More testrunning

[a_linear_mind]

[1] [The Usual Combat Prompt]

[Explosions ring through the air as a city is attacked by some strange crystalline beings. In the middle of all of it you see a very weird looking slightly angelic robot fighting against the beings. However, whoever the pilot is - he seems to be a complete amateur.  As the entire machine is wrecked. Very large sections of it are missing and the only weapon it has left is a dinky-looking sword. And he's not using it very well. In fact he struggles against even a single one of these crystal beasts.]

Great, how could this get any worse?

[What he doesn't notice is the much larger group that's about to jump him from behind.]

[2]



[You've just helped Willis with something completely trivial that he really shouldn't have needed help with. Despite that, he's already grasping both of your hands and bowing to you repeatedly.]

Thank you thank you thank you. I don't know where I'd be right now without your help.

[3]



[For one reason or another Willis is trying to cheer you up in the only way he knows how. By bringing up how terrible he is.]

Hey come on now, don't let it get you down. You just made a mistake. I've made way more, like the time I crashed into my Boss'  personal garden with a mech.

[4]



[Something very bad has just happened and Willis was directly involved. When you find him, he's looking at what seems to be a very old photo. Of course, your presence doesn't go unnoticed.]

Yo, sorry you had to see...that.

Comments

[brought_it_back]

That's fine...

But, this is really a simple machine...and they're very common, all around the world...

...why were you so useless with it?

[a_linear_mind]

Useless is a bit harsh...I would say that I was...slow with it. Yeah, slow.

[brought_it_back]

[She grabs Willis's wrists, holding them close together in front of her.]

That's not an answer.

[a_linear_mind]

E-eh! Please let go...

[brought_it_back]

Relax. I will do nothing to harm you.

...But, I still need you to answer the question.
[She doesn't let go, but she's not holding on super-tight.]

[a_linear_mind]

I've...just been out of civilization for a while.

[brought_it_back]

...Does it have something to do with your necklace?

[a_linear_mind]

[That was a first.]

Now what would make you think that?

1/2

[brought_it_back]

Induction. It's rare for men to keep jewelry...it's a ring on a chain, like for a wedding or engagement...a wedding ring would interfere with your act. But, you keep it close to you anyways, just hidden...not in your wallet, but in a place that shows you value it greatly. And you don't take it off when you sleep...

...

2/2

[brought_it_back]

Holding your wrists like this lets me read your emotions more easily...nostalgia...regret? And...the tension of guilt.

[She lets go.]

Confession...is good for the soul. If you want to talk about what happened to her...I am here.

[a_linear_mind]

That's reading a lot from just a necklace and a few emotions.

[Despite the big talk, what she said very clearly has him on edge.]

But you know I don't think just talking about it will help me. Maybe you could do something else for me?

[And without any hesitation he places a hand on her chest, making his intentions very clear.]

[brought_it_back]

[She bats the hand away.]

I only noticed, because...you overplayed your part. Idiots...don't act like that. People pretending to be idiots, though...

...You don't have to tell me now. But, if you try to lie...I'll know.

And...if you try to take my body by force...I'll kill you.

[a_linear_mind]

I would never do something like that. That was just an offer.

If you're put on edge that heavily just from that though, then you must have a few skeletons in your closet as well.

[Time for Plan C, redirecting the conversation.]

1/2

[brought_it_back]

...

2/2

[brought_it_back]

...

...Everyone has skeletons in their closets, Willis. But...

at least...I don't pretend to be someone I'm not.

[a_linear_mind]

Everyone has different faces that they put on to deal with life. I'm sure you have a few as well. In fact, I think I've already seen several during this conversation of ours.

[brought_it_back]

...Is that all?

[a_linear_mind]

That's all I'll say about it.

[brought_it_back]

...alright.

[away she goes.]