Testrun! It's showtime!

[a_louse]

1. [You're in the middle of some kind of disagreement, or had one recently. Whether it's a big and important thing or a relatively trivial one, it doesn't look like any kind of compromise can be reached. And then, suddenly this guy shows up.]

I am Roger Smith, Paradigm City's top negotiator. What seems to be the problem?


2. [You got into trouble, and a bunch of armed thugs or other human-sized bad guys have accosted you in a dark street. Looks like this is going to end in a mess... But suddenly a smoke bomb explodes, blocking the vision of most of the bad guys and causing them to cough! A man in a suit swings in on a line, landing a kick to the head of the one that escaped the smoke!]

I suggest we get out of here. Fast.


3. [Roger got waken up by some loud noises before noon, which counts as way too early for him. Now he's going down the corridor like a slightly annoyed zombie, trying to find the source of the noise.]

What is this ruckus...

Comments

[a_louse]

Alright? I'm sure you noticed they're armed.

[And a few bullets start flying, though they're shot blindly and can't hit anything! Still calls for swifter evacuation though, which Roger does.]

...I also noticed you happen to have horns.

[jianai]

Oh, they wouldn't shoot anyone without a good reason. Well, this kind of thinking is a thing of the past now.

[Ren accelerates enough to catch up with Roger. Gotta keep the conversation going after all.]

You noticed? The armed men did too. In fact I think this is why they drew their guns...

[a_louse]

You're very quick to forgive people who wanted to kill you.

Pardon the direct approach, but just who are you?

[jianai]

I'm afraid they would find it a harder task than expected. Besides, I believe they only wanted to take my money at first. The situation simply escalated from there.

This may not be the best time for long explanations...
[Ren starts to run short on breath. Talking and fleeing at the same time will do that to you.]

But I assure you, except for a few differences I am just a normal person.

[a_louse]

A few differences?

[The time for catching a breath is here, because Roger stops by a corner and looks back over it, to make sure nobody's following them.]

[jianai]

You spotted two of them already, I believe.

Oh, are we safe?

[a_louse]

It seems we lost them for now. I can't promise they won't recognize you later though; you stand out from the crowd.

Are you a robot? I presume you're not a literal demon from hell.

[jianai]

A robot? I am flesh and blood, but you could call me a robot, yes. That is a close approximation.

[a_louse]

In this city one sees new things every day.

My name is Roger Smith. Do you need help with anything else?

[jianai]

I'm really glad we could meet, mr Smith. My name is Ren Ubuntu.

Could you direct me to the nearest payment-free business? Soup kitchen, homeless hostel, free clinic, does this city have anything like that?

[a_louse]

There are a few. Why do you ask? Do you need food?

[jianai]

No, I would like to see if they could use my help.

[a_louse]

I see. You're a peculiar girl.

[jianai]

Ah yes, I do get that a lot.

But I feel the need to correct you, Roger. I am not a girl.

[a_louse]

...

[Processing.]

...I see. My apologies. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, considering how unusual everything else about you is.

[jianai]

No, no. There is no need to apologize. I am... something like a robot after all, if you recall.