my time with my telenovelas.

[ And avoiding to be seen by anyone of his family. ]

[buildingitsir]

Well if you want it to look nice, then yeah it fucking matters.

_{[He immediately regrets the bite, but focuses on the other part of what Bruno says.]}

Ah, telenovelas. Never seen any myself, but I've at least heard of them from my earth. I think one of mom's friends liked them or something.

[owneroftheworstroom]

I say you should give painting a try! Lark and I went to that other city and we made new paint!

[buildingitsir]

Wait there's another city? This crumbling cesspool isn't enough?

_{[No he hasn't been paying much attention to the network or explored his device to the fullest potential.]}