More SRWU! Yes, she says all those things with this face

[abugslife]

1. [Hetepheres encounters some sign of human culture as she passes by. It might be music, a movie, art, a game, even an unusual building - doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter if it's something very snobby and high-brow, or low-brow and plebian - her reaction is the same! As for you, either you're passing by as well, or are actively engaged with the thing in question.]

Ah, how interesting. I see that the advancements of Earthling culture continue to amaze.

2. [Now she's watching some people at work. Construction workers building something, engineers working on mecha in the hangar, something else - your pick. And now she turns to you.]

If I may ask - are those free laborers? Did Earth abolish the institution of slavery yet?

3. [Late evening kitchen raid! The huge bug-alien is consuming a pile of biscuits with... sugar and mayo. What. Only now she noticed you. Staring, probably.]

Hmm? May I help you...?

4. [A mecha fight! Or rather, the aftermath of one. It was a flawless victory, not one of those Generic Bad Ends!]

An amazing victory! Everyone, engrave this battle in your minds and cherish it, for it is something to be proud of. As for now...

[Well, mostly flawless. Hetepheres' machine is lying on its back, struggling to get up. Have you ever seen a beetle in the same situation? It's kinda like that, only with desperate attempts to keep her dignity added.]

...A little help, if you don't mind?

Comments

4

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

Our giant bug alien has fallen and can't get up?

Are you serious?

[abugslife]

This is a minor flaw in Scaraber's design.

I could get up on my own... Eventually.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

I'm not going to stand around and laugh at you.

[As tempting as it may be.]

But how the hell am I supposed to help you?!

[Chris gives the Scaraber a push. But she's just one girl, and not a superhumanly strong one. The effect is minimal.]

2

[caressthedarkness]

[What an unexpected question.]

Umm...as far as I know, they should be...

Does it look that way to you...?

2

[actuallyselfish]

Dido, one of those 'free laborers', looks up from her sandwich and thermos of soup and glares.

"Hey!" She shouts. "Don't you go calling us slaves! We've got unions and lunch breaks and everything!"

[abugslife]

Try using this as a lever.

[Mecha-sized laser staff, get.]

Judging by the size of guns you use on a routine basis, you should be able to at least carry it.

[abugslife]

Last time my people visited Earth, it was common to use slave labour for menial tasks.

Of course that was thousands of years ago, which is why I'm asking for a status update.

Re: 2

[abugslife]

Technically so did slaves back in the day. Although to my knowledge, their lunch consisted primarily of bread, vegetables and beer mixed together into a liquid.

...A bit like whatever that thermos is holding.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

Talk about troublesome.

[Fiddle, fiddle - Chris tries to use the staff as leverage, but without success.]

This is getting us nowhere... but don't worry, I have a much better idea!

4

[way_of_vengeance]

Ooooohh? Could it be that our proud alien visitor requires some assistance in a time of need? How unfortunate! Why, whatever shall she do...

1

[stupiddisciple]

Really?

[Above lies a promo for a new hit anime series: MIDDLESCHOOL OF THE DAMNED, a show that it's not really clear what it's about but a lot of breasts and not a lot of fabric is involved.]

...I'd rather not see where they started, then.

[abugslife]

Does that idea happen to involve explosions?

[abugslife]

This is just a minor inconvenience. I can take care of it myself... Given time.

Why are helpful mecha so hard to find on Earth in the aftermath of a mecha battle?

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

It's like you're reading my mind!

[Chris leaps into the air, and huge missiles pop from under Ichiival. They fire at the ground around Scaraber!]

[abugslife]

Not all amazements are of the positive kind.

And what creates culture is not just the high and elite, but also the everyday and common.

[abugslife]

I knew it...

[The exploding missiles throw Scaraber away from the ground! Or maybe detonate the ground from under it... Either way, this gives the giant mech enough time to spread its insectoid wings, regain balance, and land. Don't get swatted by one of those wings, Zenbu.]

For something that involved point-blank detonation, that went surprisingly well.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

What are you talking about? There is no way it could have gone wrong!

Also you are free now, so I accept no complaints.

Re: 2

[actuallyselfish]

Dido has a lot of questions to ask in the wake of that reply, but the first is:

"So wait: slaves back in ancient times had labor unions?"

[caressthedarkness]

From what I've heard, they work on their own free will...

I don't know if this applies everywhere though.

[way_of_vengeance]

Well, we did kill or seriously injure quite a few people today...

...perhaps it is judgement from god for your conduct in that battle?

[stupiddisciple]

You'll have to forgive me for preferring the former, then.

What sort of art is your world home to? Surely it must be better than this.

3)

[mistaken_for_monster]

... Kind of light isn't it?

[Volya seems to be carrying his own snacks... those being several onions, pickles, sweet cream and... a durian? Who the hell keeps a durian in the damn fridge? The smell alone would stink up the entire thing and then some?! You'd have to be an insane one eyed german with intense PTSD to even think that was a good idea... that or someone from a country with Durians, but whatever the case...]

[Then again considering this kid had to learn to eat things a goat would hurl up in order to survive... having a weird sense of taste after finally being able to appreciate the comforts of civilization wouldn't be too unexpected.]

[abugslife]

That's true.

As a matter of fact, I might borrow one of those missiles to create a self-righting system for Scaraber.

[abugslife]

What do you mean? Are there any nations on Earth that still use forced labor?

[abugslife]

No.

This implication was an exaggeration for comedic effect.