Second Verse, Same as the First

[ceasetoexist]

 [Well, those last two weeks certainly sucked. Halloween, at least, was pretty cool as usual, but even Pokey couldn't pretend it exactly made up for being burned to death in his home. He'd tried not to think about it as everything had gone on, since it wasn't like it was the first time he had died here. But he couldn't. He couldn't stop thinking about how he'd died essentially afraid and alone, and that pissed him off.

It didn't help that he apparently had another group of people stalking him, because of the devices BLU Engie had taught him to make. And in part, that was something else he didn't want to think much about either. A lot of people he'd known had gotten droned in the past month. Engie had just been the most dominant in his mind. Though really, he should be kicking himself for caring, because it was obvious that Engie was going to leave. And all he had wanted from the guy was knowledge about how to build things, right? Right.

He needed to get his mind off everything. Get his mind off everything and start protecting himself. And what better way to do that then to make a Sentry gun like Engie had taught him?

So yeah. Feel free to notice as you go about your day that there's a kid on Ricardo Street who appears to be making what's pretty clearly a weapon on his front lawn.]

Comments

[getsciencedone.livejournal.com]

[Walking by...oh weapons]

What are you making?

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[OOC - Psst, busted link.]

[Theta did not like Pokey. She didn't even know his name, but she'd met him once and spoken to him on the phone. She thought he was an insufferable brat, but...it looked like he knew what he was doing with those parts, actually, and that was rather scary in a child his apparent age.

She's out and about on a walk, but she stops to watch him work.]

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[Not even bothering to turn around.]

Your mother.

Thanks.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't notice you, not yet Theta. He's too fixated on his work at the moment. It's unlikely he's going to respond to someone or something unless they make the first move.]

[getsciencedone.livejournal.com]

I've never had a mother.

[Still looking/ignoring insults in favour of SCIENCE.]

A gun it looks like. What type is it?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Lucky.

It's a Sentry gun. It's automated to fire at specific targets.

<3

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[After a few moments, she clears her throat. It's not her usual sort of machine.]

What are you making?

[getsciencedone.livejournal.com]

Really. How interesting.

Does it have an AI?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[Just turning to you know, GLaDOS, and glaring.]

Hey, you know what else is interesting?

This isn't any of your business.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[He's surprised at first and turns, then just glares a bit. Oh, it's the whiny Limey woman again. Whatever. He supposes it couldn't hurt to answer her question.]

It's a Sentry gun.

[getsciencedone.livejournal.com]

That's very rude of you.

You know if you were nicer more people would probably like you.

[Talk, talk, still looking over at the gun.]

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

How is it made? [If she could put a few of those in the house...]

[coolbowtie.livejournal.com]

Inventing things are we?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Like I care.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's simple. See, it's-

Wouldn't you like to know?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Mmm-hmm.

House could use a little extra protection.

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[Cheeky sod.]

Mm...I take it you managed to avoid recent events..? Because I think that a lot of people would benefit by having such a machine available...

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[No actual response to that first part, though he visibly shudders. Nope. He got caught in it.]

Probably. Maybe they should get their own.

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[Theta spots that shudder. She has an interest in that gun, and she is curious about how someone so apparently young can build such a thing.]

Maybe instead of being a selfish brat, you should pitch in to the group effort..? Maybe then you wouldn't have to live through things that make you cringe like that.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[He's just silent for a moment before his body starts heaving a bit. It's uncertain at first, but it becomes obvious fairly quickly, especially with how he's smiling, that he's laughing at her.]

Why? So the group can stab me in the back when I've finished doing what they want? No thanks. I'd prefer to be a user, not the used.

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[Actually that gives her pause for a moment, and earns him a bit of her respect. Maybe he's not -just- a brat.]

You think you're strong enough and smart enough to use adults? And get by without help that you haven't manipulated them into giving?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

I did it for an entire year, so why not?

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[She nods understandingly, then offers him her hand.]

Elizabeθ Buckley.

I think you must have noticed that the stakes have been upped recently. Someone that can build things like this would be very helpful. What do you say to neither of us 'using' but standing as equals? I've designed an air purifier and oxygen generator...maybe that's worth your notice?

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[He'll look at the hand warily. He still won't take it, but he'll at least look you in the eyes, Theta.]

Pokey Minch.

...Maybe. I'm already associated with a group of other kids, so I dunno. But maybe.

[ergaleomancer.livejournal.com]

[She nods. She's also interested in that gun; she meets his eyes to nod at him, then goes back to sizing up the gun. Could she design something similar just off the basic idea of it? Well yes probably but could she get it done and in enough time to build one before it's necessary again?]